Some conservative interventions are more effective than others for people with chronic non-specific neck pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Question: Which is the most effective conservative intervention for patients with non-specific chronic neck pain (CNSNP)?

Design: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Participants: Adults with CNSNP of at least 3 months duration.

Interventions: All available pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

Posture and time spent using a smartphone are not correlated with neck pain and disability in young adults: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To determine the impact of smartphone use on neck impairment and functional limitation in university students.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in a sample of students selected through convenience sampling between September 2016 and March 2017. The inclusion criteria were university students at the School of Medicine and Surgery, routine/daily use of mobile devices with advanced computing and connectivity capability built on an operating system, and aged 18-30 years.

Vertical traction for lumbar radiculopathy: a systematic review.

Background: Only low-quality evidence is currently available to support the effectiveness of different traction modalities in the treatment of lumbar radiculopathy (LR). Yet, traction is still very commonly used in clinical practice. Some authors have suggested that the subgroup of patients presenting signs and symptoms of nerve root compression and unresponsive to movements centralizing symptoms may benefit from lumbar traction.

Effectiveness of Mechanical Traction for Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Lumbar radiculopathy (LR) is a pain syndrome caused by compression/irritation of the lumbar nerve root(s). Traction is a well-known and commonly used conservative treatment for LR, although its effectiveness is disputed. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was to evaluate the effects of different types of traction added to or compared with conservative treatments on pain and disability.

Effect of therapeutic exercise routine on pain, disability, posture, and health status in dentists with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of therapeutic exercise (TE) on pain, disability, posture, and health status in female dentists suffering from chronic neck pain (NP).

Methods: 48 female dentists (40-45 years) suffering from NP were randomly divided into two experimental (n = 24) and control (n = 24) groups. Experimental group received 8 weeks of TE aimed to improve (1) muscle coordination and proprioception, (2) muscular endurance, and (3) muscle strength.

Comparative effectiveness of conservative and pharmacological interventions for chronic non-specific neck pain: Protocol of a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Neck Pain (NP) has been ranked as one of the top chronic pain conditions in terms of prevalence and years lived with disability in the latest Global Burden of Disease. NP has remarkable socio-economic consequences however, research efforts are limited. Discrepancies among guidelines recommendations on management of chronic neck pain exist.

Evidence for managing chronic low back pain in primary care: a review of recommendations from high-quality clinical practice guidelines.

Aim: Chronic low back pain represents a major problem throughout the world which is increasing largely because of the aging world population. Clinical practice Guidelines can be powerful tools for promoting evidence-based practice, as they integrate research findings in order to support decision making. This study aimed to review recommendations for the management of Chronic low Back Pain in primary care based on high-quality recent and recently updated Clinical practice Guidelines.

Efficacy of Abdominal Control Feedback and Scapula Stabilization Exercises in Participants With Forward Head, Round Shoulder Postures and Neck Movement Impairment.

Background: Signs and symptoms of impaired function of the musculoskeletal system may be targeted by treating dysfunction located elsewhere.

Hypothesis: Abdominal control feedback and scapular stabilization exercise interventions would result in positive changes in pain intensity, strength, electromyography, and flexion-relaxation phenomena in women with forward head and round shoulder postures and neck movement impairment.

Study Design: Pretest-posttest intervention.

Return to work in European Cancer survivors: a systematic review.

Purpose: Return to work (RTW) of cancer survivors (CSs) fluctuates in different contexts. This systematic review searched for recent data on the RTW rate of CSs in Europe, investigating associated factors.

Methods: Bibliographic search covered the period from January 2010 to February 2018, with no language restrictions.

Cervical Radiculopathy: Effectiveness of Adding Traction to Physical Therapy-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a common cervical spine disorder. Cervical traction (CT) is a frequently recommended treatment for patients with CR.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of CT combined with other physical therapy procedures versus physical therapy procedures alone on pain and disability.

The effectiveness of walking versus exercise on pain and function in chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Objective: Walking is commonly recommended to relieve pain and improve function in chronic low back pain. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials concerning the effectiveness of walking interventions compared to other physical exercise on pain, disability, quality of life and fear-avoidance, in chronic low back pain.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of walking alone compared to exercise and to exercise with added walking on adults with chronic low back pain were identified using the MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PsychINFO, and SPORT Discus databases.

