Clinical and Microperimetric Predictors of Reading Speed in Low Vision Patients: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach.

Clinical and microperimetric predictors of reading speed in low vision patients: a structural equation modelling approach.

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013 May 30;
Giacomelli G, Virgili G, Giansanti F, Sato G, Cappello E, Cruciani F, Varano M, Menchini U

PURPOSE: To investigate the simultaneous association of several psychophysical measures with reading ability in patients with mild and moderate low vision attending rehabilitation services. METHODS: Standard measurement of reading ability (MNREAD charts), visual acuity (ETDRS charts), contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson charts), reading contrast threshold (REX charts), retinal sensitivity and fixation stability and localization (MP1 fundus perimetry) were obtained in 160 low-vision patients with better-eye visual acuity from 0.3 to 1.0 logMAR and affected by either age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: All variables were moderately associated with reading performance measures (MNREAD reading speed and acuity, REX contrast threshold), as well as among each other. In a SEM model, REX reading contrast threshold was highly associated to reading speed (standardized coefficient 0.63) and moderately associated to reading acuity (-0.30). The REX test also mediated the effect of Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity (0.44), MP1 fixation eccentricity (-0.19) and mean retinal sensitivity (0.23) on reading performance. MP1 fixation stability was associated with both reading acuity (-0.24) and speed (0.23), while ETDRS visual acuity only affected reading acuity (0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Fixation instability and contrast sensitivity loss are key factors limiting reading performance of patients with mild or moderate low vision. REX charts directly assess the impact of text contrast on letter recognition and text navigation and may be a useful aid in reading rehabilitation. HubMed – rehab

 

Barriers to implementation of a hospital-based program for survivors of traumatic injury.

J Trauma Nurs. 2013 Apr-Jun; 20(2): 89-99
Bradford AN, Castillo RC, Carlini AR, Wegener ST, Frattaroli S, Heins SE, Teter H, Mackenzie EJ

The Trauma Survivors Network is a multimodal program for trauma patients and their families. Despite training representatives of 30 trauma centers, only 3 have fully implemented the program. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to program implementation among trainees through in-depth phone interviews and an electronic survey. Although interviewees were positive about the Trauma Survivors Network concept, they identified numerous barriers to implementation. Trainee confidence in their ability to implement program components was predictive of their success. We recommend that future trainings include program advocacy, implementation skills, and an assessment of trainees’ roles in the hospital. HubMed – rehab

 

PALM COOLING AND HEATING DELAYS FATIGUE DURING RESISTANCE EXERCISE IN WOMEN.

J Strength Cond Res. 2013 May 29;
Kwon YS, Robergs RA, Mermier CM, Schneider SM, Gurney AB

We previously reported that cold application to the palms between sets of high intensity bench press exercise produces an ergogenic effect in men. In this study we hypothesized that palm cooling or heating during rest intervals between high intensity weight training sets will increase total repetitions and exercise volume-load (kg) in resistance trained female subjects in a thermo-neutral environment. Eight female subjects (mean±SD, age = 25±6 yr, height = 160±6 cm, body mass = 56±7 kg, 1RM = 52±6 kg, weight training experience = 6±2 yr) completed 4 sets of 85% 1RM bench press exercise to failure, with 3 min rest intervals. Exercise trials were performed in counterbalanced order on 3 days, separated by at least 3 days in ThermoNeutral (TN), Palm Heating (PH), and Palm Cooling (PC) conditions. Heating and cooling were applied by placing both hands in a hand cooling device with the hand plate set to 45 °C for heating and 10 °C for cooling. Data were analyzed using a 2-factor repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests. PC repetitions were significantly higher than TN during the 2nd set and PH repetitions were significantly higher than TN during the 4th set. Total exercise volume-load (kg) for both PC (1387±358) and PH (1349±267) were significantly higher than TN (1187±262). In women, both heating and cooling of the palms between sets of resistance exercise increased the total exercise volume-load performed. This ergogenic response to a peripheral sensory input is consistent with the central governor theory of muscular fatigue. HubMed – rehab

 

From the Editors’ Desk.

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 May 27;
Heinemann AW, Chan L

HubMed – rehab