bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Test-retest reliability of myofascial trigger point detection in patients with rotator cuff tendonitis
Authors: Al-Shenqiti Abdullah M , Oldham Jacquelline A 
Published: July 2005

Objectives: To investigate the test-retest reliability of the following clinical diagnostic characteristics of myofascial trigger points: taut band, spot tenderness, jump sign, pain recognition, referred pain and local twitch responses (LTRs). Design: Test-retest reliability study. Setting: This study was undertaken in an outpatient physiotherapy department. Subjects: Fifty-eight patients (31 males and 27 females) with rotator cuff tendonitis were recruited into this study. Intervention: Rotator cuff muscles were assessed by an expert for the presence or absence of the main clinical diagnostic characteristics of trigger point assessment. The process was then repeated three days later by the same expert. Main measures: Outcomes included the presence or absence of: a taut band, spot tenderness, jump sign, pain recognition, referred pain and LTRs. Results: Kappa values between testing situations for the taut band, spot tenderness, jump sign and pain recognition were 1. Kappa scores for referred pain ranged between 0.79 and 0.88 and for the local twitch response between 0.75 and 1 depending on the muscles under investigation. Conclusions: The presence or absence of the taut band, spot tenderness, jump sign and pain recognition was highly reliable between sessions. Referred pain and local twitch response reliability varied depending on the muscle being studied.
Hand dominance and side of stroke affect rehabilitation in chronic stroke
Authors: Waller Sandy McCombe , Whitall Jill 
Published: July 2005

Objective: To examine the difference between upper extremity deficits in subjects with left versus right hemispheric lesions at baseline and after bilateral arm training. Design: A one-way ANOVA was used to detect group differences and a least square means analysis used to determine significance in pre-to-post scores for each group. Setting: Testing was in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science Department Research Laboratory, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Training was at the Senior Exercise Rehabilitation Center in the Veterans Administration Hospital, Baltimore. Subjects: Twenty-two (11 left hemispheric lesion, 11 right hemispheric lesion) right-handed subjects with chronic stroke. Interventions: A six-week nonprogressive repetitive bilateral arm training with rhythmic auditory cueing (BATRAC). Main measuresy: Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Test, Wolf Motor Arm Test, University of Maryland Arm Questionnaire for Stroke (UMAQS), isometric strength and active and passive range of motion for both sides. Results: No statistical differences were seen at baseline between groups in this sample. Both groups demonstrated improvement after BATRAC in Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Test (change scores of those with left lesions-5.5; right lesions-3.6) and UMAQS (change scores of those with left lesions-5 and right lesions-2.9). Additionally, patients with left hemispheric lesions but not right lesions made improvements in the Wolf Motor Arm Test (time and weight), in strength measures of paretic elbow flexion, shoulder extension, shoulder abduction and nonparetic wrist flexion, wrist extension and shoulder abduction. Conclusions: There were no baseline motor function differences between those with left and right hemispheric lesions in this sample. There was a clear training response advantage for patients with left hemispheric lesions after completing six weeks of bilateral arm training. As a result, treatment approaches for upper extremity hemiparesis may need to be more specifically selected based on side of stroke.
Reliability of simple portable tests of physical performance in older people after hip fracture
Authors: Sherrington Catherine , Lord Stephen R 
Published: July 2005

