Physiotherapy - Research Publications

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    Respiratory muscle training in neuromuscular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Watson, K ; Egerton, T ; Sheers, N ; Retica, S ; McGaw, R ; Clohessy, T ; Webster, P ; Berlowitz, DJ (EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD, 2022-12-31)
    BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular disease causes a progressive decline in ventilatory function which respiratory muscle training may address. Previous systematic reviews have focussed on single diseases, whereas this study systematically reviewed the collective evidence for respiratory muscle training in children and adults with any neuromuscular disease. METHODS: Seven databases were searched for randomised controlled trials. Three reviewers independently reviewed eligibility, extracted characteristics, results, determined risk of bias and combined results using narrative synthesis and meta-analysis. RESULTS: 37 studies (40 publications from 1986-2021, n=951 participants) were included. Respiratory muscle training improved forced vital capacity (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.40 (95% confidence interval 0.12-0.69)), maximal inspiratory (SMD 0.53 (0.21-0.85)) and maximal expiratory pressure (SMD 0.70 (0.35-1.04)) compared to control (usual care, sham or alternative treatment). No impact on cough, dyspnoea, voice, physical capacity or quality of life was detected. There was high degree of variability between studies. DISCUSSION: Study heterogeneity (children and adults, different diseases, interventions, dosage and comparators) suggests that the results should be interpreted with caution. Including all neuromuscular diseases increased the evidence pool and tested the intervention overall. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory muscle training improves lung volumes and respiratory muscle strength in neuromuscular disease, but confidence is tempered by limitations in the underlying research.
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    Comparative effect of two educational videos on self-efficacy and kinesiophobia in people with knee osteoarthritis: an online randomised controlled trial
    Egerton, T ; Bennell, KL ; McManus, F ; Lamb, KE ; Hinman, RS (ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2022-10)
    OBJECTIVE: To compare change in self-efficacy for managing knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain and kinesiophobia after watching an educational video based on an empowerment and participatory discourse with a video based on a disease and impairment discourse. DESIGN: Two-arm randomised controlled trial with participants aged ≥45 years with knee pain (n = 589). Participants completed both baseline and follow-up outcomes and watched one randomly-allocated video (12-minute duration) during one 30-45-minute session within a single online survey. The experimental video presented evidence-based knee OA information using design and language that aimed to empower people and focus on activity participation to manage OA, while the control video presented similar information but with a disease and impairment focus. Primary outcome measures were Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale pain subscale (range 0-10) and Brief Fear of Movement Scale for OA (range 6-24). Secondary outcomes were expectations about prognosis and physical activity benefits, perceived importance and motivation to be physically active, knee OA knowledge, hopefulness for the future, level of concern and perceived need for surgery. RESULTS: Compared to control (n = 293), the experimental group (n = 296) showed improved self-efficacy for managing OA pain (mean difference 0.4 [95%CI 0.2, 0.6] units) and reduced kinesiophobia (1.6 [1.1, 2.0] units). The experimental group also demonstrated greater improvements in all secondary outcomes apart from hopefulness, which was high in both groups. CONCLUSION: An educational video based on an empowerment and participatory discourse improved pain self-efficacy and reduced kinesiophobia in people with knee OA more than a video based on a disease and impairment discourse. CLINICALTRIALS: gov registration NCT05156216, Universal trial number U1111-1269-6143.
