Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy
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Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders in both developed and developing countries. Whilst there have been a number of studies investigating the current physiotherapy management of LBP in the former, little is known about such management in developing countries. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the physiotherapy management of LBP in Thailand and to compare the results with those of developed countries where applicable. ⋯ This study provides descriptive data from the therapists' perspective about LBP management and shows that the treatments most commonly used are different from those treatments commonly used in developed countries. The potential reasons for this are explored in this paper and recommendations are made for further research.
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Case Reports
Case report: inspiratory muscle training in chronic critically ill patients--a report of two cases.
Inspiratory muscle weakness and fatigue has been documented following prolonged mechanical ventilation despite successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. This report describes the application of inspiratory muscle training in two patients following successful discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU) after prolonged mechanical ventilation. ⋯ These positive results indicate further research is needed to investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training on respiratory function, exercise tolerance and functional performance, for the possible inclusion of inspiratory muscle training into the physiotherapy management of patients following prolonged mechanical ventilation.
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Variability in clinical presentation among patients with neck pain disorders, in relation to symptom severity and the effect of the disorder on their physical and psychological function, has not been well documented. The present study examined the variability in pain intensity, physical and emotional or cognitive function in patients with non-acute, non-traumatic neck pain, and the extent to which these factors are associated at the time of referral for physiotherapy treatment. ⋯ The results highlight the variability between patients with neck pain, in relation to pain intensity and the effect of the disorder on physical and psychological function. Identifying the specific effects of the neck pain disorder in individual cases is important when defining the treatment objectives and selecting measures of treatment response.
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Clinical Trial
Movements of the pelvis and lumbar spine during walking in people with acute low back pain.
Little is known about how acute low back pain affects pelvic and lumbar movements during walking. The aim of the present study was to determine if measurement of the amplitude of the angular movements of the pelvis and lumbar spine during walking is useful in the evaluation of people with acute low back pain. ⋯ Measurement of pelvic and lumbar movements during walking is unlikely to have useful clinical applications for individuals, or when discriminating between impaired and unimpaired people, but may be applied to groups for hypothesis testing in evaluating change in back pain over time. An hypothesized model to explain the observed movements has been proposed.
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Comparative Study
Attitudes and beliefs of Brazilian and Australian physiotherapy students towards chronic back pain: a cross-cultural comparison.
The attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists and students can potentially influence the outcome of treatment of low back pain. These attitudes and beliefs may be influenced by external factors, such as ethnicity. No study that compared the attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapy students from different cultural backgrounds, such as from Brazil or Australia, towards chronic low back pain was found. The purpose of the present study was therefore to compare the attitudes and beliefs of Brazilian physiotherapy students with those of Australian physiotherapy students and to published data from North American healthcare providers, and to investigate whether a history of chronic low back pain affects students' attitudes and beliefs. ⋯ As demonstrated by higher HC-PAIR scores, the Brazilian physiotherapy students agree more strongly with the notion that low back pain justifies disability and activity limitation than do Australian physiotherapy students and North American healthcare providers. A history of chronic low back pain does not affect students' attitudes and beliefs.