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  • 1.
    Ahlstrand, Inger
    et al.
    Hälsohögskolan, Högskolan i Jönköping, HHJ, Avd. för rehabilitering.
    Björk, Mathilda
    Hälsohögskolan, Högskolan i Jönköping, HHJ, Avd. för rehabilitering.
    Thyberg, Ingrid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Börsbo, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Hälsohögskolan, Högskolan i Jönköping, HHJ, Avd. för rehabilitering.
    Smärta och dagliga aktiviteter vid Reumatoid artrit ur ett patientperspektiv2011Conference paper (Other academic)
    Abstract [sv]

    Bakgrund: Smärta vid Reumatoid artrit (RA) ärett välkänt symtom som orsakar lidande ochaktivitetsbegränsning. Traditionellt mäts smärtainom reumatologin som smärtintensitet på enVisuell Analog Skala (VAS). Kunskapen kring hurpatienter med RA upplever smärta och dess konsekvenser är begränsad. Patientens egenbeskrivning behövs som underlag för behandlingsplanering och för att utveckla nya metoderför att beskriva problematiken.Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva smärtavid RA ur ett patientperspektiv med fokus på hursmärtan påverkar dagliga aktiviteter.Metod: Patienter med diagnostiserad RA i syd-östra Sverige identifierades via Svenska Reumatologiregistret. Urvalet baserades på minst 5 årssjukdomsduration och minst 40 mm smärtintensitet på VAS vid de två senaste besöken på reumatologklinik. Sammanlagt 33 patienter, 7 män och26 kvinnor, deltog i sju fokusgrupper. Gruppernaformades utifrån kön och ålder. Intervjuguideninnehöll frågor som: Hur beskriver patienter medRA sin smärta? Vad påverkar smärtan? Vilkakonsekvenser har smärtan för aktivitetsutförande,aktivitetsbalans och undvikande av aktivitet? Enkvalitativ innehållsanalys görs.Resultat/förväntat resultat: Analyser hittills visar patienternas frustration över att inteklara det man vill eller behöver göra, beroendeav andra, minskade möjligheter till delaktigheti sociala sammanhang. Och närståendes betydelse. Analyserna visar att smärtan är relaterad till Göteborg6-8 april 201134trötthet, stress och sinnesstämning och att arbeteeller andra aktiviteter medverkar till att glömmabort smärtan och uppehålla förmåga. Analysenslutförs under hösten.Konklusion: Denna studie förväntas genererany angelägen kunskap om och förståelse försmärta.

  • 2.
    Antepohl, Wolfram
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Reconstruction Centre, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine UHL.
    Dahle, Charlotte
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinical Immunology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Sjöberg, Folke
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Burn Center. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Anaesthetics, Operations and Specialty Surgery Center, Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Anaesthetics, Operations and Specialty Surgery Center, Department of Anaesthesiology and Surgery.
    Thorfinn, Johan
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Surgery. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Reconstruction Centre, Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand surgery UHL.
    Interleukin-8 is elevated in cerebrospinal fluid following high-voltage electrical injury with late-onset paraplegia suggesting neuronal damage at the microlevel as causative factor2010In: Burns, ISSN 0305-4179, E-ISSN 1879-1409, Vol. 36, no 3, p. e7-e9Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The patient, a 31-year-old male, sustained an electric burn injury (16 kV, AC/DC) while working with electric power lines. He was acutely admitted to a national burn center in Southeast Sweden, where burns equalling 29% of the total body surface area were noted. The burns were located at the front of the abdomen, upper arms bilaterally, and the left hip region, and the lesions were estimated to be mainly of the dermal type, what was believed initially to be caused mainly by an electric flash. There were no obvious entry or exit sites of the electric current. However, myoglobin in plasma was elevated as a sign of muscular degradation, suggesting that at least some current had passed through the tissues. According to the paramedic report there was an episode of a few minutes of unconsciousness immediately after the injury, but the patient was fully awake and alert on admission. There was no concomitant trauma.

  • 3.
    Arvidsson, P.
    et al.
    Department of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden, County Council of Gävleborg, Vuxenhabiliteringen, Lasarettsvägen 4, S-803 24 Gävle, Sweden.
    Granlund, M.
    Department of Social Sciences, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden.
    Thyberg, Mikael
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine .
    Factors related to self-fated participation in adolescents and adults with mild intellectual disability - A systematic literature review2008In: JARID: Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities, ISSN 1360-2322, E-ISSN 1468-3148, Vol. 21, no 3, p. 277-291Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background Self-rated participation is a clinically relevant intervention outcome for people with mild intellectual disability. The aim of this systematic review was to analyse empirical studies that explored relationships between either environmental factors or individual characteristics and aspects of participation in young adults with mild intellectual disability. Method Four databases were used, 756 abstracts examined and 24 studies were evaluated in-depth. Results Four aspects of participation were found: involvement, perceptions of self, self-determination and psychological well-being. Reported environmental factors were: social support, choice opportunity, living conditions, school, work and leisure, attitudes, physical availability and society. Reported individual characteristics were adaptive and social skills. Conclusions There is a relative lack of studies of factors influencing self-rated participation and existing studies are difficult to compare because of disparity regarding approaches, conceptual frameworks, etc. For adequate interventions, it seems important to study how profiles of participation are influenced by different patterns of environmental factors and individual characteristics. © 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  • 4.
    Arvidsson, Patrik
    et al.
    University of Örebro, Sweden .
    Granlund, Mats
    University of Örebro, Sweden Jonköping University, Sweden .
    Thyberg, Ingrid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Thyberg, Mikael
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health categories explored for self-rated participation in Swedish adolescents and adults with a mild intellectual disability2012In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, ISSN 1650-1977, E-ISSN 1651-2081, Vol. 44, no 7, p. 562-569Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: To explore internal consistency and correlations between perceived ability, performance and perceived importance in a preliminary selection of self-reported items representing the activity/participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Design: Structured interview study. Subjects: Fifty-five Swedish adolescents and adults with a mild intellectual disability. Methods: Questions about perceived ability, performance and perceived importance were asked on the basis of a 3-grade Likert-scale regarding each of 68 items representing the 9 ICF domains of activity/participation. Results: Internal consistency for perceived ability (Cron-bachs alpha for all 68 items): 0.95 (values for each domain varied between 0.57 and 0.85), for performance: 0.86 (between 0.27 and 0.66), for perceived importance: 0.84 (between 0.27 and 0.68). Seventy-two percent of the items showed correlations greater than0.5 (mean =0.59) for performance vs perceived importance, 41% greater than0.5 (mean =0.47) for perceived ability vs performance and 12% greater than0.5 (mean =0.28) for perceived ability vs perceived importance. Conclusion: Measures of performance and perceived importance may have to be based primarily on their estimated clinical relevance for describing aspects of the ICF participation concept. With a clinimetric approach, parts of the studied items and domains may be used to investigate factors related to different patterns and levels of participation, and outcomes of rehabilitation.

  • 5.
    Bendelin, Nina
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Öberg, Jörgen
    Linköping University, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Education, Teaching and Learning. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Hesser, Hugo
    Linköping University, The Swedish Institute for Disability Research. Linköping University, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Disability Research. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Andersson, Gerhard
    Linköping University, The Swedish Institute for Disability Research. Linköping University, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Disability Research. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Centre, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Internet-delivered intervention for relapse prevention after pain management program2009Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 6. Order onlineBuy this publication >>
    Björk, Mathilda
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Aspects of Disability in Rheumatoid Arthritis: a five-year follow-up in the Swedish TIRA project2008Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive disease, often leading to disability. Because the disease course develops rapidly during the first years after diagnosis, more knowledge is needed about the early disease course to minimize later disability. This thesis describes the course of disability in early RA such as hand function, pain intensity, activity limitation and sick leave. In addition, this thesis compares disability between women and men and compares disability between RA patients and referents.

    This thesis is primarily based on data from the 320 patients that were included in the multi-centre project in Sweden called ‘Early interventions in rheumatoid arthritis’ (TIRA). A wide range of outcome variables was registered between 1996 and 2006 during regular follow-ups from time for diagnosis through the eight-year follow-up. Outcome regarding disease activity and disability of RA patients still remaining in TIRA at the three and five year follow-up respectively are used in this thesis. Data concerning sick leave were obtained for the patients during six years (1993-2001) – three years before and three years after diagnosis. Referents were included in two of the studies. Data regarding disability in referents were obtained according to hand function and activity limitation using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Data for sick leave were obtained for six years in referents, for the same period as the RA patients.

    For most variables, disability in RA was most pronounced at time of diagnosis but before intervention started. Disability was then reduced already at the 3-month follow-up and thereafter affected but stable during the following five years. The exception was participation, reflected by sick leave, a variable that was stable from inclusion to three years from diagnosis. Activity limitation, pain intensity and sick leave in RA that represents different aspects of disability were explained by other aspects of disability and contextual factors rather than by disease activity. RA affects women and men differently in some aspects. Women had more severe course of activity limitations than men according to HAQ. Men were more affected than women in range of motion, although the differences were small in a clinical perspective. However, pain intensity and frequency of sick leave did not differ between women and men. Patients with RA have pronounced disability in relation to referents although several variables improve soon after diagnosis. This discrepancy refers to hand function as well as activity limitations and sick leave. The frequency of sick leave increased during the year before diagnosis in relation to referents and was thereafter high compared to sick leave in referents.

    List of papers
    1. Hand function in women and men with early rheumatoid arthritis: A prospective study over three years (the Swedish TIRA project)
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Hand function in women and men with early rheumatoid arthritis: A prospective study over three years (the Swedish TIRA project)
    2006 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, ISSN 0300-9742, E-ISSN 1502-7732, Vol. 35, no 1, p. 15-19Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: To describe the course of hand function in women and men during the first 3 years after diagnosis of recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), to investigate sex differences in hand function, and to study correlations between and within hand function assessments.

    Methods: A total of 276 patients (69% women) with RA of a maximal duration of 12 months were recruited to the study. Hand function was assessed by the Grip Ability Test (GAT) and Signals of Functional Impairment (SOFI). Peak and average grip force over 10 s in the right and left hand was measured by an electronic device.

    Results: Hand function was affected at diagnosis, but had improved significantly at the 3-months' follow-up and then remained stable (but still affected) in both women and men. As assessed by SOFI, hand function was worse in men than in women, whereas women had significantly lower grip force. GAT, grip force, and SOFI correlated weakly. The average and peak values of grip force correlated strongly, as did the grip force in the right and the left hand.

    Conclusion: Hand function was profoundly affected at diagnosis of RA, but improved significantly within 3 months and remained stable (but still affected) over 3 years. As expected, women on average had significantly lower grip force than men.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Informa Healthcare, 2006
    Keywords
    Hand function, course, sex differences, rheumatoid arthritis, impairment, assessment
    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-13327 (URN)10.1080/03009740510026562 (DOI)000235183300003 ()
    Available from: 2008-06-02 Created: 2008-06-02 Last updated: 2017-12-13Bibliographically approved
    2. Hand Function and Activity Limitation According to Health Assessment Questionnaire in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Healthy Referents: 5-Year Followup of Predictors of Activity Limitation (The Swedish TIRA Project)
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Hand Function and Activity Limitation According to Health Assessment Questionnaire in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Healthy Referents: 5-Year Followup of Predictors of Activity Limitation (The Swedish TIRA Project)
    2007 (English)In: Journal of Rheumatology, ISSN 0315-162X, E-ISSN 1499-2752, Vol. 34, no 2, p. 296-302Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: This study identifies baseline predictors of future activity limitation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To reinforce the utility of instruments assessing functional ability/activity limitation, we used reference data from healthy referents.

    Methods: This study includes 189 patients (69% women) with recent-onset RA (onset of joint swelling not more than 12 months at diagnosis) in a prospective cohort ("the Swedish TIRA project") during 27 months from 1996 through 1998. Regular followups were done for a period of 5 years, and 123 healthy persons (50% women) were recruited as referents. Hand function was assessed by the "grip ability test (GAT)" and "signals of functional impairment" (SOFI). Grip force was measured with the electronic device GrippitTM. Activity limitation was assessed with the Swedish version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).

