Articles

Bringing context to balance: development of a reactive balance test within the injury prevention and return to sport domain

Balance tests are commonly used in clinical practice with applicability in injury prevention and return to sport decisions. While most sports injuries occur in a changing environment where reacting to a non-pl...

Authors: Jo Verschueren, Bruno Tassignon, Bert Pluym, Jeroen Van Cutsem, Evert Verhagen and Romain Meeusen

Societá Italiana de Fisioterapia and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)

This paper provides an overview of a free resource that can be used by physiotherapists to assist their efforts to undertake evidence-based practice. The resource is the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro;

Authors: Mark R. Elkins and Anne M. Moseley

Questioning the “SPIN and SNOUT” rule in clinical testing

Specificity (SP) and sensitivity (SE) answer the question ‘what is the chance of a positive or negative test in response to the presence or absence of a clinical condition?’. Related to SP and SE are the diagn...

Authors: Jean-Pierre Baeyens, Ben Serrien, Maggie Goossens and Ron Clijsen

The validity of spatiotemporal gait analysis using dual laser range sensors: a cross-sectional study

The spatiotemporal parameters were used for sophisticated gait analysis in widespread clinical use. Recently, a laser range sensor has been proposed as a new device for the spatiotemporal gait measurement. How...

Authors: Masanobu Iwai, Soichiro Koyama, Shigeo Tanabe, Shohei Osawa, Kazuya Takeda, Ikuo Motoya, Hiroaki Sakurai, Yoshikiyo Kanada and Nobutoshi Kawamura

Do alterations in muscle strength, flexibility, range of motion, and alignment predict lower extremity injury in runners: a systematic review

Injury is common in running and seen to impact up to 94% of recreational runners. Clinicians often use alterations from normal musculoskeletal clinical assessments to assess for risk of injury, but it is uncle...

Authors: Shefali M. Christopher, Jeremy McCullough, Suzanne J. Snodgrass and Chad Cook

Can action observation modulate balance performance in healthy subjects?

Action observation activates brain motor networks and, if followed by action imitation, it facilitates motor learning and functional recovery in patients with both neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. T...

Authors: Roberto Gatti, Elisabetta Sarasso, Mattia Pelachin, Federica Agosta, Massimo Filippi and Andrea Tettamanti

Which factors are associated with the functional recovery in patients undergoing endoprosthetic knee reconstruction following bone tumour resection? – A observational study

The aim of the present study was to explore whether control of balance and other factors were associated with functional recovery and walking performance in the short term in a group of patients receiving modu...

Authors: Mattia Morri, Debora Raffa, Daniela Vigna, Maria Barbieri, Elisabetta Mariani and Davide Maria Donati

Predictors of mobility domain of health-related quality of life after rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease: a pilot study

Parkinson’s disease impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL), however no studies inquired on predictors of HRQoL changes after rehabilitation. This study assessed the relationship between mobility domain...

Authors: Thomas Bowman, Elisa Gervasoni, Riccardo Parelli, Johanna Jonsdottir, Maurizio Ferrarin, Davide Cattaneo and Ilaria Carpinella

An ultrasonographic analysis of the activation patterns of abdominal muscles in children with spastic type cerebral palsy and in typically developing individuals: a comparative study

Abdominal muscles have stiffer appearance in individuals with spastic type cerebral palsy (STCP) than in their typically developing (TD) peers. This apparent stiffness has been implicated in pelvic instability...

Authors: Saviour Kweku Adjenti, Graham Jacob Louw, Jennifer Jelsma and Marianne Unger

Ethics reporting practices in randomized controlled trials of physical therapy interventions after stroke

Adequate reporting of ethics-related research methods promotes convergence on best ethics practices. In physical therapy, studies on ethics reporting are limited to few aspects, and none focuses on stroke rese...

Authors: Francesco Ferrarello, Matteo Viligiardi and Mauro Di Bari

Towards an integrated clinical framework for patient with shoulder pain

Shoulder pain (SP) represents a common musculoskeletal condition that requires physical therapy care. Along the years, the usual evaluation strategies based on clinical tests and diagnostic imaging has been ch...

Authors: Diego Ristori, Simone Miele, Giacomo Rossettini, Erica Monaldi, Diego Arceri and Marco Testa

Exploring cued and non-cued motor imagery interventions in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomised feasibility trial and reliability study

Motor imagery (MI) is increasingly used in neurorehabilitation to facilitate motor performance. Our previous study results demonstrated significantly improved walking after rhythmic-cued MI in people with mult...

