A Condemine | PubMed Health

PubMed2005

[Low back pain disability assessment tools].

OBJECTIVES: To identify and compare low back pain functional assessment tools and to determine their characteristics and the selection criteria for their use. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We systematically searched Medline with the key words: low back pain, scale validity, questionnaire, assessment, outcome, and functional evaluation and with some data from the "Guide des Outils de Mesure et d'Evaluation en Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation", which allowed us to complete the search on specific tools including the Roland Disability Questionnaire, Dallas Pain Questionnaire, Quebec Back Pain Questionnaire, and Oswestry Back Pain Questionnaire. We restricted our analysis to studies about the psychometric properties of functional tools. RESULTS: We identified 19 scales or questionnaires, 9 specifically for low back pain and with a concept of functional incapacity. Four tools are recognised as having good psychometric properties and are widely used with linguistic adaptations in different countries. We also identified 10 generic tools proposed to assess outcome in low back pain, which are more conceptually linked to perceived health status, quality of life, and pain assessment. CONCLUSION: A "gold standard" to evaluate disability in low back pain does not exist, but only 4 tools (the Dallas Pain Questionnaire, Roland Disability Questionnaire, Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire) demonstrated strong qualities (content and construct validity, feasibility, linguistic adaptation and international use).

Disability Evaluation↗

PubMed2005

[Hemiplegia and a hiking tour of Mont Blanc: from hope to reality].

INTRODUCTION: At the end of an endurance training program for stroke patients with hemiplegia, we offered a hiking tour around the Mont Blanc Pedestrian Tour. We found no publication describing a similar experience and no scientific data in the literature to determine the physiological characteristics required for this performance, particularly regarding cardiac and vascular capacities, level of impairment, and functional abilities. OBJECTIVE: To complete a part of the Mont Blanc Pedestrian Tour over six days, with a group of adults with hemiparesis and aphasia due to stroke. POPULATION: Seven of 20 subjects with right hemiparesis and aphasia were selected on the basis of results of physiological tests, after an endurance training program and two tests hikes at medium altitude. Mean age was 51.71 +/- 7.13 years, mean VO(2max) 19.76 +/- 3.46 ml.g(-1).mm(-1), mean P(max) 90 +/- 22.68 and mean walking speed 3.60 +/- 1.30 km/hour. ORGANIZATION: Organization involved setting up the itinerary, recruiting accompanying personnel (9 people), and arranging security. No specific adaptations for accessibility were available, and no specific equipment was used, except for standard walking sticks. RESULTS: During this pedestrian tour, the subjects demonstrated strong motivation, as well as exceptional physical and functional performance, despite significant changes in elevation (up to 1500 m per day) and long walking times (from 5 to 9 hours per day). DISCUSSION: This experience has enriched our reflection about the medical, functional, and psychological conditions required for this type of physical effort, both from patients and accompanying personnel. In the absence of reports on similar experiences with this patient population, we thought it interesting, six months after this challenge, to present our observations as well as the patients' point of view. This may encourage other rehabilitation teams to offer intensive walking activities for stroke patients.

Aphasia↗