ABSTRACT
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate（NMDA）receptor（NMDAR）encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder typically involving ovarian teratomas and a severe neuropsychiatric disorder involving prominent memory and behavioral deficits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical symptoms and outcomes of six patients（one male, five female；age：20 to 47 years）with autoantibody-associated NMDAR encephalitis, who underwent comprehensive rehabilitation in our hospital. The five female patients underwent ovarian teratoma removal. At the beginning of rehabilitation, the mean score on the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test was 16.7, and prospective memory was preserved in two patients and was recovered in two patients. The mean Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised score of the six patients significantly increased after rehabilitation, which suggested good recovery, compared to that in the patients with herpes encephalitis. However, in the chronic state, two patients showed persistent short-term memory disturbances that required a compensatory approach and employment assistance. Four patients who were treated with convalescent cognitive rehabilitation 4.5 months after onset improved in 4 months and showed good prognoses. Three returned to work, one returned to school, and two lived independently. Patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis respond to immunotherapy, but they exhibit persistent cognitive deficits that are related to the distribution and functional role of NMDARs in the human brain. Early intervention for the short-term memory disturbances in convalescent rehabilitation, chronic interventions for the persistent memory disturbances, and preservation of perceptive memory are important to facilitate future employment.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of our post-acute comprehensive intensive inpatient treatment (Program A) on persons with acquired brain injury in the hospital. Program A, designed for work or school, consists of daily six hours sessions for three months, personal and group sessions, and family support. It was designed to build cognitive and behavioral skills through a transdisciplinary approach and 17 patients with acquired brain injury were enrolled in the program. Seventeen program non-participants were selected as our control. Cognitive functions were measured with FIM, WAIS-III, RBMT, and TMT before and after the program. Significant cognitive improvements (especially attention) and increased societal participation were obtained for the Program A participants compared with non-participants. Considering that Program A improved both the cognitive function and level of social participation in program participants, we suggest that it is valuable to perform intensive treatment programs in an inpatient condition for acquired brain injury patients.
ABSTRACT
<b>Introduction</b><br> Developing countries have many urgent issues to cope with, such as infectious diseases, and therefore people with disabilities have not had enough opportunities to receive rehabilitation services. A mobile unit as an outreach approach seems to be valuable in countries or areas lacking in adequate health care facilities. In Thailand, there are about 56 thousand people with lower extremity amputations. There are very few workshops and technicians in health care facilities producing prostheses. We studied a working mobile unit to clarify its effectiveness.<br><b>Method</b><br> We conducted participatory observations of the mobile unit in Chiang Rai, Thailand in October, 2006 run by the Prostheses Foundation, and hearings from the staff and the amputees to collect the information such as outlines of the foundation and the unit, and the number of participants. We collected data on those amputees from the reception note, such as their occupations, causes of amputations, kinds of prostheses, and their experiences of using prostheses.<br><b>Results</b><br> The mobile unit was a huge scale activity including 75 staff members, who visited the field with all necessary equipments. Fifty-four technicians produced 204 prostheses for 177 amputees in 4 days. Eighty percent of those amputees were unstable in income, such as farmers and those unemployed. Landmines were the cause of amputation for 20 percent of those seen. Thirty percent experienced their prostheses initially, 20 percent of whom had waited for 6 years or more to receive them. Therefore, it was found to be an effective activity to provide prostheses for poor people with amputations in rural areas. Also, technicians in rural areas learnt skills regarding prostheses from specialists in cities.<br><b>Conclusions</b><br> A mobile unit seems to be effective in Thailand to provide amputees with prostheses, and Prosthetics and Orthotics technicians in rural areas with opportunities for education.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between first-year (n=97) and second-year medical students (n=102) in their reactions to a community-based early clinical exposure program. Questionnaires completed after their participation in the program showed that first-and second-year students did not differ in their interest in practical training in nursing homes and wards of the university hospital or in a presentation given by a family member of a cancer patient who had died in the hospital (Chi square test, p<0.05). However, second-year students were more likely to report that they understood the family's presentation well, whereas first-year students were more likely to report they could communicate with elderly or disabled persons. Several facilities in the community criticized the students' attitudes toward practical training. We believe the reason for the criticism was insufficient advance preparation.