Authors: Barbara Seebacher, Raija Kuisma, Angela Glynn and Thomas Berger

Rasch analysis of the patient-rated wrist evaluation questionnaire

The Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) was developed as a wrist joint specific measure of pain and disability and evidence of sound validity has been accumulated through classical psychometric methods. Rasc...

Authors: Saravanan Esakki, Joy C. MacDermid, Joshua I. Vincent, Tara L. Packham, David Walton and Ruby Grewal

Mirror therapy for an adult with central post-stroke pain: a case report

Treatment of central post-stroke pain (CPSP) after a thalamic-capsular stroke is generally based on pharmacological approach as it is low responsive to physiotherapy. In this case report, the use of mirror the...

Authors: Davide Corbetta, Elisabetta Sarasso, Federica Agosta, Massimo Filippi and Roberto Gatti

The necessary conditions of engagement for the therapeutic relationship in physiotherapy: an interpretive description study

The therapeutic relationship between patient and physiotherapist is a central component of patient-centred care and has been positively associated with better physiotherapy clinical outcomes. Despite its influ...

Authors: Maxi Miciak, Maria Mayan, Cary Brown, Anthony S. Joyce and Douglas P. Gross

Physiotherapy for people with mental health problems in Sub-Saharan African countries: a systematic review

There is a need for psychosocial interventions to address the escalating mental health burden in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Physiotherapists could have a central role in reducing the burden and facilitating rec...

Authors: Davy Vancampfort, Brendon Stubbs, Michel Probst and James Mugisha

Are they publishing? A descriptive cross-sectional profile and bibliometric analysis of the journal publication productivity of Italian physiotherapists

In a clinical science-based profession such as physiotherapy, research is mandatory to update knowledge and to provide cost-effective, high quality treatments. This study aimed to provide point prevalence of I...

Authors: Stefano Vercelli, Elisa Ravizzotti and Matteo Paci

Participation in physical activities for children with cerebral palsy: feasibility and effectiveness of physical activity on prescription

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are less physically active and more sedentary than other children which implies risk factors for their physical and mental health. Physical activity on prescription (PAP) is a...

Authors: Katarina Lauruschkus, Inger Hallström, Lena Westbom, Åsa Tornberg and Eva Nordmark

How to diagnose cervicogenic dizziness

Cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the presence of dizziness and associated neck pain. There are no definitive clinical or laboratory tests for CGD and therefore CGD is a diag...

Authors: Alexander S. Reiley, Frank M. Vickory, Sarah E. Funderburg, Rachel A. Cesario and Richard A. Clendaniel

Physiotherapy in upper abdominal surgery – what is current practice in Australia?

Upper abdominal surgery (UAS) has the potential to cause post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs). In the absence of high-quality research regarding post-operative physiotherapy management, consensus-base...

Authors: Shane Patman, Alice Bartley, Allex Ferraz and Cath Bunting

Side alternating vibration training in patients with mitochondrial disease: a pilot study

Side alternating vibration training (SAVT) is a mechanical oscillation using a vibrating platform that simulates exercise. We hypothesized that patients with mitochondrial myopathies, who experience muscle wea...

Authors: Christopher Newell, Barbara Ramage, Ion Robu, Jane Shearer and Aneal Khan

Effectiveness of three modes of kinetic-chain exercises on quadriceps muscle strength and thigh girth among individuals with knee osteoarthritis

The study was designed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of 12-week open, closed and combined kinetic-chain exercises (OKCE, CKCE and CCE) on quadriceps muscle strength and thigh girth of patients with...

Authors: Oladapo Michael Olagbegi, Babatunde Olusola Adegoke and Adesola Christiana Odole

Exploring barriers to accessing physiotherapy services for stroke patients at Tema general hospital, Ghana

Physiotherapy has been shown to reduce the risk of disability among stroke patients. Poor adherence to physiotherapy can negatively affect outcomes and healthcare cost. However, very little is known about barr...

Authors: Mercy Nketia-Kyere, Genevieve Cecilia Aryeetey, Justice Nonvignon and Moses Aikins

Developing the content of a locomotor disability scale for adults in Bangladesh: a qualitative study

Bangladesh has an estimated 17 million adults with disabilities. A significant proportion of them are believed to have locomotor disabilities. There are over 300 non-governmental organizations providing differ...

Authors: Ilias Mahmud, Lynda Clarke and George B. Ploubidis

Using Xbox kinect motion capture technology to improve clinical rehabilitation outcomes for balance and cardiovascular health in an individual with chronic TBI

Motion capture virtual reality-based rehabilitation has become more common. However, therapists face challenges to the implementation of virtual reality (VR) in clinical settings. Use of motion capture technol...

