A physiotherapist-led biopsychosocial education and exercise programme for patients with chronic low back pain in Ghana: a mixed-methods feasibility study.

Background: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition which causes substantial disability globally. The biopsychosocial model of management has been recommended in national and international guidelines for the management of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, biopsychosocial approaches are predominantly delivered in high income countries (HICs), although the prevalence of LBP is substantially higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) especially in Africa (39%; 95% CI 30-47).

Enhancing Pump as Turbine (PAT) performances: A numerical investigation into the impact of impeller leading edge rounding.

Pump As Turbine (PAT) utility represents a major advance in the field of hydraulic engineering. This work aims to improve the PAT performance characteristics. The sharp impeller leading edge (original impeller) was revealed by flow analysis as exhibiting negative effects on the PAT performances due to flow separation and flow misalignment.

Barriers and facilitators to the delivery of a biopsychosocial education and exercise programme for patients with chronic low back pain in Ghana. A qualitative study.

Purpose: Low back pain management has evolved with researchers advocating for a biopsychosocial management model. The biopsychosocial management model has been predominantly applied in high-income countries and underexplored in low- and middle-income countries including Ghana. This study aimed to explore the potential barriers and facilitators to patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and physiotherapists engagement with a biopsychosocial intervention (exercise and patient education) as part of a feasibility study.

Prediction method of centrifugal pump running in turbine mode based on losses analysis.

Interest of Pump as Turbine (PAT) is growing with diverse applications in engineering. Usually, the data of PATs are not available in the hands of pump manufacturers. Therefore, performance prediction methods appear as an important research area of PATs.

Numerical modeling and CFD simulation of diffuser augmented dual vertical axis hydrokinetic Banki-Michell turbine.

Hydrokinetic Banki turbines present an affordable, technically feasible, environmentally friendly technology. Their construction without requiring more expensive structures like diversion weirs, canals, forebay, and penstock, makes their initial investment much lower than commonly used horizontal Banki turbine of the same capacity. The possibility to install in the existing canals for Ultra Low Head applications is the additional motivating factor for this research.

Influence of central aspects of pain on self-management in people with chronic low back pain.

Objective: This observational study investigated whether central aspects of pain are associated with self-management domains in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) undertaking a pain management program.

Methods: Individuals with CLBP provided pain sensitivity and self-management data at baseline (n = 97) and 3-months (n = 87). Pressure pain detection threshold (PPT) at the forearm, temporal summation (TS) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM), Widespread Pain Index (WPI), and a Central Aspects of Pain factor (CAPf) were considered as central aspects of pain.

The lived experiences of musculoskeletal physiotherapists managing patient expectations for diagnostic imaging: A qualitative study using a phenomenological analysis.

Objectives: Unnecessary diagnostic imaging for musculoskeletal presentations is a pervasive phenomenon, placing a substantial weight on healthcare resources. Their overuse can lead to iatrogenic consequences associated with overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Factors which contribute to inappropriate imaging are multifactorial.

Predictors of self-management in patients with chronic low back pain: a longitudinal study.

Background: Self-management (SM) is a key recommended strategy for managing chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, SM programmes generate small to moderate benefits for reducing pain and disability in patients with CLBP. The benefits of the SM programme can potentially be optimised by identifying specific subgroups of patients who are the best responders.

International, multi-disciplinary, cross-section study of pain knowledge and attitudes in nursing, midwifery and allied health professions students.

Background: Persistent pain is a highly prevalent, global cause of disability. Research suggests that many healthcare professionals are not well equipped to manage pain, and this may be attributable at least in part to undergraduate education. The primary aim of this study was to quantify and compare first and final year nursing, midwifery and allied health professional (NMAHP) students' pain related knowledge and attitudes.

ASSERT (Acute Sacral inSufficiEncy fractuRe augmenTation): randomised controlled, feasibility trial in older people.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of designing and conducting a definitive trial to evaluate the effectiveness of sacral fracture fixation compared with non-surgical management among older people admitted with a lateral compression pelvic fragility fracture (PFF).

Design: Single-site, parallel, two-arm randomised controlled feasibility trial.

Setting: A UK tertiary centre hospital.

An observational study of centrally facilitated pain in individuals with chronic low back pain.

Introduction: Central pain facilitation can hinder recovery in people with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Objectives: The objective of this observational study was to investigate whether indices of centrally facilitated pain are associated with pain outcomes in a hospital-based cohort of individuals with CLBP undertaking a pain management programme.

Methods: Participants provided self-report and pain sensitivity data at baseline (n = 97) and again 3 months (n = 87) after a cognitive behavioural therapy-based group intervention including physiotherapy.

Evaluation of the First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) model of primary care: a qualitative insight.

Objective: First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) is a primary care model where expert musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapists undertake the first patient consultation, to enhance MSK-patient care and free-up GP capacity. The authors report the qualitative findings from the FCP National Evaluation (Phase 3) which evaluated the FCP model against pre-agreed success criteria.

