Publications by authors named "Stubbs P"
Background: The initial theme of the PROGRESS framework for prognosis research is termed overall prognosis research. Its aim is to describe the most likely course of health conditions in the context of current care. These average group-level prognoses may be used to inform patients, health policies, trial designs, or further prognosis research.
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- Adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) aged 45 and older often engage in low levels of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), which can increase their risk of health issues.
- In a study of 1,281 participants, nearly 44% reported no engagement in LTPA, with an average participation of about 197 minutes per week, with notable differences based on gender and type of injury.
- The findings suggest a need for targeted initiatives to promote physical activity, particularly focusing on women and those with non-traumatic injuries in this age group.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to explore Leisure-Time Physical Activity (LTPA) among individuals over 45 years old with spinal cord injuries (SCI), focusing on how frequently and intensely they engage in various activities.
- Researchers examined data from 19 studies and 11 for in-depth analysis, finding that a significant portion (27%-64%) of this population does not partake in any LTPA at all.
- Despite some participants meeting physical activity recommendations, notable differences were found in the frequency, intensity, and types of activities reported, indicating the need for better reporting and potentially more targeted interventions for this group.
Background: StrokeLine is a stroke-specific helpline used by stroke survivors and their families in Australia to access professional support. There has been little research exploring stroke survivors' experiences of using helplines and their perceived impact on their stroke recovery.
Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the reasons prompting stroke survivors to call StrokeLine and their experiences and to describe the perceived impact of calling StrokeLine on their recovery.
Pain science education (PSE) can be used as part of treatment and prevention for chronic pain in children. We assessed the effectiveness of PSE on knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors in children and the people that care for children. We set a minimum criterion for education to address pain biology knowledge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInteracting with virtual characters, objects and environments: investigating immersive virtual reality in rehabilitation.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol
January 2025
Purpose: This pilot study aimed to (a) investigate opportunities for immersive Virtual Reality (VR) technology in communication, physical, and visual rehabilitation by examining the interaction of people without disabilities in a range of structured virtual environments; and (b) validate research protocols that might be used to evaluate the physical, visual, and verbal interaction of users in virtual worlds, and their safety while using the technology.
Methods: Thirteen adults identifying as people without disability were exposed to VR a head-mounted display. A video-review method was used to qualitatively code and analyse each participant's communication, movement, orientation, and support needs.
Article Synopsis
- A study aimed to evaluate changes in how physiotherapy students understand pain after a 14-week educational program and to assess the validity of the Concept of Pain Inventory for Adults (COPI-Adult).
- Results indicated that students showed significant improvement in their understanding of pain, as evidenced by an increase in COPI-Adult scores from baseline to follow-up.
- The COPI-Adult demonstrated a solid one-factor structure and was found to be reliable, with previous exposure to pain education linked to better initial scores, while factors like age and mental health were not significantly related.
Objective: There is a large gap between evidence-based recommendations for spatial neglect assessment and clinical practice in stroke rehabilitation. We aimed to describe factors that may contribute to this gap, clinician perceptions of an ideal assessment tool, and potential implementation strategies to change clinical practice in this area.
Design: Qualitative focus group investigation.
Article Synopsis
- A study comparing randomized trial registrations in physiotherapy found that the proportion of adequately registered trials increased from 34% in 2009 to 63% in 2019.
- Despite this progress, only 8% of trials in 2019 met the criteria for both prospective registration and clear primary outcomes, an improvement from 3% in 2009.
- Selective outcome reporting remains a significant issue, with 73% of assessable trials in 2019 exhibiting this problem, up from 47% in 2009, indicating ongoing challenges in trial reporting practices.
Background And Objectives: To identify and summarize validated multivariable prognostic models for the Functional Independence Measure® (FIM®) at discharge from post-acute inpatient rehabilitation in adults with acquired brain injury (ABI).
Methods: This review was conducted based on the recommendations of the Cochrane Prognosis Methods Group and adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Three databases were systematically searched in May 2021 and updated in April 2022.
Article Synopsis
- This study focuses on developing core outcome sets (COSs) for musculoskeletal conditions to ensure standardized outcomes in clinical trials and research.
- It will identify common core domains from existing musculoskeletal COSs and assess their development quality using established standards.
- The review involves a systematic analysis of various databases, aiming to summarize and present core domains that could guide future COS development for musculoskeletal conditions.