Authors: Shane Chanpimol, Bryant Seamon, Haniel Hernandez, Michael Harris-Love and Marc R. Blackman

A survey of physicians and physiotherapists on physical activity promotion in Nigeria

Effective control of non-communicable diseases and promotion of population-wide physical activity participation require the active engagement of health professionals. Physiotherapists and physicians, as part o...

Authors: Adewale L. Oyeyemi, Adetoyeje Y. Oyeyemi, Rahana Y. Habib, Rashida B. Usman, Jasper U. Sunday and Zubair Usman

Depicting individual responses to physical therapist led chronic pain self-management support with pain science education and exercise in primary health care: multiple case studies

Previous evidence suggests self-management programs for people with chronic pain improve knowledge and self-efficacy, but result in small to negligible changes in function. The purpose of this multiple case st...

Authors: Jordan Miller, Joy C. MacDermid, Julie Richardson, David M. Walton and Anita Gross

Content validity and test-retest reliability of a low back pain questionnaire in Zimbabwean adolescents

In Zimbabwe, a recent increase in the volume of research on recurrent non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) has revealed that adolescents are commonly affected. This is alarming to health professionals and parent...

Authors: Matthew Chiwaridzo, Tafadzwa Nicole Chikasha, Nirmala Naidoo, Jermaine Matewu Dambi, Cathrine Tadyanemhandu, Nyaradzai Munambah and Precious Trish Chizanga

Hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation effects after increased in positive end-expiratory pressure in coronary artery bypass surgery

Cardiac surgery is widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, several complications can be observed during the postoperative period. Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) improves gas ...

Authors: Vanessa Marques Ferreira Méndez, Mayron F. Oliveira, Adriana do Nascimento Baião, Patrícia Andrade Xavier, Carlos Gun, Priscila A. Sperandio and Iracema I. K. Umeda

A therapist-focused knowledge translation intervention for improving patient adherence in musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice

Nonadherence to treatment remains high among patients with musculoskeletal conditions with negative impact on the treatment outcomes, use of personal and cost of care. An active knowledge translation (KT) stra...

Authors: Folarin Omoniyi Babatunde, Joy Christine MacDermid and Norma MacIntyre

Combined treatment with paraffin, manual therapy, pegboard and splinting in a patient with post-traumatic stiff hand

The stiff hand is a still common, severe complication of hand injuries.

Authors: Eva Santacreu Santacreu, Núria Villanueva Cabezas and Asunción Bosch Graupera

Measurement properties of the upright motor control test for adults with stroke: a systematic review

The Upright Motor Control Test (UMCT) has been used in clinical practice and research to assess functional strength of the hemiparetic lower limb in adults with stroke. It is unclear if evidence is sufficient ...

Authors: Edward James R. Gorgon and Rolando T. Lazaro

Implementation of the physical function ICU test tool in a resource constrained intensive care unit to promote early mobilisation of critically ill patients- a feasibility study

The shift of focus in outcome measures from mortality to assessment of functional status in intensive care unit (ICU) patients has resulted in the emergence of mobilisation of critically ill patients as a stan...

Authors: Cathrine Tadyanemhandu and Shamila Manie

5th National Congress of the Italian Society of Physiotherapy

S1 Criteria for exercises selection in subjects with low back pain

Authors: Alessandro Aina, Marco Barbero, Barbara Cagnie, Elena Castelli, Chad Cook, Silvano Ferrari, Andrea Foglia, Paolo Bizzarri, Donatella Giraudo, Chris Littlewood, Paolo Pillastrini, Daniele Piscitelli, Michele Romano, Andrea Tettamanti, Carla Vanti, Stefano Vercelli…

Use of social media among Italian physiotherapists: a new opportunity for the profession or an unfavorable trend toward guruism?

The advent of social media such as Facebook has introduced new opportunities for knowledge sharing and professional networking. Currently, little is known on how physiotherapists participate in virtual communi...

Authors: Stefano Vercelli

Patient-reported outcome measures for non-specific neck pain validated in the Italian-language: a systematic review

Patient-reported outcome measures can improve the management of patients with non-specific neck pain. The choice of measure greatly depends on its content and psychometric properties. Most questionnaires were ...

Authors: Leonardo Pellicciari, Francesca Bonetti, Damiano Di Foggia, Mauro Monesi and Stefano Vercelli

Consequences and management of neck pain by female office workers: results of a survey and clinical assessment

Neck pain is common in office workers. However, the functional consequences of this pain to the individual and how they are managed are not well known. The objective of this study is understand the impact of n...

