School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Publications - UQ eSpace

A double blind, randomized, multicenter, parallel group study of the effectiveness and tolerance of intraarticular hyaluronan in osteoarthritis of the knee

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Objective. To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of a course of 5 injections of hyaluronan (HA) given at intervals of one week in patients with symptomatic, mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Methods: A double blind, randomized, parallel group, multicenter (17 centers), saline vehicle-controlled study was conducted over 18 weeks. Patients received either 25 mg (2.5 ml) HA in a phosphate buffered solution or 2.5 ml vehicle containing only the buffer by intraarticular injection. Five injections were given at one week intervals and the patients were followed for a further 13 weeks. The Western Ontario McMaster (WOMAC) OA instrument was used as the primary efficacy variable and repeated measures analysis of covariance was used to compare the 2 treatments over Weeks 6, 10, 14, and 18. Results. Of 240 patients randomized for inclusion in the study, 223 were evaluable for the modified intention to treat analysis. The active treatment and control groups were comparable for demographic details, OA history, and previous treatments. Scores for the pain and stiffness subscales of the WOMAC were modestly but significantly lower in the HA-treated group overall (Weeks 6 to 18; p < 0.05) and the statistically significant difference from the control was not apparent until after the series of injections was complete. The physical function subscale did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.064). Tolerability of the procedure was good and there were no serious adverse events that were considered to have a possible causal relationship with the study treatment. Conclusion. Intraarticular HA treatment was significantly more effective than saline vehicle in mild to moderate OA of the knee for the 13 week postinjection period of the study.

Adrenal tumours

2010-03-16T00:00:00Z

A driving cessation program to identify and improve transport and lifestyle issues of older retired and retiring drivers

2012-04-23T22:03:04Z

A dual task priming investigation of right hemisphere inhibition for people with left hemisphere lesions

2012-07-20T10:28:25Z

Adult attachment and reports of pain in experimentally-induced pain

2011-03-01T00:00:00Z

Adult attachment, anxiety, and pain self-efficacy as predictors of pain intensity and disability

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Pain self-efficacy and anxiety have each been shown to contribute substantially to pain intensity and pain-related disability. Although adult attachment theory has been related separately to chronic pain, anxiety, and self-efficacy, it has not before been investigated with either pain self-efficacy or anxiety in the context of chronic pain. This study investigated the interrelations between these aspects of the chronic pain experience and their relative contributions towards pain intensity and disability. A clinical sample of 152 chronic pain patients participated in this study, completing self-report measures of attachment, self-efficacy, pain intensity, and disability, prior to attending a multidisciplinary pain clinic. Results revealed that fearful and preoccupied (anxious) attachment categories were associated with low pain self-efficacy, while high scores on the attachment dimension of comfort with closeness were linked with high pain self-efficacy, particularly for males. Insecure attachment (whether defined in terms of categories or dimensions) was related to higher levels of anxiety. Pain self-efficacy proved a stronger predictor of pain intensity than did anxiety and was a stronger predictor of disability than pain intensity or anxiety. In addition, comfort with closeness moderated the associations between pain self-efficacy and disability, pain self-efficacy and pain intensity, and anxiety and disability. Together, these findings support the value of adopting an attachment theoretical approach in the context of chronic pain. Treatment considerations and future research directions are considered. (c) 2006 International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adult attachment variables predict depression before and after treatment for chronic pain

2008-02-18T00:00:00Z

The complex relationship between chronic pain and depression has long been of clinical and empirical interest. Although attachment theory has been described as a "theory of affect regulation", and has been lauded as a developmental framework for chronic pain, surprisingly little research specifically considers the links between adult attachment variables and pain-related depression. A sample of 99 participants with chronic pain of non-cancer origin was evaluated before and after pain rehabilitation. Results demonstrated that two attachment dimensions (comfort with closeness and relationship anxiety) were related to pre- and post-treatment depression. Of particular interest was the finding that comfort with closeness was the unique predictor of lower levels of post-treatment depression, usurping pain intensity and pre-treatment depression. These results are discussed in terms of clinical implications, and suggest that adult attachment theory may prove a valuable perspective in pain treatment programs. (C) 2006 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adult language input in the early childhood educational setting

