BACKGROUND: Despite the high incidence of muscle weakness in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neuron disease (MND), the effects of exercise in this population are not well understood. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to systematically review randomised and quasi-randomised studies of exercise for people with ALS or MND. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the […]
Abstract Topics: Program Evaluation
Economic evaluation of blind rehabilitation for veterans with macular diseases in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
PURPOSE: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Low Vision Intervention Trial (LOVIT) developed an outpatient low-vision programme for patients with macular diseases providing low-vision rehabilitation comparable to VA inpatient blind rehabilitation centres (BRCs). This programme targets veterans who do not need or chose not to participate in a comprehensive inpatient blind rehabilitation programme. We examined […]
The impact of the “Stirrup Some Fun” therapeutic horseback riding program: a qualitative investigation.
Therapeutic horseback riding is an intervention utilizing horses in the treatment of individuals with emotional, cognitive, and/or physical disabilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived impact of a therapeutic riding program on children with mild to moderate physical and mental disabilities. Two groups of participants including five children (with a variety […]
Outcomes of a home cycling program using functional electrical stimulation or passive motion for children with spinal cord injury: a case series.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Children with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at risk for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular complications. Stationary cycling using functional electrical stimulation (FES) or passive motion has been suggested to address these complications. The purpose of this case series is to report the outcomes of a 6-month at-home cycling program for 4 children with SCI. METHODS: […]
Evaluation of a combined supported computer education and employment training program for persons with psychiatric disabilities.
Meaningful work is described as one of the functional indicators of healing and growth beyond the disability and is seen as critical in recovering a personal sense of worth and value. We describe a supported education-supported employment program which focused on teaching computer, recovery and work skills. A program evaluation was implemented on four consecutive […]
Caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities: virtual patient instruction improves students’ knowledge and comfort level.
Nurses play a vital role in providing health care to children with developmental disability (DD) throughout the United States. Unfortunately, most nurses continue to report that they receive little or no clinical education in the area of DDs. In response to this need, a core development team consisting of nurse practitioners and nursing faculty from […]
Well balanced: 8 steps to wellness for adults with mental illness and diabetes.
Serious mental illness places a tremendous burden on clients, their families, and behavioral and medical health care providers. The co-occurrence of diabetes with mental illness may further compromise daily functioning. Psychiatric nurses can make a significant difference in improving the health and medical outcomes of this client population. A partnership was developed between the University […]
Internet education for spinal cord injury patients: focus on urinary management.
The goal of this project was to develop a Web site with articles that focus on urinary self-care management for those with spinal cord injuries. The investigator wrote 18 articles on topics that were selected by two review panels–one whose members have long-term spinal cord injuries and another consisting of rehabilitation nurses. The panel members […]
Preparing for adulthood: a systematic review of life skill programs for youth with physical disabilities.
PURPOSE: With advances in health care, an increasing number of youth with physical disabilities are surviving into adulthood. For youth to reach their full potential, a number of critical life skills must be learned. Specific learning opportunities are important as youth with physical disabilities may be limited in the life experiences necessary to acquire these […]
Pool exercise for individuals with fibromyalgia.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The benefits of general aerobic exercise for individuals with fibromyalgia have been established. Recently, there have been a number of randomized controlled trials that evaluate the benefits of pool exercise for fibromyalgia. This review will integrate the results of eight pool exercise studies that have been published in the last 7 years. […]