The effectiveness of digital tools to maintain physical activity among people with a long-term condition(s): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Given the well-accepted health benefits, it is important to identify scalable ways to support people with long-term conditions (LTCs) to remain physically active. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of digital tools on the maintenance of physical activity (PA) amongst this population.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomised controlled trials investigating the effect of digital tools on PA maintenance at least three months post-intervention compared with a non-digital control in participants with long-term conditions.

An EDucation and eXercise intervention for gluteal tendinopathy in an Irish setting: a protocol for a feasibility randomised clinical trial (LEAP-Ireland RCT).

Background: Gluteal tendinopathy (GT) is a degenerative tendon condition characterised by pain over the greater trochanter of the hip. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) in Australia found that 14 sessions of EDucation on load management plus eXercise (EDX) delivered over 8 weeks resulted in greater improvements in global rating of change and pain outcomes at 8 and 52 weeks, compared with corticosteroid injection or 'wait and see'. Typically, 5-6 physiotherapy sessions are provided in public and private physiotherapy settings in Ireland, therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of conducting a future definitive RCT to investigate effectiveness of 6 sessions of the EDX programme compared to usual care.

Physical Activity, Exercise Capacity and Sedentary Behavior in People with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: A Scoping Review.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a hereditary disorder and a genetic risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Physical activity (PA) is important for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. Little is known about PA in people with AATD.

Factors influencing the delivery of telerehabilitation for stroke: A systematic review.

Objective: Despite the available evidence regarding effectiveness of stroke telerehabilitation, there has been little focus on factors influencing its delivery or translation from the research setting into practice. There are complex challenges to embedding telerehabilitation into stroke services and generating transferable knowledge about scaling up and routinising this service model. This review aimed to explore factors influencing the delivery of stroke telerehabilitation interventions, including platforms, technical requirements, training, support, access, cost, usability and acceptability.

The "Worktivity" mHealth intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in the workplace: a feasibility cluster randomised controlled pilot study.

Background: Office work generally consists of high amounts of sedentary behaviour (SB) which has been associated with negative health consequences. We developed the "WorktivIty" mobile app to help office workers reduce their SB through self-monitoring and feedback on sedentary time, prompts to break sedentary time, and educational facts. The aim of this paper is to report the feasibility of delivering the Worktivity intervention to desk-based office workers in the workplace setting and describe methodological considerations for a future trial.

A randomized controlled trial investigating effects of an individualized pedometer driven walking program on chronic low back pain.

Background: Walking is an easily prescribed physical activity for people with low back pain (LBP). However, the evidence for its effectiveness to improve pain and disability levels for people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) within a community setting has not been evaluated. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a clinician guided, pedometer-driven, walking intervention for increasing physical activity and improving clinical outcomes compared to education and advice.

Feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating a theory-driven group-based complex intervention versus usual physiotherapy to support self-management of osteoarthritis and low back pain (SOLAS).

Background: The self-management of osteoarthritis (OA) and low back pain (LBP) through activity and skills (SOLAS) theory-driven group-based complex intervention was developed primarily for the evaluation of its acceptability to patients and physiotherapists and the feasibility of trial procedures, to inform the potential for a definitive trial.

Methods: This assessor-blinded multicentre two-arm parallel cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial compared the SOLAS intervention to usual individual physiotherapy (UP; pragmatic control group). Patients with OA of the hip, knee, lumbar spine and/or chronic LBP were recruited in primary care physiotherapy clinics (i.

Changes in physical activity predict changes in a comprehensive model of balance in older community-dwelling adults. A longitudinal analysis of the TILDA study.

Objective: Falls due to poor balance can cause injury, disability, and death in older adults. The relationship between free-living physical activity (PA) and balance over time is poorly understood. The aim of this study is to explore the association between PA and balance in older adults over time.

Iterative four-phase development of a theory-based digital behaviour change intervention to reduce occupational sedentary behaviour.

Introduction: As high amounts of occupational sitting have been associated with negative health consequences, designing workplace interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour (SB) is of public health interest. Digital technology may serve as a cost-effective and scalable platform to deliver such an intervention. This study describes the iterative development of a theory-based, digital behaviour change intervention to reduce occupational SB.

Exploring the Views of Desk-Based Office Workers and Their Employers' Beliefs Regarding Strategies to Reduce Occupational Sitting Time, With an Emphasis on Technology-Supported Approaches.

Objective: Employee and employer views regarding how technology-supported strategies can best meet their needs to reduce occupational sitting are not well known. This study explored target user and key stakeholder beliefs regarding strategies to reduce occupational sitting focusing on technology-supported approaches.

Methods: Nine focus groups and two interviews (employees, n = 27; employers, n = 19; board members, n = 2) were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed thematically.

The association between light intensity physical activity with gait speed in older adults (≥ 50 years). A longitudinal analysis using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA).

Aims: Fall prevention is an important health consideration for older adults. The benefits of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) for fall prevention are well established. Few studies have explored the association between low intensity physical activity (LPA) and fall risk in older adults over time.

Walk with Me: a protocol for a pilot RCT of a peer-led walking programme to increase physical activity in inactive older adults.

Background: Levels of physical activity decline with age. Some of the most disadvantaged individuals in society, such as those from lower socio-economic position, are also the most inactive. Increasing physical activity levels, particularly among those most inactive, is a public health priority.