    Results: Throughout the study and for both sexes, GAT, grip force, SOFI-hand, and HAQ were significantly different for the patients compared to healthy referents. In the healthy referents, HAQ was mainly related to age and GAT, whereas in RA HAQ was most obviously linked to grip force. Five years after diagnosis only 8% of HAQ outcome was explained by the baseline measures: HAQ, grip force, SOFI-lower limb, sex, walking speed, and GAT.

    Conclusion: Our study provides valuable reference data for several functional ability and activity limitation measures. The HAQ score was explained by different variables in healthy referents compared to patients with RA. Five years after diagnosis only 8% of HAQ outcome was explained by the variables assessed at inclusion.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Journal of Rheumatology Publishing Co. Ltd., 2007
    Keywords
    Rheumatoid Arthritis, Disabilty, Longitudinal studies, Sex differences, Reference values
    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-13328 (URN)000244112900012 ()
    Available from: 2008-06-02 Created: 2008-06-02 Last updated: 2017-12-13Bibliographically approved
    3. Multivariate relationships between pain intensity and other aspects of health in rheumatoid arthritis: cross sectional and five year longitudinal analyses (the Swedish TIRA project)
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Multivariate relationships between pain intensity and other aspects of health in rheumatoid arthritis: cross sectional and five year longitudinal analyses (the Swedish TIRA project)
    2008 (English)In: Disability and Rehabilitation, ISSN 0963-8288, Vol. 30, no 19, p. 1429-1438Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Objectives: This study analyses the relationships between pain intensity and other aspects of health commonly used to assess disease activity and disability in early rheumatoid arthritis and examines whether such relationships were different between women and men.

    Subjects and methods: This study included the 189 patients (69% women) with early RA (symptoms <12 months at diagnosis) still remaining in the Swedish TIRA cohort 5 years after inclusion. Disease activity and disability was assessed 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months (M0-M60) after inclusion by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), number of swollen and tender joints, physicians global assessment of disease activity (PGA), grip force average over 10 seconds (Grippit), Grip Ability Test (GAT), Signals of Functional Impairment (SOFI) in hand, lower limb and upper limb, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and pain intensity measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). The variables were divided into meaningful blocks according to the correlation structure in a principal component analysis (PCA) at M60. Using hierarchical partial least squares (PLS) analyses, this study investigated the blocks cross-sectionally to test for correlations with pain intensity at M0 and M60. The blocks at M0 were also used as predictors of pain intensity at M60 in a hierarchical PLS.

    Results: The strongest relationship was found between pain intensity and the second block, consisting of HAQ and SOFI-lower limb at the cross-sectional analyses in both women and men. The block representing disease activity (i.e., ESR, CRP, PGA, and swollen and tender joints) had the weakest relation to pain intensity. According to the longitudinal analyses, the disease activity variables (block 1) at M0 had the strongest relationship to pain intensity at M60 in men. In contrast, HAQ and SOFI-lower limb (block 2) at M0 had a strong relation to pain intensity in women.

    Keywords
    pain intensity, predictions, principal component analysis, prospective study, Rheumatoid arthritis, sex differences, pain, research, longitudinal method
    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-13329 (URN)10.1080/09638280701623356 (DOI)
    Available from: 2008-06-02 Created: 2008-06-02 Last updated: 2013-09-13
    4. Sick leave before and after diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in relation to referens: A report from the Swedish TIRA project
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Sick leave before and after diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in relation to referens: A report from the Swedish TIRA project
    Show others...
    2009 (English)In: Journal of Rheumatology, ISSN 0315-162X, E-ISSN 1499-2752, Vol. 36, no 6, p. 1170-1179Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Objective. Our study describes sick leave during 3 years before and 3 years after diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to referents and identifies predictors for sick leave during the third year after diagnosis of RA.

    Methods. One hundred twenty patients (76% women) from the Swedish early RA study TIRA were included. Disease activity and disability were registered regularly during 3 years in TIRA. Referents were matched for sex, age, and home town. Sick leave data were obtained for patients 3 years before and 3 years after diagnosis and for the referents for the corresponding 6 years.

    Results. No differences were seen between patients and referents regarding sick leave during the first 2 years, whereas sick leave increased in patients 6 months before diagnosis, from 30% to 53%. During the 3 years after diagnosis, sick leave among patients was rather stable, varying between 50% and 60%, even though disability pension increased and sickness benefit decreased. Sick leave before diagnosis, disability 1 year after diagnosis, and type of work were identified as predictors for sick leave during the third year after diagnosis.

    Conclusion. Not surprisingly, sick leave in patients increased the year before diagnosis. Although disease activity and disability diminished after diagnosis, the patients’ sick leave remained essentially unchanged. Sick leave 3 years after diagnosis was foremost predicted by earlier sick leave, disability, and type of work.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Journal of Rheumatology Publishing Co. Ltd., 2009
    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-13330 (URN)10.3899/jrheum.080523 (DOI)000266891500016 ()
    Available from: 2008-06-02 Created: 2008-06-02 Last updated: 2017-12-13Bibliographically approved
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  • 7.
    Björk, Mathilda
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Thyberg, Ingrid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Peolsson, Mchael
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Multivariate relationships between pain intensity and other aspects of health in rheumatoid arthritis: cross sectional and five year longitudinal analyses (the Swedish TIRA project)2008In: Disability and Rehabilitation, ISSN 0963-8288, Vol. 30, no 19, p. 1429-1438Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objectives: This study analyses the relationships between pain intensity and other aspects of health commonly used to assess disease activity and disability in early rheumatoid arthritis and examines whether such relationships were different between women and men.

    Subjects and methods: This study included the 189 patients (69% women) with early RA (symptoms <12 months at diagnosis) still remaining in the Swedish TIRA cohort 5 years after inclusion. Disease activity and disability was assessed 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months (M0-M60) after inclusion by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), number of swollen and tender joints, physicians global assessment of disease activity (PGA), grip force average over 10 seconds (Grippit), Grip Ability Test (GAT), Signals of Functional Impairment (SOFI) in hand, lower limb and upper limb, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and pain intensity measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). The variables were divided into meaningful blocks according to the correlation structure in a principal component analysis (PCA) at M60. Using hierarchical partial least squares (PLS) analyses, this study investigated the blocks cross-sectionally to test for correlations with pain intensity at M0 and M60. The blocks at M0 were also used as predictors of pain intensity at M60 in a hierarchical PLS.

    Results: The strongest relationship was found between pain intensity and the second block, consisting of HAQ and SOFI-lower limb at the cross-sectional analyses in both women and men. The block representing disease activity (i.e., ESR, CRP, PGA, and swollen and tender joints) had the weakest relation to pain intensity. According to the longitudinal analyses, the disease activity variables (block 1) at M0 had the strongest relationship to pain intensity at M60 in men. In contrast, HAQ and SOFI-lower limb (block 2) at M0 had a strong relation to pain intensity in women.

  • 8.
    Björk, Mathilda
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Thyberg, Ingrid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Rikner, Klas
    Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, and Centre for Public Sector Research, Göteborg University.
    Balogh, Istvan
    Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Lund, Lund.
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Pain and Occupational Centre, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Sick leave before and after diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in relation to referens: A report from the Swedish TIRA project2009In: Journal of Rheumatology, ISSN 0315-162X, E-ISSN 1499-2752, Vol. 36, no 6, p. 1170-1179Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective. Our study describes sick leave during 3 years before and 3 years after diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to referents and identifies predictors for sick leave during the third year after diagnosis of RA.

    Methods. One hundred twenty patients (76% women) from the Swedish early RA study TIRA were included. Disease activity and disability were registered regularly during 3 years in TIRA. Referents were matched for sex, age, and home town. Sick leave data were obtained for patients 3 years before and 3 years after diagnosis and for the referents for the corresponding 6 years.

    Results. No differences were seen between patients and referents regarding sick leave during the first 2 years, whereas sick leave increased in patients 6 months before diagnosis, from 30% to 53%. During the 3 years after diagnosis, sick leave among patients was rather stable, varying between 50% and 60%, even though disability pension increased and sickness benefit decreased. Sick leave before diagnosis, disability 1 year after diagnosis, and type of work were identified as predictors for sick leave during the third year after diagnosis.

    Conclusion. Not surprisingly, sick leave in patients increased the year before diagnosis. Although disease activity and disability diminished after diagnosis, the patients’ sick leave remained essentially unchanged. Sick leave 3 years after diagnosis was foremost predicted by earlier sick leave, disability, and type of work.

  • 9.
    Björk, Mathilda
    et al.
    Avd. för rehabilitering, HHJ, Hälsohögskolan, Högskolan i Jönköping.
    Trupin, L.
    University of California, San Francisco.
    Thyberg, Ingrid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Rheumatology.
    Katz, P.
    University of California, San Francisco.
    Yelin, E.
    University of California, San Francisco.
    Differences in activity limitation, pain intensity, and global health in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Sweden and the USA: a 5-year follow-up2011In: Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, ISSN 0300-9742, E-ISSN 1502-7732, Vol. 40, no 6, p. 428-432Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: In this study we compared activity limitations, pain intensity, and global health in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Sweden and the USA and aimed to determine whether nationality is associated with these outcomes. Methods: We used longitudinal data from the Swedish TIRA project (n = 149) and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) RA panel study (n = 85). Data were collected annually concerning use of medications [disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, and corticosteroids], morning stiffness, number of swollen joints, and number of painful joints. Three self-reported outcome measures were examined: pain intensity measured on a 0-100 visual analogue scale (VAS), activity limitation according to the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and global health. To analyse the data, the Students t-test, the chi(2)-test, and the generalized estimating equation (GEE) method were used. Results: Nationality was significantly related to HAQ score and pain intensity, even after adjustment for covariates. The patients in the TIRA cohort reported a lower HAQ score and a higher pain intensity than the patients in the UCSF cohort. Nationality was not related to global health. Conclusion: Patients with RA should be assessed with awareness of the psychosocial and cultural context because disability seems to be affected by nationality. Further knowledge to clarify how a multinational setting affects disability could improve the translation of interventions for patients with RA across nationalities.

  • 10.
    Borg, Jorgen
    et al.
    Karolinska Institute.
    Ward, Anthony B
    Haywood Hospital.
    Wissel, Joerg
    Kliniken Beelitz GmbH.
    Kulkarni, Jai
    Manchester Royal Infirmary.
    Sakel, Mohamed
    E Kent University Fdn Hospital Trust.
    Ertzgaard, Per
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Reconstruction Centre, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine UHL.
    Akerlund, Per
    Falu Lasarett.
    Reuter, Iris
    University Giessen.
    Herrmann, Christoph
    Asklepios Kliniken Schildautal.
    Satkunam, Lalith
    Glenrose Rehabil Hospital.
    Wein, Theodore
    Montreal General Hospital.
    Girod, Isabelle
    Allergan Ltd.
    Wright, Nicola
    Allergan Ltd.
    RATIONALE AND DESIGN OF A MULTICENTRE, DOUBLE-BLIND, PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED, EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN STUDY: EVALUATING PATIENT OUTCOMES AND COSTS OF MANAGING ADULTS WITH POST-STROKE FOCAL SPASTICITY2011In: JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE, ISSN 1650-1977, Vol. 43, no 1, p. 15-22Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: This report describes the design of a study aiming to provide evidence for the extended use of botulinum toxin A (BOTOX(R), Allergan Inc.) in focal post-stroke upper and lower limb spasticity and to evaluate the impact of incorporating botulinum toxin A treatment into the rehabilitation of patients with spasticity. Design: International, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with an open-label extension. Methods: Approximately 300 adults with a stroke occurring 23 months before screening, presenting with symptoms and signs of an upper motor neuron syndrome and focal spasticity-related functional impairment, were randomized to botulinum toxin A+standard care or placebo+standard care. Study medication was administered at baseline and again at Week 12 if required, with follow-up to 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was the number of patients who achieved their investigator-rated principal active functional goal (as measured by Goal Attainment Scaling), at 10 weeks after the second injection (Weeks 22-34) or at the 24-week visit if no second injection was administered. Secondary endpoints included changes from baseline in level of goal achievement, health-related quality of life and resource utilization. Conclusion: The BOTOX(R) Economic Spasticity Trial (BEST) will provide information regarding clinical and cost-effectiveness of botulinum toxin+standard care vs standard care alone in patients with upper and/or lower limb post-stroke spasticity typically seen in clinical practice.

