Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a single home-based fall prevention program: a prospective observational study based on questionnaires and claims data.

Background: Fall prevention programmes are essential interventions in societies with aging populations. This study assessed the fall rate and other health outcomes, as well as the cost-effectiveness of a home-based fall prevention programme for community-dwelling older people. In a single home visit, trained physical or occupational therapists performed fall risk assessments, eliminated environmental risk factors, and provided tailored exercises.

Evaluation of the post-COVID multidisciplinary outpatient clinic at the Pulmonary Division of the Cantonal Hospital Winterthur from the patient's perspective: a mixed-methods study.

Aims Of The Study: This prospective study, conducted with patients from the multidisciplinary post-COVID outpatient clinic at the Pulmonary Division of the Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, aimed to investigate changes in patients' main symptoms, elements that aided in coping with the condition and satisfaction with the consulting and therapeutic interventions.

Methods: After obtaining ethical approval, fifty patients were consecutively included in this longitudinal study, which incorporated three survey times post-consultation: t1 (0-7 days), t2 (4-8 weeks) and t3 (4-6 months). The survey comprised standardised questionnaires, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status scale and the Chalder Fatigue scale, along with study-specific questions regarding symptoms and reasons for consulting the post-COVID outpatient clinic.

Facilitators, barriers and support needs to GLA:D exercise adherence - a mixed method study.

Background: Knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) are among the most common musculoskeletal joint diseases worldwide. International guidelines recommend exercise and education as first-line interventions for their management. The Good Life with osteoArthritis Denmark (GLA:D) programme aims to achieve self-management using group exercise and education sessions.

Therapists and patients perceptions of a mixed reality system designed to improve trunk control and upper extremity function.

A prototype system aimed at improving arm function and trunk control after stroke has been developed that combines mixed-reality (MR) feedback with a mobile seat system (Holoreach). The purpose of this study was to assess the usability of Holoreach in a rehabilitation setting from both the patient and therapist perspective. Ten therapists (eight physiotherapists and two occupational therapists) used the device in their regular therapy programs for fifteen stroke patients with trunk control issues.

Usability of a visual feedback system to assess and improve movement disorders related to neck pain: Perceptions of physical therapists and patients.

A prototype visual feedback system has been developed to assess and improve movement disorders related to neck pain. The aim of this study was to assess the usability of the prototype in a rehabilitation setting. Twelve physical therapists integrated the device into their regular therapy programs for 24 neck pain patients with movement disorders.

Understanding beliefs related to physical activity in people living with axial Spondyloarthritis: a theory-informed qualitative study.

Background: People living with axial Spondyloarthrtis (axSpA) have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, which can be reduced by regular physical activity (PA) and its subset of cardiorespiratory training (CRT). To fulfil their crucial role in PA promotion, physiotherapists and other health professionals need to understand the beliefs that people living with axSpA possess concerning general PA and CRT. The aim of this study is to explore these behavioural, normative and control beliefs.

Evaluation of the strategy for implementing the GLA:D programme in Switzerland: protocol for an implementation-effectiveness hybrid type 3 design study with a mixed-method approach.

Introduction: International guidelines recommend the use of exercise, education and weight reduction, when appropriate, as first-line treatment for the conservative management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). These guidelines have not been applied systematically in Switzerland, resulting in an evidence-performance gap. After an analysis of available programmes, the Good Life with osteoArthritis Denmark (GLA:D) programme was determined as the most applicable exercise and education programme for its implementation in Switzerland.

Diagnostic and decision-making abilities of Swiss physiotherapists in a simulated direct access setting.

Background: Direct access to physiotherapy requires physiotherapists to recognize red flags and determine adequate management plans.

Purpose: Investigate Swiss physiotherapists' ability to diagnose and triage patients in a simulated direct access setting and whether their characteristics were associated with correct diagnoses and decision-making.

Methods: We conducted a national online survey using a questionnaire containing 12 first-contact case scenarios.

Lessons learned from a pilot implementation of physical activity recommendations in axial spondyloarthritis exercise group therapy.

Background: The Ankylosing Spondylitis Association of Switzerland (SVMB) aimed to implement physical activity recommendations (PAR) within their exercise groups (EGs). The PAR promote exercise in all fitness dimensions at the correct dose. To implement the PAR within EGs, they were translated into a new EG concept with five key activities: (a) training for supervising physiotherapists (PTs), (b) correctly dosed exercises in all fitness dimensions, (c) exercise counselling, (d) bi-annual fitness assessments, and (e) individual exercise training, in addition to EG.

Applicability of Exercise and Education Programmes for Knee Osteoarthritis Management to Switzerland.

The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of six OARSI (Osteoarthritis Research Society International) approved exercise and education programmes for the conservative management of knee osteoarthritis to the Swiss health care system. The RE-AIM framework was used in this cross-sectional survey study to analyse the characteristics of the six exercise and education programmes. A survey was developed based on the RE-AIM dimensions, "Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance," for rating the applicability of the programmes (on a scale of 1 = "least applicable" to 10 = "most applicable").

