Aust J Physiother
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The Mapleson C circuit clears more secretions than the Laerdal circuit during manual hyperinflation in mechanically-ventilated patients: a randomised cross-over trial.
What is the effect of the Mapleson C circuit compared with the Laerdal circuit in removing secretions and improving ventilation and gas exchange during manual hyperinflation? ⋯ Although more secretions were cleared using the Mapleson C compared with the Laerdal circuit in this study, this had no consequence in terms of oxygenation and compliance only trended to improve. As the study was underpowered the clinical significance of these findings is not clear.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
In chronic low back pain, low level laser therapy combined with exercise is more beneficial than exercise alone in the long term: a randomised trial.
Is low level laser therapy an effective adjuvant intervention for chronic low back pain? ⋯ In chronic low back pain low level laser therapy combined with exercise is more beneficial than exercise alone in the long term.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Healthy adults can more easily elevate the pelvic floor in standing than in crook-lying: an experimental study.
Are there any differences in the displacement and endurance of an elevating voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction in standing and in crook-lying? Are there any differences in these variables between males and females in either test position? ⋯ Standing was found to be a more effective position for achieving and sustaining an elevation of the pelvic floor compared to crook-lying, regardless of sex, and this should be taken into account when assessing and training pelvic floor muscle contraction.
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Clinical Trial
Effect of endotracheal suction on lung dynamics in mechanically-ventilated paediatric patients.
Endotracheal suctioning is performed regularly in ventilated infants and children to remove obstructive secretions. The effect of suctioning on respiratory mechanics is not known. This study aimed to determine the immediate effect of endotracheal suctioning on dynamic lung compliance, tidal volume, and airway resistance in mechanically-ventilated paediatric patients by means of a prospective observational clinical study. ⋯ Although the majority of patients (68.5%) experienced a drop in dynamic compliance following suctioning, dynamic compliance increased in 31.5% of patients after the procedure. This study demonstrates that endotracheal suctioning frequently causes an immediate drop in dynamic compliance and expired tidal volume in ventilated children with variable lung pathology, intubated with small endotracheal tubes, probably indicating loss of lung volume caused by the suctioning procedure. There is no evidence that suctioning reduces airway resistance.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluating two implementation strategies for whiplash guidelines in physiotherapy: a cluster randomised trial.
Are implementation strategies involving education any more effective than mere dissemination of clinical practice guidelines in changing physiotherapy practice and reducing patient disability after acute whiplash? ⋯ Although the active implementation program increased guideline-consistent practice, patient outcomes and cost of care were not affected.