Objective: To investigate the test–retest reliability of measures of strength, balance, gait and functional performance when used with older people following hip fracture. Subjects: Thirty people (16 hospital inpatients and 14 community dwellers). Design: Subjects underwent two assessments: one day apart for the hospital inpatients and one week apart for the community dwellers. Measurement: Strength (dynamometer, sphygmomanometer, spring balance, lateral step-up ability), balance (sway-meter, Functional Reach Test, single leg stance time, Step Test), gait (timed 6-m walk with steps taken, base of support and step length), and functional performance (PPME total score and timed supine-to-sit and sit-to-stand) were measured. Results: Eleven of the 14 continuously scaled measurement tools achieved excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)>0.75) for one or more tests. A hand-held dynamometer was found to be the tool with the highest test–retest reliability for measuring hip muscle strength (ICC (3,1) 0.86 for affected hip abduction). For measurement of knee extension strength, a spring balance (ICC (3,1) 0.94 affected leg) was the most reliable. For testing balance, the Step Test (ICC (3,1) 0.94 for stepping with affected leg) and Functional Reach Test (ICC (3,1) 0.89) had the highest test–retest reliability. The ICC (3,1) values were 0.97 for walking velocity (comfortable pace) and 0.96 for the total score of the Physical Performance and Mobility Examination. Conclusion: The test–retest reliability of a number of simple measures of physical performance is excellent when used with this population.
Responsiveness of the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire: consequences of using different external criteria
Authors: Kuijer W , Brouwer S , Dijkstra P U , Jorritsma W , Groothoff J W , Geertzen J HB 
Published: July 2005

Objective: To determine the consequences of using different external criteria on responsiveness of the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) in patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Questionnaire measures before and after rehabilitation treatment. Setting: Rehabilitation centre. Subjects: Patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain, referred for treatment. Main measures: The RMDQ was used to assess self-reported functional status. The used external criteria were: (1) global perceived effect of change in complaints; (2) global perceived effect of change in ability to take care of oneself; (3) change in rating of pain intensity; (4) smallest real difference. Standardized response means, pooled effect sizes and receiver operating curves were calculated to determine respon siveness and to enable comparison of effect sizes with the thresholds of Cohen. Results: Standardized response means ranged from 1.33 to 3.45, pooled effect sizes ranged from 1.50 to 2.81, and areas under curves ranged from 0.76 to 1.00, dependent on the used external criterion. Conclusions: All pooled effect sizes were well above 0.80, and all other statistics were high, indicating good responsiveness of the RMDQ. However, considerable differences were found in responsiveness, when using different external criteria in a same study population. Therefore, it can be concluded that the magnitude of the responsiveness statistic depends on the used external criteria.
Poststroke hand swelling and oedema: prevalence and relationship with impairment and disability
Authors: Boomkamp-Koppen H GM , Visser-Meily JMA MA , Post M WM , Prevo A JH 
Published: July 2005

Objective: To examine the prevalence of swelling and oedema of the hand in stroke patients and relationships with impairments and disability. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Stroke unit at Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, the Netherlands. Subjects: Eighty-eight adult stroke patients who were admitted for clinical rehabilitation during one year (2000). Measurements and methods: Assessment took place two weeks after admission to the rehabilitation centre. Degree of swelling was measured with a hand volumeter and oedema was defined as a volumeter score deviating more than two standard deviations from the expected score derived from population data. Further assessment included tonus (Modified Ashworth Score), sensibility, tactile inattention, carefulness, and motor function (Utrecht Arm/Hand Test). Arm disability was measured with Frenchay Arm Test and Nine-hole Peg Test. Results: Some degree of hand swelling was present in 72.7% and oedema in 33.0% of our patients. Swelling and oedema were significantly more often seen in patients with hypertonic fingers and impaired sensibility. Patients with hand oedema had significantly worse Frenchay Arm Test and Nine-hole Peg Test scores. Conclusions: Swelling and oedema of the hand are common among stroke patients in clinical rehabilitation.
Psychometric evaluation of the Motor Readiness Questionnaire for Stroke
Authors: Page Stephen J , Garner Christopher 
Published: July 2005

