Pulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Functional Status in Oncology Patients

Morris GS, Gallagher GH, Baxter MF, Brueilly KE, Scheetz JS, Ahmed MM, Shannon VR. Pulmonary rehabilitation improves functional status in oncology patients.

Objective

To determine if participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program improved the functional and physiologic status of oncology patients with chronic symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, and/or exercise intolerance.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Comprehensive cancer center.

Patients

Oncology patients (N=30) (either a solid or a hematologic malignancy) with chronic dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and/or decreased functional status who had participated in an outpatient PR program.

Interventions

The PR program used an individualized, progressive aerobic exercise program (2-3 sessions/wk for 8-12 weeks) that consisted of treadmill walking, riding on a bicycle ergometer and exercising on a sliding board. This program also included a didactic educational and psychosocial component.

Main Outcome Measures

Functional status and exercise tolerance was assessed by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) conducted at the beginning and end of the program. Self reports of perceived exertion and dyspnea were collected during and after these tests. Physiologic status was assessed by calculating 6-minute walk work (body mass × 6-minute walk distance).

Results

Participation in the outpatient PR program significantly increased the 6-minute walk distance (21%, P<.05) and 6-minute walk work (17%, P<.05). Dyspnea and perceived exertion scores were similar at the pre- and postrehabilitation 6MWT despite the greater physiologic demand of the post-rehabilitation 6-minute walk. No adverse events occurred during the study.

Conclusions

The current study, although limited in size, suggests that participation in a comprehensive outpatient PR program is safe and of benefit in a heterogeneous population of oncology patients with pulmonary symptoms.     

Efficacy of a fabricated customized splint and tendon and nerve gliding exercises for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Brininger TL, Rogers JC, Holm MB, Baker NA, Li Z-M, Goitz RJ. Efficacy of a fabricated customized splint and tendon and nerve gliding exercises for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective

To compare the effects of a neutral wrist and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) splint with a wrist cock-up splint, with and without exercises, for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Design

A 2×2×3 randomized factorial design with 3 main factors: splint (neutral wrist and MCP and wrist cock-up), exercise (exercises, no exercise), and time (baseline, 4wk, 8wk).

Setting

Subjects were evaluated in an outpatient hand therapy clinic.

Participants

Sixty-one subjects with mild to moderate CTS; 51 subjects completed the study.

Interventions

There were 4 groups: the neutral wrist and MCP group and the neutral wrist and MCP-exercise group received fabricated customized splints that supported the wrist and MCP joints; the wrist cock-up group and the wrist cock-up-exercise group received wrist cock-up splints. The neutral wrist and MCP-exercise and wrist cock-up-exercise groups also received tendon and nerve gliding exercises and were instructed to perform exercises 3 times a day. All subjects were instructed to wear the assigned splint every night for 4 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures

We used the CTS Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and the Functional Status Scale (FSS) to assess CTS symptoms and functional status.

Results

Analysis of variance showed a significant main effect for splint and time on the SSS (P<.001, P=.014) and FSS (P<.001, P=.029), respectively. There were no interaction effects.

Conclusions

Our results validate the use of wrist splints for the treatment of CTS, and suggest that a splint that supports the wrist and MCP joints in neutral may be more effective than a wrist cock-up splint.     

Improvement of Gaze Control After Balance and Eye Movement Training in Patients With Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: A Quasi-Randomized Controlled Trial

Zampieri C, Di Fabio RP. Improvement of gaze control after balance and eye movement training in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy: a quasi-randomized controlled trial.

Objective

One of the main oculomotor findings in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is the inability to saccade downward. In addition, people with PSP have difficulty suppressing fixation, which may contribute to vertical gaze palsy. The objective was to investigate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation intervention tailored to enhance suppression of fixation and gaze shift in participants with PSP.

Design

Controlled trial with a quasi-randomized design. Measures occurred at week 1 and 5. Researchers assessing participants were blind to the group assignments.

Setting

Movement disorders assessment laboratory.

Participants

Nineteen adults with possible or probable PSP who were ambulatory for short distances and had far visual acuity of 20/80 and a Folstein Mini-Mental State score of more than 23.

Interventions

Balance training complemented with eye movement and visual awareness exercises was compared with balance training alone.

Main Outcome Measures

Gaze control was assessed using a vertical Gaze Fixation Score and a Gaze Error Index.

