Physical Therapy articles from July 2006

Physical Therapy archives from July 2006

Interpreting systematic reviews: sometimes, more is better.(Editorial)
July 1, 2006... Many of us remember when it was common for journals to publish literature reviews in which content experts summarized topical information for the reader. A review of the literature, however, does not protect the reader against the bias of the...

Effect of brisk walking in 1 or 2 daily bouts and moderate resistance training on lower-extremity muscle strength, balance, and walking performance in women who recently went through menopause: a randomized, controlled trial.(Clinical report)
July 1, 2006... On average, menopause occurs at 50 years of age among US and European women. Menopause is defined as a natural, age-related decrease and, finally, loss of ovarian estrogen production and secretion. The decreasing estrogen level, along with...

Effects of a multimodal exercise program for people with ankylosing spondylitis.(Clinical report)
July 1, 2006... Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, systemic, rheumatic disease that is a prototype of seronegative spondyloarthopathies characterized by inflammation, especially at the spinal column. The disease affects the joints of the spinal and...

A simplified stroke rehabilitation assessment of movement instrument.(Clinical report)
July 1, 2006... Motor and mobility problems are very common after stroke. (1) For the purposes of treatment planning and outcome assessment, it is important to reliably and accurately assess motor function in patients with stroke. (2) Although a number of...

Clinimetric properties of the performance-oriented mobility assessment.
July 1, 2006... The Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) scale, developed by Tinetti and first published in 1986, (1) is a widely used tool for assessing mobility and fall risk in older people. It is easily applied in clinical settings; other than a...

A systematic review of the effectiveness of exercise, manual therapy, electrotherapy, relaxation training, and biofeedback in the management of temporomandibular disorder.
July 1, 2006... Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) includes a variety of conditions associated with pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the masticatory muscles. (1) An estimated 20% of the population is affected, with 10% to 20% of...

Effect of pelvic-floor muscle exercise position on continence and quality-of-life outcomes in women with stress urinary incontinence.
July 1, 2006... Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the involuntary loss of urine that occurs with physical exertion and a rise in abdominal pressure. (1) Coughing, sneezing, straining, jumping, and running are events commonly associated with SUI. Mechanisms...

Functional electrical stimulation changes dynamic resources in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
July 1, 2006... Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are a commonly treated group seen by pediatric physical therapists. Spasticity is the most prevalent form of motor dystonia. (1) Attributing spasticity as a major contributor to movement dysfunction may be a...

Effects of two 4-week proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation programs on muscle endurance, flexibility, and functional performance in women with chronic low back pain.
July 1, 2006... Exercise is one of the most frequently used modalities in the rehabilitation of subjects with chronic low back pain (CLBP). (1) The primary goals of physical exercise in the management of CLBP are to gain muscle strength (force-generating...

Prognosis in soft tissue disorders of the shoulder: predicting both change in disability and level of disability after treatment.
July 1, 2006... Shoulder complaints are a common problem in the general population. Incidence figures of 0.9% to 2.5% have been reported for different age groups? A systematic review of the prevalence of shoulder pain in the general population found figures...

Invited commentary.(prognosis of soft tissue disorders)
July 1, 2006... Prognosis is an important aspect of evidence-based care provided by physical therapists. The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice defines prognosis as the "determination of the level of optimal improvement that might be obtained from...

Author response.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... We thank Irrgang for his thoughtful reflections on our article. His comments supported the fact that studies of prognosis are being recognized for their clinical importance and that--as we move toward the application of their results to...

Initiatives in rehabilitation research.
July 1, 2006... Federal funding of rehabilitation research depends on how much that research is valued, both within the physical therapy profession and among the external groups and individuals who have a stake in the research outcomes. To help advance...

Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System: Examination--Signs--Phenomena.(Book review)
July 1, 2006... Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System: Examination--Signs--Phenomena Buckup K. New York, NY 10001, Thieme, 2005, paperback, 272 pp, illus, ISBN: 1-58890-241-2, $44.95. This convenient, pocket-sized book presents a comprehensive...

