y may improve upper-limb motor function following chronic traumatic brain injury. A group of 22 participants with chronic traumatic brain injury and upper-limb paralysis participated in constraint-induced movement therapy for 2 weeks. Treatments included massed practice, shaping of the more-affected upper limb, behavioral contracts, and other behavioral techniques for affecting transfer to a real-world setting. Significant improvement was seen in participants' use of the more affected upper limb to accomplish activities of daily living.

Multidisciplinary treatment program improves long-term outcomes of individuals with Parkinson's disease, pg. 779
Over 75 percent of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) enrolled in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program demonstrated stable or improved motor function scores up to 3 years following treatment. Patients' disease progression was measured at baseline and 1, 2, or 3 years follow-up with the motor subscale of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Multidisciplinary interventions included neurology, physiatry, nursing, psychology, medication changes, rehabilitation therapies, functional diagnostic testing, support group, home exercise instruction, and disease and wellness education. This is the first long-range study to assess the efficacy of a multidisciplinary clinical program in management of PD patients.

Muscle vibration may enhance controlled movement in people with central motor disorders, pg. 787
This study examined whether muscle vibration enhances the brain's ability to control voluntary movement. Sixteen healthy men and women participated in studies involving the application of 15 or 30 minutes of vibration to the wrist extensor muscle. Fifteen minutes of vibration significantly increased muscle twitch responses, which indicates increased output to the muscles. The effects of muscle vibration were not sustained after 20 minutes. These data provide a basis
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Contact: Dr. Stacieann Yuhasz
yuhasz@vard.org
410-962-1800 x240
VA Research Communications Service
10-May-2006

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