Results

Gaze control after the balance plus eye exercise significantly improved, whereas no significant improvement was observed for the group that received balance training alone.

Conclusions

These preliminary findings support the use of balance and eye movement exercises to improve gaze control in PSP.     

Effects of vision and arm position on amplitude of arm postural tremor in patients with multiple sclerosis

Feys P, Helsen WF, Liu X, Lavrysen A, Nuttin B, Ketelaer P. Effects of vision and arm position on amplitude of arm postural tremor in patients with multiple sclerosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1031-3.

Objectives

To quantify the effects of vision and arm position on arm postural tremor, comparisons were made between flexed and extended arm positions performed with the eyes open and closed.

Design

Case-control study.

Setting

National multiple sclerosis (MS) center in Belgium.

Participants

Sixteen patients (32 arms) with MS who had intention tremor and 16 healthy controls (32 arms).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main outcome measure

The amplitude of postural tremor was assessed by a magnetic position sensor attached to the index finger.

Results

The amplitude of postural tremor was not influenced by changes in visual condition or different arm positions. Both healthy controls and MS patients made more directional changes in the flexed, compared with the extended arm position.

Conclusions

The amplitude of the arm postural tremor in MS is independent of vision and arm position. Selecting 1 arm position is sufficient to assess postural tremor amplitude.     

Fewer adverse events as a result of the SAFE or SORRY? programme in hospitals and nursing homes. part i: primary outcome of a cluster randomised trial

Background

Patient care guidelines are usually implemented one at a time, yet patients are at risk for multiple, often preventable, adverse events simultaneously.

Objective

This study aimed to test the effect of the SAFE or SORRY? programme on the incidence of three adverse events (pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections and falls). This paper describes Part I of the study: the effect on the incidence of adverse events.

Design

A cluster randomised trial was conducted between September 2006 and November 2008. After a three-month baseline period the intervention was implemented followed by a nine-month follow-up period.

Settings

Ten wards from four hospitals and ten wards from six nursing homes were stratified for institute and ward type and then randomised to intervention or usual care group.

Participants

During baseline and follow-up, patients (≥18 years) with an expected length of stay of at least five days, were asked to participate.

Methods

The SAFE or SORRY? programme consisted of the essential recommendations of guidelines for the three adverse events. A multifaceted implementation strategy was used for the implementation: education, patient involvement and feedback on process and outcome indicators. The usual care group continued care as usual. Data were collected on the incidence of adverse events and a Poisson regression model was used to estimate the rate ratio of the adverse events between the intervention and the usual care group at follow-up.

Results

At follow-up, 2201 hospital patients with 3358 patient weeks and 392 nursing home patients with 5799 patient weeks were observed. Poisson regression analyses showed a rate ratio for the development of an adverse event in favour of the intervention group of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.34-0.95) and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.48-0.99) for hospital patients and nursing home patients respectively.

Conclusion

This study showed that implementing multiple guidelines simultaneously is possible, which is promising. Patients in the intervention groups developed 43% and 33% fewer adverse events compared to the usual care groups in hospitals and nursing homes respectively. Even so, more research is necessary to underline these results.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT00365430.     

Characteristics of a Mild Head Injury Subgroup With Extreme, Persisting Distress on the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire

Kirsch NL, de Leon MB, Maio RF, Millis SR, Tan-Schriner CU, Frederiksen S. Characteristics of a mild head injury subgroup with extreme, persisting distress on the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire.

Objective

To examine baseline variables and identify characteristics of participants with extremely high reports of symptoms (ie, outliers) 12 months after mild head injury (MHI).

Design

A prospective cohort study of MHI with and without loss of consciousness (LOC) and/or posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) recruited from and interviewed at the emergency department (ED), with a follow-up telephone interview at 12 months.

Setting

Level II community hospital ED.

Participants

Participants (n=58) with MHI and LOC less than or equal to 30 minutes and/or PTA less than 24 hours and participants (n=173) with MHI but no PTA/LOC. Inclusion criteria: age greater than or equal to 18 years, less than or equal to 24 hours after injury, Glasgow Coma Scale score greater than or equal to 13, and discharge from the ED. Fourteen (6%) participants had extremely high scores on the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ).

Main Outcome Measures

RPQ and questions on health services use and litigation.

