"": a focus group study to understand the Perspectives of physiotherapists about measuring rehabilitation outcomes and impact in low-resource and conflict-affected settings.

Purpose: Rehabilitation outcomes are important for patients, professionals and policy makers. Most outcome measures (OMs) were developed for "Western" contexts and may be inadequate for low-resource and conflict settings, where the ability to demonstrate impact would be critical to strengthening the sector. This study aims to understand perspectives of physiotherapists from challenging environments regarding current practices, value, barriers, and facilitators of measuring rehabilitation outcomes.

"I've got a spring in my step" participants experience of action observation therapy and eccentric exercises, a telehealth study for mid-portion Achilles Tendinopathy: a qualitative study.

Background: Quantitative research has dominated the field of Achilles Tendinopathy. The use of qualitative research allows in-depth exploration of participants' perspectives, offering great insight in the evaluation of a trial's processes, particularly when exploring a novel intervention such as Action Observation Therapy combined with eccentric exercises which has not been previously researched. This study aimed to qualitatively explore participants' experiences of partaking in a telehealth study including the acceptability of the intervention, motivators for participation, and perspectives on the trial processes.

The effect of combined Action Observation Therapy with eccentric exercises in the treatment of mid-portion Achilles-tendinopathy: a feasibility pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Mid-portion Achilles Tendinopathy (AT) is a common musculoskeletal condition with varying rehabilitation success rates. Despite the prevalence of this condition, a considerable proportion of individuals experience persisting pain and functional deficits. Current treatment approaches bias the biomedical model which emphasises physically treating and loading the tendon.

Ways to improve surgical outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

Global surgery initiatives such as the Commission on Global Surgery have highlighted the need for increased investment to enhance surgical capacity in low- and middle-income countries. A neglected issue, however, is surgery-related rehabilitation, which is known to optimize functional outcomes after surgery. Increased investment to enhance surgical capacity therefore needs to be complemented by promotion of rehabilitation interventions.

The effect of combined action observation therapy and eccentric exercises in the treatment of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: study protocol for a feasibility pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common overuse injury which can be difficult to successfully rehabilitate. Whilst peripherally directed treatment approaches that strengthen the Achilles tendon complex can be efficacious for some individuals, others will continue to experience long-standing pain and functional deficits. Expanding our rehabilitation approach beyond the tendon mechanical properties to include techniques which target the central neurophysiological changes which can occur in chronic injuries, including mid-portion AT, may improve our rehabilitation outcomes.

Retrospective observational study of characteristics of persons with amputations accessing International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) rehabilitation centres in five conflict and postconflict countries.

Objectives: Limb amputation incidence is particularly high in fragile contexts due to conflict, accidents and poorly managed diabetes. The study aim was to analyse (1) demographic and amputation characteristics of persons with any type of acquired amputation (PwA) and (2) time between amputation and first access to rehabilitation in five conflict and postconflict countries.

Design: A retrospective, observational study analysing differences in demographic and clinical factors and time to access rehabilitation between users with traumatic and non-traumatic amputations.

A Focus Group Study to Understand the Perspectives of Physiotherapists on Barriers and Facilitators to Advancing Rehabilitation in Low-Resource and Conflict Settings.

Physiotherapy as a health profession is continuously evolving in high-income countries (HIC). The highest burden of disease globally, however, is in low-resource and conflict contexts (LR-CC), resulting in unmet rehabilitation needs. Rehabilitation service models from HIC often face challenges when applied to the fragile health systems of LR-CC.

Lifestyle Interventions to Improve Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Living in Low-and-Middle Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).

Alongside glucose lowering therapy, clinical guidelines recommend lifestyle interventions as cornerstone in the care of people living with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). There is a specific need for an up-to-date review assessing the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for people with T2DM living in low-and-middle income countries (MICs). Four electronic databases were searched for RCTs published between 1990 and 2020.

Effect of Action Observation Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To investigate the effect of action observation therapy (AOT) in the rehabilitation of neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions.

Data Sources: Searches were completed until July 2020 from the electronic databases Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (via OVID SP), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database.

Study Selection: Randomized controlled trials comparing AOT with standard care were assessed.

Users of rehabilitation services in 14 countries and territories affected by conflict, 1988-2018.

Objective: To analyse the demographic and clinical characteristics of people attending physical rehabilitation centres run or supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross in countries and territories affected by conflict.

Methods: Of 150 such rehabilitation centres worldwide, 38 use an electronic patient management system. We invited all 38 centres to participate.

Orthopaedic consultant surgeons perceptions of an advanced practice physiotherapy service in paediatrics: A qualitative study.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine orthopaedic consultants' perceptions of an advanced practice physiotherapy (APP) service in paediatrics.

Design: This is a qualitative study that use semi-structured interviews to explore consultant doctors' experiences of an APP paediatric orthopaedic service and its development. Data were transcribed verbatim and subsequently underwent thematic analysis.

Exploring the use of ultrasound imaging by physiotherapists: An international survey.

Background: National surveys in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom suggest ultrasound imaging (USI) use by physiotherapists is increasing. However, concerns exist regarding clarity for scopes of practice, and availability and standardisation of training.

Objectives: To investigate physiotherapists' understanding of scopes of practice for the use of USI; clarify the professional contexts, clinical uses and levels of training; and identify barriers preventing physiotherapists' USI use.

Advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice: Informing education curricula.

