Correlation of Self-Efficacy for Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise with Symptoms of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Self-efficacy for pelvic floor exercises, i.e. confidence in achieving pelvic floor contractions, may predict adherence to treatment. However, there is a paucity of literature investigating the clinical relevance of this outcome. The aim was to determine the relationship between self-efficacy for pelvic floor exercise and symptom severity, pelvic floor distress and impact on quality of life, as well as sociodemographic characteristics and pelvic floor muscle strength in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in women with SUI. The Spanish version of the Broome Pelvic Muscle Self-Efficacy Scale was used to assess self-efficacy for pelvic floor exercise. The dependent variables were: urinary incontinence symptoms using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire, short form (ICIQ-SF), pelvic floor distress symptoms using the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6, impact on quality of life using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), leakage using the 1-h pad test, number of SUI episodes per week and pelvic floor muscle strength. RESULTS: A total of 56 women with a median age of 44.5 years were included. Self-efficacy for pelvic floor exercise correlated negatively and moderately with the ICIQ-SF (r = -0.529; p < 0.001), IIQ-7 (r = -0.442; p = 0.001), 1-h pad test (rs = -0.467; p < 0.001); and number of SUI episodes/week (rs = -0.489; p < 0.001). Correlation with the other outcomes was weak or non-existent. Linear regression with forward selection showed that the ICIQ-SF was the variable most related to self-efficacy (ß: -3.01, 95% CI: -4.03 to -1.69). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of assessing self-efficacy for pelvic floor exercise in the treatment of women with SUI. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

The Effectiveness of Adding Transvaginal Radiofrequency to Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for 6 Weeks in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence. A Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to evaluate the clinically beneficial effect of adding transvaginal monopolar non-ablative radiofrequency (RF) to pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on leakage severity, quality of life and urinary incontinence-related symptoms in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A double-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted, with a 6-week intervention and a 6-month follow-up. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (PFMT plus RF; n = 18) or the control group (PFMT plus placebo; n = 20). The primary outcome was the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Secondary outcomes included the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7), self-efficacy, female sexual function, pelvic floor muscle dynamometry, 1-h pad test and number of SUI episodes per week. Inferential analyses of the data were performed using a two-factor analysis of variance. RESULTS: Both groups achieved a statistically significant improvement in ICIQ-SF over time. However, the differences observed in the experimental group exceeded the minimal clinically important differences by 4 points (MD = -9.4, 95% CI = -12.6 to -6.3), which was not observed in the control group (MD = -3.9, 95% CI = -6.9 to -1.0). This was maintained at the 6-month follow-up with a significant time*group interaction (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.150). There was no time*group interaction in the other variables (p > 0.05). Additionally, a significant difference in favour of the experimental group was observed in the 1-h pad test and episodes of SUI per week (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the beneficial effects of adding transvaginal RF to PFMT on the severity and amount of leakage, as well as on the quality of life and urinary incontinence-related symptoms in women with moderate SUI. Future trials are needed to assess the effects of this intervention in women with severe SUI.

Unraveling the Mechanisms Behind the Short-Term Effects of Dry Needling: New Insights From a Mediation Analysis With Repeatedly Measured Mediators and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the causal pathways underlying the short-term effects of deep dry needling (DDN) in people with chronic neck pain. DESIGN: Explanatory longitudinal mediation analysis with repeatedly measured mediators and outcomes. SETTING: Primary care setting. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=128) with chronic neck pain. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized into 2 groups; DDN of the neck muscles combined with stretching (n=64) and stretching alone (n=64). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Two outcomes (pain intensity and neck pain-related disability) and 3 candidate mediators (local pressure pain thresholds [PPTs], cervical range of motion [ROM], and neck muscle strength) were included. Pain intensity was also included as a competing mediator in the mediation analysis for disability. Mediators and outcomes were measured at 3 time points: after intervention and at 2- and 4-week follow-up. Age, sex, and the baseline values of the outcome and mediators were included as pretreatment mediator-outcome confounders. RESULTS: Reductions in pain intensity strongly mediated the short-term effects of DDN on disability, from after intervention to 4-week follow-up. In addition, the attenuation of local hypersensitivity (via increasing PPTs) moderately mediated reductions in pain intensity at each time point. On the other hand, gains in cervical ROM contributed to reducing neck pain-related disability. Changes in muscle strength did not lead to better outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This novel study demonstrated that DDN effect on neck pain-related disability is strongly driven by the analgesic effects of this physical therapy modality. Increasing PPTs and cervical ROM seem to be also part of the mechanisms behind DDN's effect.

