bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating inpatient satisfaction with a physiotherapy service: A rehabilitation centre survey
Authors: Stiller Kathy , Cains Grace , Drury Craig 
Published: May 2014

Aims Patient satisfaction is an important consideration in rehabilitation and the measurement of health-care outcomes. The purpose of this observational study was to determine inpatients' levels of satisfaction with a physiotherapy service at one rehabilitation centre in South Australia. Methods One-hundred-and-six of 122 eligible inpatients completed a purpose-designed survey. Analyses were predominantly descriptive in nature. Findings High degrees of satisfaction with the physiotherapy service were reported, including with the overall standard of the physiotherapy service, the interpersonal skills of the physiotherapy staff and the facility itself. Responses were not significantly influenced by demographic characteristics. Conclusion These findings promote confidence that a high standard of physiotherapy is provided to inpatients at the rehabilitation centre studied. The survey was relatively straightforward to conduct in practice and has, importantly, identified areas where the service can be improved.
Phase III cardiac rehabilitation after CABG: Combined aerobic and strengthening exercise protocols
Authors: Moghadam Behrooz Attarbashi , Tavakol Kamran , Hadian Mohammad Reza , Bagheri Hossein , Jalaei Shohreh 
Published: May 2014

Aims Little is known of the short-term effects of combined aerobic and strengthening exercises—as components of phase III cardiac rehabilitation— in patients of Middle Eastern origin who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study aimed to assess the efficacy of exercise protocols used during phase III cardiac rehabilitation of patients from Iran who had undergone this procedure. Methods The study compared the effect of combined aerobic and strengthening exercises vs aerobics alone on the functional capacity, muscle strength, serum lipids and blood pressure of 88 patients, 4-5 weeks after CABG. A control group performed aerobics while three experimental groups performed combined aerobic and strengthening exercises, 5 days a week over 5 weeks. The functional capacity, muscle strength and serum lipids were determined at baseline and specific time points during the study. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and after each session. Findings The combined exercise protocols improved the functional capacity and muscle strength to a significantly greater extent than the aerobic protocol. Serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and triglyceride levels decreased insignificantly, however, the high-density lipoproteins level increased significantly in all groups. Systolic blood pressure declined insignificantly but the diastolic blood pressure remained unchanged in all groups. Conclusions The results suggest that the combined exercises were superior to the aerobics alone for positive changes in patients’ functional capacity and muscle strength, with effects lasting up to follow-up.
The reliability of identifying bronchial breathing by auscultation
Authors: Morrow Brenda , Angus Lauren , Greenhough Dale , Hansen Ashleigh , McGregor Gina , Olivier Odette , Shillington Lucy , Van der Horn Paula , Argent Andrew 
Published: May 2014

Aims This study was carried out to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of identifying bronchial breathing by auscultation, and the effect of education on the ability to identify bronchial breathing. Methods Eighteen children admitted to a tertiary paediatric hospital underwent auscultation and recording of 20 breath sounds using an electronic stethoscope. Breath sounds were independently assessed before and after educational intervention. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were calculated using free-marginal Kappa statistics. Findings Ten raters (six physiotherapists; four paediatricians), were included. Inter-rater reliability had a Kappa value of 0.3 whilst intra-rater reliability ranged from -0.01 to 0.6. Sensitivity increased from 58% to 75% following education, with no change in specificity. Physiotherapists' test scores increased from 76.7 (± 9.3%) to 80.8 (± 5.8%) while the paediatricians' scores decreased from 66.3 (± 4.8%) to 60.0 (± 4.1%) following education (P = 0.038). After education, total test scores improved more in newly qualified professionals than those qualified for over five years (P = 0.01). Conclusion Auscultation of bronchial breath sounds is unreliable in infants and young children and is therefore not a valid outcome measure for clinical studies.
Knowledge brokering as an intervention in paediatric rehabilitation practice
Authors: Glegg Stephanie 
Published: May 2014

Introduction Knowledge brokering is an emerging intervention to promote research use in clinical practice. By targeting identified barriers, clinician knowledge brokers have the potential to facilitate evidence-based practice for their peers, while accounting for contextual factors that influence this process. Few accounts in the literature describe the process of implementing a knowledge brokering system, or the specific activities and roles carried out by knowledge brokers in an enabling capacity. Content The aim of this article is to present the theoretical basis for knowledge brokering, and to describe a model used by a brain injury team within a paediatric health care centre. Conclusions Knowledge broker facilitation enabled the compilation and creation of useful resources to assist team members in incorporating evidence into practice. It also yielded increased awareness of, and access to, available research, as well as evidence syntheses on clinical topics of relevance to the group. Clinicians may be well suited to perform this enabling role. An increased emphasis on mentoring and community building to support knowledge brokers and on structured evaluation of knowledge broker activities is recommended.
The use of skill mix in home-care occupational therapy with patients with bathing difficulties
Authors: Guay Manon , Dubois Marie-France , Desrosiers Johanne , Robitaille Judith , Charest Joëlle 
Published: May 2014

