Prevalence and nature of manufacturer-sponsored patient support programs for prescription drugs in Canada: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Globally, pharmaceutical companies offer patient support programs in tandem with their products, which aim to enhance medication adherence and patient experience through education, training, support and financial assistance. We sought to identify the proportion and characteristics of such patient support programs in Canada and to describe the nature of supports provided.

Methods: We conducted a crosssectional study to identify and characterize all marketed prescription drugs available in Canada as of Aug.

Experiences with using a pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair for community-based occupations: a qualitative exploration.

Background: Occupational therapists strive to engage individuals in occupation and enhance community access through wheelchair prescription. Previous research with pushrim-activated, power-assisted wheelchairs identifies a reduction in the physical demands of manual wheelchair propulsion but limited evidence exists regarding user evaluation in context.

Purpose: This study explored the experience of using a power-assisted wheelchair in the community.

Effectiveness of an ergonomic keyboard for typists with work related upper extremity disorders: a follow-up study.

Objective: To investigate whether long-term use of an ergonomic keyboard was effective in reducing symptom severity and improving functional status for individuals who experience symptoms of work related upper extremity disorders (WRUED).

Participants: Twenty-nine symptomatic workers employed by a single company.

Methods: Participants were assessed after using an ergonomic keyboard for an average of 34 months.

Burn therapists' opinion on the application and essential characteristics of a burn scar outcome measure.

Comprehensive burn rehabilitation requires the use of an appropriate burn scar outcome measure (BSOM). The literature reports many BSOMs; however, an objective, practical, inexpensive, valid, reliable, and responsive instrument eludes us. A problem in the development of such a measure is disagreement in which scar properties to include.

Participation in community-based activities of daily living: comparison of a pushrim-activated, power-assisted wheelchair and a power wheelchair.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pushrim-activated, power-assisted wheelchair (PPW) performance among dual-users in their natural environment to determine whether the PPW would serve as a satisfactory alternative to a power wheelchair for community-based activities.

Methods: A concurrent mixed methods research design using a cross-over trial was used. The outcome measures used were number of hours reported using the different wheelchairs, Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST), Functioning Everyday with a Wheelchair (FEW), Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM).

The effect of alternate style keyboards on severity of symptoms and functional status of individuals with work related upper extremity disorders.

Unlabelled: There is evidence that performing job tasks involving repetition, vibration, sustained posture or forceful movement may contribute to symptoms of work related upper extremity disorders. Typing is one such activity; symptoms that develop as a result of this activity can affect performance of work, self-care and leisure occupations. Studies investigating the impact of ergonomic keyboards on symptom reduction are limited, and little research exists regarding the reduction of key activation force as an intervention.

Musculoskeletal injuries among ultrasound sonographers in rural Manitoba: a study of workplace ergonomics.

The purpose of this study was to compare the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries and workplace ergonomics among rural-based sonographers compared to urban-based sonographers. The authors also tested the use of a biomechanical software program to assess load on the spine and upper extremity joints. A mail-in survey was sent to all practicing sonographers in rural Manitoba, and on-site video-taped ergonomic and biomechanical evaluations were completed for four sites.

Antagonist cocontraction of knee extensors during constant velocity muscle shortening and lengthening.

Electromyography (EMG) was used to study the role of antagonist cocontraction of the quadriceps muscles of 24 normal subjects during constant velocity muscle performance tests on a KIN/COM dynamometer. The hypothesis tested the dependence of antagonist cocontraction on joint angle, limb velocity and type of contraction. Seated subjects performed two dynamic tests of resisted muscle shortening and lengthening of the knee flexors through a 65 degrees range of knee motion under two constant velocity conditions in a single session.

Elbow joint restriction: effect on functional upper limb motion during performance of three feeding activities.

This study was conducted to quantify and compare changes in upper limb joint motion during different feeding tasks when the elbow joint was restricted. Ten male and nine female volunteer subjects age 18 to 50 years participated; all were healthy, right dominant, with no upper limb pathology. A splint was used to restrict elbow joint motion.

Antagonist cocontraction of knee flexors during constant velocity muscle shortening and lengthening.

Electromyography (EMG) was used to study the role of antagonist cocontration of the hamstring muscles of 24 normal subjects during constant velocity muscle performance tests on a KIN COM (™) dynamometer. The hypothesis tests whether antagonist cocontraction varies dependent on joint angle, limb velocity, and type of contraction. Seated subjects performed two dynamic tests of resisted quadriceps muscle shortening and lengthening through a 65° range of knee motion under two constant velocity conditions in a single session.

Three-dimensional measurement system for functional arm motion study.

