Physical therapy for acute and sub-acute low back pain: A systematic review and expert consensus.

Objective: To review the effectiveness of different physical therapies for acute and sub-acute low back pain supported by evidence, and create clinical recommendations and expert consensus for physiotherapists on clinical prescriptions.

Data Sources: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and the Cochrane Library for studies published within the previous 15 years.

Review Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials assessing patients with acute and sub-acute low back pain were included.

The effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy in individuals with neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The primary objective of this meta-analysis was to determine whether high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) was effective in improving pain intensity, cervical range of motion (ROM), functional activity, and quality of life (QOL) in individuals with neck pain.

Data Sources: PubMed, PEDro, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to March 26, 2022.

Reliability of shear-wave elastography in assessing the stiffness of the nuchal fascia and the thickness of upper cervical muscles.

Objective: To determine the reliability of shear-wave elastography (SWE)in assessing the stiffness of the nuchal fascia and the thickness of upper cervical muscles in neutral head posture (NHP) or forward head posture (FHP).

Methods: Sixteen healthy adults (mean age: 21.69 ± 1.

Effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation on spasticity evaluated with modified Ashworth scale/Ashworth scale in patients with spastic paralysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Spasticity is a common motor disorder resulting from upper motor neuron lesions. It has a serious influence on an individual's motor function and daily activity. Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) is a non-invasive and painless approach developed for therapeutic intervention in clinical rehabilitation.

Exercise for Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Expert Consensus.

Neuropathic pain (NP), a severe and disruptive symptom following many diseases, normally restricts patients' physical functions and leads to anxiety and depression. As an economical and effective therapy, exercise may be helpful in NP management. However, few guidelines and reviews focused on exercise therapy for NP associated with specific diseases.

Traditional Chinese Mind and Body Exercises for Neck Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Neck pain is common and can have a significant impact on patients' physical functionality, mobility, and quality of life (QOL). In clinical practice, traditional Chinese mind and body exercise (TCMBE) is a combination of different types of exercise based on traditional Chinese medicine, including qigong, tai chi, the 12-words-for-life-nurturing exercise, and so on, and many studies have found that it is safe and effective at helping patients with neck pain.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of TCMBE on pain intensity, functional mobility, and QOL in individuals with neck pain.

Physical exercise improves strength, balance, mobility, and endurance in people with cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review.

Question: Does physical exercise training improve physical function and quality of life in people with cognitive impairment and dementia? Which training protocols improve physical function and quality of life? How do cognitive impairment and other patient characteristics influence the outcomes of exercise training?

Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Participants: People with mild cognitive impairment or dementia as the primary diagnosis.

Intervention: Physical exercise.

Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Neuromuscular Activation of Leg Muscles During Dynamic Exercises in Individuals With Stroke.

Liao, L-R, and Pang, MYC. Effect of whole-body vibration on neuromuscular activation of leg muscles during dynamic exercises in individuals with stroke. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1954-1962, 2017-This study examined the leg muscle activity during exposure to different whole-body vibration (WBV) intensities while performing various dynamic exercises in patients with chronic stroke.

Psychometric properties of dual-task balance and walking assessments for individuals with neurological conditions: A systematic review.

Background: The ability of performing a balance or walking task in conjunction with a secondary cognitive or motor task, referred to as dual-task (DT) ability, is essential in daily living. While there is some evidence that DT performance is impaired in individuals with neurological conditions, using reliable and valid tools to measure DT performance is essential. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of DT balance and walking assessments in individuals with different neurological conditions.

Predictors of functional independence, quality of life, and return to work in patients with burn injuries in mainland China.

Background: Burn injury may be associated with long-term rehabilitation and disability, while research studies on the functional performance after injuries, quality of life (QOL), and abilities to return to work of burn patients are limited. These outcomes are related not just to the degree and nature of injuries, but also to the socio-economical background of the society. This study aimed to identify the factors which might affect burn patients' abilities to reintegrate back to the society based on a sample in mainland China.

Whole-Body Vibration Intensities in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: A single-blinded randomized controlled study was conducted to investigate the effects of different whole-body vibration (WBV) intensities on body functions/structures, activity, and participation in individuals with stroke.

Methods: Eighty-four individuals with chronic stroke (mean age = 61.2 yr, SD = 9.

Effects of whole body vibration on muscle spasticity for people with central nervous system disorders: a systematic review.

Objectives: To examine the effects of whole-body vibration on spasticity among people with central nervous system disorders.

Methods: Electronic searches were conducted using CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus and Scopus to identify randomized controlled trials that investigated the effect of whole-body vibration on spasticity among people with central nervous system disorders (last search in August 2015). The methodological quality and level of evidence were rated using the PEDro scale and guidelines set by the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.

Effects of Vibration Intensity, Exercise, and Motor Impairment on Leg Muscle Activity Induced by Whole-Body Vibration in People With Stroke.

Background: Whole-body vibration (WBV) has increasingly been used as an adjunct treatment in neurological rehabilitation. However, how muscle activation level changes during exposure to different WBV protocols in individuals after stroke remains understudied.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of WBV intensity on the magnitude of biceps femoris (BF) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscle activity and its interaction with exercise and with severity of motor impairment and spasticity among individuals with chronic stroke.

Cardiovascular Stress Induced by Whole-Body Vibration Exercise in Individuals With Chronic Stroke.

Background: Although whole-body vibration (WBV) has sparked tremendous research interest in neurorehabilitation, the cardiovascular responses to WBV in people with stroke remain unknown.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of different WBV protocols on oxygen consumption (V̇o2), heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), blood pressure (BP), and rate-pressure product (RPP) during the performance of 6 different exercises among people with chronic stroke (time since onset ≥6 months).

Design: A repeated-measures design was used.

Effects of whole-body vibration therapy on body functions and structures, activity, and participation poststroke: a systematic review.

Background: Whole-body vibration (WBV) has gained increasing popularity in rehabilitation. Recent studies have investigated the application of WBV in individuals with chronic illnesses, including stroke.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare WBV exercise with the same exercise condition without WBV and with other types of physical exercise in enhancing body functions and structures, activity, and participation in individuals with stroke and examine its safety.

Leg muscle activity during whole-body vibration in individuals with chronic stroke.

Purpose: It has been previously shown that whole-body vibration (WBV) can augment muscle activity in young healthy adults. However, the EMG response of leg muscles during WBV in individuals with stroke is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of WBV on the activity of the vastus lateralis (VL) and gastrocnemius (GS) muscles during the performance of different exercises in chronic stroke patients.

Psychometric properties of the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) in community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke.

Background: The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) is a new balance assessment, but its psychometric properties have not been specifically tested in individuals with stroke.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Mini-BESTest and its accuracy in categorizing people with stroke based on fall history.

Design: An observational measurement study with a test-retest design was conducted.

Measuring environmental barriers faced by individuals living with stroke: development and validation of the Chinese version of the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors.

Objective: To develop and validate a Chinese version of the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors.

Design: Descriptive case-series.

Subjects: A total of 107 individuals with chronic stroke and 56 age-matched healthy subjects.

The effects of whole body vibration therapy on bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was undertaken to determine whether whole body vibration improves bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults.

Data Sources: Sources included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, PubMed, Science Citation Index and the reference list of each eligible article.

Review Methods: Article search and selection was performed independently by two researchers.

Development and validation of the Chinese version of the Reintegration to Normal Living Index for use with stroke patients.

Objective: To develop and validate a Chinese version of the Reintegration to Normal Living Index.

Design: Descriptive case-series.

Subjects: Seventy-five individuals with chronic stroke and 55 age-matched healthy subjects.