Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

The Effects Of Exercise In A Patient Severely Impaired Due To Multiple Sclerosis: A Single Subject Design, R Degele, Barb Baker, Michael Shoemaker

Michael J Shoemaker, PT, DPT, PhD, GCS

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Psychological Factors On Pre-Operative Levels Of Pain Intensity, Disability And Health-Related Quality Of Life In Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery Patients, Allan Abbott, Raija Tyni-Lenné, Rune Hedland

Allan D. Abbott

Objectives - To assess the extent to which perceived pain and psychological factors explain levels of disability and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients scheduled for lumbar fusion surgery, and to test the hypothesis that relationships between pain intensity, mental health, fear of movement/(re)injury, disability and HRQOL are mediated by cognitive beliefs and appraisals.

Design - Cross-sectional, correlation study.

Setting - Orthopaedic outpatient setting in a tertiary hospital.

Participants - One hundred and seven chronic back pain patients scheduled for lumbar fusion surgery.

Measures - Visual analogue scale for pain intensity, Short Form 36 mental health subscale, Tampa Scale …

Latina Adolescent Outreach Project, Susan C. Schwartz

Susan C. Schwartz

Controlling Balance Decline Across The Menopause Using A Balance-Strategy Training Program: A Randomized, Controlled Trial, S. Fu, Nancy Low Choy, Jennifer Nitz

Nancy Low Choy

Objective: To evaluate effectiveness and long-term benefits of a specific balance-strategy training program in sedentary women aged 40-60 years and whether participation leads to adoption of a more active lifestyle. Method: Fifty healthy women were admitted to the randomized, controlled trial on the basis of their activity level. Subjects were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group, with the former attending twice-weekly for 12 weeks. Assessments made pre- and post-intervention and at 9 months follow-up included: personal demographics, hormone replacement therapy medication, activity level, balance measures, somatosensory function, ankle flexibility and leg muscle strength. Results: The intervention group showed …

Variation And Reliability Of Ultrasonographic Quantification Of The Architecture Of The Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle In Young Children, Kirsten Legerlotz, Heather Smith, Wayne Hing

Wayne Hing

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of ultrasonography for the quantification of gastrocnemius muscle architecture in healthy young children. The variation and reliability of measurement of muscle thickness, pennation angle and fibre length of the medial gastrocnemius were determined, using stationary and portable ultrasound machines, in 13 boys and eight girls aged 4–10. Ultrasound images were obtained from each leg, in duplicate, with the ankle at 90°, then at maximal plantar flexion, with the two machines within the same session. The same set of 16 scans was repeated in four children 4–6 weeks later. The mean …

Early Rehabilitation Targeting Cognition, Behavior, And Motor Function After Lumbar Fusion. A Randomized Controlled Trial, Allan Abbott, Raija Tyni-Lenne´, Rune Hedlund

Allan D. Abbott

Study Design - Open label randomized controlled trial with 3-, 6-, 12-month, and 2- to 3-year follow-up.

Objective - To investigate the effectiveness of a psychomotor therapy focusing on cognition, behavior, and motor relearning compared with exercise therapy applied during the first 3 months after lumbar fusion.

Summary of Background Data - Postoperative management after lumbar fusion commonly focuses on analgesic pain control and activities of daily living. After 3 months, exercise therapy is often implemented. No randomized controlled trial has investigated early rehabilitation techniques conducted during the first 3 months after surgery.

Methods - The study recruited 107 patients, …

Spinal Manipulation For Dysmenorrhoea (Review), Michelle Proctor, Wayne Hing, Trina Johnson, Patricia Murphy, Julie Brown

Wayne Hing

Background: Dysmenorrhoea (occurrence of painful menstrual cramps of uterine origin) is a common gynaecological condition. The character of pain from musculoskeletal dysfunction can be very similar to gynaecological pain by presenting cyclicly and being altered by hormonal changes associated with menstruation. Medical treatment for dysmenorrhoea usually comprises anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives, or surgical intervention. Spinal manipulation is a non-medical intervention. It has been suggested that manipulation of the vertebrae may increase spinal mobility thus improving pelvic blood supply and facilitating pain relief.

Objectives: To determine the safety and efficacy of spinal manipulative interventions for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea when compared …

The Use Of Contrast Therapy Recovery Within The New Zealand Elite Sports Setting, Wayne Hing

Wayne Hing

Background: Contrast therapy is a recovery modality that is widely used by many athletes despite the lack of scientific evidence for its use.

Aim: The purpose of this paper is to firstly survey and analyse the current utilisation of contrast therapy within the elite sports of New Zealand (NZ) and secondly, to compare the findings with current scientific research.

Method: A questionnaire was developed to survey elite NZ sports teams on their use of contrast therapy. The majority of respondents (79%) utilised contrast therapy as a recovery modality.

Results: The results indicated that contrast therapy is used immediately post exercise, …