Reliability and validity of the hand-held dynamometer "NOD": a new instrument for assessment of isometric grip strength.

Introduction: Hand grip strength (HGS) is an important measure in a physiotherapy assessment and for this purpose it is necessary to have valid and reliable instruments to measure it. In this study we aimed at investigating the reliability, validity, and agreement of the new hand-held dynamometer NOD (OT-Bioelettronica, To-Italy) compared to Jamar® hydraulic dynamometer (JD), the gold standard.

Methods: Fifty healthy subjects were selected; 9 trials for the dominant hand and 9 trials for the non-dominant hand were administrated to each of them: 3 trials of HGS with the JD in rung #3, 3 trials with the JD-adapted-grip (like the NOD one), and 3 trials with NOD.

Construct validity, responsiveness and minimal important difference of the cumulated ambulation score in older adults with hip fracture in sub-acute rehabilitation facility.

Objective: To assess the construct validity, responsiveness and minimal important difference of the cumulated ambulation score in patients with hip fracture in sub-acute rehabilitation facility.

Design: Observational, prospective, monocenter, cohort study.

Setting: Rehabilitation Institute.

Effects of soft tissue mobilisation on subacute adherent linear scars: a single-group intervention study.

Objective: Scar adherence due to a pathological healing process can cause physical and psychological disturbance. Soft tissue mobilisation (STM) techniques are widely used to treat and prevent scar adherence, but little is known on their effects. We aimed to analyse the effect of STM in patients with subacute post-surgical scar adhesions affecting the extremities.

[The relationship between physical exercise and gut microbiota in the human being: a systematic review].

Background: the relationship between physical exercise and gut microbiota has opened new therapeutic frontiers for many inflammatory diseases. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty about how to administer exercise.

Objectives: to review the literature to bridge this gap and examine the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and microbiota.

Relationship between work fatigue and manual dexterity in dental professionals: observational study.

Background: Neuro-muscular fatigue (ANM) in the upper limbs can cause impaired coordination and dexterity. The main purpose of the study was to investigate whether ANM induced by a working day produced a reduction in digital dexterity in a population of dental health workers (OSD). Secondary objective was to investigate whether there were relationships between any reductions in dexterity and independent socio-demographic variables (gender, age and profession).

Relationship between nerve conduction studies and the Functional Dexterity Test in workers with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background: Dexterity impairments caused by carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) make working and daily activities challenging. We aimed to investigate: i) the relationship between dexterity and nerve conduction studies (NCS) in workers with classic symptoms presentation; ii) the ability of the Functional Dexterity Test (FDT) to discriminate different levels of CTS severity as classified by NCS; iii) the diagnostic accuracy of a clinical battery composed of the FDT, Phalen's test and Tinel's sign.

Methods: In a convenience sample of individuals diagnosed with CTS, we correlated FDT net scores with the NCS-based classification by means of Spearman's (rho) test.

Reproducibility of the DrGoniometer app for field-based assessment of the break-point angle in Nordic Hamstring exercise.

Smartphone-based measurement could represent a portable and cheap solution to assess the Nordic Hamstring break-point angle (BPA). We investigated the following: (1) the reproducibility of the DrGoniometer app, (2) its agreement with a computerized video analysis software used as a reference method, and (3) the effects of raters' experience. Fifty recordings were processed by four independent raters.

Psychometric properties of the Cumulated Ambulation Score: a systematic review.

Introduction: In the geriatric population, independent mobility is a key factor in determining readiness for discharge following acute hospitalization. The Cumulated Ambulation Score (CAS) is a potentially valuable score that allows day-to-day measurements of basic mobility. The CAS was developed and validated in older patients with hip fracture as an early postoperative predictor of short-term outcome, but it is also used to assess geriatric in-patients with acute medical illness.

[Assessment of dexterity and diagnostic accuracy of the Functional Dexterity Test in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome].

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Background:: The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (STC) is centered on the symptoms. However, patients also show an impairment of sensorimotor functions, but the relationship between STC and manual dexterity has never been investigated.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reproducibility and validation of the Italian version of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).