The Eldercare 911 Question and Answer Book.(Book review)
July 1, 2006... The Eldercare 911 Question and Answer Book Beerman S, Rappaport-Musson J. Amherst, NY 14228, Prometheus Books, 2005, paperback, 304 pp, illus, ISBN: 1-59102-293-2, $20. This book is a sequel to the authors' first book, Eldercare 911: The...

Anatomical Guide for the Electromyographer: The Limbs and Trunk, ed 4.(Book review)
July 1, 2006... Anatomical Guide for the Electromyographer: The Limbs and Trunk, ed 4 Perotto AO. Springfield, IL 62704, Charles C Thomas Publisher Ltd, 2005, hardcover, 345 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-398-07577-8, $65.95. This book is an update of a classic...

Athletic Taping and Bracing, ed 2.(Book review)
July 1, 2006... Athletic Taping and Bracing, ed 2 Perrin DH. Champaign, IL 61825, Human Kinetics, 2005, paperback, 123 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-7360-4811-1, $39. This text is an excellent teaching reference for athletic training students or any person...

Clinical Research Network (CRN) update #5: spin-off network studies.
July 1, 2006... One of the potential benefits of a clinical research network configuration, such as PTClinResNet, is that it allows for tightly focused, smaller studies to be conducted that "spin off" of a larger parent study. These spin-off studies benefit...

Foundation recipients in the news.(electrical stimulation for treating spinal cord injuries)
July 1, 2006... Richard K Shields, PT, PhD, and Shauna Dudley-Javoroski, PT, MPT, recently wrote 3 articles based on findings from their current study, "Musculoskeletal Plasticity After Spinal Cord Injury." The study was funded by NCMRR and the Christopher...

Scholarship and grant application deadline is August 15, 2006.(Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants)
July 1, 2006... The 2006 Florence P Kendall Doctoral Scholarship and the 2007 Research Grant applications are both due August 15, 2006. For additional information, including the guidelines and applications, go to the Foundation's Web site,...

Ball acessory: Ball Claw.(Product News)
July 1, 2006... The Ball Claw is an injection-molded physical therapy device designed to help patients recover reflexes and strength. Simply Mount the Ball Claw to any surface and push the ball in and out. Circle No 100 on the Reader Service Card or visit...

Balance system.(Product News)
July 1, 2006... Biodex Medical Systems Biodex now offers the Balance System SD, a simple and versatile tool for both static and dynamic balance testing and training. The system features 4 test protocols, 5 training modes and intuitive "touch screen"...

Walking sticks.(Product News)
July 1, 2006... Cardio Trek CardioTrek announces its newest walking stick innovations: Weighted Walking Sticks to help with calorie burning and Ultralight Walking Sticks that feature high strength and light weight. All CardioTrek Walking Sticks are...

Stander options.(Product News)
July 1, 2006... Altimate Medical Inc Altimate introduces the Independent ROHO Kneepads and ROHO Seat options for the EasyStand Evolv. Both feature ROHO Dry Flotation Technology that is designed to maximize pressure distribution to reduce the risk of...

Exercise equipment.(Product News)
July 1, 2006... Ball Dynamics International, LLC FitBALL SoftMeds are a new alternative to dumbbells that are sized for small hands and constructed from a pliable soft vinyl. The balls are easy to grip and safe to use with a FitBALL exercise ball. Ball...

Walker: drive medical.(Product News)
July 1, 2006... The Knee Walker is designed especially for patients with fractures or sprains and for those who have had recent foot surgery. This walker features tool-free left-to-right and right-to-left leg adjustment and tool-free height adjustment. This...

Hand exerciser.(Product News)
July 1, 2006... Magister Corp The Eggsercizer Resistive Hand Exerciser now is being packaged in a clear poly bag with a 4-color, multilingual header card. Ergonomically shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of the hand, the Eggsercizer can be used to...

Motion assistance.(Product News)
July 1, 2006... OPTP The UE Ranger is a motion assistance device designed to increase range of motion and complement the natural movement patterns of the upper extremity. Consisting of a molded plastic bilateral hand support and strap, telescoping tube,...