Quantifying neural and non-neural components of wrist hyper-resistance after stroke: Comparing two instrumented assessment methods.

Patients with poor upper limb motor recovery after stroke are likely to develop increased resistance to passive wrist extension, i.e., wrist hyper-resistance.

Measurement Properties of the NeuroFlexor Device for Quantifying Neural and Non-neural Components of Wrist Hyper-Resistance in Chronic Stroke.

Differentiating between the components of wrist hyper-resistance post stroke, i.e., pathological neuromuscular activation ("spasticity") and non-neural biomechanical changes, is important for treatment decisions.

Progressive resistance training for persons with intellectual disabilities and visual impairment.

Background: Knowledge concerning the feasibility and effects of progressive resistance training (PRT) for persons with intellectual disabilities and visual impairment who are categorized in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level 1 is limited. The aim of our study was to evaluate feasibility and effect of PRT on participants' Quadriceps strength and personal goals.

Methods: Eight Participants followed a PRT program for 10 weeks.

Effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Upper Limb Spasticity Poststroke Over Different ICF Domains: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive overview of reported effects and scientific robustness of botulinum toxin (BoNT) treatment regarding the main clinical goals related to poststroke upper limb spasticity, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Data Sources: Embase, PubMed, Wiley/Cochrane Library, and Ebsco/CINAHL were searched from inception up to May 16, 2018.

Study Selection: We included randomized controlled trials comparing upper limb BoNT injections with a control intervention in patients with a history of stroke.

The Brains Ahead! intervention for children and adolescents with mild traumatic brain injury and their caregivers: rationale and description of the treatment protocol.

Purpose:: Approximately 20% of the children and adolescents after mild traumatic brain injury will not fully recover. They suffer long-term postconcussive symptoms and may experience limitations in activities and participation. Research suggests that early psychoeducational interventions may prevent long-term postconcussive symptoms.

Treatment expectations influence the outcome of multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment in patients with CFS.

Objective: To improve the effectiveness of treatment in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome it is worthwhile studying factors influencing outcomes. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the association of expectancy and credibility on treatment outcomes, and (2) to identify baseline variables associated with treatment expectancy and credibility.

Methods: 122 patients were included in a randomized controlled trial of whom 60 received cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and 62 multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment (MRT).

Measuring outcome after cardiac arrest: construct validity of Cerebral Performance Category.

Introduction: Approximately half of the survivors of cardiac arrest have cognitive impairments due to hypoxic brain injury. To describe the outcome after a cardiac arrest, the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) is frequently used. Although widely used, its validity is still debatable.

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment versus cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the difference in treatment effect, at 26 and 52 weeks after the start of treatment, between cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment (MRT) for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Design: Multicentre, randomized controlled trial of patients with CFS. Participants were randomly assigned to MRT or CBT.

Ankle injuries in the Netherlands: Trends over 10-25 years.

Ankle injuries are a common health problem; data on ankle injury rates and time trends in the population at large are scarce. Our aim was to investigate the incidence of and time trends in population-based and emergency department-treated ankle injuries related to sports activities and other activities related to daily living. Data were obtained from one national survey on accidents and injuries (2000-2010) and one based on emergency department data (1986-2010).

Upper extremity strength measurement for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review of available instruments.

Background: In order to make inferences about strength related to development or treatment interventions, it is important to use measurement instruments that have sound clinimetric properties.

Purpose: The objective of this review is to systematically evaluate the level of evidence of the clinimetric properties of instruments for measuring upper extremity muscle strength at the "body functions & structures" level of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY) for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Data Sources: A systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, OTseeker, CINAHL, PEDro, and MEDLINE databases up to November 2012 was performed.

Fitness, depression, and poststroke fatigue: worn out or weary?

Each year, around 15 million people worldwide have a stroke. Of these, at least 5 million die, a third remain disabled, and the remainder make a good recovery.(1) Yet more than half of all these 10 million survivors will have fatigue, one of the most debilitating, but least studied, poststroke symptoms.

Differences in physical functioning between relatively active and passive patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Objective: According to the Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol for patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), therapists are advised to categorize patients in relatively active and passive patients. However, evidence to support the differences in physical functioning between these subgroups is limited. Using the baseline data from a multicentre randomized controlled trial (FatiGo), the differences in actual and perceived physical functioning between active and passive patients with CFS were evaluated.

Tolerance and effectiveness of a new dynamic hand-wrist orthosis in chronic stroke patients.

Purpose: To evaluate tolerance of a new dynamic hand-wrist orthosis and effectiveness on the prevention of progressive wrist contracture and spasticity after stroke.

Method: Chronic stroke patients (N = 6) with upper limb spasticity, who had not been able to endure a static orthosis, were provided with a custom-made dynamic orthosis. Tolerance of the orthosis was evaluated by the daily wearing time, and self-reported pain and spasticity.

Long-term use of a static hand-wrist orthosis in chronic stroke patients: a pilot study.

Background. Long-term splinting, using static orthoses to prevent contractures, is widely accepted in stroke patients with paresis of the upper limb. A number of stroke patients complain about increased pain and spasticity, which leads to the nonuse of the orthosis and a risk of developing a clenched fist.

Cognitive behavioural therapy versus multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (FatiGo).

Background: Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome experience extreme fatigue, which often leads to substantial limitations of occupational, educational, social and personal activities. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the treatment. Patients try many different therapies to overcome their fatigue.

Responsiveness of Goal Attainment Scaling in comparison to two standardized measures in outcome evaluation of children with cerebral palsy.

Objectives: To assess the responsiveness of Goal Attainment Scaling compared with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and the 66-item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) in multidisciplinary rehabilitation practice.

Design: Observational study. Pretest-posttest design.

Goal Attainment Scaling in paediatric rehabilitation: a report on the clinical training of an interdisciplinary team.

Background: Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is a responsive method for individual goal setting and treatment evaluation. However, current knowledge about its reliability when used in paediatric rehabilitation treatment is insufficient and depends highly on standardization of the GAS method. A training programme was developed to introduce GAS to a team of 27 professionals from five disciplines.

Goal attainment scaling in paediatric rehabilitation: a critical review of the literature.

The aim of the study was to review the psychometric properties and use of goal attainment scaling (GAS) in paediatric rehabilitation research. We performed a critical literature review searching: (1) all studies whose main focus was to assess the psychometric properties of GAS in paediatric rehabilitation; and (2) all effect studies in paediatric rehabilitation that used GAS as one of the outcome measures. Three articles in the first group and six in the second group met the inclusion criteria.

Training with inspiratory pressure support in patients with severe COPD.

This study evaluates the effects of training with noninvasive ventilatory support in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a randomised, controlled, observer-blinded trial. Twenty-nine patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and with a ventilatory limited exercise capacity (forced expiratory volume in one second < 60% predicted, breathing reserve at maximal exercise < 20% of maximally voluntary ventilation, resting arterial oxygen tension > or = 8 kPa (60 mmHg), end-exercise arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry > or = 85%) completed an 8-week supervised outpatient cycle exercise programme. Fourteen patients were randomised to training with inspiratory pressure support of 10 cmH2O and 15 patients to training with control (sham) inspiratory pressure support of 5 cmH2O.

The effect of botulinum toxin type A treatment of the lower extremity on the level of functional abilities in children with cerebral palsy: evaluation with goal attainment scaling.

Objective: To measure the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) treatment in children with cerebral palsy with regard to individual goals concerning functional abilities, using goal attainment scaling.

Design: A single-blind randomized multiple baseline/treatment phase design across subjects.

Setting: The paediatric department of a rehabilitation centre.