Objective: To determine the validity, repeatability and stability of the Motor Readiness Questionnaire for Stroke (MRQS). Subjects: One hundred and eighty-seven stroke patients (160 men; 143 white; mean age=57.59±8.8; mean time since stroke=10.19±7.3 months) at a rehabilitation hospital in the Midwestern United States. Design: Prospective survey, in which the MRQS was administered to each patient once. The MRQS was also administered to 25 subjects twice to measure test-retest reliability. Main outcome measures: The MRQS, a transtheoretical model-based, 23-item self-report survey was administered to examine reliability (internal consistency and stability), validity (concurrent) and factor structure. Results: The MRQS showed good reliability for its component scales and total score, and the previously identified MRQS factor structure was confirmed. Stability and concurrent validity were also high. Conclusions: The MRQS appears to adequately capture stroke patients’ motivational readiness and has ability to discriminate between individuals in various stages of readiness. MRQS scores appear to be repeatable over time. However, more research is needed before the MRQS is used.
The outcomes of using self-study modules in energy conservation education for people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Lamb Alisa L , Finlayson Marcia , Mathiowetz Virgil , Chen Hua Yun 
Published: July 2005

Objective: To determine whether there were any differences in the outcomes of individuals with multiple sclerosis who attended all six sessions of an energy conservation education programme compared with people who missed a session and received a self-study module. Design: Secondary analysis of data from two naturally occurring groups emerging from a randomized control trial-compliers who received the intervention as intended (group 1) and noncompliers who received a modified intervention with self-study modules (group 2). Setting: Community settings in Chicago, Illinois and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Participants: Ninety-two community-dwelling people with multiple sclerosis who were participating in an energy conservation education programme. Intervention: Energy conservation education groups based on the ‘Managing Fatigue’ programme, which were facilitated by an occupational therapist. Self-study modules were sent to participants who missed a session. Outcome measures: Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), Self-Efficacy for Performing Energy Conservation Strategies Assessment, Energy Conservation Strategies Survey (ECSS), six subscales from the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results: When comparing individuals who attended all six sessions with individuals who missed one or more sessions and received a self-study module, no significant differences were found after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: Participants who used the self-study modules because they missed sessions of the Managing Fatigue programme experienced benefits from the course similar to those experienced by participants who fully complied with the intervention as intended. A new prospective study to validate the findings of this secondary analysis is required.
Psychometric properties of a generic health measure in patients with neck pain
Authors: Chiu Thomas TW , Lam Tai-Hing , Hedley Anthony J 
Published: July 2005

Objective: To examine the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the generic Current Perceived Health 42 (CPH42) Profile in Chinese patients with neck pain in Hong Kong. Design: A prospective observational study. Setting: Physiotherapy outpatient departments. Subjects: Two samples with 472 consecutive adult patients with neck pain from seven physiotherapy outpatient departments in Hong Kong. Methods: Subjects were requested to complete the CPH42 Profile, and their pain intensity was measured using the 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS). They were observed and measured at the beginning of physiotherapy, at seven days, at week 3 and at week 6 after treatment began. Results: The CPH42 Profile had very good test–retest reliability and internal consistency (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.91, Cronbach's alpha 0.90). Validity was confirmed by a moderate correlation with the NRS at the beginning of treatment and week 6 (rank correlation 0.41–0.53). Moreover, a significant difference in scores was found between those who had sought medical consultation and/or had taken medication because of neck pain than those who did not. The responsiveness measured from the beginning of treatment to week 3 and week 6 (standard response means of 0.33 and 0.36) was comparable to the respective changes in pain intensity. Conclusion: The CPH42 Profile has been shown to demonstrate good reliability and validity, and it is sensitive to changes in severity over time. It is suitable for use as an outcome measure for evaluation of patients with neck pain.
What change in isokinetic knee muscle strength can be detected in men and women with hemiparesis after stroke?
Authors: Flansbjer Ulla-Britt , Holmbäck Anna Maria , Downham David , Lexell Jan 
Published: July 2005