Functional evaluation of breath: spirometry and body plethysmography comparison in people with cystic fibrosis.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to establish up-to-date data regarding the lung function of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-eight patients of both genders, with a diagnosis of CF, were recruited. As a result our sample presented, according to the GOLD criteria, 23 patients with mild lung obstruction (FEV: 89.

A surveillance system model for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) coordinated at the regional level: a pilot feasibility study.

We describe the methods used to define a surveillance model to incorporate into activities aimed at preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in non-critical care units (NCCUs) and designed to be implemented at the regional level. In 2015 we conducted a pilot feasibility study in three NCCUs based in hospitals of the Regional Health System of Emilia Romagna to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed model and to test its accuracy and cost-effectiveness in terms of resources needed to maintain the system. Our results indicate that the system is feasible at the regional level by using the available sources and instruments to collect data in clinical practice context.

Is there a relationship between psychological stress or anxiety and chronic nonspecific neck-arm pain in adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To systematically review and analyze the research evidence linking stress or anxiety to chronic nonspecific neck-arm pain (NSNAP) in adults.

Subjects And Methods: Data were obtained from Pubmed, Scopus, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and The Cochrane library database from their inception to July 2015. Two authors independently conducted the searches, extracted data, and completed methodological quality assessments.

Is Propionibacterium acnes related to disc degeneration in adults? A systematic review.

Background: The aim of this paper was to systematically review the evidence linking Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) with the development of symptomatic degenerative disc disease.

Evidence Acquisition: Data were obtained from MEDLINE from their inception to October 2015.

Validation of the Italian Version of the Haemophilia Activities List.

Background: The aim of this study was to provide an Italian version of the Haemophilia Activities List (HAL) and check its reliability in Italian medical centers.

Methods: The Italian version of this assessment was administered to 80 patients (aged 18-65 years) affected by haemophilia A and B (moderate or severe). The validation was accomplished by comparing it to the revised and expanded Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS2).

Effectiveness of neuromuscular taping on painful hemiplegic shoulder: a randomised clinical trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this trial was to investigate changes in pain, the range of motion (ROM) and spasticity in people with painful hemiplegic shoulder (PHS) after the application of an upper limb neuromuscular taping (NMT).

Methods: We conducted a randomised clinical trial. The study included 32 people, 31% female (mean ± SD age: 66 ± 9 years), with PHS after stroke with pain at rest and during functional movements.

The accuracy of pain drawing in identifying psychological distress in low back pain-systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the accuracy of qualitative pain drawings (PDs) in identifying psychological distress in subacute and chronic low back pain (LBP) patients. [Subjects and Methods] Data were obtained from searches of PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, PsycINFO and ISI Web of Science from their inception to July 2014. Quality assessments of bias and applicability were conducted using the Quality of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2).

Investigation of the effect of conservative interventions in thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a current review of randomized controlled trials regarding the effect of conservative interventions on pain and function in people with thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA), perform a meta-analysis of the findings and summarize current knowledge.

Method: Data were obtained from MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PEDro and CENTRAL databases from their inception to May 2014. Reference lists of relevant literature reviews were also searched.

Minimal Clinically Important Difference of Grip and Pinch Strength in Women With Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis When Compared to Healthy Subjects.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to compare grip and pinch strength between women with carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA) between affected and unaffected sides of the body in patients or dominant and nondominant sides in healthy subjects. The secondary aim was to establish the cutoff value scores for the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for grip strength, tip, and tripod pinch.

Design: A prospective case-control study.

Effect of taping on spinal pain and disability: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Background: Taping is a widely used therapeutic tool for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, nevertheless its effectiveness is still uncertain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a current review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the effects of elastic and nonelastic taping on spinal pain and disability.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched.

Effect of an exercise programme for the prevention of back and neck pain in poultry slaughterhouse workers.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of a programme of prevention exercises conducted in a corporate environment in poultry industry slaughterers suffering from musculoskeletal disorders. Forty workers, 70% female (mean ± SD age: 44.4 ± 8.

Methods for the assessment of neuromotor capacity in non-specific low back pain: Validity and applicability in everyday clinical practice.

Background: Physiotherapists and clinicians require methods that can be used in everyday practice for measuring proprioception of the trunk in individuals with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP).

Objective: Our objective was to conduct a systematic literature review of methods used for assessment of proprioception of the trunk in individuals with non-specific low back pain.

Method: Data were obtained from MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PEDro and CENTRAL databases from their inception to December 2011.