The Impact of Introducing a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Trauma Consultation Service to an Academic Level 1 Trauma Center.

Objective: Previous retrospective studies suggest that early physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) consultation for trauma patients improves outcome and reduces acute care length of stay (LOS). There have not been controlled studies to evaluate this impact. This study assesses the impact of PM&R consultations on acute trauma patients.

A comparison of trunk muscle activation amplitudes during gait in older adults with and without chronic low back pain.

Objective: To investigate abdominal and low back muscle activation amplitudes of older adults (at least 50 years of age) experiencing nonspecific chronic low back pain (LBP) and of adults without LBP while they walked on a level surface at a self-selected speed.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Dynamics of human motion laboratory.

Differences in abdominal muscle activation patterns of younger and older adults performing an asymmetric leg-loading task.

Objectives: To determine whether differences exist between younger (20-50 years) and older adults (>65 years) in abdominal muscle amplitudes, temporal patterns, and three-dimensional (3D) pelvic motion, while performing an asymmetric leg-loading task.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Neuromuscular function laboratory.

The feasibility of measuring the activation of the trunk muscles in healthy older adults during trunk stability exercises.

Background: As the older adult population increases, the potential functional and clinical burden of trunk muscle dysfunction may be significant. An evaluation of risk factors including the impact of the trunk muscles in terms of their temporal firing patterns, amplitudes of activation, and contribution to spinal stability is required. Therefore, the specific purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of measuring the activation of trunk muscles in healthy older adults during specific leg exercises with trunk stabilization.

Efficacy of rehabilitative therapy in regional musculoskeletal conditions.

This chapter reviews the best evidence for the rehabilitation of regional musculoskeletal conditions. Evidence-based efficacy of different modalities for treatment of musculoskeletal pain is presented, and the value of the patient's active participation in the rehabilitation programme is emphasized. The following modalities are commonly included in the holistic approach to patient-centred care and are reviewed: exercise therapy, thermotherapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage and yoga.