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Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Headache disorders constitute a public-health problem which impacts on individuals and society. The functional limitation and psychosocial restriction, caused by chronic headache, may be a more reliable indication of the severity of the disorder than the pain intensity and temporal headache pattern itself. Evaluation of all these parameters may improve health care for individuals suffering from chronic headache. The ultimate purpose of this study was to develop and validate a multidimensional questionnaire to assess the severity and impact of headache in individuals suffering from chronic headache. The study was carried out in six phases, each stage building on the previous ones. A quantitative retrospective review of 450 patients' clinical files was executed to identify the elements of complaint of these patients. This was followed by a literature review of existing headache-related health measures and construction of a theoretical framework for the study. A questionnaire was developed based on these findings. This questionnaire was then tested for face and content validity in a chronic headache population sample (n=60) and physiotherapists working with these patients (n=18). The questionnaire was further refined by a small qualitative study, making use of small group discussions (n=10). After the suggested modifications were made, the Multidimensional Chronic Headache Questionnaire (MCHQ) was tested for stability in a group of chronic headache patients (n=21), who completed the questionnaire twice with a one-week intervening period with no intervention. It was then tested for responsiveness, where patients completed the questionnaire prior to, and after, an episode of treatment. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Sum Test was used to detect significant differences (and hence responsiveness). Lastly, all the MCHQ's (n=148) that were completed during the course of the study were analised to establish the homogeneity of item content (Chronbach alpha values), and the construct validity of the instrument in terms of item structure (exploratory factor analysis). The retrospective review of patients' perceptions of the severity and impact of their chronic headache indicated that many of the patients experienced moderate to severe limitation of function and psychosocial restriction. Although many domains of headache-related health were represented in published questionnaires reviewed for this study, no instrument that assesses both the perceived severity and a wide range of impact was found. The MCHQ was developed from this study to measure these parameters. The items in the questionnaire were based on the retrospective study and existing questionnaires utilised in the chronic headache population. The face and content validity of the first draft of the instrument was found to be good. The stability of the questionnaire was very good, with Pearson's correlation coefficients of greater than 0.9334 for all repeated items. Responsiveness was very good, with all items found to be responsive to change (with probability values of p<O.OOOI for all but 3 items; these being effect of analgesics, triggering factors and impact on relationships). Homogeneity of item content was good (alpha values all >0.6647), and preliminary construct validity was suggested by demonstration of eight distinct factors that were clearly interpretable (one in the severity and seven in the impact domain). These suggested that severity is unidimensional, and that seven dimensions of impact are assessed in the MCHQ (functional limitations, two emotional dimensions, relationship restrictions, and three headache trigger dimensions). Positive linear correlations between severity and impact suggested that the higher the severity, the more severe the impact on the individual's quality of life (r=0.5183; p<.OOOI). These tests suggested preliminary construct validity for the questionnaire. The researcher concluded that severe and frequent headache has a considerable impact on the individual and that the multiple facets of headache-related health can be measured appropriately using this instrument. The Multidimensional Chronic Headache Questionnaire is a new instrument to assess headache-related health in terms of both severity and multidimensional impact on individuals, which can be utilised in a once-off health assessment as well as an outcome measure for therapy.