The association between balance and free-living physical activity in an older community-dwelling adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Poor balance is associated with an increased risk of falling, disability and death in older populations. To better inform policies and help reduce the human and economic cost of falls, this novel review explores the effects of free-living physical activity on balance in older (50 years and over) healthy community-dwelling adults.

Methods: Search methods: CENTRAL, Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised register and CDSR in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and AMED were searched from inception to 7th June 2016.

Assessing physiotherapists' communication skills for promoting patient autonomy for self-management: reliability and validity of the communication evaluation in rehabilitation tool.

Purpose: To assess the inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity of the Communication Evaluation in Rehabilitation Tool, which aims to externally assess physiotherapists competency in using Self-Determination Theory-based communication strategies in practice.

Materials And Methods: Audio recordings of initial consultations between 24 physiotherapists and 24 patients with chronic low back pain in four hospitals in Ireland were obtained as part of a larger randomised controlled trial. Three raters, all of whom had Ph.

The effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing physical activity in adults with persistent musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Individuals with persistent musculoskeletal pain (PMP) have an increased risk of developing co-morbid health conditions and for early-mortality compared to those without pain. Despite irrefutable evidence supporting the role of physical activity in reducing these risks; there has been limited synthesis of the evidence, potentially impacting the optimisation of these forms of interventions. This review examines the effectiveness of interventions in improving levels of physical activity and the components of these interventions.

Gaming for Health: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Physical and Cognitive Effects of Active Computer Gaming in Older Adults.

Background: Active computer gaming (ACG) is a method of facilitating physical activity in older people to improve health outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to update and extend a systematic review of the evidence for ACG to determine its effects on physical and cognitive health in older adults.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL in the Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases were searched from the date of the previous review (2011) to May 2016.

Using computer, mobile and wearable technology enhanced interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: High levels of sedentary behaviour (SB) are associated with negative health consequences. Technology enhanced solutions such as mobile applications, activity monitors, prompting software, texts, emails and websites are being harnessed to reduce SB. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of such technology enhanced interventions aimed at reducing SB in healthy adults and to examine the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used.

Acupuncture for chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled feasibility trial comparing treatment session numbers.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial investigating the optimal number of treatment sessions of acupuncture, used as an adjunct to usual care, for managing chronic low back pain.

Methods: In total, 45 participants with chronic low back pain were recruited and randomly allocated to receive usual care plus 4, 7, or 10 sessions of acupuncture (15/group). Primary outcomes were recruitment rate, randomization rate, treatment compliance, completion of the outcome measures, and retention rates.

Communication Skills Training for Practitioners to Increase Patient Adherence to Home-Based Rehabilitation for Chronic Low Back Pain: Results of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To assess the effect of an intervention designed to enhance physiotherapists' communication skills on patients' adherence to recommendations regarding home-based rehabilitation for chronic low back pain.

Design: Cluster randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Publicly funded physiotherapy clinics.

Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture and myofascial trigger needling: The same stimulation points?

Background: Acupuncture originates in China, and its effectiveness has been well documented in musculoskeletal pain disorders and other conditions. A widely accepted contemporary medical treatment option for myofascial pain is trigger point needling. Although there are many differences between Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture theory and the myofascial trigger point needling framework, it is argued that the stimulation sites for these two needling modalities are similar.

Using intervention mapping to develop a theory-driven, group-based complex intervention to support self-management of osteoarthritis and low back pain (SOLAS).

Background: The Medical Research Council framework provides a useful general approach to designing and evaluating complex interventions, but does not provide detailed guidance on how to do this and there is little evidence of how this framework is applied in practice. This study describes the use of intervention mapping (IM) in the design of a theory-driven, group-based complex intervention to support self-management (SM) of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic low back pain (CLBP) in Ireland's primary care health system.

Methods: The six steps of the IM protocol were systematically applied to develop the self-management of osteoarthritis and low back pain through activity and skills (SOLAS) intervention through adaptation of the Facilitating Activity and Self-management in Arthritis (FASA) intervention.

Theory-driven group-based complex intervention to support self-management of osteoarthritis and low back pain in primary care physiotherapy: protocol for a cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial (SOLAS).

Introduction: International clinical guidelines consistently endorse the promotion of self-management (SM), including physical activity for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and osteoarthritis (OA). Patients frequently receive individual treatment and advice to self-manage from physiotherapists in primary care, but the successful implementation of a clinical and cost-effective group SM programme is a key priority for health service managers in Ireland to maximise long-term outcomes and efficient use of limited and costly resources.

Methods/analysis: This protocol describes an assessor-blinded cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial of a group-based education and exercise intervention underpinned by self-determination theory designed to support an increase in SM behaviour in patients with CLBP and OA in primary care physiotherapy.

STRICTA: is it time to do more?

Background: In order to facilitate the completeness and transparency of reporting on randomized controlled trials undertaken using acupuncture interventions, a consensus group of international experts developed the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) in 2002. This reporting guideline was updated in 2010, and was applicable to a broader range of acupuncture research, including uncontrolled trials and case reports. Subsequent evaluations have noted limitations on the impact of STRICTA in the reporting quality of acupuncture trials, and the description of acupuncture details remains poor.