Full-text articles available at http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/11/4810/contents4810.html
Newswise — Articles featured in this issue include—
Using military friendships to optimize postdeployment reintegration for male Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom veterans, pg. 1145
This study explores the importance of military friendships in the postdeployment reintegration of male veterans. Based on interviews with Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation Enduring Freedom veterans from 2008 to 2009, the findings suggest that the close, intimate relationships developed between unit members during deployment may be effective resources to assist with family reintegration postdeployment. Clinicians are encouraged to obtain information about a servicemember’s support system during intake, engage those servicemembers in reminiscing about past experiences, and encourage servicemembers to stay in touch or reconnect with unit members.
Mental health diagnosis and occupational functioning in National Guard/Reserve veterans returning from Iraq, pg. 1159
This study examines the relationship between occupational functioning and mental health diagnoses, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and alcohol use, in a group of 262 National Guard/Reserve veterans from OIF. Occupational functioning was evaluated by both employment status and self-report questionnaire 6 months after the veterans’ return from combat deployment and again 1 year later. The findings indicate that mental health diagnoses are common and associated with reduced role functioning in work and school in this sample of OIF veterans.
Activity-promoting gaming systems in exercise and rehabilitation, pg. 1171
This literature review synthesizes the current research on use of commercial gaming systems to facilitate exercise and rehabilitation. The Nintendo Wii, the Sony EyeToy, the Xbox Kinect, and Dance Dance Revolution are examples of activity-promoting gaming systems discussed in the review. The findings suggest that gaming systems complement rehabilitation and encourage activity in sedentary individuals especially. The article discusses energy expenditure and gaming-related injuries and identifies a need for larger-scale studies.
Reliability of daily step activity monitoring in adults with incomplete spinal cord injury, pg. 1187
Using the generalizability theory, this study establishes the minimum number of days required to obtain a stable and representative measure of step activity in adults with incomplete spinal cord injury. Results study demonstrate that a stable measure of walking activity can be obtained by averaging step count values from any 2-day period in a week. These findings provide a basis for evaluating the effect of activity-related therapies to enhance walking ability in individuals with spinal cord injury.
Arthroplasty in veterans: Analysis of cartilage, bone, serum, and synovial fluid reveals differences and similarities in osteoarthritis with and without comorbid diabetes, pg. 1195
Individuals with diabetes mellitus require total knee replacements at a higher rate than patients without the condition. Diabetes mellitus patients aged 46 to 55 also require a secondary replacement twice as often. This pilot study examines the potential cause of knee replacement failures in patients with diabetes by analyzing the knee joint tissue and surrounding fluid. A primary difference between patients with diabetes and those without is the level of pentosidine found in the joint tissue. High levels of pentosidine in cartilage or bone have been associated with tissue brittleness and decreased function.
Translating measurement findings into rehabilitation practice: An example using Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity with patients following stroke, pg. 1211
This study describes use of a keyform recovery map based on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment to establish short- and long-term clinical treatment goals for patients with upper-limb motor impairment. A patient’s pattern of scores on the recovery map illustrates the arm movements the patient has recovered, specifies which movements are likely to be recovered next, and identifies the movements that will take longer to recover. Using the recovery map, a clinician can establish a treatment plan appropriate for the patient’s specific level of movement ability.
Disease-modifying agents in progressive multiple sclerosis: Management of 100 patients at Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC, Spinal Cord Injury Division, pg. 1223
This study compares the prescribed medications of 100 patients with multiple sclerosis receiving treatment at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The majority of these patients had a progressive form of multiple sclerosis, which is associated with greater levels of disability and is unresponsive to current treatments. The findings show that a significant number of the patients were treated with medications that provided limited benefits at a significant cost to the healthcare system.
Effects of elevated vacuum on in-socket residual limb fluid volume: Case study results using bioimpedance analysis, pg. 1231
Volume changes in the residual limb of prosthetic users over time can cause discomfort and affect prosthetic use. This article presents a series of case studies in which residual limb volume changes were measured during sitting, standing, and walking conditions. The findings indicate that residual limb fluid volumes increased during short-term walks and volumes decreased during standing. Overall, fluid volume changes were greatest when participants used elevated vacuum sockets than when they used low vacuum or suction sockets.
Determining asymmetry of roll-over shapes in prosthetic walking, pg. 1249
In walking, the foot rolls over the ground from heel to toe, mimicking the shape of a wheel. This circular profile is called the “roll-over shape,” which can be used to identify asymmetry in prosthetic walking. This study compares the walking characteristics of nine individuals (six with lower-limb amputation and three nondisabled) to evaluate a method for determining asymmetry of roll-over shapes.
Effect of home-based exercise program on lymphedema and quality of life in female postmastectomy patients: Pre-post intervention study, pg. 1261
Lymphedema is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment, such as mastectomy. Lymphedema develops when a blockage in the lymphatic system prevents the drainage of excess fluid. The excess fluid then accumulates in the arm, causing swelling, pain, heaviness, and discomfort. This study evaluates the effects of an 8-week home-based exercise program on lymphedema symptoms. Participation in the exercise program resulted in reduced circumference and volume of the affected arm and improved quality of life assessment scores.
Repeated concussion among U.S. military personnel during Operation Iraqi Freedom, pg. 1269
This study is one of the first to describe the effect of repeated concussions on the health of combat veterans. The findings show that a high proportion of repeated concussions occurred within a short period of time, but time between events was not associated with the severity of the second concussion. Greater severity of the second concussive event was associated with higher postinjury utilization of mental health and neurology services.
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