PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation
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Comparative Study
A comparison of trunk muscle activation amplitudes during gait in older adults with and without chronic low back pain.
To investigate abdominal and low back muscle activation amplitudes of older adults (at least 50 years of age) experiencing nonspecific chronic low back pain (LBP) and of adults without LBP while they walked on a level surface at a self-selected speed. ⋯ The activation amplitudes of the anterior muscle sites were lower for participants with LBP, whereas the posterior sites were activated to higher amplitudes than in the control group. Although most muscles responded to the subphases indicating muscle synergies, the group by muscle interactions for the right internal oblique and lateral erector spinae show that the differences between groups were not systematic. These results describe neuromuscular alterations in persons between 50-80 years with LBP that can be used for developing subject-specific management related to maintaining spinal stability.
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To define the prevalence of testosterone deficiency in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and to identify factors associated with this deficiency. ⋯ These findings confirm both a substantial population of men with SCI and with testosterone deficiency, and a significant association between testosterone level and severity of SCI. Measuring serum total testosterone levels should be included in standard screenings for patients with SCI, particularly those with motor complete injuries.
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Comparative Study
Combining visual rehabilitative training and noninvasive brain stimulation to enhance visual function in patients with hemianopia: a comparative case study.
To standardize a protocol for promoting visual rehabilitative outcomes in post-stroke hemianopia by combining occipital cortical transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT). ⋯ Results of preliminary case comparisons suggest that occipital cortical tDCS may enhance recovery of visual function associated with concurrent VRT through visual cortical reorganization. Future studies may benefit from incorporating protocol refinements such as those described here, which include global capture of function, control for potential confounds, and investigation of underlying neural substrates of recovery.
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Multicenter Study
Caregiver ratings of long-term executive dysfunction and attention problems after early childhood traumatic brain injury: family functioning is important.
To evaluate the relationship of family and parenting factors to long-term executive dysfunction and attention problems after early childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that the magnitude of executive dysfunction and attention problems would be moderated by family and parenting factors. ⋯ Executive function and attention problems persisted on a long-term basis (>24 months) after early childhood TBI, and positive global family functioning and nonpermissive parenting were associated with better outcomes. Better characterization of the optimal family environment for recovery from early childhood TBI could help target future interventions.