Recently added articles from Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development:
Outpatient use and costs for veterans with combat-related injuries
Nov 01, 2008; ... The Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center (PRC) at the James A. Haley Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital in Tampa, Florida, is one of four centers in the United States managing postacute sequelae of polytrauma for injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. In accordance with the ...
Pain among veterans with spinal cord injury
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration cares for approximately 15% of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States. However, the nature and characteristics of pain among veterans with SCI are not well understood. This study used a postal survey ...
Effects of modified electrical stimulation-induced leg cycle ergometer training for individuals with spinal cord injury
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-Computer-controlled electrical stimulation (ES)-induced leg cycle ergometer (ES-LCE) exercise can be beneficial for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), but exercise performance is often insufficient for eliciting continuous gains in cardiopulmonary training adaptations. The first ...
Major medical conditions and VA healthcare costs near end of life for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-We analyzed healthcare costs and medical conditions for 2,008 veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/Ds) near end of life. The average age at SCI/D onset and/ or occurrence was 42 years and at death was 66 years. The conditions that incurred the most costs included cancer ...
Current clinical practices in stroke rehabilitation: Regional pilot survey
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-This study was aimed at understanding the current physical and occupational therapy practices in stroke rehabilitation in the Midwest. The insights gained from this pilot study will be used in a future study aimed at understanding stroke rehabilitation practices across the nation ....
Bone health in ambulatory individuals with multiple sclerosis: Impact of physical activity, glucocorticoid use, and body composition
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-This study examined the relationships among physical activity, glucocorticoid use, body composition, and bone health in ambulatory women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Twenty-nine white women (mean +/- standard deviation: age 45.1 +/- 9.0 yr, Expanded Disability Status Scale 2.9 +/- 1.2) ...
Comparison of peak shoulder and elbow mechanical loads during weight-relief lifts and sitting pivot transfers among manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-This study compared shoulder and elbow joint forces and moments between weight-relief lifts (WRLs) and sitting pivot transfers (SPTs) among manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) (N = 13) during biomechanical laboratory assessment. Minimum and maximum values were reported ...
Effect of model design, cushion construction, and interface pressure mats on interface pressure and immersion
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-Measuring interface pressure (IP) is one way to characterize cushion performance in the clinic and laboratory. This study explored how the presence of four commercially available IP mats affected IP on and immersion of two buttocks models. We loaded seven cushions with each buttocks ...
Adaptive eye-gaze tracking using neural-network-based user profiles to assist people with motor disability
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-This study developed an adaptive real-time human-computer interface (HCI) that serves as an assistive technology tool for people with severe motor disability. The proposed HCI design uses eye gaze as the primary computer input device. Controlling the mouse cursor with raw eye ...
Clinical and psychological correlates of two domains of hopelessness in schizophrenia
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-Hopelessness is a widely observed barrier to recovery from schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Yet little is known about how clinical, social, and psychological factors independently affect hope. Additionally, the relationships that exist between these factors and different kinds of hope ...
Pressure signature of forearm as predictor of grip force
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-We studied the relationship between grip force and external forearm pressure in nondisabled subjects using force myography (FMG). FMG uses a sensorized cuff surrounding the forearm to register the distributed mechanical force, detecting pressure on the sensors generated by the ...
Models of reading performance in older adults with normal age-related vision
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-Reading rate with print size (reading performance) was studied in a group of 132 older readers with normal age-related vision using the Minnesota Low Vision Reading Acuity (MNREAD) test. Regression by a monotonic Weibull model had greater convergence success with lower residual error ...
Compact and portable digitally controlled device for testing footwear materials: Technical note
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-Little or no practical decision-making data are available to the foot-care provider regarding the selection of orthotic materials used in therapeutic footwear. A device for simulating in-shoe forefoot conditions for the testing of orthosis materials is described. Materials are tested ...
Effects of low-level laser therapy on mast cell number and degranulation in third-degree burns of rats
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-Mast cells have been shown to participate in the wound healing process. We investigated the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on mast cell number in the inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling phases of the wound healing process of experimental burns. Sixty rats subjected to ...
Introduction and preliminary evaluation of the Tongue Drive System: Wireless tongue-operated assistive technology for people with little or no upper-limb function
Nov 01, 2008; ... Abstract-We have developed a wireless, noncontact, unobtrusive, tongue-operated assistive technology called the Tongue Drive System (TDS). The TDS provides people with minimal or no movement ability in their upper limbs with an efficacious tool for computer access and environmental control. A ...
Usage of tilt-in-space, recline, and elevation seating functions in natural environment of wheelchair users
Oct 01, 2008; ... Abstract-This study examined the usage of powered seating functions, including tilt-in-space, backrest recline, and seat elevation, among a group of wheelchair users during their typical daily activities. Twelve individuals who used a power wheelchair with seating functions participated in the ...
Lipoic acid and 6-formylpterin reduce potentiation of noise-induced hearing loss by carbon monoxide: Preliminary investigation
Oct 01, 2008; ... Abstract-Potentiation of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) by specific chemical contaminants and therapeutic drugs represents a distinct public health risk. Prediction of chemicals that yield such potentiation has not been successful because such agents differ markedly in structure. One ...
Cochlear implants and hearing aids: Some personal and professional reflections
Sep 01, 2008; ... INTRODUCTION The ear, nose, and throat physician who diagnosed my hearing loss many years ago called it a "progressive hearing loss" and told me that I would eventually be going deaf. And then he went on to his next patient. It took me a long time to realize that what he meant by "deaf" ...
In Memoriam: Dr. Margaret (Margo) Skinner
Sep 01, 2008; ... With sadness, we report that Dr. Margaret (Margo) Skinner, one of the authors of this cochlear implants issue, passed away while the issue was being prepared. Margo was a world leader in the evaluation of auditory prostheses. Her work on acoustic amplification changed our thinking about how ...
Cochlear prostheses: L'enfant terrible* of auditory rehabilitation
Sep 01, 2008; ... Born in controversy. Raised in dogged determination. Matured in grace and glory. In the history of science, it is not uncommon for a major advance to be opposed, initially, by the scientific establishment. So it was with cochlear prostheses. The reasons for the initial ...