A guide for standardized interpretation of lumbar multifidus ultrasonography; an observational study.

Background: Inconsistent descriptions of Lumbar multifidus (LM) morphology were previously identified, especially in research applying ultrasonography (US), hampering its clinical applicability with regard to diagnosis and therapy. The aim of this study is to determine the LM-sonoanatomy by comparing high-resolution reconstructions from a 3-D digital spine compared to standard LM-ultrasonography.

Methods: An observational study was carried out.

Functional and morphological lumbar multifidus characteristics in subgroups with low back pain in primary care.

Background: Since the contribution of the lumbar multifidus(LM) is not well understood in relation to non-specific low back pain(LBP), this may limit physiotherapists in choosing the most appropriate treatment strategy.

Objectives: This study aims to compare clinical characteristics, in terms of LM function and morphology, between subacute and chronic LBP patients from a large clinical practice cohort compared to healthy controls.

Design: Multicenter case control study.

Influence of respiration frequency on heart rate variability parameters: A randomized cross-sectional study.

Background: Many patients visiting physiotherapists for musculoskeletal disorders face psychosocial challenges which may form a large barrier to recover. There are only a limited number of evidence based psychosocial therapies, but they are mainly based on breathing exercises.

Objective: to study which respiration frequency would lead to the highest relaxation, reflected in vagal tone derived from the heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy subjects.

Changes in kinematics and work physiology during progressive lifting in healthy adults.

Purpose: To analyze progression of changes in kinematics and work physiology during progressive lifting in healthy adults.

Methods: Healthy participants were recruited. A standardized lifting test from the WorkWell Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) was administered, with five progressive lifting low series of five repetitions.

Ethical Considerations of Using Machine Learning for Decision Support in Occupational Health: An Example Involving Periodic Workers' Health Assessments.

Purpose Computer algorithms and Machine Learning (ML) will be integrated into clinical decision support within occupational health care. This will change the interaction between health care professionals and their clients, with unknown consequences. The aim of this study was to explore ethical considerations and potential consequences of using ML based decision support tools (DSTs) in the context of occupational health.

Inconsistent descriptions of lumbar multifidus morphology: A scoping review.

Background: Lumbar multifidus (LM) is regarded as the major stabilizing muscle of the spine. The effects of exercise therapy in low back pain (LBP) are attributed to this muscle. A current literature review is warranted, however, given the complexity of LM morphology and the inconsistency of anatomical descriptions in the literature.

Reliability and validity of the Microgate Gyko for measuring range of motion of the low back.

Background: The aim of this study was to test the inter- and intrarater reliability and the concurrent validity of the Gyko Microgate for the assessment of lumbar range of motion.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with two groups of healthy participants. The first group, consisting of 91 subjects, was tested to determine the inter- and intrarater reliability.

Measurement properties and implications of the Brief Resilience Scale in healthy workers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to study measurement properties of the Dutch Language Version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS-DLV) in blue and white collar workers employed at multiple companies and to compare the validity and factor structure to other language versions.

Methods: Workers (n = 1023) were assessed during a cross-sectional health surveillance. Construct validity was tested with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) and hypothesis testing.

Exploring a 1-Minute Paced Deep-Breathing Measurement of Heart Rate Variability as Part of a Workers' Health Assessment.

Low heart rate variability (HRV) is related to health problems that are known reasons for sick-leave or early retirement. A 1-minute-protocol could allow large scale HRV measurement for screening of health problems and, potentially, sustained employability. Our objectives were to explore the association of HRV with measures of health.

Does the Lever Sign Test Have Added Value for Diagnosing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures?

Background: Diagnosing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture based on a physical examination remains a challenge for both surgeons and physical therapists. The lever sign test was developed to overcome the practical limitations of other tests and to optimize diagnosis. An evaluation of the measurement properties of the lever sign test is needed to make adequate interpretations in practice.

Implementation and effects of Movement-oriented Restorative Care in a nursing home - a quasi-experimental study.

Background: The prevalence of dementia is expected to increase rapidly, and institutionalization is a common consequence of the disease. Dependence in activities of daily living (ADL) is a predictor for institutionalization and a determinant for the quality of life (QoL). A promising method to increase functional independence in nursing homes is a restorative care or function focused care (FFC) approach.

Increasing Performance of Professional Soccer Players and Elite Track and Field Athletes with Peak Performance Training and Biofeedback: A Pilot Study.

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of an intervention consisting of mental coaching combined with either electro encephalogram (EEG) alpha power feedback or heart rate variability (HRV) feedback on HRV, EEG outcomes and self-reported factors related to stress, performance, recovery and sleep quality in elite athletes. A prospective pilot study was performed with two distinct cohorts. Soccer players were provided with four sessions of mental coaching combined with daily HRV biofeedback (Group A); track and field athletes were provided with four sessions of mental coaching in combination with daily neurofeedback (Group B).