Parental experience of the neuromotor development of children with congenital heart disease: an exploratory qualitative study.

Background: Children with severe congenital heart disease (CHD) are a group of children at risk for neurodevelopmental impairments. Motor development is the first domain to show a delay during the first year of life and may significantly contribute to parental concerns, stress, and difficulties in early child-parent attachment. Thus, the aim of the study was to better understand the wishes and concerns of parents of children with CHD and explore their experience of their children's neuromotor development in the first year of life.

Does the Conservative Non-pharmacological Management of Knee Osteoarthritis in Switzerland Reflect the Clinical Guidelines? A Survey Among General Practitioners, Rheumatologists, and Orthopaedic Surgeons.

The International Guidelines recommend exercise, education and weight management (if appropriate) as the first-line conservative treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) to enhance their self-management. The aim of this study was to investigate the current state of conservative non-pharmacological management of patients with knee OA in Switzerland and to explore the perceived barriers and facilitators to the application of the guideline recommendations. Eleven semi-structured interviews with selected general practitioners (GPs), rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons were performed.

A novel assistive therapy chair to improve trunk control during neurorehabilitation: Perceptions of physical therapists and patients.

A prototype assistive therapy chair (T-Chair) that induces exercise stimuli to improve trunk control and standing and walking early after stroke has been developed. The aim of this study was to assess its usability in a rehabilitation setting. Eleven physical therapists (PTs) integrated the T-Chair into the therapy programs of 15 patients post stroke.

Barriers and Facilitators of Vigorous Cardiorespiratory Training in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Surveys Among Patients, Physiotherapists, and Rheumatologists.

Objective: Vigorous cardiorespiratory training (CRT) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) is effective, safe. and feasible; however, it has not yet been adopted in axial SpA exercise programs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators for vigorous CRT among patients, physiotherapists, and rheumatologists.

Experiences of general practitioners, home care nurses, physiotherapists and seniors involved in a multidisciplinary home-based fall prevention programme: a mixed method study.

Background: The feasibility of effective fall prevention programmes (FPPs) for use in daily clinical practice needs to be assessed in the specific healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to explore the perceived benefits and barriers of an evidence-based, home-based pilot FPP among the involved seniors, general practitioners (GPs), home care nurses (HCNs) and physiotherapists (PTs), in order to develop tailored implementation strategies.

Methods: The study was a mixed method study using an 'exploratory sequential design'.

Maternal adversities during pregnancy and cord blood oxytocin receptor (OXTR) DNA methylation.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal adversities and cortisol levels during pregnancy predict cord blood DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR). We collected cord blood of 39 babies born to mothers participating in a cross-sectional study (N = 100) conducted in Basel, Switzerland (2007-10). Mothers completed the Inventory of Life Events (second trimester: T2), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS, third trimester: T3), the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress (TICS-K, 1-3 weeks postpartum) and provided saliva samples (T2, T3) for maternal cortisol profiles, as computed by the area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg) or increase (AUCi) for the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and for diurnal cortisol profiles (DAY).

Physiotherapy Research Priorities in Switzerland: Views of the Various Stakeholders.

Background And Purpose: Research priorities, defined by multiple stakeholders, can proximally facilitate the coordination of research projects and national and international cooperation and distally further improve the quality of physiotherapy practice. The aim of this study was therefore to establish physiotherapy research priorities in Switzerland considering multiple stakeholders' opinions.

Methods: A mixed methods design was chosen.

Prenatal programming of emotion regulation: neonatal reactivity as a differential susceptibility factor moderating the outcome of prenatal cortisol levels.

Objective: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activation during pregnancy is linked to dysfunctional behavioral outcomes in the offspring. According to Belsky's differential susceptibility hypothesis, individuals vary regarding their developmental plasticity. Translating the differential susceptibility hypothesis to the field of fetal programming, we hypothesize that infants' temperament, as the constitutionally based reactivity to stimulation, moderates prenatal environmental effects on postnatal emotion regulation.

How do patients, politicians, physiotherapists and other health professionals view physiotherapy research in Switzerland? A qualitative study.

Background: Since 2002, the professional education for Swiss physiotherapists has been upgraded to a tertiary educational level. With this change, the need for research related to professional practice has become more salient. The elaboration of research priorities is seen as a possible way to determine the profession's needs, to help coordinate research collaborations and to address expectations regarding physiotherapy.

How to measure prenatal stress? A systematic review of psychometric instruments to assess psychosocial stress during pregnancy.

Background: A growing body of literature documents associations of maternal psychosocial stress during pregnancy with fetal, infant and child behaviour and development. However, findings across studies are often inconsistent, which may in part be due to differences in stress definitions and assessments.

Methods: We systematically reviewed methods applied to assess maternal psychosocial stress during pregnancy in studies looking at associations with biobehavioural outcomes in the offspring.

Plasma oxytocin concentration during pregnancy is associated with development of postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 19% of all women after parturition. The non-apeptide oxytocin (OXT) is involved in adjustment to pregnancy, maternal behavior, and bonding. Our aim was to examine the possible association between plasma OXT during pregnancy and the development of PPD symptoms.