BACKGROUND Lumbar spine fusion (LSF) effectively decreases pain and disability in specific spinal disorders; however, the disability rate following surgery remains high. This, combined with the fact that in Western countries the number of LSF surgeries is increasing rapidly it is important to develop rehabilitation interventions that improve outcomes. METHODS/DESIGN In the present RCT-study w...

OBJECTIVE The purposes of this study were to assess the accuracy of clinical measures for predicting adiposity when compared with a criterion standard of body fat percentage measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and to determine the most appropriate cut points for classifying obesity for each measure in adolescents with physical disability. DESIGN Body mass index, triceps skinfolds, an...

OBJECTIVE To describe upper body structures associated with upper limb reduction deficiency and the development of these structures over time, to examine the presence of physical complaints in this population, and to compare body structures and complaints between groups based on prosthesis use. DESIGN Prospective cohort study with a follow-up period of 24 years, with matched able-bodied contr...

BACKGROUND This pilot study was designed to compare the efficacy of ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide (um-PEA) as add-on therapy to tapentadol (TP) with TP therapy only in patients suffering from chronic low back pain (LBP). METHODS This pilot observational study consists in two arms: the prospective arm and the retrospective one. In the prospective arm patients consecutively selected rec...

ABSRACTThis study presents the kinematic analysis of a four-degree freedom medical robotic arm using the Matlab and the robotic-tool, the arm was designed using a solid work program, As well as details of the control of the real design of this arm using Arduino Mega 2560, The specialist enters the position to be reached by the automatic arm (injection position), Or moving the arm to any p...

PURPOSE To assess whether there was a difference in score between paper and telephone administration of disability and psychological questionnaires relevant to patients with an upper extremity illness. METHODS The short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, the 5-question version of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, the 4-question version of the Pain Catastrophiz...

The DASH (Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score is being used increasingly as an outcome measure for upper limb pathology. In our clinical practice the DASH score has been used to study the outcome of several common upper limb disorders. We reviewed the literature and applied the principles of the World Health Organization on this scoring system.

BACKGROUND The Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) provides a focused and sensitive evaluation of disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) that may be more responsive to change than that provided by the Expanded Disability Status Scale. EXPERT CLINICAL OPINION The MSFC is a 3-part quantitative instrument that measures arm, leg, and cognitive function with the 9-Hole Peg ...

BACKGROUND Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a well-known disease among workers using hand-held vibrating tools. These patients experience major symptoms from their upper limbs. However, there are few studies on disability in this patient group. In this study we wanted to describe the disability of HAVS patients. METHODS All HAVS patients diagnosed at Haukeland University Hospital in Berg...