test

The objective of prostheses and of dynamic orthoses is to provide restorative function to anatomical joints of the upper or lower limb that are either absent or physiologically compromised. This study considers the volitional demands of upper limb function and the periodic requirements of the lower limb during gait. Control strategies using discrete magneto-transducers to measure normal residual physiological activities which predict intended joint positions of dysfunctional or absent joints in the lower or upper limb, have been investigated and tested by experiment. The restoration of ankle dorsiflexion in hemiplegics with drop foot using functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been investigated. FES is traditionally controlled using a pressure switch in the heel of the shoe switching the stimulation on only when the foot is not weight bearing. However functional and cosmetic constraints of this method of control do not make it universally acceptable. A novel FES controller using a magneto-transducer to measure the cyclic variation of angular velocity of the leg through the knee has been developed. Experimentation with this controller showed that reliable switching of FES during successive gait cycles was possible in some patients with a hemiplegic drop foot. Most powered prosthetic prehensors and wrist units are controlled using the myoelectric activity of muscles. Such prostheses however have no intrinsic relationship between the position of the prosthetic prehensor and wrist unit and hence a degree of conscious effort in their control is required. A powered prosthetic prehensor and wrist unit has been developed using magneto-transducers which sense the myokinemetric activity of muscles dedicated to grasping and which measure forearm rotation. Reliable volitional control of the position of prosthetic prehension and wrist rotator has been demonstrated over several cycles of grasping and wrist rotation.

M.A. / Every year in South Africa more than 600 000 individuals leave correctional facilities to return to the community (Visher and Travis 2003, p.89). In spite of a significant crime control problem in South Africa, there is very little public or government interest shown in what happens to ex-offenders once released from prison. The focus of the study is on understanding the critical social factors that contribute towards effective offender rehabilitation and reintegration at various stages of the reintegration process after release from prison. The needs and experiences of those recently released (two to four months) are compared with those who have been released for up to one year (six to twelve months) and those who have been released for a longer period (three to four years). The researcher identified that most research studies on post prison rehabilitation and reintegration have focused on the individual factors rather than on the social factors. Traditionally, offender rehabilitation and reintegration has been the responsibility of the Department of Correctional Services. More recently, the White Paper on Corrections and the new Community Justice Models (Maruna and Immarigeon, 2004, p.233) emphasize that offender reintegration is a collective process. Central to this approach is the importance of community engagement and informal social controls in promoting public safety. This qualitative study was undertaken with twelve adult male Zulu-speaking African ex-offenders who had been released from Qalakabusha Correctional Centre in Empangeni (northern Kwa-Zulu Natal). The sampling strategy was non-random and purposive. The majority of participants interviewed had committed violent crimes, with the exception of two participants who had committed less serious offences. The majority of respondents were still serving parole, having been released early on the grounds of “good behaviour”. They had also participated in rehabilitation programmes provided by various service providers while in prison. Individual interviews using a semi-structured interview schedule were conducted with the respondents. A pilot study was conducted to test for the reliability and validity of the instrument. This was followed by a focus group. The focus group assisted in gaining more in-depth information, clarification and validation of shared experience. The information was processed during the data analysis phase of the research process. The information was then organized and compiled into the research report as presented. Five major themes were identified namely the Impact of imprisonment, Preparation for release, Maintenance and upkeep, Social support systems and Staying out of crime. Three major protective social factors or key ingredients for successful reintegration identified in the study include family support, the ability to provide for oneself and family and opportunities to contribute positively in communities.