Results

Characterizing the outlier cases are prior head injury, preinjury disability, history of substance use, unemployment, and elevated somatic symptoms at the ED. At 12 months, outliers had higher use of health services and litigation.

Conclusions

The existence of a subgroup with a distinctive pattern of baseline characteristics in combination with elevated somatic symptoms at the time of presentation to the ED suggests that further taxonomic distinctions may be warranted for the MHI population, each requiring appropriately targeted interventions for addressing symptomatic complaints.     

Aeromedical transfer to reduce delay in primary angioplasty

Background

Aeromedical transfer can reduce transfer times for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Delays in dispatch of the helicopter and landing-reperfusion can reduce the benefits of air travel. The ad hoc nature of these transfers may compound delays. A formal aeromedical transfer service, with rapid dispatch protocols and rapid landing to balloon times could significantly reduce reperfusion times.

Methods

A standard operating procedure (SOP) was developed using a field assessment team (doctor, aircrew paramedic) and a cardiologist-led multidisciplinary team meeting the incoming aircraft. The aeromedical SOP for STEMI care was implemented when anticipated land journey >30 min to the nearest PPCI centre. Reperfusion times for actual air travel and estimated virtual land journeys from the same location were compared.

Results

Between April and December 2009, 8 patients were managed according to the aeromedical SOP. Median air distance 49 miles and road, 40 miles. All subsequent data shown in median minutes (range). Call-balloon time 109 (97-116). Call-aeromedical activation 13 (9-26). Aeromedical activation-arrive scene 12 (9-16). Time at scene 29 (24-52). Call-depart scene 57 (45-75). Air journey 25 (18-30) and landing-balloon 21 (8-22). Call-arrive at PPCI centre for air 85 (70-95); estimated virtual road call-arrive at PPCI centre 102 (85-104).

Conclusions

This SOP delivered sub 120 min call-balloon times in all cases undergoing PPCI from difficult locations where anticipated land journeys were >30 min. With longer anticipated land journeys (or more remote locations) the proportional gains with air transfer will be greater. Subject to a formal SOP and very rapid landing-balloon times, aeromedical transfer can significantly reduce the number of patients suffering long reperfusion delays in acute myocardial infarction.     

Patient-Reported Cognitive and Communicative Functioning: 1 Construct or 2?

Hula WD, Doyle PJ, Austermann Hula SN. Patient-reported cognitive and communicative functioning: 1 construct or 2?

Objectives

To examine the dimensionality of scales for measuring patient-reported cognitive and communicative functioning in a sample of stroke survivors and to evaluate the consequences for measurement of treating them as a single, undifferentiated construct.

Design

Secondary analysis of existing cross-sectional data.

Setting

Data were collected in outpatient rehabilitation clinics and in the community.

Participants

Unilateral stroke survivors (N=316) 3 months or more postonset referred for participation in research.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

The Burden of Stroke Scale cognition and communication domain scales were evaluated by using confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch analysis, and tests of differential item functioning (DIF). To evaluate the impact of multidimensionality on the measurement of individual patients, separately estimated cognition and communication scores were compared. Combined and separately estimated scores were also examined for responsiveness to group differences in the presence of cognitive and communicative impairment.

Results

Factor analysis and Rasch model fit analyses equivocally supported the unidimensionality of the item pool. DIF analyses between participants with right versus left hemisphere stroke suggested multidimensionality. Scaling cognition and communication items separately resulted in different person scores for a significant number of patients and greater responsiveness to group differences.

Conclusions

Patient-reported scales assessing communication along with more general cognitive activities may possess an internal structure that is inconsistent with a unidimensional measurement model with potential negative consequences for measurement.     

Relationship Between Age and Spasticity in Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

Pierce SR, Prosser LA, Lauer RT. Relationship between age and spasticity in children with diplegic cerebral palsy.

Objective

To examine the relationship between passive torque, reflex activity, co-contraction, and age during the assessment of spasticity of knee flexors and extensors in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP).

Design

Retrospective.

Setting

Pediatric orthopedic hospital.

Participants

Children (N=36) with spastic diplegic CP.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Spasticity of the knee flexors and knee extensors (as measured by peak passive torque, mean passive torque, reflex activity of the medial hamstrings, reflex activity of vastus lateralis, and co-contraction) was assessed during passive movements completed using an isokinetic dynamometer with concurrent electromyography.

