PD-1-01-02
BLENDING TRADITIONAL & ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FOR REHABILITATION: FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES & QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES IN AIDS
Mary Lou Galantino (Richard Stockton College of NJ, Pomona, USA), TW Findley, L Kraft, K Shepard, A LaPerriere, J DuCette, F Sorbello, D Condolucci, M Barnish
Purpose: This study evaluated Quality of Life (QOL) and function in individuals diagnosed with AIDS.
Method: Subjects were randomly assigned to control or intervention. One site (n=13) received aerobic exercise (EX), while the second site (n=13) used tai chi (TC) as the intervention. A third group composed of patients from both sites (n=12) served as the control (C) for the 8 week intervention.
Results: Outcomes were measured by the Medical Outcomes Short Form (MOS-HIV), and the spirituality Well-Being (SWB) Scale. Functional measures included the functional reach (FR), sit and reach (SR), sit-up tests. The physical performance test (PPT) was used for general function. ANCOVA, using the adjusted means showed significant differences in FR between C and TC (13.5 vs 18.0) and C and EX (13.5 vs 18.1) situp; C and TC (29.1 vs 43.9); SR C and TC (9.9 vs 12.4) and C and EX (9.9 VS. 13.5); Subsets of stairclimbing from the PPT between the control and experimental groups (34.8 VS. 24.7-EX vs. 28.8 -TC); The MOS-HIV on the subscale of overall health (45.63-C vs. 40.67-EX vs. 51.62). Similar heart rate and blood pressure responses were found with both interventions.
Conclusion: This study shows functional and QOL differences people living with AIDS who exercise and those not engaged in a regular exercise program. Similar functional results were found with aerobic exercise and tai chi. The TC group had a greater self perception of overall health.
PD-1-01-03
ETHICAL ISSUES OF TREATING PATIENTS WITH AIDS
Strax, Thonms E.; M.D. (JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, Edison, New Jersey, USA)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is frightening and fatal. The great fear of acquiring HIV magnifies ethical issues concerning patients and health care workers. Practitioners in the field of rehabilitation medicine will become increasingly aware of these issues, because at least 50% of patients with HIV-related illnesses develop neurological disorders. Many will need physical, emotional, social, psychological or vocational restoration. The body of this talk explores some of the ethical issues related to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) rehabilitation, including confidentiality, risk of exposure to infected patients or infected health care workers, treatment of patients and the rights of patients and health care workers.
