bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring Impact of Independent Living Programme on Activity Participation Of Elderly People with Chronic Conditions
Authors: Dugow Hassan , Connolly Deirdre 
Published: May 2014

Background: The Independent Living Programme (ILP) is an eight-week community-based rehabilitation programme, consisting of group and individual interventions for older adults with chronic conditions. This research is an exploratory study to examine the potential impact of the programme on attendees' participation in daily activities and self-perceptions of performance and satisfaction with their performance of activities of daily living. Methods: Study participants were over 70 years of age, with physician-confirmed diagnoss of chronic conditions. 4 single-group, pre-test, post-test design ( Shadish et al, 2002 ) was used with a qualitative component. Evaluation measures included the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST), the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and qualitative interviews. Ethical approval was obtained from Trinity College Dublin and Health Service Executive ethics committees. Findings: Ten people participated in the study. There was significant improvement in participants' overall activity participation (P<0.011), self-perceptions of performance (P<0.001) and satisfaction (P<0.001). Motor skills and motivation to engage in activity also improved significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.035). Interviewees reported increased self-efficacy and reflection on how they performed their daily activities. There was no significant difference in scores on process skills, communication/ interactions skills, and environmental influences on performance pre and post participation in the programme. Conclusion: This 8-week ILP significantly increased participants' overall activity participation, their self-perceptions of their activity performance and satisfaction with same. Due to the non-experimental nature of the study however, the results must be interpreted with caution. On the other hand, this study has clinical significance as it appears that the combination of group-education sessions, and individual tailored interventions, improves people's confidence, their motivation and motor skills to participate in activities. Further experimental research is required to confirm these findings.
Effect of carer education on functional abilities of patients with stroke
Authors: Mudzi Witness , Stewart Aimee , Musenge Eustasius 
Published: May 2014

Background/Aim: Stroke is a well-documented public health problem in low, middle, and high-income countries. Post stroke, patients are discharged home quite early and usually need help with activities of daily living. This help is usually provided by informal carers. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of carer education on functional abilities of patients with stroke in a low resource setting where access to rehabilitation post discharge was limited. Methods: A randomised controlled trial consisting of two groups (control and experimental) each with 100 patients and their carers was used. The carers in the control group received individualised training as was needed to help look after the person with stroke. The patient's functional abilities were measured using the Barthel Index and the Rivermead Mobility Index. Measurements were taken at discharge, 3, 6 and 12 months post discharge from hospital. Results: Patients were discharged home with low functional abilities and though they improved over time, they did not do so to satisfactory levels. Carer education alone did not result in significant improvements in patients’ functional abilities. Implications and conclusion: There is a need to devise new ways of providing rehabilitation to patients post discharge from hospital e.g. strengthen domiciliary visits. Carers require more support to enable them to positively influence patient outcomes post stroke.
Depression and chronic physical illness: its prevalence and diagnosis, and implications for therapeutic practice
Authors: Spearing Rachel , Bailey Jill 
Published: May 2014

Background: This article explores the prevalence of depression comorbid with physical illness, issues in recognition of depression, and the implications for health professionals’ practice. The authors are British physiotherapists, but the issues raised will be relevant to other clinicians in other countries too. Content: Prevalence of depression in the UK and worldwide is examined and the implications for this on health policy are considered. Prevalence rates for depression in people with chronic physical illnesses are explored, and some of the possible reasons for the wide range in these figures are discussed, including difficulties that arise in the recognition and diagnosis of depression in this group. Implications for therapeutic practice are considered including some suggestions for practice. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in people with chronic physical conditions is high, so clinicians working in diverse settings will be involved in the management of people with this condition. It is vital therefore that health professionals are alert to the possible presence and impact of depression, so that appropriate monitoring, management, and referral can be undertaken.
Impairment and function: the difficulty with definition and measurement of outcome in clinical practice
Authors: Bailey Toni , Doherty Patrick , Rouse Simon 
Published: May 2014

Background: The term function is used in rehabilitation both as an expression of patient status (e.g. low functional capacity) and also as a term to capture the extent of change following rehabilitation interventions (e.g. improved walking efficiency); however there is a lack of consensus as to the possible terms used to encompass the term function. There is uncertainty about the primary focus of interventions within rehabilitation in the sense that some clinicians work on reducing impairment whereas others believe they are working at a functional level. This suggests that the terms are used interchangeably in clinical practice and that an assumed link exists between altering the impairment and improving function. Aim: This analysis paper investigates the distinctiveness and commonality between function and impairment in rehabilitation within a conceptual framework and encourages clinicians to discuss and debate the potential for a universally recognised definition of function. Conclusion: Function and impairment are not always considered as being distinct, resulting in attributing observed changes in impairment to a change in functional status without the evidence to support the process.
A pilot study exploring head and shoulder movement in visual field deficits following stroke
Authors: Taylor Lisa , Poland Fiona , Stephenson Richard 
Published: May 2014

