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Results for “functional performance”

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PubMed1990

Affect, affective disorder and schizophrenia. A neuropsychological investigation of right hemisphere function.

Performance on a happy-sad chimeric face test was used to examine the role of right hemisphere activation in positive and negative affect, both normal and abnormal, as well as in schizophrenia. This test is known to elicit a left-sided perceptual bias in right-handed normal subjects. Happy and sad mood in normals did not influence the perceptual bias. Depression and mania were associated with reduced and increased biases respectively, while schizophrenics showed no bias to either side. Possible explanations are right hemisphere hyperfunction in mania, moderate relative hypofunction in depression, and severe relative hypofunction in schizophrenia. The marked difference between mania and schizophrenia supports distinct pathophysiologies underlying the two conditions.

Affect↗

PubMed2001

Long-term outcome of meniscectomy: symptoms, function, and performance tests in patients with or without radiographic osteoarthritis compared to matched controls.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the long-term influence of meniscectomy on pain, functional limitations, and muscular performance. To assess the effects of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA), gender and age on these outcomes in patients with meniscectomy. DESIGN: 159 subjects (35 women), mean age 53 years, were examined 19 (17-22) years after open meniscectomy. Self-reported symptoms and function were assessed, performance tests were carried out and radiographs were taken. Sixty-eight age- and gender-matched controls were examined likewise. The data was analysed in two steps. First, subjects with meniscectomy were compared to the controls, and subgroup analyses were carried out with regard to radiographic OA, gender and age. Second, similar comparisons were carried out within the meniscectomized group. RESULTS: Meniscectomized subjects reported significantly (P< 0.001) more symptoms and functional limitations than did controls. This was also true when operated subjects without OA were compared to controls without OA. Within the meniscectomized group, severe radiographic OA (joint space narrowing grade 2 or more) and female gender, but not older age, was associated with more symptoms and functional limitations. Meniscectomy was associated with worse muscular performance. Female gender and older age were associated with worse muscular performance in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Meniscectomy is associated with long-term symptoms and functional limitations, especially in women. Patients who had developed severe radiographic OA experienced more symptoms and functional limitations. Age did not influence self-reported outcomes, however older age was associated with worse muscular performance.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1992

Effects of aging on adult hand function.

The effects that normal aging have on adult hand function and functional performance are not well understood. An empirical study was conducted examining relationships between prehension pattern type and frequency, hand strength, and performance time in functional tasks. Four groups of 10 adults were selected by age and gender, ranging from 24 to 87 years. Subjects were asked to pour milk into a cup and remove money from a wallet while being videotaped. Prehension patterns were identified with a functionally based classification system. Grip and three types of pinch were measured with a dynamometer and a pinch gauge. Prehension pattern selection did not seem to differ with age. Statistically significant differences in age were found for prehension pattern frequency, hand strength, and performance time. Nondysfunctional older subjects were observed resetting identical prehension patterns secondary to lateral pinch weakness, which contributed to increased prehension pattern frequency and performance time. Hand function seemed to remain stable until age 65 years, after which it diminished slowly. After age 75 years, age differences in performance were most apparent.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Performance-intensity functions at absolute and masked thresholds.

In most applications of audibility and articulation theories, it is assumed that absolute thresholds and thermal noise maskers affect speech recognition performance-intensity (P-I) functions similarly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate that assumption. Performance-intensity functions for NU-6 monosyllabic words were obtained from eight normal-hearing subjects in quiet and in the presence of two levels of a noise that produced masked pure-tone thresholds parallel to, but higher than, those of each individual in quiet. The results support the practice of treating absolute threshold as a noise-masked threshold in predictions of speech recognition performance.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1989

Does lung function limit performance in a 24-hour ultramarathon?

