Journal of rehabilitation medicine. Clinical communications最新文献

Despite increasing evidence for, and heightened awareness of, the importance of exercise in Parkinson's disease, many patients remain sedentary. This tendency to lead an inactive lifestyle has various underlying reasons, including the presence of gait and balance impairments that complicate the patients' ability to perform sports activities. This case report illustrates that a personally tailored approach may be required in these patients, supported, if needed, by the use of compensation strategies or novel technological advances.

Objective: Low back pain caused by osteoporosisinduced thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures is a common debilitating disorder. The aims of this study were to determine the accuracy and efficacy of spinal dorsal ramus injection and radiofrequency neurolysis for pain reduction in patients with this condition.

Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of 46 patients with low back pain caused by osteoporosis-induced thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures. All patients had been treated with spinal dorsal ramus injection with mixed Sensorcaine (Fresenius Kabi, USA) and Depo-Medrol (Pfizer, USA). In some patients further treatment with radiofrequency neurolysis had been required after the initial injection wore off.

Results: Out of a total of 46 patients, 45 (97.7%) had ≥ 50% reduction in low back pain immediately after injection. After the initial injection wore off, 18 patients remained pain free and 27 required radiofrequency neurolysis. The follow-up period ranged from 60 to 1,440 days (mean 335 days). The intensity of low back pain decreased from 7.09 ± 0.84 (numerical pain scale of 0-10) before treatment to 1.39 ± 1.51 immediately after the injection, and to 0.96 ± 1.36 at the last office visit.

Conclusion: Spinal dorsal ramus injection and radiofrequency neurolysis are effective and accurate therapies for low back pain caused by osteoporosis-induced thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures.

Objective: To describe the sociodemographic features, impairments, and functional changes of COVID-19-positive individuals who underwent inpatient rehabilitation at three rehabilitation hospitals in Toronto, Canada.

Design: Retrospective chart review of patients admitted to three COVID-19 rehabilitation units between 20 April 2020 and 3 June 2020. Sociodemographic factors, impairments, length of stay, and Functional Independence Measure data were reported.

Results: A total of 41 patients were included in this study, including 22 males and 19 females. The median age was 75 years. Thirty-six percent of patients were admitted to the intensive care unit during their acute stay. The most commonly affected body functions were: neuromusculoskeletal (73.2%); combined cardiovascular, haematological, immunological, and respiratory (65.9%); and mental functions (29.3%). Median total Functional Independence Measure score was 85 at admission and 108.5 at discharge.

Conclusion: This study represents some of the first data on the characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19-positive individuals admitted to inpatient rehabilitation in Toronto, Canada early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Intrathecal baclofen is considered an adjuvant therapy for patients with intractable spasms due to stiff-person syndrome. There is increasing evidence to support the use of intrathecal baclofen in the management of symptomatic stiffperson syndrome, with improvement in function.

Case report: A 38-year-old woman with stiff- person syndrome initially presented to inpatient rehabilitation for intractable muscle spasms. The symptoms made her non-ambulatory and limited her tolerance to wheelchair use for mobility. The patient underwent up-titration of oral baclofen and diazepam, with concurrent intravenous immunoglobulin cycles, leading to transient symptom relief. She agreed to explore intrathecal baclofen therapy. An initial trial of a single bolus of 50 μg intrathecal baclofen resulted in a significant decrease in spontaneous spasms, enabling modified independence in transfers and ambulation. The patient was subsequently implanted with a permanent intrathecal delivery system. To date, the intrathecal baclofen had been titrated to 186 μg per day with simple continuous delivery. The patient was weaned off oral baclofen. She attained complete functional independence with ambulation without the need for assistive devices, and has had no lasting post-procedural complications to date.

Conclusion: This case report adds to the increasing evidence of cases of refractory stiff-person syndrome managed successfully using intrathecal baclofen therapy.

Objective: Periods of lockdown due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have a negative effect on individuals' physical health and quality of life, and may result in a weakened immune response, leading to enhanced risk of infection. Due to lack of access to public resources during periods of lockdown many individuals cannot perform their usual daily physical activities. The aim of this short report is to discuss the use of mobile-based health applications and virtual reality systems for promoting physical activity at home through an interactive and motivating digital environment.

Methods and results: Information on tele-health, available from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and data on physical activity during lockdowns were reviewed. A list of mobile-based health applications suitable for use in promoting physical activity at home was compiled.

Conclusion: This report makes recommendations for mobile-based health applications to promote physical health, which can be used at home during periods of lockdown.

Objective: Alien hand syndrome is a rare neurological disorder in which the patient makes seemingly purposeful movements of one hand, which are dissociated from any conscious intent. These abnormal movements are very annoying, and can be disabling, for the patient. There is no established effective treatment for alien hand syndrome.

Methods: Report of a case of a 61-year old man with frontal variant of alien hand syndrome following ischaemic stroke.

