Fighting for control in an unpredictable life - a qualitative study of older persons' experiences of living with chronic dizziness.

Background: Dizziness in older people is associated with disability and reduced quality of life. Few studies have investigated how daily life is affected from the older person's perspective. Identifying barriers and resources in daily life could guide health care in how to direct efficient interventions.

Effects of a one-year home-based case management intervention on falls in older people: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of a home-based one-year case management intervention in older people with functional dependency and repeated contact with the health care services on self-reported falls and self-reported injurious falls.

Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial with repeated follow-ups. The sample (n = 153) was consecutively and randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 80, mean age = 81.

Swedish version of the multi dimensional health assessment questionnaire -- translation and psychometric evaluation.

Background: Health assessment measurements for patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have to be meaningful, valid and relevant. A commonly used questionnaire for patients with RA is the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ), which has been available in Swedish since 1988. The HAQ has been revised and improved several times and the latest version is the Multi Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ).

The Swedish version of OMAS is a reliable and valid outcome measure for patients with ankle fractures.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability and the validity of the self-reported questionnaire Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) in subjects after an ankle fracture.

Methods: When evaluating the test-retest reliability of the OMAS, 42 subjects surgically treated due to an ankle fracture participated 12 months after injury. OMAS was completed by the patients on two occasions at one to two weeks' interval.

Knee rotation in healthy individuals related to age and gender.

An external device ("the Rottometer") was especially designed to measure passive knee rotation in vivo. The device had earlier been evaluated with respect to it's validity and reliability. In the present study, we evaluated knee rotation in knee-healthy individuals and studied possible age and gender related differences.

Measurements of knee rotation-reliability of an external device in vivo.

Background: Knee rotation plays an important part in knee kinematics during weight-bearing activities. An external device for measuring knee rotation (the Rottometer) has previously been evaluated for validity by simultaneous measurements of skeletal movements with Roentgen Stereometric Analysis (RSA). The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of the device.

How many trials are needed to achieve performance stability of the Timed Up & Go test in patients with hip fracture?

Objective: To examine the number of trials needed to achieve performance stability of the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test using a standardized walking aid in patients with hip fracture who are allowed full weight bearing (FWB).

Design: Prospective methodologic study.

Setting: An acute 14-bed orthopedic hip fracture unit.

Prefracture functional level evaluated by the New Mobility Score predicts in-hospital outcome after hip fracture surgery.

Background And Purpose: Clinicians need valid and easily applicable predictors of outcome in patients with hip fracture. Adjusting for previously established predictors, we determined the predictive value of the New Mobility score (NMS) for in-hospital outcome in patients with hip fracture.

Patients And Methods: We studied 280 patients with a median age of 81 (interquartile range 72-86) years who were admitted from their own homes to a special hip fracture unit.

Work ability--experiences and perceptions among physicians.

Purpose: To describe experiences and perceptions of work ability and how it can be assessed among Swedish physicians.

Method: We interviewed eight men and six women in the fields of general practice, occupational health, rehabilitation and orthopaedic surgery. Qualitative content analysis was applied to the data.

Willingness to pay for health improvements of physical activity on prescription.

Aims: To estimate the willingness to pay for health improvements among participants in the programme ''Physical Activity on Prescription''. The objective was also to examine predictors such as income, education level, health status, activity level and BMI, differences for long- and short-term health effects of physical activity and differences between a high- and low-intensity activity group.

Methods: Willingness to pay (WTP) data were collected alongside a randomized, controlled trial in Sweden 2007, and 128 sedentary individuals, 20-80 years old (intervention/high-intensity group n = 71, control/low-intensity group n = 57), with lifestyle-related health problems answered open-ended questions in this contingent valuation study.

Physical activity on prescription (PAP): costs and consequences of a randomized, controlled trial in primary healthcare.

Objectives: To analyse costs and consequences of changing physical activity behaviour due to the "Physical Activity on Prescription" (PAP) programme.

Design: A randomized controlled trial with a four-month intervention, with comparison between intervention and control group. Intervention.

High intertester reliability of the cumulated ambulation score for the evaluation of basic mobility in patients with hip fracture.

Objective: To examine the intertester reliability of the three activities of the Cumulated Ambulation Score (CAS) and the total CAS, and to define limits for the smallest change in basic mobility that indicates a real change in patients with hip fracture.

Design: An intertester reliability study.

Setting: An acute 20-bed orthopaedic hip fracture unit.

Timed up & go test score in patients with hip fracture is related to the type of walking aid.

Unlabelled: Kristensen MT, Bandholm T, Holm B, Ekdahl C, Kehlet H. Timed Up & Go test score in patients with hip fracture is related to the type of walking aid.