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    COMPARING VIDEO-BASED TELEHEALTH-DELIVERED EXERCISE AND WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS WITH ONLINE EDUCATION ON OUTCOMES OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL
    Bennell, KL ; Lawford, BJ ; Keating, C ; Brown, C ; Kasza, J ; Mackenzie, D ; Metcalf, B ; Kimp, AJ ; Egerton, T ; Spiers, L ; Proietto, J ; Sumithran, P ; Harris, A ; Quicke, JG ; Hinman, RS (Elsevier BV, 2022-04)
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    A comparison of psychological characteristics in people with knee osteoarthritis from Japan and Australia: A cross-sectional study
    Uritani, D ; Campbell, PK ; Metcalf, B ; Egerton, T ; Tan, MP (PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE, 2022-05-05)
    The aim of this study was to investigate differences in psychological characteristics between people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) from Japan and Australia. Sixty-two adults from Japan and 168 adults from Australia aged over 50 years with knee pain were included. Japanese data were collected from patients with knee OA diagnosed by medical doctors. Australian data were baseline data from a randomized controlled trial. Participants were not exercising regularly or receiving physiotherapy at the time. Psychological characteristics evaluated were depressive symptoms, fear of movement, and pain catastrophizing. These psychological characteristics were compared between the Japanese and Australian cohorts by calculating 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for difference of the mean. To test for equivalence, an equivalence margin was set at 0.5 standard deviations (SD) of the mean, where these SDs were based on the Australian data. When the 95%CI for the difference of the mean value lay entirely within the range of equivalence margin (i.e. between -0.5 and 0.5 times the Australian SD), the outcome was considered equivalent. There were no differences between the groups from Japan and Australia for depressive symptoms and the two groups were considered equivalent. There was no difference between groups for fear of movement, however the criteria for equivalence was not met. People from Japan with knee OA had higher scores for pain catastrophizing than people from Australia. The findings should be confirmed in other samples of people with knee OA from Japan and Australia due to the limitations of the participant recruitment strategy in this study. However, our findings suggest there may be a greater need to consider pain catastrophizing and build pain self-efficacy when managing Japanese people with knee OA. Implementation of international clinical practice guidelines for OA management may require different strategies in different countries due to different psychological profiles.
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    Expert-Moderated Peer-to-Peer Online Support Group for People With Knee Osteoarthritis: Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Pilot and Feasibility Study
    Egerton, T ; Lawford, BJ ; Campbell, PK ; Plinsinga, ML ; Spiers, L ; Mackenzie, DA ; Graham, B ; Mills, K ; Eyles, J ; Knox, G ; Metcalf, B ; Maclachlan, LR ; Besomi, M ; Dickson, C ; Abraham, C ; Vicenzino, B ; Hodges, PW ; Hunter, DJ ; Bennell, KL (JMIR PUBLICATIONS, INC, 2022-01)
    BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major problem globally. First-line management comprises education and self-management strategies. Online support groups may be a low-cost method of facilitating self-management. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomized controlled pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of the study design and implementation of an evidence-informed, expert-moderated, peer-to-peer online support group (My Knee Community) for people with knee OA. The impacts on psychological determinants of self-management, selected self-management behaviors, and health outcomes were secondary investigations. METHODS: This mixed methods study evaluated study feasibility (participant recruitment, retention, and costs), experimental intervention feasibility (acceptability and fidelity to the proposed design, including perceived benefit, satisfaction, and member engagement), psychological determinants (eg, self-efficacy and social support), behavioral measures, health outcomes, and harms. Of a total of 186, 63 (33.9%) participants (41/63, 65% experimental and 22/63, 35% control) with self-reported knee OA were recruited from 186 volunteers. Experimental group participants were provided membership to My Knee Community, which already had existing nonstudy members, and were recommended a web-based education resource (My Joint Pain). The control group received the My Joint Pain website recommendation only. Participants were not blinded to their group allocation or the study interventions. Participant-reported data were collected remotely using web-based questionnaires. A total of 10 experimental group participants also participated in semistructured interviews. The transcribed interview data and all forum posts by the study participants were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Study feasibility was supported by acceptable levels of retention; however, there were low levels of engagement with the support group by participants: 15% (6/41) of participants did not log in at all; the median number of times visited was 4 times per participant; only 29% (12/41) of participants posted, and there were relatively low levels of activity overall on the forum. This affected the results for satisfaction (overall mean 5.9/10, SD 2.7) and perceived benefit (17/31, 55%: yes). There were no differences among groups for quantitative outcomes. The themes discussed in the interviews were connections and support, information and advice, and barriers and facilitators. Qualitative data suggest that there is potential for people to derive benefit from connecting with others with knee OA by receiving support and assisting with unmet informational needs. CONCLUSIONS: Although a large-scale study is feasible, the intervention implementation was considered unsatisfactory because of low levels of activity and engagement by members. We recommend that expectations about the support group need to be made clear from the outset. Additionally, the platform design needs to be more engaging and rewarding, and membership should only be offered to people willing to share their personal stories and who are interested in learning from the experiences of others. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001230145; http://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377958.