Objective: To assess the intra-rater (between occasions) test-retest reliability of isokinetic knee muscle strength measurements in subjects with chronic poststroke hemiparesis and to define limits for the smallest change that indicates real (clinical) improvements for stroke patients. Subjects: Fifty men and women (mean age 589±6.4 years) 6=±46 months post stroke, able to walk at least 300 m with or without a unilateral assistive device. Methods: Maximal concentric knee extension and flexion contractions at 608/s and 1208/s, and maximal eccentric knee extension contractions at 608/s, with the paretic and nonparetic limbs, were performed seven days apart using a Biodex dynamometer. Measures: Reliability of the maximum peak torque measurements was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1), the Bland and Altman analyses, the standard error of measurement (SEM and SEM%) and the smallest real difference (SRD and SRD%). Results: Test retest agreements were high (ICC2,1 0.89-0.96) with no discernible systematic differences between limbs, angular velocities and modes. The SEM%, representing the smallest change that indicates a real (clinical) improvement for a group of subjects, was relatively small (8-20%). The SRD%, representing the smallest change that indicates a real improvement for a single subject ranged from 26% to 33% for concentric knee extension, from 39% to 55% for concentric knee flexion, and from 22% to 25% for eccentric knee extension. Conclusion: Isokinetic knee muscle strength can be reliably measured and used to detect real improvements following an intervention for single subjects as well as for groups of subjects with chronic mild to moderate hemiparesis after stroke.
Comparison of strength measurements under single-joint and multi-joint conditions in hemiparetic individuals
Authors: Mercier C , Bertrand A M , Bourbonnais D 
Published: July 2005

Objective: It has been suggested that the measurement of strength is inappropriate in patients with stroke, in large part because of the presence of abnormal synergy patterns. The aim of the present study was to characterize force production during multi-joint maximal exertion involving different combinations of activation between shoulder and elbow flexors and extensors. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Rehabilitation centre. Subjects: A convenience sample of 16 chronic hemiparetic stroke subjects. Main outcome measures: Maximal torques in flexion and extension at the shoulder and the elbow were measured using static dynamometers (single-joint condition). In addition, the maximal forces produced at the wrist were measured in four directions in the sagittal plane requiring different torque combinations between shoulder and elbow flexors and extensors (multi-joint condition). Results: No difference was found across directions for the ratios of maximal forces (paretic/nonparetic) in the multi-joint condition (p = 0.227; mean ratios (9±SD) for each direction ranging from 0.599±0.23 to 0.689±0.27), suggesting that the ability to produce force did not change as a function of the required torque combination. In addition, relative torques (% of the maximal torque in the single-joint condition) exerted during the multi-joint exertions were similar on the paretic and the nonparetic side. Conclusions: These results do not support the assumption that force production is limited by abnormal synergy patterns between flexors and extensors at the shoulder and the elbow in hemiparetic patients.
Comparison of early postoperative functional levels following total hip replacement using minimally invasive versus standard incisions. A prospective randomized blinded trial
Authors: Lawlor Marie , Humphreys Patricia , Morrow Esther , Ogonda Luke , Bennett Damien , Elliott David , Beverland David 
Published: July 2005

Objective: To compare the results of single-incision minimally invasive total hip replacement (≤ 10 cm) to standard-incision (16 cm) total hip replacement in the early postoperative period with respect to functional and mobilizing ability (transfers, mobilizing, walking and stair assessment). Setting: Orthopaedic wards of a regional orthopaedic centre. Subjects: Two hundred and nineteen total hip replacement patients were tested between December 2003 and June 2004. Interventions: Patients were randomized to either total hip replacement through a minimally invasive (≤ 10 cm) or standard incision (16 cm). A single surgeon performed all procedures using the same type of component fixation. Postoperative physiotherapy assessment and treatment was standardized. Analgesia was also standardized. All patients, physiotherapy staff and assessors were blinded to the incision used. Main outcome measures: Patients were tested two days post operatively and were assessed for the following activities: transfer from supine to sit, transfer from sitting to standing, mobilizing, ascending and descending stairs and weight-bearing. Results: The shorter incision offered no significant improvement in patient ability in relation to transfer from lying to sitting, transfer from sitting to standing, mobilizing or weight-bearing. Ascending/descending stairs gave a total time for the minimal incision of 38.7 s against 40.8 s for a standard incision. There was no difference in walking velocity between the standard incision and minimal incision groups two days post operatively (minimal incision = 0.26 m/s versus standard incision = 0.26 m/s) or six weeks post operatively (minimal incision = 0.90 m/s versus standard incision = 0.93 m/s). There was no difference between groups with respect to walking aids at six-week review. The mean length of stay for the minimally invasive approach was 3.65 days (SD 2.04) against 3.68 days (SD 2.45) for the standard approach. This was not significantly different. Conclusion: Total hip replacement performed through a minimally invasive incision of ≤ 10 cm compared with a standard incision of 16 cm offers no significant benefit in terms of the rate or ability of patients to mobilize and perform functional tasks necessary for safe discharge.
Anumerical algorithm for the solution of two-dimensional rough contact problems
Authors: Ciavarella M , Demelio G , Murolo C 
Published: July 2005