Authors: Venerina Johnston

A cross-sectional study investigating impressions and opinions of medical rehabilitation professionals on the effectiveness of the Ponseti method for treatment of clubfoot in Harare, Zimbabwe

The Ponseti method of managing clubfoot was introduced in Zimbabwe in 2011. This followed massive training of health workers such as medical rehabilitation practitioners through a programme called the Zimbabwe...

Authors: N. Munambah, M. Chiwaridzo and T. Mapingure

At discharge gait speed and independence of patients provides a challenges for rehabilitation after total joint arthroplasty: an observational study

The level of functioning in people discharged from hospital after hip arthroplasty is very heterogeneous and prognostic factors are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the mean level o...

Authors: Mattia Morri, Emanuela Natali and Daniele Tosarelli

Motor rehabilitation should be based on knowledge of motor control

Neurorehabilitation is at a crossroads. Indeed, there is inconclusive, but promising evidence about clinical effectiveness of rehabilitation in the field of neurological impairments. Translating the new theori...

Authors: Daniele Piscitelli

Acknowledgement of manuscript reviewers 2015

The editors of Archives of Physiotherapy would like to thank all our reviewers who have contributed to the journal in Volume 5 (2015).

Authors: Marco Baccini

Erratum to: Physical fitness of Ghanaian physiotherapists and its correlation with age and exercise engagement: a pilot study

Authors: Ajediran I. Bello, Emmanuel Bonney and Bridget Opoku

Physical fitness of Ghanaian physiotherapists and its correlation with age and exercise engagement: a pilot study

The physical job demands of physiotherapists require optimal level of physical fitness (PF), which is often not evaluated in practice. In this study, we assessed selected components of physical fitness of Ghan...

Authors: Ajediran I. Bello, Emmanuel Bonney and Bridget Opoku

Aerosol delivery practice in Italian Cystic Fibrosis centres: a national survey

Physiotherapists (PTs) are ideally positioned to assist patients and families with inhalation therapies through monitoring, communication and education about available therapies and their proper use; indeed ae...

Authors: Simone Gambazza, Federica Carta, Anna Brivio and Carla Colombo

Action observation training to improve motor function recovery: a systematic review

Following the discovery of Mirror Neuron System (MNS), Action Observation Training (AOT) has become an emerging rehabilitation tool to improve motor functions both in neurologic and orthopedic pathologies.

Authors: Elisabetta Sarasso, Mariano Gemma, Federica Agosta, Massimo Filippi and Roberto Gatti

Differences in personal and lifestyle characteristics among Zimbabwean high school adolescents with and without recurrent non-specific low back pain: a two part cross-sectional study

Recurrent non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is increasingly becoming common among adolescents worldwide. A recent study in Zimbabwe showed a relatively high prevalence (28.8 %) among high school students. Inf...

Authors: Matthew Chiwaridzo and Nirmala Naidoo

Effects of walking on bilateral differences in spatial attention control: a cross-over design

Walking requires a high attentional cost for balance control and interferes with the control of attention. However, it is unclear whether the performance of visual spatial attention control, which is one of th...

Authors: Soichiro Koyama, Shigeo Tanabe, Yuichi Hirakawa, Hiroaki Sakurai and Yoshikiyo Kanada

Interrater and intrarater reliability and minimal detectable change of the Wisconsin Gait Scale when used to examine videotaped gait in individuals post-stroke

Often, interventions targeting the kinematic and temporal and spatial changes in gait commonly seen after a stroke are based on observations of walking. Having the capacity to objectively identify such changes...

Authors: Robert Wellmon, Amy Degano, Joseph A. Rubertone, Sandra Campbell and Kelly A. Russo

Comparative efficacy of three active treatment modules on psychosocial variables in patients with long-term mechanical low-back pain: a randomized-controlled trial

Psychosocial factors precipitate and perpetuate the risk of developing long-term Low-Back Pain (LBP) with resultant disability. However, management of psychosocial aspects of LBP still remains a major challeng...

Authors: Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada, Olusola Ayanniyi and Samuel Olusegun Ogunlade

Factors associated with citation rate of randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy

Despite the use of citation rate as a measure of quality of research is strongly criticized and debated, it remain a widely used method to evaluate performances of researchers, articles and journals. The aim o...

Authors: Matteo Paci, Niccolò Landi, Gennaro Briganti and Bruna Lombardi