Spanish Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow Score.

CONTEXT: There are no available questionnaires in Spanish that assess the function and performance of shoulder and elbow in overhead sports. The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) score is a reference tool for this purpose. We aimed to cross-culturally adapt and investigate its measurement properties in Spanish overhead athletes. DESIGN: Cross-cultural adaptation followed the steps of direct translation, back translation, comprehensibility analysis, and review by the Committee of Experts. Then, symptomatic and asymptomatic overhead athletes were invited to complete an electronic version of the Spanish adaptation (KJOC-Sp). The structural validity was evaluated through an exploratory factor analysis with principal axis factoring. Hypotheses were tested for known-groups and convergent validity, studying the correlation with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Sports Module questionnaires in symptomatic athletes. Cronbach alpha was calculated for internal consistency and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)2,1 for test-retest reliability. Floor and ceiling effects and time to completion were also calculated. RESULTS: The KJOC-Sp maintained the content of the original version and was adapted to the new population. One hundred participants (41 females and 59 males) with a mean age of 22.4 (5.9) years participated in the study of measurement properties. The factor analysis revealed a 1-factor solution. Symptomatic participants scored significantly lower than asymptomatic, with a large effect size (P < .001; r = .67). Correlations were of -.60 (P < .05) with the Shoulder and Pain Disability Index questionnaire and -0.66 (P < .05) with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Sports Module questionnaire. Cronbach alpha was .98 (95% confidence interval, .97-.98) and the ICC2,1 was .96 (95% confidence interval .93-.98). No floor or ceiling effects were observed among the symptomatic athletes, while mean time to completion was 121 seconds. CONCLUSION: The KJOC-Sp is equivalent to the original score, aside from valid and reliable, without floor or ceiling effects in symptomatic athletes and with a low time consumption.

A comparison of elbow and wrist kinematics and kinetics during swing-through versus reciprocal gait with crutches in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study with cross-sectional data collection. OBJECTIVES: To analyse and compare the 3D kinematics and kinetics of thorax, elbow and wrist, and the spatio-temporal parameters during swing-through gait (SG) and reciprocal gait (RG). SETTING: Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos in Toledo, Spain. METHODS: An instrumented biomechanical analysis of the upper body of 15 adults with an incomplete lumbar or thoracic spinal cord injury was performed using a marker motion capture system and load cell crutches. Five walks of each gait pattern were analysed. RESULTS: The elbow was in flexion, valgus and pronation and the wrist was in extension and ulnar deviation in both SG and RG. Their kinematic patterns were quite similar, except in elbow valgus and wrist extension in which statistically significant differences were observed. In the thorax prevailed flexion movement in SG and rotation movement in RG. The reaction forces in the elbow and the wrist were notably higher in SG than in RG, but the joint moments were similar in both gait patterns. CONCLUSIONS: SG showed greater demands and RG showed higher requirements on trunk motor control. In addition, SG could increase the probability of back and neck pain. Therefore RG should be recommended, whenever possible, in incomplete spinal cord injured people. Rehabilitative management should consider adapting properly the crutch height and the inclination cane, loading the minimum weight on the crutches, using cushioning devices, reducing the duration of support phase, and limiting the overall use time of the crutches.

