Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of opioids to treat chronic noncancer pain. Opioids are also being prescribed in stronger potencies and larger doses for musculoskeletal…
Peer-reviewed medical literature plays a decisive role in policy development at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). L&I relies on multiple evidence-based mechanisms to make coverage decisions…
The value of treatment guidelines in improving outcomes for patients and controlling costs is significantly enhanced in Washington by incorporating guidelines into a structured UR program. This article describes: (1)…
Washington state’s public workers’ compensation system has had a formal process for developing and implementing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines since 2007. Collaborating with the Industrial Insurance Medical Advisory Committee and…
Andrew S. Friedman, MD, Editor Gary M. Franklin, MD, MPH, Editor
Gregory T. Carter, MD, MS, Editor I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the editors of this issue of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America , Drs…
Key points • Noninvasive brain stimulation is typically paired with unilateral therapies of the upper limb. • Many recent clinical trials have failed to augment rehabilitative outcomes, especially for patients…
There has been remarkable growth in the development and application of robotics to ameliorate or remediate impairment. This growth is associated with a) the understanding that plasticity is a fundamental…
This article reviews the most common therapeutic and neuroprosthetic applications of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for upper and lower extremity stroke rehabilitation. Fundamental NMES principles and purposes in stroke rehabilitation…
Communication and swallowing disorders are common after stroke. Targeted surveillance followed by prompt evaluation and treatment is of paramount importance. The overall goals of rehabilitation for impaired swallowing and communication…
