Study protocol for the PICASSO trial: A randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of intraarticular steroid injections and an occupational therapy intervention in painful inflammatory carpometacarpal-1 osteoarthritis.

Objective: Our primary objectives are to assess whether intraarticular corticosteroid injections are superior to saline injections with regards to thumb base pain after 4 weeks, and to compare the efficacy of steroid injections, saline injections, and an occupational therapy intervention on thumb base pain after 12 weeks in people with painful inflammatory osteoarthritis (OA) of the first carpometacarpal (CMC-1) joint.

Design: In this three-armed, double-blind, randomized multicenter trial, 354 participants with painful inflammatory CMC-1 OA from six Norwegian hospitals are recruited. Participants are randomized 1:1:1 to intraarticular steroid or saline injections in the CMC-1 joint or a multimodal occupational therapy intervention.

First initiation of mobilization out of bed after cardiac surgery - an observational cross-sectional study in Sweden.

Background: Cardiac surgery is associated with a period of postoperative bed rest. Although early mobilization is a vital component of postoperative care, for preventing complications and enhancing physical recovery, there is limited data on routine practices and optimal strategies for early mobilization after cardiac surgery. The aim of the study was to define the timing for the first initiation of out of bed mobilization after cardiac surgery and to describe the type of mobilization performed.

Impaired function in the lung periphery following COVID-19 is associated with lingering breathing difficulties.

Lingering breathing difficulties are common after COVID-19. However, the underlying causes remains unclear, with spirometry often being normal. We hypothesized that small airway dysfunction (SAD) can partly explain these symptoms.

Development of and adherence to an ERAS and prehabilitation protocol for patients undergoing pancreatic surgery: An observational study.

Background And Objective: There are still gaps in knowledge concerning the adherence to different multimodal pathways in pancreatic surgery. The aim of this trial was to explore and evaluate an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) and prehabilitation protocol in patients undergoing open pancreatic surgery.

Methods: Three groups of patients were included: two prospective series of 75 patients undergoing open pancreatic surgery following an ERAS protocol with or without prehabilitation, and one group of 55 historical controls.

Is multimodal occupational therapy in addition to usual care cost-effective in people with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis? A cost-utility analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the cost-utility of a 3-month multimodal occupational therapy intervention in addition to usual care in patients with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC1 OA).

Methods: A cost-utility analysis was performed alongside a multicentre randomised controlled trial including three rheumatology departments in Norway. A total of 180 patients referred to surgical consultation due to CMC1 OA were randomised to either multimodal occupational therapy including patient education, hand exercises, assistive devices and orthoses (n=90), or usual care receiving only information on OA (n=90).

Cardiorespiratory dysautonomia in post-COVID-19 condition: Manifestations, mechanisms and management.

A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients experience debilitating symptoms for months after the acute infection. According to recent estimates, approximately 1 out of 10 COVID-19 convalescents reports persistent health issues more than 3 months after initial recovery. This 'post-COVID-19 condition' may include a large variety of symptoms from almost all domains and organs, and for some patients it may mean prolonged sick-leave, homestay and strongly limited activities of daily life.

Expertise and individually tailored interventions are expected by pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain who seek physical therapy: a qualitative study.

Background: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) in pregnancy may result in activity limitations and thus a negative impact on the individual woman's everyday life. Women's expectations when they seek physical therapy because of PGP are not yet known.

Objective: To explore pregnant women's lived experience of PGP and what needs and expectations they express prior to a physical therapy consultation.

Health care professionals' conceptions of respiratory symptoms and physical activity in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. A phenomenographic interview study.

Introduction: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) often presents with respiratory symptoms, such as dyspnea and respiratory pain, and patients are affected both physically and mentally by the consequences of PE for a long time after the event. This study aimed to explore health care professionals (HCPs) conceptions of respiratory symptoms, physical activity, and information given to patients during in-hospital care.

Materials And Methods: Qualitative individual interviews were conducted with twenty-one HCPs (physicians, nurses, physiotherapist) working with patients with PE, and analyzed with a phenomenographic approach.

Postpartum septic symphysitis, a rare condition with possible long-term consequences: a cohort study with long-term follow-up.

Background: Postpartum septic symphysitis (PPSS) is defined as acute onset of severe pain around the symphysis, restricted movement, fever, and elevated inflammatory parameters. It is a rare but serious condition requiring urgent diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term follow-up of PPSS.

Clinical assessment of pelvic floor and abdominal muscles 3 months post partum: an inter-rater reliability study.

Objectives: Evaluation of the inter-rater reliability of clinical assessment methods for pelvic floor muscles and diastasis recti abdominis post partum.

Design: A multicentre inter-rater reliability study.

Setting: Three primary care rehabilitation centres in Sweden.

"Whole life changed" - Experiences of how symptoms derived from acute pulmonary embolism affects life. A qualitative interview study.

Introduction: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) presents itself with a wide range of hemodynamic consequences. Respiratory symptoms as dyspnea and respiratory pain are common. The aim of this study was to explore patients' experiences of how symptoms affected their physical and social activities following the PE.