Pelvic floor and abdominal muscle responses during hypopressive exercises in women with pelvic floor dysfunction.

AIM: To measure the neuromuscular activation of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles concurrently with vaginal closure forces induced during a hypopressive exercise (HE) and to identify the contribution of the HEs sequences (posture and maneuver) in the muscle's activation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Sixty-six women who had participated in a physical therapy program focused on HEs were recruited. Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activation was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) in supine and in the orthostatic position, and vaginal closure force was measured through vaginal dynamometry in supine. Activation of the abdominal, gluteal, and hip adductor muscles was measured using sEMG. Maximum effort voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the PFMs and reference contractions of the abdominal and hip muscles were acquired for normalization purposes. A HE was then performed in a supine position with one leg raised, then in an orthostatic position. RESULTS: During the supine HE, the peak PFM sEMG amplitude was 74.4% to 86.5% (49.6%-109.6%) of MVC, the peak vaginal closure force was between 51.2% and 55.7% (95.5%-382.9%) of MVC, and the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall were activated between 25.4% and 35.3% of the reference contraction. During the orthostatic HE, PFM activation was 61.4% (40.1%-105.6%) of MVC, and the lateral abdominal wall muscles contracted at 22.8% of the reference activation level. CONCLUSIONS: The PFMs, abdominal, gluteal, and adductor muscles are activated during the performance of a HE. The activation level of the PFMs and abdominal muscles is likely insufficient to result in strength gains; however, they could have an endurance effect.

Effectiveness of four types of bandages and kinesio-tape for treating breast-cancer-related lymphoedema: a randomized, single-blind, clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of four types of bandages and kinesio-tape and determine which one is the most effective in women with unilateral breast cancer-related lymphoedema. DESIGN: Randomized, single-blind, clinical trial. SETTING: Physiotherapy department in the Women's Health Research Group at the University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. SUBJECTS: A total of 150 women presenting breast-cancer-related lymphoedema. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized into five groups (n = 30). All women received an intensive phase of complex decongestive physiotherapy including manual lymphatic drainage, pneumatic compression therapy, therapeutic education, active therapeutic exercise and bandaging. The only difference between the groups was the bandage or tape applied (multilayer; simplified multilayer; cohesive; adhesive; kinesio-tape). MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The main outcome was percentage excess volume change. Other outcomes measured were heaviness and tightness symptoms, and bandage or tape perceived comfort. Data were collected at baseline and finishing interventions. RESULTS: This study showed significant differences between the bandage groups in absolute value of excess volume (P < 0.001). The most effective were the simplified multilayer (59.5%, IQR = 28.7) and the cohesive bandages (46.3%, IQR = 39). The bandages/tape with the least difference were kinesio-tape (4.9%, IQR = 17.7) and adhesive bandage (21.7%, IQR = 17.9). The five groups exhibited a significant decrease in symptoms after interventions, with no differences between groups. In addition, kinesio-tape was perceived as the most comfortable by women and multilayer as the most uncomfortable (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Simplified multilayer seems more effective and more comfortable than multilayer bandage. Cohesive bandage seems as effective as simplified multilayer and multilayer bandage. Kinesio taping seems the least effective.

Implications on older women of age- and sex-related differences in activation patterns of shoulder muscles: A cross-sectional study.

We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess differences in neuromotor attributes of shoulder muscles between age groups in both sexes and to better understand functional disorders in older women. Twenty young (20-42 years old), 20 middle-aged (43-67), and 20 older (> 68) adults participated in a comparative surface-electromyography study of five muscles. We identified age-related differences in women, especially in scapula stabilizer muscles. There was a tendency for both sexes of delayed onset times with increasing age, excepting the upper trapezius muscle in females. The results highlight the importance of understanding musculoskeletal aging in women to adequately guide physical therapeutic approaches.

The evaluation of pelvic floor muscle strength in women with pelvic floor dysfunction: A reliability and correlation study.