Results

A significant positive relationship was found between age and mean knee flexor passive torque (P<.05), while a significant negative relationship was found between age and mean percentage of the range of motion with co-contraction (P<.05).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that passive stiffness may play a larger role in spasticity than reflex activity as children with spastic diplegic CP age. Additional research is needed to determine whether subject age could influence the effectiveness of interventions, such as serial casting or botulinum toxin, for spasticity in children with spastic diplegic CP.     

Comparing performance of manual wheelchair skills using new and conventional rear anti-tip devices: randomized controlled trial

Kirby RL, Corkum CG, Smith C, Rushton P, MacLeod DA, Webber A. Comparing performance of manual wheelchair skills using new and conventional rear anti-tip devices: randomized controlled trial.

Objective

To test the hypotheses that, compared with participants using manual wheelchairs equipped with conventional rear anti-tip devices (C-RADs), those using a new RAD design that deploys through an arc (Arc-RAD) perform RAD-relevant wheelchair skills better and as safely.

Design

A randomized controlled study.

Setting

A rehabilitation center.

Participants

Participants (N=30) including 16 able-bodied and 14 wheelchair users.

Intervention

Participants were provided with wheelchair skills training (up to 2.4h).

Main Outcome Measures

Total percentage score on a set of 23 RAD-relevant skills of the Wheelchair Skills Test (WST, version 3.2) administered a minimum of 3 days after training.

Results

For the C-RAD and Arc-RAD groups, the mean ± standard deviation RAD-relevant WST scores were 32.3%±8.5% and 85.1%±18.9% (Kruskal-Wallis, P<.001). Of the 23 RAD-relevant individual skills, the success rates for the Arc-RAD group were at least 20% higher (the criterion we set for clinical significance) in 17 (74%). For the C-RAD group, the success rate was 0% for the 12 wheelie-dependent skills, the 13-cm-high obstacle, and the 15-cm level change ascent. There were no serious adverse effects in either group.

Conclusions

The new RAD design allows much better performance on relevant wheelchair skills than the conventional design without compromising safety.     

An exploratory analysis of functional staging using an item response theory approach

Tao W, Haley SM, Coster WJ, Ni P, Jette AM. An exploratory analysis of functional staging using an item response theory approach.

Objectives

To develop and explore the feasibility of a functional staging system (defined as the process of assigning subjects, according to predetermined standards, into a set of hierarchic levels with regard to their functioning performance in mobility, daily activities, and cognitive skills) based on item response theory (IRT) methods using short forms of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) and to compare the criterion validity and sensitivity of the IRT-based staging system to a non-IRT-based staging system developed for the FIM instrument.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal cohort study of patients interviewed at hospital discharge and 1, 6, and 12 months after inpatient rehabilitation.

Setting

Follow-up interviews conducted in patients' homes.

Participants

Convenience sample of 516 patients (47% men; sample mean age, 68.3y) at baseline (retention at the final follow-up, 65%) with neurologic, lower-extremity orthopedic, or complex medical conditions.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

AM-PAC basic mobility, daily activity, and applied cognitive activity stages; FIM executive control, mobility, activities of daily living, and sphincter stages. Stages refer to the hierarchic levels assigned to patients' functioning performances.

Results

We were able to define IRT-based staging definitions and create meaningful cut scores based on the 3 AM-PAC short forms. The IRT stages correlated as well or better to the criterion items than the FIM stages. Both the IRT-based stages and the FIM stages were sensitive to changes throughout the 6-month follow-up period. The FIM stages were more sensitive in detecting changes between baseline and 1-month follow-up visits. The AM-PAC stages were more discriminant in the follow-up visits.

Conclusions

An IRT-based staging approach appeared feasible and effective in classifying patients throughout long-term follow-up. Although these stages were developed from short forms, this staging methodology could also be applied to improve the meaning of scores generated from IRT-based computerized adaptive testing in future work.     

Adaptations to mass perturbations in transtibial amputees: kinetic or kinematic invariance?

Selles RW, Bussmann JB, Klip LM, Speet B, Van Soest AJ, Stam HJ. Adaptations to mass perturbations in transtibial amputees: kinetic or kinematic invariance? Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:2046-52.