Introduction: Physiotherapists are operating at an advanced level of practice, usually on ad hoc basis with inhouse training, in response to the increasing burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. Discrepancies in role-specific education of advanced practice physiotherapists (APPs) creates challenges in ensuring a quality service, workforce mobility and formal recognition. This study reviewed existing MSK APP competency frameworks and education offerings, and explored physiotherapist learning needs with a view to informing international standardisation of MSK APP education curricula.

Increasing competence in wound care: A cross-sectional study to evaluate use of a virtual patient by undergraduate student nurses.

Concerns have arisen internationally over the competency of student nurses to perform wound care. A global shortage of nursing faculty and clinical practice opportunities is regarded as a contributing factor. Virtual simulation offers a possible solution.

Effect of the Triceps Brachii Facilitation Technique on Scapulohumeral Muscle Activation during Reach and Point in a Healthy Population.

Neurodevelopmental techniques are commonly used in upper limb rehabilitation, but little evidence supports the facilitation techniques associated with this concept. This exploratory study determined whether a facilitation technique at the triceps muscle affected scapulothoracic muscle activity during reach in healthy participants compared with self-selected posture and reach. The secondary aim was to determine whether muscle activation levels differed between the facilitation technique and the optimized posture or guided movement.

Imaging with ultrasound in physical therapy: What is the PT's scope of practice? A competency-based educational model and training recommendations.

Physical therapists employ ultrasound (US) imaging technology for a broad range of clinical and research purposes. Despite this, few physical therapy regulatory bodies guide the use of US imaging, and there are limited continuing education opportunities for physical therapists to become proficient in using US within their professional scope of practice. Here, we (i) outline the current status of US use by physical therapists; (ii) define and describe four broad categories of physical therapy US applications (ie, rehabilitation, diagnostic, intervention and research US); (iii) discuss how US use relates to the scope of high value physical therapy practice and (iv) propose a broad framework for a competency-based education model for training physical therapists in US.

A systematic review of physical rehabilitation interventions for stroke in low and lower-middle income countries.

Approximately 70% of strokes occur in low and middle income countries, yet the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation in these contexts remains undetermined. This systematic review identifies and summarises the current evidence supporting physical rehabilitation interventions post-stroke in low and lower-middle income countries. Five databases were comprehensively searched (April 2017) for randomised controlled trials, clinical controlled trials, and cohort studies testing rehabilitation interventions post-stroke in these countries.

An evaluation of diagnostic agreement rates between advanced practice physiotherapists and paediatric orthopaedic consultants for children with musculoskeletal complaints.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to establish diagnostic agreement rates between orthopaedic consultants and advanced practice physiotherapists (APPs) for paediatric orthopaedic patients, examine the appropriateness of referrals by APPs to consultants and report on the surgical conversion rate (SCR).

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients referred from an APP clinic to orthopaedic consultants was conducted for 2013, with a 3-year longitudinal follow-up through to the end of 2016. Study participants were two APPs and four orthopaedic consultants at a single site.

Advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice in Ireland: A National Survey.

Background: Since 2011, advanced practice physiotherapists (APPs) have triaged the care of patients awaiting orthopaedic and rheumatology consultant/specialist doctor appointments in Ireland. APP services have evolved across the major hospitals (n = 16) and, after 5 years, profiling and evaluation of APP services was warranted. The present study profiled the national musculoskeletal APP services, focusing on service, clinician and patient outcome factors.

Constructing a Global Learning Partnership in Physiotherapy: An Ireland-Uganda Initiative.

Background And Aim: There is a strong correlation between disability and poverty and it is acknowledged that until disability issues are addressed, the goal of poverty reduction in low-income countries is unlikely to be achieved. Despite the high prevalence of disability in developing countries, there remains a significant shortage of rehabilitation professionals as highlighted by the WHO report, Human resources for Health (2006). The purpose of this project was to develop a collaborative and sustainable partnership to strengthen educational and research capacity in global health, disability, and rehabilitation between two physiotherapy schools; University College Dublin, Ireland, and Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda.

Neurological Injury in Intermediate-Risk Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background: The application of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to intermediate-risk patients is a controversial issue. Of concern, neurological injury in this group remains poorly defined. Among high-risk and inoperable patients, subclinical injury is reported on average in 75% undergoing the procedure.

The efficacy of an extended scope physiotherapy clinic in paediatric orthopaedics.

Background: The demand for paediatric orthopaedic care is growing, and providing the service required is an increasingly challenging task. Physiotherapist-led triage clinics are utilised in adult orthopaedics to enable the provision of care to patients who may not require a surgical consult. The Physiotherapy Orthopaedic Triage Clinic (POTC) was established in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin in response to increasing demands on the paediatric orthopaedic service.

Development of PF-06671008, a Highly Potent Anti-P-cadherin/Anti-CD3 Bispecific DART Molecule with Extended Half-Life for the Treatment of Cancer.

Bispecific antibodies offer a promising approach for the treatment of cancer but can be challenging to engineer and manufacture. Here we report the development of PF-06671008, an extended-half-life dual-affinity re-targeting (DART) bispecific molecule against P-cadherin and CD3 that demonstrates antibody-like properties. Using phage display, we identified anti-P-cadherin single chain Fv (scFv) that were subsequently affinity-optimized to picomolar affinity using stringent phage selection strategies, resulting in low picomolar potency in cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) killing assays in the DART format.

Multifidus muscle size and percentage thickness changes among patients with unilateral chronic low back pain (CLBP) and healthy controls in prone and standing.

The aim of this study was to determine if differences exist in lumbar multifidus (LM) thickness at rest and during activation, between individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and controls. Lumbar multifidus thickness was assessed via rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI), and was performed in prone and standing both at rest and during muscle activation i.e.