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Research Interests: Stroke, Humans, Walking, Chronic Disease, Female, and 4 moreMale, Clinical Sciences, Middle Aged, and Lower Extremity
Research Interests: Adolescent, Stroke, Humans, Female, Male, and 5 moreYoung Adult, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Middle Aged, and Adult
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It has long been assumed that stroke patients plateau in their recovery within 3 to 6 months of their stroke, and evidence for rehabilitation during the chronic stage is limited. As a consequence, rehabilitation resources for the... more
It has long been assumed that stroke patients plateau in their recovery within 3 to 6 months of their stroke, and evidence for rehabilitation during the chronic stage is limited. As a consequence, rehabilitation resources for the management of chronic stroke are minimal. The primary objective was to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) across the continuum of stroke rehabilitation for interventions initiated 6 months or more following the onset of stroke. The secondary objective was to determine whether treatments provided post 6 moths are effective in improving outcomes among stroke survivors. Multiple databases were used to identify all RCTs published from 1970 to June 2012 in English language where the stroke interventions were initiated more than 6 months after the onset of the stroke. Data abstraction was performed using standardized data abstraction form that included general citation information, study participant characteristics, methodology, outcomes accessed, and overall findings. The results of our analysis revealed 339 RCTs. The mean number of subjects per study was 73. Two hundred fifty-six RCTs were related to motor recovery, 39 to cognitive function, and only 19 to psychosocial issues and community reintegration. The majority of the RCT s demonstrated a significant positive benefit. There is a robust evidence-base for stroke rehabilitation interventions in chronic stroke. This research synthesis reveals a paradox, whereby an impressive evidence-base contrasts with the limited optimism and resources available for rehabilitation in chronic stroke.
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ABSTRACT
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Systematic review and effectiveness analysis. Assess the effectiveness of anticonvulsants for the management of post spinal cord injury (SCI) neuropathic pain. Studies from multiple countries were included. CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE and... more
Systematic review and effectiveness analysis. Assess the effectiveness of anticonvulsants for the management of post spinal cord injury (SCI) neuropathic pain. Studies from multiple countries were included. CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched up to April 2013. Quality assessment was conducted using the Jadad and the Downs and Black tools. Effect sizes and odds ratios were calculated for primary and secondary outcome in the included studies. Gabapentinoids, valproate, lamotrigine, levetiracetam and carbamazepine were examined in the 13 included studies, ten of which are randomized controlled trials. Large effect size (0.873-3.362) for improvement of pain relief was found in 4 of the 6 studies examining the effectiveness of gabapentin. Pregabalin was shown to have a moderate to large effect (0.695-3.805) on improving neuropathic pain post SCI in 3 studies. Valproate and levetiracetam were not effective in improving neuropathic pain post SCI, while lamotrigine was effective in reducing neuropathic pain amongst persons with incomplete lesions and carbamazepine was found effective for relief of moderate to intense pain. Gabapentin and pregabalin are the two anticonvulsants which have been shown to have some benefit in reducing neuropathic pain.
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Many believe that a persistently reactive fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) is manifested with congenital syphilis after the age of 1 year, that it is useful in the retrospective diagnosis of children with congenital... more
Many believe that a persistently reactive fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) is manifested with congenital syphilis after the age of 1 year, that it is useful in the retrospective diagnosis of children with congenital syphilis, and that it can be used to confirm other treponemal tests. To determine whether a reactive FTA-ABS after the age of 12 months is indicative of congenital syphilis. Prospective outpatient follow-up evaluation until at least the age of 12 months was conducted for 194 babies born to mothers with reactive syphilis serology at delivery, and for two additional children with congenital syphilis diagnosed when they were younger than 1 year (total, 196 children). In the study group, 54 children had reactive FTA-ABS (reactors) until the age of at least 12 months or more, and 142 children had nonreactive FTA-ABS (nonreactors) at the age of 12 months or more. Of the 54 reactors, 17 (31%) had evidence of congenital syphilis at birth, whereas evidence of congenital syphilis was seen in 14 of the 142 (10%) nonreactors (P = 0.0002). At 15 months, nonreactive FTA-ABS developed in six reactors, and eventually in 15 of 44 reactors (34%) tested. A reactive FTA-ABS may be seen at 12 months in children with and without evidence of congenital syphilis at birth. Not all children with congenital syphilis will manifest reactive FTA-ABS at 12 months, and FTA-ABS reactivity wanes with time.