In this paper, a numerical algorithm is developed to solve the elastic contact problem accurately for two-dimensional rough surfaces. A first version of the method gives a full numerical solution for the discrete problem with all the details of the profile included, and the second version simulates approximately the roughness on a smaller scale with the presence of a non-linear elastic layer (as in the classical Winkler foundation model). In the literature, usually the solution of line contact is given by assuming displacements relative to a datum point, to overcome the difficulty that in two dimensions the displacements are undefined to an arbitrary constant. In the present work, the compliance matrix of the elastic half-plane is calculated starting from a self-equilibrated load distribution with periodic boundary conditions. Some examples are shown to validate the methods. Finally, the method is applied to discuss previous results by the present authors on rough contact problems defined by Weierstrass series profiles, and a discussion follows. In particular, it is found that the Winkler non-linear layer model is surprisingly useful for evaluating the electrical conductance, since (at least in the limited case of two superposed sinusoids) it does not require the wavelength and amplitude of the microscopic component of roughness to be much smaller than the macroscopic component. Some aspects of the mutual role of various components of roughness in the compliance and conductance are elucidated by means of example cases.
Investigation of the effect of damage on the strength of notched composite laminates by digital image correlation
Authors: Ambu R , Aymerich F , Bertolino F 
Published: July 2005

In this paper the results of an experimental investigation on the effect of subcritical damage on the residual strength properties of notched composite laminates are presented. A procedure based on the digital image correlation method was applied to laminates subjected to static and fatigue tensile loading. The digital image correlation method (DICM) is a whole-field technique that calculates surface displacements and strains from digital images characterized by a random distribution of intensity grey levels. Graphite/PEEK (polyether ether ketone) and graphite/epoxy laminates with different stacking sequences were analysed and the damage progression near the stress riser was evaluated by means of the strain maps obtained by digital image correlation. It was found that damage developing before final fracture may significantly affect the structural performance of composite laminates. The digital image correlation technique allowed clarification of the beneficial or detrimental role played by the different failure mechanisms on the strain redistribution around the hole and, as a consequence, on the residual strength and fatigue life of notched samples. The findings of the investigation suggest that the DICM is an efficient and reliable tool for full-field monitoring and detailed damage characterization of structural composite elements.
Generation of 9-Stannaphenanthrene and Its Reactivities
Authors: Mizuhata Yoshiyuki , Takeda Nobuhiro , Sasamori Takahiro , Tokitoh Norihiro 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
A neutral stannaaromatic compound, 9-stannaphenanthrene 1a bearing an efficient steric protection group, 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Tbt), was successfully generated by the reaction of the corresponding chlorostannane 2 with lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide in THF at −78 °C. The generaion of 1a was indicated by the trapping experiments using MeOD, Mes*CNO, and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene at the same temperature. However, 1a was found to undergo ready dimerization at room temperature to give the cis-[2 + 2] dimer 3 stereoselectively.