Manual Therapy

BACKGROUND: Nonspecific neck pain patients form a heterogeneous group with different musculoskeletal impairments. Classifying nonspecific neck pain patients into subgroups based on clinical characteristics might lead to more comprehensive diagnoses and can guide effective management. OBJECTIVE: To establish consensus among a group of experts regarding the clinical criteria suggestive of a clinical dominance of 'articular', 'myofascial', 'neural', 'central' and 'sensorimotor control' dysfunction patterns distinguishable in patients with nonspecific neck pain...

BACKGROUND: Inspiratory muscles, such as the diaphragm, play a key role in both respiration and spinal control. Therefore, diaphragm dysfunctions are often related to low back pain (LBP). However, few is known on the association between the presence of LBP and the presence of respiratory disorders (RD). OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic review on the relation between RD and LBP. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: Two reviewers searched on PubMed/MEDLINE for studies concerning LBP and RD, from 1950 up to January 2016...

BACKGROUND: Transverse friction massage (TFM), as an often used technique by therapists, is known for its effect in reducing the pain and loosing the scar tissues. Nevertheless, its effects on neuromotor driving mechanism including the electromechanical delay (EMD), force transmission and excitation-contraction (EC) coupling which could be used as markers of stiffness changes, has not been computed using ultrafast ultrasound (US) when combined with external sensors. AIM: Hence, the aim of this study was to find out produced neuromotor changes associated to stiffness when TFM was applied over Quadriceps femoris (QF) tendon in healthy subjcets...

BACKGROUND: Initial reports suggest that treating myofascial trigger points in the infraspinatus with dry needling may be effective in treating patients with shoulder pain. However, to date, high quality clinical trials and thorough knowledge of the physiologic mechanisms involved is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of dry needling to the infraspinatus muscle on muscle function, nociceptive sensitivity, and shoulder range of motion (ROM) in the symptomatic and asymptomatic shoulders of individuals with unilateral subacromial pain syndrome...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the symptom presentation of adult knee primary bone tumours from onset to Consultant diagnosis, from combined patient and healthcare professional perspectives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews recruited a purposive sample of adult patients with a knee primary bone tumour (n = 8) and healthcare professionals with expertise in orthopaedic oncology (n = 6). Following informed consent, recorded interviews explored participants' experiences of symptom presentation...

INTRODUCTION: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that can occur after a minor trauma or surgery. It is a multifactorial condition with a complex cause and even more complex pathophysiology. There are disturbances and changes in the sympathetic, somatosensory and motor nervous system, resulting in severe pain and disability. Patients with CRPS can have their quality of life and functional ability greatly affected and they need appropriate and interdisciplinary interventions...

INTRODUCTION: Despite the increasingly widespread popularity of electronic devices, there are limited comprehensive studies on the effects of usage and exposure to multiple electronic devices over extended periods of time. Therefore, this study explored the cumulative musculoskeletal implications of exposure to various electronic devices among university students. METHODS: A self-reported questionnaire was administered in the university in Hong Kong and students provided information about the frequency and duration of electronic devices use, including computers, mobile phones and game consoles, and reported on any musculoskeletal pain or discomfort that may relate to electronic devices usage in the immediate 12 months prior to the survey date...

INTRODUCTION: Excessive thoracic kyphosis is considered a predisposing factor for shoulder pain, though there is uncertainty about the nature of the relationship between shoulder pain and thoracic spine posture. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the relationship between thoracic kyphosis and shoulder pain, shoulder range of motion (ROM) and function. METHODS: Two reviewers independently searched eight electronic databases and identified relevant studies by applying eligibility criteria...

BACKGROUND: Subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) and scapular dyskinesis are closely associated, but the role of pain is unknown. We hypothesized that pain results in asymmetrical scapular kinematics, and we expected more symmetrical kinematics after infiltration of subacromial anaesthetics. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of subacromial anaesthetics on scapular kinematics in patients with SAPS. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. METHODS: We evaluated shoulder kinematics in 34 patients clinically and radiologically (magnetic resonance arthrography) identified with unilateral SAPS using three-dimensional electromagnetic motion analysis (Flock of Birds)...

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is one of the most common lower extremity conditions seen in clinical practice. Current evidence shows that there are hip strength deficits, delayed onset and shorter activation of gluteus medius in people with PFP. The aim of this review was to systematically review the literature to investigate the outcome of hip exercise in people with PFP. METHOD: AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, PEDro, Pubmed, Science direct and SPORTDiscus databases were searched from inception to November 2014 for RCTs, non-randomised studies and case studies...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

The Foot Posture Index (FPI-6) is a reliable (experienced examiners) assessment tool used in clinical practice to classify foot posture. No work has been completed to determine the reliability of the FPI-6 between novice examiners. Therefore, the aim was to determine the inter-examiner reliability of the FPI-6 using two novice examiners (graduate level osteopathy students). The FPI-6 was used to classify the feet of 83 students recruited as part of a larger study. Data were collected simultaneously by both examiners, but there was no communication between them...

BACKGROUND: Electromagnetic palpation-digitization technique for measurement of innominate motion involves calculation of innominate rotation using the innominate vector length in the neutral (NEUT) and combined hip abduction and external rotation (HABER) test positions. The innominate vector length [i.e., the segment between anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS)] is not a rigid structure and its deformation could introduce an error influencing the final innominate rotation measurement...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Joint Position Sense Error (JPSE) is a measure of cervical spine proprioception, and a simple method for measuring the JPSE could help in monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of rehabilitation of people with neck pain. In this study we demonstrate preliminary results of a method for measuring JPSE that does not require the participant to wear any equipment. Based on free publicly available head tracking software, compatible with any webcam, we developed a webpage which instructs the participant in performing a self-administered version of the test...

BACKGROUND: Continuing professional development (CPD) is a fundamental component of physiotherapy practice. Follow-up sessions provide opportunity for the refinement of skills developed during CPD workshops. However, it is necessary to identify if such opportunity translates to improved physiotherapist performance and patient outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a traditional CPD workshop with a follow-up session with the educator is more likely to change physiotherapists' practice behaviour and patient outcomes than a traditional workshop with no opportunity for follow-up...

UNLABELLED: Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) grade II are the most prevalent group of whiplash patients seen on a regular basis by musculoskeletal physiotherapists. Impairment of vibration sensibility may be an early indicator of nerve pathology and it has previously been demonstrated in individuals with chronic WAD symptoms utilising vibrameters. A less expensive option, such the tuning fork (TF) may assist with these measures, but research regarding its measurement properties is lacking...

BACKGROUND: Low back disorders are prevalent and directional preference management is a common treatment with mixed evidence for effectiveness. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of individualised directional preference management plus guideline-based advice versus advice alone in participants with reducible discogenic pain of 6-week to 6-month duration. DESIGN: Pre-planned secondary analysis of a multicentre, parallel group randomised controlled trial...

BACKGROUND: Whole body vibration has become a popular practice in training and rehabilitation centers. Although proposed as a useful adjunct to improve various aspects of musculoskeletal function, its real benefits and immediate physiological responses are still uncertain. OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the immediate effects of whole-body vibration with two distinct frequencies on neuromuscular performance of the quadriceps femoris and in the postural control of healthy subjects...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate factors contributing to job satisfaction at different career stages, among private practice physiotherapists in Australia. DESIGN: Qualitative case study design utilising focus groups. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen participants allocated to 3 focus groups: new graduates (n = 6), post graduates (n = 5) and practice owners (n = 5). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and a thematic analysis was undertaken to determine themes and subthemes from each focus group...