The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) is one of the most robust instruments to assess scar quality, but there is no Italian version, and no other competing instruments are available in Italian. The aim of this study was to translate and validate an Italian version of POSAS (POSAS-I). POSASv2.

The EdUReP approach plus manual therapy for the management of insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is a challenging overuse disorder. The aim of this case report was to study the feasibility of a comprehensive rehabilitative approach according to the Education, Unloading, Reloading, and Prevention (EdUReP) framework combined with Instrument-Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization (I-ASTM). An active 51-year-old man patient with chronic IAT was studied.

A simple orthosis solves a problem in a patient with a dystonic finger after stroke.

These authors use a custom-fabricated orthotic device to improve hand motion and function for a client with hand dystonia after stroke. Clinical observation and reasoning resulted in an effective solution to control the dystonia that was acceptable to the client. - Kristin Valdes, OTD, OT, CHT, Practice Forum Editor.

The effects of kinesio taping on the color intensity of superficial skin hematomas: A pilot study.

Objectives: To analyze the effects of kinesio taping (KT) -applied with three different strains that induced or not the formation of skin creases (called convolutions)- on color intensity of post-surgical superficial hematomas.

Design: Single-blind paired study.

Setting: Rehabilitation clinic.

Rasch analysis of the Italian Lower Extremity Functional Scale: insights on dimensionality and suggestions for an improved 15-item version.

Objective: To investigate dimensionality and the measurement properties of the Italian Lower Extremity Functional Scale using both classical test theory and Rasch analysis methods, and to provide insights for an improved version of the questionnaire.

Design: Rasch analysis of individual patient data.

Setting: Rehabilitation centre.

[Conservative treatment of tendinopathies of upper limbs in occupational health: a literature review].

Background: In the last few years, the incidence of upper limbs tendon injuries has seen a dramatic increase among workers. Conservative treatment is the first choice to relieve symptoms, allowing a safe return to work. However, the scientific evidence of its  efficacy is widely debated.

Clinimetric properties and clinical utility in rehabilitation of postsurgical scar rating scales: a systematic review.

The aim of this study was to review and critically assess the most used and clinimetrically sound outcome measures currently available for postsurgical scar assessment in rehabilitation. We performed a systematic review of the Medline and Embase databases to June 2015. All published peer-reviewed studies referring to the development, validation, or clinical use of scales or questionnaires in patients with linear scars were screened.

[CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION, AND VALIDITY OF THE ITALIAN VERSION OF THE UPPER LiMB FUNCTIONAL INDEx (ULFI-I)].

Background: Outcome measures are the scientific basis for assessment and comparison of the effects of rehabilitative interventions. Among the instruments proposed for the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb, the Upper Limb Functional Index (ULFI) was recently validated and translated into several languages, but it does not yet exist an Italian version yet.

Objective: To obtain an Italian validated version of ULFI, called ULFI-I.

Classical test theory and Rasch analysis validation of the Upper Limb Functional Index in subjects with upper limb musculoskeletal disorders.

Objective: To perform a comprehensive analysis of the psychometric properties and dimensionality of the Upper Limb Functional Index (ULFI) using both classical test theory and Rasch analysis (RA).

Design: Prospective, single-group observational design.

Setting: Freestanding rehabilitation center.

Validation of the Italian version of the Client Satisfaction with Device module of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users' Survey.

Background: Information on patient satisfaction with orthosis (PSwO) is crucial for verifying and enhancing orthotic quality, for clinical decision making, and for improving patient's quality of life.

Objective: To perform the translation and cross-cultural adaptation into Italian of the recently revised version of the Client Satisfaction with Device (CSD) module of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users' Survey, and then analyze its psychometric properties using factor and Rasch analyses.

Methods: We translated and cross-culturally adapted the revised CSD into Italian (CDS-It) and assessed it in a convenience sample of orthotic-user patients with orthopedic, neurological and rheumatic conditions (N = 178; 56% men; median age, 62 years).