Physical therapy management

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, functional gastrointestinal disorder. Because IBS often develops and worsens with stress, it requires treatment from both physical and mental perspectives. Recent years have seen increasing reports of its impact on the daily performance and productivity of workers with IBS, leading to sick leaves and lower quality of life. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to summarize the work and psychosocial characteristics of individuals with IBS...

INTRODUCTION: Self-management, as the most common method of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management, is not an isolated behaviour, but a set of physical, social, cultural, psychological and existential factors affecting it. AIM: This study aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers to self-management in men with COPD in the unique social, cultural, political and economic context of Iran. METHODS: This paper reports part of the findings of a qualitative grounded theory study aimed at exploring the process of self-management in Iranian men with COPD, which was conducted in Iran from January 2019 to July 2023...

STUDY DESIGN: Observational cohort study. OBJECTIVE: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare neurologic condition with potentially devastating consequences. The objective of this study was to compare the 2-year postoperative cost-associated treatments after posterior spinal decompression between patients with and without CES. METHODS: By analyzing a commercial insurance claims database, patients who underwent posterior spinal decompression with a concurrent diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, or disk herniation in 2017 were identified and included in the study...

INTRODUCTION: Adequate pain control and early mobilization are critical in the postoperative period after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). Regional anesthesia can reduce postoperative pain, but certain techniques can increase the risk of postoperative motor block and delayed functional recovery. Continuous lumbar epidurals can provide excellent analgesia but also create challenges with early ambulation. Recently, suprainguinal fascia iliaca (SIFI) single-shot blocks have been shown to provide effective analgesia in PAO patients...

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture and chiropractic care are evidence-based pain management alternatives to opioids. The Veterans Health Administration (VA) provides this care in some VA facilities, but also refers patients to community providers. We aimed to determine if patient-reported outcomes differ for acupuncture and chiropractic care from VA versus community providers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational study using survey outcome data and electronic medical record utilization data for acupuncture and chiropractic care provided in 18 VA facilities or in community facilities reimbursed by VA...

INTRODUCTION: Tension-type headache (TTH) is common but challenging to manage due to limited effectiveness of conventional treatments. This study examines six complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions through network meta-analysis to identify effective TTH management strategies. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, OVID, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM databases for randomized controlled trials on CAM for TTH treatment...

BACKGROUND: Lumbar foraminal stenosis is a common cause of chronic lower back pain and radiculopathy often treated by epidural steroid injections. In the absence of imaging findings with a positive physical exam demonstrating symptoms, percutaneous neuroplasty (PNP) may be an alternative to transforaminal epidural steroid injections that have otherwise failed. CASE PRESENTATION: We present two cases (55-year-old man and 65-year-old woman) with chronic low back pain and radiculopathy with otherwise normal imaging demonstrating no lumbar foraminal stenosis refractory to transforaminal epidural steroid injections...

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is the number one cause of disability worldwide; however, it is not clear how social determinants of health (SDOH) impact care management and outcomes related to physical therapy (PT) services for patients with LBP. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this scoping review are to examine and assimilate the literature on how SDOH and PT care relate to non-specific LBP outcomes and identify gaps in the literature to target for future research...

Stem cells (SCs) play a crucial role in tissue repair, regeneration, and maintaining physiological homeostasis. Exercise mobilizes and enhances the function of SCs. This review examines the effects of acute and chronic aerobic and resistance exercise on the population of SCs in healthy and diseased individuals across different age groups. Both acute intense exercise and moderate regular training increase circulating precursor cells CD34+ and, in particular, the subset of angiogenic progenitor cells (APCs) CD34+/KDR+...

Lance-Adams syndrome (LAS), or chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus, is a myoclonic disorder following acute cerebral hypoxia after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). LAS is distinct from acute post-hypoxic myoclonus (acute PHM), presenting with myoclonic jerks and cerebellar ataxia after regaining consciousness. However, the overlap at the onset complicates differentiation and may lead to the withdrawal of life-sustaining measures, especially in sedated ICU patients. The presented case involves a 77-year-old male diagnosed with LAS post-CPR...

