High molecular weight Intraarticular hyaluronic acid for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a network meta-analysis.

Background: The 2013 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) guidelines made strong recommendations against intraarticular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), as evidence supporting improvements in pain did not meet the minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) threshold. However, there may be important distinctions based on IAHA molecular weight (MW). Hence our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of IAHAs in knee OA based on molecular weight.

Cross-sectional validity and specificity of comprehensive measurement in lymphedema and lipedema of the lower extremity: a comparison of five outcome instruments.

Background: Literature on the validity of outcome measurement in lymphedema and lipedema is very sparse. This study aimed to examine the convergent, divergent and discriminant validity of a set of 5 instruments in both conditions.

Methods: Cross-sectional outcome was measured by the generic Short Form 36 (SF-36), the lymphedema-specific Freiburg Quality of Life Assessment for lymphatic disorders, Short Version (FLQA-lk), the knee-specific Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADL), the Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90R), and the Six-Minute Walk Test (6 MWT).

Extended overview of the longitudinal pain-depression association: A comparison of six cohorts treated for specific chronic pain conditions.

Background: The aim was to quantify and to compare the associations between longitudinal changes in pain and depression in different chronic pain conditions.

Methods: Data were retrieved from 6 observational cohort studies. From baseline to the 6-month follow-up, the score changes on the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) bodily pain (pain) and the SF-36 mental health (depression) scales (0=worst, 100=best) were quantified, using partial correlations obtained by multiple regression.

Comparison of short- and mid-term outcomes of Italian- and German-speaking patients after an interdisciplinary pain management programme in Switzerland: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: To quantify and compare the course of health-related quality of life of immigrant native Italian-speaking and German-speaking patients before and after an interdisciplinary pain programme.

Design: Prospective cohort study with 1-12 month follow-up.

Subjects: Fibromyalgia, generalized widespread pain, and chronic non-specific back pain patients (Italian-speaking n = 96, German-speaking n = 199).

Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation in chronic neck pain: a naturalistic prospective cohort study with intraindividual control of effects and 12-month follow-up.

Background: In contrast to the large evidence of the effectiveness of multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation (MBR) in chronic low back pain, little is known about the effects of MBR in chronic neck pain (CNP).

Aim: To quantify short-term and 12-month effects of a 3-week CNP-specific MBR program.

Design: Naturalistic prospective observational cohort study with intraindividual control of effects.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and reliability of the German version of the migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire.

Background: The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) is a brief questionnaire and measures headache-related disability. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the original English version of the MIDAS to German and to test its reliability.

Methods: The standardized translation process followed international guidelines.

Health and quality of life in patients with medication overuse headache syndrome after standardized inpatient rehabilitation: A cross-sectional pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to determine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with history of medication overuse headache (MOH) after detoxification and a headache-specific inpatient rehabilitation program and to receive necessary information for future prospective studies.HRQoL and headache-related disability were cross-sectionally measured by Short Form 36 (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Migraine Disability Score (MIDAS), Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ), and Symptom Checklist 90 revised (SCL-90-R). SF-36, HADS, and SCL-90-R data were compared to German population norms, stratified by age, sex, and comorbidities.

Epidemiology of gastrointestinal symptoms in young and middle-aged Swiss adults: prevalences and comorbidities in a longitudinal population cohort over 28 years.

Background: Although subacute and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms are very common in primary care, epidemiological date are sparse. The aim of the study was to examine and quantify the prevalence of subacute and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and their associations with somatic and mental disorders in the general population.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively between 1981 (age m = 22, f = 23) and 2008 (age 49/50) from the Zurich Cohort Study (n = 292 men, 299 women), a representative general population survey.

Effectiveness of subgroup-specific pain rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial in patients with chronic back pain.

Background: Prospective classification of patients with nonspecific chronic back pain into homogeneous subgroups might be an important objective in order to tailor interventions and improve treatment outcomes.

Aim: This study investigated the effect of a subgroup-specific pain rehabilitation program based on the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) Classification System compared to standard care.

Design: Single blinded, parallel group, pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Short-term effectiveness of inpatient cancer rehabilitation: A longitudinal controlled cohort study.

Inpatient rehabilitation for cancer patients has been demonstrated to improve patients' health related quality of life (HRQoL) effectively. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in general health and HRQoL of cancer patients who were referred to inpatient rehabilitation (IR) with those in two control groups who underwent outpatient management either with advice for inpatient rehabilitation (A) or without (A). In this naturalistic, longitudinal, controlled cohort study, changes in general health and HRQoL were assessed at either discharge of acute hospital or start of rehabilitation (baseline) and at the follow-up 3 weeks later or end of rehabilitation.

The minimal clinically important difference raised the significance of outcome effects above the statistical level, with methodological implications for future studies.

Objective: To illustrate and discuss current and proposed new concepts of effect size (ES) quantification and significance, with a focus on statistical and clinical/subjective interpretation and supported by empirical examples.

Study Design And Settings: Different methods for determining minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) are reviewed, applied to practical examples (pain score differences in knee osteoarthritis), and further developed. Their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages are illustrated and discussed.

A comparative study of medication use after stroke in four countries.

