Management of stroke risk factors during the process of rehabilitation. Secondary stroke prevention.

Epidemiologic and prospective cohort studies have shown a strong correlation between risk factors and stroke morbidity and mortality. The reduction or control of risk factors, on the other hand, can reduce stroke morbidity and mortality. Rehabilitation professionals involved in comprehensive rehabilitation of stroke patients may include the management of risk factors in the scope of their practice and thus contribute to longer life expectancy and improved quality of life of these patients.

Localization of nerve depolarization with magnetic stimulation.

The specific location on the magnetic stimulation (MS) coil that may correspond to the area of nerve depolarization has not been determined. In order to localize such an area, MS with 9-cm and 5-cm diameter coils was compared with conventional percutaneous electric stimulation (ES). On the 9-cm coil the distribution of points of nerve depolarization corresponded to that quarter of the coil which was placed over and parallel to the median nerve, whereas on the 5-cm coil, this area also extended outside the coil.

Prospective payment for rehabilitation: effects on hospital readmission, home care, and placement.

Suspected benefits of a prospective payment system (PPS) in which hospitals are paid by diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) are that hospital lengths of stay and costs may be reduced. The US Department of Veterans Affairs is one of the first agencies to adopt PPS funding for rehabilitation; this early adoption of PPS provides a unique opportunity to test for both beneficial and adverse outcomes. This study compared hospital stay, readmission rate, and incidence of nursing home placement before and after introduction of PPS on a 22-bed rehabilitation service.

Effects of prospective payment financing on rehabilitation outcome.

A suspected benefit of paying hospitals per diagnostic related groups (DRGs), i.e. the prospective payment system (PPS), is that lengths of stay (LOS) and costs may be reduced.

Monopolar recording of H reflexes at various sites.

Various monopolar recording electrode sites have been used to record H reflexes and M responses. This investigation revealed a decrease in maximum M response amplitude accompanied by an increase in the H/M amplitude ratio as the active recording electrode was positioned more distally, below the gastrocnemii muscle bellies. H and M latencies were also significantly longer at the most distal recording site, but the latency difference is relatively independent of recording site.