  • 11.
    Burckhardt, Carol S.
    et al.
    School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, USA.
    Liedberg, Gunilla
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Health, Activity, Care. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Henriksson, Chris M.
    Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Aspegren-Kendall, Sally
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    The Impact of Fibromyalgia on Employment Status of Newly-Diagnosed Young Women2005In: Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, ISSN 1058-2452, Vol. 13, no 2, p. 31-41Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objectives: To describe employment loss in young women with newly diagnosed fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] and to identify variables that may explain early loss of employment.

    Methods: In this pilot studsy, 94 young women [18-39 years old] in the United States [USA] and Sweden completed demographics, global rating scales, and standardized questionnaires, including the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, SF-36 General Health Subscale, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales II Social Support Subscale, and Job Flexibility Scale, three times during the first 12 to 15 months after diagnosis.

    Results: At the time of diagnosis, 60 percent were in paid employment [USA 71 percent, Sweden 49 percent]. When the participants entered the study, within three months of diagnosis, only 46 percent were working [USA 56 percent, Sweden 37 percent]. Twelve months later, 41 percent were working [USA 55 percent, Sweden 28 percent]. Younger age, poorer physical functioning, and lower self-efficacy for pain management along with higher symptom interference with ability to do any work, and pain severity predicted unemployment with 75 percent accuracy.

    Conclusions: An early and notable decrease in the percentage of young women diagnosed with FMS and working in paid employment was seen in this pilot study. Because most of the job loss was associated with FMS symptoms, a larger study of strategies to control or ameliorate these symptoms in the work setting should be undertaken.

  • 12.
    Bäckryd, Emmanuel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Larsson, Barbro
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Habilitation in Central County.
    Movement-evoked breakthrough cancer pain despite intrathecal analgesia: a prospective series2011In: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, ISSN 0001-5172, E-ISSN 1399-6576, Vol. 55, no 9, p. 1139-1146Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Intrathecal analgesia (ITA) is a valuable treatment option for intractable cancer-related pain. However, the issue of movement-evoked breakthrough pain (BTP) has not been specifically investigated in the ITA setting. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ITA on spontaneous resting pain intensity (SRPI), doses of non-ITA opioids, and specifically on movement-evoked pain intensity (MEPI). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: We prospectively studied 28 consecutive patients who graded SRPI and MEPI on a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) at the time of ITA procedure, after 1 week, and after 1 month. Mild pain was defined as NRS andlt;= 3 and severe pain as NRS andgt;= 7. Concomitant doses of opioids were registered. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: After 1 week, no patient had severe SRPI compared with 31% before ITA, and the proportion of patients with mild SRPI had increased from 27% to 76%. Meanwhile, the median daily dose of non-ITA opioids decreased from 575 to 120 mg of oral morphine equivalents. The effect on SRPI and on doses of non-ITA opioids remained essentially unchanged during the study month, but the proportion of patients having severe MEPI did not change significantly: 44% still had severe MEPI after 1 week and 40% after 1 month. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusion: Movement-evoked BTP was a major clinical problem throughout the study month despite otherwise successful ITA. Improving the quality of life of patients with intractable cancer-related pain should include developing strategies to better deal with movement-evoked BTP.

  • 13.
    Bäckryd, Emmanuel
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Sörensen, Jan
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Nerve block as analgesia forneoplastic brachial plexopathy2010In: European Journal of Palliative Care, ISSN 1352-2779, E-ISSN 1479-0793, Vol. 17, no 5, p. 218-220Article in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Brachial plexus nerve blocks are performed to treat patients with chronic pain referable to the brachial plexus. The needle insertion and trajectory are based on palpation of surface landmarks. Occasionally, the surface landmarks are difficult to identify owing to body habitus or anatomic alterations secondary to surgery or radiation therapy. The intent of this manuscript is to describe a technique for brachial plexus block guided with computed tomography and to report our initial results for regional pain management.

  • 14. Order onlineBuy this publication >>
    Börsbo, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Relationships between Psychological Factors, Disability, Quality of Life and Health in Chronic Pain Disorders2008Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Chronic pain is a very common condition with a prevalence of 40-65% in the community. The high prevalence of chronic pain causes a lot of human suffering but also high societal costs. The development and maintenance of chronic pain constitutes a complex interplay between neurobiological, psychosocial and genetic factors. A biopsychosocial model of chronic pain has been suggested to make a comprehensive context of the understanding of this issue.

    The main aims of this thesis were to analyze the relationships of the different components of the biopsychosocial model of pain and to study the relative importance of pain, stress and different psychological factors on disability and health related quality of life.

    The thesis is based on two groups of patients. One group consists of 275 patients with chronic Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) and one group comprise 433 patients with WAD, fibromyalgia (FM) and patients with chronic pain related to Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). The patients were investigated by questionnaires assessing different aspects of pain, depression, anxiety, catastrophizing, self-efficacy, disability and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL).

    The main results were that psychological factors (especially depression) correlated relatively strongly with perceived HRQL and disability. The degree of depression appeared to have the most important relationship to perceived HRQL. Despite the fact that the patients rated depression just mild or moderate, depression had a great importance for the outcome of HQRL and disability. Pain intensity and duration played, in the cross-sectional perspective, a minor role for perceived HRQL, whereas pain intensity related more to the outcome of perceived disability.

    From a clinical point of view it is important to assess the complex and unique situation of each individual with respect to depression, anxiety, self-efficacy and pain when planning treatment and rehabilitation in order to optimise the outcome of such programmes.

    List of papers
    1. Generalized pain is associated with more negative consequences than local or regional pain: A study of chronic whiplash-associated disorders
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Generalized pain is associated with more negative consequences than local or regional pain: A study of chronic whiplash-associated disorders
    2007 (English)In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, ISSN 1650-1977, E-ISSN 1651-2081, Vol. 39, no 3, p. 260-269Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: The main aims of this study were: (i) to determine, for chronic whiplash-associated disorders, whether widespread pain has more severe consequences for other symptoms and different aspects of perceived health than does local/regional pain; (ii) to investigate whether pain, depression, and symptoms not directly related to pain are intercorrelated and to what extent these symptoms correlate with catastrophizing according to the Coping Strategy Questionnaire.

    Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

    Patients: A total of 275 consecutive chronic pain patients with whiplash-associated disorders who were referred to a university hospital.

    Methods: Background history, Beck Depression Inventory, Coping Strategy Questionnaire, Life Satisfaction Checklist, the SF-36 Health Survey and EuroQol were used to collect data.

    Results: Spreading of pain was associated with negative consequences with respect to pain intensity and prevalence of other symptoms, life satisfaction/quality and general health. The subjects differ with respect to the presence of symptoms not directly related to pain. A minor part of the variation in Back Depression Inventory was explained by direct aspects of pain, indicating that, to some extent, generalization of pain is related to catastrophizing thoughts.

    Conclusion: Widespread pain was associated with negative consequences with respect to pain intensity, prevalence of other symptoms including depressive symptoms, some aspects of coping, life satisfaction and general health.

    Keywords
    Neck, whiplash, generalized pain, neuroplasticity, depression, catastrophizing.
    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-15687 (URN)10.2340/16501977-0052 (DOI)
    Available from: 2008-12-04 Created: 2008-11-26 Last updated: 2017-12-14Bibliographically approved
    2. Catastrophizing, depression, and pain: Correlation with and influence on quality of life and health: A study of chronic whiplash-associated disorders
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Catastrophizing, depression, and pain: Correlation with and influence on quality of life and health: A study of chronic whiplash-associated disorders
    2008 (English)In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, ISSN 1650-1977, E-ISSN 1651-2081, Vol. 40, no 7, p. 562-569Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: The aims of this study were: (i) to classify subgroups according to the degree of pain intensity, depression, and catastrophizing, and investigate distribution in a group of patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders; and (ii) to investigate how these subgroups were distributed and inter-related multivariately with respect to consequences such as health and quality of life outcome measures.

    Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

    Patients: A total of 275 consecutive chronic pain patients with whiplash-associated disorders who were referred to a university hospital.

    Methods: The following data were obtained by means of self-report questionnaires: pain intensity in neck and shoulders, background history, Beck Depression Inventory, the catastrophizing scale of Coping Strategy Questionnaire, Life Satisfaction Checklist, the SF-36 Health Survey, and the EuroQol.

    Results: Principal component analysis was used to recognize subgroups according to the degree of pain intensity, depression, and catastrophizing. These subgroups have specific characteristics according to perceived health and quality of life, and the degree of depression appears to be the most important influencing factor.

    Conclusion: From a clinical point of view, these findings indicate that it is important to assess patients for intensity of pain, depression, and catastrophizing when planning a rehabilitation programme. Such an evaluation will help individualize therapy and intervention techniques so as to optimize the efficiency of the programme.

    Keywords
    Neck, whiplash, pain, depression, catastrophizing, health, quality of life
    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-15688 (URN)10.2340/16501977-0207 (DOI)
    Available from: 2008-12-04 Created: 2008-11-26 Last updated: 2017-12-14Bibliographically approved
    3. The complex interplay between pain intensity, depression, anxiety and catastrophizing with respect to quality of life and disability
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>The complex interplay between pain intensity, depression, anxiety and catastrophizing with respect to quality of life and disability
    2009 (English)In: Disability and Rehabilitation, ISSN 0963-8288, E-ISSN 1464-5165, Vol. 31, no 19, p. 1605-1613Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose: To identify subgroups of chronic pain patients based on the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing and the duration of pain and pain intensity. In addition to this, to investigate the relationship between the subgroups with respect to background variables, diagnosis, pain-related disability, and perceived quality of life.

    Methods: This study used 433 chronic pain patients including 47 patients with spinal cord injury related pain, 150 with chronic whiplash associated disorders, and 236 with fibromyalgia. The participants answered a postal questionnaire that provided background data, pain intensity and duration and psychological and health related items.

    Results: Based on depression, anxiety, catastrophizing, pain intensity and duration, we identified subgroups of chronic pain patients that differed with respect to perceived quality of life, disability and diagnosis. The psychological factors, especially depression, significantly influenced perceived quality of life and disability. Pain intensity and duration play a minor role with respect to quality of life although pain intensity is associated contributes more to perceived disability.

    Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the importance of not looking at chronic pain patients as a homogenous entity. A detailed assessment, including psychological factors with emphasis on depressive symptoms, might be essential for planning and carrying through treatment and rehabilitation.