The 75,000 patients in mental institutions are only a fraction of the mentally ill in Canada. All of these hospitalized patients have passed through several phases of a complicated selective process. Interpersonal relations, group and community attitudes, and hospital policy, are some of the interacting factors in this process. The hospitalized population is a conglomerate of recent admissions and patients remaining from the admissions of many previous years. Changes in various hospital and societal factors affect the nature of these cohorts. For these reasons, the composition of the hospital population merits consideration of itself, rather than as an index of the amount of mental illness in the total population. The purpose of this thesis was (a) to review the characteristics of psychiatric patients under institutional care in Canada in 1960 and compare them with those of other populations reported in the literature, (b) to assess the changes which have taken place in this population between 1955 and 1960, and (c) to elucidate some of the reasons for this change and to suggest areas of further enquiry. The results show that, in 1960, seventy per cent of the 75,000 patients had been under continuous hospital care for over two years. The proportion of the population under hospital care increased with age. Schizophrenia was the most frequent diagnosis for patients over 20, and mental deficiency the most frequent for those under 20. Statistically significant changes occurred between 1955 and 1960 in the number and characteristics of patients under hospital care. The following variables were affected: (a) Age groups: there were fewer patients between the ages of 20 and 59, and more younger and older patients. (b) Diagnostic categories: Schizophrenia decreased and mental deficiency increased. c) Length of stay: there were more recently-admitted patients, and a decrease in the number of patients hospitalized-for from two to five years. Although a smaller proportion of the patients admitted in 1958 was retained continuously than of those admitted in 1955, there were still approximately 4,000 patients remaining for more than two years from the cohorts of each of these years. Changes in the retention ratios are associated with changes in the composition of the patient population between 1955 and 1960. Some suggestions from other studies regarding the causes of current changes were rejected. These suggestions included (a) the changing age distribution of the population, (b) separation of a large cohort of patients who were admitted between 1933 and 1937, and (c) a decline in syphilitic brain syndrome, and (d) increased use of tranquillizers. Publications of the Dominion Bureau of Statistics were discussed, and suggestions made for additional tabulations. Implications for other studies on hospitalized patients were presented. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

Physical disability resulting from arthritis is a widespread problem: when the sufferer is the breadwinner of a family, it is particularly serious, creating the need for special services not only for the disabled person, but also for his family. But the treatment potential of the patient also depends on how far his family is in turn a source of strength or weakness to him. This is a casework "dimension" that is far from fully explored. This thesis considers the family as a treatment resource in the rehabilitation of a group of male arthritic breadwinners who have been in-patients at the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society (B.C. Division) Medical centre in Vancouver, B. C, for at least three months. While focusing on the patient in his family group, the study undertakes an intensive examination of the material found in case records and related correspondence from the Medical Centre's Social Service Department, a clinical social work setting. The outcome of the exploration was to emphasize two approaches: (a) the recognition of factors in family behaviour toward the patient which connote family strength, and (b) their application in casework to help meet the patient's needs. Four comparative cases (two each of "strong" and "weak" examples) were selected to identify the variables affecting employment, treatment, and family interaction. The results of this analysis were then applied to the process of diagnosis and treatment to the total cases (seven) for which clinical and social information was available. The specific findings are (1) that the patient's family could influence positively the patient's rehabilitation potential; (2) that family strength could be recognized in a clinical setting treating the patient; (3) that certain additional kinds of diagnostic information are required prior to the patient's admission to the Medical Centre for treatment. A rating scale of family strength can be envisaged as an experimental counterpart of this complex adjustment process. Some practical implications for future service are discussed. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

The term “rehabilitation” is used in many fields to indicate a restoration of various functions to an individual. In social work and related fields the restoration of the handicapped individual in the physical and economic areas has taken precedence over the restoration and development of the individual in his social environment. The lasting value of rehabilitation lies in the adequate functioning of a disabled individual as a member of his family and community. This study examines the rehabilitation programme of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Workmen’s Compensation Board of British Columbia. The rehabilitation programmes have been divided into what is called the elements of a rehabilitation programme : the rehabilitation process, rehabilitation services, rehabilitation personnel and rehabilitation maintenance allowances and auxiliary aids. These elements have formed the basis for discussion of the legislative framework and the facilities of each agency. Selected cases have been used to indicate how the rehabilitation process operates in each agency. The availability of a large amount of funds and a favourable state of public feeling have allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs to inaugurate what is considered to be the best rehabilitation programme in Canada. The medical and training aspects of Workmen’s Compenstion Board’s programme are comparable to that of the Department of Veterans Affairs. They have not carried their programme into the area of psycho-social rehabilitation to the same extent as the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some points are also set forth around which further research and investigation could take place. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

