Parkinson’s Disease and Segmental Coordination During Turning: II. Walking Turns.
Parkinson’s Disease and Segmental Coordination during Turning: II. Walking Turns.
Can J Neurol Sci. 2013 Jul 1; 40(4): 520-526
Akram S, Frank JS, Jog M
Objective: Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) show poorer balance and greater incidence of falls while turning. We investigated whether a disturbance in timing and sequence of reorientation of body segments is a potential cause of turning difficulty in PD and is altered by levodopa. Methods: The sequence and timing of segmental reorientation during 45° and 90° walking turns were recorded in nineteen healthy controls and fourteen individuals with PD “off” and “on” medication. Results: Both healthy elderly and PD patients “off” medication displayed a top-down sequence of segment reorientation, but differed with respect to the delay time between segments: PD “off” medication displayed a shorter delay between the onset of head and shoulder reorientation and longer delays for pelvis and foot reorientation. Furthermore, for all segments the peak angular velocities were lower for PD patients than healthy controls, with greater difference between the two groups during larger turns. While for both groups the velocity and magnitude of rotation of all segments were greater during larger turns, the relative timing of reorientation of segments remained the same during small and large turns. Medication had no significant effect on the timing and sequence of reorientation of segments and caused only a small and non-significant increase to segment velocities. Conclusion: This study further characterized the turning performance of individuals with PD. Our findings have clinical applications and therapeutic value for PD patients with difficulty turning. Understanding the specific deficiencies of turning performance of PD patients allows the therapists to opt for the most effective rehabilitation techniques. HubMed – rehab
Global Incidence and Prevalence of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.
Can J Neurol Sci. 2013 Jul 1; 40(4): 456-464
Furlan JC, Sakakibara BM, Miller WC, Krassioukov AV
This systematic review examines the incidence and prevalence of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in different countries worldwide and their trends over time. The literature search of the studies published between 1950 and 2012 captured 1,871 articles of which 64 articles on incidence and 13 articles on prevalence fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The global incidence of SCI varied from 8.0 to 246.0 cases per million inhabitants per year. The global prevalence varied from 236.0 to 1,298.0 per million inhabitants. In addition to regional differences regarding the prevalence rates of SCI across the globe, there has been a trend towards increasing prevalence rates over the last decades. Our results suggest a relatively broad variation of incidence and prevalence rates of SCI among distinctive geographic regions. These results emphasize the need for further studies on incidence and prevalence of SCI, and for international standards and guidelines for reporting on SCI. HubMed – rehab
A randomized controlled trial on errorless learning in goal management training: study rationale and protocol.
BMC Neurol. 2013 Jun 20; 13(1): 64
Bertens D, Fasotti L, Boelen DH, Kessels RP
Many brain-injured patients referred for outpatient rehabilitation have executive deficits, notably difficulties with planning, problem-solving and goal directed behaviour. Goal Management Training (GMT) has proven to be an efficacious cognitive treatment for these problems. GMT entails learning and applying an algorithm, in which daily tasks are subdivided into multiple steps. Main aim of the present study is to examine whether using an errorless learning approach (preventing the occurrence of errors during the acquisition phase of learning) contributes to the efficacy of Goal Management Training in the performance of complex daily tasks.The study is a double blind randomized controlled trial, in which the efficacy of Goal Management Training with an errorless learning approach will be compared with conventional Goal Management Training, based on trial and error learning. In both conditions 32 patients with acquired brain injury of mixed etiology will be examined. Main outcome measure will be the performance on two individually chosen everyday-tasks before and after treatment, using a standardized observation scale and goal attainment scaling.This is the first study that introduces errorless learning in Goal Management Training. It is expected that the GMT-errorless learning approach will improve the execution of complex daily tasks in brain-injured patients with executive deficits. The study can contribute to a better treatment of executive deficits in cognitive rehabilitation.Trial registration: (Dutch Trial Register): NTR3567. HubMed – rehab
A Response to Two Recent Reviews of Epidural Steroid Injections.
Pain Med. 2013 Jun; 14(6): 954-955
Nampiaparampil DE, Engel AJ