    Keywords
    Chronic pain, catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, quality of life, disability
    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-15689 (URN)10.1080/09638280903110079 (DOI)
    Available from: 2008-12-04 Created: 2008-11-26 Last updated: 2017-12-14Bibliographically approved
    4. Impact of the interaction between selfefficacy, symptoms and catastrophizing on disability, quality of life and health in chronic pain patients
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Impact of the interaction between selfefficacy, symptoms and catastrophizing on disability, quality of life and health in chronic pain patients
    2010 (English)In: Disability and Rehabilitation, ISSN 0963-8288, E-ISSN 1464-5165, Vol. 32, no 17, p. 1387-1396Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    This study investigates the interactions between self-efficacy–including subcomponents–and symptoms (pain, depression, and anxiety), catastrophizing, disability, quality of life, and health in a population of chronic pain patients. The study used 433 chronic pain patients including 47 patients with spinal cord injuryrelated pain, 150 with chronic whiplash-associated disorders, and 236 with fibromyalgia. The participants answered a postal questionnaire that provided background data, pain intensity and duration, and psychological- and health-related items. In the multivariate context, depression, anxiety, catastrophizing, and disability were intercorrelated. Self-efficacy correlated positively with variables of quality of life and general health. These two groups of variables were negatively correlated. The pain variables–duration of pain, pain intensity, and spreading of pain–formed a third group of variables. Self-efficacy function was negatively correlated to these three pain variables. When regressing disability, quality of life, and health, we found that self-efficacy had a positive impact whereas symptoms, catastrophizing, and pain had a negative influence on these aspects. Different patterns of influencing variables were discerned for the three different analyses, and specific patterns of the subscales of self-efficacy corresponded to specific patterns of negative factors for the outcome of disability, quality of life, and health.

    Perspective: This article presents the complex interaction of psychological factors and symptoms and their positive and negative influence on disability, quality of life, and health. The results indicate that it might be important to assess and influence both enhancing and detoriating factors to ensure an effective pain management programme.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Informa Healthcare, 2010
    Keywords
    Chronic pain, self-efficacy, disability, quality of life, health, depression
    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-15690 (URN)10.3109/09638280903419269 (DOI)000280755100001 ()
    Note
    Original Publication: Björn Börsbo, Björn Gerdle and Michael Peolsson, Impact of the interaction between selfefficacy, symptoms and catastrophizing on disability, quality of life and health in chronic pain patients, 2010, Disability and rehabilitation, (32), 17, 1387-1396. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638280903419269 Copyright: Informa Healthcare http://informahealthcare.com/ Available from: 2008-12-04 Created: 2008-11-26 Last updated: 2017-12-14Bibliographically approved
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  • 15.
    Börsbo, Björn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Peolsson, Michael
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Impact of the interaction between selfefficacy, symptoms and catastrophizing on disability, quality of life and health in chronic pain patients2010In: Disability and Rehabilitation, ISSN 0963-8288, E-ISSN 1464-5165, Vol. 32, no 17, p. 1387-1396Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This study investigates the interactions between self-efficacy–including subcomponents–and symptoms (pain, depression, and anxiety), catastrophizing, disability, quality of life, and health in a population of chronic pain patients. The study used 433 chronic pain patients including 47 patients with spinal cord injuryrelated pain, 150 with chronic whiplash-associated disorders, and 236 with fibromyalgia. The participants answered a postal questionnaire that provided background data, pain intensity and duration, and psychological- and health-related items. In the multivariate context, depression, anxiety, catastrophizing, and disability were intercorrelated. Self-efficacy correlated positively with variables of quality of life and general health. These two groups of variables were negatively correlated. The pain variables–duration of pain, pain intensity, and spreading of pain–formed a third group of variables. Self-efficacy function was negatively correlated to these three pain variables. When regressing disability, quality of life, and health, we found that self-efficacy had a positive impact whereas symptoms, catastrophizing, and pain had a negative influence on these aspects. Different patterns of influencing variables were discerned for the three different analyses, and specific patterns of the subscales of self-efficacy corresponded to specific patterns of negative factors for the outcome of disability, quality of life, and health.

    Perspective: This article presents the complex interaction of psychological factors and symptoms and their positive and negative influence on disability, quality of life, and health. The results indicate that it might be important to assess and influence both enhancing and detoriating factors to ensure an effective pain management programme.

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 16.
    Börsbo, Björn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Peolsson, Michael
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Catastrophizing, depression, and pain: Correlation with and influence on quality of life and health: A study of chronic whiplash-associated disorders2008In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, ISSN 1650-1977, E-ISSN 1651-2081, Vol. 40, no 7, p. 562-569Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: The aims of this study were: (i) to classify subgroups according to the degree of pain intensity, depression, and catastrophizing, and investigate distribution in a group of patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders; and (ii) to investigate how these subgroups were distributed and inter-related multivariately with respect to consequences such as health and quality of life outcome measures.

    Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

    Patients: A total of 275 consecutive chronic pain patients with whiplash-associated disorders who were referred to a university hospital.

    Methods: The following data were obtained by means of self-report questionnaires: pain intensity in neck and shoulders, background history, Beck Depression Inventory, the catastrophizing scale of Coping Strategy Questionnaire, Life Satisfaction Checklist, the SF-36 Health Survey, and the EuroQol.

    Results: Principal component analysis was used to recognize subgroups according to the degree of pain intensity, depression, and catastrophizing. These subgroups have specific characteristics according to perceived health and quality of life, and the degree of depression appears to be the most important influencing factor.

    Conclusion: From a clinical point of view, these findings indicate that it is important to assess patients for intensity of pain, depression, and catastrophizing when planning a rehabilitation programme. Such an evaluation will help individualize therapy and intervention techniques so as to optimize the efficiency of the programme.

  • 17.
    Börsbo, Björn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Peolsson, Michael
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine .
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    The complex interplay between pain intensity, depression, anxiety and catastrophizing with respect to quality of life and disability2009In: Disability and Rehabilitation, ISSN 0963-8288, E-ISSN 1464-5165, Vol. 31, no 19, p. 1605-1613Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose: To identify subgroups of chronic pain patients based on the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing and the duration of pain and pain intensity. In addition to this, to investigate the relationship between the subgroups with respect to background variables, diagnosis, pain-related disability, and perceived quality of life.

    Methods: This study used 433 chronic pain patients including 47 patients with spinal cord injury related pain, 150 with chronic whiplash associated disorders, and 236 with fibromyalgia. The participants answered a postal questionnaire that provided background data, pain intensity and duration and psychological and health related items.

    Results: Based on depression, anxiety, catastrophizing, pain intensity and duration, we identified subgroups of chronic pain patients that differed with respect to perceived quality of life, disability and diagnosis. The psychological factors, especially depression, significantly influenced perceived quality of life and disability. Pain intensity and duration play a minor role with respect to quality of life although pain intensity is associated contributes more to perceived disability.

    Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the importance of not looking at chronic pain patients as a homogenous entity. A detailed assessment, including psychological factors with emphasis on depressive symptoms, might be essential for planning and carrying through treatment and rehabilitation.

  • 18. Carville, S F
    et al.
    Arendt-Nielsen, S
    Bliddal, H
    Blotman, F
    Branco, J C
    Buskila, D
    Da Silva, J. A.
    Danneskiold-Samsøe, B
    Dincer, F
    Henriksson, Chris
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies.
    Henriksson, Karl-Gösta
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Kosek, E
    Longley, K
    McCarthy, G M
    Perrot, S
    Puszczewicz, M
    Sarzi-Puttini, P
    Silman, A
    Späth, M
    Choy, E H
    EULAR evidence-based recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome2008In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, ISSN 0003-4967, E-ISSN 1468-2060, Vol. 67, no 4, p. 536-541Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: To develop evidence-based recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome. Methods: A multidisciplinary task force was formed representing 11 European countries. The design of the study, including search strategy, participants, interventions, outcome measures, data collection and analytical method, was defined at the outset. A systematic review was undertaken with the keywords "fibromyalgia", "treatment or management" and "trial". Studies were excluded if they did not utilise the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria, were not clinical trials, or included patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis. Primary outcome measures were change in pain assessed by visual analogue scale and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire. The quality of the studies was categorised based on randomisation, blinding and allocation concealment. Only the highest quality studies were used to base recommendations on. When there was insufficient evidence from the literature, a Delphi process was used to provide basis for recommendation. Results: 146 studies were eligible for the review. 39 pharmacological intervention studies and 59 non-pharmacological were included in the final recommendation summary tables once those of a lower quality or with insufficient data were separated. The categories of treatment identified were antidepressants, analgesics, and "other pharmacological" and exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy, education, dietary interventions and "other non-pharmacological". In many studies sample size was small and the quality of the study was insufficient for strong recommendations to be made. Conclusions: Nine recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome were developed using a systematic review and expert consensus.

  • 19.
    Cöster, Lars
    et al.
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Department of Rheumatology in Östergötland.
    Kendall, Sally
    Multidisciplinary Pain Centre Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Henriksson, Chris
    Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Linköping University.
    Henriksson, Karl-Gösta
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Bengtsson, Ann
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Department of Rheumatology in Östergötland.
    Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain - A comparison of those who meet criteria for fibromyalgia and those who do not2008In: European Journal of Pain, ISSN 1090-3801, E-ISSN 1532-2149, Vol. 12, no 5, p. 600-610Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Fibromyalgia is currently classified as chronic widespread pain with widespread allodynia to pressure pain. There are few data describing pain characteristics, quality of life, consequences for daily living, and psychosocial status in patients who meet the classification criteria for fibromyalgia proposed by the American College of Rheumatology compared with patients with chronic widespread pain but not widespread allodynia. This study used a randomly selected sample from the general population. A postal questionnaire and a pain mannequin were sent to 9952 people. The response rate was 76.7%. The pain drawings showed that 345 people had widespread pain, that is, they noted pain in all four extremities and axially. Clinical examination, which included a manual tender point examination, was performed in 125 subjects. These people answered commonly used questionnaires on pain, quality of life, coping strategies, depression, and anxiety. Compared with chronic widespread pain without widespread allodynia, fibromyalgia was associated with more severe symptoms/consequences for daily life and higher pain severity. Similar coping strategies were found. Chronic widespread pain without widespread allodynia to pressure pain was found in 4.5% in the population and fibromyalgia in 2.5%. © 2007 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain.

  • 20. Order onlineBuy this publication >>
    Dahlman, Joakim
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine.
    Psychophysiological and Performance Aspects on Motion Sickness2009Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Motion sickness is not an illness, but rather a natural autonomic response to an unfamiliar or specific stimulus. The bodily responses to motion sickness are highly individual and contextually dependent, making them difficult to predict. The initial autonomic responses are similar to the ones demonstrated when under stress. When under the influence of motion sickness, motivation and ability to perform tasks or duties are limited. However, little is known about how specific cognitive functions are affected. Furthermore, standard mitigation strategies involve medications that induce fatigue or strategies that require cognitive capabilities. Both of them may result in reduced capability to perform assigned tasks or duties. Hence, there is a need for alternative mitigation strategies.

    The aim of the thesis was to study psychophysiological and performance aspects on motion sickness. The long-term goal is to provide strategies for mitigation and prevention of motion sickness by identifying psychophysiological responses as predictors for both wellbeing and performance. This thesis comprises four studies, in which 91 participants were exposed to two different motion sickness stimuli, either an optokinetic drum or a motion platform. Before the tests, a method for extracting fixations from eye-tracking data was developed as a prerequisite for studying fixations as a possible mitigation strategy for reducing motion sickness. During exposure to stimuli that triggers motion sickness, performance was studied by testing short-term memory and encoding and retrieval. In the final study, the effects of an artificial sound horizon were studied with respect to its potential to subconsciously function as a mitigating source.

    The results of the measurements of the psychophysiological responses were in accordance with previous research, confirming the ambiguity and high individuality of the responses as well as their contextual dependencies. To study fixations, a centroid mode algorithm proved to be the best way to generate fixations from eye-movement data. In the final study, the effects of the sound horizon were compared to the effects of a non-positioned sound. In the latter condition, both fixation time and the number of fixations increased over time, whereas none of them showed a significant time effect in the sound horizon condition. The fixation time slope was significantly larger in the non-positioned sound condition compared to the sound horizon condition. Number of fixations, heart rate, and skin conductance correlated positively with subjective statements that referred to motion sickness. Among participants that were susceptible to motion sickness symptoms, short-term memory performance was negatively affected. However, no effects of motion sickness on encoding and retrieval were found, regardless of susceptibility.

    Future studies should continue focusing on autonomic responses and psychological issues of motion sickness. Factors such as motivation, expectancies, and previous experiences play a major and yet relatively unknown role within the motion sickness phenomena.

