Aim: To evaluate aerobic exercise in migraine and co-existing tension-type headache and neck pain. Methods: Consecutively recruited persons with migraine and co-existing tension-type headache and neck pain were randomized into an exercise group or control group. Aerobic exercise consisted of bike/cross-trainer/brisk walking for 45 minutes, three times/week. Controls continued usual daily activities. Pain frequency, intensity, and duration; physical fitness, level of physical activity, well-being and ability to engage in daily activities were assessed at baseline, after treatment and at follow-up. Results: Fifty-two persons completed the study. Significant between-group improvements for the exercise group were found for physical fitness, level of physical activity, migraine burden and the ability to engage in physical activity because of reduced impact of tension-type headache and neck pain. Within the exercise group, significant reduction was found for migraine frequency, pain intensity and duration, neck pain intensity, and burden of migraine; an increase in physical fitness and well-being. Conclusions: Exercise significantly reduced the burden of migraine and the ability to engage in physical activity because of reduced impact of tension-type headache and neck pain. Exercise also reduced migraine frequency, pain intensity and duration, although this was not significant compared to controls. These results emphasize the importance of regular aerobic exercise for reduction of migraine burden.

For more than 18 months. The re-education aimed at integrating the prosthesis in normal movements and increasing body awareness. Gait was measured before and after treatment and at 6 months follow-up with a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Results showed almost normalised gait speed and increased symmetry in the hip joints with increased muscle work on the amputated side both immediately and at follow-up. At follow-up there were significant differences in almost all parameters between the two legs of the subjects and when compared to a reference group of 18 healthy volunteers of similar age. Thus, the intact leg compensates for loss of function in the amputated leg and thereby works differently compared to the reference group. For example, during shock absorption the extension moment in the intact knee increased from 0.6Nm/kg before to 1.0Nm/kg after treatment and at follow-up compared to 0.4 Nm/kg in the reference group. The eccentric power of quadriceps increased from 0.6w/kg before to 1.8w/kg after treatment and 1.7w/kg at follow-up compared to 0.4w/kg in the reference group. The limp of amputees is usually observed in the frontal plane, but the authors’ special focus on the sagittal plane here illustrates gait propulsion influences. The positive training results remained after six months....

This study explores the impact of living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Nineteen persons (11 women) aged 55–84 diagnosed with PD 3–27 years ago participated. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed by qualitative content analysis. Four categories represented the impact of living with PD: “Changed prerequisites for managing day-to-day demands,” “Loss of identity and dignity,” “Compromised social participation,” and “The use of practical and psychological strategies.” There was a shift from an internal to an external locus of control in managing, control, competence, relatedness, and autonomy. According to self-determination theory, a shift towards extrinsically motivated behaviours may occur when these basic needs are thwarted, leading to compensatory strategies or needs substitutes with negative consequences on health and well-being. We suggest a needs-based approach as an important starting point to better understand the consequences of living with PD and to explore the means for people with PD to acquire an improved quality of life on their own terms. In conclusion, our findings suggest for a shift in focus, from a biomedical to a needs-based approach to understand the impact of living with PD and facilitate more person-centred care and person-centred outcome measurement.

The prevalence of migraine with co-existing tension-type headache and neck pain is high in the general population. However, there is very little literature on the characteristics of these combined conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate a) the prevalence of migraine with co-existing tension-type headache and neck pain in a clinic-based sample, b) the level of physical activity, psychological well-being, perceived stress and self-rated health in persons with migraine and co-existing tension-type headache and neck pain compared to healthy controls, c) the perceived ability of persons with migraine and co-existing tension-type headache and neck pain to perform physical activity, and d) which among the three conditions (migraine, tension-type headache or neck pain) is rated as the most burdensome condition. The study was conducted at a tertiary referral specialised headache centre where questionnaires on physical activity, psychological well-being, perceived stress and self-rated health were completed by 148 persons with migraine and 100 healthy controls matched by sex and average age. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to assess characteristics of migraine, tension-type headache and neck pain. Out of 148 persons with migraine, 100 (67%) suffered from co-existing tension-type headache and neck pain. Only 11% suffered from migraine only. Persons with migraine and co-existing tension-type headache and neck pain had lower level of physical activity and psychological well-being, higher level of perceived stress and poorer self-rated health compared to healthy controls. They reported reduced ability to perform physical activity owing to migraine (high degree), tension-type headache (moderate degree) and neck pain (low degree). The most burdensome condition was migraine, followed by tension-type headache and neck pain. Migraine with co-existing tension-type headache and neck pain was highly prevalent in a clinic-based sample. Persons with migraine and co-existing tension-type headache and neck pain may require more individually tailored interventions to increase the level of physical activity, and to improve psychological well-being, perceived stress and self-rated health.

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of back pain and its effect on function and health-related quality of life across three levels of lower limb amputation secondary to trauma or tumour was studied. Study design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Forty-six lower limb amputees, aged 19–78 years, participated. The Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ) and the short form 36 health survey (SF-36) were used. Results: Participants reported more back pain after amputation than before (p < 0.001). There was a significant association between back pain daily or several times/week and severe or moderate disability reporting on the RMDQ (p = 0.003). On the SF-36, the group as a whole scored significantly lower in health-related quality of life with regard to physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, social functioning and the physical component summary (PCS), and significantly higher in the mental component summary (MCS) compared to normative Swedish data. When all three levels of amputation were compared, no statistically significant differences were found in the RMDQ or SF-36 results. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of back pain after amputation. Almost all participants having back pain daily or several times per week reported severe or moderate disability on the RMDQ. The group as a whole scored significantly lower for health-related quality of life in the PCS and significantly higher in the MCS compared to normative Swedish data. Clinical relevance The high prevalence of back pain, and the significant association between back pain daily or several times per week and severe or moderate disability on the RMDQ, and the negative correlation between RMDQ and SF-36, may have clinical relevance with regard to rehabilitation and follow-up of lower limb amputation.