Musculoskeletal science & practice
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Musculoskelet Sci Pract · Feb 2019
ReviewArtificial intelligence and machine learning | applications in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of mathematical engineering which has potential to enhance healthcare through new care delivery strategies, informed decision making and facilitation of patient engagement. Machine learning (ML) is a form of narrow artificial intelligence which can be used to automate decision making and make predictions based upon patient data. ⋯ Potential is apparent for intelligent machines to enhance various areas of physiotherapy practice through automization of tasks which involve data analysis, classification and prediction. Changes to service provision through applications of ML, should encourage physiotherapists to increase their awareness of and experiences with emerging technologies. Data literacy should be a component of professional development plans to assist physiotherapists in the application of ML and the preparation of information technology systems to use these techniques.
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Musculoskelet Sci Pract · Dec 2018
Physiotherapist-delivered Stress Inoculation Training for acute whiplash-associated disorders: A qualitative study of perceptions and experiences.
Formally trained and accredited physiotherapists delivered Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) integrated with guideline-based physiotherapy management to individuals with acute whiplash associated disorders (WAD) as part of a randomised controlled trial. The delivery of SIT by physiotherapists is new. ⋯ Physiotherapists' supported adding SIT to usual management of individuals with acute WAD. Education on SIT principles is recommended during pre-professional training to facilitate future implementation.
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Musculoskelet Sci Pract · Dec 2018
A proposed clinical conceptual model for the physiotherapy management of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
There are no validated clinical models to show a reliable pathway of guaranteeing an effective recovery for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) with physiotherapy management. An array of medical, psychological and physiotherapy intervention methods show weak benefit. Spearman correlations, with significance p < 0.05, from an observational, prospective, longitudinal, multi-centre study of regional standard physiotherapy CRPS management showed complete recovery to be potentially associated with baseline factors of: better mental health; better functional ability and quality of life; higher scores of extraversion personality trait; lower scores of intraversion personality trait; and interventions such as concurrent prescription of the anticonvulsant secondary analgesia group and a higher intensity of physiotherapy education intervention. These correlations were integrated with the literature evidence and the crux of previously suggested models to conceptualise a clinical model that can contribute to the broader knowledge of physiotherapy management in CRPS that should be tested with future research.
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Musculoskelet Sci Pract · Dec 2018
Perceptions of physiotherapists towards the management of non-specific chronic low back pain from a biopsychosocial perspective: A qualitative study.
Physiotherapists have been urged to embrace a patient-oriented biopsychosocial (BPS) framework for the management of non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). However, recent evidence suggests that providing broader BPS interventions demonstrates small differences in pain or disability compared to usual care. Little is known about how to integrate a BPS model into physiotherapy practice and the challenges it presents. ⋯ Although employing a BPS approach is recognised by physiotherapists in the management of NSCLBP, this study highlights the problems of implementing evidence based guidelines recommending that psychological factors be addressed but providing limited support for this. It also supports the need to allocate more time to explore these domains in distressed individuals. Engaging patients to self-manage was seen as a key objective, which was not a straightforward process, requiring careful negotiation.
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Musculoskelet Sci Pract · Oct 2018
Cross-cultural adaptation and validity of the Italian version of the Central Sensitization Inventory.
Central sensitization (CS) is an important feature in patients with chronic pain. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) was developed with the goal of detecting the patients' symptoms related to CS. ⋯ The CSI-I was successfully developed and exhibited satisfactory validity in patients with chronic pain. Its reliability, responsiveness and content validity should be investigated in future studies. Until robust evidence indicates a strong relationship between CS and the CSI-I, caution should be adopted in claiming that the CSI-I measures CS.