Harmful algal blooms are an increasing worldwide threat to the seafood industry and human health as a consequence of the natural production of biotoxins that can accumulate in shellfish. In the Argentine Sea, this has been identified as an issue for the offshore fisheries of Patagonian scallops (), leading to potentially harmful effects on consumers. Here we assess spatial and temporal patterns in marine biotoxin concentrations in Patagonian scallops harvested in Argentinian waters between 2012-2017, based on analyses for paralytic shellfish toxins, lipophilic toxins, and amnesic shellfish toxins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In 2022, an estimated 1.105 billion people used smart wearables and 31 million used Fitbit devices worldwide. Although there is growing evidence for the use of smart wearables to benefit physical health, more research is required on the feasibility of using these devices for mental health and well-being.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Virtual reality (VR) lends itself to communication rehabilitation by creating safe, replicable, and authentic simulated environments in which users learn and practice communication skills. The aim of this research was to obtain the views of health professionals and technology specialists on the design characteristics and usability of a prototype VR application for communication rehabilitation.
Materials And Methods: Nine professionals from different health and technology disciplines participated in an online focus group or individual online interview to evaluate the application and use of the VR prototype.
Background: Blood flow restriction exercise (BFR-E) could be a useful training adjunct for patients with weakness after stroke to augment the effects of exercise on muscle activity. We aimed to examine neurophysiological changes (primary aim) and assess patient perceptions (secondary aim) following BFR-E.
Methods: Fourteen participants with stroke performed BFR-E (1 session) and exercise without blood flow restrictsion (Exercise only) (1 session), on two days, ≈7 days apart.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examines the differences in reporting statistical data, specifically p values, effect estimates, and clinical relevance, in physiotherapy randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the years 2000 and 2018.
- - Researchers analyzed 140 RCTs from major physiotherapy journals, finding that while the reporting of p values remained consistently high (>90%), there was a significant increase in the reporting of effect estimates (up 26.6%), confidence intervals (up 34%), and clinical relevance (up 32.8%) from 2000 to 2018.
- - Despite improvements in the reporting of statistical data, over 40% of the RCTs in 2018 still did not adequately
Article Synopsis
- - The PhysDB-FCP, a digital tool for chronic patient assessments in physiotherapy, encountered high attrition rates (73% and 90% at 3 and 6 months), indicating potential issues with its usability.
- - A survey of 50 out of 103 physiotherapists revealed that while many found the tool beneficial for assessments and goal setting, only 36% would want to use it again due to concerns about time consumption and the frequency of assessments.
- - Physiotherapists provided feedback suggesting the tool was too time-intensive, included unnecessary elements, and needed adjustments to improve its efficiency and relevance in clinical practice.
Objectives: To investigate the completeness of reporting of physical therapy interventions in randomized controlled trials before and after publication of the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist (a reporting guideline for interventions).
Design: Meta-research.
Methods: We searched 6 journals for trials using physical therapy interventions that were published in 2000 and 2018.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to validate recent prognostic models that predict the ability to walk independently after a stroke using accessible predictors.
- - Researchers identified three relevant models, but only the Australian model was validated with a cohort of 957 stroke patients, showing good performance metrics such as an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.77.
- - By adjusting the model and including paretic leg strength, the predictive performance improved, achieving an AUC of 0.82, indicating better accuracy in predicting independent gait.
Purpose: Free of charge physiotherapy (FCP) is free physiotherapy provided by the Danish government for patients with a range of chronic diseases. To date, the population has not been described in depth making evaluation and decision making difficult. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe the development and the content of a novel clinical physiotherapy database for FCP (PhysDB-FCP) and (2) present the cohort profile based on the data collected.
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- The study examined how isometric contractions at short muscle lengths affect the slack length of relaxed skeletal muscle, specifically the vastus lateralis, using ultrasound imaging.
- Findings showed that voluntary contractions reduce muscle slack length by an average of 10°, regardless of contraction intensity, with the most significant effect occurring 5 seconds post-contraction and gradually decreasing over time.
- A subsequent slow stretch of the relaxed muscle can increase slack length, counteracting the effects of the preceding contraction, with larger stretches (over 30°) proving more effective in diminishing the contraction's impact.
Many studies into surface contamination of hospital environments have demonstrated that occupational exposure to cytotoxics through the dermal route remains a possible risk. In this study, we assess the actual dermal exposure of the hands of pharmacy technicians and cleaning personnel in a panel of hospitals performing tasks that pose a risk of exposure. We compare the dermal exposure to a tentative limit value for cyclophosphamide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: There are only a few of the questionnaires for the diagnosis, severity and quality of life of adult Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) that have been utilized in children. Even fewer of these types of instruments have been developed specifically for Pediatric RLS.
Methods: This article is a review of instruments used in adult RLS, their applicability to children and of instruments specifically developed for childhood RLS.