BACKGROUND Although the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) is considered the leading outcome measure for patients with osteoarthritis of the lower extremity, recent work has challenged its factorial validity and the physical function subscale's ability to detect valid change when pain and function display different profiles of change. This study examined the et...

CONTEXT Controversy exists about the most appropriate seating position for children with cerebral palsy (CP) to promote energy conservation and maximize upper-extremity function. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Sixteen journal articles published after 1980 were identified by searching allied health, medical, and occupational and physical therapy data bases and evidence-based medicine reviews using speci...

Most studies of the relation between kidney function and physical function have been conducted in persons with advanced kidney disease and have used creatinine-based measures of kidney function. Cystatin C concentration is a measure of kidney function that is independent of muscle mass, unlike creatinine. Using baseline data on 3,043 elderly adults from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition S...

BACKGROUND Decline in lower extremity performance increases the risk of functional disability. This study examined the correlates of decline in lower extremity performance in older women. METHODS A total of 5178 women aged 65-91 years were recruited from population-based listings from four centers in the United States. Clinical examinations were performed and lifestyle information was obtaine...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Many stroke survivors have minimal to moderate neurological deficits but are physically deconditioned and have a high prevalence of cardiovascular problems; all of these are potentially modifiable with exercise. The purposes of this randomized, controlled pilot study were (1) to develop a home-based balance, strength, and endurance program; (2) to evaluate the ability to ...

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of pre-operative and post-operative physical therapy versus post-operative physical therapy alone on pain and recovery of function after total knee arthroplasty. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty patients (18 males and 32 females) ranging in age from 48 to 80 years (mean 63.28, SD 9.44) participated in a 6-week two-arm randomized rater...

BACKGROUND Adaptive mixed reality rehabilitation (AMRR) is a novel integration of motion capture technology and high-level media computing that provides precise kinematic measurements and engaging multimodal feedback for self-assessment during a therapeutic task. OBJECTIVE We describe the first proof-of-concept study to compare outcomes of AMRR and traditional upper-extremity physical therapy...