The Measure of Activity Performance of the hand (MAP-Hand) - A reliable and valid questionnaire for use in patients with hand osteoarthritis with specific involvement of the thumb.

Study Design: Cross-sectional methodological study with test-retest design.

Introduction: The Measure of Activity Performance of the Hand (MAP-Hand) is an assessment tool measuring hand-related activity limitations.

Purpose: To assess reliability, validity, and interpretability of the MAP-Hand in patients with hand osteoarthritis with specific involvement of the thumb (CMC1).

Short-Term Effects of Occupational Therapy on Hand Function and Pain in Patients With Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis: Secondary Analyses From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To assess the short-term effects of multimodal occupational therapy on pain and hand function in patients referred for surgical consultation due to first carpometacarpal (CMC1) joint osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, patients with CMC1 joint OA referred for surgical consultation at 3 rheumatology departments were randomized to 3 months multimodal occupational therapy (including patient education, hand exercises, orthoses, and assistive devices) or usual treatment (OA information). Pain was measured on a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain).

Patient Goals and Motivation for Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis Surgery.

Background: Knowledge is lacking on patient goals and motivation for carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis (CMCJ OA) surgery. The objective of this study was to explore patient goals and motivation for surgery, whether patient goals were reflected in self-reports of pain and function, and factors characterizing patients highly motivated for surgery.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 180 patients referred from their general practitioner for CMCJ surgical consultation.

The MAP-Hand: Psychometric properties and differences in activity performance between patients with carpometacarpal osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To assess construct validity (Rasch analyses) of the Measure of Activity Performance of the Hand (MAP-Hand) in people with carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC1 OA), and to explore differences in activity performance between people with CMC1 OA and those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Subjects: A total of 180 people with CMC1 OA referred for surgical consultation were recruited from rheumatology clinics in Norway, and 340 people with rheumatoid arthritis were recruited from outpatient rheumatology clinics in the UK.

Physical activity and respiratory symptoms after pulmonary embolism. A longitudinal observational study.

Introduction: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of hospitalization and morbidity. Common symptoms are dyspnea and respiratory pain. Physical activity (PA) and respiratory symptoms during the first year after PE are not previously studied.

Does occupational therapy delay or reduce the proportion of patients that receives thumb carpometacarpal joint surgery? A multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To evaluate whether occupational therapy, provided in the period between referral and surgical consultation, might delay or reduce the need of surgery in thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) osteoarthritis and to explore predictors for CMCJ surgery.

Methods: This multicentre randomised controlled trial included patients referred for surgical consultation due to CMCJ osteoarthritis. An occupational therapy group received hand osteoarthritis education, assistive devices, CMCJ orthoses and exercises.

Non-pharmacological treatment gap preceding surgical consultation in thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis - a cross-sectional study.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) in the thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) is a prevalent disease which may lead to structural damage, severe pain and functional limitations. Evidence-based treatment recommendations state that all patients with hand OA should be offered non-pharmacological treatment. Surgery should be considered only when other treatment has proven insufficient in relieving pain.

Lung function, functional capacity, and respiratory symptoms at discharge from hospital in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a cardiovascular disease with symptoms including respiratory associated chest pain (RACP) and dyspnea. No previous studies exist focusing on lung function, functional capacity, and respiratory symptoms at discharge after PE.

Objectives: The aim was to examine and describe lung function, functional capacity, and respiratory symptoms at discharge in patients with PE and compare to reference values.

Does occupational therapy reduce the need for surgery in carpometacarpal osteoarthritis? Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In the absence of disease-modifying interventions for hand osteoarthritis (OA), occupational therapy (OT) comprising patient education, hand exercises, assistive devices and orthoses are considered as core treatments, whereas surgery are recommended for those with severe carpometacarpal (CMC1) OA. However, even though CMC1 surgery may reduce pain and improve function, the risk of adverse effects is high, and randomized controlled trials comparing surgery with non-surgical interventions are warranted. This multicentre randomized controlled trial aims to address the following questions: Does OT in the period before surgical consultation reduce the need for surgery in CMC1-OA? What are patients' motivation and reasons for wanting CMC1-surgery? Are there differences between departments of rheumatology concerning the degree of CMC1-OA, pain and functional limitations in patients who are referred for surgical consultation for CMC1 surgery? Is the Measure of Activity Performance of the Hand a reliable measure in patients with CMC1-OA? Do patients with CMC1-OA with and without affection of the distal and proximal interphalangeal finger joints differ with regard to symptoms and function? Do the degree of CMC1-OA, symptoms and functional limitations significantly predict improvement after 2 years following OT or CMC1-surgery? Is OT more cost-effective than surgery in the management of CMC1-OA?

Methods/design: All persons referred for surgical consultation due to their CMC1-OA at one of three Norwegian departments of rheumatology are invited to participate.

Understanding excess skin in postbariatric patients: objective measurements and subjective experiences.

Background: Excess skin is a well-known side effect of massive weight loss after bariatric surgery. However, there is a lack of longitudinal follow-ups.

Objectives: The primary aims of this study were to investigate the development and amount of excess skin after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and to relate objective results to subjective experiences.