Aims Occupational therapists working in Canada have to deal with a shortage of human resources. In the case of bathing-equipment recommendations, a proposed solution, albeit controversial, is to use skill mix. The purpose of this article is to describe the use of skill mix in home-care occupational therapy in Quebec,Canada, with patients with bathing diffi culties. Methods All provincial Health and Social Services Centres (N = 95) were contacted by phone and surveyed on their setting and use of skill mix. Findings Findings: The participation rate was 91%, with results indicating that 89% of the protocols for determining the need for technical assistance with bathing in home-care services involve skill mix. Generally, occupational therapists collaborate with physical therapists or with home-health aides; substitution occurs by task assignment. Clinical occupational therapists provide informal training, lasting 1–40 hours (mean of 8 hours), and have developed 63 ‘in-house’ tools to assist those involved in the task. Conclusions This article provides a portrait of the use of skill mix in home-care occupational therapy in Quebec with clients with bathing diffi culties, looking at a proposed solution to human resource shortages, a problem experienced worldwide.
How well do pain scales correlate with each other and with the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire?
Authors: Solomon D , Roopchand-Martin S 
Published: May 2014

D Solomon, S Roopchand-Martin Aims: This article describes a study aiming to determine the correlation between pain ratings obtained with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in patients with chronic low back pain in Trinidad, and to determine the correlation between pain and disability in the same population. Methods: The VAS, NRS and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) were administered to forty-two consecutive patients with chronic low back pain in Trinidad. Spearman's rho was calculated for pairs of variables at an a level of 0.01. Findings: A high correlation was found between the numerical rating scale and the visual analogue scale (r = 0.822, p < 0.0001). Significant low to moderate correlations were found between the two pain scales and disability, r = 0.577, p < 0.0001, and r = 0.616, p < 0.0001 for the NRS and the VAS respectively. Conclusions: The strong correlation between the VAS and NRS indicates that either instrument can be used in the Trinidadian population; however, the low to moderate correlation between pain and disability speaks to the importance of evaluating both pain intensity and disability in this population and not simply using information from one to make inferences about the other.
Knowledge and perception of physiotherapy by final year students of various health care professions
Authors: Varghese Benjamin , Rengaramanujam Kanagaraj , Swaminathan Narasimman , Vishal Kavita , Romer Mellisa 
Published: May 2014

Background/objectives: Interaction between various disciplines of medicine within a health care team is becoming recognised more and more as an effective method of improving the delivery of health care services. Members of the health care team need to understand and respect each other's professional abilities, in order to achieve interdisciplinary teamwork. This study was designed to evaluate the perception of the physiotherapy profession by the final year students of various health care professions and also to find out the extent of their knowledge of physiotherapy services. Materials/methods: A total of 1008 final year students of various health care professions in Dakshina Kannada participated in the survey. They were recruited from 13 nursing colleges, 4 medical colleges, 2 ayurvedic, and 1 homoeopathic college. The participants were required to fill a 22 item self-administered 3-page questionnaire, which contained both closed and open-ended questions Result: This study demonstrated that 53.1% of the respondents had good perception of physiotherapy. Also, 88.8% of the respondents demonstrated lack of knowledge of physiotherapy. Conclusion: The findings suggest that health care students need more information about physiotherapy services. Future studies would benefit the profession if they evaluate the outcomes of strategies designed to increase the awareness of physiotherapy among health care students.
Cancer in the workplace: evaluation of a resource to help those affected by cancer, return to work in the UK
Authors: Lydon Anne , Hughes Sean 
Published: May 2014

Background: As the detection of, and treatments for cancer improve, more people are living with the disease. For many, getting back to paid work represents a return to normality and financial security. Recently there have been changes in British legislation relating to employment and equality, notably the Equality Act (2010) . Content: The cancer charity, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives developed a resource, a DVD and booklet, to raise employers' awareness to issues experienced by cancer patients. This paper will look at the evaluation of this resource, and of its potential benefit to help those involved in the rehabilitation of cancer patients. The evaluators took a qualitative approach, using data from discussions with the producer of the resource, and the opinions of those who would use it. In the evaluation, 21 representatives from human resource and occupational health departments of small private companies, charity organisations, NHS and governmental departments attended one of four focus group meetings. Most participants noted that bringing the subject of ‘cancer in the workplace’ ‘out into the public domain’ was a positive attribute of both the DVD and booklet. Conclusion: This paper explores the potential benefit of an educational resource. Based on the recommendations from this evaluation, changes have been made and are widely available to the general public via the Macmillan Cancer Support website.
Pedometer accuracy in slow-walking older adults
Authors: Martin Jessica B. , Krc Katarina M. , Mitchell Emily A. , Eng Janice J. , Noble Jeremy W. 
Published: May 2014

