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Biomedical subjects

P E Osten

Publications and source records attributed to P E Osten.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Assessment of cognitive suitability to drive after brain injury].

There is an increasing interest in methods for assessing fitness to hold a driver's licence among patients with traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular accidents and other central nervous system diseases which present cognitive impairments. This article describes a multimodal approach including medical, neuropsychological and open-road evaluations. We also present a study of 135 patients with cognitive deficits, 29 females and 106 males, mean age 48. Data from neuropsychological assessments are compared to scores on the Mini Mental State Examination and to results from the open-road tests. We recommend that patients with Mini Mental State scores > 20 are referred for further neuropsychological assessments, while patients with scores < 20 are usually unfit for driving. We regard the Mini Mental State Examination as unsuited for patients with aphasia. Our recommendation is that patients who present a complicated picture are referred to regional interdisciplinary centres.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Acupuncture in stroke].

In 1995 we reported that acupuncture treatment of stroke patients in the subacute stage resulted in added therapeutic benefit. The purpose of the present study was to determine, one year after discharge from the rehabilitation centre, whether the treatment continued to have effect. Initially, 45 stroke patients were included in the study; median 40 days post stroke. The patients were randomized into two groups; one acupuncture group and one control group, taking into considering the patients' sex and the actual site of the lesion. All subjects received an individually adapted, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. The acupuncture group received additional treatment with classical acupuncture for six weeks. The patients were thereafter given individual treatment at the rehabilitation centre and then under the primary health care service. 41 of the patients were available for further study one year after treatment ended; 21 patients from the acupuncture group and 20 from the control group. The results show that there was a significantly greater improvement in the acupuncture group than in the control group, both during the six-week treatment period, and even more so during the following year. These assessments were based on the Motor Assessment Scale, the Sunnaas Index of Daily Living (ADL), the Nottingham Health Profile and the patients' social circumstances.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

[Rehabilitation after stroke. Programs at the Sunnaas hospital].

The article describes the rehabilitation programmes for stroke patients at Sunnaas Hospital, a Norwegian university hospital for rehabilitation. Patients with complex and less frequent problems following a cerebrovascular accident can attend this third line hospital for primary or secondary rehabilitation. In addition, special short-term programmes are offered to assess the potentials for rehabilitation, competence for a driver's licence, vocational ability and swallowing problems, as well as to judge the need for technical aids for communication, mobility and management of the surroundings. The various programmes are described in detail. During 1996 a total of 306 stroke patients, median age 57 years, attended the hospital. The hospital aims to continue to be a highly specialized centre for stroke patients, also in the future, with different kinds of comprehensive and multidisciplinary rehabilitation programmes for these patients.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗
PubMed1997

A one year follow-up study on the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of stroke patients in the subacute stage: a randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: We recently reported that acupuncture treatment of stroke patients in the subacute stage gave additive therapeutic benefit. The purpose of the present study was to determine, approximately one year after discharge from the rehabilitation hospital, whether the group differences still remained. DESIGN: The patients were randomized into two groups: one acupuncture group and one control group, considering gender and side of hemispheral localization of lesion. With regard to the main parameters the groups were comparable at baseline. SETTING: Initially, 45 stroke patients admitted to Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital were included in the study: median 40 days post stroke. SUBJECTS: Forty-one of the patients were available one year after the treatment period: 21 patients in the acupuncture group and 20 controls. INTERVENTION: All subjects received an individually adapted, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. The acupuncture group received additional treatment with classical acupuncture for 30 min three to four times weekly for six weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients were evaluated at inclusion, after six weeks and approximately 12 months after discharge from the rehabilitation hospital. The Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) for stroke patients, Sunnaas Index of Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were used. In addition, the social situations of the patients were recorded at one year follow-up. RESULTS: The results show that the acupuncture group improved significantly more than the controls, both during the treatment period of six weeks, and even more during the following year, both according to MAS, ADL, NHP and the social situation. CONCLUSION: Although the mechanism of the effects is debatable, there seems to be a positive long-term effect of acupuncture given in the subacute stage post stroke.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1995

[Acupuncture therapy in stroke during the subacute phase. A randomized controlled trial].

The aim of this study was to investigate whether acupuncture treatment, if given to stroke patients in subacute phase in addition to rehabilitation would influence motor function, activity of daily living (ADL) and quality of life. After obtaining informed consent, 45 patients (median age 57 years) were randomised into a control group (n = 21) and an acupuncture group (n = 24). Median time from onset of stroke to inclusion in the study was 40 days. The inclusion criterion was hemiparesis following a first-ever stroke. When included and six weeks later all patients were evaluated by three measurement systems: the Motor Assessment Scale for stroke patients, Sunnaas Index of ADL and Nottingham Health Profile. All patients underwent individually adapted rehabilitation therapy. The patients in the treatment group were given classical acupuncture three to four times a week for six weeks, each session lasting 20-30 minutes. Both groups improved significantly in motor function and ADL. However, improvement was significantly greater among the acupuncture group than among the controls. Only the acupuncture group rated a significantly improved quality of life. Our results indicate that acupuncture gives an additive therapeutic benefit when given to stroke patients during their rehabilitation programme in the subacute phase.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1995

[Videofluoroscopy in the examination of swallowing disorders. A useful method for evaluation of rehabilitation].

This article presents a protocol for videofluoroscopy based upon the literature and on four years of practical experience in a rehabilitation hospital from evaluation and treatment of dysphagia in patients with cerebral vascular and/or traumatic head injury. The protocol includes a description of clinical evaluation, necessary equipment and personnel. It also describes the types of food and liquids used, the positioning of the patient, the compensatory and therapeutic techniques which may be tested during the study, and the evaluation and reporting of results. During rehabilitation, patients with swallowing disorders can receive specific and practical advice on food intake, based on the results of videofluoroscopy.

Brain Injuries↗
PubMed1992

[Rehabilitation of patients with brain stem damage].

We describe seven patients with serious brain stem damage who were admitted to Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital over a period of two years (1989-91). Our patients had quadriplegia and anarthria with some or completely preserved cognitive function. They experienced varying degrees of restitution, but all remained severely impaired. Important areas for rehabilitation include communication, alimentation, mobility, emotional reactions, medical complications and daily living arrangements. Severely impaired patients can enhance their quality of life by use of technical devices. Minimal motor function is necessary to control a switch, but preserved cognitive function is essential.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Urinary problems among patients with stroke. Are these problems underestimated?].

The article, based on a survey and a study of the literature, focuses on the problems of urinary disorders in patients who have suffered a stroke. The incidence of incontinence and other urination disorders was studied upon admission and six weeks later in ten stroke patients admitted consecutively to a hospital for rehabilitation. The results of the present study agreed with those of other studies, indicating that urination disorders, especially motoric urge incontinence, are common among stroke patients. The literature indicates that urinary incontinence has a negative influence on the rehabilitation process. Therefore the rehabilitation team should be particularly aware of such problems, and carry out both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Adult↗