    List of papers
    1. Fixation identification in centroid versus start-point modes using eye-tracking data
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Fixation identification in centroid versus start-point modes using eye-tracking data
    Show others...
    2008 (English)In: Perceptual and Motor Skills, ISSN 0031-5125, E-ISSN 1558-688X, Vol. 106, no 3, p. 710-724Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Fixation-identification algorithms, needed for analyses of eye movements, may typically be separated into three categories, viz. (i) velocity-based algorithms, (ii) area-based algorithms, and (iii) dispersion-based algorithms. Dispersion-based algorithms are commonly used but this application introduces some difficulties, one being optimization. Basically, there are two modes to reach this goal of optimization, viz., the start-point mode and the centroid mode. The aim of the present study was to compare and evaluate these two dispersion-based algorithms. Manual inspections were made of 1,400 fixations in each mode. Odds ratios showed that by using the centroid mode for fixation detection, a valid fixation is 2.86 times more likely to be identified than by using the start-point mode. Moreover, the algorithm based on centroid mode dispersion showed a good interpretation speed, accuracy, robustness, and ease of implementation, as well as adequate parameter settings.

    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-15915 (URN)10.2466/PMS.106.3.710-724 (DOI)18712192 (PubMedID)
    Available from: 2008-12-16 Created: 2008-12-16 Last updated: 2018-03-17Bibliographically approved
    2. Performance and Autonomic Responses during Motion Sickness
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Performance and Autonomic Responses during Motion Sickness
    Show others...
    2009 (English)In: Human Factors, ISSN 0018-7208, E-ISSN 1547-8181, Vol. 51, no 1, p. 56-66Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate how motion sickness, triggered by an optokinetic drum, affects short term memory performance and to explore autonomic responses to perceived motion sickness.

    Background: Previous research has found motion sickness to decrease performance, but it is not known how short term memory in particular is affected.

    Method: Thirty-eight healthy participants performed a listening span test while seated in a rotating optokinetic drum. Measurements of motion sickness, performance, heart rate, skin conductance, blood volume pulse, and pupil size were performed simultaneously throughout the experiment.

    Results: A total of 16 participants terminated the trial due to severe nausea, while the other 22 endured the full 25 minutes. Perceived motion sickness increased over time in both groups, but less among those who endured the trial. Short term memory performance decreased towards the end for those who terminated, while it increased for the other group. Results from the measured autonomic responses were ambiguous.

    Conclusion: The present study concludes that performance, measured as short term memory, declines as perceived motion sickness progresses.

    Application: This research has potential implications for command and control personnel in risk of developing motion sickness.

    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-15916 (URN)10.1177/0018720809332848 (DOI)
    Available from: 2008-12-16 Created: 2008-12-16 Last updated: 2017-12-14Bibliographically approved
    3. Effects of Motion Sickness on Encoding and Retrieval
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Effects of Motion Sickness on Encoding and Retrieval
    Show others...
    2010 (English)Article in journal (Refereed) Submitted
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: In this study, possible effects of motion sickness on encoding and retrieval of words were investigated.

    Background: The impact of motion sickness on human performance has been studied with regards to psychomotor functions and over learned skills, as well as to novel situations requiring encoding and retrieval skills through the use of short term memory. In this study, possible effects of motion sickness on encoding and retrieval of words were investigated.

    Method: Forty healthy participants, half of them males, performed a continuous recognition task (CRT) during exposure to a motion sickness triggering optokinetic drum. The CRT was employed as a measurement of performance and consisted of encoding and retrieval of words. The task consisted of three consecutive phases 1) encoding of familiar words; 2) encoding and retrieval of words under the influence of motion sickness; 3) retrieval of words after exposure.

    Results: Data analysis revealed no significant differences in the ability to encode or retrieve words during motion sickness compared with a control condition. In addition, there were no significant correlations between the level of motion sickness and performance of the CRT.

    Conclusion: The results indicate that encoding and retrieval of words are not affected by moderate levels of motion sickness. Application: This research has implications for operational settings where professionals experience moderate levels of motion sickness.

    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-15917 (URN)
    Available from: 2008-12-16 Created: 2008-12-16 Last updated: 2018-03-17Bibliographically approved
    4. Could sound be used as a strategy for reducing symptoms of perceived motion sickness?
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Could sound be used as a strategy for reducing symptoms of perceived motion sickness?
    2008 (English)In: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, E-ISSN 1743-0003, Vol. 5, no 35Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Working while exposed to motions, physically and psychologically affects a person. Traditionally, motion sickness symptom reduction has implied use of medication, which can lead to detrimental effects on performance. Non-pharmaceutical strategies, in turn, often require cognitive and perceptual attention. Hence, for people working in high demand environments where it is impossible to reallocate focus of attention, other strategies are called upon. The aim of the study was to investigate possible impact of a mitigation strategy on perceived motion sickness and psychophysiological responses, based on an artificial sound horizon compared with a non-positioned sound source.

    Method: Twenty-three healthy subjects were seated on a motion platform in an artificial sound horizon or in non-positioned sound, in random order with one week interval between the trials. Perceived motion sickness (Mal), maximum duration of exposure (ST), skin conductance, blood volume pulse, temperature, respiration rate, eye movements and heart rate were measured continuously throughout the trials.

    Results: Mal scores increased over time in both sound conditions, but the artificial sound horizon, applied as a mitigation strategy for perceived motion sickness, showed no significant effect on Mal scores or ST. The number of fixations increased with time in the non-positioned sound condition. Moreover, fixation time was longer in the nonpositioned sound condition compared with sound horizon, indicating that the subjects used more time to fixate and, hence, assumingly made fewer saccades.

    Conclusion: A subliminally presented artificial sound horizon did not significantly affect perceived motion sickness, psychophysiological variables or the time the subjects endured the motion sickness triggering stimuli. The number of fixations and fixation times increased over time in the non-positioned sound condition.

    National Category
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-15918 (URN)10.1186/1743-0003-5-35 (DOI)
    Available from: 2009-03-02 Created: 2008-12-16 Last updated: 2024-03-06Bibliographically approved
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  • 21.
    Dahlman, Joakim
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Sjörs, Anna
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Ledin, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Oto-Rhiono-Laryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Reconstruction Centre, Department of ENT - Head and Neck Surgery UHL.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Paediatric Habilitation Community Service.
    Could sound be used as a strategy for reducing symptoms of perceived motion sickness?2008In: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, E-ISSN 1743-0003, Vol. 5, no 35Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Working while exposed to motions, physically and psychologically affects a person. Traditionally, motion sickness symptom reduction has implied use of medication, which can lead to detrimental effects on performance. Non-pharmaceutical strategies, in turn, often require cognitive and perceptual attention. Hence, for people working in high demand environments where it is impossible to reallocate focus of attention, other strategies are called upon. The aim of the study was to investigate possible impact of a mitigation strategy on perceived motion sickness and psychophysiological responses, based on an artificial sound horizon compared with a non-positioned sound source.

    Method: Twenty-three healthy subjects were seated on a motion platform in an artificial sound horizon or in non-positioned sound, in random order with one week interval between the trials. Perceived motion sickness (Mal), maximum duration of exposure (ST), skin conductance, blood volume pulse, temperature, respiration rate, eye movements and heart rate were measured continuously throughout the trials.

    Results: Mal scores increased over time in both sound conditions, but the artificial sound horizon, applied as a mitigation strategy for perceived motion sickness, showed no significant effect on Mal scores or ST. The number of fixations increased with time in the non-positioned sound condition. Moreover, fixation time was longer in the nonpositioned sound condition compared with sound horizon, indicating that the subjects used more time to fixate and, hence, assumingly made fewer saccades.

    Conclusion: A subliminally presented artificial sound horizon did not significantly affect perceived motion sickness, psychophysiological variables or the time the subjects endured the motion sickness triggering stimuli. The number of fixations and fixation times increased over time in the non-positioned sound condition.

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 22.
    Dahlman, Joakim
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Sjörs, Anna
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Lindström, Johan
    Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Reconstruction Centre, Department of ENT - Head and Neck Surgery UHL.
    Ledin, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Oto-Rhiono-Laryngology and Head & Neck Surgery . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Reconstruction Centre, Department of ENT - Head and Neck Surgery UHL.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Jönköping University, Jönköping Sweden.
    Performance and Autonomic Responses during Motion Sickness2009In: Human Factors, ISSN 0018-7208, E-ISSN 1547-8181, Vol. 51, no 1, p. 56-66Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate how motion sickness, triggered by an optokinetic drum, affects short term memory performance and to explore autonomic responses to perceived motion sickness.

    Background: Previous research has found motion sickness to decrease performance, but it is not known how short term memory in particular is affected.

    Method: Thirty-eight healthy participants performed a listening span test while seated in a rotating optokinetic drum. Measurements of motion sickness, performance, heart rate, skin conductance, blood volume pulse, and pupil size were performed simultaneously throughout the experiment.

    Results: A total of 16 participants terminated the trial due to severe nausea, while the other 22 endured the full 25 minutes. Perceived motion sickness increased over time in both groups, but less among those who endured the trial. Short term memory performance decreased towards the end for those who terminated, while it increased for the other group. Results from the measured autonomic responses were ambiguous.

    Conclusion: The present study concludes that performance, measured as short term memory, declines as perceived motion sickness progresses.

    Application: This research has potential implications for command and control personnel in risk of developing motion sickness.

  • 23.
    Dahlman, Joakim
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Sjörs, Anna
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Lundgren, Pontus
    Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Reconstruction Centre, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine UHL.
    Ledin, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Oto-Rhiono-Laryngology and Head & Neck Surgery . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Reconstruction Centre, Department of ENT - Head and Neck Surgery UHL.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Paediatric Habilitation Community Service.
    Effects of Motion Sickness on Encoding and Retrieval2010Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: In this study, possible effects of motion sickness on encoding and retrieval of words were investigated.

    Background: The impact of motion sickness on human performance has been studied with regards to psychomotor functions and over learned skills, as well as to novel situations requiring encoding and retrieval skills through the use of short term memory. In this study, possible effects of motion sickness on encoding and retrieval of words were investigated.

    Method: Forty healthy participants, half of them males, performed a continuous recognition task (CRT) during exposure to a motion sickness triggering optokinetic drum. The CRT was employed as a measurement of performance and consisted of encoding and retrieval of words. The task consisted of three consecutive phases 1) encoding of familiar words; 2) encoding and retrieval of words under the influence of motion sickness; 3) retrieval of words after exposure.

    Results: Data analysis revealed no significant differences in the ability to encode or retrieve words during motion sickness compared with a control condition. In addition, there were no significant correlations between the level of motion sickness and performance of the CRT.

    Conclusion: The results indicate that encoding and retrieval of words are not affected by moderate levels of motion sickness. Application: This research has implications for operational settings where professionals experience moderate levels of motion sickness.

  • 24.
    Dahlström, Örjan
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Thyberg, Ingrid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Hass, Ursula
    Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, Health Technology Assessment. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Skogh, Thomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Timpka, Toomas
    Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Preventive and Social Medicine and Public Health Science. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Designing a decision support system for existing clinical organizational structures: Considerations from a rheumatology clinic2006In: Journal of medical systems, ISSN 0148-5598, E-ISSN 1573-689X, Vol. 30, no 5, p. 325-331Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The aim of this study was to identify the social and organizational requirements for a decision support system (DSS) to be implemented in a clinical rheumatology setting, utilizing data-mining techniques. Field observations and focus group interviews were used for data collection. The decision-making was found to be situated, patient-focused, and long-term in nature. At the same time, the main part of peer-to-peer communication was informal. Patient records were involved in almost every decision. The conclusion is that the main challenges, when introducing a DSS at a rheumatology unit, are adapting the system to informal communication structures and integrating it with patient records. Considering incentive structures, understanding workflow and incorporating awareness are relevant issues when addressing these issues in future studies.

