Back in control of intentional action: Improvement of ideomotor apraxia by mirror box treatment.

Objectives: A novel method of rehabilitation for ideomotor apraxia (IMA), using a modified version of the mirror box (MB), is proposed. The rationale is based on the theory that disrupted body representation occurs in IMA and that MB training may improve body representation. In the present MB training, patients observed and reproduced movements made by the experimenter in a mirror.

Towards objective quantification of the Tinetti test.

The Tinetti test is a widespread test for assessing motor control in the elderly, which could also be usefully applied in neurology. At present it uses a qualitative measurement scale. As a first step towards its objective quantification, trunk inclination was measured during the test by two inclinometers and quantified by descriptive parameters.

Planning the provision of outpatient services in a rehabilitation clinic.

Objective: This study had two aims: (1) to plan the provision of outpatient services in a rehabilitation clinic and increase the efficiency of these services; (2) to identify and evaluate criteria of good clinical practice in outpatient rehabilitation activities in order to avoid transforming the therapy into an assembly line in which the number of services is considered more important than the quality of services delivered.

Design: The authors identified the sequence of activities carried out for each of the services requested and monitored the number of appointments and treatments performed in two four month periods. As part of the process of increasing delivery efficiency and recording services provided, the authors created a computerised database for processing hospital charges.