Objective

To establish the adaptation strategy transtibial amputees use after mass perturbation of their prosthetic lower leg.

Design

We investigated whether the measured adaptations to mass perturbation of the lower leg in transtibial amputees can better be described as (1) a kinetic invariance strategy in which kinetics (joint torques) remain the same while kinematics (joint angles) change or (2) a kinematic invariance strategy in which kinematics remain the same while kinetics change.

Setting

A gait laboratory.

Participants

Ten transtibial amputees.

Interventions

Five different mass conditions.

Main outcome measures

Measured joint torques and angles during the swing phase in the different mass conditions.

Results

Mass perturbation induced more significant changes and larger effect sizes in joint torques than in joint angles.

Conclusions

Transtibial amputees adapt to mass perturbation primarily by maintaining the same kinematic pattern and adjusting their joint torques, that is, they use a kinematic invariance strategy. This implies that manipulating prosthetic inertial properties does not directly influence gait kinematics and that inertial properties should be evaluated in terms of the energetic cost of the swing phase.     

The role of order of practice in learning to handle an upper-limb prosthesis

Bouwsema H, van der Sluis CK, Bongers RM. The role of order of practice in learning to handle an upper-limb prosthesis.

Objective

To determine which order of presentation of practice tasks had the highest effect on using an upper-limb prosthetic simulator.

Design

A cohort analytic study.

Setting

University laboratory.

Participants

Healthy, able-bodied participants (N=72) randomly assigned to 1 of 8 groups, each composed of 9 men and 9 women.

Interventions

Participants (n=36) used a myoelectric simulator, and participants (n=36) used a body-powered simulator. On day 1, participants performed 3 tasks in the acquisition phase. On day 2, participants performed a retention test and a transfer test. For each simulator, there were 4 groups of participants: group 1 practiced random and was tested random, group 2 practiced random and was tested blocked, group 3 practiced blocked and was tested random, and group 4 practiced blocked and was tested blocked.

Main Outcome Measures

Initiation time, the time from the starting signal until the beginning of the movement, and movement time, the time from the beginning until the end of the movement.

Results

Movement times got faster during acquisition (P<.001). The blocked group had faster movement times (P=.009), and learning in this group extended over the complete acquisition phase (P<.001). However, this advantage disappeared in the retention and transfer tests. Compared with a myoelectric simulator, movements with the body-powered simulator were faster in acquisition (P=.004) and transfer test (P=.034).

Conclusions

Performance in daily life with a prosthesis is indifferent to the structure in which the training is set up. However, practicing in a blocked fashion leads to faster performance; in novice trainees, it might be suggested to practice part of the training tasks in blocks.     

A 1-Year Follow-Up After Shortened Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy With and Without Mitt Poststroke

Brogårdh C, Lexell J. A 1-year follow-up after shortened constraint-induced movement therapy with and without mitt poststroke.

Objective

To explore the long-term benefits of shortened constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in the subacute phase poststroke.

Design

A 1-year follow-up after shortened CIMT (3h training/d for 2wk) where the participants had been randomized to a mitt group or a nonmitt group.

Setting

A university hospital rehabilitation department.

Participants

Poststroke patients (N=20, 15 men, 5 women; mean age 58.8y; on average 14.8mo poststroke) with mild to moderate impairments of hand function.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

The Sollerman hand function test, the modified Motor Assessment Scale, and the Motor Activity Log test. Assessments were made by blinded observers.

Results

One year after shortened CIMT, participants within both the mitt group and the nonmitt group showed statistically significant improvements in arm and hand motor performance and on self-reported motor ability compared with before and after treatment. No significant differences between the groups were found in any measure at any time.

Conclusions

Shortened CIMT seems to be beneficial up to 1 year after training, but the restraint may not enhance upper motor function. To determine which components of CIMT are most effective, larger randomized studies are needed.     

Aging With Traumatic Brain Injury: Cross-Sectional Follow-Up of People Receiving Inpatient Rehabilitation Over More Than 3 Decades

Sendroy-Terrill M, Whiteneck GG, Brooks CA. Aging with traumatic brain injury: cross-sectional follow-up of people receiving inpatient rehabilitation over more than 3 decades.

Objective

To investigate aging with traumatic brain injury (TBI) by determining if long-term outcomes after TBI are predicted by years postinjury and age at injury after controlling for the severity of the injury and sex.