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine pedometer accuracy during slow overground walking in older adults (mean age=63.6 years). Method: A total of 18 participants (6 males, 12 females) wore 5 different brands of pedometers over 3 pre-set cadences that elicited walking speeds between 0.3 and 0.9 m/s and one self-selected cadence over 80 meters of indoor track. Results: Pedometer accuracy decreased with slower walking speeds with mean percent errors across all devices combined of 56%, 40%, 19%, and 9% at cadences of 50, 66, and 80 steps/min, and self selected cadence, respectively. Percent error ranged from 45.3% for Omron HJ105 to 66.9% for Yamax Digiwalker 200. Due to the high level of error across the slowest cadences of all 5 devices, the use of pedometers to monitor step counts in healthy older adults with slower gait speeds is problematic. Conclusions: Further research is required to develop pedometer mechanisms that accurately measure steps at slower walking speeds.
Mandatory continuing professional development in South Africa: Rehabilitation therapists' perspective
Authors: Maharaj Sonill Sooknunan 
Published: May 2014

Aims: In 2007, Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) introduced mandatory continuing professional development (CPD), which enables therapists to acquire new knowledge and skills to improve patient care. To remain registered, therapists must meet CPD standards by formal HPCSA audits; however, latest figures revealed a compliance rate of 35% due to non-attendance of CPD activities. This study reviewed the experiences of therapists to identify barriers and obtain suggestions to improve attendance. Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study used a questionnaire with closed and open questions to explore the aims from a sample of 138 rehabilitation therapists, comprising speech and language therapists (9%), occupational therapists (21%) and physiotherapists (70%), attending an ethics workshop. Results: Eighty five (62%) supported CPD and 97 (71%) supported compulsory ethics. Short 1 to 3 day courses, mini-congresses and journal club activities were the most frequently-attended events. Barriers to CPD were: time, cost of courses, cost of travel due to geographical distance, staff shortages, lack of employee support, and multi-disciplinary or inappropriate courses. Suggestions for improving attendance were: introducing state subsidised and corporate sponsorships, increased in-service journal club activities, tele- and video-conferences, on-line presentations, and profession-specific courses. Conclusion: Therapists support mandatory CPD, but stakeholders must take cognisance of the barriers and suggestions to improve CPD attendance and compliance.
Critical triangulation of a movement test, questionnaires, and observational assessment for children with DCD
Authors: Doderer Larissa , Miyahara Motohide 
Published: May 2014

Aims: Standardised assessment tools for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) do not always seem to agree with each other, which causes problems in making clinical and research decisions. This case study research aims to first determine whether or not three standardised assessment tools converge on diagnostic categories of DCD and, second, examine how useful observational assessment is to understanding the intervention process and the outcomes for selected children who exhibited discrepancies between the standard assessment tools. Methods: Based on the case formulation approach, a 7-week individual intervention program was developed for seven children who had delayed motor development and did not meet the DSM diagnostic exclusion criteria for DCD. The observational assessment of this 7-week, weekly intervention was documented, and a motor performance test and two questionnaires were administered before and after the intervention program. The authors examined the consistency and the discrepancies between the assessment tools regarding diagnostic status by employing methodological triangulation of the observational assessment, the movement test and the questionnaires. Results: The three standardised assessment tools agreed on the DCD categories of four out of the seven children both before and after the intervention. The standardised assessment tools produced discrepant results in the DCD categories of four children. Insights gained from the observational assessment could explain some of the reasons behind the discrepancies. Conclusions: Clinicians and researchers need to recognise discrepancies between different standardised assessment tools, not as errors, but as reflections of multiple aspects of motor development. Critical triangulation serves this purpose. Observational assessment can be useful to reconcile the discrepancy between standardised assessment tools and to make an ultimate clinical judgement for the diagnosis of DCD.
Further validation of the Danish version of the McGill Ingestive Skills Assessment (MISA-DK): Rasch analysis
Authors: Hansen Tina 
Published: May 2014