AIM: Prior studies on Japanese parents raising children with developmental disorders have predominantly emphasized negative psychological aspects like parenting conflicts and challenges. Purpose of this study was to construct a conceptual model to aid mothers in parenting children with developmental disorders by identifying effective parenting strategies. METHODS: In this qualitative study, participants were mothers who engaged in a home program through individual outpatient occupational therapy...

BACKGROUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a prevalent and impactful respiratory condition, necessitating effective interventions for improved patient outcomes. This retrospective analysis aimed to explore the efficacy of respiratory function exercise combined with psychological nursing on cardiopulmonary function index, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in patients with stable COPD. METHODS: The data of 100 patients with stable COPD admitted to Cangzhou Central Hospital from June 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed...

OBJECTIVES: To explore current hospital practice in relation to the assessment of vision problems in patients with acquired brain injury. DESIGN: A survey study. SUBJECTS: A total of 143 respondents from hospital settings, with background in occupational therapy and physical therapy, participated in the survey. METHODS: The survey questionnaire, developed collaboratively by Danish and Norwegian research groups, encompassed 22 items categorically covering "Background information", "Clinical experience and current practice", "Vision assessment tools and protocols", and "Assessment barriers"...

BACKGROUND: Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare malignancy that originates from smooth muscle. The most common sites of metastases include the lungs, liver, kidney, and skin. Notably, metastases of LMS to the central nervous system/or spine are extremely rare. When a cervical spinal LMS lesion was encountered, the patient successfully underwent gross total tumor resection with negative margins. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 63-year-old female had undergone an anterior cervical C5-C7 diskectomy and fusion 18 years ago and resection of a retroperitoneal LMS 3 years ago...

Text neck syndrome refers to the excessive use of electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones, and so on, which causes prolonged and continued forward bending of the neck, leading to a strain in the muscle, causing muscle imbalance, and leading to poor posture. In this article, we focus on a case of a 22-year-old female who has a daily average screen time of around four to five hours, which leads to stress on cervical muscles that further develop into tightness and cause poor posture. She is managed with physiotherapy treatment that focuses on reducing pain and increasing the strength of the individual...

BACKGROUND: Pudendal neuralgia is a chronic and debilitating condition. Its prevalence ranges from 5 to 26%. Currently, therapeutic approaches to treat pudendal neuralgia include patient education, medication management, psychological and physical therapy, and procedural interventions, such as nerve block, trigger point injections, and surgery. Drug therapy has a limited effect on pain relief. A pudendal nerve block may cause a significant decrease in pain scores for a short time; however, its efficacy significantly decreases over time...

INTRODUCTION: Almost one third of people affected by leprosy in Colombia suffer from disability, which often results from delayed diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to explore the experience of people affected by leprosy during the process of diagnosis and treatment and if and how this experience was influenced by peers. METHODS: A qualitative study using body map stories was conducted from October 2019 to February 2020 in Colombia. Adult people affected by leprosy were recruited through patient associations in different cities...

BACKGROUND: Primary care clinicians do not adhere to national and international guidelines recommending pulmonary function testing (PFTs) in patients with suspected asthma. Little is known about why that occurs. Our objective was to assess clinician focused barriers to ordering PFTs. METHODS: An internet-based 11-item survey of primary care clinicians at a large safety-net institution was conducted between August 2021 and November 2021. This survey assessed barriers and possible electronic health record (EHR) solutions to ordering PFTs...

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with patellofemoral osteoar-thritis (PFOA) treated non-operatively with those treated operatively with an unloading anteromedialization tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients with isolated PFOA who were either managed non-operatively or surgically with a TTO and who had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Patients were surveyed with the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS-JR), Anterior Knee Pain scale (Kujala), and Tegner Activity scale...

Despite its importance for clinical care and outcomes among older adults, functional status-the ability to perform basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs)-is seldom routinely measured in primary care settings. The objective of this study was to pilot test a person-centered, interprofessional intervention to improve identification and management of functional impairment among older adults in Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care practices. The four-component intervention included (1) an interprofessional educational session; (2) routine, standardized functional status measurement among patients aged ≥75; (3) annual screening by nurses using a standardized instrument and follow-up assessment by primary care providers; and (4) electronic tools and templates to facilitate increased identification and improved management of functional impairment...