Design

Cross-sectional follow-up telephone survey.

Setting

Community residents who had received initial treatment in a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

Survivors of TBI (N=243) stratified by years postinjury (in seven 5-year cohorts ranging from 1 to over 30 years postinjury) and by age at injury (in 2 cohorts of people injured before or after age 30).

Interventions

None.

Main Outcome Measures

Measures of postconcussive symptoms, major secondary conditions including fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), physical and cognitive activity limitations (FIM, Alertness Behavior Subscale of the Sickness Impact Profile, Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Health Status Survey Short Form), societal participation restrictions (Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique), environmental barriers (Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors), and perceived quality of life (Satisfaction with Life Scale).

Results

Most problems identified by the outcome measures were reported by one fourth to one half of the study participants. Increasing decades postinjury predicted declines in physical and cognitive functioning, declines in societal participation, and increases in contractures. Increasing age at injury predicted declines in functional independence, increases in fatigue, declines in societal participation, and declines in perceived environmental barriers.

Conclusions

This investigation has increased our understanding of the aging process after TBI by demonstrating that both components of aging (years postinjury and age at injury) are predictive of several outcomes after TBI.     

Validity and Interobserver Reliability of Visual Observation to Assess Partial Weight-Bearing

Hurkmans HL, Bussmann JB, Benda E. Validity and interobserver reliability of visual observation to assess partial weight-bearing.

Objective

To determine the validity and interobserver reliability of visual observation to assess partial weight-bearing.

Design

Validation and interobserver reliability study.

Setting

University medical center.

Participants

Patients (N=10) with a total hip arthroplasty operated 1 to 12 months prior to the study referred by 10 physical therapists (5 experienced and 5 inexperienced in training patients in partial weight-bearing).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

The amount of weight-bearing assessed by visual estimation (visual analog scale score) in percentage body weight (BW). Actual weight-bearing (percentage BW) as measured with the Pedar Mobile system. The mean difference (systematic error) between visual estimation and the Pedar system and the SD of the differences (random error) were determined by the limits of agreement (LOA) method with multiple observations per subject. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as a measure for the interobserver reliability.

Results

The mean difference ± SD between visual observation and the reference method was -9.5±20.1 percentage BW (95% confidence interval, -24.0 to 5.0 percentage BW) with LOA ranging from -49.8 to 30.8 percentage BW. The ICC was .57. The therapists' experience in partial weight-bearing training had no effect on the mean difference (P=.349) between the 2 methods.

Conclusions

Visual observation is not a valid and reliable method to assess partial weight-bearing.     

Intradermal botulinum toxin type A injection effectively reduces residual limb hyperhidrosis in amputees: a case series

Charrow A, DiFazio M, Foster L, Pasquina PF, Tsao JW. Intradermal botulinum toxin type A injection effectively reduces residual limb hyperhidrosis in amputees: a case series.

Objective

To study the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) therapy for residual limb hyperhidrosis, prosthesis fit and function, and residual and phantom limb pain in patients with limb amputation.

Design

Consecutive case series.

Setting

Outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic.

Participants

Walter Reed Army Medical Center patients (N=8) with unilateral traumatic upper- or lower-limb amputation.

Intervention

BTX-A was injected transdermally in a circumferential pattern around the residual limb by using a 1-cm matrix grid.

Main Outcome Measure

A 10-cm continuous Likert visual analog scale was used to assess residual limb sweating and pain and prosthesis fit and function before and 3 weeks after BTX-A injections.

Results

Patients reported a significant reduction in sweating and improvement in prosthesis fit and function after treatment. However, residual limb and phantom pain were unaffected by treatment.

Conclusions

BTX-A may be an effective treatment for residual limb hyperhidrosis, resulting in subjective improvement in prosthesis fit and functioning. BTX-A should be considered as a method to manage excessive sweating in the residual limb of traumatic amputees.     

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Patients

Colson SS, Benchortane M, Tanant V, Faghan J-P, Fournier-Mehouas M, Benaïm C, Desnuelle C, Sacconi S. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation training: a safe and effective treatment for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy patients.

Objective

To investigate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) strength training in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) patients.

Design

Uncontrolled before-after trial.

Setting

Neuromuscular disease center in a university hospital and a private-practice physical therapy office.

