Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of classification-based approach for low back pain care in Finnish primary care. DESIGN: A benchmarking controlled trial design was used. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Three primary healthcare areas and 654 low back pain patients with or without sciatica. METHODS: Classification-based care (using the STarT Back Tool) was implemented using organizational-, healthcare professional-, and patient-level interventions...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between acute-phase gait speed and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 3 and 12 months post-stroke. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: 1,475 patients with first-ever ischaemic stroke. METHODS: The patients were divided into 3 groups according to tertiles of gait speed, namely ≤0.8, 0.8-1.1, ≥1.1 m/s. Gait speed was assessed by the 10-m walking test within 2 weeks of hospitalization for acute stroke and before the rehabilitation programme...

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to produce a cross-cultural adaptation in Italian of the Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS), originally developed in English, as the first of two stages that also include cross-cultural validation and allow a clinical scale to be used in the proper setting such as rehabilitation units. METHODS: In order to adapt the ABS scale to a different cultural environment, five consecutive steps were performed: (1) forward translations (n = 8), (2) synthesis of the 8 forward translations to obtain a first shared italian version (ABS_I_trial), (3) back translations (n = 3), (4) creation of an expert committee to evaluate forward and back translations and finally (5) the cognitive debriefing...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate functional outcomes of surgery of spastic hip adductor muscles (obturator neurotomy with or without adductor longus tenotomy) in ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients, using preoperatively defined personalized goals. DESIGN: Retrospective observational descriptive study. PATIENTS: Twenty-three patients with adductor spasticity who underwent obturator neurotomy between May 2016 and May 2021 at the Clinique des Cèdres, Cornebarrieu, France, were included...

OBJECTIVE: Fatigue is a common symptom following acquired brain injury although the severity and course differs for many individuals. This longitudinal study aimed to identify latent trajectory classes of fatigue and associated outcomes following mild brain injury. METHODS: 204 adults with mild traumatic brain injury (159; 78%) or minor stroke (45; 22%) were assessed 4 times over 1 year. Subjective measures of fatigue, anxiety, depression, cognitive complaints and societal participation were collected...

OBJECTIVE: To report on the self-perceived occupational performance of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and examine the associations between aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage characteristics, socio-demographic factors and self-perceived problems. DESIGN: A single-centre cohort study design was combined with a cross-sectional analysis. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: All patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage who were capable of performing activities of daily living before discharge from hospital were included...

OBJECTIVE: To establish reference values for the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and 2-minute walk test (2MWT) distances, to investigate the correlation between these 2 tests, and to establish prediction equations for these distances in healthy populations of Belgium and Vietnam. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The 6MWT and 2MWT were administered to a convenience sample of 239 Belgian and 303 Vietnamese participants between the ages of 18 and 80 years...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate (i) to what extent physiotherapists (PTs) working in stroke rehabilitation in various parts of the stroke care chain have implemented interventions according to the national guidelines for stroke (NGS), (ii) facilitating and hindering factors for the implementation, and (iii) differences between various care settings. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: 148 PTs working in stroke rehabilitation in various parts of the care chain in Sweden...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 2-year course of walking adaptability in persons with late effects of polio. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PATIENTS: A total of 48 persons with late effects of polio (69% female, mean age 63.1 years) with a fall history and/or fear of falling. METHODS: Walking adaptability (i.e. variable target-stepping and reactive obstacle-avoidance) was assessed on an interactive treadmill at baseline, 1 year and 2 years...

OBJECTIVE: Musician's focal hand dystonia is a painless task-specific focal dystonia, which presents with involuntary movements, abnormal postures, and loss of fine motor dexterity. We report here the case of a 63-year-old male, percussionist, with african ethnicity, with musician's focal hand dystonia who was treated with botulinum toxin, and describe the results at 4-weeks follow up. METHODS: Clinical examination and video analysis revealed abnormal flexion of the 3rd finger, followed by flexion of the 4th and 5th fingers while playing the congas...

OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations between fatigue impact and (a) personal and stroke-related characteristics, (b) functional impairments and (c) work-related factors among individuals who have returned to work after stroke. DESIGN: A cross-sectional exploratory study. SUBJECTS: 87 working stroke survivors. METHODS: This study comprises data from a postal survey targeting work ability and perceived stroke-related consequences 1 year after stroke...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and trajectories of post-COVID-19 neuropsychological symptoms. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal multicentre cohort study. SUBJECTS: A total of 205 patients initially hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). METHODS: Validated questionnaires were administered at 9 months (T1) and 15 months (T2) post-hospital discharge to assess fatigue, cognitive complaints, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms...

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of different dosage parameters of focused-extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain and physical function in knee osteoarthritis patients with bone marrow lesions. In addition, to investigate pathophysiological changes based on imaging and biomarker measures. METHODS: Using a single-case experimental design, a total of 12 participants were randomly allocated in 4 equal groups of 3 to receive different dosages of focused-extracorporeal shock wave therapy...

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Comprehensive International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for multiple sclerosis with regard to the Brief ICF Core Set for multiple sclerosis. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional single-centre study. SUBJECTS: A total of 151 participants (99 females/52 males, mean age 49 years) referred for work ability assessment. METHODS: Data were collected from clinical recordings and by telephone interview...

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical effects of combining motor imagery-based neurofeedback training with bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for upper limb motor function in subacute and chronic stroke. DESIGN: Clinical trial following an AB/BA crossover design with counterbalanced assignment. SUBJECTS: Twenty individuals with subacute (n = 4) or chronic stroke (n = 16). METHODS: Ten consecutive sessions of bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation alone (therapy A) were compared vs a combination of10 consecutive sessions of bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with 12 non-consecutive sessions of motor imagery-based neurofeedback training (therapy B)...

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between recent stressful life events and self-reported fatigue and depressive symptoms in patients with mild traumatic brain injury. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (aged 18-68 years) with mild traumatic brain injury (n = 99) or lower extremity orthopaedic injury (n = 34). METHODS: Data on stressful life events and self-reported symptoms were collected 3 months post-injury...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate outcomes in patients with chronic pain after participation in an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programme with language interpreters, and to investigate the outcomes in women and men separately. DESIGN: Prospective multi-centre cohort study. PATIENTS: Ninety-five patients in Sweden with chronic pain who have insufficient knowledge of the Swedish language. METHODS: Duration and intensity of pain, anxiety and depression, health-related quality of life and fear of movement were evaluated before and after the programme...

OBJECTIVES: Parkinson's disease is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Tremor is one of the motor symptoms that can affect manual skills and have an impact on daily activities. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of upper limb training provided by a specific vibratory device (Armshake®, Move It GmbH - Bochum, Germany) on tremor and motor functionality in patients with Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, the training effect on global cognitive functioning is assessed...

BACKGROUND: Telerehabilitation has become increasingly popular since the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak. However, studies are needed to understand the effects of remote delivery of spine treatment approaches. OBJECTIVES: To verify and compare the effects of traditional rehabilitation programmes (in-person) and telerehabilitation (online) on the progression of scoliotic curvature in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to verify the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility among patients and physiotherapists regarding both treatments...