The assessment of psychological factors on upper extremity disability: A scoping review.

Introduction: The primary purpose of this scoping review was to describe the nature and extent of the published research that assesses the relationship between psychological features and patient-reported outcome following surgery or rehabilitation of upper extremity disease or injury.

Methods: Twenty-two included studies were examined for quantitative study design, outcome measure, inclusion/exclusion criteria, follow-up and recruitment strategy. Patient population and psychological assessment tools were examined for validity.

An evaluation of the structural validity of the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) using the Rasch model.

Purpose: The shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) has been extensively evaluated for its psychometric properties using classical test theory (CTT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate its structural validity using Rasch model analysis.

Methods: Responses to the SPADI from 1030 patients referred for physiotherapy with shoulder pain and enrolled in a prospective cohort study were available for Rasch model analysis.

Recovery, age, and gender effects on hand dexterity after a distal radius fracture. A 1-year prospective cohort study.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Physical factors that predict hand dexterity and the recovery of hand dexterity after a distal radius fracture (DRF) have not yet been examined.

Purpose Of The Study: The first objective was to evaluate the recovery of hand dexterity comparing the injured and uninjured hands during the year after a DRF.

Cross cultural adaptation and refinement of an English version of a Dutch patient-reported questionnaire for hand sensitivity: The Radboud Evaluation of Sensitivity.

Study Design: Longitudinal clinical measurement.

Introduction: Sensory alterations in the hand can present as both decreased sensation or numbness, and hyperesthesia, including mechanical allodynia and cold intolerance. However, few patient-reported outcomes have been developed and validated for evaluation, particularly for increased sensitivity.

Recovery patterns over 4 years after distal radius fracture: Descriptive changes in fracture-specific pain/disability, fall risk factors, bone mineral density, and general health status.

Study Design: Descriptive/Longitudinal cohort.

Introduction: Distal radius fracture (DRF) is a common fall related fragility fracture that is known to be an early and independent predictor of secondary osteoporotic (OP) fractures. Changes in falls risk status, bone status and general health has not been evaluated prospectively in a population that has sustained a DRF.

The short-term effects of hot packs vs therapeutic whirlpool on active wrist range of motion for patients with distal radius fracture: A randomized controlled trial.

Study Design: Blinded randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: It is generally accepted that heat is beneficial for improving range of motion (ROM). However, the mechanism of action is not clearly understood, and the optimal method of heat application has not been established.

Comparison of Canadian firefighters and healthy controls based on submaximal fitness testing and strength considering age and gender.

Introduction: Few studies have addressed whether firefighters are fitter than the general population and possess sufficient levels of aerobic capacity and muscle strength to perform on-duty tasks in a safe and efficient manner, considering age and gender. We aimed to evaluate the fitness levels of Hamilton firefighters, and to determine the effects of age and gender.

Methods: In total, 89 participants were recruited.

Confirmatory factor analysis of 2 versions of the Brief Pain Inventory in an ambulatory population indicates that sleep interference should be interpreted separately.

Background: The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-SF) is a widely-used generic pain interference scale, however its factor structure remains unclear. An expanded 10-item version of the Interference subscale has been proposed, but the additional value of the 3 extra items has not been rigorously evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and contrast the factorial and concurrent validity of the original 7-item and 10-item versions of the BPI-SF in a large heterogeneous sample of patients with chronic pain.

Perspectives on rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy: exploring a cross-cultural view of parents from India and Canada using the international classification of functioning, disability and health.

Purpose: To explore parents' perspectives on rehabilitation of their child with cerebral palsy and their information needs.

Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with parents of children with CP from India (n = 11) and Canada (n = 7). Data were analyzed through an interpretive description approach using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework.

Minimal Detectable Change Thresholds and Responsiveness of Zephyr Bioharness and Fitbit Charge Devices.

Nazari, G and MacDermid, JC. Minimal detectable change thresholds and responsiveness of zephyr bioharness and Fitbit Charge devices. J Strength Cond Res 34(1): 257-263, 2020-The aim of the current study was to define the minimal detectable change (MDC) thresholds for Zephyr Bioharness (ZB) and Fitbit Charge Heart Rate (FC-HR) variables and to establish the internal responsiveness of ZB and FC-HR devices in terms of their HR, respiratory rate variables, and number of steps taken variables, in a healthy sample of men and women at resting, submaximal activity and throughout recovery phases.