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / The objective of the study was to compare pain and functional limitation of temporomandibular myalgia patients, before and after low-level-laser treatment (LLLT).This was a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blinded clinical study. Patients diagnosed with temporomandibular myalgia according to the DC/TMD protocol were recruited from the TMD clinic of the Mitchell’s Plain Oral Health Centre. Treatment was performed using diode laser (Sirolaser, Dentsply Sirona). The 3 regions of the masseter and temporalis muscles were treated bilaterally with a dose of 8J/cm2 per region. Pain and function were assessed using pain-free opening, numeric rating scales (NRS), Characteristic Pain Intensity Scores (CPIS), Interference Score (IS), and Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS) at the first and last LLLT and at 4-week recall (intervals 1, 2, 3). Statistical analysis was done by means of explorative categorical principal and multivariate interdependent analysis.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-12T17:32:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernanda Fonseca.pdf: 58160 bytes, checksum: c9c16d7d5ac8b50498e52c991095d785 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have reduced level and intensity of daily physical activity. The physical activity is related to the COPD prognosis and, therefore, the functional performance of these patients should be routinely assessed. The Self-Reported Functional Limitation scale (SRFL) has been used in COPD patients cohorts to assess functional performance, but neither its classification (with or without self-reported functional limitation) measurement properties have been tested nor a translation into Portuguese and cross-cultural adaptation to Brazil have been done. The aim of this study was to translate the SRFL into Portuguese and cross-culturally adapt it to Brazil, to assign scores for its response categories and to test its measurement properties in patients with COPD. Initially, the scale was translated into Portuguese, applied in six patients with COPD, then backtranslated into English and sent to one of the original version authors to have her appreciation of the Brazilian version. Then, scores (from zero to four) were assigned to their response categories. Later, the Brazilian version was applied in thirty patients with COPD (mean ± standard deviation: age = 64 ± 8 years old; post-BD FEV1 = 38.9 ± 15.3 %pred; BMI = 25.7 ± 4.71 kg/m2) for its inter-rater and test-retest reliability analysis. Nutritional status assessment, spirometry, handgrip dinamometry, physical activity in daily life (PADL) monitorization, and the application of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the modified Medical Research Council scale and the London Chest Activity of Daily Living scale (LCADL) were performed for the validity analysis. There was inter-rater (&#954;=1.00; ICC=0.92 and CI95%=0.85-0.96) and test-retest (&#954;=0.79; ICC=0.92 and CI95%=0.84-0.96) reliability for the SRFL classification and score (p<0.01 for all). In the validity analysis, there were associations of self-reported functional limitation classification with the COPD impact on health status, risk and symptoms, fat-free mass (FFM) depletion and body composition impairment (p<0.05 for all) and correlations between SRFL score and total (r=0.75) and %total (r=0.77) LCADL scores, handgrip strength (r=-0.36), CAT score (r=0.80) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) (r=-0.49) (p<0.05 for all). It was also observed absence floor and ceiling effects. The translated and cross-culturally adapted SRFL version was reliable, when applied by different raters or in diferente moments, and valid for assessing the perception of functional limitation in patients with COPD, considering both its classification and score. In addition, the SRFL score had a missing floor or ceiling effect. / Pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) apresentam redução do nível e da intensidade de atividade física diária. A atividade física está relacionada ao prognóstico da DPOC e, portanto, a performance funcional desses pacientes deve ser avaliada rotineiramente. A escala Self-Reported Functional Limitation (SRFL) tem sido utilizada em coortes de pacientes com DPOC para avaliação da performance funcional, mas ainda não foram testadas as propriedades de medida de sua classificação (com ou sem limitação funcional autorrelatada) e nem foi realizada sua tradução para a língua portuguesa e sua adaptação transcultural para o Brasil. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir a SRFL para a língua portuguesa, adaptá-la transculturalmente para o Brasil, atribuir escores para as categorias de resposta da mesma e testar suas propriedades de medida em pacientes com DPOC. Inicialmente, a escala foi traduzida para a língua portuguesa, aplicada em seis pacientes com DPOC, retrotraduzida para a língua inglesa e discutida com uma das autoras da versão original para conclusão de sua versão brasileira. Em seguida, foram atribuídos escores (de zero a quatro) as suas categorias de resposta. Posteriormente, a versão brasileira da escala foi aplicada em trinta pacientes com DPOC (média ± desvio-padrão: idade = 64 ± 8 anos; VEF1 pós-BD = 38,9 ± 15,3 %prev; IMC = 25,7 ± 4,71 kg/m2) para análise de sua confiabilidade interavaliadores e teste-reteste. Para análise de sua validade, foram realizadas a avaliação do estado nutricional, a espirometria e a dinamometria de preensão palmar, monitorizadas as atividades físicas na vida diária (AFVD) e aplicados o COPD Assessment Test (CAT), a escala Medical Research Council modificada (mMRC) e a escala London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL). Observou-se confiabilidade interavaliadores (&#954;=1,00; CCI=0,92 e IC95%=0,85-0,96) e teste-reteste (&#954;=0,79; CCI=0,92 e IC95%=0,84-0,96) para a classificação da SRFL e para o escore da mesma (p<0,01 para todos). Na análise de validade, observaram-se associações da classificação de limitação funcional autorrelatada com as classificações de impacto da DPOC no estado de saúde, de risco e sintomas, de depleção de massa livre de gordura (MLG) e de prejuízo na composição corporal (p<0,05 para todos) e correlações entre o escore da SRFL e os escores total (r=0,75) e em %total (r=0,77) da LCADL, a força de preensão palmar (r=-0,36), o escore do CAT (r=0,80) e o índice de massa livre de gordura (IMLG) (r=- 0,49) (p<0,05 para todos). Foram observados também efeitos chão e teto ausentes. A versão traduzida e adaptada transculturalmente da SRFL mostrou-se confiável, quando aplicada por diferentes avaliadores e em diferentes momentos, e válida para a avaliação da percepção de limitação funcional de pacientes com DPOC, considerando tanto a sua classificação quanto o seu escore. Além disso, o escore da SRFL não apresentou efeito chão ou teto.

