Management options of chronic low back pain. A randomized blinded clinical trial.

Objective: To compare efficacies of 2 active programs in the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods: This prospective, stratified, randomized single-blinded controlled study was conducted in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, King Abdullah University Hospital, Irbid, Jordan, between February and December 2010. A total of 100 patients were randomized to either 6-weeks of multidisciplinary rehabilitation (group A) or therapist-assisted exercise (group B).

Acute ischemic stroke: relationship of brain lesion location & functional outcome.

Purpose: To establish, using brain spiral computerised tomography (SCT) and modified Barthel index (MBI), whether the location of cerebral infarction could be correlated with functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients who undergo early intensive rehabilitation.

Methods: Observational cohort, assessor blinded and correlational prospective 12-weeks study that included 111 acute ischemic stroke patients, admitted consecutively to an early intensive inpatient rehabilitation programme (5 days a week, 3-5 h a day) during 2003. Confirmation of diagnosis and stratification was done by brain SCT.

Homocystinemia and stroke in vegetarians.

Homocysteine is a sulfurated amino acid with a central role in the metabolism of thiol compounds. Homocystinemia is a recognized independent potentially remediable risk factor for vascular disease. It is associated with both macro and micro vascular ischemic stroke.

Effect of risk factors on functional outcome after stroke rehabilitation.

Objective: The incidence of stroke and the demand for rehabilitation services continues to increase. Risk factors may act as stroke outcome predictors and hence determine the type and intensity of rehabilitation. Our aim is to investigate stroke outcome predictors that will define groups with maximal or minimal benefit from rehabilitation after stroke.

Autonomy and rehabilitation.

In minority world countries, autonomy is central to client focused rehabilitation, as it represents a prerequisite for effective participation in the process of rehabilitation. The diverse and dynamic paradoxes within the "autonomy paradigm" will ensure its safe application and survival in such communities. However, the strong family relationships and different cultural backgrounds of majority world countries motivate us to conclude that a "patient-family interactive deliberative process" based on accommodation and negotiation is more acceptable, reliable and implementable in these communities.