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.
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: 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.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of CBB on respiratory variables among NS-LBP patients.
STUDY DESIGN: pre- and post-experimental study.
PARTICIPANTS: Forty participants were assigned to an experimental group (EG) [n = 20] and control group (CG) [n = 20] based on the study criteria.
INTERVENTIONS: The EG received CBB together with routine physiotherapy and the CG received routine physiotherapy over a period of 8 weeks. Participants were instructed to carry out the exercises for 3 days per week. The training was evaluated once a week and the exercises progressed based on the level of pain.
OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). The secondary outcomes were measured in the numeric rating scale (NRS), total faulty breathing scale (TFBS), cloth tape measure (CTM) and lumbo-pelvic stability.
RESULTS: The MIP increased significantly among the EG when compared with that in the CG (p > 0.05).The EG showed a significant increase in MVV (p = 0.04) when compared to the CG (p = 0.0001). There was a significant reduction in pain for both groups. The MEP, TFBS, chest expansion and core stability showed no changes in either group.
CONCLUSION: CBB was effective in improving respiratory variables among NS-LBP patients.