2007-01-24T00:00:00Z

Age-related changes in the adult language addressed to children aged 2;0-4;0 years in polyadic conditions were investigated in Australian childcare centres. The language that 21 staff members addressed to these children was coded for multiple variables in the broad social categories of prosody, context, speech act and gesture. The linguistic components were coded within the categories of phonology, lexicon, morphology, syntax and referential deixis. Minimal age-related differences were found. Explanations for the similarity of the adult language input across the age groups within the early childhood educational environment, will be discussed

Adult mouse intrinsic laryngeal muscles express high levels of the myogenic regulatory factor, MYF-5

2007-08-14T00:00:00Z

The intrinsic laryngeal muscles display unique structural and functional characteristics that distinguish them from the skeletal muscle of the trunk and limbs. These features include relatively small muscle fibers, super-fast contraction speed, and fatigue resistance. The molecular basis of tissue-specific functions and other characteristics is differential gene expression. Accordingly, we have investigated the molecular basis of the functional specialization of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles by examining the expression of two key genes in the larynx, known to be important for skeletal muscle development and function: (a) the muscle regulatory factor, Myf-5, and (b) the superfast-contracting myosin heavy chain (EO-MyHC). We have found that the adult thyroarytenoid muscles express much higher levels of both Myf-5 and EO-MyHC messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), compared to lower hindlimb skeletal muscle where Myf-5 mRNA levels are very low and EO-MyHC is not detectable. These findings suggest that the unique functional characteristics of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles may be based in laryngeal muscle-specific gene expression directed by a unique combination of muscle regulatory factors. Such laryngeal muscle-specific genes may allow the future development of new treatments for laryngeal muscle dysfunction.

Advances in European Assistive Technology service delivery and recommendations for further improvement

Steel, Emily. J. og de Witte, Luc. P. — 2012-12-08T00:00:00Z

Advances in neuromuscular electrical stimulation for the upper limb post-stroke

2011-10-14T00:00:00Z

Advice zone: Who do I contact about a job in Australia?

Kisely, Stephen — 2009-12-10T00:00:00Z

A fast incremental approach for accurate measurement of the displacement field

2009-03-20T00:00:00Z

A fast method for accurate measurement of displacement field that combines template matching and differential techniques is proposed. This method, which is able to deal with the problems of non-rigid object movement as well as large inter frame displacements, operates in three steps. First, a sparse displacement field is obtained by a classic template matching technique. Then, this information is propagated through the overall image to obtain a dense displacement field. Finally, this field is considered as approximate solution before the use of classical differential technique for optical flow estimation. To illustrate the efficiency of the proposed procedure, a number of experimental results using both synthetic and real images are presented and discussed. The results show significant improvement over those obtained using standard multigrid approaches, especially in the cases of textured, very structured images or large inter frame displacements.

A fitness and lifestyle programme for people with psychotic disorders

2007-08-14T00:00:00Z

A focus on neurodynamic tests and the effect of mobilisation techniques for neurogenic cervicobrachial pain

2008-04-08T00:00:00Z

A frame of reference to enhance teaching-learning: The four quadrant model of facilitated learning

Greber, Craig og Ziviani, Jenny — 2009-06-01T00:00:00Z

A framework for determining curricular content of entry level physiotherapy programs – using electrophysical agents as a case in point

2009-11-12T00:00:00Z

Electrophysical agents have been a core part of physiotherapy practice since the establishment of the profession. However, significant changes in the health arena over the last 20 years have challenged the place of electrophysical agents as a core aspect of physiotherapy practice. The development of manual techniques and a greater focus on exercise therapies and evidence based practice have led to a shift in the way physiotherapists view and use electrophysical agents. At the same time, the types and complexity of electrophysical equipment has increased considerably. These changes create difficulties in determining which electrophysical agents should be included in entry level physiotherapy curricula. Using electrophysical agents as an example, this paper presents the challenges facing the profession in terms of what and how decisions concerning entry-level physiotherapy curricula may be made. A framework for integrating both clinical practice trends and research evidence is presented as a means for determining entry level physiotherapy curricula in the next ten years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A framework for systematically improving occupational therapy expert opinions on work capacity

