Research Agenda for Physical Therapy From the American Physical Therapy Association.

Unlabelled: Research agendas play an important role in directing scholarly inquiry in a field. The Research Agenda for Physical Therapy From the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) outlines research priorities that are vital to advancing physical therapist practice and the profession. The development of the research agenda included multiple iterative steps and feedback from stakeholders.

An investigation of neurological and/or biomechanical factors underpinning the effect of a thrust manipulation on chronic ankle symptoms: an observational study.

Background: Ankle sprains are a commonly occurring musculoskeletal injury potentially resulting in persistent pain and/or altered motion. Thrust manipulation may serve as an interventional strategy but limited evidence exists on the mechanism(s) by which a change to symptoms might occur.

Objective: The study sought to quantify the immediate effect of a thrust manipulation to the ankle to determine a mechanism by which change to symptoms occurred.

Shoulder Injuries in Individuals Who Participate in CrossFit Training.

Background: CrossFit, a sport and fitness program, has become increasingly popular both nationally and internationally. Researchers have recently identified significant improvements in health and wellness due to CrossFit. However, some individuals assert that CrossFit poses an inherent risk of injury, specifically to the shoulder, due to the intensity of training.

Eccentric Exercise Versus Eccentric Exercise and Soft Tissue Treatment (Astym) in the Management of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy.

Background: Eccentric exercise is commonly used in the management of Achilles tendinopathy (AT) but its effectiveness for insertional AT has been questioned. Soft tissue treatment (Astym) combined with eccentric exercise could result in better outcomes than eccentric exercise alone.

Hypothesis: Soft tissue treatment (Astym) plus eccentric exercise will be more effective than eccentric exercise alone for subjects with insertional AT.

The relative effectiveness of segment specific level and non-specific level spinal joint mobilization on pain and range of motion: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Design: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Objective: IN SYMPTOMATIC SUBJECTS TO: (1) examine the effects of a single session of joint mobilization on pain at rest and with most painful movement, and (2) compare the effects when joint mobilization is provided to a specific or non-specific spinal level.

Background: Joint mobilization is routinely used for treating spinal pain in conjunction with other interventions, but its unique effect is not well understood.

Prediction of functional outcome at six months following total hip arthroplasty.

Background: Recovery of function such as the ability to walk without an assistive device after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not always automatic.

Objective: This study investigated whether predetermined variables could be used to identify patients who might have functional limitations at 6 months following THA.

Design: A prospective, observational cohort design was used.

Management of chronic ankle pain using joint mobilization and ASTYM® treatment: a case report.

Treatment of ankle sprains predominately focuses on the acute management of this condition; less emphasis is placed on the treatment of ankle sprains in the chronic phase of recovery. Manual therapy, in the form of joint mobilization and manipulation, has been shown to be effective in the management of this condition, but the combination of joint mobilization and manipulation in tandem with ASTYM® treatment has not been explored. The purpose of this case report is to chronicle the management of a patient with chronic ankle pain who was treated with manual therapy including manipulation and ASTYM treatment.

Differential diagnosis of shoulder and cervical pain: a case report.

Patients are frequently referred to physical therapy with the diagnosis of shoulder and arm pain. During examination and evaluation of the patient, the physical therapist must consider all potential causes of the patient's symptoms. Three questions are used as the conceptual basis for a diagnosis-based clinical decision rule in the management of mechanical and non-mechanical musculoskeletal pain when addressing the differential diagnosis of a patient's condition.

Dimensionality of measures for severe unilateral ankle arthritis.

Objective: To analyze the dimensionality of 2 self-report outcome measures (Foot/Ankle Disability Index [FADI] and Short-Form [SF]-36), 3 biomechanical measures (stance and step symmetry measures, gait speed, and step width), 2 physical-performance measures (timed get-up and go [TUG] and 4-square step test [4SST]), and 1 clinician-report outcome measure (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society [AOFAS] Hindfoot Scale) in a patient population with unilateral ankle arthritis. These measures captured the following functions: mobility and speed, pain and its relationship to function, social integration, and symmetry and efficiency of gait.

Design: Case series design.