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Skeletal muscle is a dynamic tissue with a remarkable ability to continuously respond to environmental stimuli. Among its adaptive responses is the widely investigated ability of skeletal muscle to regenerate after loading or injury or both. Although significant basic science efforts have been dedicated to better understand the underlying mechanism controlling skeletal muscle regeneration, there has been relatively little impact in the clinical approaches used to treat skeletal muscle injuries and wasting. The purpose of this review article is to provide an overview of the basic biology of satellite cell function in response to muscle loading and to relate these findings in the context of aging and neuromuscular pathology for the rehabilitation medicine specialist. Copyright © 2009 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Aim. The aim of this study was to elucidate the meaning of feeling well for people with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Background. Considerable attention has been given to research consequences, quality of life and satisfaction with life in people with traumatic brain injury. Most studies reveal negative aspects of living with traumatic brain injury. Knowledge that provides an understanding of the meaning of feeling well for people with a traumatic brain injury entails the possibility that they could receive support to feel well, despite their injury. Design. This study used a qualitative research approach, as the aim was to elucidate meaning. Methods. Data were collected through qualitative research interviews with two women and six men with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury who had lived with the injury for between 7-15 years. A phenomenological hermeneutic method was used to interpret the data. Results. The meaning of feeling well for people with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury was that the initially unfamiliar life with traumatic brain injury became familiar. This included finding strength, regaining control over everyday life, being close to someone and being good enough. People with traumatic brain injury felt well when they became reconciled with the circumstances of their life and created a new entity in that life, in which their complete health had been lost. Relevance to clinical practice. This study helps professionals to enhance their understanding and awareness of the possibilities for people with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury to feel well. The study showed that people with traumatic brain injury needed a lot of strength to achieve this. Professionals can help them to feel well by getting to know them and thus find ways to support the person's feeling of wellbeing. © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

We conducted a qualitative inquiry in order to describe the meaning of women's experiences of living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The majority of persons living with MS are women. Living with MS has been described as difficult because of the uncertainty of the illness. Ten women with MS were interviewed and the interviews were analyzed with a phenomenological hermeneutic interpretation. In this study, we suggest that the meaning of living with MS for women can be understood as trying to maintain power and living with an unrecognizable body. The bodies of women with MS serve as hindrances in everyday life. Bodily changes evident to others impose feelings of being met in a different way, which can be understood as an expression of a violated dignity. At the same time, the women with MS struggle to protect their dignity. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has long-lasting consequences not only for the individual with the injury but also for family members. The aim of this study is to elucidate the meaning of family members' experiences of living with an individual with moderate or severe TBI. The data have been collected by means of qualitative research interviews with 8 family member participants. A phenomenological hermeneutic interpretation (Ricouer, 1976) of the data reveal that family members struggle with their own suffering while showing compassion for the injured person. Their willingness to assume care for the injured person is derived from their feeling of natural love and the ethical demand to be responsible for the other. Hope and natural love from close relatives, the afflicted person, and other family members give the family members strength. It is important that professionals pay more attention to the suffering of close relatives.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to describe the treatment from other people as experienced by people with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their close relatives. Method. Twelve people with moderate or severe TBI and eight of their close relatives were interviewed. The interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results. The results were described by the means of two themes: being excluded and missing confirmation. People with TBI and their close relatives had experiences of being avoided, being ruled by the authorities, being met with distrustfulness and being misjudged. They also searched for answers and longed for the right kind of help. People who listened to them, believed them and tried to understand and help them were appreciated. Conclusions. This study showed a lack of treatment which promotes well-being of the people with TBI and their close relatives. They experienced bad treatment also from authorities. Therefore, we emphasize that authorities should continuously reflect on how to make their practice a place which promotes dignity. Treatment of people with TBI and close relatives may be improved by increased knowledge about TBI, living with it and being a close relative to a person with TBI. This is a challenge to health care and rehabilitation professionals.

Aim. This paper reports the findings of a study that aimed to elucidate the meaning of fatigue for women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Background. Living with chronic illness can involve giving up usual activities. MS is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Fatigue is a common experience among people with MS; however, little is known about the meaning of fatigue experienced by women with this condition. Method. Ten women with MS were interviewed about their experience of fatigue. A phenomenological hermeneutic method influenced by Ricoeur was used to interpret the transcribed interviews. Findings. The findings were presented in two major themes with five subthemes; experiencing the body as a barrier and experiencing a different absence. Fatigue seemed to give rise to an experience of being absent and divided into two parts. This also led to a feeling of not being able to participate in the surrounding world. The feeling of being an outsider and lacking the ability as a healthy person is interpreted as a form of suffering. Although the fatigue had a great impact on the women's daily life, the women still hoped for some relief. Fatigue seemed to imply that instead of working as an implement to manage in the world the body has become an enemy of survival. Conclusion. This study highlights the importance for nurses of understanding how women with MS experience fatigue, which is a prerequisite for communication based on a shared understanding. This awareness would enhance nurses' opportunities to alleviate suffering. More research is needed to investigate what kinds of interventions can help these women to manage their everyday lives and to maintain a sense of normality despite their fatigue and illness. Such interventions should be subject to empirical evaluation research.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) extensively affects the injured person's daily life. Research based on the perspectives of people with TBI can increase understanding of the challenges they face and the possibility of supporting them in managing their lives. The aim of this study was to elucidate the meaning of living with TBI as narrated by the people with moderate or severe TBI. The data were collected by means of qualitative research interviews with 12 participants who had lived with TBI for 4-13 years. A phenomenological hermeneutic method was used to interpret the transcribed interviews. The study showed that people with TBI had lost their way and struggled to achieve a new normalcy. Losing one's way included experiences of waking up to unknown, missing relationships and experiencing the body as an enemy. Participants' struggles to attain a new normalcy included searching for an explanation, recovering the self, wishing to be met with respect, and finding a new way of living. Living with TBI seems to mean living with a perpetually altered body that changed the whole life and caused deep suffering, where feelings of shame and dignity competed with each other. Participants seem to be quite alone in their suffering and need more support from healthcare professionals.