Network meta-analysis for comparative effectiveness of treatments for chronic low back pain disorders: systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Chronic low back pain disorders (CLBDs) present a substantial societal burden; however, optimal treatment remains debated. To date, pairwise and network meta-analyses have evaluated individual treatment modes, yet a comparison of a wide range of common treatments is required to evaluate their relative effectiveness. Using network meta-analysis, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments (acupuncture, education or advice, electrophysical agents, exercise, manual therapies/manipulation, massage, the McKenzie method, pharmacotherapy, psychological therapies, surgery, epidural injections, percutaneous treatments, traction, physical therapy, multidisciplinary pain management, placebo, 'usual care' and/or no treatment) on pain intensity, disability and/or mental health in patients with CLBDs.

Effects of specific muscle activation for low back pain on activity limitation, pain, work participation, or recurrence: A systematic review.

Background: Specific muscle activation (SMA) is a commonly used treatment for people with low back pain (LBP) however there is variability in systematic reviews to date on effectiveness. This may be because of the use of eligibility criteria incongruent with original descriptions of the SMA approach.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of SMA on improving activity limitation, pain, work participation or recurrence for people with LBP.

Boxing for Parkinson's Disease: Has Implementation Accelerated Beyond Current Evidence?

Exercise and physical activity are argued to promote neural plasticity in Parkinson's disease (PD), with potential to slow disease progression. Boxing for PD is rapidly growing in popularity. (i) To evaluate evidence on benefits and risks of boxing exercises for people living with PD and (ii) to appraise websites for evidence of global implementation of this intervention.

An exploration of role expectations of the clinical prosthetist.

Background: The role of the clinical prosthetist in healthcare has evolved substantially, and it is likely that expectations of the role have changed in recent times. Organisational Role Theory provides a framework for considering the expectations and behaviours of health professionals regarding their functions and roles.

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to explore stakeholder consensus in role expectations of the clinical prosthetist in an Australian healthcare setting.

The association between pregnancy, pelvic girdle pain and health-related quality of life - a comparison of two instruments.

Background: The main purposes in this cross-sectional study were to study the impact of pregnancy and pelvic girdle pain (PGP) on health related quality of life (HRQoL), by comparing the scores on different domains of two HRQoL instruments in pregnant women with population norms as well as in women with severe and less severe PGP. Further, to explore the association between PGP and HRQoL and whether the two instruments differ in the way they assess the influence of PGP on HRQoL.

Methods: Pregnant women in gestation week 30 completed questionnaires containing the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).

Association between hyper-pronated foot and the degree of severity of disability in patients with non-specific low back pain.

Background: It has been established that Hyper-pronation of the foot may lead to postural changes in the lower limbs, with a resultant pelvic ante-version, and a subsequent risk of development of low back pain. However, the association between the presence of a hyper-pronated foot and the severity of disability in low back pain is currently not known.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the presence of a hyper-pronated foot has any impact on the degree of severity of disability (functional status) in patients with non-specific low back pain.

Short-term effects of mobilisation with movement in patients with post-traumatic stiffness of the knee joint.

Background: Mobilisation with movement treatment techniques have been used to increase the range of motion following pathologies associated with shoulder, elbow and ankle joints. Lack of posterior tibial glide and reflex muscle inhibition are common physical impairments in individuals with post-traumatic stiffness of the knee joint. Current evidence is lacking for the benefits of mobilisation with movement treatment techniques for the knee joint disorders.

Do the key prognostic factors for non-specific neck pain have moderation effects? - A study protocol.

Neck pain is one of the common musculoskeletal conditions prevalent in the general population in Norway. Patients with neck pain, seek treatment from different health professionals such as general practitioners, physiotherapists, chiropractors and alternative medicine practitioners. The interventions for neck pain are typically provided in a primary care or specialised healthcare setting depending on the general practitioners' referral patterns.

Psychological and Lifestyle Factors That Influence the Serial Reporting of Postconcussion-like Symptoms in a Non-concussed Population.

Background: Symptoms related to concussion are generally nonspecific in nature, as they are also reported by non-concussed individuals. What is currently not known is whether the symptoms vary over time, and whether they are also influenced by a multitude of factors.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential influence of psychological, lifestyle, and situational factors on the change in postconcussion-like symptoms reported over 7 consecutive days in a cohort of normal individuals.

Day-to-day variability of post-concussion-like symptoms reported over time by a non-concussed cohort.

Primary Objective: To explore the change (trend) in post-concussion-like symptoms reported over time.

Research Design: Longitudinal study.

Methods And Procedures: University students aged 18-30 years self-reported their symptoms experienced on a daily basis.

The Influence of Psychological and Lifestyle Factors on the Reporting of Postconcussion-Like Symptoms.

Self-reported symptoms are an integral part of the assessment and management of a sports-related concussion. However, postconcussion-like symptoms are reported by non-concussed individuals. Moreover, the current best practice in the reporting of symptoms does not take into account the potential influence of psychological and lifestyle factors.

Smartphone and tablet apps for concussion road warriors (team clinicians): a systematic review for practical users.

Background: Mobile technologies are steadily replacing traditional assessment approaches for the recognition and assessment of a sports concussion. Their ease of access, while facilitating the early identification of a concussion, also raises issues regarding the content of the applications (apps) and their suitability for different user groups.

Aim: To locate and review apps that assist in the recognition and assessment of a sports concussion and to assess their content with respect to that of internationally accepted best-practice instruments.

Symptom response following acute bouts of exercise in concussed and non-concussed individuals - a systematic narrative review.

Background: Athletes suspected of being concussed are frequently evaluated on the side-line for self-reported symptoms which guide subsequent management and return-to-play decisions. Concussion-like symptoms have been shown to be influenced by prior participation in physical activity; however, the potential contribution of acute exercise on symptoms is not well understood.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature in order to further understand the acute effects of exercise on documented self-reported symptoms in both concussed and non-concussed individuals.

Big hits on the small screen: an evaluation of concussion-related videos on YouTube.

Background: YouTube is one of the largest social networking websites, allowing users to upload and view video content that provides entertainment and conveys many messages, including those related to health conditions, such as concussion. However, little is known about the content of videos relating to concussion.

Objective: To identify and classify the content of concussion-related videos available on YouTube.