AIMS: The purposes of this study were: (i) to evaluate the reliability of vaginal palpation, vaginal manometry, vaginal dynamometry; and surface (transperineal) electromyography (sEMG), when evaluating pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and/or activation; and (ii) to determine the associations among PFM strength measured using these assessments. METHODS: One hundred and fifty women with pelvic floor disorders participated on one occasion, and 20 women returned for the same investigations by two different raters on 3 different days. At each session, PFM strength was assessed using palpation (both the modified Oxford Grading Scale and the Levator ani testing), manometry, and dynamometry; and PFM activation was assessed using sEMG. RESULTS: The interrater reliability of manometry, dynamometry, and sEMG (both root-mean-square [RMS] and integral average) was high (Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient [CCC] = 0.95, 0.93, 0.91, 0.86, respectively), whereas the interrater reliability of both palpation grading scales was low (Cohen's Kappa [k] = 0.27-0.38). The intrarater reliability of manometry (CCC = 0.96), and dynamometry (CCC = 0.96) were high, whereas intrarater reliability of both palpation scales (k = 0.78 for both), and of sEMG (CCC = 0.79 vs 0.80 for RMS vs integral average) was moderate. The Bland-Altman plot showed good inter and intrarater agreement, with little random variability for all instruments. The correlations among palpation, manometry, and dynamometry were moderate (coefficient of determination [r2 ] ranged from 0.52 to 0.75), however, transperineal sEMG amplitude was only weakly correlated with all measures of strength (r2 = 0.23-0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Manometry and dynamometry are more reliable tools than vaginal palpation for the assessment of PFM strength in women with pelvic floor disorders, especially when different raters are involved. The different PFM strength measures used clinically are moderately correlated; whereas, PFM activation recorded using transperineal sEMG is only weakly correlated with PFM strength. Results from perineal sEMG should not be interpreted in the context of reporting PFM strength.

Health related quality of life improvement in chronic non-specific neck pain: secondary analysis from a single blinded, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic non-specific neck pain is related to limited cervical mobility, impaired function, neck muscles myofascial pain syndrome, and stress at work. The aforementioned factors are strongly related and may lead to a negative impact on health-related quality of life. There are some effective conservative Physical therapy interventions for treating chronic non-specific neck pain. Currently, Deep Dry Needling is emerging as an alternative for improving symptoms and consequently, the quality of life in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of Deep Dry Needling of myofascial trigger points on health-related quality of life improvement, as a secondary analysis, in people with chronic non-specific neck pain. METHODS: A randomized parallel-group blinded controlled clinical trial was conducted at a public Primary Health Care Centre in Madrid, Spain, from January 2011 to September 2014. One hundred thirty subjects with chronic non-specific neck pain and active myofascial trigger points in neck muscles were randomly allocated into two groups. Subjects in the intervention group (n = 65) were treated with Deep Dry Needling in active myofascial trigger points plus stretching in neck muscles; Control group (n = 65) received only stretching. Both interventions lasted 2 weeks, 2 sessions per week. Health-related quality of life was measured with Short Form-36 (SF-36), in 5 assessments: at baseline, after intervention period; and at 1, 3 and 6 months after intervention. RESULTS: For both groups, SF-36 mean values increased in all dimensions in every assessment. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in favor of the intervention group for all dimensions at the last assessment. For some dimensions (physical function, physical role, social function and vitality), the evidence was more consistent from the beginning. CONCLUSIONS: Deep Dry Needling plus stretching is more effective than stretching alone for Health-related quality of life improvement, especially for physical function, physical role, social function and vitality dimensions, in people with non-specific neck pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN22726482 . Registered 9 October 2011.

Validity and Reliability of Clinical Examination in the Diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Myofascial Trigger Points in Upper Quarter Muscles.

