Disability and rehabilitation
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To translate and culturally adapt the Spinal Cord Injury Measure version III (SCIM III) into Greek (GR-SCIM III). To conduct initial testing of psychometric properties of both measures by self-report. ⋯ The Greek version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure version III (SCIM) is valid and reliable for self-report. Further testing is needed to assess psychometric qualities not assessed in the present study. Researchers and therapists in Greece can use a specific measure to assess functional independence in people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Consideration needs to be given to the participants' type of injury, which may affect the results of SCIM III.
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The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life (QOL) of Finnish children with cerebral palsy (CP) in different parts of Finland from the children's and caregivers' perspectives. The acceptability of the Finnish version of the CP QOL-Child questionnaire for clinical use is also evaluated. ⋯ The used questionnaire provides an effective tool to identify areas for targeting support actions and to set goals for rehabilitation plans. The study brings forward the voices of children. It was found that pain has a great role in QOL, which should be taken into account when making rehabilitation plans. The participation of children with CP should be strengthened in every possible ways.
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The present purpose was to explore patients' and involved physicians' needs and requests for improving their management of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI). ⋯ For improving SCI neuropathic pain management, there is a great need for individually-tailored management, planned in a dialogue on equal terms between health care and the patient. Patients desire continuity and regularity and the possibility of receiving complementary treatments for SCI neuropathic pain. Access to structured pain rehabilitation is needed. Support and tools need to be provided in the learning-to-live with pain process.
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Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are one of the most complex and disabling diseases, implying severe consequences on aspects of life of people affected by SCI and their caregivers. The aim of our study was to explore the situation of informal caregivers of persons with SCI when discharged home from a SCI Unit, in relation to needs, emotional experiences, difficulties and subsequent reactions to discharge. ⋯ Understanding the importance of discharge from the spinal cord unit as a meaningful step in the rehabilitation path for both patients and their informal caregivers. Orientating healthcare professionals towards a better caregiver involvement during the rehabilitation process. Promoting rehabilitation interventions addressed to the patients and their caregivers concerning supportive communication strategies as well as providing meaningful information, psychological and social support, educational intervention besides the physical aspects of care. Understanding SCI survivors caregivers' needs can assist healthcare professionals in planning and improving taking charge of this core aspect of nursing care.
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There has been an increase in the number of natural disasters in recent history, and the rate of disability is increasing among survivors. The most recent major natural disaster was the earthquake(s) that occurred in Nepal on 25 April 2015 and 12 May 2015. In total, more than 8500 people were killed and over 18,500 people were left injured. This article aims to demonstrate the role of rehabilitation professionals in post-disaster relief and beyond in Nepal. ⋯ Driven by medical advances in acute field medicine, the relative proportion of casualties following natural disasters is decreasing, while relative rates of disability are rising among survivors. In post-disaster settings, the growing number of people with newly acquired disabilities will be added to the existing proportion of the population who lived with disabilities, creating a significant growth in the total number of people with disabilities (PWDs) in communities that are often ill prepared to provide necessary services. Rehabilitation interventions in the initial stages of emergency humanitarian response can minimize the long-term effects among people with newly acquired disabilities through early activation and prevention of secondary effects. Rehabilitation providers thus appear to have an important mediating effect on outcomes of disabilities in the early stages, but must also be strong partners with PWDs to advocate for social and political change in the long term.