<p><p>This thesis was rendered for the client HAGS Aneby AB that is a global leader in playground equipment. The goal of this project was to develop a seesaw that is available for children aged 5-12 years; both with and without disabilities. The project has aimed to develop a seesaw that fits everyone in the target group without looking specially adapted.</p><p>Children with disabilities have difficulty using today's seesaws because they consist of only a seat and a handle on each side. It requires that the user has strong arms and legs and can sit up without support. HAGS Aneby AB would like to change this.</p><p>To gain knowledge of the target group and on the different types of disabilities information was sought for on the internet including the RBU's and UNICEF's websites. During implementation several concepts was developed and screened off to finally get the final result. Methods such as QFD, feasibility assessment and Go/No-Go-screening have been implemented. The instructions in the safety standard EN 1176 has been closely followed in the development of the seesaw.</p><p>The final concept shows a broad seat with handles, seat backs and footrests on each side of a central section that is in the form of a U. On the sides of the seats there is a high lateral support, to lean against, and a low lateral support. Entry and exit will happen on the side where the low lateral support is situated. Rubber buds are placed on the back of the seats and on the outside of the high lateral support, so that an assistant could be able to assist with entry and exit and also to provide extra speed in use. A rubber suspension unit, that makes the seesaw move, restricts the movement to ± 30˚. In order to stimulate the senses, such as vision and hearing, a ballgame was placed in the middle part of the platform.</p></p>

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predict quality of life (QOL) for aging adults and to examine and compare Baby Boomers', Older Adults' and Younger Adults' responses to the 2010 National Health Interview Survey/QOL Functioning and Disability. Significant findings included several significant values based on the multivariate regression to estimate a model to predict QOL. In particular, being male, four ethnicities other than white, being older than Boomer, age in 10 years, the Functional Difficulty Index, the Functional Limitation Index scores, chronic heart disease, asthma, and arthritis all had significant p values. Adults with chronic heart disease, asthma, or arthritis scored lower on the QOL index, but cancer, stroke, or diabetes were not associated with the QOL index. Two hypotheses had strong support. Lower scores on both the Functional Difficulty Index and the Functional Limitation Index yielded lower QOL scores. Further research recommendations include establishing reliability and validity of the QOL index; running additional regressions for demographics (ethnicity, marital status, etc.) to predict possible combinations of variables predicting QOL or barriers to QOL; and investigating the viability of incorporating the QOL index into an electronic medical record (EMR) dashboard parameter to serve as a screening mechanism for those aging adults most at risk for chronicities or co-morbidities that place them at risk for losing their ability to age in place in the home of their choosing.

This thesis is based on four studies that explore accessibility for older adults during whole trips by public transport. The overall goal was to gain knowledge of the interrelationships among key variables and to develop a conceptual model of the overall accessibility of public transport. More specifically, the research goals were: (a) to explore links among the key variables postulated to be involved in overall accessibility and to explore the links between these variables and railway accessibility; (b) to gain a deeper understanding of links between critical incidents in traveling and travel behavior decisions; and (c) to develop a conceptual model of overall accessibility. The key variables contributing to overall accessibility are functional ability (depending partly on the person’s functional limitation or disease), travel behavior, and barriers encountered during whole-trip traveling involving train. Respondents with more than one functional limitation or disease reported lower functional ability than did those with only one such limitation and respondents with low functional ability were less frequent travelers than were those with high functional ability. Frequent travelers reported railway accessibility to be better than did those who traveled less frequently. The main barriers were ticket cost and poor punctuality, but respondents with the lowest functional ability attributed the barriers encountered to their own health. The critical incidents most frequently reported were found in the categories “physical environment onboard vehicles” and “physical environment at stations or stops”, as well as in the “pricing and planning during ticketing” phase of the trip. Five themes of reactions to critical incidents were identified that had resulted in behavior change: firm restrictions, unpredictability, unfair treatment, complicated trips, and earlier adverse experiences. A conceptual model of overall accessibility was developed, grounded in the empirical research results. This model is summarized in the following propositions: Overall accessibility is a reciprocal relationship among the barriers/facilitators encountered, functional ability, and travel behavior. Accessibility emerges in the person–environment interaction. To understand accessibility, past experiences and future expectations should both be considered, because both will guide travel decisions. / Measurements enable future train travelling for everybody