Objectives: To determine whether two independent examiners can agree on a diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). To evaluate interexaminer reliability in identifying myofascial trigger points in upper quarter muscles. To evaluate the reliability of clinical diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of MPS. To evaluate the validity of clinical diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of MPS. Design: Validity and reliability study. Setting: Provincial Hospital. Toledo, Spain. Participants: Twenty myofascial pain syndrome patients and 20 healthy, normal control subjects, enrolled by a trained and experienced examiner. Methods: Ten bilateral muscles from the upper quarter were evaluated by two experienced examiners. The second examiner was blinded to the diagnosis group. The MPS diagnosis required at least one muscle to have an active myofascial trigger point. Three to four days separated the two examinations. The primary outcome measure was the frequency with which the two examiners agreed on the classification of the subjects as patients or as healthy controls. The kappa statistic (K) was used to determine the level of agreement between both examinations, interpreted as very good (0.81-1.00), good (0.61-0.80), moderate (0.41-0.60), fair (0.21-0.40), or poor (≤0.20). Results: Interexaminer reliability for identifying subjects with MPS was very good (K = 1.0). Interexaminer reliability for identifying muscles leading to a diagnosis of MPS was also very good (K = 0.81). Sensitivity and specificity showed high values for most examination tests in all muscles, which confirms the validity of clinical diagnostic criteria in the diagnosis of MPS. Conclusions: Interrater reliability between two expert examiners identifying subjects with MPS involving upper quarter muscles exhibited substantial agreement. These results suggest that clinical criteria can be valid and reliable in the diagnosis of this condition.

Effect of leg dominance, gender and age on sensory responses to structural differentiation of straight leg raise test in asymptomatic subjects: a cross-sectional study.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of structural differentiation on sensory responses of asymptomatic individuals to standard neurodynamic tests of straight leg raise (SLR) and to evaluate the relevance of leg dominance, gender, and age. BACKGROUND: SLR test is a well-known neurodynamic test among physical therapists; no studies to date have investigated the influence of gender, age, and leg dominance to the sensory responses of this neurodynamic test and its structured differentiating maneuver. METHODS: Thirty (16 women) asymptomatic individuals enrolled in this study. Dominancy test was performed for each participant. Pain intensity using visual analogue scale (VAS), symptoms location in a body chart, nature of symptoms evoked, and hip range of motion (ROM) were recorded and compared at ankle neutral position (N-SLR) and dorsiflexion (DF-SLR) in both legs at the point of pain tolerance during SLR (P2). In addition, hip ROM was recorded at the onset of pain (P1). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant sex main effect for P1 and P2 between N-SLR and DF-SLR (p < 0.05). Mean hip ROM during the SLR was more than 10° greater in women than men. There was no statistically significant interaction between leg dominance and age group in N-SLR, DF-SLR, and VAS. Pain intensity was moderate for each SLR test. Symptoms most often described were stretch (96.7%), followed by tightness (70%) in the posterior thigh and leg. CONCLUSIONS: SLR hip ROM is influenced by sex in asymptomatic individuals, leading to a greater hip ROM in SLR in women. Age and limb dominance are not relevant to SLR hip ROM or pain intensity.

Prevalence of Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic non-specific neck pain is a frequent complaint. It is a recognized medical and socioeconomic problem and a frequent cause of job absenteeism. In recent years, case reports about myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) are emerging among patients suffering from pain. MPS is a regional pain syndrome characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrP) in palpable taut bands of skeletal muscle that refer pain to a distance, and that can cause distant motor and autonomic effects. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of active and latent MTrPs in subjects suffering from chronic non-specific neck pain. DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from January 2012 to December 2014. SETTING: Three primary healthcare centers in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid (Spain). SUBJECTS: Two hundred and twenty-four participants diagnosed by their family doctor with chronic non-specific neck pain. METHODS: Participants were examined by a physical therapist to determine the presence of MPS. Pain descriptions from the subjects and pain body diagrams guided the physical examination. The subjects were not given any information concerning MPS or other muscle pain syndromes. RESULTS: All participants presented with MPS. MTrPs of the trapezius muscles were the most prevalent, in 93.75% of the participants. The most prevalent active MTrPs were located right (82.1%) and left (79%) in the nearly-horizontal fibers of the upper trapezius muscle. Furthermore, active MTrPs in the levator scapulae, multifidi, and splenius cervicis muscles reached a prevalence of 82.14%, 77.68%, and 62.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MPS is a common source of pain in subjects presenting chronic non-specific neck pain.