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Congenital syphilis (CS) is a result of untreated or inadequately treated maternal syphilis. CS is more likely with early stages of maternal syphilis, but most mothers lack signs or symptoms and the risk of CS is unclear. The goal of this... more
Congenital syphilis (CS) is a result of untreated or inadequately treated maternal syphilis. CS is more likely with early stages of maternal syphilis, but most mothers lack signs or symptoms and the risk of CS is unclear. The goal of this study was to evaluate Treponema pallidum IgM Western blot (TP IgM WB) and a T. pallidum IgM enzyme immunoassay (TP IgM ELISA) in mothers with syphilis to determine if positive tests better indicate a risk of CS than a rapid plasma reagin titer >/=1:16. Ninety-seven mother-baby pairs with reactive syphilis serology were evaluated. TP IgM WB tests were positive in 18 pregnancies (7 of 18 babies had CS) and negative in 79 pregnancies (7 of 82 babies had CS). Thirty-two mothers had titers >/=1:16 (6 babies with CS) and 65 mothers had titers </=1:8 (8 babies with CS). TP IgM tests better identify mothers at risk of delivering babies with CS than maternal titer >/=1:16.
Research Interests: Western blotting, Biological Sciences, Syphilis, Pregnancy, Humans, and 10 moreNew York City, Female, Sexually transmitted infections, Newborn Infant, Adult, Prenatal Diagnosis, Sensitivity and Specificity, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, and Predictive value of tests
Research Interests: Psychology, Anxiety Disorders, Rehabilitation, Evidence Based Medicine, Quality of life, and 15 moreTreatment Outcome, Rehabilitation Psychology, Spinal Cord Injury, Prospective studies, Humans, Major Depressive Disorder, Cognitive Therapy, Cognitive behavior therapy, Cohort Study, Randomised Controlled Trial, Systematic review, Scale Effect, Study design, Spinal Cord Injuries, and Level
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Abstract Various motion properties of an image can be computed by using normal flow measurements. Notable among these are focus of expansion, time to contact. Many VLSI systems that combine focal plane processing with imaging have been... more
Abstract Various motion properties of an image can be computed by using normal flow measurements. Notable among these are focus of expansion, time to contact. Many VLSI systems that combine focal plane processing with imaging have been proposed. However ...
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To examine mortality rates among older adults (≥60 years) post-traumatic brain injury (TBI). Systematic review and meta-analysis. Using multiple databases, a literature search was conducted for articles on mortality after TBI published up... more
To examine mortality rates among older adults (≥60 years) post-traumatic brain injury (TBI). Systematic review and meta-analysis. Using multiple databases, a literature search was conducted for articles on mortality after TBI published up to July 2011. Information on patient characteristics (age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), injury aetiology, etc.), mortality rates, time to death and study design was extracted and pooled. Twenty-four studies had an overall mortality rate of 38.3% (CI 27.1-50.9%). The odds of mortality for those over 75 years compared to those of 65-74 years was 1.734 (CI = 1.311-2.292; p < 0.0001). Pooled mortality rates for mild (GCS 13-15), moderate (GCS 9-12) and severe (GCS 3-8) head injuries were 12.3% (CI = 6.1-23.3%), 34.3% (CI = 19.5-53.0%) and 65.3% (CI = 53.1-75.9), respectively. Odds ratios comparing severe to mild and moderate to mild head injuries were 12.69 (CI = 5.29-30.45; p < 0.0001) and 5.31 (CI = 3.41-8.29; p < 0.0001), respectively. There was no significant difference in the odds of death between severe and moderate injuries (p = 0.116). These mortality rates associated with moderate and severe injuries may be attributed to complications, chronic disease prevalence, conservative management techniques or the consequences of biological ageing.
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Suffering a stroke can be a devastating and life-changing event. Although there is a large evidence base for stroke rehabilitation in the acute and subacute stages, it has been long accepted that patients with stroke reach a plateau in... more
Suffering a stroke can be a devastating and life-changing event. Although there is a large evidence base for stroke rehabilitation in the acute and subacute stages, it has been long accepted that patients with stroke reach a plateau in their rehabilitation recovery relatively early. We have recently published the results of a systematic review designed to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) where a rehabilitation intervention was initiated more than 6 months after the onset of the stroke. Of the trials identified, 339 RCTs met inclusion criteria, demonstrating an evidence base for stroke rehabilitation in the chronic phase as well. This seems at odds with the assumption that further recovery is unlikely and the subsequent lack of resources devoted to chronic stroke rehabilitation and management.
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Research Interests: Pain, Spinal Cord Injury, Cannabinoids, Humans, STEM (short form), and 11 moreRandomised Controlled Trial, Systematic review, Clinical Sciences, Baclofen, Public health systems and services research, Randomized Controlled Trial, Nervous System, Opioid Receptor, Spinal Cord Injuries, Epidemiologic Studies, and Analgesics
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BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers are a serious problem in the spinal cord injury (SCI) population, and approximately 85% will develop a pressure ulcer in their lifetime. Patient education is an important intervention in preventing and treating... more
BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers are a serious problem in the spinal cord injury (SCI) population, and approximately 85% will develop a pressure ulcer in their lifetime. Patient education is an important intervention in preventing and treating pressure ulcers in ...