Showing papers on "Physical disability published in 1983"

Pain in the rheumatic diseases

Abstract: The importance of pain in the health status and health behavior of patients with chronic rheumatic disease was evaluated. The Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales were used to estimate physical disability, psychological status, and pain in a large set of rheumatic disease patients. Explanatory regression models were built to explore the contribution of pain in physician and patient assessments of overall health, medication usage, and changes in health status over time. Results confirm that pain makes a highly significant contribution to explaining both physician and patient overall health assessments (P less than 0.001). Pain is also the most important of the 3 health status components in explaining medication usage (P less than 0.001). Finally, using prospective data, it is shown that current pain, rather than current physical or psychological disability, is the best predictor of subsequent pain (P less than 0.001). Current pain also is most associated with subsequent physical disability (P less than 0.05). These findings confirm the importance of pain in determining the health status and health behavior of individuals with chronic rheumatic disease, and suggest that doctors and other health professionals should continue to solicit and address the patient's complaints of pain.

Predictors of mortality and disability in stroke.

Abstract: The increasingly accurate prediction of survival and functional recovery in patients with stroke will be of value in planning both their individual management and the health and social services needed. To establish the independent predictive effects of a range of personal and clinical characteristics, data on 900 patients admitted to Northwick Park Hospital with stroke were analysed by stepwise multiple regression. Older patients who lose consciousness at the outset and show signs of multiple neurological deficits, abnormal pupils, and conjugate deviation of the eyes are more likely to die within a year than those without these characteristics. Those who survive the acute episode and are discharged alive are more likely to die within a year if they are old and have sensory loss with severe physical disability. Older female patients who are incontinent, lose consciousness at the onset of stroke, sustain extensive motor deficits in combination with other neurological deficits, and have residual disabilities from previous strokes are particularly likely to be severely disabled on discharge from hospital. Routinely collected clinical data enable useful forecasts about mortality and disability after stroke. The accuracy of these forecasts can probably be improved further.

A Study of Patient Motivation and Cooperation/Participation in Occupational Therapy

Abstract: This article reports the development of a model to explain patient motivation and cooperation / participation in occupational therapy and the findings of a descriptive study that examined the model...

Rehabilitation of the Sarcoma Patient

Abstract: The surgical management of soft-tissue sarcoma is not infrequently associated with various degrees of physical disability, which may range from limitation in range of motion to loss of an extremity. The loss of function may result in discomfort from prolonged sitting, standing, and walking, difficulty in running or kneeling, precarious balance, restrictions in lifting, and inability to hold or grasp objects. The fear of the anticipated disability from treatment produces significant anxiety in the patient and his family, with major concerns of dependence, pain, alteration of self-image, loss of self-esteem, and psychosexual adjustment problems. A well-planned program for rehabilitation will minimize the psychosocial and functional impact of any loss of function from treatment by restoring the patient to self-sufficiency at his highest attainable skill in the shortest period of time. These goals are attained optimally through early intervention of a multidisciplinary team integrated by the surgeon which should include a physical medicine specialist (physiatrist), social worker, nurse, psychologist, occupational and physical therapists, and a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

A Study of Recovery in Patients with Conditions Involving Specific Physical Disability

Abstract: A series of studies were undertaken to investi7ate the process of recovery in patients with conditions involving physical disability, with particular emphasis on the relationship between physical and psychological factors. Observation and description were undertaken in Study I and II, methods of measurement were developed with two specific groups of patients in Study III and detailed monitoring using these methods was undertaken in Study IV.

A Study of Recovery in Patients with Conditions Involving Specific Physical Disability appendix 1

Abstract: Physiotherapy has developed over the years in a practical way. But there have been few systematic atte~pts to evaluate its effectiveness. The present position where there is little scientific evidence for the effectiveness of most of the practice of physiotherapy is no longer acceptable. Physiotherapists themselves, who have in the nast lacked both the necessary academic background and financial support, are now accepting the challenge and starting both in instigate and undertake investigations.

Evaluation of Cognitive Functioning in Children with Neuromuscular and Related Physical Disabilities

Abstract: I am going to concentrate today on dynamic, process aspects of evaluation of cognitive functioning in children with neuromuscular and related physical disabilities. I also will talk more about development of cognitive functioning and the data base for assessment than about assessment procedures. Such an approach seems the most productive for estimating potential as well as for understanding strengths and weaknesses. It also recognizes limitations of standardized testing for children with these disabilities.