ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The "neuromatrix" theory of Melzack and the studies of Decety on motor imagery have opened the way to an alternative rehabilitation method in chronic pain. AIM: To evaluate the role of motor imagery in chronic shoulder pain rehabilitation. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University outpatient rehabilitation. POPULATION: A 49-year-old female with chronic shoulder pain. METHODS: Neurocognitive approach, which involves the use of a new tool called "naval battle" to achieve chronic pain relief as assessed by the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). The Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) and Constant Scale (CS) were used to measure functional improvement. RESULTS: The results indicate significant pain relief (71%) and improvement in functionality (50%). CONCLUSION: The results seem to confirm the accuracy of the hypothesis on the genesis of chronic pain as a perceptive "discoherency" and that motor imagery can remake a coherence of afferences at central level in chronic pain. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The use of motor imagery in rehabilitation can be a viable alternative in chronic shoulder pain resistant to other rehabilitation protocols.
Subject(s)
Chronic Pain/rehabilitation , Exercise Therapy/methods , Pain Management/methods , Pain Measurement/methods , Shoulder Pain/rehabilitation , Chronic Pain/diagnosis , Chronic Pain/physiopathology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Middle Aged , Range of Motion, Articular , Shoulder Injuries , Shoulder Joint/physiopathology , Shoulder Pain/diagnosis , Shoulder Pain/physiopathology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Visual Analog ScaleABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A proper knee rehabilitation after a surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) should start immediately after the injury and it should be focused on recovery of symmetry, proprioception, swelling reduction, gait training, hyperextension exercises, and even mental preparation. AIM: Aim of this study was to test a neurocognitive rehabilitative approach based on proprioceptive exercises and proper motor strategy choices, compared with conventional rehabilitation, assessing baropodometric, gait and clinical changes. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Ambulatory University Centre. POPULATION: Fourteen subjects (27.9±5.2 years) underwent to a surgical reconstruction of ACL were divided into the two groups. METHODS: The subjects were randomly assigned into a group who received a specific neurocognitive and perceptive rehabilitation treatment (TG), and into a control group who received the common physical therapy (CG). The following outcome measures were assessed pre-intervention, one, three and six months later: static and dynamic baropodometry, Visual Analog Scale for pain, Short Form SF-36, Range of Motion, trophism of thigh region, edema, Manual Muscle Test, magneto-resonance imaging assessment. RESULTS: Lower impairment was observed in TG in respect of CG in terms of load asymmetry during static baropodometry (from 7% to 3% vs. from 10% to 7%, interaction time per treatment: P=0.037), less wide steps during gait (effect size=1.05 vs. 0.38 for CG), swelling (treatment effect: P=0.012). A significantly higher improvement (from 35% to 100%) in terms of SF-36 was recorded only in TG for physical activity (P=0.027). CG showed a quite higher walking speed (treatment effect: P=0.049). CONCLUSION: Even if further studies are needed on larger samples, the obtained results showed that a neurocognitive rehabilitative approach could be an effective treatment after ACL-reconstruction: in TG we observed a more rapid load symmetrization, the reduction of step width and a more rapid resolution of edema. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Posture, gait, clinical features and quality of life could benefit from a neurocognitive rehabilitation after ACL surgical reconstruction.
Subject(s)
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods , Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Knee Joint/surgery , Patellar Ligament/transplantation , Physical Therapy Modalities , Proprioception , Adult , Aged , Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries , Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Grafting , Female , Humans , Joint Instability/etiology , Joint Instability/physiopathology , Joint Instability/rehabilitation , Knee Joint/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Care , Range of Motion, Articular , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
In this follow-up study the height of avascular and microsurgically reanastomosed osseous transplants serving for mandibular reconstruction is compared. For analysis a new computer-assisted method is applied which evaluates the plane of the transferred bone. As a result, it is revealed that the reanastomosed bone exhibits the better shape consistency than the avascular flap.
