Improvement of Olfactory Function for Quality of Life Recovery.

Improvement of olfactory function for quality of life recovery.

Laryngoscope. 2013 May 17;
Katotomichelakis M, Simopoulos E, Tripsianis G, Prokopakis E, Danielides G, Velegrakis SG, Livaditis M, Danielides V

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To explore quality of life (QoL) improvement after treatment of patients with chronic olfactory disorders; and to correlate QoL with olfactory rehabilitation and evaluate olfactory improvement values over which QoL outcomes are significantly recovered. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients following endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis (AR) were studied. Olfactory function was evaluated using Sniffin’ Sticks test pre-and 12 months after treatment. All patients completed six validated QoL questionnaires either specific for olfaction (Questionnaire of Olfactory Deficits-QOD) and for assessing mental health (Zung Anxiety Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Zung Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory), or generic one (Short Form-36). RESULTS: Significant improvement (all P?HubMed – rehab

Content Analyses of A Priori Qualitative Phantom Limb Pain Descriptions and Emerging Categories in Mid-Southerners with Limb Loss.

Rehabil Nurs. 2013 May 17;
Evans CB

PURPOSE: The purposes of this descriptive study were (a) to identify the relative frequencies of a priori categories of phantom limb pain (PLP) quality descriptors reported by Mid-Southerners with limb loss, (b) to analyze their descriptions for emerging categories of PLP, and (c) to identify the relative frequencies of the emerging categories. DESIGN: This cross-sectional descriptive verbal survey assessed PLP descriptors. A content analyses determined relative frequencies of a priori PLP descriptors as well as emerging categories that were identified. FINDINGS: The most common a priori PLP quality descriptors reported by 52 amputees with PLP were intermittent, tingling/needles/numb, sharp, cramping, burning, and stabbing. The most common emerging categories reported were pain compared to illness/injury, electrical cyclical, and manipulated/positional. CONCLUSION: The detailed descriptions of PLP provide insight into the vivid experiences of PLP. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rehabilitation nurses can use this information with PLP assessment, patient teaching, and counseling. HubMed – rehab

Swallowing kinematics and airway protection after palatal local anesthesia in infant pigs.

Laryngoscope. 2013 May 20;
Holman SD, Campbell-Malone R, Ding P, Gierbolini-Norat EM, Lukasik SL, Waranch DR, German RZ

Objective: Abnormal kinematics during swallowing can result in aspiration which may become life threatening. We tested the role of palatal sensation in the motor control of pharyngeal swallow in infants. Study Design: In eight infant pigs, we reduced palatal sensation using local anesthesia (PLA) and measured the impact on swallowing kinematics and airway protection. Methods: The pigs drank milk containing barium while we simultaneously recorded videofluoroscopy and electromyography from fine wire bipolar electrodes in several hyolaryngeal muscles. We compared these results to control feedings and feedings following palatal saline injections (PSA). Results: After PLA, four pigs had extreme jaw movements and abnormal tongue movement uncharacteristic of sucking. For this reason, we evaluated differences between these “Group B” pigs and the others that could suck normally after PLA, “Group A”. In the four Group A pigs, after PLA there was less hyoid elevation (p<0.001) but normal jaw and tongue movements. In Group B, in addition to greater jaw movement (p<0.001) there was more anterior and superior tongue movement (p<0.001) and a larger range of hyoid movement (p<0.001). Conclusion: The airway was protected in all of the pigs, indicating that these changes allowed successful adaptation to the reduction in palatal sensation. However, the oral and pharyngeal phases of the swallow were functionally linked and trigeminal sensation influenced the motor control of the pharyngeal swallow. HubMed – rehab