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Biomedical subjects

W Rheault

Publications and source records attributed to W Rheault.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Epidemiology of ciprofloxacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a veterans affairs hospital.

This study was performed to identify risk factors for the nosocomial acquisition of ciprofloxacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) in a Veterans Administration hospital between January 1994, and March 1995. The study was a retrospective comparison of host factors and in-hospital exposures of patients who acquired nosocomially CRPA and ciprofloxacin-sensitive P. aeruginosa (CSPA). Participants included 42 adult patients with nosocomial CRPA acquisition and 52 adult patients with nosocomial CSPA acquisition. Before pseudomonal acquisition, antecedent ciprofloxacin receipt (50% compared with 8%; odds ratio [OR], 12; p = 0.001), the presence of an indwelling airway (36% compared to 17%; OR, 2.6; p = 0.04), and documented antecedent infection (74% compared to 52%; OR, 2.6; p = 0.03) were significantly associated with acquisition of CRPA. On multivariate analysis, antecedent ciprofloxacin receipt (OR, 16.8; p = 0.0001) and presence of an indwelling airway (OR, 10.5; p = 0.009) remain as significant associations. Furthermore, the test of significance confirmed synergy between these two factors. Antecedent ciprofloxacin therapy and indwelling airway act independently and synergistically to promote CRPA acquisition.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Reliability and validity of the FIM for persons aged 80 years and above from a multilevel continuing care retirement community.

OBJECTIVE: Development of accurate functional assessment instruments will help clinicians evaluate treatment outcome and plan realistic rehabilitation goals for elderly patients. The reliability, validity, and appropriateness of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were examined for a population aged 80 years and more from a multilevel, continuing care retirement community. DESIGN: Forty-nine residents (average age 89.7 years, range 80 to 104 years; 46 women), were randomly selected. SETTING: Subjects were grouped according to their residence in either an Independent community (18 subjects), Sheltered Care (16 subjects), or Skilled Nursing Facility (15 subjects). MEASUREMENTS: Subjects were evaluated twice using the FIM. Motor and cognitive scores were converted into interval measures (logits) using Rasch Analysis with the BIGSTEPS statistical package. Parametric statistical procedures were utilized to further analyze data. RESULTS: FIM motor and cognitive items formed 2 unidimensional and linear subscales. Hierarchical levels of FIM item difficulties were identified. Bladder management, bowel management, and grooming were misfitting motor items. Memory misfit for the cognitive subscale. High test-retest reliability for 45 repeated FIM assessments for the motor, (ICC = .9) and cognitive subscales (ICC = .8) was demonstrated. One way ANOVA for FIM ratings for the 3 groups demonstrated significant differences for both the motor subscale, F(2,46) = 34.71, p < .05, and the cognitive subscales, F(2,46) = 12.42, p < .05. CONCLUSION: Construct validity of the FIM was demonstrated. High test-retest reliability was demonstrated. Environmental context and operational definitions influenced FIM ratings. Subjects' FIM ratings, abilities, and time to complete the locomotor walking item correlated with their current residence in increasingly dependent environments. These findings suggest that with certain caveats, the FIM may be useful as a functional assessment instrument for persons who are 80 or more years old.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1991

Intratester and intertester reliability of the cervical range of motion device.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the intratester and intertester reliability of the Cervical Range of Motion instrument (CROM) for measuring cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. Twenty able-bodied subjects were tested by two testers on two different occasions. Pearson product-moment correlations for intratester reliability ranged from .63 to .90 for tester one and from .62 to .91 for tester two. Intertester reliability was good. Coefficients ranged from .80 to .87 for session one and .74 to .85 for session two. Paired data t-tests showed that there were no significant differences between testers or sessions (p = .01). The results suggest that the CROM has acceptable intratester and intertester reliability. The CROM has many benefits including ease of application and reliability. More research is needed on patients with cervical dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Intertester reliability of the hand-held dynamometer for wrist flexion and extension.

This study was conducted to determine the intertester reliability of a hand-held dynamometer for the wrist flexor and extensor muscles. Using the break test on 20 healthy subjects, three testers obtained two measures of strength for each muscle group. The data were analyzed using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients, intraclass correlations, and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures. Our Pearson product-moment correlations ranged from 0.89 to 0.95 for the intertester reliability of the wrist extensors and 0.90 to 0.93 for the wrist flexors, whereas the intraclass coefficients were 0.91 and 0.85, respectively. Although these correlations were high, ANOVA tests revealed that significant differences existed between testers for both the wrist flexion and extension data (p less than .05). From these results we concluded that although the correlations between testers were good, ANOVA tests suggested that there was limited reliability between testers.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Intertester reliability and concurrent validity of fluid-based and universal goniometers for active knee flexion.