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Aim: To present an evidence-based framework to improve the quality of occupational therapy expert opinions on work capacity for litigation, compensation and insurance purposes. Methods: Grounded theory methodology was used to collect and analyse data from a sample of 31 participants, comprising 19 occupational therapists, 6 medical specialists and 6 lawyers. A focused semistructured interview was completed with each participant. In addition, 20 participants verified the key findings. Results: The framework is contextualised within a medicolegal system requiring increasing expertise. The framework consists of (i) broad professional development strategies and principles, and (ii) specific strategies and principles for improving opinions through reporting and assessment practices. Conclusions: The synthesis of the participants' recommendations provides systematic guidelines for improving occupational therapy expert opinion on work capacity.

A framework of children’s hand skills for assessment and intervention

2011-03-18T00:00:00Z

Age-friendly buses? A comparison of reported barriers and facilitators to bus use for younger and older adults

2010-04-11T00:00:00Z

Age-related changes in electromyographic quadriceps activity during stair descent

2012-03-28T00:00:00Z

Age-related changes in musculoskeletal function, balance and mobility measures in men aged 30-80 years

2010-10-10T00:00:00Z

Age-related changes in strength and somatosensation during midlife: Rationale for targeted preventive intervention programs

2009-04-07T00:00:00Z

Age-related changes in strength and somatosensation have a negative impact on balance with advanced age. Knowledge of the decades of life when strength and somatosensation show initial and subsequent reductions could inform balance assessment and targeted preventive intervention. We report a cross-sectional study investigating strength and somatosensation of 316 healthy women aged 20–80 years. Demographics, health profile, and activity level were recorded. Strength of quadriceps, hip abductors and adductors, and lower limb somatosensation (tactile acuity, vibration threshold, and joint position error) were measured. Significant age-related changes in strength and somatosensory function were identified, even when demographic variables of activity level, weight, number of reported conditions, medications used, and history of falls were included as covariates. Tested muscles achieved peak force in women in their 40s and then trending reductions presented for those in their 50s and 60s, with significant reductions by the 70s. Tactile acuity, vibration sensitivity, and joint position sense for a non–weight-bearing toe-matching task were significantly reduced by the 40s or 50s, with further reductions by either the 60s or 70s. For the weight-bearing replication task, joint position error was significantly increased by the 60s. A main effect of activity level and body weight was identified for strength measures, and weight also had a main effect for most of the somatosensory modalities. These findings can inform health professionals to use knowledge of early and any subsequent reductions in muscle strength and somatosensation, along with effects of demographics, to develop targeted, innovative programs across the mid-life, a preclinical change period for balance, to promote healthier aging.

Aging Adults - Management: Hearing Aids to Community Outreach

Hickson, L. M. H. — 2008-06-06T00:00:00Z

Agreement between administrative data and self-reported mental health service use as measured by the pathways to care interview: A pilot study from Nova Scotia

Kisely, Stephen og Campbell, Leslie-Anne — 2009-12-07T00:00:00Z

Agreement between Statistical and Visual Estimation of Onset of Muscle Activation Using Electromyography Traces