Objective: This study investigated the effects of a systematic treatment programme on head and shoulder movement for individuals with visual field deficits following stroke, providing evidence in a clinical area that is reportedly poorly understood and has received little attention ( Thumser et al, 2010 ). Design: The study used a single case method based on an ABC design—incorporating a pre-treatment baseline phase (A), treatment phase of 4 weeks (B), and post-treatment baseline phase (C) at week 5 and week 17. The subjects received 30 minute sessions twice weekly for 4 weeks. Results: An initial autocorrelation co-efficient calculation with a non-significant result is necessary to enable further analysis of the data—which was achieved with the current study data. Subsequent visual analysis indicated a reduction in the angle between the head and shoulder for both subjects when turning to the left but only for Subject 1 when turning to the right; celeration lines were applied to the data to indicate the significance of the results. The celeration lines were statistically significant for Subject 1 turning to the left and for Subject 2 turning to the right in addition two standard deviation band was statistically significant for Subject 2 turning to the right. Conclusions: The data from this study provide preliminary support for a theory of head and shoulder movement change following visual field deficit as a result of stroke. The change of movement measured following the introduction of the systematic treatment programme suggests that use of the systematic treatment programme may influence the head and shoulder movement of individuals with visual field deficits as measured during this study.
Specifics in running kinematics developed by Pose Method in disabled sprinters with cerebral palsy
Authors: Pyanzin Andrey , Romanov Nicholas , Vasilyev Valeriy , Fletcher Graham 
Published: May 2014

Background: The absence of a commonly accepted theory of running technique and teaching methods creates certain practical and theoretical difficulties in the training of athletes of all levels. This particularly concerns disabled athletes who specialise in running. The absence of an established standard in running technique makes it difficult for runners diagnosed with cerebral palsy to learn an effective and reliable running technique in order to build up a foundation for developing sport performance skill and to reduce injuries. Hypothesis: Disabled runners affected by cerebral palsy can experience changes in running technique similar to those of healthy runners by learning to run with the Pose Method. Objective: The purpose of this study was to find specifics in kinematics of disabled runners learning the Pose Method, and to compare them to the specifics in kinematics of healthy runners learning the Pose Method. Data sources: To conduct the comparative analysis of kinematics, data of healthy runners were gathered from two Pose Method studies published in International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, and International Quarterly of Sport Science. Data of runners with cerebral palsy were obtained by conducting a new study with parameters and criteria similar to the published studies. Results: Six out of eight characteristics in changes in kinematics of disabled runners learning the Pose Method were similar to the changes in kinematics of healthy runners learning the Pose Method. Conclusions: The data indicates that teaching the runners with cerebral palsy symptoms to run using the Pose Method leads to less deviations from the optimal parameters of running technique, making it a better controlled process. Further research is required to find out the effect of these changes in running kinematics on speed, performance, and injury reduction in runners with disabilities. Clinical relevance: These data provide an insight into the potential of development of better sensory structure of movement of individuals diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Types of disability in children and maternal depressive symptoms: Is there any relationship?
Authors: Rashedi Vahid , Rezaei Mohammad , Morasae Esmaeil Khedmati , Weisi Farzad 
Published: May 2014

Objective: To investigate the level of depressive symptoms in mothers of children with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) and the variations of these symptoms between mothers of children with different categories of IDD. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 162 mothers of children with IDD in Tehran, Iran. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and a demographic questionnaire were used to gather the required data. Results: Mothers of children with IDD experienced depressive symptoms of varying degrees of severity. BDI-II scores of the mothers who had children with IDD were high (18.15 ± 10.62) but depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with the children's type of disability. Conclusion: Mothers of children with IDD, in general, reported a mild level of depressive symptoms. As a result, one can suggest that they should be provided with regular psychological support.
Postural sway and EMG analysis of hip and ankle muscles during balance tasks
Authors: Florence Tse Yuen Yi , Petrofsky Jerrold , Berk Lee , Daher Noha , Lohman Everett , Cavalcanti Paula , Laymon Michael , Rodrigues Sophia , Lodha Riya , Potnis Pooja A 
Published: May 2014

