Abstract: Physiotherapists’ treatment approach might influence their behaviour during practice and, consequently, patients’ treatment outcome; however, an explicit description of the treatment approach is often missing in trials.The purpose of this prospective exploratory study was to evaluate whether the treatment approach differs between therapists who favour a behavioural graded activity (BGA) program, conservative exercise (CE) or manual therapy, and whether BGA training has influence on the treatment approach.Forty-two therapists participated. BGA therapists received a 2-day training. Treatment approach was measured at baseline and at 3-month follow-up, using the Pain Attitude and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS-PTs). By this method data on the adoption of biomedical or biops…

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Abstract: Hypersensitivity to a variety of stimuli has been shown in whiplash associated disorders and may be indicative of peripheral nerve involvement. This cross-sectional study utilised Quantitative sensory testing (QST) including vibration, thermal, electrical detection thresholds as an indirect measure of primary afferents that mediate innocuous and painful sensation. Pain thresholds and psychological distress (SCL-90-R) were also measured. Thirty-one subjects with chronic whiplash (>3 months, NDI: 49±17) and 31 controls participated. The whiplash group demonstrated elevated vibration, heat and electrical detection thresholds at most hand sites compared to controls (p (Source: Manual Therapy)

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Abstract: Tight lateral structures have been implicated in subjects presenting with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). It has been proposed that a tight iliotibial band (ITB) through its attachment of the lateral retinaculum into the patella could cause lateral patella tracking, patella tilt and compression.Twelve subjects presenting with PFPS were compared with 12 matched control subjects. Hip adduction was measured using the Ober test in each subject as an indirect measure of ITB length. The mean values for hip adduction in the control group were 21.4 (±4.9) and 20.3 (±3.8) degrees in the left and right legs, respectively, and in the PFPS group, 17.3 (±6.1) and 14.9 (±4.2) degrees in the non-painful leg and painful leg, respectively. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a …

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In conclusion, there appears to be a great deal of variation in the reliability of the tests used in the physical examination of the shoulder girdle. Over 50% of the tests did not meet the statistical criteria for acceptable reliability. (Source: Manual Therapy)

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Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the displacement of the center of the humeral head (CHH), in a cadaveric glenohumeral joint model, during an experimental abduction simulation with and without the application of a mobilization with movement (MWM) maneuver in an anteroposterior direction. Ten physiotherapists performed passive abduction and a posteriorly directed MWM technique on a fresh cadaveric shoulder joint. The applied forces and joint angles were monitored and displacement of the CHH was calculated. In the abduction only trial, displacement of the humeral head was less than 0.9mm in posterior, inferior, and lateral directions. During the MWM trial there were significant increases in the displacement of the humeral head posteriorly (7.7mm), inferiorly (2.7mm), and la…

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This study aimed to analyse the effects of a single stretching exercise session on a number of gait parameters in elderly participants in an attempt to determine whether these exercises can influence the risk of fall. Fifteen healthy women living in the community volunteered to participate in the study. A kinematic gait analysis was performed immediately before and after a session of static stretching exercises applied on hip flexor/extensor muscles. Results showed a significant influence of stretching exercises on a number of gait parameters, which have previously been proposed as fall predictors. Participants showed increased gait velocity, greater step length and reduced double support time during stance after performing stretching exercises, suggesting improved stability and mobility. …

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This study investigated the presence of a neuropathic pain component in acute whiplash using the Self-reported Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Signs and Symptoms’ scale (S-LANSS) and evaluated relationships among S-LANSS responses, pain/disability, sensory characteristics (mechanical, thermal pain thresholds, and Brachial plexus provocation test (BPPT) responses) and psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28)).Participants were 85 people with acute whiplash ( (Source: Manual Therapy)

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Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an intervention including shoulder control and strengthening exercises on function in persons with shoulder impingement. Eight subjects with shoulder impingement were evaluated weekly during the nine weeks of this single-subject design study. The study was divided into three phases (A1–B–A2) and involved repeated measures of shoulder pain and function (Shoulder Pain And Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire), painful arc of motion, peak torque and 3-dimensional scapular attitudes. During the intervention phase, each subject participated in 12 exercise sessions supervised by a physiotherapist. Measures taken during the intervention and post-intervention phases were compared to pre-intervention values. All subjects showed sign…

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The objective of the study was to establish the specific use of advice and exercise by physiotherapists, for the management of chronic low back pain (LBP). A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 600 members of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists. Open and closed questions were used to obtain information on treatments provided to chronic LBP patients. Respondents’ treatment goals were also investigated, along with the typical methods used to assess treatment outcome. Four hundred and nineteen of the sample returned the questionnaire; 280/419 (67%) indicated that they currently treated LBP of which 76% (n=214) were senior grade therapists. Advice and exercise, respectively, were the treatments most frequently used for chronic LBP: advice was most commonly delivered as p…

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Abstract: The reliability of manual methods to assess spinal stiffness is modest at best. In response, instrumentation has been developed which may be reliable, but is often difficult to use in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra-rater reliability of assisted indentation (AI), a smaller, less automated technique of measuring spinal stiffness in vivo. Twenty-three asymptomatic subjects were included in the study. The AI device was placed over the 4th lumbar spinous process in each prone, resting subject. Ten indentations were performed at approximately 2-min intervals while load and displacement data were collected simultaneously. From these data, two outcome variables were calculated: Global Stiffness (GS; slope of the force–displacement data) and Mean…

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