Disability and rehabilitation
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The aim of the present study was to develop a valid Geriatric ICF Core Set reflecting relevant health-related problems of community-living older adults without dementia. ⋯ The final Geriatric ICF Core Set is a comprehensive and valid set of 29 ICF categories, reflecting the most relevant health-related problems among community-living older adults without dementia. This Core Set may contribute to optimal care provision and support of the older population. Implications for Rehabilitation The Geriatric ICF Core Set may provide a practical tool for gaining an understanding of the relevant health-related problems of community-living older adults without dementia. The Geriatric ICF Core Set may be used in primary care practice as an assessment tool in order to tailor care and support to the needs of older adults. The Geriatric ICF Core Set may be suitable for use in multidisciplinary teams in integrated care settings, since it is based on a broad range of problems in functioning. Professionals should pay special attention to health problems related to mobility and emotional functioning since these are the most prevalent problems in community-living older adults.
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To investigate the mortality, quality of life and functional limitations of intensive care unit (ICU) patients with and without joint contractures 3.3 years after discharge from the hospital. ⋯ Joint contractures in ICU were associated with higher mortality. Patients who spent 2 weeks or more in ICU and developed joint contractures identified more difficulty with mobility 3.3 years after discharge; joint contractures may impose irreversible disability. A strategy to identify and treat joint contractures in ICU may prevent long-term functional limitations.
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To explore parents' views of the activities and participation of children with cerebral palsy (CP) with a range of communicative abilities and the factors (personal and environmental) that influenced these. ⋯ Children's activities and participation were largely related to early learning tasks (e.g. literacy), communication, mobility and interactions. Intervention aimed at improving activities and participation may address the various child, impairment, social and environment factors identified here as impacting on activities and participation (e.g. the child's personal characteristics, communication and physical impairments, the support and attitudes of others and the familiarity of the environment). Therapists will need to consider (and manage) the potential negative impact communication deficits may have on children's behaviour, independence and social skills which may in turn detrimentally impact on activity and participation.
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To estimate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT-Sv). ⋯ CAIT-Sv is a reliable instrument with high criterion validity to measure the presence and severity of chronic ankle instability (CAI) in the Spanish population. Implications for Rehabilitation Chronic ankle instability is the most prevalent complication after ankle injuries. CAIT is a widely used tool for clinical detection of subjects with chronic ankle instability (CAI). In this study, CAIT-Sv has shown good phsychometric properties for using with Spanish speaking individuals.
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This article presents an in-depth, idiographic study examining the lived experience of chronic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI). Neuropathic pain (NP) occurs in a large majority of the SCI population and is particularly intractable to treatment. It can be both psychologically and physically debilitating. This study examines how the experience of NP is mediated by its meaning to the sufferer. ⋯ Chronic NP after SCI is often described as worse than the injury itself, often impacting upon the sufferers physical and psychological health. The experiences of persons with SCI-specific NP highlight the impact of pain on their physical, psychological and social health. This indicates that healthcare professionals should incorporate a biopsychosocial approach for managing pain post-SCI. Routine clinical follow-up of SCI patients with chronic NP, as well as comprehensive pain management treatment programmes, could address the three themes evidenced in the current study, by moving routine intervention with NP away from pain relief, towards pain management. Continued education for patients, friends, family members and healthcare professionals may be beneficial in promoting understanding and awareness of NP and its consequences following SCI.