  • 25.
    Dahlström, Örjan
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Disability Research. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Thyberg, Ingrid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Skogh, Thomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Centre, Department of Rheumatology in Östergötland.
    Timpka, Toomas
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Preventive and Social Medicine and Public Health Science.
    Prognostic rule generation controlling for treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis2009Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 26.
    Dahlström, Örjan
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Disability Research. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Thyberg, Ingrid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Thyberg, Mikael
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Factors related to fatigue in women and men with early rheumatoid arthritis (the Swedish TIRA study)2009Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 27.
    Dahlström, Örjan
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Cognition, Development and Disability. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Timpka, Toomas
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Social Medicine and Public Health Science. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Public Health Sciences, Centre for Public Health Sciences.
    Hass, Ursula
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Health Technology Assessment. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Skogh, Thomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Thyberg, Ingrid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    A simple method for heuristic modeling of expert knowledge in chronic disease: identification of prognostic subgroups in rheumatology2008In: eHealth Beyond the Horizon – Get IT There, IOS Press, 2008, Vol. 136, p. 157-162Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Identification of prognostic subgroups is of key clinical interest at the early stages of chronic disease. The aim of this study is to examine whether representation of physicians' expert knowledge in a simple heuristic model can improve data mining methods in prognostic assessments of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Five rheumatology consultants' experiences of clinical data patterns among RA patients, as distinguished from healthy reference populations, were formally represented in a simple heuristic model. The model was used in K-mean-clustering to determine prognostic subgroups. Cross-sectional validation using physician's global assessment scores indicated that the simple heuristic model performed better than crude data made in identification of prognostic subgroups of RA patients. A simple heuristic model of experts' knowledge was found useful for semi-automatic data mining in the chronic disease setting. Further studies using categorical baseline data and prospective outcome variables are warranted and will be examined in the Swedish TIRA-program.

  • 28.
    Dahlström, Örjan
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Timpka, Toomas
    Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Preventive and Social Medicine and Public Health Science. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Skogh, Thomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Department of Rheumatology in Östergötland.
    Thyberg, Ingrid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Prognostic components and predictive modelling of prognosis in early RAManuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Introduction: There is a need for tools that are easy to use in clinical practice supporting decision making upon treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Aim: The aim was to identify components of prognosticators in early RA and to identify individual patients with a poor prognosis as early as possible.

    Methods: Two cohorts from the Swedish TIRA project including 320+408 patients with recent onset RA were included in the study. Disease activity was measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and the 28-joint count disease activity score (DAS-28), and by the physicians’ global assessment of disease activity (PGA). Disability was assessed as activity limitation by the Swedish version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and impairment was reported by pain on a visual analogue scale of 0–100 mm. Serological markers were rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP. RF was measured at the time for diagnosis, and anti-CCP at the time of diagnosis or at one or some of the follow-ups. If at least one anti-CCP test was positive, the patient was judged to be anti-CCP-positive. Assuming different clinical practice in the different cohorts, two different treatment strategies were assumed based on clinical practice in real-world settings. Principal Component Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis were used to identify prognosticators. Prediction rules were identified by data-driven approach, controlling for different treatment strategies.

    Results: Progression of disease and disability measures and inflammation measures the first three months after inclusion predicted a considerable part of DAS-28 at the 1-year follow-up. Serological markers had a larger explanatory power for men than for women. Anti-CCP was a significant predictor for men, but not for women. Two versions of rules, one for women and one for men, predicting good or poor prognosis at one year after inclusion were produced by using measures of disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire), DAS-28, relative change in DAS-28 during first three months, sex, and test of anti-CCP. The rules demanded high prognostic specificity but the prognostic sensitivity was moderate.

    Conclusion: A considerable part of DAS-28 at one year after inclusion could be explained by the first 3 months’ progression of disease, disability and inflammation. Anti-CCP was predictive for men but not for women, and needs further investigation. A decision tree predicting poor prognosis among individual early RA-patients showed high specificity and moderate sensitivity on a validationcohort. The medical informatics approach used, controlling for different treatment strategies, yields promising results and further studies will control for more specific differences in treatment strategies, e.g. different DMARDs initiated.

  • 29.
    Donlau, M
    et al.
    Jobbtorget Linkopings Kommun.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Paediatric Habilitation Community Service.
    Independence in the toilet activity in children and adolescents with myelomeningocele - managing clean intermittent catheterization in a hospital setting2009In: ACTA PAEDIATRICA, ISSN 0803-5253, Vol. 98, no 12, p. 1972-1976Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Aim: The aim of this study was to identify and describe gross motor, fine motor, executive and time-processing obstacles for independence in children with myelomeningocele who are treated with Clean Intermittent Catheterization and to relate their opinions about their performance in the toilet activity, and their medical records, to the observed outcome. Methods: In a hospital setting, 22 children with myelomeningocele were observed using a structured information form while performing their toilet activity, and tested for time processing ability with the Ka-Tid instrument. Results: Only five children were independent, despite the fact that 12 of 22 children were completely satisfied with their toilet activity. Neither the degree of motor impairment, nor sex or age had any significant impact on performing the toilet activity. The ability to remain focused on the toilet activity proved to have no relation to age or learning disabilities. The medical records for the children were only able to classify approximately three quarters correctly with respect to independence. The only measurement that could suggest anything in relation to a maintained focus was time processing ability. Conclusion: The children were unaware of their abilities and limitations. Time processing ability and observations are important factors to assess independence.

  • 30.
    Donlau, Marie
    et al.
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Habilitation in Central County. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pediatrics.
    Imms, Christine
    School of Occupational Therapy, La Trobe University and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
    Glad Mattsson, Gunilla
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pediatrics. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre of Paediatrics and Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Paediatrics in Linköping.
    Mattsson, Sven
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pediatrics. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre of Paediatrics and Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Paediatrics in Linköping.
    Sjörs, Anna
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Habilitation in Central County.
    Children and youth with myelomeningoceles independence in managing clean intermittent catheterization in familiar settings2011In: ACTA PAEDIATRICA, ISSN 0803-5253, Vol. 100, no 3, p. 429-438Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Aim: To examine the ability of children and youth with myelomeningocele to independently manage clean intermittent catheterization. Methods: There were 50 participants with myelomeningocele (5-18 years); 13 of them had also participated in a previous hospital-based study. Their abilities and interest in completing the toilet activity were examined at home or in school using an interview and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Actual performance was observed and rated. Background variables were collected from medical records and KatAD+E tests. Results: In total, 48% were observed to perform the toilet activity independently, in comparison with 74% who self-reported independence. Univariate analyses found KatAD+E could predict who was independent. COPM failed to do so. Ability to remain focused and ambulation were predictors of independence, but age, sex and IQ were not. Multivariable analysis found time to completion to be the strongest predictor of independence. Four children were independent in their familiar environment, but not in the hospital setting, and six of 13 children maintained focus only in their familiar environment. Conclusions: Interviews were not sufficiently accurate to assess independence in the toilet activity. Instead, observations including time to completion are recommended. The execution of the toilet activity is influenced by the environmental context.

  • 31.
    Ekman, Bertil
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Care, Internal Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Arnqvist, Hans J.
    Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Care, Internal Medicine. Linköping University, Department of Biomedicine and Surgery, Cell biology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Improved muscle function in GH substituted adults is related to increase in circulating IGF-IManuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    We studied the effects of individualized growth hormone substitution, aiming at normal IGF-I levels, on biomechanical output and EMG of isokinetic muscle strength and endurance performance in 18 hypopituitary adults compared with matched controls. The muscle function tests consisted of isokinetic contractions of the dght knee extensors, and torque and EMG were recorded. Plasma levels of IGF-I were normalized, and peak torque at 90° s-1, and peak torque endurance level increased after dose titration and 6 months constant GH-dose. The change in IGF-I correlated positively with the changes in biomechanical output and EMG variables and a negative correlation existed with the perception of fatigue. Despite improvement during GH-substitution the patients still had about 10-20 % less muscle strength and endurance compared with the controls at the study end. In summary we found that individualized GH substitution improves muscle function and that the net increase in IGF-I levels indicates generally increases in biomechanical output and EMG variables and a lower perception of fatigue.

  • 32.
    Elgmark Andersson, Elisabeth
    et al.
    Jonkoping University.
    Karrdahl Bedics, Beate
    Koping Hospital.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Habilitation in Central County.
    MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES: A 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP2011In: JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE, ISSN 1650-1977, Vol. 43, no 4, p. 323-329Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective and design: Long-term consequences of mild traumatic brain injuries were investigated based on a 10-year follow-up of patients from a previously-published randomized controlled study of mild traumatic brain injuries. One aim was to describe changes over time after mild traumatic brain injuries in terms of the extent of persisting post-concussion symptoms, life satisfaction, perceived health, activities of daily living, changes in life roles and sick leave. Another aim was to identify differences between the intervention and control groups. Patients: The intervention group comprised 142 persons and the control group 56 persons. Methods: Postal questionnaires with a response rate of 56%. Results: No differences over time were found for the intervention and control groups in terms of post-concussion symptoms. In the intervention group some variables in life satisfaction, perceived health and daily life were decreased. Some roles had changed over the years for both groups. No other differences between the intervention and control groups were found. However, in both groups sick leave decreased. Conclusion: Early individual intervention by a qualified rehabilitation team does not appear to impact on the long-term outcome for persons with symptoms related to mild traumatic brain injuries. The status after approximately 3 weeks is indicative of the status after 10 years.

  • 33.
    Engström, Maria
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Radiology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Karlsson, Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Crone, Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. Linköping University, The Institute of Technology.
    Ragnehed, Mattias
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Radiology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Antepohl, Wolfram
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Reconstruction Centre, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine UHL.
    Landtblom, Anne-Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Department of Neurology. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in the West of Östergötland, Department of Medical Specialist.
    Lundberg, Peter
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Radiology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Clinical fMRI of language function in aphasic patients: Reading paradigm successful, while word generation paradigm fails2010In: Acta Radiologica, ISSN 0284-1851, E-ISSN 1600-0455, Vol. 51, no 6, p. 679-686Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: In fMRI examinations, it is very important to select appropriate paradigms assessing the brain function of interest. In addition, the patients ability to perform the required cognitive tasks during fMRI must be taken into account. Purpose: To evaluate two language paradigms, word generation and sentence reading for their usefulness in examinations of aphasic patients and to make suggestions for improvements of clinical fMRI. Material and Methods: Five patients with aphasia after stroke or trauma sequelae were examined by fMRI. The patients language ability was screened by neurolinguistic tests and elementary pre-fMRI language tests. Results: The sentence-reading paradigm succeeded to elicit adequate language-related activation in perilesional areas whereas the word generation paradigm failed. These findings were consistent with results on the behavioral tests in that all patients showed very poor performance in phonemic fluency, but scored well above mean at a reading comprehension task. Conclusion: The sentence-reading paradigm is appropriate to assess language function in this patient group, while the word-generation paradigm seems to be inadequate. In addition, it is crucial to use elementary pre-fMRI language tests to guide the fMRI paradigm decision.

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  • 34.
    Ertzgaard, Per
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Reconstruction Centre, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine UHL.
    Ward, Anthony B
    Haywood Hospital.
    Wissel, Joerg
    Kliniken Beelitz GmbH.
    Borg, Jorgen
    Karolinska Institute.
    PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR GOAL ATTAINMENT SCALING DURING REHABILITATION FOLLOWING ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY2011In: JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE, ISSN 1650-1977, Vol. 43, no 1, p. 8-14Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: Goal attainment scaling represents a unique approach to identifying and quantifying individualized, meaningful treatment outcomes, and its use in the rehabilitation medicine setting is increasing. The aim of this paper is to discuss the available literature for goal attainment scaling in patients with acquired brain injury, in terms of its advantages, disadvantages and practical application, including examples of goal setting and scaling.