Spanish cultural adaptation and validation of the shoulder pain and disability index, and the oxford shoulder score after breast cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) are patient-based outcome scores with valid psychometric properties which are widely used for shoulder interventions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to adapt both questionnaires cross-culturally to Spanish, and to test their reliability, validity, responsiveness, and feasibility. DESIGN: Cultural adaptation and psychometric validation study. METHODS: Consecutive patients who had undergone breast cancer surgery referred to an outpatient clinic at the University of Alcalá de Henares, Spain. One hundred and twenty women who had undergone breast cancer surgery, with pain and shoulder dysfunction. Cross-cultural adaptation was performed according to the international guidelines. Reliability was analysed by test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Content and convergent construct validity were measured by the Expert Committee's and Spearman coefficient respectively. Responsiveness, feasibility, floor and ceiling effects were also tested. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty women aged 54.2 (±11) years took part in the study. The reliability was excellent; test-retest reliability was 0.974 (p < 0.001) for OSS, and 0.992 (p < 0.001) for SPADI; and Cronbach's alpha value was 0.947 for OSS, and 0.965 for SPADI. High construct validity was found between the OSS and SPADI questionnaires (r = -0.674). The effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM) was moderate in OSS (ES = 0.50 and SRM = 0.70 (p < 0.001)), and moderate to good in SPADI (ES = 0.59 and SRM = 0.82 (p < 0.001)). LIMITATIONS: This study has some limitations, such as the group of participants is composed only of women following breast cancer treatment; the measurement took place in a single centre; and all the questionnaires administered were always provided to the participants in the same order. CONCLUSIONS: The OSS and SPADI Spanish versions are applicable, reliable, valid, and responsive to assess shoulder symptoms and quality of life in Spanish women with shoulder pain and disability after breast cancer treatment.

The prevalence of cervical contribution in patients reporting shoulder pain. An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal disorder yet diagnosis remains challenging. In some cases, shoulder symptoms can be partially attributed to a cervical origin. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of cervical contribution in patients presenting with shoulder pain. To determine symptom reproduction and symptom modification (i.e., pain intensity and pain location) after cervical spine screening (CSS) and compare these changes between patients with and without cervical contribution. DESIGN: Observational study. METHOD: Sixty patients were included. Cervical contribution was present if a ≥30.0% change in shoulder pain intensity on active movement was recorded after CSS. The CSS consisted of several tests and shoulder symptom modification or reproduction was noted. The presence of a centralization phenomenon was also noted and was considered to be present if the location of pain diminished from more distal areas after the CSS. RESULTS: A 50.0% prevalence of cervical contribution (CI95% 37,35-62,65) was found. Cervical contribution was more likely in those that demonstrated centralization of their pain after the CSS (p = 0.002) and those that had a history of previous neck pain (p = 0.007). Symptom reproduction occurred for 23 out of the 60 participants (38.3%), being present in 18 of those with cervical contribution (60.0%). After the CSS, a statistically significant decrease of shoulder pain intensity was found for those classified as having cervical contribution (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical contribution is prevalent in 50% of patients presenting with shoulder pain; this was evidenced as shoulder symptom modification and, to a lesser extent, symptom reproduction following a CSS.

Recovering Sexuality after Childbirth. What Strategies Do Women Adopt? A Qualitative Study.

