Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Characterizing the protocol for early modified constraint-induced movement therapy in the EXPLICIT-stroke trial.
Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a commonly used rehabilitation intervention to improve upper limb function after stroke. CIMT was originally developed for patients with a chronic upper limb paresis. Although there are indications that exercise interventions should start as early as possible after stroke, only a few randomized controlled trials have been published on either CIMT or modified forms of CIMT (mCIMT) during the acute phase after stroke. ⋯ The intervention starts within 2 weeks after stroke onset. The protocol retains two of the three key elements of the original CIMT protocol, that is, repetitive training and the constraining element. Repetitive task training is applied for 1 hour per working day, and the patients wear a mitt for at least 3 hours per day for three consecutive weeks.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Microcurrent therapy in the management of chronic tennis elbow: pilot studies to optimize parameters.
In microcurrent therapy (MCT), low-intensity electric current is applied to promote tissue healing and relieve symptoms. MCT is used with recalcitrant skin and bone lesions, but little is known about its effects on tendinopathy, and optimal treatment parameters are uncertain. Two studies were conducted to ascertain whether varying (i) current intensity and (ii) waveform and treatment duration affect outcomes of MCT for chronic tennis elbow. ⋯ Monophasic MCT of peak current intensity 50 μA applied for tens of hours may be effective in reducing symptoms and promoting tendon normalization in chronic tennis elbow. Hyperaemia may help predict treatment outcome. A full-scale trial of the therapy is warranted.
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Pain has been reported in cystic fibrosis (CF), but its clinical significance and the physical and psychosocial impact in adults who are clinically stable and acutely unwell have not been well described. The aim of this study was to describe the intensity and location of pain and its relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and pain catastrophizing in adults with CF. ⋯ Pain is common in adults with CF, irrespective of clinical status, and may interfere with important physiotherapy treatments. Although pain intensity is generally mild, those with a negative emotional response to pain have significantly impaired HRQOL.
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Low back pain (LBP) may challenge an individual's self-confidence to perform usual daily activities such as Islamic daily prayer. Existing self-efficacy scales may not be appropriate to assess individual's self-confidence to perform Islamic prayers. ⋯ IpbSeS appears to be a reliable instrument to assess the self-confidence of Muslims in the presence of LBP to pray.
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Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) accounts for over 85% of all low back pain. Homogenous subgroups may exist within this diagnosis. This study derived a clinical examination and evaluated the examination's ability to identify homogenous subgroups in NSLBP. ⋯ The identification of a group of hypervigilant NSLBP patients should allow the interventions to be targeted towards this group. A valid, standardized clinical examination does contribute to the diagnostic management of NSLBP.