  • 35.
    Falkmer, Marita
    et al.
    Jonkoping University.
    Bjallmark, Anna
    Royal Institute Technology KTH.
    Larsson, Matilda
    Royal Institute Technology KTH.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Paediatric Habilitation Community Service.
    Recognition of facially expressed emotions and visual search strategies in adults with Asperger syndrome2011In: RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, ISSN 1750-9467, Vol. 5, no 1, p. 210-217Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Can the disadvantages persons with Asperger syndrome frequently experience with reading facially expressed emotions be attributed to a different visual perception, affecting their scanning patterns? Visual search strategies, particularly regarding the importance of information from the eye area, and the ability to recognise facially expressed emotions were compared between 24 adults with Asperger syndrome and their matched controls. While wearing a head mounted eye tracker, the participants viewed 12 pairs of photos of faces. The first photo in each pair was cut up into puzzle pieces. Six of the 12 puzzle pieced photos had the eyes bisected. The second photo showed a happy, an angry and a surprised face of the same person as in the puzzle pieced photo. Differences in visual search strategies between the groups were established. Adults with Asperger syndrome had greater difficulties recognizing these basic emotions than controls. The distortion of the eye area affected the ability to identify emotions even more negatively for participants with Asperger syndrome.

  • 36.
    Falkmer, Marita
    et al.
    Jonkoping University.
    Bjallmark, Anna
    Royal Institute of Technology.
    Larsson, Matilda
    Royal Institute of Technology.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Habilitation in Central County.
    The influences of static and interactive dynamic facial stimuli on visual strategies in persons with Asperger syndrome2011In: RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, ISSN 1750-9467, Vol. 5, no 2, p. 935-940Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Several studies, using eye tracking methodology, suggest that different visual strategies in persons with autism spectrum conditions, compared with controls, are applied when viewing facial stimuli. Most eye tracking studies are, however, made in laboratory settings with either static (photos) or non-interactive dynamic stimuli, such as video clips. Whether or not these results are transferable to a "real world" dialogue situation remains unclear. In order to examine the consistency of visual strategies across conditions, a comparison of two static conditions and an interactive dynamic "real world" condition, in 15 adults with Asperger syndrome and 15 matched controls, was made using an eye tracker. The static stimuli consisted of colour photos of faces, while a dialogue between the participants and the test leader created the interactive dynamic condition. A within-group comparison showed that people with AS, and their matched controls, displayed a high degree of stability in visual strategies when viewing faces, regardless of the facial stimuli being static or real, as in the interactive dynamic condition. The consistency in visual strategies within the participants suggests that results from studies with static facial stimuli provide important information on individual visual strategies that may be generalized to "real world" situations.

  • 37.
    Falkmer, Marita
    et al.
    Jonköping University.
    Larsson, Matilda
    Royal Institute of Technology.
    Bjallmark, Anna
    Royal Institute of Technology.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Paediatric Habilitation Community Service.
    The importance of the eye area in face identification abilities and visual search strategies in persons with Asperger syndrome2010In: RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, ISSN 1750-9467, Vol. 4, no 4, p. 724-730Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Partly claimed to explain social difficulties observed in people with Asperger syndrome, face identification and visual search strategies become important. Previous research findings are, however, disparate. In order to explore face identification abilities and visual search strategies, with special focus on the importance of the eye area, 24 adults with Asperger syndrome and matched controls viewed puzzle pieced photos of faces, in order to identify them as one of three intact photos of persons. Every second puzzle pieced photo had the eyes distorted. Fixation patterns were measured by an eye tracker. Adults with Asperger syndrome had greater difficulties in identifying faces than controls. However, the entire face identification superiority in controls was found in the condition when the eyes were distorted supporting that adults with Aspergers syndrome do use the eye region to a great extent in face identification. The visual search strategies in controls were more effective and relied on the use of the face information triangle, i.e. the two eyes and the mouth, while adults with Asperger syndrome had more fixations on other parts of the face, both when obtaining information and during the identification part, suggesting a less effective use of the face information triangle.

  • 38.
    Falkmer, Marita
    et al.
    Jönköping University.
    Stuart, Geoffrey W.
    La Trobe University Melbourne, Australia.
    Danielsson, Henrik
    Linköping University, The Swedish Institute for Disability Research. Linköping University, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Disability Research. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
    Bram, Staffan
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Lönebrink, Mikael
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Jönköping University.
    Visual Acuity in Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome: No Evidence for “Eagle-Eyed” Vision2011In: Biological Psychiatry, ISSN 0006-3223, E-ISSN 1873-2402, Vol. 70, no 9, p. 812-816Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) are defined by criteria comprising impairments in social interaction and communication.Altered visual perception is one possible and often discussed cause of difficulties in social interaction and social communication. Recently,Ashwin et al. suggested that enhanced ability in local visual processing in ASC was due to superior visual acuity, but that study has been thesubject of methodological criticism, placing the findings in doubt.

    Methods: The present study investigated visual acuity thresholds in 24 adults with Asperger’s syndrome and compared their results with 25control subjects with the 2 Meter 2000 Series Revised ETDRS Chart.

    Results: The distribution of visual acuities within the two groups was highly similar, and none of the participants had superior visual acuity.

    Conclusions: Superior visual acuity in individuals with Asperger’s syndrome could not be established, suggesting that differences in visualperception in ASC are not explained by this factor.Acontinued search for explanations of superior ability in local visual processing in personswith ASC is therefore warranted.

  • 39.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Paediatric Habilitation Community Service.
    Dahlman, Joakim
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, The Institute of Technology.
    Dukic, Tania
    Swedish National Road and Transport, Research Institute, VTI, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Bjällmark, Anna
    School for Technique and Health, KTH, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Larsson, Matilda
    School for Technique and Health, KTH, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Fixation identification in centroid versus start-point modes using eye-tracking data2008In: Perceptual and Motor Skills, ISSN 0031-5125, E-ISSN 1558-688X, Vol. 106, no 3, p. 710-724Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Fixation-identification algorithms, needed for analyses of eye movements, may typically be separated into three categories, viz. (i) velocity-based algorithms, (ii) area-based algorithms, and (iii) dispersion-based algorithms. Dispersion-based algorithms are commonly used but this application introduces some difficulties, one being optimization. Basically, there are two modes to reach this goal of optimization, viz., the start-point mode and the centroid mode. The aim of the present study was to compare and evaluate these two dispersion-based algorithms. Manual inspections were made of 1,400 fixations in each mode. Odds ratios showed that by using the centroid mode for fixation detection, a valid fixation is 2.86 times more likely to be identified than by using the start-point mode. Moreover, the algorithm based on centroid mode dispersion showed a good interpretation speed, accuracy, robustness, and ease of implementation, as well as adequate parameter settings.

  • 40.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Paediatric Habilitation Community Service.
    Gregersen, N.P.
    Fixation patterns of learner drivers with and without cerebral palsy (CP) when driving in real traffic environments2001In: Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, ISSN 1369-8478, E-ISSN 1873-5517, Vol. 4, no 3, p. 171-185Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Among learner drivers with cerebral palsy (CP), driver education is problematic for those failing to fulfil their education as well as for those becoming licensed drivers. A crucial ingredient in the development of driving is the quality of the visual search. Problems increase for CP learners in those parts of training where high demands are set on visual search abilities. The aim of the study was to increase knowledge about search patterns among learners with CP in comparison with learners and experienced drivers without CP. The study was carried out in traffic by measuring eye movements and the duration and distribution of fixation. The results show that search strategies among learners with CP were less flexible than in the control groups. The results suggest a need for better methods for teaching CP learners search strategies and may provide a tool for such development. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.

  • 41.
    Fornander, Louise
    et al.
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Work and Environmental Science.
    Ghafouri, Bijar
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Centre, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Centre. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Kihlström, Erik
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinical Microbiology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Microbiology.
    Åkerlind, Britt
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinical Microbiology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Microbiology.
    Schön, Thomas
    Kalmar County Hospital.
    Tagesson, Christer
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Centre, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Centre.
    Lindahl, Mats
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Work and Environmental Science.
    Innate immunity proteins and a new truncated form of SPLUNC1 in nasopharyngeal aspirates from infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection2011In: PROTEOMICS CLINICAL APPLICATIONS, ISSN 1862-8346, Vol. 5, no 9-10, p. 513-522Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of severe respiratory tract infection in infants. The aim was to identify host defence components in nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) from infants with RSV infection and to study the expression of the novel 25 kDa innate immunity protein SPLUNC1. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanExperimental design: NPAs from infants were analyzed with 2-DE and MS in a pilot study. The levels of SPLUNC1 were analyzed with immunoblotting in 47 NPAs, admitted for RSV diagnosis. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: Totally, 35 proteins were identified in NPA, including several innate immunity proteins such as group X phospholipase A(2), different S100 proteins and SPLUNC1. In addition, a new truncated 15 kDa form of SPLUNC1 was identified that was detected in about 50% of the aspirates admitted for RSV diagnosis. RSV-positive boys had significantly less 25 kDa SPLUNC1 than RSV-negative boys while there were no significant differences among girls. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions and clinical relevance: Several important innate immunity proteins were identified in NPA. Notably, a new truncated form of the newly suggested anti-bacterial protein SPLUNC1 was found. It is possible that a decrease in SPLUNC1 in the upper airways may increase the risk for severe pneumonia in boys.

  • 42.
    Forsman, Åsa
    et al.
    VTI, Linköping.
    Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Paediatric Habilitation Community Service. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine .
    Handbook guidance promoting a safe journey for children with disabilities - An evaluation2006In: Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, ISSN 0965-8564, E-ISSN 1879-2375, Vol. 40, no 9, p. 712-724Article in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Previous research has shown that both mobility and safety for children with disabilities are reduced, due to several reasons, one of them being lack of adequate and focused information on safety measures to be taken. A handbook was created and disseminated for free to parents of children with disabilities, organised in parental organisations. The handbook was evaluated from a user perspective, by a parental questionnaire survey. The results confirmed the parents' lack of information and further valued the handbook as useful. The parents stated the benefits of the handbook to be largest in contacts with drivers of school transportation and special transport systems. Future development and research should focus on: (i) "early intervention" by occupational therapists and paediatricians by providing the parents the handbook at the clinic, (ii) dissemination strategies towards parents not being members of the parental interest organisations, and (iii) translation and evaluation of the handbook for parents not having Swedish as their native language. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • 43.
    Gerdle, Björn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Björk, Jonas
    Competence Centre for Clinical Research Lund University Hospital.
    Cöster, Lars
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Department of Rheumatology in Östergötland.
    Henriksson, Karl-Gösta
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Henriksson, Chris
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies.
    Bengtsson, Ann
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Department of Rheumatology in Östergötland.
    Prevalence of widespread pain and associations with work status: A population study2008In: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, E-ISSN 1471-2474, Vol. 9Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background. This population study based on a representative sample from a Swedish county investigates the prevalence, duration, and determinants of widespread pain (WSP) in the population using two constructs and estimates how WSP affects work status. In addition, this study investigates the prevalence of widespread pain and its relationship to pain intensity, gender, age, income, work status, citizenship, civil status, urban residence, and health care seeking. Methods. A cross-sectional survey using a postal questionnaire was sent to a representative sample (n = 9952) of the target population (284,073 people, 18-74 years) in a county (Östergötland) in the southern Sweden. The questionnaire was mailed and followed by two postal reminders when necessary. Results. The participation rate was 76.7% (n = 7637), the non-participants were on the average younger, earned less money, and male. Women had higher prevalences of pain in 10 different predetermined anatomical regions. WSP was generally chronic (90-94%) and depending on definition of WSP the prevalence varied between 4.8-7.4% in the population. Women had significantly higher prevalence of WSP than men and the age effect appeared to be stronger in women than in men. WSP was a significant negative factor - together with age 50-64 years, low annual income, and non-Nordic citizen - for work status in the community and in the group with chronic pain. Chronic pain but not the spreading of pain was related to health care seeking in the population. Conclusion. This study confirms earlier studies that report high prevalences of widespread pain in the population and especially among females and with increasing age. Widespread pain is associated with prominent effects on work status. © 2008 Gerdle et al, licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

