A multifaceted, multidisciplinary respiratory management program can change the process of care used for difficult-to-wean patients with SCI. Implications for rehabilitation Findings from this study indicate the significance of a multidimensional evaluation of any reversible factors for prolonged MV- and/or TT-dependent SCI patients. Thus, rehabilitation specialists should take this into consideration and should provide the appropriate amount of time to these patients. The proposed protocol of respiratory rehabilitation for MV- and/or TT-dependent SCI patients shows promising results in terms of changing the care used for these patients. Successful implementation of a respiratory rehabilitation and weaning protocol is dependent on careful planning and detailed communication between the rehabilitation specialist and intensivist during the respiratory rehabilitation process. Because many of the so-called difficult- or impossible-to-wean patients were successfully weaned from MV and TT in the PMR clinic, the need for such an outlet for countries without specialized centers is supported.

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This study demonstrated that chronic pain is a common problem in patients with PD, that different pain types may co-exist, and that they may negatively affect the HRQoL of patients. Chronic pain was correlated with both disease-related factors such as rigidity and daily living activities and also general factors such as gender and depression. We found that chronic pain is the most significant predictor of quality of life in PD patients. We believe, that in addition to treating motor symptoms and complications associated with them, treatment of comorbid conditions such as pain and depression bear significance for improving the quality of life in PD patients. The study indicates that PD patients who are optimally treated, may require additional rehabilitation treatment for non-motor associated pain and thus improve their HRQoL.

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[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the bone mineral density, vitamin D level, and frequencies of osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with Parkinson’s disease and to compare male and female patients with the controls separately. [Subjects and Methods] One hundred fifteen Parkinson’s disease patients (47 males, 68 females; age range: 55–85 years) and 117 age- and gender-matched controls (47 males, 70 females) were enrolled in the study. Bone mineral density measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and serum D vitamin levels of each participant were recorded. [Results] The mean lumbar spine, femur neck, and total femur bone mineral density levels, T-scores, and vitamin D levels were found to be significantly lower in Parkinson’s disease patients in both genders. Furthermore, osteoporosis rates were found be significantly higher only in female Parkinson’s disease patients compared with female controls. [Conclusion] Data from the present study revealed that while osteoporosis was significantly higher only in female Parkinson’s disease patients, all Parkinson’s disease patients had lower bone mineral density scores and vitamin D levels compared with the controls regardless of gender, suggesting that clinicians should pay attention to the osteoporosis risk in Parkinson’s disease and that adequate preventive measures should be taken in order to limit the future risk due to osteoporotic fractures.