Results: During therapy, the patient unwittingly grabbed objects with his right hand and could not voluntarily release his grip. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation was started, with learning of compensation strategies and a focus on bimanual tasks. Follow-up after 5 months showed a major improvement in the Functional Index Measure (FIM) score, an improvement from 36 to 79 on 126 scored items.

Conclusion: It is important to recognize this rare syndrome because of its disabling character. Evidence about the best treatment for alien hand syndrome is scarce. There is an important role for specific exercises and patient education. During rehabilitation of the patient, most improvement occurred with bimanual tasks and different colours (black, white and other bright colours) to navigate the subject's attention more to one side. Another exercise strategy was letting the alien hand catch a cube, after which the patient was able to perform more exercises with the other hand during one - handed training. In the current case, the alien hand syndrome resolved following specific and multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

Objective: Hand orthoses are often prescribed for persons with chronic hand and wrist impairments. This study assessed the feasibility, in terms of production time and user satisfaction, of 3-dimensional printed hand orthoses compared with conventional hand orthoses for this population.

Methods: In this prospective case series, both a conventional hand orthosis and a 3-dimensional printed hand orthosis were manufactured for 10 participants. Production time (in minutes) of each orthosis was recorded. Each orthosis was worn for one week, after which participants completed a self-designed questionnaire on satisfaction, scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Functionality and orthosis preference were also assessed.

Results: The mean (standard deviation (SD)) production time for the 3-dimensional printed orthoses, of 112 (11.0) min, was significantly shorter compared with 239 (29.2) min for the conventional orthoses (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 71-182 min, p = 0.001). Satisfaction scores were similar for both orthoses, except for comfort item "fitting method", which was rated significantly higher for scanning compared with casting (median [IQR] score: 5 [0.0]; 4 [2.0], p = 0.034). Functionality and orthosis preference were rated similar for both orthoses.

Conclusion: As the production time was halved, user satisfaction similar, and scanning experienced as slightly more comfortable than casting, 3-dimensional printed hand orthoses seem feasible and potentially beneficial for use in people with chronic hand and wrist impairments.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of personalized exposure in vivo on level of physical activity and quality of life in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy.

Design: Randomized, single-case, ABC design.

Subjects: Twelve patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, age > 18 years, diabetes mellitus type II, Clinical Neurological Examination score > 5, Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom Score ≥ 1 and Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions score ≥ 3.

Methods: The treatment consists of an Intensive screening, followed by an 8-week exposure in vivo intervention specifically adapted to the needs/risks of patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, and 6-months follow-up. Outcome measures included daily and non-daily measures of physical activity, quality of life, metabolic parameters, disability, depression, general and painful diabetic neuropathy-related anxiety, pain intensity and pain catastrophizing.

Results: Due to high drop-out rates (n = 6 during screening, n = 2 during treatment, n = 1 after treatment), only 3 participants completed the study. Slight, but non-significant, changes in physical activity and disability were observed. In quality of life, no changes were observed.

Conclusion: Analysis of the reasons for the high drop-out rate indicate that exposure in vivo may have added value in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy only for those patients: (i) whose daily life functioning is impaired mainly by the painful diabetic neuropathy; (ii) in whom painful diabetic neuropathy-related fears are exaggerated and irrational; (iii) in whom specific activities evoke the painful diabetic neuropathy-related fears; (iv) whose spouse and healthcare providers are involved in the treatment; and (v) who are willing to change their daily behaviour. Further research is needed into this subject.

Cancer itself can have lifelong devastating effects, but radiation treatment can often also result in long-lasting neurological and musculoskeletal complications, leading to subsequent severe functional impairments. Physiatrists caring for the cancer rehabilitation population must be able to recognize and treat radiation-induced peripheral nerve injuries. This report presents a rare case of radiationinduced obturator neuropathy in a patient with recurrent cervical cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of whole-body vibration training on working-age people on haemodialysis.

Design: Consecutive case series study.

Subjects: Seventeen working-age participants on maintenance haemodialysis were enrolled.

Methods: A 12-week whole-body vibration training programme, including different postures, was designed. The study evaluated and compared physical fitness, including a list of tests such as the 5-repetition sit-to-stand test, hand grip test, 2-min step test, and 8-foot up-and-go test; modified Berg balance scale; static and dynamic balance function; and quality of life, using a quality of life questionnaire before and after the training.

Results: All physical fitness parameters, except grip strength on the left side, improved after whole-body vibration training. For balance, the modified Berg balance scale demonstrated enhanced scores for equilibrium, with eyes closed on a stable surface and eyes open on an unstable surface, and movement velocity under the fast condition along the left and right directions (p=0.011). No significant improvements in quality of life were found.

Conclusion: Whole-body vibration exercise training enhanced physical fitness and static and dynamic balance control in working-age participants on haemodialysis.