Rasch validation and refinement of the Lymphedema Life Impact Scale version 2 in an Italian cohort with secondary lymphedema.

Purpose: To produce and validate an Italian version of the Lymphedema Life Impact Scale version 2 (LLISv2-It), a tool measuring the impact of lymphedema on health-related quality of life, and investigate its main psychometric characteristics.

Methods: After translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the LLISv2, we administered it to 156 subjects with secondary lymphedema (upper or lower limb), together with (depending on the limb involved) either the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) or the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). We analyzed the performance of LLISv2-It using Classical Test Theory and Rasch methods.

Functional ability before and after rehabilitation in elderly patients with shortening and/or rotational deformity of the lower limb after hip fracture.

Background: Shortening and rotational deformity of the lower limb (SRD) is a major complication of hip fracture surgery. It causes not only hip joint dysfunction but also functional impairments due to abnormal gait parameters, decreased gait velocity, and poor balance. Despite a number of previous studies, the effect of SRD on the postsurgical recovery of these patients is still not clear.

Predictive factors of functional abilities in older patients with peripheral neuropathy.

Background And Aims: Little is known about the outcome predictors in peripheral neuropathy (PN). This prospective observational study aimed to identify possible factors predicting the functional abilities in older patients with PN undergoing motor rehabilitation.

Methods: Data were collected in 80 PN patients, aged over 65 years, performing a standard inpatient motor rehabilitation program.

Responsiveness and minimal important change of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale in people with chronic low back pain undergoing multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

Background: The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), a widely used tool to assess catastrophizing related to spinal disorders, shows valid psychometric properties in general but the minimal important change (MIC) is still not determined.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess responsiveness and MIC of the PCS in individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP) undergoing multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Multidisciplinary program based on early management of psychological factors reduces disability of patients with subacute low back pain: one-year results of a randomized controlled study.

Background: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation induces disability improvement, pain reduction and favors return-to-work in patients with subacute low back pain (LBP). Current research advises additional high-quality trials.

Aim: The aim of this study is to test the effect of a multidisciplinary rehabilitative program incorporating cognitive-behavioral interventions compared to general physiotherapy alone to treat subacute LBP, and to appraise its long-term extent.

Lymphedema quality of life questionnaire (LYMQOL): cross-cultural adaptation and validation in Italian women with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer.

Purpose: There is growing interest in measures that assess upper-limb lymphedema after breast cancer. Since no validated Italian version of the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire for upper limbs (LYMQOL-UL) exists, we aimed to culturally adapt and validate an Italian version (LYMQOL-UL-IT) in order to allow its use in Italian patients.

Materials And Methods: The LYMQOL-UL-IT was developed by means of forward-backward translation, review by an expert committee and a test of the pre-final version to evaluate its comprehensibility.

Predictors of balance in older hip fracture patients undergoing standard motor rehabilitation.

Purpose: Little is known about the factors predicting balance in hip fracture patients. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to assess balance before and after inpatient rehabilitation and, secondarily, to identify factors predicting the balance levels in older hip fracture patients after motor rehabilitation.

Methods: Data were collected in 124 hip fracture patients over a 2-year period.

Reliability, responsiveness and minimal clinically important difference of the two Fear Avoidance and Beliefs Questionnaire scales in Italian subjects with chronic low back pain undergoing multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

Background: The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) is a widely used outcome measure. There is still a lack of information concerning responsiveness and minimal clinically important difference (MCID), limiting its use for clinical and research purposes.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine reliability, responsiveness and MCID of the two FABQ scales in subjects with chronic low back pain.

Italian versions of the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7: translation and validation in women with urinary incontinence.

Purpose: To culturally adapt and validate the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (short forms) for use in Italian-speaking women with urinary incontinence.

Methods: We developed Italian versions of the two questionnaires through forward-backward translation, expert review and cognitive interviews. We then administered them to 100 women with urinary incontinence (mean age 58.

Functional outcome and multidimensional evaluation of patients with Mutars® reconstructions post lower limb tumor resection and rehabilitation: preliminary results.

Modular prostheses are commonly used to reconstruct defects of the distal femur and proximal tibia after bone tumor resection. Improving patient's autonomy and giving them a better quality of life are the main goals. Post-surgical rehabilitation is very relevant after surgery.

Functional recovery in hip fracture patients: the role of pharmacotherapy.

Background And Aim: The aim of this prospective observational cohort study was to verify the relationship between number of drugs used and functional outcome in hip fracture patients undergoing rehabilitation.