Aims: This study examined how vision, base of support (BOS) and surface compliance affected postural sway and electromyography (EMG) activity of hip and ankle muscles during eight balance training tasks in young adults. Methods: Postural sway and EMG activity of gluteus maximus (GMAX), gluteus medius (GMED), tibialis anterior (TA), and medial gastrocnemius (GAST) were measured during eight balance tasks with eyes open or closed, feet in tandem or apart, and on foam or a firm surface. Results: Postural sway and EMG activity of hip and ankle muscles were significantly affected by the alteration of vision, surface compliance or BOS during eight balance tasks (P<0.05). There was more postural sway when the number of sensory factors altered in the balance tasks increased. GMED and TA EMG activity increased significantly in tasks with tandem standing; GMAX was recruited significantly only when vision was excluded in tasks with tandem standing; and GAST EMG activity was significantly higher in tasks on the foam and in tandem standing. Conclusions: Balance exercises may be progressed according to the rank of the task’s difficulty by increasing the number of sensory factors altered in a balance task. There was significant recruitment of hip and ankle muscles in the balance tasks indicating the importance of these muscles in postural control.
Emergency department primary contact physiotherapists improve patient flow for musculoskeletal patients
Authors: Guengerich Mandy , Brock Kim , Cotton Susan , Mancuso Sam 
Published: May 2014

Aims: To determine if primary contact physiotherapists (PCPs) in the emergency department (ED) improve patient flow while providing management comparable to doctors for musculoskeletal patients. Methodology: Prospective observational design comparing PCPs to doctor treatment of musculoskeletal patients. Participants: 559 ED patients—275 patients treated by a PCP and 284 by a doctor. Measures: The primary outcome measure was wait time. Secondary outcomes were total length of stay, patient satisfaction, recovery and follow-up, re-presentations and adverse events. Results: The median wait time for patients managed by a PCP was statistically significantly shorter than for patients managed by a doctor, with a median of 22 minutes compared with 63 minutes (P<0.001). The median total time spent in the ED for patients managed by a PCP was also statistically significantly shorter than for patients managed by a doctor, 120 minutes compared with 201 minutes (P<0.001). Conclusion: PCP services in ED improve patient flow for musculoskeletal patients.
Efficacy of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on shoulder function in secondary shoulder impingement
Authors: Nakra Nishtha , Quddus Nishat , Khan Sohrab A , Kumar Suraj , Meena Roshan Lal 
Published: May 2014

Objective: To determine the efficacy of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on shoulder function in participants with secondary shoulder impingement. Background: Previous research has established a relationship between shoulder muscle weakness and causation of secondary shoulder impingement. Recent evidence has shown that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation was effective in relieving pain and increasing overhead reach. However, none of the studies have measured shoulder function after PNF application. Methods: This study used a pretest–posttest experimental group design. Thirty participants (15 male and 15 female) with a diagnosis of secondary shoulder impingement were recruited from a hospital setting and divided into two groups. Group 1 received both PNF and the conventional protocol while group 2 received only the conventional protocol. Both groups received the intervention for a period of 3 weeks. Shoulder Pain And Disability Index (SPADI) score and overhead reach were analysed in both groups. Results: Group 1 showed significant improvement over Group 2 in terms of SPADI score and overhead reach. The experimental group showed significant improvement in (reduction of) SPADI score over the control group (23.8 ± 4.9) at a significance level of P<0.0001. The experimental group showed a significant difference over the control group for overhead reach (3.63 ± 1.8) at a significance level of P<0.03. Conclusion: The addition of PNF to conventional treatment brings significant improvement in shoulder function in comparison to conventional treatment alone in participants with secondary shoulder impingement. PNF helps in early recovery.
A pilot study to explore the feasibility, validity and reliability of a visual version of the CARE Measure
Authors: Murphy Joan , Mercer Stewart W , Duncan Edward AS 
Published: May 2014

Aim: Empathy is an essential component of any therapeutic encounter. The Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure is a validated, reliable patient assessment of practitioners’ communication and relational empathy abilities. This study piloted a visual version of the CARE Measure for use by people with communication, cognition and/or literacy difficulties. Methods: A visual version of the CARE Measure was developed and piloted in two routine general practice settings with 42 patients, and in two rehabilitation settings with 13 patients who have communication difficulties while consulting with allied healthcare professionals. Results: The Visual CARE Measure performed well when compared to the standard measure as it had less of a ‘ceiling effect’ and showed less skew and kurtosis than the standard measure. The internal reliability of the Visual CARE Measure was high, and removal of any items resulted in a reduction in reliability. The number of ‘not applicable’ values overall was low, suggesting that the items in the measure were regarded by patients as relevant to their consultation. The Visual CARE Measure was reported to be very easy to understand, easy to complete and perceived as important. Conclusions: The Visual CARE Measure appears to perform well in comparison with the standard measure.
Parents whose children have complex needs: experiences of hospitalization
Authors: Hewitt-Taylor Jaquelina 
Published: May 2014

