Physiotherapy - Research Publications
Permanent URI for this collection
Search Results
1 - 10 of 15
-
ItemNo Preview AvailablePeoples' beliefs about their chronic hip pain and its care: a systematic review of qualitative studies. "I'm just getting old and breaking down"(LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, 2023-05)To enhance patient-centred care of people with hip pain, we need a comprehensive understanding of peoples' beliefs about their hip pain. This systematic review explored the beliefs and expectations of middle-aged and older adults about chronic hip pain and its care across different healthcare settings and contexts. This review was a synthesis of qualitative studies using a framework synthesis approach. We searched 5 databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. Two reviewers independently screened the studies for eligibility. We included qualitative studies that included people with a mean age of older than 45 years and 80% or more of the participants had chronic hip pain, or if they reported the data about participants with chronic hip pain who were 45 years or older separately. We excluded studies of people with systemic conditions and studies not published in English. We included 28 studies involving 352 participants with chronic hip pain. We generated 5 themes: (1) biomedical causes (subtheme 1: scary pathoanatomical labels, subtheme 2: information needs); (2) negative impacts on physical, social, and mental health; (3) activity avoidance or modification and rest; (4) treatment failures (subtheme: information and support were helpful); (5) surgery is inevitable. Middle-aged and older adults labelled their hip joint damaged and attributed their hip pain to age, and wear and tear. People coped with their hip pain by avoiding or modifying activity. People were not educated about treatments or used treatments that failed to improve their hip pain. People believed that surgery for their hip was inevitable.
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableClinical reasoning in managing chronic hip pain: One in two Australian and New Zealand physiotherapists diagnosed a case vignette with clinical criteria for hip OA as hip OA. A cross-sectional survey(WILEY, 2023-09)OBJECTIVES: Using a case vignette of an adult (George) presenting with hip pain consistent with hip OA, this study aimed to describe: (a) whether physiotherapists make diagnoses and identify bodily structures using either patient history and/or physical examination findings; (b) which diagnoses and bodily structures physiotherapists attribute to the hip pain; (c) how confident physiotherapists were in their clinical reasoning using patient history and physical examination findings; (d) what treatments physiotherapists would offer to George. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of physiotherapists in Australia and New Zealand. We used descriptive statistics to analyse closed questions and content analysis for open-text responses. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty physiotherapists completed the survey (39% response-rate). After receiving the patient history, 64% diagnosed George's pain and 49% of these as hip OA; 95% attributed George's pain to a bodily structure(s). After receiving the physical examination, 81% diagnosed George's hip pain and 52% of these as hip OA; 96% attributed George's hip pain to a bodily structure(s). Ninety-six percent of respondents were at least somewhat confident in their diagnosis after the patient history, and 95% were similarly confident after the physical examination. Most respondents offered advice (98%) and exercise (99%), but fewer offered treatments for weight loss (31%), medication (11%), and psychosocial factors (<15%). DISCUSSION: About half of the physiotherapists that diagnosed George's hip pain made a diagnosis of hip OA, despite the case vignette including clinical criteria for a diagnosis of OA. Physiotherapists offered exercise and education, but many physiotherapists did not offer other clinically indicated and recommended treatments, such as weight loss and sleep advice.
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableHow Do Nonsurgical Interventions Improve Pain and Physical Function in People With Osteoarthritis? A Scoping Review of Mediation Analysis Studies(WILEY, 2023-03)OBJECTIVE: Nonsurgical interventions are recommended for osteoarthritis (OA). However, how interventions change pain and physical function is unclear. Therefore, the objectives of this scoping review were to 1) identify what potential mediators of nonsurgical interventions on pain and physical function have been evaluated and 2) summarize the findings according to intervention, joint, and outcome. METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus databases. Studies were included if they conducted a mediation analysis on a randomized controlled trial evaluating a nonsurgical intervention on OA of any joint. Outcomes were pain and physical function. RESULTS: Nine knee OA studies, evaluating diet plus exercise, exercise, unloading shoes, high-expectation communication during acupuncture, and telephone-based weight loss plus exercise were identified. Except for weight loss and self-efficacy, putative mediators (knee muscle perfusion/extensor strength/adduction moment, systemic inflammatory biomarkers, physical activity, dietary intake, and pain beliefs) were evaluated by single studies. Ten mediators partially mediated intervention (diet plus exercise, exercise, high-expectation communication) effects on pain and physical function. Eight mediators were common to pain and function (reduced weight, increased knee extensor strength, and increased self-efficacy). Constant knee flexor muscle perfusion partially mediated exercise effects on pain, and knee pain relief partially mediated exercise effects on function. CONCLUSION: In knee OA, some evidence suggests that the benefits of 1) diet and exercise are mediated through changes in body weight, systemic inflammation, and self-efficacy; 2) exercise is mediated through changes in knee muscle strength and self-efficacy; and 3) high-expectation communication style is mediated through changes in self-efficacy.