Darnell, R. og Toppenberg, R. M. K. — 2009-03-31T00:00:00Z

Agreement Between the WHOQOL-BREF Chinese and Taiwanese Versions in the Elderly

2011-03-18T00:00:00Z

The brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), including four domains, has been culturally adapted into Taiwan Chinese and Taiwanese versions for different targeted populations of elderly people. However, there is no evidence to suggest whether the results obtained from these two language versions can be directly compared or combined. This prevents the use of both versions together, which leads to missing data and a gap in the interpretation of results. The present study therefore examined agreement between the Taiwan Chinese and Taiwanese version of the WHOQOL-BREF in a group of 53 Taiwanese-speaking elderly people who can read Chinese. Each participant was evaluated using both versions in a random order within a 2-week period. There was acceptable agreement in 17 of the 28 items between both versions. Three of the four domain scores demonstrated moderate to high levels of agreement (0.65 ≤ intraclass correlation coefficient ≤ 0.81), with the exception being the social relationships domain. The results indicate that these three domain scores in the Taiwan Chinese and Taiwanese versions of the WHOQOL-BREF appear to be substantially equivalent, which allows direct comparison/combination of the results. © 2009 Elsevier & Formosan Medical Association.

A group intervention to reduce smoking in individuals with psychiatric disorder: brief report of a pilot study

2009-11-18T00:00:00Z

A group intervention which assists patients with dual diagnosis reduce their drug use: a randomized controlled trial

2009-11-18T00:00:00Z

Background. There is a well-recognized association between substance use and psychotic disorders, sometimes described as ‘dual diagnosis’. The use of substances by people with psychosis has a negative impact in terms of symptoms, longitudinal course of illness and psychosocial adjustment. There are few validated treatments for such individuals, and those that do exist are usually impracticable in routine clinical settings. The present study employs a randomized controlled experimental design to examine the effectiveness of a manualized group-based intervention in helping patients with dual diagnosis reduce their substance use. Method. The active intervention consisted of weekly 90-min sessions over 6 weeks. The manualized intervention was tailored to participants' stage of change and motivations for drug use. The control condition was a single educational session. Results. Sixty-three subjects participated, of whom 58 (92%) completed a 3-month follow-up assessment of psychopathology, medication and substance use. Significant reductions in favour of the treatment condition were observed for psychopathology, chlorpromazine equivalent dose of antipsychotics, alcohol and illicit substance use, severity of dependence and hospitalization. Conclusions. It is possible to reduce substance use in individuals with psychotic disorders, using a targeted group-based approach. This has important implications for clinicians who wish to improve the long-term outcome of their patients.

A group intervention which assists patients with dual diagnosis reduce their tobacco use

Kisely, Stephen R. og Preston, Neil, J. — 2009-12-09T00:00:00Z

A Hermeneutic Case Reconstruction of a published first-person narrative

Crabtree, Merrill — 2007-08-14T00:00:00Z

Hermeneutic Case Reconstruction (Rosenthal, 1993) is a systematic method of analysing biographical self-presentations from an interpretivist perspective. The method consists of five major analytic steps. The first is an analysis of the biographical data that can stand independently of the narrator’s perspective. Objective data is extracted from the text or interview transcript and ordered chronologically. Secondly, a thematic field analysis is undertaken in which the data is divided into separate units according to the type of text used, whilst keeping the sequence of these texts units intact. In this step, hypotheses are developed regarding the potential significance of the style and sequence of the events presented. The product of this second step is a reconstruction of the life story. A reconstruction of the life history then follows as the third step. The purpose of this step is to generate hypotheses about the meanings that biographical experiences might have had for the narrator at the time they occurred, given the sociocultural context in which they occurred. In the fourth step, microanalysis of individual text segments is undertaken, in which all hypotheses generated in the earlier steps are tested against the text for support or refutation. The final step consists of a contrastive comparison of the life history and life story. The life story and life history are compared to determine, for example, which aspects of the narrator’s experience have been emphasised or minimised. Through this comparison, the selective process is highlighted. This is referred to as the case structure. This paper describes an application of this method to a published first-person narrative of a woman’s experiences of sustaining a brain injury in a motor vehicle accident.

