Efficacy of transdermal anti-inflammatory patches for musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To determine the efficacy of transdermal anti-inflammatory patches in the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain. A comprehensive search of: Cochrane Central register of controlled trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL and PubMed, for studies using transdermal anti-inflammatory patches vs placebo for management of musculoskeletal pain, e.g.

The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology.

Background: Serious pathology masking as musculoskeletal conditions is rare, still it is pertinent that physiotherapists can recognise it. This ability has been investigated internationally, however the decision-making skills of registered Austrian physiotherapists has not been examined. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of registered Austrian physiotherapists to make accurate keep-refer decisions based on clinical vignettes.

Handheld dynamometry: Validity and reliability of measuring hip joint rate of torque development and peak torque.

Introduction: Measuring rate of torque development (RTD) and peak torque (PT) for hip muscle performance presents challenges in clinical practice. This study investigated the construct validity of a handheld dynamometer (HHD) versus an isokinetic dynamometer (IKD), and intra-rater repeated reliability for RTD and PT and their relationship in hip joint movements.

Methods: Thirty healthy individuals (mean age = 30 ± 8 years, 13 males) underwent two test sessions in a single day.

Clinical negligence and physiotherapy: UK survey of physiotherapists' experiences of litigation.

Aim: To investigate the extent and impact of litigation on the UK physiotherapy profession.

Design: An online cross-sectional questionnaire survey design was used. The survey was open to all qualified physiotherapists who have practiced in the UK, from any speciality, of any grade and from any setting including NHS, non-NHS, and private practice.

The effects of person-centred active rehabilitation on symptoms of suspected Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: A mixed-methods single case design.

Objective: The objective was to investigate the effectiveness of a person-centred active rehabilitation programme on symptoms associated with suspected Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). This was accomplished by (1) assessing the effect that a person-centred active rehabilitation programme had on participant symptoms, and (2) exploring how temporal contextual factors affected the participants' experience with, and perceived effectiveness of, the active rehabilitation programme.

Methods: A twelve-month mixed-methods single case experimental research design was used with six cases (participants).

Female RNA concussion (FeRNAC) study: assessing hormone profiles and salivary RNA in females with concussion by emergency departments in New Zealand: a study protocol.

Background: Females of reproductive age with concussion report a greater number of symptoms that can be more severe and continue for longer than age matched males. Underlying mechanisms for sex differences are not well understood. Short non-coding Ribonucleic Acids (sncRNAs) are candidate salivary biomarkers for concussion and have been studied primarily in male athletes.

Does an alternative breast support garment provide symptomatic relief for larger breasted women with chronic non-specific back pain?

Background: Nonsurgical guidelines recommend implementing a correctly fitted bra when managing back pain among larger breasted women. Achieving this is challenging with current bra solutions, sizing principles, and fitting approaches. Persistent wearing of an ill-fitting bra can cause negative health implications, including non-specific back pain.

The lived experiences of UK physiotherapists involved in Cauda Equina Syndrome litigation. A qualitative study.

Background: Cauda Equina Syndrome is a serious spinal pathology, which can have life changing physical and psychological consequences and is highly litigious. Litigation can have negative personal and professional effects on the healthcare professionals cited in a clinical negligence claim. There is an absence of research looking at the experience of the physiotherapist and as such, it is unknown the impact litigation is having on them.

Developing an application for the UK Pre-Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (PCAF): the collective experience of a community of physiotherapists.

For physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals, developing capability and expertise in research can be challenging. However, involvement in research is beneficial at organisational and individual levels, both for clinicians and patients. One way to embark on research is to apply for a personal fellowship such as the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Pre-Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship (PCAF).

Can Shoulder Impairments Be Classified From 3-Dimensional Kinematics Using Inertial Sensors?

Inertial sensors may help clinicians to assess patients' movement and potentially support clinical decision making. Our aim was to determine whether shoulder range of motion during movement tasks measured using inertial sensors is capable of accurately discriminating between patients with different shoulder problems. Inertial sensors were used to measure 3-dimensional shoulder motion during 6 tasks of 37 patients on the waiting list for shoulder surgery.

A scalable 12-week exercise and education programme reduces symptoms and improves function and wellbeing in people with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a chronic musculoskeletal condition that impacts more than 300 million people worldwide, with 43 million people experiencing moderate to severe disability due to the disease. This service evaluation provides the results from a tailored blended model of care on joint health, physical function, and personal wellbeing.

Methods: 1,593 adult participants with osteoarthritis completed the Nuffield Health Joint Pain Programme between February 2019 and May 2022.

Prognostic factors associated with changes in knee pain outcomes, identified from initial primary care consultation data. A systematic literature review.

Background: Data collected during initial primary care consultations could be a source of baseline prognostic factors associated with changes in outcome measures for patients with knee pain.

Objectives: To identify, appraise and synthesize studies investigating prognostic factors associated with changes in outcome for people presenting with knee pain in primary care.

Methods: EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, MEDLINE and MedRxiv electronic databases were searched from inception to March 2021 and repeated in August 2022.

The Ability of Austrian Qualified Physiotherapists to Make Accurate Keep-Refer Decisions and to Detect Serious Pathologies Based on Clinical Vignettes: Protocol for a Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey.

