Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy
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The aim of this study is to provide a systematic overview of the past decade of literature on processes of triage for patients with spinal pain, outcomes measured and markers of effectiveness. ⋯ Spinal triage programmes have the potential to improve efficiency of care for outpatients with spinal complaints. The evidence gaps in health outcomes, service models and cost effectiveness should be addressed by more robust prospective research designs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Treadmill Training or Progressive Strength Training to Improve Walking in People with Multiple Sclerosis? A Randomized Parallel Group Trial.
The most effective treatment approach to improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is not known. The aim of this trial was to assess the efficacy of treadmill training and progressive strength training on walking in people with MS. ⋯ The results indicate that task-specific training by treadmill walking is a favourable approach compared with strength training to improve walking in persons with mild and moderate MS. Implications for Physiotherapy practice, this study adds knowledge for the decision of optimal treatment approaches in people with MS. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Review
Physiotherapy for Patients on Awake Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used as temporary life support in subjects with potentially reversible respiratory/cardiac failure. The principal purpose of this review was to assess the characteristics and potential advantages of physiotherapeutic interventions in subjects on awake ECMO support. ⋯ In total, 216 citations were retrieved. Nine citations satisfied our inclusion criteria and were subjected to full-text analysis. The numbers of patients enrolled in the included studies (most of which were case series) were low (n = 52). We found no prospective studies or randomized controlled trials. Overall, subjects on awake ECMO usually received a combination of passive and active physiotherapy, and most achieved an acceptable degree of autonomy after treatment. Emerging research in the field affords preliminary evidence supporting the safety of early mobilization and ambulation in patients on awake veno-venous ECMO support. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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There is now widespread recognition of the powerful potential of electronic health record (EHR) systems to improve the health-care delivery system. The benefits of EHRs grow even larger when the health data within their purview are seamlessly shared, aggregated and processed across different providers, settings and institutions. Yet, the plethora of idiosyncratic conventions for identifying the same clinical content in different information systems is a fundamental barrier to fully leveraging the potential of EHRs. ⋯ In this paper, we describe how the ICF and other internationally accepted vocabulary standards could advance physiotherapy practise and research by enabling data sharing and reuse by EHRs. We highlight how these different vocabulary standards fit together within a comprehensive record system, and how EHRs can make use of them, with a particular focus on enhancing decision-making. By incorporating the ICF and other internationally accepted vocabulary standards into our clinical information systems, physiotherapists will be able to leverage the potent capabilities of EHRs and contribute our unique clinical perspective to other health-care providers within the emerging electronic health information infrastructure.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effects of 12 Weeks of Supervised Exercise After Endovascular Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
This study aimed to assess the effects of supervised exercise training (SET) after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) compared with PTA alone on physical function, limb hemodynamics and health-related quality of life in patients with intermittent claudication. ⋯ Supervised exercise training after endovascular treatment for patients with intermittent claudication led to greater positive changes after 3 months in the intervention group compared with the control group. The present study's trends of better results with SET after PTA add to the emerging existing evidence, which should encourage physiotherapy practice to offer SET for this patient group.