A Hermeneutic Case Reconstruction of a Published First Person Narrative

Crabtree, M. — 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z

Aim, fire, aim — Project planning styles in dynamic environments

2010-08-18T00:00:00Z

Rapidly changing environments are a newly recognized and increasing challenge in the field of project management. Traditional prescriptive approaches, oriented around process control, are considered suboptimal in meeting this challenge. In this article, the authors present an exploratory theory-building study aiming to identify the project management approaches used by experienced practitioners to respond to rapidly changing environments. The results of 37 semistructured interviews with 31 participants across 10 industries (i.e., construction, aerospace, international community development, pharmaceutical, defense, film production, start-ups, venture capital, research, and information technology) were analyzed according to the planning styles used. Results are discussed in the light of previous research, and a model for better management in rapidly changing environments is proposed. © 2010 Project Management Institute

A joint crisis plan negotiated with mental health staff significantly reduces compulsory admission and treatment in people with severe mental illness

Kisely, Steve — 2009-11-24T00:00:00Z

A kinematic investigation of anticipatory lingual movement in acquired apraxia of speech

Bartle-Meyer, Carly J. og Murdoch, Bruce E. — 2010-08-24T00:00:00Z

Algorithmic approach to cervical axial pain

2011-09-23T00:00:00Z

A longitudinal physical profile assessment of skeletal muscle manifestations in myotonic dystrophy

2008-06-10T00:00:00Z

Objectives: To develop an assessment that describes the skeletal muscle manifestations in myotonic dystrophy subjects and then use it to quantify the presentation of skeletal muscle disability and to show change over time. Design: A quantified skeletal muscle assessment was developed and applied three times over a two-year period at intervals around 12 months. Thirty-six subjects with myotonic dystrophy and 20 subjects without neuromuscular disability were evaluated. The assessment comprised manual muscle testing of five pairs of muscles, measuring neck flexor strength with a strain gauge, respiratory function tests, power and lateral pinch grip strength, all tests of impairment, Assessment of the ability to move from sitting to standing and fasten buttons tested disability. Results: Results from subjects with myotonic dystrophy were compared to the normal data. The subjects with myotonic dystrophy were significantly weaker in proximal upper limb muscles, quadriceps, tibialis anterior muscles and neck flexor muscles as well as power and lateral pinch grips. There was also significant reduction in forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Significant disability was seen in the myotonics in moving from sitting to standing and in fastening buttons, Over the two-year study period proximal upper limb and lower limb muscle strength, FVC and sit-to-stand ability declined significantly. Power grip declined but lateral pinch grip and FEV1 improved significantly. Button fastening ability improved significantly. Conclusion: The test developed was shown to be reliable and sensitive to the change in skeletal muscle manifestations in subjects with myotonic dystrophy who were shown to be significantly weaker than normal subjects.

A longitudinal study of self-awareness: Functional deficits underestimated by persons with brain injury

Fleming, J. M. og Strong, J. — 2007-08-13T00:00:00Z

A longitudinal study of 55 adults with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) investigated the areas of function for which they lacked self-awareness of their level of competency. Data were collected at 3 and 12 months post-injury using the Patient Competency Rating Scale. Self-awareness was measured by comparing patient self-ratings with the ratings of an infor mant. The results were consistent with previous studies, indicating that self-awareness was most impaired for activities with a large cognitive and socioemotional component, and least impaired for basic activities of daily living, memory activities, and overt emotional responses. For most areas of function that were overestimated at 3 months post-injury, self-awareness subsequently improved during the first year after injury.

A long-term follow-up study of patients with ischaemic heart disease versus patients with nonspecific chest pain

2009-11-18T00:00:00Z

Ninety consecutive patients who were admitted to hospital with acute chest pain were followed-up five years later. At the time of the original admission, all of the patients received a detailed physical and psychiatric evaluation. Seventy-one patients were diagnosed as having ischaemic heart disease, and 19 were diagnosed as having nonspecific chest pain. Patients with nonspecific pain were younger, consumed greater amounts of alcohol, smoked more than their organic counterparts, and were more likely to suffer from psychiatric disorder. The five-year assessment was carried out using a self-report questionnaire. Of the original 71 patients with ischaemic heart disease, 14 had died; 43 questionnaires were returned, 80.2% of the original sample. Sixteen (84.9%) of the patients with nonspecific pain were followed up; none had died. Both groups were predominantly male. The patients with nonspecific pain still smoked more than the patients with ischaemic heart disease, and they had significantly more symptoms of anxiety. The overall prevalence of psychiatric morbidity remained high, however, in both groups. Patients who had psychiatric illness at the time of the original assessment were more anxious at follow-up and more likely to complain of chest pain than those who had been well. Patients with nonspecific chest pain continued to seek treatment on a regular basis from their general practitioners either for chest pain or for other symptoms, but few were in frequent contact with hospital services. The possible preventive effects of psychiatric intervention at an earlier stage in both groups of patients needs to be investigated.