Design And Setting: A mixed-methods 24-month service evaluation involving FCP sites across England.

Characterising the outcomes, impacts and implementation challenges of advanced clinical practice roles in the UK: a scoping review.

Objectives: In response to demographic and health system pressures, the development of non-medical advanced clinical practice (ACP) roles is a key component of National Health Service workforce transformation policy in the UK. This review was undertaken to establish a baseline of evidence on ACP roles and their outcomes, impacts and implementation challenges across the UK.

Design: A scoping review was undertaken following JBI methodological guidance.

ASSERT (Acute Sacral inSufficiEncy fractuRe augmenTation): Perceptions in the Assessment and Treatment of Pubic Rami and Sacral Fragility Fractures Amongst Healthcare Professionals in Geriatric Medicine and Surgery-A Qualitative Study.

Background: Pubic rami fragility fractures are common in older people and result in significant morbidity and increased mortality. Co-existing fractures of the sacrum are common, but routinely missed. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions in the assessment and treatment of pubic rami and sacral fragility fractures amongst healthcare professionals.

Stochastic simulation of the FDA centrifugal blood pump benchmark.

In the present study, the effect of physical and operational uncertainties on the hydrodynamic and hemocompatibility characteristics of a centrifugal blood pump designed by the U.S. food and drug administration is investigated.

A randomized controlled trial investigating effects of an individualized pedometer driven walking program on chronic low back pain.

Background: Walking is an easily prescribed physical activity for people with low back pain (LBP). However, the evidence for its effectiveness to improve pain and disability levels for people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) within a community setting has not been evaluated. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a clinician guided, pedometer-driven, walking intervention for increasing physical activity and improving clinical outcomes compared to education and advice.

First point of contact physiotherapy; a qualitative study.

Objectives: First point of contact physiotherapy (FPCP) provides patients direct access to a physiotherapist. Literature demonstrates efficacy of FPCP. Evidence has highlighted the need for cultural shifts from both patient and professional perspectives to optimise FPCP.

Characterising the evidence base for advanced clinical practice in the UK: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: A global health workforce crisis, coupled with ageing populations, wars and the rise of non-communicable diseases is prompting all countries to consider the optimal skill mix within their health workforce. The development of advanced clinical practice (ACP) roles for existing non-medical cadres is one potential strategy that is being pursued. In the UK, National Health Service (NHS) workforce transformation programmes are actively promoting the development of ACP roles across a wide range of non-medical professions.

Operationalisation of a biopsychosocial approach for the non-pharmacological management of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review.

Background: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a major health concern. The biopsychosocial approach is an evidence-based approach recommended for managing chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, the evidence for this approach is largely reported from high-income countries; therefore, it is important to ascertain how biopsychosocial approaches are operationalised in low- and middle-income countries to inform practice.

ASSERT (Acute Sacral inSufficiEncy fractuRe augmenTation) randomised controlled, feasibility in older people trial: a study protocol.

Introduction: Pelvic fragility fractures (PFF) are common in older people and associated with a significant burden of mortality and morbidity. This is related to the challenges of appropriate pain control and early mobilisation. The current standard for treatment of PFF is non-surgical management.

Barriers and facilitators of loaded self-managed exercises and physical activity in people with patellofemoral pain: understanding the feasibility of delivering a multicentred randomised controlled trial, a UK qualitative study.

Objectives: There is an emergent body of evidence supporting exercise therapy and physical activity in the management of musculoskeletal pain. The purpose of this study was to explore potential barriers and facilitators with patients and physiotherapists with patellofemoral pain involved in a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) study. The trial investigated a loaded self-managed exercise intervention, which included education and advice on physical activity versus usual physiotherapy as the control.

Quantitative sensory testing and predicting outcomes for musculoskeletal pain, disability, and negative affect: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hypersensitivity due to central pain mechanisms can influence recovery and lead to worse clinical outcomes, but the ability of quantitative sensory testing (QST), an index of sensitisation, to predict outcomes in chronic musculoskeletal disorders remains unclear. We systematically reviewed the evidence for ability of QST to predict pain, disability, and negative affect using searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, and PubMed databases up to April 2018. Title screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessments were performed independently by 2 reviewers.

A loaded self-managed exercise programme for patellofemoral pain: a mixed methods feasibility study.

Background: A novel loaded self-managed exercise programme that includes pain education and self-management strategies may result in better outcomes for people with patellofemoral pain (PFP). However, establishing program feasibility is an essential first step before testing efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a definitive RCT which will evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a loaded self-managed exercise programme for people with PFP compared with usual physiotherapy.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of pain neuroscience education for chronic low back pain: Short-and long-term outcomes of pain and disability.

Background And Objective: Pain neuroscience education (PNE) has shown promising ability in previous reviews to improve pain and disability in chronic low back pain (CLBP). This review aimed to evaluate randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of PNE on pain and disability in CLBP.

Databases And Data Treatment: A systematic search was performed using the databases of EBSCO, Medline, Cochrane and Web of Science.