Based on observations of impaired lung function after marathon and ultramarathon running, it was hypothesized that the decline in running speed during a 24-h ultramarathon may be explained, in part, by ventilatory muscle fatigue. To test this hypothesis, ten competitors in the 1988 TAC/USA National 24-h Championship performed a battery of pulmonary function tests every 3 h during the race. The tests included measurement of inspiratory capacity, peak flow, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec, maximum voluntary ventilation for 12 sec (MVV12), and maximal respiratory pressures. Running speed was averaged over 3-h periods. MVV12 was significantly decreased (17%), but only after 24 h of running. All other ventilatory measures tended to decrease over time but the changes were not significant. However, after correcting for between-subject differences in running speed, the variance in MVV12 accounted for 39% (P less than 0.0001) of the variance in running speed. It was concluded that the decrease in ventilatory muscle endurance may constrain running speed in extremely prolonged running events.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Systematic Review on the Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation Therapy on Enhancing Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Outcomes after Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA) effectively alleviate chronic pain and improve joint function and quality of life. However, postoperative recovery is often hindered by pain, edema, restricted range of motion (ROM), and muscle weakness, necessitating structured physical rehabilitation. Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) has been proposed as an adjunct modality to enhance rehabilitation outcomes. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of PBMT in reducing postoperative pain and edema as well as improving ROM and functional performance compared with placebo or standard physical therapy in post-arthroplasty patients. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar was conducted from inception to May 31, 2025. Only prospective controlled trials assessing PBMT effects on postoperative pain, swelling, ROM, or functional performance following TKA or THA were included. Case reports, uncontrolled studies, and trials focusing on unrelated outcomes were excluded. Article selection involved title, abstract, and full-text screening, with additional studies identified through reference lists. The review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251123169). RESULTS: Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs; n = 133 participants) met the inclusion criteria, three studies focused on TKA, and one study examined THA. PBMT significantly improved postoperative pain and edema reduction in three trials, while two studies demonstrated enhanced ROM and functional outcomes compared with control or placebo interventions. PEDro scores ranged from 8 to 10, indicating moderate-to-high methodological quality. CONCLUSIONS: PBMT shows promising short-term benefits in reducing postoperative pain and swelling and improving functional performance after knee or hip arthroplasty. However, due to heterogeneity in treatment parameters and limited high-quality trials, conclusive evidence remains insufficient. Future large-scale RCTs with standardized PBMT parameters and extended follow-up are warranted to confirm its clinical efficacy.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Work-related hand injuries: case analyses in a Brazilian rehabilitation service.

PURPOSE: Professionals who work with rehabilitation of the hand usually assess performance components as their main outcome measures. Intervention is aimed at normalization of deficits of these components, with the expectation that the integrity of the structures and functions of the body will revert to improvements in the client's functional performance. The objectives of this study were to describe changes in patients who received rehabilitation in a Brazilian public hospital after having suffered hand injuries due to workplace accidents, and to examine the relations between performance components and levels of functioning. METHODS: Observational cross-sectional study was used. A convenience sample was selected, including 42 patients assessed at service admission and at discharge. Assessed characteristics included grip strength, wrist and finger range of movement (ROM), sensitivity, and self-perceptions of functional performance (COPM). Statistical procedures included correlations between performance components and COPM scores and differences on selected variables at admission and discharge. RESULTS: Significant improvements in all assessed functional components. COPM values increased more than 100% after intervention (effect size d = 1.996 for performance and d = 1.553 for satisfaction) demonstrating improvements in both domains. Low correlations between grip strength and COPM scores were found only at admission (r = 0.314; p = 0.045). When the relationship between gains in strength and COPM scores at discharge were examined, significant correlations were found with the performance (r = 0.324; p = 0.039) and satisfaction (r = 0.0326; p = 0.038) subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study provide evidence for functional gains in clients treated in a rehabilitation service and supply information about the relation between specific components and functional performance.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1984

Validity of various function tests performed in Japan as a screening test for vibration syndrome.