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    Exploring changes, and factors associated with changes, in behavioural determinants from a low-cost, scalable education intervention about knee osteoarthritis: An observational cohort study
    Egerton, T ; Bolton, J ; Short, CE ; Bennell, KL (BMC, 2021-10-09)
    OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationships between participant characteristics, perceptions of a short educational video about osteoarthritis and its management, and immediate changes in behavioural determinants for effective self-management behaviours. METHODS: Seventy-eight participants with knee OA (77% female, mean age 63.0 ± 8.7) watched the 9-min video that included evidence-based content and was designed to foster empowerment to self-manage effectively. Data were collected by online questionnaire at baseline and immediately after watching the video. Associations were tested between baseline health and information processing characteristics (health literacy, need for cognition), perceptions of the video (enjoyment, helpfulness, believability, novelty and relevance) and pre-post changes in behavioural determinants (self-efficacy for managing arthritis, attitude to self-management or 'activation', and importance/confidence for physical activity). RESULTS: All behavioural determinants improved immediately after watching the video. Positive perceptions were associated with greater improvements in self-efficacy for arthritis (Spearman's rho, ρ = 0.26-0.47). Greater perceived relevance was associated with increased self-rated importance of being physically active (ρ = 0.43). There were small positive associations between health literacy domains related to health information and positive viewer perceptions of the video. People with higher need for cognition may achieve greater improvement in confidence to be physically active (ρ = 0.27). CONCLUSION: The educational video may help achieve outcomes important for increasing self-management behaviours in people with knee osteoarthritis. Positive perceptions appear to be important in achieving these improvements. People with lower health literacy and lower need for cognition may respond less well to this information about knee osteoarthritis delivered in this way.
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    Design, Delivery, Maintenance, and Outcomes of Peer-to-Peer Online Support Groups for People With Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders: Systematic Review
    Maclachlan, LR ; Mills, K ; Lawford, BJ ; Egerton, T ; Setchell, J ; Hall, LM ; Plinsinga, ML ; Besomi, M ; Teo, PL ; Eyles, JP ; Mellor, R ; Melo, L ; Robbins, S ; Hodges, PW ; Hunter, DJ ; Vicenzino, B ; Bennell, KL (JMIR PUBLICATIONS, INC, 2020-04-24)
    BACKGROUND: Online support groups (OSGs) are one way for people with chronic diseases, their family or friends, and health professionals to communicate, gain information, and provide social support. As the number of peer-to-peer OSGs for chronic musculoskeletal conditions grows, it is important to gain insight into the different designs of groups available, who is accessing them, if and how they may be effective, and what strategies are being used to implement or increase consumer engagement. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this systematic review of people with musculoskeletal conditions were to (1) describe the design features (functions, usage options, moderation, and expert input) of peer-to-peer OSGs, (2) describe the characteristics of the individuals using peer-to-peer OSGs, (3) synthesize the evidence on outcomes of participation, and (4) identify strategies used in the delivery and maintenance of OSGs. METHODS: A search comprising terms related to the population (people with musculoskeletal disorders) and the intervention (peer-to-peer OSGs) was conducted in 6 databases. Results were filtered from 1990 (internet inception) to February 2019. Studies identified in the search were screened according to predefined eligibility criteria using a 2-step process. Quantitative studies were appraised by 2 reviewers using the Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool. Qualitative studies were appraised by 2 different reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Extracted data were synthesized narratively. RESULTS: We examined 21 studies with low to moderate risk of bias. Of these studies, 13 studies included OSGs hosted on public platforms, 11 studies examined OSGs that were conducted in English, and 6 studies used moderators or peer leaders to