Loaded and unloaded timed stair tests as tools for assessing advanced functional mobility in people with stroke.

Background: The Timed Stair Test (TST) was originally designed to measure advanced functional mobility in patients who have undergone a total hip replacement. Its psychometric properties have not been examined systematically in people with stroke.

Aim: The aims of this study were to: 1) determine the intra-rater reliability of TST under loaded and unloaded condition; 2) identify the minimal detectable changes (MDCs) in TST completion times; 3) investigate the concurrent validity between TST completion times and stroke-specific outcome measures; and 4) determine the cut-off TST completion time to differentiate the performance between people with stroke and healthy older adults.

Reliability and validity of Six-Spot Step Test (SSST) in stroke survivors.

Background: The Six-Spot Step Test (SSST) was originally developed to assess walking ability while challenging balance during walking in patients with multiple sclerosis. It provides more comprehensive information on ambulatory abilities than several existing measures such as the Timed Up and Go test (TUG test), the Functional Gait Assessment, and the Dynamic Gait Index. To assess the advanced balance control ability of stroke survivors, we modified the SSST to serve this purpose.

Reliability and Validity of the Timed Up and Go Test With a Motor Task in People With Chronic Stroke.

Objectives: To examine (1) the intra-rater, interrater, and test-retest reliabilities of the timed Up and Go test with a motor task (TUG) in terms of the number of steps taken in the test and completion time in a population with chronic stroke; (2) the relation between stroke-specific impairments and the number of steps taken in the test and the completion time; (3) the minimum detectable change in TUG times; and (4) the cutoff time that best discriminates the performance of people with stroke from that of older adults without stroke.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University-based rehabilitation center.

Sideways walk test: Reliability and association with lower limb motor function after stroke.

Objectives: To investigate (i) the intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability of sideways walk test times and counts in individuals with stroke; (ii) their correlations with stroke-specific measures of impairment; (iii) the cut-off sideways walk test times and counts between stroke survivors and healthy controls; and (iv) the minimum detectable changes in the sideways walk test times and counts.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University-based rehabilitation centre.

The sitting and rising test for assessing people with chronic stroke.

[Purpose] To investigate the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the sitting-rising test (SRT), the correlations of sitting-rising test scores with measures of strength, balance, community integration and quality of life, as well as the cut-off score which best discriminates people with chronic stroke from healthy older adults were investigated. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects with chronic stroke (n=30) and healthy older adults (n=30) were recruited. The study had a cross-sectional design, and was carried out in a university rehabilitation laboratory.

An individualized exercise programme with and without behavioural change enhancement strategies for managing fatigue among frail older people: a quasi-experimental pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of an individualized exercise programme with and without behavioural change enhancement strategies for frail older people with fatigue.

Design: A three-arm, single-blinded, quasi-experimental pilot study.

Setting: Community health centres.

Effects of a Peer-Led Pain Management Program for Nursing Home Residents with Chronic Pain: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES : To examine the feasibility of a peer-led pain management program among nursing home residents. DESIGN : A quasi-experimental design. SETTING : Two nursing homes.

Reliability and validity of the sideways step test and its correlation with motor function after stroke.

[Purpose] This study investigated the intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the sideways step test (SST), its correlation with other indicators of stroke-specific impairment, and the cut-off count best discriminating subjects with stroke from their healthy counterparts. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-three subjects with chronic stroke and 41 healthy subjects older than 50 years participated in this study. The SST was administered along with the Fugl-Meyer motor assessment for the lower extremities (FMA-LE), the five-times sit to stand (5TSTS) test, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the movement velocity (MVL) by the limits of stability (LOS) test, the ten-metre walk (10mW) test, the timed "Up and Go" (TUG) test and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale.

Floor transfer test for assessing people with chronic stroke.

Objective: To investigate: (i) intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the Timed Floor Transfer Test (FTT); (ii) validity of FTT times with stroke-specific impairments and functional mobility; and (iii) cut-off time that best discriminates people with stroke from healthy older adults.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University-based rehabilitation laboratory.

Systematic review of the predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors which influence nursing administration of opioids in the postoperative period.

Aim: To provide an overview of the administration of opioid analgesics by nurses when prescription is on an "as-needed" basis for postoperative pain, and to identify the important factors that determine the decisions of nurses, by using the framework of predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling causes in educational diagnosis and evaluation.

Methods: Multiple databases were searched for the period from 2000-2012. Out of a total of 1755 citations and 148 abstracts retrieved, 39 studies met the criteria for inclusion.

Parallel walk test: its correlation with balance and motor functions in people with chronic stroke.

Objectives: To investigate (1) the intrarater, interrater, and test-retest reliability of the times and scores generated in the parallel walk test (PWT); (2) their correlations with impairments and activity limitations of individuals with stroke; and (3) the cutoff times that best discriminate individuals with stroke from healthy elderly subjects.

Design: Cross sectional study.

Setting: University-based rehabilitation center.