Objectives: The use of medication plays an important role in secondary stroke prevention and treatment of post-stroke comorbidities. The Collaborative Evaluation of Rehabilitation in Stroke across Europe (CERISE) was set up to investigate the inpatient stroke rehabilitation process in four centres, each in a different European country: Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Patients And Methods: Patients' medication use 5 years post-stroke was compared between countries.

Quadriceps performance under activation of foot dorsal extension in healthy volunteers: an interventional cohort study.

Background: The m. quadriceps femoris is the strongest muscle in the human body and plays an important role in sports, activities of daily living and independence. Two older studies showed increased electromyographic (EMG) activity of the quadriceps when the dorsal extensors of the foot were pre-activated.

Treated versus non-treated subjects with depression from a 30-year cohort study: prevalence and clinical covariates.

The aim of this study was to determine prevalence rates of several components of depression (unipolar and bipolar major, minor, recurrent brief depression, and dysthymia) and to identify covariates of treatment. We analysed a representative population-based, long-term prospective cohort study from age 20 to 50. Across the seven semi-structured interviews, generalized estimating equations examined the associations between diagnoses and treatment status during the course.

Functional and motor outcome 5 years after stroke is equivalent to outcome at 2 months: follow-up of the collaborative evaluation of rehabilitation in stroke across Europe.

Background And Purpose: Recovery of patients within the first 6 months after stroke is well documented, but there has been little research on long-term recovery. The aim of this study was to analyze functional and motor recovery between admission to rehabilitation centres and 5 years after stroke.

Methods: This follow-up of the Collaborative Evaluation of Rehabilitation in Stroke Across Europe study, included patients from 4 European rehabilitation centres.

Health and quality of life in patients with primary and secondary lymphedema of the lower extremity.

Background: Little is known about comprehensively measured health and quality of life of lower limb lymphedema (LLL). The aim of this study was to determine health and quality of life of LLL patients stratified by primary and secondary lymphedema compared to a normative population-based data stratified by age, sex and comorbidity.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients after treatment at the department of angiology of a rehabilitation clinic was conducted.

High-cervical spinal cord stimulation for medically intractable chronic migraine.

Objectives: High-cervical spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a promising neurostimulation method for the control of chronic pain, including chronic cluster headache. The effects of high-cervical SCS in patients with intractable chronic migraine pain are unknown.

Materials And Methods: This study is a retrospective survey of a cohort of 17 consecutive patients with medically intractable chronic migraine pain implanted with a high-cervical SCS device between 2007 and 2011.

Swiss Diagnosis Related Groups: a prospective study in rehabilitation comparing outcome before and after its introduction into acute health care.

Objective: To compare general health and the health-related quality of life of patients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation after a stay in an acute hospital before and after the introduction of Swiss Diagnosis Related Groups (SwissDRG).

Methods: Consecutively referred patients with disorders of the lower extremities (LEX) or lumbar spine (LS) were evaluated by standardised outcome assessment instruments and for various co-factors. State (at entry to rehabilitation) and change of health (between entry and discharge from rehabilitation) were then compared between the cohorts before and after introduction of SwissDRG.

Psychometric properties of questionnaires on functional health status in oropharyngeal dysphagia: a systematic literature review.

Introduction: Questionnaires on Functional Health Status (FHS) are part of the assessment of oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the literature on the psychometric properties of English-language FHS questionnaires in adults with oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Methods: A systematic search was performed using the electronic databases Pubmed and Embase.

Multidimensional associative factors for improvement in pain, function, and working capacity after rehabilitation of whiplash associated disorder: a prognostic, prospective outcome study.

Background: Whiplash associated disorders (WAD) have dramatic consequences for individual and public health. Risk factors for better and worse outcomes are important to optimize management. This study aimed to determine short- and mid-term associative co-factors of neck pain relief, improved physical functioning, and improved working capacity (dependent variables) in patients suffering from whiplash associated disorder who participated in a standardized, inpatient pain management program.

Association of the sense of coherence with physical and psychosocial health in the rehabilitation of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee: a prospective cohort study.

Background: According to Antonovsky's salutogenic concept, a strong sense of coherence is associated with physical and psychological health. The goal of this study was to analyze the association of Antonovsky's sense of coherence with physical and psychosocial health components in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis before and after in- and outpatient rehabilitation.

Methods: Prospective cohort study with 335 patients, 136 (41%) with hip and 199 (59%) with knee osteoarthritis.

Effects of inpatient rehabilitation in hip and knee osteoarthritis: a naturalistic prospective cohort study with intraindividual control of effects.

Objectives: To quantify pain, function, and health-related quality of life in comparison with normative data, and to quantify intervention effects.

Design: Naturalistic cohort study without a control group. Correction of the effects observed during the intervention by those observed during waiting time prior to the intervention.

Responsiveness of the cervical Northern American Spine Society questionnaire (NASS) and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) in chronic whiplash.

Objective: To determine and compare the sensitivity to change of the condition-specific cervical Northern American Spine Society (NASS) and the generic Short Form 36 (SF-36).

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Subjects: One hundred and seventy five patients after whiplash injury.