ABSTRACT
Smoking should be identified as a major risk factor for Peripheral arterial disease. The purpose of this prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study was to determine whether a rehabilitation program is more efficient than the usual healthcare assistance (medication, hygiene and diet) for improving walking function on the smoking and nonsmoking patients with PAD. For smokers, there were no significant differences after 12 weeks and also 24 weeks, although the 4MWS mean values increased compared to the control. At 24 weeks study time point nonsmokers in the group performed special massage techniques along with the supervised kinesiotherapy had significantly greater improvement in their 4MWS, compared to the group with physical exercises or control. A well-structured rehabilitation program, in terms of intensity, duration and frequency may be of great help for improving the functional status of these patients with peripheral ischemia syndrome.
ABSTRACT
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron disease (MND) which prognosis is poor. Early diagnosis permits to set up immediately adapted treatment. Available diagnostic criteria are based on the detection of both central and peripheral motor neuron injury in bulbar, cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. Electrodiagnostic tests are key tools to identify peripheral motor neuron involvement. In the absence of a diagnostic biomarker of ALS, a careful clinical and neurophysiological work-up is essential to rule the differential diagnosis. The study presents the case of a 74 years-old woman who was diagnosed with ALS using clinical examination and electromyography.