Participants

FSHD patients (N=9; 3 women, 6 men; age 55.2±10.4y) clinically characterized by shoulder girdle and quadriceps femoris muscle weakness.

Interventions

Patients underwent 5 months of strength training with NMES bilaterally applied to the deltoideus, trapezius transversalis, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis muscles for five 20-minute sessions per week.

Main Outcome Measures

Plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity; scores for pain and fatigue on visual analog scales (VAS), manual muscle testing (MMT), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), 6-minute walking tests (6MWT), and self-reported changes in daily living activities.

Results

NMES strength training was well tolerated (CK activity and pain and fatigue scores on VAS were not modified). Most of the muscle functions (shoulder flexion and extension and knee extension) assessed by MMT were significantly increased. MVIC of shoulder flexion and abduction and the 6MWT distance were also improved.

Conclusions

In FSHD, NMES strength training appears to be safe with positive effects on muscle function, strength, and capacity for daily activities.     

High C5a levels are associated with increased mortality in sepsis patients--no enhancing effect by actin-free Gc-globulin

Background

Immune paralysis of phagocytic cells due to excess of the complement activation product C5a has been proposed as a critical pathomechanism in sepsis. In vitro studies suggest an interaction of C5a with Group-specific globulin (Gc-globulin).

Study objectives

To examine the predictive value of serum concentrations of both, C5a and actin-free Gc-globulin, and their ratio for prognosis (mortality) of critically ill patients.

Patients

154 critically ill (septic and non-septic) adult patients admitted to a Medical ICU and 38 healthy controls.

Measurements

Actin-free Gc-globulin and C5a were measured on ICU admission, alongside extensive laboratory, clinical and prospective outcome measures.

Results

Actin-free Gc-globulin and C5a serum concentrations were significantly reduced in critically ill patients compared with healthy controls. C5a levels, but not actin-free Gc-globulin, were significantly lower in patients with sepsis (n = 112) than in critically ill patients without sepsis (n = 42). C5a serum level was a prognostic parameter in patients with sepsis: High C5a levels were associated with increased mortality (at ICU and during follow-up). Although C5a and actin-free Gc-globulin were positively correlated, increasing serum concentrations of actin-free Gc-globulin did not enhance the C5a dependent effects in terms of prognosis or mortality in septic patients.

Conclusions

Investigation for C5a and/or actin-free Gc-globulin serum levels upon admission to the ICU may be helpful diagnostic tools. In patients with sepsis, C5a levels are an independent predictor of prognosis. However, different to pre-existing in vitro data, a clinically relevant interaction between actin-free Gc-globulin and C5a in terms of prognosis in severe inflammatory conditions is not given.     

Predictors of Success for Physiotherapy Treatment in Women With Persistent Postpartum Stress Urinary Incontinence

Dumoulin C, Bourbonnais D, Morin M, Gravel D, Lemieux M-C. Predictors of success for physiotherapy treatment in women with persistent postpartum stress urinary incontinence.

Objective

To identify predictors of success for physiotherapy treatment in women with persistent postpartum stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Design

Secondary analysis of data from a single-blind randomized controlled trial comparing 2 physiotherapy intervention programs for persistent SUI in postpartum women.

Setting

Obstetric clinic of a mother and children's university hospital.

Participants

Women, ages 23 to 39 (N=57), were randomized to 1 of 2 pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training programs, 1 with and 1 without abdominal muscle training.

Intervention

Over 8 weeks, participants in each group followed a specific home exercise program once a day, 5 days a week. In addition, participants attended individual weekly physiotherapy sessions throughout the 8-week program.

Main Outcome Measures

Treatment success was defined as a pad weight gain of less than 2g on a 20-minute pad test with standardized bladder volume after 8 weeks' treatment. The relationship between potential predictive PFM function variables as measured by a PFM dynamometer and success of physiotherapy was studied using forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

Forty-two women (74%) were classified as treatment successes, and 15 (26%) were not. Treatment success was associated with lower pretreatment PFM passive force and greater PFM endurance pretreatment, but the latter association was barely statistically significant. This model explained between 23% (Cox and Snell R²) and 34% (Nagelkerke R²) of the outcome variability.

Conclusions

The results contribute new information on predictors of success for physiotherapy treatment in women with persistent postpartum SUI.