In Japan, various function tests on the upper extremities are widely performed for the early diagnosis of vibration syndrome. The validity of these function tests was investigated by discriminant function analysis. The correct classification rate of the 120 workers exposed to vibration and the 40 control workers was 83.1%, when including the exposure-to-cold test. Therefore, the function tests were confirmed to be of diagnostic significance as a screening test for vibration syndrome. However, the rate is not sufficient to make a diagnosis only with the function tests. When not including the exposure-to-cold test, the rate was reduced by 10% because insidious functional disorders were missed in the early stage. For the early diagnosis of vibration syndrome, the exposure-to-cold test should be included in the function tests. Furthermore, to enhance the validity of the diagnosis, the results of the function tests should be evaluated together with subjective symptoms and the findings on bones and joints, the central nervous system and the endocrine system.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Functional investigation in children with spina bifida -- measured by the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI).

OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional performance in children with spina bifida, using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). A comparison was also made between the functional performance of children with myelomeningocele (MMC) and lipomyelomeningocele (LMC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-six children with MMC and 37 cases with LMC were enrolled in this study. There was no significant difference in gender, age or method of birth delivery between these two study groups. The normative standard scores of PEDI for children with spina bifida were all below the mean standard scores found in non-disabled children, but still within the average range, with exception of mobility score in the MMC group. Patients' neurological level, walking ability, intelligence, independence in activities of daily living, and bowel function showed significant correlation with the PEDI scores ( P<0.05) in the children with MMC. In comparing these two disease groups, the MMC had higher neurological level, poorer walking ability and poorer bladder and bowel function than did the LMC ( P<.05). The former also had significantly lower PEDI scores in the mobility and social function domains. PEDI provided valuable information regarding overall functional performance in daily life for children with spina bifida. CONCLUSION: This information is extremely important for planning a comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation program.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Measuring balance in the elderly: validation of an instrument.

This study assessed the validity of the Balance Scale by examining: how Scale scores related to clinical judgements and self-perceptions of balance, laboratory measures of postural sway and external criteria reflecting balancing ability; if scores could predict falls in the elderly; and how they related to motor and functional performance in stroke patients. Elderly residents (N = 113) were assessed for functional performance and balance regularly over a nine-month period. Occurrence of falls was monitored for a year. Acute stroke patients (N = 70) were periodically rated for functional independence, motor performance and balance for over three months. Thirty-one elderly subjects were assessed by clinical and laboratory indicators reflecting balancing ability. The Scale correlated moderately with caregiver ratings, self-ratings and laboratory measures of sway. Differences in mean Scale scores were consistent with the use of mobility aids by elderly residents and differentiated stroke patients by location of follow-up. Balance scores predicted the occurrence of multiple falls among elderly residents and were strongly correlated with functional and motor performance in stroke patients.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2001

Predictors of decline in self-assessments of health among older people--a 5-year longitudinal study.

Within the framework of the Evergreen project we examined how changes in several indicators of health and functioning and physical activity predicted a decline in self-assessments of health evaluated over a 5-year period in older people by two different measurements: self-rated health (SRH) and self-assessed change in health (SACH). The study group comprised all 75-year-old persons born in 1914 (N = 382) and living in Jyväskylä, a town in central Finland. At baseline in 1989, 91.6%, and at follow-up 5 years later in 1994, 87.3% of those eligible participated in the interview and 77.2 and 71.3%, respectively, in the examinations in the study centre, focusing on different domains of health and functional capacity. One-fifth of the subjects reported a deterioration in and one-fifth an improvement in SRH over the 5 years. The rest gave identical self-assessments of their health at baseline and at follow-up in response to the same question. Decline in SRH was associated with a decrease in physical activity and cognitive capacity. When asked directly about changes in their health (SACH), however, half the subjects said their health had declined. Negative SACH over the 5-year period was related to an increased number of chronic conditions, deterioration in functional performance and physical activity, and to the number of chronic conditions at baseline. We suggest that ageing people adapt to changes in their objective health and functional performance: the majority tend to assess their health as similar to or even better with increasing age despite an increase in chronic diseases and decline in functional performance. However, a negative SACH indicates that older people are realistic about these negative changes. These results support the assumption that the two subjective measurements of change in health are based on different criteria: assessment of current general health status tends to be based on inter-individual comparison, whereas assessment of change in health over a given time period may be based on intra-individual comparison. Physical activity seems to be an important factor when older people assess their health.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1997

Structured pluralism: towards an innovative model for health system reform in Latin America.

