PURPOSE This review gives an overview of the current state of research regarding the effectiveness of mirror therapy in upper extremity function. METHOD A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies concerning mirror therapy in upper extremity. The included journal articles were reviewed according to a structured diagram and the methodological quality was assessed. RESULT...

Asking patients to determine the laterality (i.e. left or right) of images depicting parts of the body has been an intriguing development within the management of patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Such Laterality Recognition Tasks (LRTs) are known to involve the mental rotation of one’s own limbs [1–3], activating areas of the brain involved in the execution of related limb m...

BACKGROUND A randomized trial was performed to assess the effect of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on detection and pain thresholds for pressure, warmth, and cold and on the extent of mechanical hyperalgesia in patients with chronic complex regional pain syndrome type I. METHODS Fifty-four chronic complex regional pain syndrome type I patients were randomized to receive both SCS and physical t...

OBJECTIVES This study synthesized current research evidence on the effectiveness of physiotherapy for the management of children diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1), to provide up-to-date physiotherapy treatment recommendations, and to identify areas that require further investigation. METHODS Nine electronic databases were searched for quantitative studies that eval...

The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association estimates that the CRPS affects between 200,000 and 1.2 million Americans. The underlying causes of the syndrome have yet to be defined, and no definitive diagnostic test exists even though CRPS was first described in the late 19th century by the neurologist Silas Weir Mitchell. Mitchell referred to the cluster of symptoms he noticed in some...

Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen Centre of Evidence Based Practice, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nijmegen Centre of Evidence Based Practice, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands c Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Nijmegen Centre of Evidence Based Practice, Radboud Uni...

OBJECTIVE To determine if treatment of longstanding complex regional pain syndrome type 1, focusing on functional improvement only while neglecting pain, results in clinical improvement of this syndrome. DESIGN Prospective description of a case series of 106 patients. SETTING Outpatient clinic for rehabilitation. INTERVENTIONS Physical therapy of the affected limb directed at a functional...

This study aimed at evaluating the sensitivity, specificity, reliability and repeatability of observer assessment of thermographic images taken from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) type 1. A computer program was developed to let observers rate the difference between randomly presented thermographic images of pairs of hands of individuals. The sensitivity and specificity, and potential lea...

OBJECTIVE To determine the place of a novel Upper Limb Activity Monitor in the field of instruments measuring functioning and health in upper limb complex regional pain syndrome type I, by exploring the correlation between the Upper Limb Activity Monitor and 4 questionnaires. METHOD Subjects (n = 30) were measured at home and correlations were calculated between the Upper Limb Activity Monito...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Anesthesiologists are increasingly utilizing the Internet for personal and professional purposes. Without guidance, the task of searching the Internet for information may be time-consuming and frustrating. This article includes a basic introduction to the Internet with suggestions and guidelines for accessing information resources. Future articles will address locating...