Alteration of recruitment of lumbo-pelvic muscles in subjects with failed load transfer through the pelvis

2007-08-24T00:00:00Z

Alterations in cervical muscle activity in functional and stressful tasks in female office workers with neck pain

2009-03-10T00:00:00Z

Altered Behaviour of the Trapezius Muscle in Chronic Neck Pain

2010-09-29T00:00:00Z

Altered hip and trunk muscle function in individuals with patellofemoral pain

2012-03-28T00:00:00Z

Altered hip muscle forces during gait in people with patellofemoral osteoarthritis

2012-11-15T11:44:52Z

Altered movement patterns but not muscle recruitment in moderately trained triathletes during running after cycling

2010-11-28T00:00:00Z

Previous studies have shown that cycling can directly influence neuromuscular control during subsequent running in some highly trained triathletes, despite these triathletes' years of practice of the cycle-run transition. The aim of this study was to determine whether cycling has the same direct influence on neuromuscular control during running in moderately trained triathletes. Fifteen moderately trained triathletes participated. Kinematics of the pelvis and lower limbs and recruitment of 11 leg and thigh muscles were compared between a control run (no prior exercise) and a 30 min run that was preceded by a 15 min cycle (transition run). Muscle recruitment was different between control and transition runs in only one of 15 triathletes (<7%). Changes in joint position (mean difference of 3°) were evident in five triathletes, which persisted beyond 5 min of running in one triathlete. Our findings suggest that some moderately trained triathletes have difficulty reproducing their pre-cycling movement patterns for running initially after cycling, but cycling appears to have little influence on running muscle recruitment in moderately trained triathletes. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.

Altered muscle lengths in young people with cystic fibrosis

2010-03-05T00:00:00Z

Altered neuromuscular control in individuals with exercise-related leg pain

2010-03-02T00:00:00Z

Altered response of the anterolateral abdominal muscles to simulated weight-bearing in subjects with low back pain

2009-08-05T00:00:00Z

Altered trapezius muscle behavior in individuals with neck pain and clinical signs of scapular dysfunction

2012-08-17T18:20:34Z

Altered Triggering of a Prepared Movement by a Startling Stimulus

2009-03-05T00:00:00Z

Altered Triggering of a Prepared Movement by a Startling Stimulus. J. Neurophysiol. 89: 1857-1863, 2003. An experiment is reported that investigated the effects of an auditory startling stimulus on a compound movement task. Previous findings have shown that, in a targeting task, a secondary movement can be initiated based on the proprioceptive information provided by a primary movement. Studies involving the presentation of a startling stimulus have shown that in reaction time (RT) tasks, prepared ballistic movements could be released early when participants are startled. In the present study we sought to determine whether the secondary component in an ongoing movement task, once prepared, could also be triggered by a startling stimulus. Participants performed a slow active elbow extension (22°/s), opening their hand when the arm passed 55° of extension from the starting point. An unexpected 124 dB startle stimulus was presented 5, 25, or 45° into the movement. Findings showed that, when participants were startled, the secondary component was triggered despite incongruent kinesthetic information. However, this only occurred when the startle was presented late in the primary movement. This suggests that the secondary movement was not prepared prior to task initiation, but was "loaded" into lower brain structures at some point during the movement in preparation to be triggered by the CNS. This occurred late in the movement sequence, but >= 400 ms prior to reaching the target. These findings indicate that, in addition to ballistic RT tasks, a startle can be used to probe response preparation in ongoing compound movement tasks.