facilitate engagement. Studies either reported the number of OSG members (n=1985 across all studies) or the number of posts (range: 223-200,000). The majority of OSG members were females who were not full-time employees and with varied levels of education. There were no randomized controlled trials measuring the efficacy of OSGs. Qualitative and quantitative studies identified empowerment, social support, self-management behavior, and health literacy as primary constructs to measure OSG efficacy. Neutral or marginal improvement was reported in these constructs. Sharing experiences and a greater level of engagement appeared to have an important influence on OSGs efficacy. The extent to which members posted on the website influenced engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Across a diverse range of designs, languages, included features, and delivery platforms, peer-to-peer OSGs for chronic musculoskeletal conditions attract predominantly female participants of all ages and education levels. The level of participation of a member appears to be related to their perceived benefit, health literacy, and empowerment. Future studies are needed to identify which design and maintenance strategies have superior efficacy and whether there are concomitant improvements in health outcomes for people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions resulting from participation in OSGs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42018090326; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42018090326.
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    Patient-reported quality indicators to evaluate physiotherapy care for hip and/or knee osteoarthritis- development and evaluation of the QUIPA tool.
    Teo, PL ; Hinman, RS ; Egerton, T ; Dziedzic, KS ; Kasza, J ; Bennell, KL ( 2020-03-16)
    Abstract Background: There is no physiotherapy-specific quality indicator tool available to evaluate physiotherapy care for people with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to develop a patient-reported quality indicator tool (QUIPA) for physiotherapy management of hip and knee OA and to assess its reliability and validity. Methods: To develop the QUIPA tool, quality indicators were initially developed based on clinical guideline recommendations most relevant to physiotherapy practice and those of an existing generic OA quality indicator tool. Draft items were then further refined using patient focus groups. Test-retest reliability, construct validity (hypothesis testing) and criterion validity were then evaluated. Sixty-five people with hip and/or knee OA attended a single physiotherapy consultation and completed the QUIPA tool one, twelve- and thirteen-weeks after. Physiotherapists (n=9) completed the tool post-consultation. Patient test-retest reliability was assessed between weeks twelve and thirteen. Construct validity was assessed with three predefined hypotheses and criterion validity was based on agreement between physiotherapists and participants at week one. Results: A draft list of 23 clinical guideline recommendations most relevant to physiotherapy was developed. Following feedback from three patient focus groups, the final QUIPA tool contained 18 items (three subscales) expressed in lay language. The test-retest reliability estimates (Cohen’s Kappa) for single items ranged from 0.30-0.83 with observed agreement of 64-94%. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the Assessment and Management Planning subscale was 0.70 (0.54, 0.81), Core Recommended Treatments subscale was 0.84 (0.75, 0.90), Adjunctive Treatments subscale was 0.70 (0.39, 0.87) and for the total QUIPA score was 0.80 (0.69, 0.88). All predefined hypotheses regarding construct validity were confirmed. However, agreement between physiotherapists and participants for single items showed large measurement error (Cohen’s Kappa estimates ranged from -0.04-0.59) with the ICC (95% CI) for the total score being 0.11 (-0.14, 0.34). Conclusions: The QUIPA tool showed acceptable test-retest reliability for subscales and total score but inadequate reliability for individual items. Construct validity was confirmed but criterion validity for individual items, subscales and the total score was inadequate. Further research is needed to refine the QUIPA tool to improve its clinimetric properties before implementation.
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    Patient-reported quality indicators to evaluate physiotherapy care for hip and/or knee osteoarthritis- development and evaluation of the QUIPA tool.