Objective: To determine the relationship between Timed Up & Go (TUG) test scores and type of walking aid used during the test, and to determine the feasibility of using the rollator as a standardized walking aid during the TUG in patients with hip fracture who were allowed full weight-bearing (FWB).

Effects of a training program after surgically treated ankle fracture: a prospective randomised controlled trial.

Background: Despite conflicting results after surgically treated ankle fractures few studies have evaluated the effects of different types of training programs performed after plaster removal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week standardised but individually suited training program (training group) versus usual care (control group) after plaster removal in adults with surgically treated ankle fractures.

Methods: In total, 110 men and women, 18-64 years of age, with surgically treated ankle fracture were included and randomised to either a 12-week training program or to a control group.

Knee-extension strength, postural control and function are related to fracture type and thigh edema in patients with hip fracture.

Background: Post-surgery thigh edema, loss of knee-extension strength, and reduced physical performance are common following a hip fracture. It is not known if knee-extension strength and physical performance are related to the edema and fracture type. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of fracture type and post-surgery edema on physical performances in patients with hip fracture.

High inter-tester reliability of the new mobility score in patients with hip fracture.

Objective: To assess the inter-tester reliability of the New Mobility Score in patients with acute hip fracture.

Design: An inter-tester reliability study.

Subjects: Forty-eight consecutive patients with acute hip fracture at a median age of 84 (interquartile range, 76-89) years; 40 admitted from their own home and 8 from nursing homes to an acute orthopaedic hip fracture unit at a university hospital.

Outcome and quality of life after surgically treated ankle fractures in patients 65 years or older.

Background: Despite high incidence of ankle fractures in the elderly, studies evaluating outcome and impact of quality of life in this age group specifically are sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome and quality of life 6 and 12 months after injury in patients 65 years or older who had been operated on due to an ankle fracture.

Methods: Sixty patients 65 years or older were invited to participate in the study.

Balance in single-limb stance after surgically treated ankle fractures: a 14-month follow-up.

Background: The maintenance of postural control is fundamental for different types of physical activity. This can be measured by having subjects stand on one leg on a force plate. Many studies assessing standing balance have previously been carried out in patients with ankle ligament injuries but not in patients with ankle fractures.

Six-week high-intensity exercise program for middle-aged patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN20244858].

Background: Studies on exercise in knee osteoarthritis (OA) have focused on elderly subjects. Subjects in this study were middle-aged with symptomatic and definite radiographic knee osteoarthritis. The aim was to test the effects of a short-term, high-intensity exercise program on self-reported pain, function and quality of life.

Sick leave among home-care personnel: a longitudinal study of risk factors.

Background: Sick leave due to neck, shoulder and back disorders (NSBD) is higher among health-care workers, especially nursing aides/assistant nurses, compared with employees in other occupations. More information is needed about predictors of sick leave among health care workers. The aim of the study was to assess whether self-reported factors related to health, work and leisure time could predict: 1) future certified sick leave due to any cause, in nursing aides/assistant nurses (Study group I) and 2) future self-reported sick leave due to NSBD in nursing aides/assistant nurses (Study group II).

The quality of reporting and outcome measures in randomized clinical trials related to upper-extremity disorders.

Purpose: Randomized clinical trials can provide strong evidence regarding effective treatment options. The quality of reporting and the type of outcome measures used are important when judging whether results justify change in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of reporting of randomized clinical trials related to treatment of upper-extremity disorders, published in 4 hand surgical and orthopedic journals during an 11-year period, and assess the type of outcome measures used in the trials.

Rehabilitation benefits highly motivated patients: a six-year prospective cost-effectiveness study.

Objectives: To compare the six-year outcome of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program with continued care within primary care in terms of health-related quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, predictors of total costs to society were examined.

Methods: A prospective, matched, controlled, six-year follow-up was designed.

Inter-tester reliability of a new diagnostic classification system for patients with non-specific low back pain.

Most patients referred to physiotherapy with low back pain are without a precise medical diagnosis. Identification of subgroups of non-specific low back pain patients may improve clinical outcomes and research efficiency. A pathoanatomic classification system has been developed, classifying patients with non-specific low back pain into 12 different syndromes and three subcategories based on history and physical examination.

Reliability of the Body Awareness Scale-Health.

In physical therapy the clinical assessment Body Awareness Scale-Health (BAS-H) focusing on the quality of movements and movement behaviour has previously been studied for validity. The aim of this study was to address the inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability in three groups. The groups assessed were: patients in psychiatric care with eating disorders (n = 26), patients in rehabilitation of prolonged musculoskeletal pain (n = 22) and healthy individuals (n = 22).