Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyComparison of a functional restoration program with active individual physical therapy for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
To compare the short-term outcomes of active individual therapy (AIT) with those of a functional restoration program (FRP). ⋯ Low-cost ambulatory AIT is effective. The main advantage of FRP is improved endurance. We speculate that this may be linked to better self-reported work ability and more frequent resumption of sports and leisure activities.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2007
Case ReportsIrreversible spinal nerve injury from dorsal ramus radiofrequency neurotomy: a case report.
Radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) of the medial branches of the dorsal rami is a successful method of treating facet joint pain. Documented serious complications are rare. We discuss the case of a 33-year-old woman with low back pain (LBP) who sustained a right L5 nerve root injury during RFN. ⋯ After a successful trial with a spinal cord stimulator, she underwent permanent stimulator placement. Afterward, she had 90% relief of her right leg pain and discontinued all analgesics. Irreversible injury of nontarget nerves is a possible complication of RFN, and can be avoided by following proper procedural protocol.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2007
Multicenter StudyMusculoskeletal disorders in referrals for suspected cervical radiculopathy.
To determine (1) the prevalence of selected common musculoskeletal disorders in patients referred for electrodiagnosis when cervical radiculopathy is suspected and (2) whether these findings predict electrodiagnostic study outcome. ⋯ Musculoskeletal disorders are common in patients with suspected cervical radiculopathy. Although the presence of certain musculoskeletal disorders makes having a normal electrodiagnostic evaluation significantly more likely, the high prevalence among both patients with normal studies and those with radiculopathy and other disorders limits the usefulness of this information in precisely predicting study outcome. The presence of musculoskeletal disorders should not preclude electrodiagnostic testing when otherwise indicated.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2007
Multicenter StudyCognitive impairment in patients with traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea.
To examine the impact of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the cognitive functioning of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. ⋯ OSA is associated with more impairment of sustained attention and memory in TBI patients. It is possible that early identification and treatment of OSA may improve cognitive, and thus potentially functional, outcomes of TBI patients with this disease.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialAlternating frequencies of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation: does it produce greater analgesic effects on mechanical and thermal pain thresholds?
To determine whether alternating frequency transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) at 2 and 100Hz (2/100Hz) has a more potent hypoalgesic effect than a fixed frequency at 2 or 100Hz in healthy participants. ⋯ Alternating frequency stimulation produced a greater elevation in the HPT, but a greater increase in the MPT was achieved using 100Hz stimulation.