OBJECTIVES: This study aims to develop a highly accurate, portable FMD and to demonstrate real-time monitoring of force applied by health professionals during JMT without altering its execution.
METHODS: The FMD was constructed using the FlexiForce sensor, potential divider, ATmega 328 microcontroller, custom-written software, and liquid crystal display. The calibration, accuracy, and cyclic repeatability of the FMD were tested from 0 to 90 N applied load with a gold standard universal testing machine. For practical demonstration, the FMD was tested for monitoring applied force by a physiotherapist while performing Maitland's grade I to IV over the 6th cervical vertebra among 30 healthy subjects.
RESULTS: The obtained Bland-Altman plot limits agreement for accuracy, and cyclic repeatability was -1.57 N to 1.22 N, and -1.26 N to 1.26 N, respectively with standard deviation and standard error of the mean values of 3.77% and 0.73% and 2.15% and 0.23%, respectively. The test-retest reliability of the FMD tested by the same researcher at an interval of one week showed an excellent intra-class correlation coefficient of r= 1.00. The obtained force readings for grade I to IV among 30 subjects ranged from 10.33 N to 45.24 N.
CONCLUSIONS: Appreciable performance of the developed FMD suggested that it may be useful to monitor force applied by clinicians during JMT among neck pain subjects and is a useful educational tool for academicians to teach mobilization skills.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This review will evaluate comparative studies that used VR therapy as part of interventions for children with CP. Qualitative studies, single-case studies, systematic reviews, literature reviews and guideline audits will be excluded. This review will be conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA-P) guidelines. The methodological protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). The following electronic databases will be used to access related studies published between January 2012 and December 2023: MEDLINE (via EBSCOhost), Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Cochrane. The Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies checklist will be employed to develop database search strategies.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This review does not require ethical approval as it uses secondary data. The findings will be published in a scientific journal. We intend to contribute to the expansion of knowledge concerning the motivational implications of VR on children with CP.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (identification number CRD42023401079).
INTRODUCTION: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) may have limited use of their hands for functional activities and for fine motor skills. Virtual reality (VR) is a relatively new and innovative approach to facilitate hand function in children with CP.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of VR as an intervention to improve hand function in children with CP compared to either conventional physiotherapy or other therapeutic interventions. The secondary purpose was to classify the outcomes evaluated according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) dimensions.
METHODS: A International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO)-registered literature search was carried out in August 2015 in MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, HealthSTAR, AMED, BNI, Embase, PsycINFO, PEDro, Cochrane Central Register, DARE, OTSeeker, REHABDATA, HaPI, CIRRIE, and Scopus. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, and their methodological qualities were examined using the Cochrane collaboration's risk of bias (RoB) tool. A narrative synthesis was performed.
RESULTS: The 6 RCTs published on this topic provide conflicting results. Four studies reported improved hand function (2 low RoB, 1 high RoB, and 1 unclear RoB), whereas 2 studies reported no improvement. All of the RCTs reported the activity element of ICF, but no study explicitly described the effect of VR intervention based on the ICF model.
CONCLUSION: The role of VR ti imrpove hand fucntion in children with CP is unclear due to limited evidence; use as an adjunct has some support.
METHODS: 96 eligible CgH participants were divided into the ergonomics modifications group (EMG; n = 24), physiotherapy group (PTG; n = 24), and ergonomics modifications combined with physiotherapy group (EPG; n = 24) and education control group (CNG; n = 24), the participants received the respective treatment for 4 weeks. Primary (CgH frequency) and secondary (CgH pain intensity, CgH disability, flexion rotation test (right and left), neck disability index and work ability) scores were measured. The effects of treatment at various intervals were analyzed with a 4 × 4 linear mixed model analysis (LMM) between treatment groups and time intervals.
RESULTS: Four weeks following training EPG group showed more significant changes in primary outcome CgH frequency; 4.6 CI 95% 3.63 to 5.56 when compare to control group. The same gradual improvement was noticed at 8 weeks 8.2 CI 95% 7.53 to 8.86 and at 6 months follow up 11.9 CI 95% 11.25 to 12.54 when compare to other groups (p = 0.001) which is statistically 52.97% improvement. Similar improvements can be seen in the secondary outcome measures such as CgH pain intensity, CgH disability, flexion rotation test (right and left), neck disability index and work ability in EPG group than the EMG, PTG, and CNG groups (p = 0.001) at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and at 6 months' follow-up.
CONCLUSION: This study observed that the workstation ergonomics and physiotherapy group experienced significantly more improvements in cervicogenic headache patients.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Identifier NCT05827185.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the effects of computerized Acugraph-guided acupuncture versus manually selected acupuncture as adjuncts to physiotherapy in managing KOA.
METHODS: A randomized, double-blind controlled trial will be conducted with 50 participants diagnosed with mild to moderate KOA. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group 1 Comp-AcuPhysio (n = 25), receiving Acugraph-guided acupuncture with physiotherapy, or Group 2 Man-AcuPhysio (n = 25), receiving manually selected acupuncture with physiotherapy. Both groups will undergo 12 weekly treatment sessions, each lasting 60 minutes. Outcome measures, including the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, active knee flexion range, Timed Up and Go test, Visual Analog Scale for pain, Short Form-36 health survey, and Personal Integrated Energetics score, will be assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention. An intention-to-treat analysis will be applied. Changes from baseline to 12 weeks will be analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance for both within-group and between-group comparisons.
RESULTS: This study will provide a definitive assessment of the effectiveness of computerized Acugraph-guided acupuncture compared to manually selected acupuncture as supplementary treatments alongside KOA physiotherapeutic rehabilitation.
CONCLUSION: This trial will offer insights into how incorporating technology-driven approaches, such as Acugraph, with physiotherapy can enhance the customization and effectiveness of KOA management, leading to improved clinical outcomes. These results could advocate for the integration of technological tools in acupuncture to boost treatment precision and efficacy for KOA.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624000646549p).
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, participants were selected through a combination of total population and convenience sampling. The Student Online Learning Readiness questionnaire was distributed among physiotherapy undergraduates from two public and two private universities in Malaysia to investigate their technical, social and communication competencies. Information about device characteristics were obtained to evaluate their equipment readiness. Descriptive and group comparisons were conducted using independent t-test, and analysis of variance with p 80% possessed smartphones and laptop) level of equipment readiness. Institution and gender had no significant effect on the level of readiness (p > 0.05). Year 1 and 2 had significantly higher levels of social competencies with instructor compared to final year physiotherapy undergraduates (p
Material and Methods: We reviewed a series of eight cases with standard and modified techniques of plating after lengthening. The amount of lengthening, the period of distraction, the external fixator index and the associated complications were assessed.
Results: The mean lengthening was 5cm, with a range of 3cm to 9cm. The external fixation index, the period of external fixators in days in relation to the length of distraction in cm, was between 18 days/cm to 58 days/cm. One patient with quadriceps contracture, underwent quadriceplasty to improve knee flexion. Three patients with transient knee stiffness had resolution with aggressive physiotherapy. One patient with transient hypoesthesia recovered spontaneously. None of the patients developed joint subluxation, deep infection, re-fracture or implant failures.
Conclusion: Standard and modified techniques of plating after lengthening were safe and required only a short period of external fixation. The modified technique offered an easier way of plate insertion in a deformed bone.