An easy-to-use and inexpensive system for studying human movement is described and applied to the study of arm movement during feeding. A typical time to produce kinematic data for an experiment is one hour, including the experiment. System error was found to be less than three per cent.

Normal functional range of motion of upper limb joints during performance of three feeding activities.

This study was designed to quantify the range of upper limb joint motion required during the performance of a specific type of functional activity. Ten able-bodied men were studied as they performed three feeding tasks--eating with a spoon, eating with a fork, and drinking from a handled cup. Three shoulder joint rotations, one elbow joint rotation, one forearm joint rotation, and three wrist joint rotations were quantified simultaneously using a three-dimensional measurement system.

Computerized ultrasonic digitization in the measurement of spinal curvature.

A major concern in school screening programs as well as in the clinical assessment of spinal curvature has been the frequent radiation exposure required to ascertain curve progression. Various techniques have been developed to identify scoliosis such as the Moire and ISIS techniques, but these are very sophisticated and expensive. The authors have developed a simple procedure of identifying and documenting spinal curvature during the performance of the Adams forward bend test, using an ultrasonic sound probe, four sound receivers, and a micro-computer.

A low-power multichannel electromyographic signal data acquisition system.

The development of a stand-alone low-power EMG data acquisition system is described. The resulting design operates at low power (approximately 350 mW) and gives four channels of signal measurement with a maximum sampling rate of 10 kHz. Therefore, the data acquisition system described is ideal for low power data acquisition using a microcomputer.

A microcomputer-based prosthetic limb controller: design and implementation.

This paper describes the design and implementation of a microcomputer based myoelectric limb controller. This controller was constructed for use as a feasibility study of, and a development tool for, microcomputer-based myoelectric limb controller applications. Features of this approach include flexibility and computational power.

Gait kinematics in below-knee child amputees: a force plate analysis.

A complete gait analysis was performed on six children with below-knee amputations to determine the kinematics and kinetics of amputee gait in children. A relatively new method of analysis--the inverse dynamic relationship--was used to determine the joint moments in the sagittal plane of the joints in the intact limb and the remaining portion of the amputated limb. The joint moments in the sagittal plane of the intact limb in the child amputee were found to be normal or below normal during level walking.

An electrogoniometer for the measurement of thoracolumbar rotation.

A simple, noninvasive method of measuring thoracolumbar rotation was developed using an electrogoniometer mounted on thermoplastic girdles. The instrument is designed to adjust to trunk movement that might occur in the sagittal and coronal planes while transmitting the torque that results from rotation in the horizontal plane directly to the active potentiometer of the electrogoniometer. Experiments were carried out to determine the accuracy, validity and reliability of the device and it was concluded that this method of measurement of horizontal trunk movement could be used in kinematic investigations.

The normal peak of electromyographic activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle in the stair cycle.

The quadriceps femoris muscles of 18 subjects with no history of knee joint pathology were analysed climbing stairs. Temporal data was obtained from bilateral contact closing footswitches. Knee joint data was measured using a specially constructed flexible linkage-bar electrogonimeter.

The gait of hypotonic schizophrenic children.

The gait of seven hypotonic schizophrenic children aged between five and eight years was compared with that of seven normal children aged between seven and eight years. Electromyographic studies revealed that in schizophrenic children the tibialis anterior was 'on' during a significantly smaller proportion of the stance phase than in the age-matched controls, and that the quadriceps muscle was 'on' during a significantly smaller proportion of the swing phase than in the controls. In addition, the gait of the schizophrenic children tended to be broad-based and slow, consisting of smaller steps in a longer pace period.

Paraspinal Muscle Activity During Sports.

Using sophisticated telemetry techniques, the authors studied electrical activity in the paraspinal muscles and found implications not only for analyzing athletic performance, but also for patients with low back pain.

The assessment of the internal rotation gait in cerebral palsy: an electromyographic gait analysis.

A study of 12 cerebral palsied children with internal rotation revealed three patterns of electromyographic activity: (1) Diagnostic pattern--where a simple muscle group stood out as the responsible agent--notably the medial hamstrings; (2) Nondiagnostic pattern--nonrecurring pattern; (3) Nondiagnostic pattern--recurring "mass limb reflex" pattern. In all cases, electromyography was useful for: (1) confirmation of clinical impressions. Electromyographic confirmation of phasic hamstring overactivity gives a firm basis for tendon surgery with expectancy of good results.

Electromyographic temporal analysis of gait: hemiplegic locomotion.

The telemetered electromyographic (EMG) activity of quadriceps, hamstrings, triceps surae and pretibial muscles on the affected side of 20 adult hemiplegic subjects was examined during locomotion. The subjects ranged in age from 29 to 68 years (mean, 52.1).