Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Trail

Publications and source records attributed to M Trail.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Quality of life in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: perceptions, coping resources, and illness characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare quality of life (QOL) for two groups of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): (1) those reporting a more positive quality of life and (2) those reporting a more negative quality of life. METHODS: One hundred patients with ALS participated in this cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted in an ALS clinic. Quality of life was graded in two ways: (1) a global question about present QOL, giving four choices (life could not be better, usually good, sometimes good, and not good) which the researchers divided into two groups: the more positive QOL and the more negative QOL and (2) patients' responses to a 25-item internally generated open-ended survey. The Appel ALS Rating Scale measured objective data for physical strength and functioning. RESULTS: One hundred patients (68 men and 32 women) with a mean age of 58.2 (range, 29-82) years participated in the study. The average disease duration was 1.9 (range, 0.08-15) years. Patients who reported the more positive QOL were younger, had a shorter disease duration, and experienced less disease severity (p < 0.05). Those endorsing the more positive QOL reported more adequate finances and less stress over disease characteristics (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Illness characteristics do influence QOL for patients with ALS, but they are not the only concerns. When measuring QOL in patients with ALS, the unique features of the psychosocial factors, personality traits, and spiritual factors, in addition to disease symptoms, need to be identified and discussed with patients and families throughout the illness.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Wheelchair use by patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a survey of user characteristics and selection preferences.

OBJECTIVES: To determine wheelchair types and features that are most beneficial to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), to ascertain at what stage of disease and disability patients benefit from wheelchair use, and to pinpoint the differences in patient characteristics between the users of manual and motorized wheelchairs. DESIGN: Internally generated questionnaire. SETTING: A neuromuscular clinic. PATIENTS: Forty-two patients (28 men, 14 women) with ALS who used wheelchairs and whose mean age was 53.9 years (range, 32-75yr). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Wheelchair users completed a 39-item survey. RESULTS: At the time of the survey, the patients' mean Appel ALS rating scale total score was 84.5 (range, 48-138), indicating moderate disability. Forty-one patients reported that wheelchairs permitted them greater interaction in their communities; 33 were "very satisfied" with the positive impact of wheelchair use on their activity levels. Most users did not work and needed caregiver assistance for activities of daily living. The most desirable wheelchair features provide extra comfort (supports for the head, neck, trunk, extremities) and have improved maneuverability (lightweight frame, smaller wheelbase). Undesirable features are low sling backs and sling seats, nonremovable static leg rests, and large frames. No significant differences were reported between manual wheelchair users and motorized wheelchair users in terms of overall disease symptom severity, arm and leg strength, and bulbar function. However, motorized wheelchairs offer patients a greater sense of independence and an improved sense of well-being. CONCLUSION: Information obtained directly from wheelchair users with ALS provided first-hand experience concerning the most and least desirable features of wheelchairs and may help other ALS patients make informed decisions when purchasing a wheelchair.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Rehabilitation parameters in total knee replacement patients undergoing epidural vs. conventional analgesia.

Epidural analgesia for total knee replacement (TKR) surgery has been proposed as a means of enhancing patient comfort, thereby expediting rehabilitation and reducing hospital stay. This study was done to determine differences in rehabilitation parameters of range of motion and mobility in patients receiving epidural vs. conventional (intravenous) analgesia following TKR surgery. Chart reviews were done of 52 patients who underwent consecutive unilateral TKR, with 26 patients in each analgesia group. There were 21 males and 31 females, ages 24-88 years (median 65), with diagnoses of osteoarthritis (45), rheumatoid arthritis (4), and other (3). The surgeon, procedure, type of prosthesis, and physical therapy protocol were the same for all subjects. Demographics, range of motion, distance walked, assistance required for gait and transfers, assistive device, and exercise competence data were studied at the first postoperative day and at time of discharge. No significant difference was found in the length of stay at the p < .05 level. Significant differences at the first postoperative day favored the epidural group: in knee flexion range--median difference was 0.26 rad [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09-0.52, p < .05] ie., 15 degrees (95% CI: 5-30); in total range of motion--median difference was 0.30 rad (95% CI: 0.09-0.58, p < .05), ie., 17 degrees (95% CI: 5-33); and in assistance required for gait and transfers (p < .05). At discharge, the epidural group required significantly less assistance (p < .05). There was a trend toward greater walking distance in the epidural group, who walked a median of 15.2 m farther than the conventional analgesia group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1970

Otoplasty.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Ear↗