This thesis was rendered for the client HAGS Aneby AB that is a global leader in playground equipment. The goal of this project was to develop a seesaw that is available for children aged 5-12 years; both with and without disabilities. The project has aimed to develop a seesaw that fits everyone in the target group without looking specially adapted. Children with disabilities have difficulty using today's seesaws because they consist of only a seat and a handle on each side. It requires that the user has strong arms and legs and can sit up without support. HAGS Aneby AB would like to change this. To gain knowledge of the target group and on the different types of disabilities information was sought for on the internet including the RBU's and UNICEF's websites. During implementation several concepts was developed and screened off to finally get the final result. Methods such as QFD, feasibility assessment and Go/No-Go-screening have been implemented. The instructions in the safety standard EN 1176 has been closely followed in the development of the seesaw. The final concept shows a broad seat with handles, seat backs and footrests on each side of a central section that is in the form of a U. On the sides of the seats there is a high lateral support, to lean against, and a low lateral support. Entry and exit will happen on the side where the low lateral support is situated. Rubber buds are placed on the back of the seats and on the outside of the high lateral support, so that an assistant could be able to assist with entry and exit and also to provide extra speed in use. A rubber suspension unit, that makes the seesaw move, restricts the movement to ± 30˚. In order to stimulate the senses, such as vision and hearing, a ballgame was placed in the middle part of the platform.

No description available.

L’Artériopathie Oblitérante des Membres Inférieurs (AOMI) est une pathologie chronique grave, induite par le processus physiopathologique d’athérosclérose. Diagnostiquée par la mesure de l’Index de Pression Systolique (IPS) de repos cette pathologie se traduit chez la plupart des patients par une ischémie (apports sanguins insuffisants) à l’exercice pouvant causer l’apparition de douleurs au niveau des membres inférieurs lors de la marche. Le premier axe de travail de cette thèse visait à évaluer la pertinence pédagogique des méthodes actuelles d’enseignement de l’IPS dans les facultés de médecine françaises. Les résultats des premiers travaux de recherche qui ont été menés montrent que les méthodes actuelles ne permettent pas aux étudiants de maîtriser les fondamentaux de cette mesure diagnostique. D’autres travaux ont alors été menés afin de définir la place et la forme que devrait prendre l’enseignement de l’IPS dans le cursus médical afin qu’il puisse être acquis par les futurs médecins de manière fiable et durable. Le second axe de travail de cette thèse visait à proposer une nouvelle approche méthodologique basée sur l’utilisation conjointe de deux moniteurs portables (accéléromètre et montre marqueur d’événements) permettant la quantification des douleurs ischémiques à l’exercice des patients atteints d’AOMI en condition de vie réelle. Les résultats issus de ces travaux ouvrent des perspectives nouvelles pour le chercheur ou le clinicien pour la compréhension des limitations fonctionnelles des patients atteints d’AOMI dans leur contexte de vie. / Lower-extremity Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a severe non-communicable disease that is associated with atherosclerosis. Diagnosed by Ankle- Brachial Index (ABI), PAD leads, in most patients, to ischemia (mismatch between blood demand and blood supply) during exercise that may lead to the occurrence of pain in the lower extremities during walking. The first axis of the present thesis was to assess the level of knowledge on this diagnostic tool among French medical students. Our results suggest that the way of teaching or learning the ABI procedure is deficient. According to these results we conducted another study to determine the best teaching method to improve students’ ABI proficiency. The second axis of the present thesis was to proposed a new method using wearable monitors (accelerometer and Micro Motion logger watch) to objectively identify and quantify lower limb walking pain manifestation as well as stop induced by walking pain during daily life in PAD patients. Our results can provide researchers and clinicians with a more realistic and holistic view of the functional limitations of PAD patients in free-living conditions.