Health systems throughout the world are searching for better ways of responding to present and future challenges. Latin America is no exception in this innovative process. Health systems in this region have to face a dual challenge: on the one hand, they must deal with a backlog of accumulated problems characteristic of underdeveloped societies; on the other hand, they are already facing a set of emerging problems characteristic of industrialized countries. This paper aims at analyzing the performance of current health systems in Latin America, while proposing an innovative model to promote equity, quality, and efficiency. We first develop a conceptualization of health systems in terms of the relationships between populations and institutions. In order to meet population needs, health systems must perform four basic functions. Two of these-financing and delivery-are conventional functions performed by every health system. The other two have often been carried out only in an implicit way or not at all. These neglected functions are 'modulation' (a broader concept than regulation, which involves setting transparent and fair rules of the game) and 'articulation' (which makes it possible to organize and manage a series of transactions among members of the population, financing agencies, and providers so that resources can flow into the production and consumption of services). Based on this conceptual framework, the paper offers a classification of current health system models in Latin America. The most frequent one, the segmented model, is criticized because it segregates the different social groups into three segments: the ministry of health, the social security institute(s), and the private sector. Each of these is vertically integrated, so that it performs all functions but only for a particular group. As an alternative, we propose a model of 'structured pluralism', which would turn the current system around by organizing it according to functions rather than social groups. In this model, modulation would become the central mission of the ministry of health, which would move out of the direct provision of personal health services. Financing would be the main function of social security institutes, which would be gradually extended to protect the entire population. The articulation function would be made explicit by fostering the establishment of 'organizations for health services articulation', which would perform a series of crucial activities, including the competitive enrollment of populations into health plans in exchange for a risk-adjusted capitation, the specification of explicit packages of benefits or interventions, the organization of networks of providers so as to structure consumer choices, the design and implementation of incentives to providers through payment mechanisms, and the management of quality of care. Finally, the delivery function would be open to pluralism that would be adapted to differential needs of urban and rural populations. After examining the convergence of various reform initiatives towards elements of the structured pluralism model, the paper reviews both the technical instruments and the political strategies for implementing changes. The worldwide health reform movement needs to sustain a systematic sharing of the unique learning opportunity that each reform experience represents.

Delivery of Health Care↗

PubMed1985

Effects of enalapril in heart failure: a double blind study of effects on exercise performance, renal function, hormones, and metabolic state.

Several studies have shown symptomatic and haemodynamic improvement after the introduction of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with heart failure treated with diuretics. The concomitant long term effects of the new orally effective long acting angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, on symptoms, exercise performance, cardiac function, arrhythmias, hormones, electrolytes, body composition, and renal function have been further assessed in a placebo controlled double blind cross over trial with treatment periods of eight weeks. Twenty patients with New York Heart Association functional class II to IV heart failure who were clinically stable on digoxin and diuretic therapy were studied. Apart from the introduction of enalapril, regular treatment was not changed over the study period; no order or period effects were noted. Enalapril treatment significantly improved functional class, symptom score for breathlessness, and exercise tolerance. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower on enalapril treatment. Echocardiographic assessment indicated a reduction in left ventricular dimensions and an improvement in systolic time intervals. In response to enalapril, the plasma concentration of angiotensin II was reduced and that of active renin rose; plasma concentrations of aldosterone, vasopressin, and noradrenaline fell. There were significant increases in serum potassium and serum magnesium on enalapril. Glomerular filtration rate measured both by isotopic techniques and by creatinine clearance declined on enalapril while serum urea and creatinine rose and effective renal plasma flow increased. Body weight and total body sodium were unchanged indicating that there was no overall diuresis. There was a statistically insignificant rise in total body potassium, though the increase was related directly to pretreatment plasma renin (r = 0.5). On enalapril the improvement in symptoms, exercise performance, fall in plasma noradrenaline, and rise in serum potassium coincided with a decline in the frequency of ventricular extrasystoles recorded during ambulatory monitoring. Adverse effects were few. In patients with heart failure, enalapril had a beneficial effect on symptoms and functional capacity. The decline in glomerular filtration rate on enalapril may not be beneficial in early heart failure.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2004