Peer volunteers in an integrative pain management program for frail older adults with chronic pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic pain is common among the older population. A literature review on pain management program showed that exercise, yoga, massage therapy, Tai Chi, and music therapy could significantly reduce pain. In spite of the proven benefits of pain management programs, these intervention programs were effective only in the short term, and older adults would resume their old habits.

Enhancing knowledge and attitudes in pain management: a pain management education program for nursing home staff.

The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a pain management program (PMP) in enhancing the knowledge and attitudes of health care workers in pain management. Many nursing home residents suffer from pain, and treatment of pain is often inadequate. Failure of health care workers to assess pain and their insufficient knowledge of pain management are barriers to adequate treatment.

The effectiveness of physical exercise training in pain, mobility, and psychological well-being of older persons living in nursing homes.

Pain is common in the aging population, particularly among older residents of nursing homes. It has been found that 50% of older people living in the community have been experiencing chronic pain, and the number increased to 80% for older residents of nursing homes. Exercise is an effective non-pharmacological intervention that can reduce pain and improve physical and psychological functions.

Pain management for older persons living in nursing homes: a pilot study.

Because the prevalence of chronic pain among the elderly in nursing homes is high and decreases their quality of life, effective nonpharmacologic pain management should be promoted. The purpose of this quasiexperimental pretest and posttest control design was to enhance pain management in nursing homes via an integrated pain management program (IPMP) for staff and residents. Nursing staff and residents from the experimental nursing home were invited to join the 8-week IPMP, whereas staff and residents from the control nursing home did not receive the IPMP.

Motivational interviewing and exercise programme for community-dwelling older persons with chronic pain: a randomised controlled study.

Aims And Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of an integrated motivational interviewing and physical exercise programme on pain, physical and psychological function, quality of life, self-efficacy, and compliance with exercise for community-dwelling older persons with chronic pain.

Background: Chronic pain is common among older persons. Indeed, motivation for managing pain is poor, and may cause negative consequences.

The effect of a pain management program on patients with cancer pain.

Background: Pain is 1 of the most common symptoms that a cancer patient would experience. A significant barrier to positive pain management is patients' misconceptions regarding analgesics and inadequate use of nonpharmacological strategies as pain relief.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a pain management program (PMP) on pain intensity, use of PRN drugs and nonpharmacological strategies as pain relief, and barriers to managing pain in cancer patients.

Postoperative pain experience and barriers to pain management in Chinese adult patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

Aims: The purpose of this study was (1) to explore postoperative pain experience among Chinese thoracotomy patients during hospitalisation; (2) to identify patient-related barriers to pain management; and (3) to explore how these barriers were related to patients' pain experience.

Background: Major thoracotomy causes severe pain and extreme stress for patients. Unrelieved postoperative pain leads to high risks of postoperative complications and chronic post-thoracotomy pain syndrome, compromising the quality of life for those patients.

The effectiveness of an integrated pain management program for older persons and staff in nursing homes.

This study examined the effects of an 8-week integrated pain management program (IPMP) on enhancing the knowledge and attitude toward pain management among staff; and improving the pain, quality of life, physical and psychosocial functions, and use of non-drug therapies for the elderly in nursing homes. Nursing home staff (N=147) and residents (N=535) were recruited from ten nursing homes. Nursing homes were randomly assigned into an experimental group (N=296) with IPMP or control group (N=239) without IPMP.

Physical exercise: does it help in relieving pain and increasing mobility among older adults with chronic pain?

Aim: To provide a physical exercise programme for older adults living in nursing homes.

Background: Pain is common among older persons and for those already in long-term care and having difficulty in coping with pain will be at risk of further reducing their optimal independent function.

Design: A quasi-experimental single group pretest-posttest design.

Humor therapy: relieving chronic pain and enhancing happiness for older adults.

The present study examined the effectiveness of a humor therapy program in relieving chronic pain, enhancing happiness and life satisfaction, and reducing loneliness among older persons with chronic pain. It was a quasiexperimental pretest-posttest controlled design. Older persons in a nursing home were invited to join an 8-week humor therapy program (experimental group), while those in another nursing home were treated as a control group and were not offered the program.

Therapeutic effects of an indoor gardening programme for older people living in nursing homes.

Aims: To explore the activities of daily living and psychological well-being of older people living in nursing homes and also to examine the effectiveness of a gardening programme in enhancing socilaisation and life satisfaction, reducing loneliness and promoting activities of daily living for older people living in nursing homes.

Background: Life in nursing homes can mean very limited physical and social activity, leading to further decline in function for many older people.

Design: This was a quasi-experimental pre and posttest control group design.

Effects of providing a nutrition education program for teenagers: dietary and physical activity patterns.

This study enhanced nutritional knowledge in an education program and encouraged healthy dietary habits and regular physical activity among teenagers. A total of 203 adolescents from a secondary school in Hong Kong took part in the study. Their Body Mass Index, dietary habits, and physical exercise pattern were recorded and examined before and after the health education program.

A Web-based e-learning course: integration of pathophysiology into pharmacology.

The Internet is becoming the preferred place to find information. Millions of people go online in search of health and medical information. Likewise, the demand for Web-based courses is growing.