Background: The recognition of serious pathologies affecting the musculoskeletal (MSK) system, especially in the early stage of a disease, is an important but challenging task. The prevalence of such serious pathologies is currently low. However, in our progressing aging population, it is anticipated that serious pathologies affecting the MSK system will be on the rise.

Does Aerobic Exercise Facilitate Vaping and Smoking Cessation: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials with Meta-Analysis.

Cigarette smokers try to quit using several strategies including electronic cigarette use (vaping). An alternative, easy and cheap method is exercise. However, little is known about the efficacy of aerobic exercise (AE) to augment smoking and vaping cessation.

The effects of active rehabilitation on symptoms associated with tau pathology: An umbrella review. Implications for chronic traumatic encephalopathy symptom management.

Objective: This review sought to address an evidence gap and lay a foundation for future Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) management studies by evaluating and appraising the literature which reports the effect that active rehabilitation has on other tauopathies, a group of conditions with hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of tau protein that can lead to neurodegeneration.

Design: Umbrella review.

Data Source: Meta-analyses and systematic reviews were identified using CINAHL, Medline, Cochrane, Web of Science, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus.

Medico-legal litigation of UK physiotherapists in relation to cauda equina syndrome: a multimethods study.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the extent of cauda equina syndrome (CES) litigation and explore the process of medico-legal litigation in relation to physiotherapy in the UK.

Design: A multimethods inquiry that followed on from a previously conducted scoping literature review was undertaken to address the aim. This included freedom of information requests and direct communication with relevant stakeholders and organisations.

Red flags for spinal pain in patients diagnosed with spinal infection in Nigeria: A 10-year medical records review.

Background: Spinal infection is a diagnostic challenge, the personal and economic consequences of misdiagnosis can be significant resulting in paralysis and instability of the spine and can ultimately be fatal. To aid identification of those at risk of spinal infection, a better understanding of the red flags for spinal infection is needed.

Objective: To better understand which red flags may help to identify spinal infection.

Defensive medicine: A symptom of uncertainty?

Defensive medicine is a well-documented phenomenon and refers to the practice of over-cautious management of patients, leading to excessive clinical activity such as over-investigation, unnecessary appointments and additional interventions. Adopting this approach is not in the best interest of patients and can lead to clinical reasoning being replaced by lists, guidelines and algorithms which do not consider the complexity of a patients presentation or the reasoning inherent in good clinical judgement. The drivers of defensive medicine are varied and include a high level of uncertainty alongside other factors including clinical experience with past cases, system pressures and patient expectations.

Criterion Validity and Reliability of Knee Frontal Plane Projection Angles Measured Using the Technique Application.

Context: Abnormal knee frontal plane projection angles (FPPA) during movement have been associated with patellofemoral pain. As such, clinicians are interested in valid and reliable instruments suitable for broad-based clinical use that allow them to objectively measure such variables. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine the criterion validity and reliability of knee FPPA measures obtained by clinicians using a free tablet application called Technique.

The impact of breast support garments on fit, support and posture of larger breasted women.

Due to current measurement, sizing and fitting approaches, poor bra fit is prevalent amongst larger breasted women. The impact of improving bra fit hasn't yet been explored. This pre-clinical study aimed to explore immediate and short-term biomechanical responses to changing breast support garment.

A scoping review protocol: Investigating the extent and legal process of cauda equina syndrome claims for UK physiotherapists.

Introduction: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a condition where early identification and treatment is crucial to avoid potentially devastating effects. There is a high number of litigation cases linked with CES given it is a relatively rare condition. This scoping review protocol proposes to explore the extent and process of CES litigation in UK healthcare context cases amongst UK physiotherapists.

The prevalence of patellofemoral pain in the Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) 2021 spectators: A protocol of a cross-sectional study.

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) can cause significant pain leading to limitations in societal participation and physical activity. PFP is usually associated with athletes undergoing intensive physical training, or military recruits; but recent evidence shows that PFP is common in the general population. The relationship of PFP with physical activity is not entirely clear.

A diagnostic tool for people with lumbar instability: a criterion-related validity study.

Background: Several clinical tests used to identify patients with lumbar instability have reported diagnostic accuracy in separate studies with conflicting results. To augment the diagnostic process, tests that are better able to identify lumbar instability suitable for use in the clinical setting are required. The aim of this study was to identify the probability to diagnose patients with lumbar instability, using x-ray imaging as the reference standard.

A scoping review: Investigating the extent and legal process of cauda equina syndrome claims for UK physiotherapists.

Introduction: Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is a condition where early identification and treatment is crucial to avoid potentially life changing devastating effects. This paper reviews the extent and process of CES litigation amongst UK physiotherapists.

Methods: A well-established framework by Arksey and O'Malley was followed when completing the current scoping review.

Thai version of the Survey Instrument for Natural History, Aetiology and Prevalence of Patellofemoral Pain: Cross-cultural validation and test-retest reliability.

Background: /objective: The Survey Instrument for Natural History, Aetiology and Prevalence of Patellofemoral Pain (SNAPPS) is a self-report questionnaire which is a specifically designed measurement instrument to identify patellofemoral pain. It has reported high sensitivity, specificity and test-retest reliability to discriminate between people with knee pain, with or without patellofemoral pain. SNAPPS hasn't been studied in Thailand; therefore, the aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the questionnaire into Thai.