Glossary of terms
- Activity
-
As defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, activity
is the performance of a task or action by an individual. Activity limitations are difficulties
in performance of activities. These are also referred to as function.
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
-
Basic tasks that involve bodily issues (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring,
continence, eating, and walking) that are done on a daily basis.
- Body Functions
-
As defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, body
functions are the physiological or psychological functions of body systems (nervous, musculoskeletal,
digestive or respiratory and circulatory systems). Impairments are problems in body function such as
significant deviation in function or loss.
- Body Structures
-
As defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, body structures
are anatomical parts of the body such as organs, limbs and their components. Impairments are problems
in body structures as a significant deviation in structure or loss.
- Clinical Practice Guideline
-
Systematically developed descriptive tools or standardized specifications for care to assist practitioner
and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. Practice
guidelines are typically developed through a formal process and are based on authoritative sources,
including clinical literature and expert consensus
- Depression
-
Illness involving the body, mood, and thoughts, that affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way
one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as
a passing blue mood or a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with
a depressive disease cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms
can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people with depression.
- Environmental Factors
-
As defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, environmental factors
make up the physical, social and attitudinal environment in which people live and conduct their lives.
- Functional ambulation
-
The ability to walk, with or without the aid of appropriate assistive devices (such as canes or walkers),
safely and sufficiently to carry out mobility-related activities of daily living (ADLs).
- Gait
-
The pattern of walking, which is often characterized by elements of progression, efficiency, stability and safety.
- Hypertrophic Scar
-
Is a red, raised, rigid scar that may result after a deep dermal injury. Microscopically is characterized
by a thickened epidermis and a dermis with abnormal collagen organization, abnormal levels of glycosaminoglycans
and proteoglycans, and altered cell types and/or quantities.
- Impairments
-
Problem in body function or structures such as significant deviation or loss.
- International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)
-
Classification system setup by the World Health Organisation, portrays how people live with their condition
in relation to the Body Functions and Structures, Activities and Participation in daily life.
ICF website
- Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)
-
Complex tasks that involve social or societal issues (shopping, bill paying, cooking, housework, etc)
that are done on a regular basis.
- Meta-Analysis
-
Method in which the results of two or more studies are statistically combined. Typically used when
studies have few subjects, but similar designs. By increasing the available number of subjects, more
weight can be given to the findings.
- Myofibroblasts
-
Fibroblasts that have features characteristically associated with smooth muscle cells
(Majno G, Gabbiani G, et al. 1971).
Identified by positive staining with a monoclonal antibody that binds to alpha - smooth muscle actin isoform.
- Normal Scar
-
A dermal injury that heals without becoming red, raised, or rigid when compared to normal skin.
- Orthotic Intervention (splinting)
-
The provision of an orthoses that reduces impairment and/or enables the burn survivor to participate in a
desired activity. It involves identifying and addressing the occupational and biological needs of the individual.
- Orthosis (splint)
-
A prefabricated or custom-made device applied to the body. An orthosis alters forces on biological structures to
favorably influence their nutrition, length, strength, mobility, and/or stability to ultimately promote participation
of the burn survivor in their chosen occupations. Plural: Orthoses (pronounced or-tho-seas).
- Participation
-
As defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, participation
is an individual's involvement in life situations in relation to Health Conditions, Body Functions
or Structures, Activities, and Contextual Factors. Participation Restrictions are problems an individual
may have in the manner or extent of involvement in life situations.
- Pressure Therapy
-
Pressure therapy involves the application of either ready-to-wear or custom-fabricated pressure garments
or devices made out of a variety of elasticised fabrics or other materials (i.e. foam, elastomer inserts,
thermoplastic materials, etc.). These garments or devices may be used individually or in combination with
the goal being to prevent or minimize the formation of hypertropic scar.
- Quality of Life (QoL)
-
The value assigned to duration of life as modified by the impairments, functional states, perceptions
and opportunities influenced by disease, injury, treatment and policy.
(Patrick DL, Erickson P. 1988).
- Quasi-experimental design
-
A study in which subjects typically receive differing treatments and outcomes are then compared. No randomization
is done in the assignment of treatment groups.
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
-
Typically, experimental design in which subjects are randomly assigned to a treatment group, or to a control
(no treatment or alternative treatment) group. Effects of the experimental treatment are then compared statistically
to results from control treatment to determine effectiveness.
- Scar Contracture
-
The shrinkage of a healed scar.
- Splint
-
Refer to Orthosis.
- Systematic Review
-
A systematic review is a summary of available research on a given topic that compares studies based on
design and methods. It summarizes the findings of each, and points out flaws or potentially confounding
variables that may have been overlooked. A critical analysis of each study is done in an effort to rate
the value of its stated conclusions. The research findings are then summarized, and a conclusion is provided.
- Wound Contraction
-
The mechanism by which the edges of an open wound are drawn together as a result of force within the wound itself.