This study was designed 1) to determine the intertester reliability of the universal goniometer and the fluid-based goniometer and 2) to establish the concurrent validity of the fluid-based goniometer. Two testers measured active knee flexion of 20 healthy subjects (15 women, 5 men) using both instruments. The subjects had a mean age of 24.8 years (s = 5.5) and reported no previous history of pathological conditions of the right lower extremity. Using a correlational design, high intertester reliability was established for each instrument (universal goniometer, r = .87; fluid-based goniometer, r = .83). The concurrent validity of the fluid-based goniometer was also good for both testers (tester A, r = .83; tester B, r = .82). When the data were subjected to t tests, significant differences were found between the instruments for each tester (p less than .05). The results suggest that similar measurements will be obtained between therapists using the universal and fluid-based goniometers; however, the two instruments cannot be used interchangeably in the clinic.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Relationship between academic achievement and clinical performance in a physical therapy education program.

This study was performed to ascertain whether a relationship exists between physical therapy students' preprofessional academic achievement and their academic or clinical performance while attending professional school. A comparison was also made between professional academic achievement and clinical performance. The records of three classes of graduates (N = 65) were examined in relation to preprofessional grade point average, professional grade point average, and clinical performance. Pearson product-moment correlations showed no significant relationship between preprofessional and professional academic achievement or preprofessional academic achievement and clinical performance. The correlation between professional academic achievement and clinical performance was higher, but did not reach statistical significance. This study did find that preprofessional and professional grade point averages were related. The authors urge further study of current admission criteria and their relationship to clinical performance.

Achievement↗
PubMed1988

Concurrent validity and intertester reliability of universal and fluid-based goniometers for active elbow range of motion.

The purposes of this study were 1) to establish the concurrent validity of the universal goniometer and the fluid-based goniometer and 2) to determine the intertester reliability of these two instruments. A correlational study was performed in which two testers used the universal goniometer and the fluid-based goniometer in measuring elbow range of motion in 30 healthy subjects. The fluid-based goniometer had high intertester reliability (R = .92), and the standard goniometer had poor reliability (R = .53). The Pearson product-moment correlation between the two instruments was .83. A significant difference was shown between the standard goniometer and the fluid-based goniometer by the t test (t = 4.4, df = 28, p less than .05). The results support the use of the fluid-based goniometer between testers on elbow range of motion; however, the two instruments cannot be used interchangeably.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Relationship between plasma somatomedin C and muscle performance in a geriatric male population.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain if a relationship existed between plasma somatomedin C (SmC) level, as an indicator of growth hormone secretion, and muscle performance. Eighteen community-dwelling men between the ages of 65 and 80 comprised the sample group. Muscle strength, power and endurance were measured isokinetically on the elbow flexors and extensors and on the knee flexors and extensors. No relationship was found between plasma SmC levels and measures of muscle performance (P greater than 0.05). The limitations of this study as well as suggestions for future studies were discussed. Further research is needed to assess the effects of growth hormone on muscle performance.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Effects of an inverted position on blood pressure, pulse rate, and deep tendon reflexes of healthy young adults.

This study reports the effects of an inverted position on pulse rate, blood pressure, and deep tendon reflexes of the biceps muscle, triceps muscle, and Achilles tendon. Twenty healthy adults were used as subjects. We collected data both before and after the subjects were in the inverted position for eight minutes on a specially designed tonic labyrinthine inverted table. A significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and all tendon reflexes was observed along with a significant increase in diastolic blood pressure (p less than .05). Pulse rate showed no change. The findings indicate that the inverted position is likely to be effective for decreasing muscle tone and systolic blood pressure. Although this study used healthy subjects, the inverted position may be used as a therapeutic technique, provided the clinician monitors closely the physiological effects on patients.

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMed1983

Objective assessment with establishment of normal values for lumbar spinal range of motion.

The purpose of this article is to present an assessment method, in conjunction with age-related normal values, for lumbar spinal range of motion. Lumbar flexion, lumbar extension, and right and left lateral flexion were measured on 172 subjects by a combination of goniometry and spinal distraction techniques. Normal values are given for six age groups; each group had a range of 10 years. The results demonstrate that a significant decrease in lumbar spinal range of motion is expected with increasing age. The interobserver reliability based on 17 subjects was substantial for the four measurements taken; coefficients ranged from +.76 to +1.0. The information may prove useful to the clinician as an improved method for assessing the lumbar spine.

Adult↗