    Teo, PL ; Hinman, RS ; Egerton, T ; Dziedzic, KS ; Kasza, J ; Bennell, KL ( 2020-01-31)
    Abstract Background: There is no physiotherapy-specific quality indicator tool available to evaluate physiotherapy care for people with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to develop a patient-reported quality indicator tool (QUIPA) for physiotherapy management of hip and knee OA and to assess its reliability and validity. Methods: To develop the QUIPA tool, quality indicators were initially developed based on clinical guideline recommendations most relevant to physiotherapy practice and those of an existing generic OA quality indicator tool. Draft items were then further refined using patient focus groups. Test-retest reliability, construct validity (hypothesis testing) and criterion validity were then evaluated. Sixty-five people with hip and/or knee OA attended a single physiotherapy consultation and completed the QUIPA tool one, twelve- and thirteen-weeks after. Physiotherapists (n=9) completed the tool post-consultation. Patient test-retest reliability was assessed between weeks twelve and thirteen. Construct validity was assessed with three predefined hypotheses and criterion validity was based on agreement between physiotherapists and participants at week one. Results: A draft list of 23 clinical guideline recommendations most relevant to physiotherapy was developed. Following feedback from three patient focus groups, the final QUIPA tool contained 18 items (three subscales) expressed in lay language. The test-retest reliability estimates (Cohen’s Kappa) for single items ranged from 0.30-0.83 with observed agreement of 64-94%. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the Assessment and Management Planning subscale was 0.70 (0.54, 0.81), Core Recommended Treatments subscale was 0.84 (0.75, 0.90), Adjunctive Treatments subscale was 0.70 (0.39, 0.87) and for the total QUIPA score was 0.80 (0.69, 0.88). All predefined hypotheses regarding construct validity were confirmed. However, agreement between physiotherapists and participants for single items showed large measurement error (Cohen’s Kappa estimates ranged from -0.04-0.59) with the ICC (95% CI) for the total score being 0.11 (-0.14, 0.34). Conclusions: The QUIPA tool showed acceptable test-retest reliability for subscales and total score but inadequate reliability for individual items. Construct validity was confirmed but criterion validity for individual items, subscales and the total score was inadequate. Further research is needed to refine the QUIPA tool to improve its clinimetric properties before implementation.
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    Conceptualisation of a region-based group of musculoskeletal pain conditions as 'tibial loading pain' and systematic review of effects of load-modifying interventions
    Egerton, T ; Donkin, D ; Kazantzis, S ; Ware, H ; Moore, S (ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2022-01)
    OBJECTIVES: Conceptualisation of a clinically-relevant group of conditions as a region-based, load-related musculoskeletal pain condition ('tibial loading pain') to enable identification of evidence of treatment effect from load-modifying interventions. DESIGN: Systematic review and evidence synthesis based on a developed and justified theoretical position. METHODS: Musculoskeletal pain localised to the tibial (shin) region and consistent with clinical presentations of an exercise/activity-related onset mechanism, was conceptualised as a group of conditions ('tibial loading pain') that could be reasoned to respond to load modifying interventions. Five databases were searched for randomized controlled studies investigating any load-modifying intervention for pain in the anterior-anteromedial lower leg (shin). Study quality was evaluated (Risk of Bias Tool Version 2) and level of certainty for the findings assessed. RESULTS: Six studies reporting seven comparisons were included. Interventions included braces, anti-pronation taping, compression stocking and a stretch + strengthening programme. All included studies were assessed as having unclear or high risk of bias. The review found no evidence of beneficial effect from any of the load-modifying interventions on symptoms, physical performance or biomechanical measures, apart from a possible benefit of anti-pronation 'kinesio' taping. There was very low certainty evidence that kinesio taping improves pain and pain-free hopping distance after one week. The braces were associated with minor adverse effects and problems with acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: None of the treatments investigated by the included studies can be recommended. Conceptualisation of the problem as regional, primarily loading-related pain rather than as multiple distinct pathoanatomically-based conditions, and clearer load-modifying hypotheses for interventions are recommended.