Background/aims The McGill Ingestive Skill Assessment (MISA) for measuring dysphagic patients' functional performance during meals has been previously translated into Danish — the Danish McGill Ingestive Skill Assessment (MISA-DK) and this translated version validated. However, issues about the construct validity of the scale had been raised. Therefore, this study aims to further validate and revise the MISA-DK using Rasch analysis. Methods An extended Rasch analysis was performed on data from a former MISA-DK validation study, which resulted in revisions to the scale. The revised MISA-DK was then tested using 102 videorecordings of geriatric patients' ingestive skill performance, and the data from the scale were examined using a second Rasch analysis. Results Initially, two of the six proposed subscales of the original MISA-DK failed to fit the Rasch model, and were removed. It was also necessary to revise one item due to differential item functioning and to develop additional items as its reliability was too low. A second Rasch analysis of the revised MISA-DK with four subscales showed fit to the Rasch model after adjusting local item dependence throughout the scale. Conclusion A revised MISA-DK demonstrated satisfactory construct validity when measured by the Rasch model. As local item dependence appeared to be a feature of the scale, the application of more complex Rasch models is warranted for further validation.
Is time spent using constraint induced movement therapy an appropriate measure of dose? A critical literature review
Authors: Abdullahi Auwal 
Published: May 2014

Background/aims Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) is used for upper limb rehabilitation following stroke. Evidence for its effectiveness has been reported on several outcomes, such as neurophysiological, behavioural and kinematic. The main components of CIMT are constraint of the unaffected limb and massed task practice with the affected limb for specific durations of time. Methods Five databases and four recent systematic reviews were systematically searched. Studies of CIMT using duration in hours of time spent practising tasks and those using repetition of task practice as measures of dose were critically analysed. Results Most studies of CIMT use task practice duration in hours as the measure of dose. However, this way of determining dose seems arbitrary as dose is conceived differently in different studies. One randomised controlled trial considered only the time spent practising tasks per session as task practice dose. A recent systematic review considered all factors of task practice duration (in hours per session, number of days per week and number of weeks practising task) as the task practice dose. Studies of neuroplasticity and motor learning in stroke reported that they are dependent upon number of repetitions of tasks practice. This number of repetitions is in the region of 300 and above; and this can provide an appropriate or even accurate measure of dose of tasks practice. Conclusion While these findings can have immediate implications for clinical practice and can be easily adopted by the clinicians, more research needs to be undertaken using randomised controlled trial designs to establish a robust and sound evidence base.
Reliability of an assessment of deep neck flexor muscle endurance test: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Painkra Jai Prakash , Kumar Suraj , Anwer Shahnawaz , Kumar Ratnesh , Nezamuddin Mohammad , Equebal Ameed 
Published: May 2014

Background: Deep neck flexor (DNF) muscles assist in stabilising the cervical spine during gross neck movements. Patients with neck pain often exhibit reduced deep neck flexor muscle endurance. Aims: This study's primary purpose was to determine the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of measurements obtained using a simple clinical test of DNF muscle endurance in a healthy Indian population. The secondary purpose was to determine and compare the average hold time for deep neck flexor muscle endurance in healthy male and female participants, to add to the body of knowledge around deep neck flexor muscle endurance testing. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 participants (30 male, 30 female) were evaluated using a deep neck flexor endurance test, which involved them lifting their head while maintaining their craniocervical region in a flexed position. Deep neck flexor endurance was measured by two physiotherapists. Each tester measured the DNF hold time of each participant twice, and there was a 5-minute rest between trials. Results: Inter-rater reliability was moderate to good (ICC = 0.69–0.88) and intra-rater reliability was good to excellent (ICC = 0.82–0.93). Neck flexor endurance time was significantly greater in males (mean = 63.73 seconds; SD = 20.27 seconds) than females (mean = 38.43 seconds, SD = 11.71 seconds, (F = 72.89, P<0.001). Conclusion: The results suggest that healthy males have greater deep neck flexor endurance than females. This is the first normative data available that reports on deep neck flexor endurance in healthy Indian adults.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Watkins Jean 
Published: May 2014

Overall key points The cause of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unknown, although it is recognised as an autoimmune disease. The progress of RA is generally downhill, with increasing disability, morbidity and mortality. Referral for specialist opinion should ideally be within three months of onset of symptoms. A combination of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is the first line of treatment.
Haemoglobinopathies
Authors: Hill Barry 
Published: May 2014

Overall key points Inherited haemolytic anaemia is a group of congenital disease that affect red blood cells. The most common types of inherited haemolytic anaemia are sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia and hereditary spherocytosis. Antenatal screening is offered to all pregnant women in England. Primary care professionals have an important role in screening and care.
Infective conjunctivitis
Authors: Watkins Dr 
Published: May 2014

Overall key points Infective conjunctivitis is a common infection of the mucous membrane on the surface of the eye. Adenoviruses and herpes simplex virus are the most common causes of viral infection. It is sometimes clinically difficult to differentiate between viral and bacterial infective conjunctivitis. There is a high rate of spontaneous resolution of bacterial conjunctivitis, within two-five days. A topical antibiotic is recommended if there is no improvement/worsening after two-three days.