Comparative study on adhesive performance of functional monomers.

Mild self-etch adhesives demineralize dentin only partially, leaving hydroxyapatite around collagen within a submicron hybrid layer. We hypothesized that this residual hydroxyapatite may serve as a receptor for chemical interaction with the functional monomer and, subsequently, contribute to adhesive performance in addition to micro-mechanical hybridization. We therefore chemically characterized the adhesive interaction of 3 functional monomers with synthetic hydroxyapatite, using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. We further characterized their interaction with dentin ultra-morphologically, using transmission electron microscopy. The monomer 10-methacryloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (10-MDP) readily adhered to hydroxyapatite. This bond appeared very stable, as confirmed by the low dissolution rate of its calcium salt in water. The bonding potential of 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitic acid (4-MET) was substantially lower. The monomer 2-methacryloxyethyl phenyl hydrogen phosphate (phenyl-P) and its bond to hydroxyapatite did not appear to be hydrolytically stable. Besides self-etching dentin, specific functional monomers have additional chemical bonding efficacy that is expected to contribute to their adhesive potential to tooth tissue.

Adhesiveness↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Predicting recovery using continuous low back pain outcome measures.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: There is a lack of research evaluating multiple follow-up visits, specifically when using continuous outcome measures. Continuous outcome measures with several follow-up assessments would allow us to evaluate rate of recovery. PURPOSE: To predict low back pain outcomes based on the quantification of initial conditions. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This was a prospective study where patients were enrolled within the first month of low back pain symptoms and evaluated for 3 months. Patients were recruited from several primary care facilities. PATIENT SAMPLE: Thirty-two patients with local low back pain symptoms were recruited for the study. OUTCOME MEASURES: There were four major outcome measures, including functional performance probability, symptom intensity, impairment of activities of daily living, and a summary outcome measure. METHODS: Regression models were constructed using the initial conditions, including psychological, psychosocial, physical workplace, and personal factors, to predict the rate of recovery for each outcome measure. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients completed the study. The r2 value for the rate of recovery regression models were 0.77 symptom intensity prediction, 0.85 activities of daily living prediction, 0.87 functional performance probability prediction, and 0.96 summary outcome measure prediction. Two functional performance patterns of recovery were found, including a steady improvement and a large jump in improvement. A discriminant function model identified the pattern of recovery in 91% of cases given initial conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous outcome measures can be accurately predicted given the initial conditions.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1987

Detecting changes in functional ability in women with premenstrual syndrome.

There has been a lack of objective assessment of the disruptive effect that the symptomatology of premenstrual syndrome has on the functional performance of affected women. This study assessed the functional performance of women with premenstrual syndrome at four phases of the menstrual cycle. Twelve women with premenstrual syndrome and nine asymptomatic women were tested on four functional instruments at the menstrual, early follicular, early luteal, and late luteal phases. Two tests of a paper-and-pencil type measured perceptual parameters, and two tests involving manipulation of objects measured manual dexterity. Mean performance on the Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Test--Part II, which tests fine motor function, was better at the late luteal testing, compared to the early follicular testing, in asymptomatic women but was worse in the women with premenstrual syndrome. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.015). No significant differences between groups in performance changes were observed for the other functional tests. The Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Test-Part II is an objective measure that is potentially valuable in therapeutic trials involving patients with premenstrual syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

Two cell division cycle mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are defective in transmission of mitochondria to zygotes.