Can an early perceptuo-motor skills assessment predict future performance in youth table tennis players? An observational study (1998-2013).

This study intended to investigate the capability of the 4 test items "sprint", "agility", "speed while dribbling" and "throwing a ball" of the Dutch perceptuo-motor skills assessment used at the age of 7-10 years to predict table tennis performance (U13, U15 and U18) in an observational study. Data of 1191 young table tennis players, collected from 1998 to 2013, were analysed in univariable and multivariable logistic and linear regression models. The test items "sprint" and "throwing a ball" showed to be significant predictors for table tennis performance outcomes in boys (P < 0.

Can Perceptuo-Motor Skills Assessment Outcomes in Young Table Tennis Players (7-11 years) Predict Future Competition Participation and Performance? An Observational Prospective Study.

Forecasting future performance in youth table tennis players based on current performance is complex due to, among other things, differences between youth players in growth, development, maturity, context and table tennis experience. Talent development programmes might benefit from an assessment of underlying perceptuo-motor skills for table tennis, which is hypothesized to determine the players' potential concerning the perceptuo-motor domain. The Dutch perceptuo-motor skills assessment intends to measure the perceptuo-motor potential for table tennis in youth players by assessing the underlying skills crucial for developing technical and tactical qualities.

Assessing personal talent determinants in young racquet sport players: a systematic review.

Since junior performances have little predictive value for future success, other solutions are sought to assess a young player's potential. The objectives of this systematic review are (1) to provide an overview of instruments measuring personal talent determinants of young players in racquet sports, and (2) to evaluate these instruments regarding their validity for talent development. Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Knowledge, ScienceDirect and SPORTDiscus (1990 to 31 March 2014).

The Dutch motor skills assessment as tool for talent development in table tennis: a reproducibility and validity study.

A motor skills assessment could be helpful in talent development by estimating essential perceptuo-motor skills of young players, which are considered requisite to develop excellent technical and tactical qualities. The Netherlands Table Tennis Association uses a motor skills assessment in their talent development programme consisting of eight items measuring perceptuo-motor skills specific to table tennis under varying conditions. This study aimed to investigate this assessment regarding its reproducibility, internal consistency, underlying dimensions and concurrent validity in 113 young table tennis players (6-10 years).

Manual mobilization of the wrist: a pilot study in rehabilitation of patients with a chronic hemiplegic hand post-stroke.

Study Design: Prospective pilot cohort study, quasi-experimental design.

Introduction: Restricted hand mobility, limitation in activities and participation, due to relative immobilization of the hemiplegic hand are frequently reported after stroke.

Purpose Of The Study: To establish whether manual mobilization of the wrist has an additional value in the treatment of the hemiplegic hand.

Does an eye-hand coordination test have added value as part of talent identification in table tennis? A validity and reproducibility study.

This study investigated the added value, i.e. discriminative and concurrent validity and reproducibility, of an eye-hand coordination test relevant to table tennis as part of talent identification.

Prognostic factors for sustained work participation in early osteoarthritis: a follow-up study in the Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee (CHECK).

Objective: To identify prognostic factors for the 2-year course of work participation in early osteoarthritis (OA) of hips or knees.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, questionnaire data from 925 subjects was analyzed. Rate ratios were calculated to compare work participation with the general Dutch population, corrected for age, sex and education.

The effect of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee on work participation.

In our systematic literature search, we included studies involving patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) and outcome measures of work participation. Methodological quality was assessed using 11 criteria; a qualitative data analysis was performed. Fifty-three full-text articles were selected out of 1861 abstracts; finally, data were extracted from 14 articles.

Arm crank ergometer is reliable and valid for measuring aerobic capacity during submaximal exercise.

Measuring physical fitness becomes more important. Yet most instruments depend upon the function of the lower extremities. Hence, we investigated whether an adapted submaximal arm crank test on an ergometer for the upper body is reliable to use, and if the submaximal test for the arm crank ergometer is valid compared to the test on the bicycle ergometer.

The delirium observation screening scale recognizes delirium early after cardiac surgery.

Background: Delirium or acute confusion is a temporary mental disorder which occurs frequently among hospitalized elderly patients. Patients who undergo cardiac surgery have an increased risk of developing delirium. Prevention or early recognition of delirium is essential.

Delirium after cardiac surgery and predictive validity of a risk checklist.

Background: Delirium or acute confusion is a temporary mental disorder that occurs frequently among hospitalized elderly patients. Patients who undergo cardiac surgery have an increased risk of delirium, which is associated with many negative consequences. Therefore, prevention or early recognition of delirium is essential.