The field of corrections is anticipating a change in the present system of releasing inmates from prison. This new development has been described in a variety of terms. However, for purposes of this study, it will be referred to as "The Mandatory Release System". This concept is defined as " a system whereby those inmates who are not granted regular parole, have the opportunity to accept release, after serving three-quarters of their sentence, provided they accept supervision for the statutory remission period of their sentence." The most logical structure to accommodate and implement this change is the National Parole Board. Since there is presently a general lack of knowledge in this area, considerable research is required to identify the implications of such a proposal. The authors have chosen to focus upon the cost and manpower requirements essential in providing a supervision program. The study is based on the premise that supervision is a major factor in the rehabilitation of the offender. Furthermore, it offers additional protection to the community by the reduction of recidivism. By utilizing present data and knowledge available, an estimate was made of the number of inmates who will be affected by this change. These calculations were used to determine the manpower and cost required for differential models of supervision based on the number of hours spent with the releasee. Recommendations arising out of the findings of the study were many and varied. The principle recommendation being in order to make better use of similar programs in existence a more effective gathering and co-ordination of statistical data is necessary. This study intends to fulfil a dual purpose: that of fulfilling the requirements of the Master of Social Work thesis as well as intending to provide useful information to those government administrators who will be concerned with the implementation of this new legislation. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

It should be axiomatic that Rehabilitation is part of the social policy of any modern state. When Canada signed the United Nations Charter, she pledged herself to implement a comprehensive range of health services for her people. Health services according to United Nations definitions, have always included the five major aspects of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, restoration and rehabilitation. The purpose of this study, which is the first of a planned series, is to examine what progress Canada has made toward the implementation of that promise, made to her people in 1948. Its focus is on identification of the barriers legal, political, economic social and administrative which mitigate against the realization of this nationally set objective. The study began with the hypothesis that because in modern industrialized societies, programmes of rehabilitation services usually stem from a legislative base, the logical place to begin identification and analysis of obstacles to implementation of a full range of services, would be a review of the statutory provisions for services. If obstacles were identified at this level, their effect on the patterning and levels of services could then be examined and indications could be obtained as to how far a modification of the legislative structure of services might contribute to the development of a more comprehensive system. As a prelude to this analysis it was necessary first to delineate what is entailed in the concept of a comprehensive system of services and to define the terms "disability" and "handicap". International sources were used extensively, and it was found that in spite of widely differing political, economic and social institutions, and arrangements, there was almost complete agreement on the basic principles of rehabilitation. Ten major principles were identified and recorded. Next an attempt was made to identify criteria for rehabilitation goals as related to the individual disabled person. It was found that both the national and the international material consulted was geared to vocational rehabilitation as a goal and that most statements did not take sufficient cognisance of the person who cannot reach this goal, but who might achieve a different level of achievement and satisfaction. An attempt was made to classify these goals in a way which would be useful both to clients and agencies. Because each country has implemented the basic rehabilitation principles in its own way, there is no one system of services which can be used as a model for a comprehensive system. However, working from the base of the philopsophy and the ten principles, it was found possible to classify the kind and range of services which would have to be included in a comprehensive scheme. This was spelled out for use in this study and in future projects in the series as a "touchstone" or model profile of services with a cautionary reminder that no system of services is or should be static and that rehabilitation itself is a constantly evolving concept. It is anticipated that it will serve at least as a useful base against which to examine a wide range of problems relating to rehabilitation in future parts of the series. The many faceted nature of rehabilitation as a concept was next examined in more detail because the total concept needs to permeate the whole range of services. Emphasis was placed on the concept of rehabilitation not just as a set of services but as a process, a "for ward movement towards a goal" which the client chooses and which the various rehabilitation personnel help him to reach. The study then focuses on an examination of the current Canadian picture in rehabilitation. This was preceded by a brief summary of the early developments in rehabilitation in Canada, stressing the "piecemeal" and "categorial" approach characteristic of the times, and the unique features in the Canadian situation. Material for this was obtained from the general literature, together with material obtained from the office of the National Coordinator of Rehabilitation for Canada and from correspondence with the Provincial Coordinators offices of nine provinces, excluding Quebec. The role of the federal government was then analysed, with particular reference to its responsibilities under the division of constitutional powers made under the British North America Act of 1867. The specific groups for whose rehabilitation the federal government has responsibility are then referred to. The policy of the federal government in its attempts to assist the provinces to carry their responsibility for rehabilitation services is critically reviewed. There is then a closer examination of the three specific act relating to the disabled in Canada, first the Disabled Persons Allowance Act, secondly the Vocational Rehabilitation of the Disabled Act, and thirdly the relevant sections of the Technical and Vocational Training Act. There is next a focussing on the effects of this legislative structure on the patterning of services in one particular province, British Columbia. Emphasis is laid on the relationship between the role of the Provincial Coordinator, the place of the government agencies, and the important role of voluntary agencies. Material for this section was gathered from government statistics, Royal Commission Reports, surveys and reports of local agencies, interviews with the Provincial Coordinator and the Provincial Consultant in Rehabilitation for the Province of British Columbia as well as with the personnel of selected representative agencies offering a broad coverage of the spectrum of services in British Columbia. As a contrast, the neighbouring province of Saskatchewan was selected as an illustration of the differing ways in which identical federal statutes can be interpreted and followed, and the differing ways in which a provincial programme of rehabilitation service can be structured and administered. In Saskatchewan, the provincial government of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation party coming into office in the 1945, took an active role in the rehabilitation field from the time it first took office, until its defeat in 1962, the now famous "medicare issue." This government interpreted its own statutes and those of the federal government very broadly, including from the beginning socially handicapped groups such as the Metis. In relation to the federal acts, it included groups such as alcoholics in its concept of the "disabled" which is not yet a common practice in the rest of Canada. This government's approach was also characterized by an extensive use of the "needs" test rather than the means test as a base from which to offer rehabilitation help to the entire family if necessary. While the "needs" test is used in British Columbia also there are a number of restrictions in its use, which do not operate in Saskatchewan, such as a "maximum floor" of financial aid which might be below the level of help an individual or family needed in order to become rehabilitated. Among the findings of the study are the following:- (1) that the fate of a Canadian needing rehabilitation sew ices depends very much on which part of Canada he lives in. Even within his own province, his neighbour across the street who happens to live within the boundaries of another municipality may fare far better than he does. (2) The kind and amount of help he receives would appear to be determined by three factors (a) the nature of the help available under the statutes, (b) the liberality or rigidity of their interpretation by the authorities of this particular locality (c) the availability of the kind of help he needs through the voluntary agencies(3) all the attempts by the Federal government to overcome the obstacles posed by the constitutional division of powers have not resulted in "national minimum" floor or service below which no Canadian shall be allowed to fall, despite many reiterations by the federal government that this is the intent, both of the legislation and of the efforts to assist the provinces which the federal government has made to date.(4) In essence, the federal role is basically limited to assisting the provinces with whatever services or facilities the provinces themselves are willing to initiate.(5) The conclusion is inescapable that the effect of the present constitutional division of powers on the development of comprehensive rehabilitation services is an impeding one. (6) In effect, the provinces and the voluntary socities carry full responsibility and the major portion of the load, without having either the legislative authority or the financial capacity. A series of recommendations broad,and specific,are then made. They include (1) Changing the British North America Act as a necessary step to the flexibility of patterning needed to make Canada's Rehabilitation Services comprehensive.(2) That the Federal government should assume a vigorous role as the standard setting body in the field of rehabilitation services, and should implement the concept of a national minimum of service. This is viewed as a necessity whether the federal government continues its policy of extending financial aid to the provinces, or whether a different system of legislative and fiscal responsibility is eventually worked out. A series of"research questions" arising out of this study are listed with the intent that these will form a nucleos of further research follow-up studies later in the series. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Hartley, Allan S.; Kerr, Janet; Sieben, Michael / Graduate