-
ItemEffects of adding aerobic physical activity to strengthening exercise on hip osteoarthritis symptoms: protocol for the PHOENIX randomised controlled trial(BMC, 2022-04-18)BACKGROUND: Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of musculoskeletal pain. Exercise is a core recommended treatment. Most evidence is based on muscle-strengthening exercise, but aerobic physical activity has potential to enhance clinical benefits. The primary aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that adding aerobic physical activity to a muscle strengthening exercise leads to significantly greater reduction in hip pain and improvements in physical function, compared to a lower-limb muscle strengthening exercise program alone at 3 months. METHODS: This is a superiority, 2-group, parallel randomised controlled trial including 196 people with symptomatic hip OA from the community. Following baseline assessment, participants are randomly allocated to receive either i) aerobic physical activity and muscle strengthening exercise or; ii) muscle strengthening exercise only. Participants in both groups receive 9 consultations with a physiotherapist over 3 months. Both groups receive a progressive muscle strengthening exercise program in addition to advice about OA management. The aerobic physical activity plan includes a prescription of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity with a goal of attaining 150 min per week. Primary outcomes are self-reported hip pain assessed on an 11-point numeric rating scale (0 = 'no pain' and 10 = 'worst pain possible') and self-reported physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index physical function subscale) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include other measures of self-reported pain (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), self-reported physical function (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), performance-based physical function (assessed at 0, 3 months), joint stiffness (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), quality of life (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), muscle strength (assessed at 0, 3 months), and cardiorespiratory fitness (assessed at 0, 3 months). Other measures include adverse events, co-interventions, and adherence. Measures of body composition, serum inflammatory biomarkers, quantitative sensory measures, anxiety, depression, fear of movement and self-efficacy are included to explore causal mechanisms. DISCUSSION: Findings will assist to provide an evidence-based recommendation regarding the additional effect of aerobic physical activity to lower-limb muscle strengthening on hip OA pain and physical function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry reference: ACTRN 12619001297112. Registered 20th September 2019.
-
ItemHow do middle-aged and older adults with chronic hip pain view their health problem and its care? A protocol for a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis(BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP, 2021-11)INTRODUCTION: Chronic hip pain in middle-aged and older adults is common and disabling. Patient-centred care of chronic hip pain requires a comprehensive understanding of how people with chronic hip pain view their health problem and its care. This paper outlines a protocol to synthesise qualitative evidence of middle-aged and older adults' views, beliefs, expectations and preferences about their chronic hip pain and its care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will perform a qualitative evidence synthesis using a framework approach. We will conduct this study in accord with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement and the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the synthesis of Qualitative research checklist. We will search MEDLINE, CINAHL, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE and PsycINFO using a comprehensive search strategy. A priori selection criteria include qualitative studies involving samples with a mean age over 45 and where 80% or more have chronic hip pain. Two or more reviewers will independently screen studies for eligibility, assess methodological strengths and limitations using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative studies checklist, perform data extraction and synthesis and determine ratings of confidence in each review finding using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research approach. Data extraction and synthesis will be guided by the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. All authors will contribute to interpreting, refining and finalising review findings. This protocol is registered on PROSPERO and reported according to the PRISMA Statement for Protocols (PRISMA-P) checklist. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not required for this systematic review as primary data will not be collected. The findings of the review will be disseminated through publication in an academic journal and scientific conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021246305.
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableBarriers and Facilitators to Exercise Participation in People with Hip and/or Knee Osteoarthritis: Synthesis of the Literature Using Behavior Change Theory(LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, 2016-05)Exercise is recommended for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patient initiation of, and adherence to, exercise is key to the success of managing symptoms. This study aimed to (1) identify modifiable barriers and facilitators to participation in intentional exercise in hip and/or knee OA, and (2) synthesize findings using behavior change theory. A scoping review with systematic searches was conducted through March 2015. Two reviewers screened studies for eligibility. Barriers and facilitators were extracted and synthesized according to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) by two independent reviewers. Twenty-three studies (total of 4633 participants) were included. The greatest number of unique barriers and facilitators mapped to the Environmental Context and Resources domain. Many barriers were related to Beliefs about Consequences and Beliefs about Capabilities, whereas many facilitators were related to Reinforcement. Clinicians should take a proactive role in facilitating exercise uptake and adherence, rather than trusting patients to independently overcome barriers to exercise. Strategies that may be useful include a personalized approach to exercise prescription, considering environmental context and available resources, personalized education about beneficial consequences of exercise and reassurance about exercise capability, and use of reinforcement strategies. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of behavior change interventions that specifically target these factors.