  • 44.
    Gerdle, Björn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Gronlund, Christer
    Umeå University Hospital.
    Karlsson, Stefan J
    Umeå University Hospital.
    Holtermann, Andreas
    National Research Centre Working Environment, Copenhagen.
    Roeleveld, Karin
    Norwegian University Science and Technology.
    Altered neuromuscular control mechanisms of the trapezius muscle in fibromyalgia2010In: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, E-ISSN 1471-2474, Vol. 11, no 42Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: fibromyalgia is a relatively common condition with widespread pain and pressure allodynia, but unknown aetiology. For decades, the association between motor control strategies and chronic pain has been a topic for debate. One long held functional neuromuscular control mechanism is differential activation between regions within a single muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in neuromuscular control, i.e. differential activation, between myalgic trapezius in fibromyalgia patients and healthy controls. Methods: 27 fibromyalgia patients and 30 healthy controls performed 3 minutes bilateral shoulder elevations with different loads (0-4 Kg) with a high-density surface electromyographical (EMG) grid placed above the upper trapezius. Differential activation was quantified by the power spectral median frequency of the difference in EMG amplitude between the cranial and caudal parts of the upper trapezius. The average duration of the differential activation was described by the inverse of the median frequency of the differential activations. Results: the median frequency of the differential activations was significantly lower, and the average duration of the differential activations significantly longer in fibromyalgia compared with controls at the two lowest load levels (0-1 Kg) (p andlt; 0.04), but not at the two highest load levels (2 and 4 Kg). Conclusion: these findings illustrate a different neuromuscular control between fibromyalgia patients and healthy controls during a low load functional task, either sustaining or resulting from the chronic painful condition. The findings may have clinical relevance for rehabilitation strategies for fibromyalgia.

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  • 45.
    Gerdle, Björn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Hilgenfeldt, Ulrich
    University of Heidelberg.
    Larsson, Britt
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Kristiansen, Jesper
    National Research Centre for the Working Environment.
    Sogaard, Karen
    National Research Centre for the Working Environment.
    Rosendal, Lars
    Cyncron A/S.
    Bradykinin and kallidin levels in the trapezius muscle in patients with work-related trapezius myalgia, in patients with whiplash associated pain, and in healthy controls - A microdialysis study of women2008In: PAIN, ISSN 0304-3959, Vol. 139, no 3, p. 578-587Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The origins of chronic Muscle pain development and maintenance are debated regarding the relative contributions of peripheral nociception and central pain processing. Bradykinin (BKN) and kallidin (KAL) have been suggested to be algesic kinins involved in muscle pain. This in vivo study investigates whether there were significant differences in interstitial muscle concentrations of BKN and KAL between chronic work-related trapezius myalgia (TM), chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD), and healthy controls (CON). These subjects were studied Lit rest, during a 20-min repetitive low-force exercise and recovery. The interstitial concentrations of BKN and KAL of trapezius were determined using the microdialysis technique. The interstitial concentration of KAL was overall significantly higher in TM than in CON. [KAL] and [BKN] increased significantly during the brief exercise in all groups. The increase in [BKN] during exercise was significantly higher in TM than in the other two groups,whereas the increase in [KAL] during exercise was highest in WAD. In chronic pain, positive correlations existed between the two kinins and the difference in pain intensity between recovery and baseline. In this in vivo study of two groups of patients with chronic pain clinically involving the trapezius muscle, we found alterations - most prominent in TM in the interstitial concentrations of BKN and KAL. The results indicated that the two kinins were involved in aspects of hyperalgesia.

  • 46.
    Gerdle, Björn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Lemming, Dag
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Kristiansen, Jesper
    Cyncron A/S.
    Larsson, Britt
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Peolsson, Michael
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Rosendal, Lars
    National Research Centre for the Working Environment.
    Biochemical alterations in the trapezius muscle of patients with chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD): A microdialysis study2008In: European Journal of Pain, ISSN 1090-3801, E-ISSN 1532-2149, Vol. 12, no 1, p. 82-93Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The mechanisms behind the development of chronic trapezius myalgia in patients with whiplash associated disorders (WAD) appear to involve both peripheral and central components, but the specific contribution of alterations in muscle is not clear. Female patients with WAD and involvement of trapezius (N = 22) and female controls (N = 20; CON) were studied during an experiment compromised of rest (baseline), 20 min repetitive low-force exercise and 120 min recovery. Their interstitial concentrations of serotonin (5-HT), glutamate, lactate, pyruvate, potassium, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and blood flow were determined in the trapezius muscle using a microdialysis technique. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) over trapezius and tibialis anterior muscles were also assessed. In WAD, we found signs of generalized hypersensitivity according to PPT. The WAD group had significantly higher interstitial [IL-6] and [5-HT] in the trapezius than the CON. [Pyruvate] was overall significantly lower in WAD, and with lactate it showed another time-pattern throughout the test. In the multivariate regression analysis of pain intensity [5-HT] was the strongest regressor and positively correlated with pain intensity in WAD. In addition, blood flow, [pyruvate], and [potassium] influenced the pain intensity in a complex time dependent way. These findings may indicate that peripheral nociceptive processes are activated in WAD with generalized hypersensitivity for pressure and they are not identical with those reported in chronic work-related trapezius myalgia, which could indicate different pain mechanisms.

  • 47.
    Gerdle, Björn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Soderberg, Kristina
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine .
    Salvador Puigvert, Laia
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Rosendal, Lars
    TrialConsult, Gentofte, Denmark.
    Larsson, Britt
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    INCREASED INTERSTITIAL CONCENTRATIONS OF PYRUVATE AND LACTATE IN THE TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE OF PATIENTS WITH FIBROMYALGIA: A MICRODIALYSIS STUDY2010In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, ISSN 1650-1977, E-ISSN 1651-2081, Vol. 42, no 7, p. 679-687Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the interstitial concentrations of pyruvate, lactate and glutamate in the trapezius muscle between patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and healthy controls. Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Subjects: Patients with fibromyalgia (n=19) and healthy controls (n=19); all women. Methods: Subjects answered a questionnaire about different aspects of pain. Pressure pain thresholds over the trapezius and tibialis anterior muscles were determined. The interstitial concentrations of pyruvate, lactate and glutamate were determined in the resting trapezius muscle by the microdialysis technique, with samples collected every hour for 5 consecutive hours. Pain intensity was also rated. Results: Significantly higher interstitial concentrations of pyruvate and lactate were found in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. The multivariate regression analyses of group membership and pressure pain thresholds of the trapezius confirmed the importance of pyruvate and lactate. Conclusion: Different mechanisms that may increase pyruvate and lactate in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome are discussed. Improved understanding of peripheral muscle alterations in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome could lead to mechanism-based rehabilitation.

  • 48.
    Gerdle, Björn
    et al.
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine . Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Centre for Medicine, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Östlund, Nils
    Department of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics University Hospital, Umeå.
    Grönlund, Christer
    Department of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics University Hospital, Umeå.
    Roeleveld, Karin
    Human Movement Sciences Programme Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim.
    Karlsson, J. Stefan
    Department of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics University University Hospital, Umeå.
    Firing rate and conduction velocity of single motor units in the trapezius muscle in fibromyalgia patients and healthy controls2008In: Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology, ISSN 1050-6411, E-ISSN 1873-5711, Vol. 18, no 5, p. 707-716Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Fibromyalgia is a common chronic pain condition in the population (2-4%), which often is associated with prominent negative consequences with respect to participation in daily activities. There are several reports in the literature concerning the effects of acute experimental pain on motor control. However, a more heterogeneous picture exists in the literature with respect to whether chronic pain conditions affect motor control. This study compares firing rate and conduction velocity (CV) of single motor units (MUs) in the trapezius muscle of fibromyalgia patients (FM) and healthy controls (CON). Multi-channel surface electromyography was used to estimate both MU firing rate and CV because this technique allows simultaneous estimation of both these variables and the measurements are easy and non-invasive. In this study, 29 FM and 30 CON subjects participated and performed isometric shoulder elevations using weights up to 4 kg. No significant differences in the firing rate of MUs in the trapezius muscle were found between the FM and CON groups (95% confidence interval was -1.9 and 1.3 pulses per second). There were no significant differences in CV between the groups at 1 and 2 kg load. However, the FM group had significantly higher CV in contractions without external load (p = 0.004). We were unable to confirm the pain-adaptation model since no differences in firing rate between the two groups were found. CV was significantly higher in FM than in healthy controls, this might be due to alterations in histopathology and microcirculation. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • 49.
    Ghafouri, Bijar
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Larsson, Britt
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Sjörs, Anna
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Leandersson, Per
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Centre, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Centre. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Sinnescentrum, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre.
    Interstitial concentration of serotonin is increased in myalgic human trapezius muscle during rest, repetitive work and mental stress - an in vivo microdialysis study2010In: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, ISSN 0036-5513, E-ISSN 1502-7686, Vol. 70, no 7, p. 478-486Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    OBJECTIVES: The pathophysiology of trapezius myalgia is not fully elucidated. Serotonin (5-HT) is involved in modulation of nociception and hyperalgesia. Our aim was to compare the interstitial 5-HT levels of the trapezius muscle in women with chronic trapezius myalgia and in pain-free controls.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microdialysate of the trapezius muscle collected every 20 minutes during rest, work (100 min) and stress (20 min) was used to study the dynamics of 5-HT in women with chronic trapezius myalgia (MYA; n=18) and in pain-free controls (CON; n=30).

    RESULTS: MYA had higher levels of 5-HT than CON at baseline, during repetitive work, during mental stress and during recovery. There were no significant time effects on 5-HT levels.

    CONCLUSION: 5-HT has the potential of a biomarker of chronic myalgia. Elevated levels of 5-HT may be involved in maintenance of habitual chronic pain and might contribute to increased pain during exercise by facilitating the effect of released algesic substances linked to such muscle demands.

  • 50.
    Ghafouri, Nazdar
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Ghafouri, Bijar
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Anaesthetics, Operations and Specialty Surgery Center, Pain and Rehabilitation Center. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Center, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center.
    Larsson, Britt
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Anaesthetics, Operations and Specialty Surgery Center, Pain and Rehabilitation Center.
    Turkina, Maria V
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Cell Biology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Karlsson, Linn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Fowler, Christopher J.
    Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Anaesthetics, Operations and Specialty Surgery Center, Pain and Rehabilitation Center.
    Gerdle, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Anaesthetics, Operations and Specialty Surgery Center, Pain and Rehabilitation Center.
    High Levels of N-Palmitoylethanolamide and N-Stearoylethanolamide in Microdialysate Samples from Myalgic Trapezius Muscle in Women2011In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 6, no 11Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) are endogenous compounds that regulate inflammation and pain. These include the cannabinoid ligand anandamide (AEA) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-a ligand palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). Little is known as to the levels of NAEs in pain states in human, particularly in the skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of these lipid mediators in muscle dialysate from women with chronic neck-/shoulder pain compared to healthy controls. Methods: Eleven women with chronic neck-/shoulder pain and eleven healthy women participated in this study. All participants went through microdialysis procedures in the trapezius muscle. Muscle dialysate samples were collected during four hours and analysed by nano liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS). Results: We were able to detect AEA, PEA, N-stearoylethanolamine (SEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in a single chromatographic run. Of the NAEs studied, PEA and SEA were clearly detectable in the muscle microdialysate samples. The muscle dialysate levels of PEA and SEA were significantly higher in myalgic subjects compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that microdialysis in combination with mass spectrometry can be used for analysing NAEs in human muscle tissue regularly over time. Furthermore the significant group differences in the concentration of PEA and SEA in this study might fill an important gap in our knowledge of mechanisms in chronic myalgia in humans. In the long run this expanded understanding of nociceptive and anitinociceptive processes in the muscle may provide a base for ameliorating treatment and rehabilitation of pain.

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