Methods: This study was conducted on 139 patients with hip fracture who underwent a rehabilitation program. Efficiency rate in the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and length of stay (LOS) were the outcome measures.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Femoral Cartilage, Achilles Tendon, and Plantar Fascia in Young Women Wearing High-Heeled Shoes.

Background: Specific attention on the musculoskeletal impact of wearing high-heeled shoes (HHS) has mainly focused on knee osteoarthritis and the literature is limited to biomechanical changes. The distal femoral cartilage has not been morphologically studied. Additionally, although heel elevation is coupled with a shear stress at the heel and overloaded calf muscles, Achilles tendon (AT) and plantar fascia (PF) thicknesses have not been assessed either.

Predicting Motor and Cognitive Improvement Through Machine Learning Algorithm in Human Subject that Underwent a Rehabilitation Treatment in the Early Stage of Stroke.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate, in subject with stroke, the exact role as prognostic factor of common inflammatory biomarkers and other markers in predicting motor and/or cognitive improvement after rehabilitation treatment from early stage of stroke.

Methods: In this longitudinal cohort study on stroke patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation, data from 55 participants were analyzed. Functional and clinical data were collected after admission to the rehabilitation unit.

Efficacy of two brief cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation programs for chronic neck pain: results of a randomized controlled pilot study.

Background: Current models of pain behavior suggest that kinesiophobia prevents the reacquisition of normal function, promotes the development of maladaptive coping strategies, and contributes to the disability associated with chronic neck pain (NP).

Aim: Comparing two brief cognitive-behavioral programs aimed at managing kinesiophobia to understand which one induces better short-term improvements in disability, fear of movement, catastrophizing, adaptive coping strategies, quality of life (QoL), and pain intensity of chronic NP.

Design: Pilot, randomized, controlled trial, 3-months follow-up.

Action Observation in People with Parkinson's Disease. A Motor⁻Cognitive Combined Approach for Motor Rehabilitation. A Preliminary Report.

The aim of this study was to assess the role of Action Observation (AO) to improve balance, gait, reduce falls, and to investigate the changes in P300 pattern. Five cognitively intact People with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) were enrolled in this prospective, quasi-experimental study to undergo a rehabilitation program of AO for gait and balance recovery of 60 min, three times a week for four weeks. The statistical analysis showed significant improvements for Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor section III = 0.

Disability after major abdominal surgery: determinants of recovery of walking ability in elderly patients.

Background: Increased life expectancy and improved surgical techniques have led to a sharp rise in healthcare resource consumption by older patients. In these patients early recovery of walking ability after abdominal surgery may shorten length of hospital stay and reduce overall healthcare costs, but it is important to understand what factors determine this recovery.

Aim: To assess preoperative and postoperative determinants of walking ability recovery after major abdominal surgery in older patients.

Psychometric properties of the Cumulated Ambulation Score: a systematic review.

Introduction: In the geriatric population, independent mobility is a key factor in determining readiness for discharge following acute hospitalization. The Cumulated Ambulation Score (CAS) is a potentially valuable score that allows day-to-day measurements of basic mobility. The CAS was developed and validated in older patients with hip fracture as an early postoperative predictor of short-term outcome, but it is also used to assess geriatric in-patients with acute medical illness.

How many physical therapy sessions are required to reach a good outcome in symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis? A retrospective study.

Background: There is a lack of conclusive information about the optimal dosage of physical therapy treatments in Spondylolisthesis (SPL) patients.

Purpose: The present study attempted to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of two different doses in reaching similar clinical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 64 consecutive patients admitted for physical therapy with symptomatic lumbar grade I SPL (42 ± 15years, 57% female) was conducted.

Responsiveness and minimal important change of the NeckPix© in subjects with chronic neck pain undergoing rehabilitation.

Purpose: The NeckPix© is a simple and rapid means of measuring the beliefs of subjects with chronic neck pain concerning pain-related fears of a specific set of activities of daily living. The original version showed satisfactory psychometric properties. This observational study is aimed at evaluating its responsiveness and minimal important changes (MICs) in subjects with chronic neck pain.

StimTrack: An open-source software for manual transcranial magnetic stimulation coil positioning.

Background: During Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) experiments researchers often use a neuronavigation system to precisely and accurately maintain coil position and orientation.

New Method: This study aimed to develop and validate an open-source software for TMS coil navigation. StimTrack uses an optical tracker and an intuitive user interface to facilitate the maintenance of position and orientation of any type of coil within and between sessions.