ABSTRACT
Objective To characterize 15 months later the quality of life (QOL) and depression of those with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffered during the Wenchuan earthquake,and to identify the influence factors.MethodsA sample of 27 individuals who sustained SCI during the Wenchuan earthquake were surveyed using face- to-face interviews.QOL was measured using the brief version of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Assessment instrument.Depression was measured using the patient health questionnaire depression module 9.Stepwise multiple linear regression was employed to determine the factors most closely related with QOL and depression. ResultsStepwise linear regression showed a significant correlation of overall QOL with literacy and age.The younger or illiterate victims showed a lower overall QOL.General health was also associated with ability in the activities of daily living and with pain.Victims with better daily ability and less pain may have had better general health.Depression correlated with literacy and secondary condition.Illiterate patients or patients influenced more by a secondary condition displayed more serious depression than the others.Additionally,social participation was significantly associated with the physical health,psychological health and social relationships domains of QOL.ConclusionThe QOL of long-term SCI victims caused by the earthquake is closely related to age,literacy,pain,participation and physical independence.Depression is associated with illiteracy and secondary conditions.Attention should be paid to these correlations in designing long-term rehabilitation strategies.
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Objective To explore the effect of bio-resonance on walking efficiency in healthy youths. Methods Ten young male participants were involved in this study (age 16 ± 2 years, height 1.73 ±:0. 1 m and weight 56. 1 ± 7 kg). The time-space data were collected using a motion analysis system, and oxygen cost was meas-ured with a Cosmed K4b2 portable gas analysis system. Walking at a self-selected, comfortable walking frequency was recorded through three dimensional gait analysis. Each participant walked at 100% , 80% and 120% of their comfortable walking frequency. Results The average 100% , 80% and 120% comfortable walking frequencies were 107.60 ± 1.78, 85.80 ± 7.45 and 128.60 ±10.46 steps/min, respectively. Oxygen consumption at the three frequencies was significantly different (P≤0.01), and the oxygen costs were 0. 140 ± 0.011, 0. 193 ± 0. 049 and 0. 192 ± 0. 035 ml/m/kg, respectively. Above or below the self-selected pace, oxygen cost increased significantly (P ≤0.05). Conclusion There is an inherited bio-resonance in human walking, and walking with this natural rhythm is reflected in the lowest oxygen cost. Any change from the natural walking rhythm may result in increased en-ergy expenditure and decreased efficiency.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: An epidemic outbreak of poliomyelitis occurred in Pizhou City, Jangsu Province, 15 years ago. It is important to appraise the daily living and function of those survived children.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the physical status of the survived children and propose appropriate suggestions on rehabilitation.DESIGN: Case-based cross-sectional study based on patients.SETTING: Department of Rehabilitative Medicine of First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 545 patients with poliomyelitis sequela, which was onset in 1989, were found in Qizhou, and 333 of them were randomly selected from the local"New Hope" nursing house and its surrounding areas.All patients were assayed in one week.METHODS: The survey included 333 polio victims in the nursing house or from the surrounding areas. The study was conducted by five research groups, with two physiatrists and one therapist in each group. Assessment included muscle strength, joint rang of motion, limb deformities, activities of daily living, previous surgical interventions and orthosis. The distance was measured from the anterior superior iliac to medial malleolus and from nave to the medial malleolus, respectively. Anatomic length and functional length were also measured.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Major outcomes included the forms,shapes, or functions of foot, pelvic, hip, knee and ankle joints.RESULTS: According to intention-to-treat analyses, 333 patients with poliomyelitis sequela entered the final analysis. Most of them aged from 15 to 17 years old, which accounted for 97%. Totally 135 patients(40.5% )walked independently and 148 (44.4%) walked with-orthsis and/or crutches. The discrepancy was between 0. 5 cm to 13.0 cm. Patients with paraplegia were 112(33.6% ), which was lesser than those with monoplegia (211, 65.8% ). There were 3 cases with quadriplegia and 2 cases with upper limb involvement. Another 46 sufferers had already underwent the scoliosis prthomorphia. There were 254 subjects with orthosis, including 110 knee ankle feet orthosis for both legs and 131 knee ankle feet orthosis for one leg,with 62 at left and 79 at right. Only three ankle-foot orthosis were employed.CONCLUSION: Besides the factor of muscle strength, limb teratism is the key factor that causes walking disorders. Physical functions maybe improved through surgical intervention, orthosis modification, and rehabilitation training. Every child who received survey required further rehabilitative therapy. A multi-disciplinary team is essential to achieve a better outcome.