Balance and gait improved in patients with MS after physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept

Background and Purpose . Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to have movement difficulties, and the effect of physiotherapy for this group of patients has been subjected to limited systematic research. In the present study physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept, applied to MS patients with balance and gait problems, was evaluated. The ability of different functional tests to demonstrate change was evaluated. Method . A single‐subject experimental study design with ABAA phases was used, and two patients with relapsing–remitting MS in stable phase were treated. Tests were performed 12 times, three at each phase: A (at baseline); B (during treatment); A (immediately after treatment); and A (after two months). The key feature of treatment was facilitation of postural activity and selective control of movement. Several performance and self‐report measures and interviews were used. Results . After intervention, improved balance was shown by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in both patients, and improved quality of gait was indicated by the Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment (RVGA). The patients also reported improved balance and gait function in the interviews and scored their condition as ‘much improved’. Gait parameters, recorded by an electronic walkway, changed, but differently in the two patients. Among the physical performance tests the BBS and the RVGA demonstrated the highest change, while no or minimal change was demonstrated by the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Conclusion . The findings indicate that balance and gait can be improved after physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept, but this should be further evaluated in larger controlled trials of patients with MS. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols

Two samples of kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols were examined in two time points in one academic year. About 85% of Chinese five year olds (mean = 5 years 10 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 30 or larger. At the end of the kindergarten year, 94% of Chinese six year olds (mean = 6 years 4 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 100 or larger. Some Chinese six year olds had problems in representing written addition and subtraction tasks. Children's ability to represent written number symbols, ability to represent written addition and subtraction formula and their performance on written addition and subtraction were closely related. The performance of children in a university-affiliated childcare center was better than that of the center serving working-class families in Time 1, but the performance reversed at the end of the kindergarten year.     

Reconstruction of a transmetatarsal amputation stump using a salvaged peroneal artery fasciocutaneous flap from the opposite leg: A case report

During lower extremity amputation, the objective is to provide a functional residual limb that permits maximum patient mobility and independence. Preservation of length of the fore part of the foot using salvageable tissue from the amputated part in young patients prevents equines deformity and revision of amputation to a higher level. This can be achieved using tissue available from the amputated part. The spare part concept in reconstructive surgery should be integrated into the trauma algorithm to avoid additional donor site morbidity. Reported here is a young adult patient with crush injuries to both feet, which resulted in amputations. A fasciocutaneous flap raised from one extremity was used to facilitate transmetatarsal amputation stump length preservation of the other extremity.     

Athletic identity and its relationship to sport participation levels

This study looked at the relationship between athletic identity and three levels of sport participation (elite, recreational, non-participation). Athletic identity was measured using the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS) with participants being compared on the total AIMS score and scores on its three factors (social identity, exclusivity, negative affectivity). Results indicated that the male non-participation group scored lower on all three factors and the total AIMS when compared to the two athlete groups. The male elite and recreational groups did not differ on exclusivity and negative affectivity but did differ on the total AIMS and social identity, with elite scoring higher than recreational. For female participants, the non-participation group again scored lower on all three factors and the total AIMS when compared to the two athlete groups. The female elite and recreational groups did not differ on negative affectivity but did differ on the total AIMS, social identity, and exclusivity, with elite scoring higher than recreational. Findings suggest that to assume sport is only important to elite athletes ignores the role that sport may play for less talented sport participants. Whilst not seeing themselves as athletes per se, it is suggested that participation in sport may still impact upon the self-perceptions of recreational sport participants. Therefore, threats to participation may result in similar negative consequences for both elite athletes and recreational sport participants.     

我国未来艾滋病治疗与服务的模式

目的：探讨我国未来艾滋病(AIDS)治疗与服务的模式。方法：查阅文献资料，综合论点。结果：综述了艾滋病的治疗模式、药物、中医药应用、医务人员培训及相应机构的设置等问题。结论：社区服务、家庭病床是未来我国AIDS患者的首选服务模式，治疗药物国产化和中医药的开发应用，可使更多的AIDS患者能够看得起病，基层医务人员的培训和相应机构的设置将为患者提供安全、有效和规范的治疗保障。     

医疗卫生服务价格改革方向初探

医疗卫生服务价格改革是要理顺价格构成成份之间量的关系，使每个构成成份的价格值都在供求关系的约束中，在政府的有效管制中，从而成为医疗卫生资源合理配置的有效工具。为此：①对生产要素分别定价；②对劳动定价；③对资本和自然资源定价；④确定医疗卫生机构内部管理时劳动价格；⑤价格中的所有构成成份价格都置于供给和需求关系约束下；⑥确定医疗卫生服务价格的理想传递方式。     

各具特色的国外妇幼保健工作

本文通过对国际上几个主要国家的妇幼保健工作的介绍,使人们对不同特色的妇幼保健事业有所了解,他山之石,可以攻玉,希望能够对我国妇幼保健工作的发展提供借鉴。     

高中生自我和谐与应对方式及其相互关系

目的了解高中生自我和谐、应对方式的特征及其相互关系,为开展心理健康教育提供依据。方法采用自我和谐量表及简易应对方式问卷,对755名高中生进行问卷调查。结果高中生总分和各因子分在性别、是否独生子女、城乡、文理科等方面差异均无统计学意义,自我和谐总分存在年级差异;积极应对和消极应对维度在性别、是否独生子女、城乡、文理科等方面差异均无统计学意义,消极应对维度存在年级差异。应对方式与自我和谐总分及分量表得分存在不同程度的相关。结论采用积极应对方式有助于促进高中生的自我和谐,而消极应对方式对自我和谐存在不利影响。     

医院后勤服务社会化实践中的几点思考

就医院后勤服务社会化的实际操作中的几个问题进行了论述,指出实行后勤社会化服务,必须有相应的外部环境;后勤部门实行企业化管理,必须有相配套的政策作保障;实施商品化服务,必须有对等的经济意识;加大后勤服务化的力度,必须有果敢超前的决策意识。     

干细胞概念教学

目的:学术交流,总结教学经验,提高学识和教学水平。方法:查阅文献,讲解要点,交流体会。结果:培养关注干细胞研究的兴趣,提高认识水平。结论:干细胞概念尚在发展,关注其研究进展,及时交流具有重要意义。