This study aimed to determine the strategies used by women to adapt to the changes that affect the first sexual relations after childbirth. A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach used three data collection techniques (in-depth interviews, discussion groups, and online forums). Thirty-six women in the first six months postpartum participated in the study, from physiotherapy centers with maternal child specialties in several locations in Spain. Women with different types of delivery, presence or absence of perineal trauma during delivery, previous deliveries, and different types of breastfeeding were included. Among the strategies, closeness support and understanding were the ones that women used to adjust to the new situation, in order to improve the couple's relationship, intimacy, and cope with the significant changes that appear in the first six months postpartum. Changes and adaptations in sexual practices become a tool for coping with a new sexuality, especially if it is affected by the presence of pain or discomfort associated with physical changes. Personal time facilitates emotional management and improvement of emotional changes related to the demands of motherhood. Accepting the changes that motherhood brings is critical to dealing with the new situation. Strategies used by postpartum women focus on acceptance, self-care, partner, couple time, personal time, and adapting encounters. The findings of this study are of interest to health professionals as they provide insight into how women cope with the changes that appear in the first six months postpartum. In this way, the findings will be able to transmit to couples the alternatives they can adopt before the resumption of sexual relations to improve satisfaction both as a couple and in terms of sexuality after childbirth.

Women's Experiences with Compliance with Pelvic Floor Home Exercise Therapy and Lifestyle Changes for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Symptoms: A Qualitative Study.

In this study, we aimed to investigate women's experiences with compliance with prescribed pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) and lifestyle changes 6-12 months after completing an individual pelvic floor physiotherapy program. This study was targeted to understanding factors affecting adherence to PFMEs and lifestyle changes to deal with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptoms. We designed this research as a descriptive qualitative study. We conducted this study from December 2016 to September 2017 in Madrid, Spain. Twenty-six women with symptomatic POP selected using a purposive sampling method participated in six focus groups and three one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Three authors coded and inductively analyzed transcript contents with iterative theme development. A thematic analysis revealed three main themes: (1) symptoms change; (2) PFMEs and lifestyle changes performance; and (3) a health practitioner-patient relationship. Women identified as adherent reported improvement in physical symptoms and emotional and general state as a result of the new knowledge achieved. Fear also promoted compliance with performing PFMEs and adopting lifestyle changes. Likewise, PFMEs preference and routine, integration of PFMEs and lifestyle changes into activities of daily living, support guides, therapeutic alliance, individual supervision, follow-up, and feedback were also identified as adherence facilitators. One of the biggest barriers that we identified was responsibility. Compliance with prescribed PFMEs and lifestyle changes can be improved with effective individual, women-centered, and supervised physiotherapy programs reducing symptoms, including exercises aligned with women's preferences that are easy to integrate in daily living, promoting knowledge and awareness of their condition, providing written or electronic guidelines, with routine follow-up visits offering both positive feedback and clear and consistent messages, and enhancing therapeutic alliance.

Changes in Pain Sensitivity in Treatment for Breast Cancer: A 12-Month Follow-Up Case Series.

This study aimed to investigate changes in the pain sensory profile of women with breast cancer. Five women with unilateral breast cancer were enrolled. Participants were assessed with direct (quantitative sensory testing, QST) and indirect measures of pain sensitization (self-reported central sensitization inventory, CSI) at baseline (before surgery), 1 week after surgery, and at 1, 6, 9, and 12 months post-surgery. In the event of pain occurrence, the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs was also used. Nociceptive pain was the predominant pain mechanism in the postoperative period, while an increase in sensitization predominated one year after breast cancer surgery, especially in those participants who had received more treatment procedures. The participants who received more therapies for breast cancer experienced persistent pain and a higher level of sensitization. An assessment protocol including direct measurements (QST) and indirect measurement (self-reported CSI) allows for detecting changes in pain sensitivity, which can be useful for characterizing and/or predicting pain before, during, and up to one year following surgical interventions for breast cancer.