Articles: function.
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a severe neurodevelopment disorder. This study tests the hypothesis that children with ASD show atypical intrinsic complexity of brain activity. Electroencephalogram data were collected from boys with ASD and matching normal typically developing children while performing an observation and an imitation task. ⋯ A decreased electroencephalogram complexity was observed in the ASD children both during the observation and during the imitation tasks. On comparing the two tasks, significant differences were observed between groups in the right hemisphere, and also the central cortex for the observation task. Multiscale entropy could provide further evidence of the relationship between ASD and cerebral dysfunction.
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Pain is a largely neglected symptom in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) although it is reported by most of these patients. It occurs at all stages of the disease and can be an onset symptom preceding motor dysfunction. Pain is correlated with a deterioration in patients' quality of life and increased prevalence of depression. ⋯ The site of pain depends on the pain type or underlying mechanism (eg, painful cramps, nociceptive pain, or neuropathic pain). Given the multifactorial nature of pain in patients with ALS, different treatments have been suggested, ranging from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs for neuropathic pain, opioids, and cannabinoids, to physical therapy strategies and preventive assistive devices. Further understanding of the pathophysiology is crucial to drive assessment in clinical trials of therapeutic strategies targeted at specific mechanisms and studies of individualised therapies.
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This study aimed to measure the functional outcome and quality of life in a group of patients with the same fracture type (unimalleolar Weber B ankle fractures) treated operatively at various time points and to explore the determinants of such outcomes. A cross-sectional retrospective population study was conducted. Validated Patient Related Outcome Measures (PROMs) and patient interviews were used. ⋯ Patient reported self-directed exercise had a statistically significant positive effect on self-reported patient perceptions of outcome (p=0.022) and PROMs (AOFAS p=0.01, O&M p=0.016, VAS-FA p=0.011). Formal physiotherapy rehabilitation was found to have no effect on self-reported patient perceptions (p=0.242) or PROMs (AOFAS p=0.8, O&M p=0.73, VAS-FA p=0.46). Our finding that physical activity is associated with improved outcome would suggest structured exercise programmes should be considered in place of physiotherapy to optimise patient outcomes.