Manual therapy
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There is considerable interest in whether best practice management of nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) should include the targeting of treatment to subgroups of people with identifiable clinical characteristics. However, there are no published systematic reviews of the efficacy of targeted psychosocial interventions. ⋯ Four studies met the inclusion criteria and collectively investigated nine hypotheses about targeted treatment on 28 subgroup/treatment outcomes. There were only two statistically significant results. Graded activity plus Treatment Based Classification targeted to people with high movement-related fear was more effective than Treatment Based Classification at reducing movement-related fear at 4 weeks. Active rehabilitation (physical exercise classes with cognitive-behavioural principles) was more effective than usual GP care at reducing activity limitation at 12 months, when targeted to people with higher movement-related pain. Few studies have investigated targeted psychosocial interventions in NSLBP, using trial designs suitable for measuring treatment effect modification, and they do not provide consistent evidence supporting such targeting. There is a need for appropriately designed and adequately powered trials to investigate targeted psychosocial interventions.
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Comparative Study
Assessment of spinal mobility in ankylosing spondylitis using a video-based motion capture system.
This paper describes the use of a video-based motion capture system to assess spinal mobility in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of the study is to assess reliability of the system comparing it with conventional metrology in order to define and analyze new measurements that reflect better spinal mobility. A motion capture system (UCOTrack) was used to measure spinal mobility in forty AS patients and twenty healthy subjects with a marker set defining 33 3D measurements, some already being used in conventional metrology. ⋯ Motion capture shows very high reliability with Intraclass Correlation Coefficient values ranging from 0.89 to 0.99, low Standard Error of the Measurement (0.37-1.33 cm and 1.58°-6.54°), correlating very well with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) (p < 0.001) and, in some individual measures (cervical flexion, cervical lateral flexion, back inclination, shoulder-hip angle and spinal rotation), with mSASSS (p < 0.01). mSASSS also added significantly to the variance in multivariate linear regression analysis to certain measures (back inclination, cervical flexion and cervical lateral flexion). Quantitative results obtained with motion capture system using the protocol defined show to be highly reliable in patients with AS. This technique could be a useful tool for assessing the outcome of the disease and for monitoring the evolution of spinal mobility in AS patients.
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Comparative Study
Inter-therapist agreement in classifying patients with cervical radiculopathy and patients with non-specific neck-arm pain.
Identification of differences in clinical presentation and underlying pain mechanisms may assist the classification of patients with neck-arm pain which is important for the provision of targeted best evidence based management. The aim of this study was to: (i) assess the inter-examiner agreement in using specific systems to classify patients with cervical radiculopathy and patients with non-specific neck-arm pain associated with heightened nerve mechanosensitivity (NSNAP); (ii) assess the agreement between two clinical examiners and two clinical experts in classifying these patients, and (iii) assess the diagnostic accuracy of the two clinical examiners. Forty patients with unilateral neck-arm pain were examined by two clinicians and classified into (i) cervical radiculopathy, (ii) NSNAP, (iii) other. ⋯ Agreement was 72.5%-80% in classifying patients with NSNAP (kappa between 0.43 and 0.52). Clinical examiners' diagnostic accuracy was high (radiculopathy: sensitivity 79%-84%; specificity 76%-81%; NSNAP: sensitivity 78%-100%; specificity 71%-81%). Compared to expert opinion, clinicians were able to identify patients with cervical radiculopathy and patients with NSNAP in 80% of cases, our data supporting the reliability of these classification systems.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A blended learning approach to palpation and ultrasound imaging skills through supplementation of traditional classroom teaching with an e-learning package.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of e-learning as a supplement to on-campus education for the acquisition of skills in palpation and ultrasound examination of the knee in a physiotherapy degree course. Forty-six students (28 females) from the University of Granada, with a mean age of 21.5 yrs, received 4 h of theoretical and practical on-campus training on palpation and ultrasound examination of the knee joint. They were then randomly distributed into two groups: experimental, with free access to the ECOFISIO website on musculoskeletal palpation and ultrasound assessment; and control, with access to documents and books on the topic. ⋯ Scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group for skills in palpation ability (p = 0.041) and ultrasound assessment (p < 0.001) of the knee. Students in the e-learning group needed less time to palpate the musculoskeletal structure (p = 0.041) but more time (p = 0.012) to obtain their superior ultrasound images. In conclusion, these results contribute evidence that e-learning is an effective educational strategy for physiotherapy students to acquire skills in palpation and ultrasound imaging of the knee as a supplement to on-campus education.
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Comparative Study
Acute low back pain information online: an evaluation of quality, content accuracy and readability of related websites.
The internet is increasingly being used as a source of health information by the general public. Numerous websites exist that provide advice and information on the diagnosis and management of acute low back pain (ALBP), however, the accuracy and utility of this information has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to establish the quality, content and readability of online information relating to the treatment and management of ALBP. ⋯ Only 3 websites had a high content accuracy score (>14/17) along with an acceptable readability score (FKGL 6-8) with the majority of websites providing information which exceeded the recommended level for the average person to comprehend. The most accurately reported category was, "Education and reassurance" (98%) while information regarding "manipulation" (50%), "massage" (9%) and "exercise" (0%) were amongst the lowest scoring categories. These results demonstrate the need for more accurate and readable internet-based ALBP information specifically centred on evidence-based guidelines.