The variability present in human locomotion has been an increasing area of study. Originally thought to be associated with pathology, recent evidence suggests that coordination variability may offer an adaptive mechanism. The purpose of this series of investigations was to describe the relation between stride characteristic variability and joint coordination variability during running among persons with and without patellofemoral pain. Second, the role of pain in the observed changes in movement variability among persons with patellofemoral pain was investigated. Finally, the presence of gait asymmetries and variability present between the lower extremities of persons with patellofemoral pain was addressed. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected from bilateral lower extremities of eight subjects with unilateral patellofemoral pain, as well as eight non-impaired subjects. All subjects ran on a treadmill at fixed (2.68-m·s −1) and preferred speeds during four collection sessions, while reporting perceived pain. The initial session involved subjects running while experiencing pain, with the final three collections being reduced pain sessions. The patellofemoral subjects displayed increased stride length variability of both limbs during running at preferred speed compared to non-impaired subjects. Intralimb joint coordination variability across the entire stride was consistent between groups. Further analysis, however, revealed that during preferred speed running, the patellofemoral pain group displayed reduced variability in the thigh rotation:leg rotation coupling of the injured limb at heel-strike compared to the non-impaired group. A direct relation between pain and stride length variability was present, as both pain and stride length variability decreased simultaneously among subjects with patellofemoral pain. In addition, the level of variability among the thigh rotation:leg rotation coupling at heel-strike was observed to increase following pain reduction. Joint coordination asymmetry was consistent between subjects with and without patellofemoral pain. However, the patellofemoral pain group displayed greater variability in interlimb knee rotation. Additionally, the transverse and coronal planes revealed greater levels of asymmetry and variability than the sagittal plane for both groups, suggesting an adaptive role. While patellofemoral pain impacted stride length variability, it appeared to alter only the variability of transverse plane joint coordination. Future analyses may involve a task that elicits a greater pain response.