Assessing reading levels of health information: uses and limitations of flesch formula.

Background: Written health information is commonly used by health-care professionals (HCPs) to inform and assess patients in clinical practice. With growing self-management of many health conditions and increased information seeking behavior among patients, there is a greater stress on HCPs and researchers to develop and implement readable and understandable health information. Readability formulas such as Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) and Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level (FKRGL) are commonly used by researchers and HCPs to assess if health information is reading grade appropriate for patients.

Efficacy of workplace interventions for shoulder pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of workplace-based interventions to prevent or treat shoulder pain.

Data Sources: A systematic review of 4 databases was performed up to January 2016.

Study Selection: Randomized controlled trials were included if the intervention under study was a workplace-based intervention performed to prevent or reduce shoulder pain and disability in workers.

Effect of Concomitant Elbow Injuries on the Outcomes of Radial Head Arthroplasty: A Cohort Comparison.

Objectives: To compare physical impairments and patient-reported outcomes in patients after simple and complex elbow injuries who were treated with radial head arthroplasty.

Design: Prospective.

Setting: Quaternary upper extremity referral hospital.

The Effect of Therapeutic Whirlpool and Hot Packs on Hand Volume During Rehabilitation After Distal Radius Fracture: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Edema is a possibility with all heating modalities due to the increase in local blood flow caused by vasodilation. Despite the frequent application of superficial heat modalities, their relative effect on hand volume has not been determined for the upper extremity. The objective of this study was to compare the immediate effects of hot packs and whirlpool on hand volume for patients with distal radius fracture (DRF) and to determine whether any changes in volume between these modalities were still present 30 minutes after heat application.

Evaluating the design and reporting of pragmatic trials in osteoarthritis research.

Objectives: Among the challenges in health research is translating interventions from controlled experimental settings to clinical and community settings where chronic disease is managed daily. Pragmatic trials offer a method for testing interventions in real-world settings but are seldom used in OA research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the literature on pragmatic trials in OA research up to August 2016 in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in the design and reporting of these trials.

Do Impairments Predict Hand Dexterity After Distal Radius Fractures? A 6-Month Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The relationship of routinely measured grip and motion measures may be related to hand dexterity. This has not yet been thoroughly examined following a distal radius fracture (DRF). The purpose of this study was to investigate if impairments in range of motion (ROM) and grip strength predict hand dexterity 6 months following a DRF.

Somatosensory rehabilitation for allodynia in complex regional pain syndrome of the upper limb: A retrospective cohort study.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Somatosensory rehabilitation is a standardized method of evaluation and conservative treatment of painful disorders of vibrotactile sensation, including the mechanical allodynia and burning pain of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

Purpose Of The Study: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of somatosensory rehabilitation for reducing allodynia in persons with CRPS of 1 upper limb in a retrospective consecutive cohort of patients.

Hand therapists report perceived differences in patient referrals from hand surgeons vs other referral sources: A survey study.

Study Design: Descriptive research.

Introduction/purpose: Survey research was performed to determine if there is a perceived difference in outcomes of patients referred to hand therapy from specialized hand surgeons vs nonspecialized physicians.

Methods: The survey was administered to members of the American Society of Hand Therapists through an electronic mailing.

Measurement properties of painDETECT: Rasch analysis of responses from community-dwelling adults with neuropathic pain.

Background: painDETECT (PD-Q) is a self-reported assessment of pain qualities developed as a screening tool for pain of neuropathic origin. Rasch analysis is a strategy for examining the measurement characteristics of a scale using a form of item response theory. We conducted a Rasch analysis to consider if the scoring and measurement properties of PD-Q would support its use as an outcome measure.

Rasch analysis indicates that the Simple Shoulder Test is robust, but minor item modifications and attention to gender differences should be considered.

Study Design: Repeated cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Multiple studies have evaluated the psychometric properties of the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) through traditional methods supporting it as valid and reliable. Since the evidentiary pool supporting the use of the SST has only partially addressed key measurement properties and the development of SST pre-dates the common use of Rasch model, validation of SST has become a necessity to establish as a reliable and valid PRO for shoulder conditions.

Predictors of outcomes after rotator cuff repair-A meta-analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Introduction: Clinical outcomes associated with rotator cuff repair (RCR) are generally favorable, but no study has attempted to establish a set of predictors that affect outcomes.

Purpose Of Study: This study aims to statistically analyze articles and establish a set of predictors that affect outcomes after RCR.