Mutations in CDC genes of S. cerevisiae disrupt the cell cycle at specific stages. The experiments reported here demonstrate that two CDC genes, CDC5 and CDC27, are necessary for mitochondrial segregation as well as for nuclear division. The defect in the transmission of mitochondria was revealed by the examination of uninucleate and binucleate progeny of transient heterokaryons generated by using the kar1-1 mutation that disrupts nuclear fusion. One of the parents lacked mitochondrial DNA (rho(0)) whereas the other parent had functional mitochondria (rho(+)). When the parents of the heterokaryon were both wild-type (CDC), nearly all progeny received mitochondria at 21 degrees and at 34 degrees . Thirty-four of the 36 cdc mutations tested had no defect in transmission of mitochondria to zygotic progeny in crosses in which one parent was a cdc mutant and the other parent was not (CDC). However, the cdc5 and cdc27 mutations prevented the transmission of mitochondria to cdc progeny at 34 degrees but not at 21 degrees ; CDC progeny received mitochondria at either temperature. This defect was observed in crosses of cdc5 or cdc27 by wild-type cells regardless of which parent donated mitochondria to the zygote. The defect in mitochondrial transmission cosegregated in meiotic tetrads with the defect in mitosis demonstrating that both are likely to be caused by the same temperature-sensitive mutation. These results indicate that the CDC5 and CDC27 gene products are essential in two motility-related processes: mitochondrial movement from the zygote to the progeny and in mitosis.-Furthermore, the results suggest that the function performed by the CDC5 and CDC27 gene products for mitochondrial transmission differ in some fundamental way from the function performed for mitosis. The function necessary for mitosis can be supplied to the cdc5 (or cdc27) nucleus by the CDC5 (or CDC27) nucleus in the same heterokaryon but the function necessary for mitochondrial transmission cannot. Perhaps the function needed for mitochondrial transmission must be performed in the cell cycle preceding the actual segregation of mitochondria whereas the function needed for nuclear segregation can be performed at the time that mitosis occurs.

Cell Cycle↗

PubMed2003

Baseline balance and functional decline in older adults with knee pain: the Observational Arthritis Study in Seniors.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal effect of baseline balance, independent of multiple covariates (sociodemographic variables, comorbidities), on self-reported disability and several measures of functional performance. DESIGN: Observational Arthritis Study in Seniors was a community-based longitudinal study. SETTING: Data collection was conducted at an exercise science research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 245 women and 235 men, aged 65 and older, with self-reported knee pain. MEASUREMENTS: Measurements of balance, self-reported disability, functional performance, strength, sociodemographic characteristics, disease burden (including radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA)), and functional limitations were obtained on participants at baseline and 30 months. The four outcome measures (self-reported disability, stair climb time, car time, preferred walking speed) were also collected at 15 months. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analyses, baseline balance was significantly associated with each of the four outcome measures before adjusting for baseline knee strength. After adjusting for knee strength, baseline balance remained significantly associated with all functional performance outcomes and self-reported disability. In longitudinal analyses, baseline balance had a significant effect on car-time performance, whereby individuals in the lowest quartile of baseline balance scores declined in a quadratic manner from baseline to Month 30. CONCLUSION: Baseline balance, independent of strength and various other covariates, is an important component of performance for transfer and ambulatory tasks and for self-reported disability. Balance was predictive of change in performance over time only in a task that presented a significant challenge to the lateral mobility/stability of participants. Balance was not predictive of decline in ambulatory performance-based tasks or in self-reported disability.

Age Factors↗