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableMeasures of Physical Performance(WILEY, 2020-10)
-
ItemA Narrative Review on Measurement Properties of Fixed-distance Walk Tests Up to 40 Meters for Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis(J RHEUMATOL PUBL CO, 2021-05-01)Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a serious disease and has no cure to date. Knee OA is a leading cause of functional limitation (e.g., difficulty walking). Walking speed is 1 method of quantifying difficulty with walking and should be assessed in clinical practice for adults with knee OA because it has prognostic value and is modifiable. Specifically, slow walking speed is associated with increased risk of adverse health outcomes, including all-cause mortality in adults with knee OA and can be modified by engaging in physical activity or exercise. However, at present, there is little consensus on the distance and instructions used to conduct the walk test. Distance is often selected based on space availability, and instruction varies, from asking the participants to walk at a comfortable pace versus as fast as possible. Therefore, the purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the measurement properties, strengths, and limitations of a fixed-distance walk test ≤ 40 meters in adults with knee OA. Good measurement properties in terms of reliability and validity were observed across the different testing protocols for fixed-distance walk test (i.e., any distance ≤ 40 m and fast- or self-paced). Therefore, clinicians and researchers can select a testing protocol that can safely and consistently be performed over time, as well as provide a practice trial to acclimatize the patients to the fixed-distance walk test.
-
ItemIs the relationship between increased knee muscle strength and improved physical function following exercise dependent on baseline physical function status?(BIOMED CENTRAL LTD, 2017-12-08)BACKGROUND: Clinical guidelines recommend knee muscle strengthening exercises to improve physical function. However, the amount of knee muscle strength increase needed for clinically relevant improvements in physical function is unclear. Understanding how much increase in knee muscle strength is associated with improved physical function could assist clinicians in providing appropriate strength gain targets for their patients in order to optimise outcomes from exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an increase in knee muscle strength is associated with improved self-reported physical function following exercise; and whether the relationship differs according to physical function status at baseline. METHODS: Data from 100 participants with medial knee osteoarthritis enrolled in a 12-week randomised controlled trial comparing neuromuscular exercise to quadriceps strengthening exercise were pooled. Participants were categorised as having mild, moderate or severe physical dysfunction at baseline using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Associations between 12-week changes in physical function (dependent variable) and peak isometric knee extensor and flexor strength (independent variables) were evaluated with and without accounting for baseline physical function status and covariates using linear regression models. RESULTS: In covariate-adjusted models without accounting for baseline physical function, every 1-unit (Nm/kg) increase in knee extensor strength was associated with physical function improvement of 17 WOMAC units (95% confidence interval (CI) -29 to -5). When accounting for baseline severity of physical function, every 1-unit increase in knee extensor strength was associated with physical function improvement of 24 WOMAC units (95% CI -42 to -7) in participants with severe physical dysfunction. There were no associations between change in strength and change in physical function in participants with mild or moderate physical dysfunction at baseline. The association between change in knee flexor strength and change in physical function was not significant, irrespective of baseline function status. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe physical dysfunction, an increase in knee extensor strength and improved physical function were associated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ANZCTR 12610000660088 . Registered 12 August 2010.
-
ItemInternet-mediated physiotherapy and pain coping skills training for people with persistent knee pain (IMPACT - knee pain): a randomised controlled trial protocol.(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2014-08-13)BACKGROUND: Persistent knee pain in people over 50 years of age is often attributable to knee osteoarthritis (OA), a common joint condition that causes physical and psychological dysfunction. Exercise and pain coping skills training (PCST) can help reduce the impact of persistent knee pain, however, access to health professionals who deliver these services can be challenging. With increasing access to the Internet, remotely delivered Internet-based treatment approaches may provide alternatives for healthcare delivery. This pragmatic randomised controlled trial will investigate whether an Internet-delivered intervention that combines PCST and physiotherapist-guided exercise (PCST + Ex) is more effective than online educational material (educational control) in people with persistent knee pain. METHODS/DESIGN: We will recruit 148 people over 50 years of age with self-reported persistent knee pain consistent with knee OA from the Australian community. Following completion of baseline questionnaires, participants will be randomly allocated to access a 3-month intervention of either (i) online educational material, or (ii) the same online material plus an 8-module (once per week) Internet-based PCST program and seven Internet-delivered physiotherapy sessions with a home exercise programs to be performed 3 times per week. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 3 months and 9 months with the primary time point at 3 months. Primary outcomes are average knee pain on walking (11-point numeric rating scale) and self-reported physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index subscale). Secondary outcomes include additional measures of knee pain, health-related quality-of-life, perceived global change in symptoms, and potential moderators and mediators of outcomes including self-efficacy for pain management and function, pain coping attempts and pain catastrophising. Other measures of adherence, adverse events, harms, use of health services/co-interventions, and process measures including appropriateness and satisfaction of the intervention, will be collected at 3, 6 and 9 months. DISCUSSION: The findings will help determine the effectiveness and acceptability of Internet access to a combination of interventions that are known to be beneficial to people with persistent knee pain. This study has the potential to guide clinical practice towards innovative modes of healthcare provision. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry reference: ACTRN12614000243617.