This paper discusses the experiences of parents’ whose children have complex and continuing health needs in relation to their child’s hospitalisation. The findings are taken from two qualitative studies. The principal findings are that the challenges which parents whose children have complex health needs experience as a result of their child’s hospitalisation may appear to be very similar to those of other parents. However, the nature of their child’s needs and their level of dependency usually makes the demands on their parents even greater. There generally appears to be an expectation that parents will remain with their child, and provide for all their care needs, including many of their specialist medical or technical needs. This may be because of the workload which nurses carry, the skills, knowledge and confidence which staff have in meeting the needs of children who have complex and continuing health needs, and staff attitudes towards children and their families. However, although parents are often expected to take on a role which acknowledges and makes use of their expertise, they are not always seen as equals to staff in relation to respect for their expertise, knowledge of their child, and decision making about them, and are not given the opportunities which staff have to take breaks or have time off duty. This paper describes what were largely unstructured additional findings from two studies of the experiences of children who have complex and continuing health needs and their families. Despite the limitations which this poses to their validity, they provide some insights which may be useful in directing more specific studies.
A community health needs evaluation: improving uptake of services at a children’s centre in a deprived and geographically isolated town
Authors: Long Tony , Fallon Debbie , Devitt Patric , Oak Eileen , Murphy Michael , Dugdill Lindsey 
Published: May 2014

The evaluation identified health and social trends for this deprived and geographically isolated area, elicited perceived health needs of under-fives in the local community, and informed development and improvement of services offered by a children’s centre. Sure Start children’s centres are crucial to delivery of outcomes of the Every Child Matters policy initiative as well as offering support for parenting. The children’s centre in the study sought to develop its services and to increase the numbers of registered users particularly among ‘hard to reach’ groups in the locality. Leafleting, street-canvassing, primary school newsletters and posters were used to advise the community of the consultation. Data were collected by telephone interviews, group and face-to-face interviews with parents and professionals, structured interviews in the town centre streets and analysis of policy and health statistics documents. The area was characterized by inadequate transport links and limited sources of good value local food supplies. The key areas of Every Child Matters were not meaningful concepts to most parents in connecting to their children’s health. Residents and professionals recognized low levels of parental expectations for their children. Specific barriers to service uptake were identified, but the children’s centre made a positive contribution to the health and well-being of the population, providing an effective service in terms of variety, resources and professional help. Additional services, better access to some services, revised opening times, additional transport, and integration of provision for siblings resulted from the study.
A comparison of sub-bandage pressures produced with two multi-layer bandaging systems
Authors: Taylor A.D. , Taylor R.J. 
Published: May 2014

Fourteen nurses with experience in the use of high-compression bandaging were asked to bandage the same limb with two different bandaging systems: the ‘Charing Cross’ four-layer regimen (System A), and a modified system incorporating two new bandages (System B). A sub-bandage pressure monitor was used to quantify the efficacy of the resulting bandaging for the two systems. The results indicated that there was no significant difference between site sub-bandage pressures achieved using the two bandaging systems. Sub-bandage pressure profiles, however, fluctuated with patient posture, the best profiles being obtained with System B and the patient in the sitting position.
When is reduced-compression bandaging safe and effective?
Authors: Arthur J. , Lewis P. 
Published: May 2014

During a one-year period 44 patients were treated with reduced-compression bandaging in the vascular unit at a district general hospital in the UK. Twenty patients with venous ulcers were referred from community leg ulcer clinics because they could not tolerate standard compression bandaging (group 1). A further 24 patients had mixed aetiology leg ulcers (group 2), and high-compression bandaging was not attempted because of significant peripheral vascular disease (ankle brachial pressure index <0.8). Forty-two patients tolerated reduced-compression bandaging without discomfort or skin pressure changes. Healing was achieved in 32 patients (13 in group 1 and 19 in group 2). All non-healed ulcers were considered smaller at the time of final follow-up and had less exudate. Reduced-compression bandaging has been shown to be effective and well tolerated by patients with venous ulcers who cannot comply with high-compression bandaging. With close supervision, it is safe to use in patients with significant peripheral vascular disease.