Objectives. To quantify the association between performance-based manual wheelchair propulsion tests (20 m propulsion test, slalom test, and 6 min propulsion test), trunk and upper extremity (U/E) strength, and seated reaching capability and to establish which ones of these variables best predict performance at these tests. Methods. 15 individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) performed the t...

BACKGROUND Grip muscle force has always been used to assess functional limitations in elderly. Its use as a tool to assess work capacity has never been described in the literature. OBJECTIVE To describe the patent determinants of grip strength and the usefulness of its measurement in assessing workability index in the healthcare sector. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a...

BACKGROUND Haemodialysis patients have impaired exercise tolerance that may be related to impaired carnitine availability and/or alterations in carnitine metabolism. As carnitine metabolism is sex- and age-related, we examined plasma free and esterified carnitine concentrations, muscle strength, and estimated exercise tolerance in female (n=51) and male (n=63) patients of different ages (18-86 ...

BACKGROUND Assessment of dynamic changes in painful experiences, such as labour, using conventional rating scales (eg, numerical rating scale [NRS]) has limitations. An alternative for continuous pain evaluation could be a signal generated by voluntary action of the parturient. Remifentanil administration for obstetric analgesia could be improved by these dynamic measures of labour pain. In the...

Purpose. This is a secondary analysis of previously published data to investigate the effects of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on strength of various muscle groups in critically ill patients. Methods. One hundred forty-two consecutive patients, with APACHE II score ≥ 13, were randomly assigned to the EMS or the control group. EMS sessions were applied daily on vastus lateralis, vastus med...

Intensive care unit (ICU) acquired muscle weakness (ICUAW) is a clinically detected condition characterized by diffuse, symmetric weakness involving the limbs and respiratory muscles.(1) Patients have different degrees of limb muscle weakness and are dependent on a ventilator, while the facial muscles are spared. Diagnosis of ICUAW requires that no plausible etiology other than critical illness...