Showing papers on "Physical disability published in 1987"

The MACTAR Patient Preference Disability Questionnaire--an individualized functional priority approach for assessing improvement in physical disability in clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A new approach to assessing disability in arthritis that quantifies the functional priorities of the patient is described. Comparison against global improvement suggests that this instrument has the potential to detect small clinically important changes in function.

Evaluating the Client With Physical Disabilities for Wheelchair Seating

Abstract: Positioning through wheelchair seating allows many severely physically disabled individuals to use their motor skills to access technical aids. In the last 10 years, many products relating to wheelchair seating have been developed and are now being used This article outlines evaluation and prescrzp­ tion gUidelines that lead to the accompanying rec­ ommendationsfor seating. Categories for matching disability t)pe/severity to seating methods are pre­ sented

The prediction of chronic pain outcome by psychological variables.

Abstract: Followup telephone interviews were conducted with fifty-four former patients of a multidisciplinary clinic for the evaluation of chronic pain. Interviews were conducted between thirteen and fifty-five months following initial evaluation at the pain clinic. Followup levels of pain and physical disability were compared with the following measures obtained at initial evaluation: levels of pain and physical disability and scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), and Zung Depression Inventory (ZDI). In general, both physical disability measures and psychological test scores obtained at initial interview were related to followup measures. However, when the predictive value of initial pain and physical disability was accounted for, psychological test scores tended not to produce further significant increment in predictability. These findings are interpreted to mean that the predictive value of these psychological tests stems less from their reflection of ...

A scanning computer access system for children with severe physical disabilities.

Abstract: This article discusses scan access to microcomputers and describes a scanning keyboard designed to allow children who are severely physically disabled to access microcomputers for writing, playing, and engaging in educational activities. Two case examples are presented to illustrate potential applications of this keyboard.

Physical disability among physicians: An analysis of 259 cases

Abstract: This article presents data on 259 physicians and medical students with a wide range of physical disabilities and specialty training. Three out of four were in active medical practice despite their disability, most often in the specialties of internal medicine, family practice, or psychiatry. Neurological disorders accounted for over half the sample, with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and post-polio weakness being the most commonly encountered diagnoses. These data indicate that physically disabled physicians are more numerous than the previous literature would suggest that they are capable of practising in many professional specialties.

Recreation and persons with physical disabilities: a literature synthesis.

Abstract: This paper presents a synthesis of literature related to the provision of recreation services for Americans with physical disabilities. The review was originally prepared for the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors.

Measuring physical disability and psychosocial consequences of chronic backache

Abstract: Low back-pain is one of the most frequent symptoms and its chronicity causes considerable socioeconomic costs in many countries. To evaluate the efficiency of therapeutic approaches in low back-pain we need reliable information concerning patient health status in its physical and psychosocial dimensions. After adapting the MOPO-scales, which have proven a reliable instrument in other rheumatic diseases, to special requirements in low back-pain, we assessed patient outcome using eight scales and calculating a summated health score. Statistical analysis yielded evidence our instrument to be reliable, valid, sensitive and practicable in assessing patient outcome in low back-pain.

Self-Reported Assertion of Males with and without a Physical Disability: A Cross-Cultural Study.

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to compare the level of assertion among four different groups of male subjects: Arab and Jewish Israelis with and without a physical disability. A total of 189 subjects participated in the present study: 42 Israeli Arabs and 40 Israeli Jews with a physical disability and the remaining 107 served as control groups. Subjects filled out the Assertion Inventory (Gambrill and Richey, 1975). A significant interaction between cultural affiliation and physical disability was found. The Arab subjects without a physical disability reported the lowest level os assertion compared to the other three research groups. This finding is discussed on the basis of different cultural demands for social behavior particularly in regard to physical disability.

Physical Disability in 1986 and Beyond: A Response to Simon Brisenden

Abstract: The report of the Royal College of Physicians Physical Disability in 1986 and Beyond has been criticised by some disabled people because it deals exclusively with medical aspects of disability and not with the whole range of services and resources that disabled people require. This criticism is unfair since it would be totally inappropriate for a committee composed only of doctors to make recommendations other than of a medical or N.H.S. managerial nature. There are many deficiencies in the medical support of disabled people, particularly those with complex impairments and those with brain damage. Correcting these deficiencies needs a change in medical practice and in the N.H.S. resources devoted to rehabilitation medicine. The College report has defined very clearly the scale of this problem, suggested specific practical solutions and how they should be audited, and provides guidelines which all those concerned with disabled people can use to check on the medical services that should be availabl...

The mental health needs of the severely physically disabled.

Abstract: Severely physically disabled individuals, advocates for the disabled, and rehabilitation and mental health professionals were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the need for services for 12 mental health problems encountered by persons with physical disability and the kinds of services needed. All groups surveyed agreed that vocational, social-interpersonal, personal-emotional, self-concept, and marital-family problems were in greatest need of services, but their perceptions of the extent of service need for each of the 12 problems differed significantly. The groups unanimously perceived rehabilitation counseling as the most needed service but differed significantly in their perception of the extent of service need for other services that were also highly rated, such as family, group, and individual therapy; peer counseling; respite care; and social skills training. The groups unanimously agreed that services designed to treat major mental illness were the least needed.

Physical Disability in Psychiatric Residents

Abstract: Psychiatric residents with physical disabilities have difficulties in dealing with integrating their handicap into their self-image as a physician. Responses to physical disability from a paranoid position interfere with learning, whereas responses from a depressive position allow for maturation. The outcome of training depends on the nature of the loss, the personality characteristics of the resident, and the sensitivity of supervision.

Rehabilitation of Head-Injured Patients in Edinburgh

Abstract: The rehabilitation needs of head-injured patients are not easy to meet and differ from the needs of patients with other neurological disorders such as spinal lesions, stroke, or localized cerebro-vascular problems. Head-injured patients tend to have a varying combination of physical disability, cognitive impairment, and behavioral disturbance. The premature transfer of such patients to young disabled units, mentally handicapped institutions, or general psychiatric wards, respectively, is inappropriate as none of these facilities can cater adequately for the mixture of disabilities from which the patient suffers. Moreover, this pattern changes over a period of time, with major improvements in function over the first postinjury year and smaller though discernible improvements over the second year. In 1972, a special committee met on behalf of the Scottish Home and Health Department and presented guidelines for the organization and development of rehabilitation services, noting in particular the combination of disabilities suffered by head-injured patients. In this report it was proposed that at least two special centers be set up in Scotland for the care (1) of the severely disabled head-injured patient. Unfortunately, this recommendation has never been followed up and at the present time no special facilities exist in Scotland for head-injury rehabilitation.