BACKGROUND Given that triathlon is recognised as an official sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a focus on injury prevention strategies for participation in triathlon is necessary. A model for injury prevention programme development that is used currently is the Translating Research into Injury Prevention Practice (TRIPP) model. The literature on iron-distance is currently limited to the first two stages of this model, which focus on injury and illness epidemiology. Current research has predominantly investigated injuries and illness in professional or Olympic distance (OD) triathletes. Iron-distance triathlon is a popular form of triathlon, evidenced by the recent growth in participation in the sport from recreational to elite levels. However, there is limited evidence regarding injury or illness epidemiology for iron-distance triathlon. The impact of training loads on injury and illness in iron-distance triathletes is also poorly understood. AIMS The aim of this study was to determine the impact of training load on injury and illness in a 12-week training period for an iron-distance triathlon. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to (1) Describe the average weekly training load in amateur iron distance triathletes over a 12-week training period prior to an IRONMAN™ race; (2) Describe the total and weekly average prevalence of overuse injury, substantial overuse injury and illness, and the average severity of overuse injuries and illness in amateur iron-distance triathletes over a 12-week training period prior to an IRONMAN™ race; (3) Determine the incidence and severity of acute injuries in amateur iron-distance triathletes over a 12-week training period prior to an IRONMAN™ race; (4) Determine the average weekly training load threshold above which there is a significantly increased risk of injury or illness in amateur iron-distance triathletes over a 12-week training period prior to an IRONMAN™ race; and (5) Determine any associations between the prevalence of overuse injury and risk factors associated with injury (including age, gender, history of previous injuries and triathlon experience) in amateur iron-distance triathletes over a 12-week training period prior to an IRONMAN™ race. METHODS This study had a prospective, longitudinal, descriptive cohort design. Thirty-seven amateur triathletes who were training for the IRONMAN™ 2018 African Championships were included. All participants had entered for the event prior to the start of the data collection process. Participants were excluded if two or more weeks of training data were missing. Online questionnaires were used to collect weekly training load, injury and illness data over a 12-week training period. Internal training load was measured as sessional Rate of Perceived Exertion (sRPE), while external training load was measured as volume (hours). Acute training load and the acute:chronic workload ratio were used to relate training load to injuries and illness. Total and weekly average prevalence and severity of overuse injuries, substantial overuse injuries and illness were obtained. RESULTS Participants trained for 10.5 ± 2.8(7)(7)(7) hours per week on average, with a weekly average sRPE of 13.1 ± 1.7. The average weekly training load of participants was 8 170 ± 3 565 arbitrary units (AU). The total prevalence of injury and illness were 65% (n = 35) and 62% (n = 47) respectively. The average weekly prevalence of injury and illness were 19% (n = 7) and 9% (n = 4) respectively. The injury incidence was 9.1 per 1 000 training hours. Overuse injuries were more common than acute injuries, with a prevalence of 89% and an incidence of 8.1 per 1 000 hours. The severity of injuries was mostly mild, and the severity of illness mostly moderate. Most injuries occurred during training, and the predominant location of the injury was the knee. Illness symptoms that were reported most commonly included fatigue or malaise. There were no significant relationships between low, moderate or high training loads and injury or illness respectively. CONCLUSION This study identified a relatively high prevalence of injury and illness in amateur iron-distance triathletes. The small sample size significantly limited our interpretation of potential associations between training load and the prevalence of injury and illness. Future studies should consider the next step in the TRIPP protocol, namely by investigating the specific aetiology of the risks associated with injury and illness, including training load. The findings of this study highlight the importance of furthering our understanding of factors contributing to the development of injury and illness in iron distance triathletes to support safe participation and improve performance.