Population-based cross-sectional survey of cervical cancer screening prevalence and socio-demographic correlates in Bangladeshi women.

Background: Cervical cancer, albeit preventable, is the second-most deadly gynecological cancer in developing nations. Little is known about cervical cancer among Bangladeshi women. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of cervical cancer screening and demographic correlates to identify potential variabilities in screening rates among different demographic groups and regions.

Evaluating repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for neurogenic overactive bladder management in stroke survivors: A randomized sham-controlled trial protocol.

Background: Neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB) is a distressing condition in stroke. Existing neurogenic OAB management is expensive, unstandardized regimens, or invasive. Evaluating the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) remains crucial.

Effectiveness and cost of integrated cognitive and balance training for balance and falls in cerebellar ataxia: a blinded two-arm parallel group RCT.

Background: In patients with cerebellar ataxia (CA), dual-tasking deteriorates the performance of one or both tasks.

Objective: Evaluate the effects of 4 weeks of cognitive-coupled intensive balance training (CIBT) on dual-task cost, dynamic balance, disease severity, number of falls, quality of life, cognition and cost among patients with CA.

Methods: This RCT compared CIBT (Group 1) to single-task training (Group 2) among 32 patients with CA.

Association between fear of falling and falls following acute and chronic stroke: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objectives: To examine the association between falls and fear of falling in people with stroke and to evaluate the differences between patients with acute stroke and those with chronic stroke with regard to any such association.

Methods: Articles were searched in Medline, CINAHL, AMED, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library of Reviews and PEDro from inception until March 2023. Experimental, observational or explorative studies investigating the association between fear of falling and falls in people with stroke were included.

Clinical tools for evaluating the severity of overactive bladder: A systematic review of psychometric properties.

Objectives: To systematically evaluate the evidence describing the psychometric properties of clinical measures for assessing overactive bladder symptoms (urinary urgency with or without urge urinary incontinence, urinary frequency and nocturia). To evaluate the quality of this evidence-base using the COnsensus-based Standards for selecting health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tools.

Data Sources: Five electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched from dataset inception to August 2023.

Using ultrasound elastography to assess non-invasive, non-pharmacological interventions for musculoskeletal stiffness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the current evidence regarding the use of ultrasound elastography for assessing non-invasive, non-pharmacological interventions for eliciting changes in musculoskeletal stiffness.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Information on measurement and intervention procedures was extracted.

A Systematic Review Exploring the Theories Underlying the Improvement of Balance and Reduction in Falls Following Dual-Task Training among Older Adults.

Background: Balance impairment causes frequent falls in older adults, and preventing falls remains challenging. Dual-task (DT) training reduces falls by improving balance, but the precise theory is not fully understood. This review aims to explore the theories underlying the effectiveness of DT in improving balance and reducing falls in older adults.

Physiotherapy interventions for pain relief in individuals with peripheral neuropathic pain: A systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions on peripheral neuropathic pain (pNeP) due to any underlying cause.

Methods: Multiple databases were searched from database inception until Dec 2021. Studies on physiotherapy interventions for pain relief assessed using the visual analogue scale among individuals with pNeP of any underlying cause were included.

Are Fear of COVID-19 and Vaccine Hesitancy Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake? A Population-Based Online Survey in Nigeria.

This study examined the association between COVID-19 and fear of contracting COVID-19 and reasons for vaccination refusal. A population-based online survey was conducted via social media in Nigeria using the Fear of COVID-19 scale and items related to vaccination refusal/hesitancy items. Individuals aged 13 years and older were invited to participate.

Validity of balance measures in cerebellar ataxia: A prospective study with 12-month follow-up.

Introduction: Balance deficits are common in cerebellar ataxia. Determining which balance outcome measures are psychometrically strong for this population remains an unmet need.

Objective: To evaluate the validity and responsiveness of two clinic-based balance measures (Berg Balance Scale [BBS] and balance sub-component of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia [SARA-bal]) and two laboratory-based balance measures (Sensory Organization Test [SOT] and Limits of Stability [LOS]) in cerebellar ataxia.

Physiotherapy interventions may relieve pain in individuals with central neuropathic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of any form of physiotherapy intervention for the management of central neuropathic pain (cNeP) due to any underlying cause.

Methods: Multiple databases were searched from inception until August 2021. Randomised controlled trials evaluating physiotherapy interventions compared to a control condition on pain among people with cNeP were included.

Tai Chi for Dynamic Balance Training Among Individuals with Cerebellar Ataxia: An Assessor-Blinded Randomized-Controlled Trial.

To evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi training on dynamic balance and disease severity among individuals with cerebellar ataxia (CA). An assessor-blinded, two-arm, parallel-group randomized-controlled trial was conducted among 24 participants with CA. Participants were randomized to receive either Tai Chi intervention ( = 12) or usual care ( = 12).

Task Complexity and Image Clarity Facilitate Motor and Visuo-Motor Activities in Mirror Therapy in Post-stroke Patients.

Mirror therapy is effective in the recovery of upper-limb function among post-stroke patients. An important component of mirror therapy is imagining finger movements. This study aimed to determine the influence of finger movement complexity and mirror image clarity on facilitating motor and visuo-motor activities in post-stroke patients.

Neural Processes Underlying Mirror-Induced Visual Illusion: An Activation Likelihood Estimation Meta-Analysis.

Neuroimaging studies on neural processes associated with mirror-induced visual illusion (MVI) are growing in number. Previous systematic reviews on these studies used qualitative approaches. The present study conducted activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis to locate the brain areas for unfolding the neural processes associated with the MVI.

Quality of life of stroke survivors in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Functional impairments and socioeconomic constraints associated with stroke affect quality of life (QoL). With limited care and social support resources, there is a greater anticipated decline in QoL among stroke survivors in Africa. This study aims to examine post-stroke QoL, properties of outcome measures adopted and predictors of the QoL among African stroke survivors.

Role of kinaesthetic motor imagery in mirror-induced visual illusion as intervention in post-stroke rehabilitation.

Mirror-induced visual illusion obtained through mirror therapy is widely used to facilitate motor recovery after stroke. Activation of primary motor cortex (M1) ipsilateral to the moving limb has been reported during mirror-induced visual illusion. However, the mechanism through which the mirror illusion elicits motor execution processes without movements observed in the mirrored limb remains unclear.

Does task complexity influence motor facilitation and visuo-motor memory during mirror therapy in post-stroke patients?

Stroke is one of the most common causes of mortality and reduced disability-adjusted life years worldwide. Hemiparesis due to reduced skeletal-muscle power is an effect of brain lesions. Mirror therapy can significantly improve motor performance among post-stroke patients.

Measures of balance and falls risk prediction in people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review of psychometric properties.

Objective: To investigate the psychometric properties of measures of balance and falls risk prediction in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Ovid Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to August 2019.

Review Method: Studies testing psychometric properties of measures of balance and falls risk prediction in PD were included.

Economic Evaluation of Exercise-Based Fall Prevention Programs for People with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Falls are common in Parkinson's disease (PD). Exercise interventions can prevent falls. This review aims to (1) explore the existing evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of exercise-based fall prevention programs for people with PD and (2) discuss the implications of the review findings for future research and clinical practice.

Dosage for cost-effective exercise-based falls prevention programs for older people: A systematic review of economic evaluations.

Background: Falls in older people is a global public health concern. Physical exercise is a useful and potentially cost-saving treatment option to prevent falls in older people.

Objectives: We aimed to (1) summarize the research literature regarding the cost-effectiveness of exercise-based programs for falls prevention in older people and (2) discuss the implications of the review's findings for clinical practice and future research on the dosage of cost-effective exercise-based falls prevention programs for older people.

Effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions for improving erectile function and climacturia in men after prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions for postprostatectomy erectile dysfunction and climacturia.

Data Sources: Multiple databases were searched from database inception to February 2019.

Review Methods: Randomized controlled trials comparing physiotherapy interventions to control were included.

Clinical assessment of balance using BBS and SARAbal in cerebellar ataxia: Synthesis of findings of a psychometric property analysis.

Background: In the previous psychometric analysis paper in our series for identifying the core set of balance measures for the assessment of balance, we recommended the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and balance sub-components of the Scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARAbal) as psychometrically sound measures of balance for people with cerebellar ataxia (CA) secondary to multiple sclerosis.

Objective: The present study further examined the suitability of BBS and SARAbal for the assessment of balance in CA with regard to psychometric property strength, appropriateness, interpretability, precision, acceptability and feasibility.

Methods: Criteria to fulfill each factor was defined according to the framework of Fitzpatrick (1998).

Can pre-screening vestibulocerebellar involvement followed by targeted training improve the outcomes of balance in cerebellar ataxia?

Balance problems and frequent falls are common among clients with Cerebellar Ataxia (CA). CA is not a disease by itself but a collection of symptoms due to the involvement of cerebellum or its pathways. Presently the treatment for balance problems for CA is not standardized.