Around 5% to 10% of hospitalized patients develop a hospital-acquired infection (HAI). Scrubs are a potential vector of HAIs. To compare the antimicrobial characteristics of scrubs with and without an antimicrobial fabric coating, as tested in the laboratory (in vitro) and hospital (in vivo) environments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effect of joint pathologies, such as unilateral knee osteoarthritis (UKOA) or low back pain (LBP), on bilateral gait symmetry has gained increased attention during the past decade. This study is the first to compare gait patterns between patients with UKOA and LBP in combination and with UKOA only. Temporal, kinematic, and kinetic variables were measured bilaterally during gait stance phase in 31 subjects with UKOA and LBP (Group I) and 11 subjects with only UKOA (Group II).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine the presence and temporal relationship between back pain and knee osteoarthritis (OA). All subjects were candidates for unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to relieve knee pain related to OA, and information regarding the prevalence of back pain was collected via questionnaires. A total of 42 subjects with unilateral knee OA responded to the questionnaires, and 74% of subjects reported chronic back pain, which first occurred approximately 10 years before their becoming candidates for TKA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Hamstring injuries are a common occurrence among professional football cheerleaders. The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of an eccentric, closed-chain hamstring exercise intervention on hamstring injury-associated pain during the course of the football season among professional football cheerleaders.
Methods: Forty-three female cheerleaders participated in an eccentric, closed-chain hamstring exercise intervention protocol provided by doctors of chiropractic that incorporated loops of elastic-band or Thera-Band Loops (Hygenic Corporation, Akron, OH) during practice and at home during the regular football season.
Preparing for the stress of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery by exercise training (prehabilitation) may improve strength and function before surgery and, if effective, has the potential to contribute to postoperative recovery. Subjects with severe osteoarthritis (OA), pain intractable to medicine and scheduled for TKA were randomized into a usual care (UC) group (n = 36) or usual care and exercise (UC + EX) group (n = 35). The UC group maintained normal daily activities before their TKA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Prim Care Community Health
April 2010
Objective: The percentage of obese children in the United States has increased dramatically over the past three decades, particularly among ethnic/ racial minorities. This study sought to examine the impact of a clinical case-management intervention based upon the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to reduce obesity and increase physical activity in children.
Methods: Nineteen obese African-American children ages 8-12 were recruited from two pediatric clinics and were randomized to either a 12-week intervention group or a control group.
Treatment for breast cancer patients includes surgical removal of the tumor followed by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy frequently results in difficult to manage symptoms that threaten compliance with the therapy. Symptoms include fatigue, declines in functional ability, muscle wasting, and a decreased quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFConditioning the body to undergo physical stress such as joint arthroplasty has been termed prehabilitation. This case study examined the effect of a 4-week prehabilitation intervention on functional outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two female subjects completed baseline strength and functional assessments before TKA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough treatment of renal artery stenosis (RAS) with stents has been shown to improve blood pressure (BP) and renal function in some patients, little is known about the effect on health-related quality of life. A composite quality of life survey was administered in a cross-sectional cohort fashion to 149 patients presenting with angiographically and hemodynamically confirmed RAS either before (baseline, n = 37) or after (follow-up, n = 112) stent revascularization. BP, renal function, and antihypertensive medication use were also assessed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Dehydration is the most common fluid or electrolyte disorder among older persons. This study was designed to examine the hydration status of community-dwelling seniors.
Methods: Blood and urine samples were collected from 67 independently living volunteers (65-93 yrs) who had functional limitations but no condition that contraindicated 10 min of moderate exercise.
Hypertension is an important clinical endpoint after renal artery revascularization for renal artery stenosis (RAS). Medication compliance is a critical determinant of blood pressure control. Although factors influencing compliance are known in essential hypertension, they have not been evaluated in studies investigating renal artery revascularization.
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