Physiotherapy Practice and Research - Volume 32, issue 1

Authors: Lambeck, Johan

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/PPR-2011-32101

Citation: Physiotherapy Practice and Research, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 3-4, 2011

Authors: Quinn, K | Barry, S | Barry, L

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Pilates has been advocated to be of benefit for patients with low back pain (LBP). The aim of this study was to investigate the possible benefits of attending Pilates classes for patients who had completed standard physiotherapy treatment but still had some symptoms. Methods: Ethical approval was obtained. All LBP patient charts (n=181) who had completed physiotherapy treatment in the participating hospital during a 6 month period were screened for study inclusion. 29 women (16%) were recruited into the study. Subjects were randomly allocated either to attendance at a one hour Pilates mat class consisting of modified Pilates exercises …for 8 weeks (n=15) or no further intervention (n=14). Outcome measures were evaluated by a blinded assessor using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire for disability and Sahrmann Abdominal Test for lumbopelvic control before and after the 8 week intervention period. Results: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0 was used to analyse data. The Mann-Whitley U test was used to identify any significant changes between the groups. There was a statistical (p=0.047) but not clinically significant improvement in pain in the Pilates group (9.5mm mean change on VAS) compared to the control group (−4.7mm). No significant difference in disability was noted between the groups at follow up (p=0.301). A trend towards improvement in lumbopelvic control was observed in the Pilates group. Conclusion: Despite the small sample size this study provides some evidence to support the use an 8 week Pilates class to improve pain in women with ongoing LBP who have completed conventional physiotherapy treatment. Show more

Keywords: Psychosocial, paediatric, psychosomatic, yellow flags

DOI: 10.3233/PPR-2011-32102

Citation: Physiotherapy Practice and Research, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 5-12, 2011

Authors: Clarke, MN | Ni Mhuircheartaigh, DA | Walsh, GM | Walsh, JM | Meldrum, D

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: The reliability of the MicroFET 3 has not previously been reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate intra-tester and inter-tester reliability of the MicroFET3 hand-held dynamometer (HHD) in three lower limb muscle groups. Methods: Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of hip extension, knee extension and ankle plantar-flexion were measured in 38 healthy participants (males=18, females= 20) by two testers on separate days using the MicroFET3 HHD. The reliability analysis was carried out using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) to measure association and Band and Altman plots to demonstrate agreement. Results: The results showed that intra-tester …reliability was moderate to excellent; with associations ranging from ICC 0.56 - 0.92 and higher agreement for knee and ankle than hip measurements was shown. Inter-tester reliability was lower, with hip and knee associations ranging from ICC 0.60 - 0.66. Ankle measurements intertester associations were particularly low (ICC 0.23 and 0.15). These values would not be considered acceptable for clinical use. Bland and Altman plots used to demonstrate agreement between testers displayed a considerable lack of agreement with discrepancies of up to 150N noted in measurements. Conclusion: The results suggest that the MicroFET3 HHD displayed moderate to excellent intra-tester reliability and poor to moderate inter-tester reliability and agreement with discrepancies noted between muscle groups. While use of this instrument can be recommended when consistently used by a single tester, further reliability analysis should be carried out before this instrument could be recommended for use by different testers in the clinical setting. Show more

Keywords: Muscle Strength, Muscle Strength dynamometer, Reliability of Results

DOI: 10.3233/PPR-2011-32103

Citation: Physiotherapy Practice and Research, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 13-18, 2011

Authors: Cooney, Ciara | Harrington, Susan | Quinn, Joanne

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Children presenting with medically unexplained musculoskeletal complaints are often referred for physiotherapy. This study aimed to retrospectively identify the demographic details of patients referred to physiotherapy with no organic pathology and secondly, to use paediatric yellow flags to identify psychosocial factors documented during the assessment of these patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients with disorders of non-organic origin (n=23) seen in one year at the physiotherapy department of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin (OLCHC), was undertaken. Data was collected from physiotherapy records and analysed. Psychosocial factors were identified from the documentation using paediatric yellow flags Results: …The majority (73.9%) of patients that presented were female. Patients had an age range of 9-16 years and a mean presenting age of 11.9 years. All patients had at least three paediatric yellow flags documented in their notes. Conclusions: The use of Paediatric yellow flags may facilitate early identification of psychosocial factors in this patient group by physiotherapists. This has potential to help facilitate appropriate multidisciplinary intervention Show more

Keywords: Psychosocial, paediatric, psychosomatic, yellow flags

DOI: 10.3233/PPR-2011-32104

Citation: Physiotherapy Practice and Research, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 19-23, 2011

Authors: Walsh, M.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/PPR-2011-32105

Citation: Physiotherapy Practice and Research, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 24-27, 2011

Article Type: Book Review

DOI: 10.3233/PPR-2011-32106

Citation: Physiotherapy Practice and Research, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 28-29, 2011

Article Type: Abstract

DOI: 10.3233/PPR-2011-32107

Citation: Physiotherapy Practice and Research, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 30-36, 2011