Comparison of Responsiveness Level in Iranian Public and Private Physiotherapy Clinics: a Cross-Sectional Multi-center Study.

INTRODUCTION: Responsiveness is a main goal of health systems. Responsiveness focus on the non-medical aspects of health services delivery. This study was aimed to assess responsiveness level in public and private physiography clinics. METHODS: In this multicenter cross sectional study, 403 patients refers to 16 public and 64 private physical therapy clinics were studied randomly in Ahvaz, Iran, from 2013 to 2014. Data were collected based on a valid health system responsiveness questionnaire that was developed by WHO. Health system responsiveness questionnaire for outpatients care includes seven components and 25 questions. Statistical relationship between responsiveness level of centers and patients characteristics was analyzed using Pearson coefficient, Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Out of 403 patients, 299 (74.19%) patients were women. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 42(±14.18) years and 92.1% of patients were 65> years. Responsiveness status in private and public physiotherapy clinics was assessed excellent (26.93±5.2) and very well (21.08±5.8) respectively. In private clinics, the mean score of communication dimension (3.96±1) and autonomy dimension (3.95±0.9) was higher than other dimensions. In public clinics the mean score of dignity (3.30±0.8), autonomy (3.16±0.9), and prompt attention (3.12±1) was higher than other areas respectively. In public and private clinics, quality of basic amenities area had the lowest score. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the some patients and center characteristics such as gender and work shift were factors affecting assessment of responsiveness. Responsiveness level in private centers was better than publics.

Assessment of pelvic floor muscle function in women with and without low back pain using transabdominal ultrasound.

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunction has been recently associated with the development of low back pain (LBP). Transabdominal ultrasound imaging has been established as an appropriate method for visualizing and measuring PFM function. No study has directly evaluated PFM function in individuals with and without LBP. The purpose of this study was to investigate the PFM function in women with and without LBP using transabdominal ultrasound. Convenience sample of 40 non-pregnant female participated in the study. Subjects were categorized into two groups: with LBP (n = 20) and without LBP (n = 20). The amount of bladder base movement on ultrasound (normalized to body mass index) was measured in all subjects and considered as an indicator of PFM function. Statistical analysis (Independent t-test) revealed significant difference in transabdominal ultrasound measurements for PFM function between the two groups (P = 0.04, 95% CI of difference: 0.002-0.27). The results of this study indicate PFM dysfunction in individuals with LBP compared to those without LBP. The results could be beneficial to clinicians when assessing and prescribing therapeutic exercises for patients with LBP.

Correlation of digital palpation and transabdominal ultrasound for assessment of pelvic floor muscle contraction.

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunction has been commonly associated with urinary disorders and lumbo-pelvic pain. Transabdominal (TA) ultrasound is currently used by physical therapists to assess PFM function. Controversy exists regarding the correlation between TA ultrasound measurement and vaginal palpation for assessment of PFM contraction, and this relationship has not yet been examined concurrently during the same contraction. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of digital palpation and TA ultrasound to assess PFM contraction when recorded 1) simultaneous to digital palpation during one contraction and 2) following digital palpation testing in another contraction. A descriptive correlational design was used to describe the relationship between variables. A total of 19 women (both asymptomatic women and those with incontinence or lumbo-pelvic pain) participated in the study. The modified Oxford scale was used to grade PFM contraction in digital palpation testing. The amount of bladder base movement on ultrasound was measured and considered as an indicator of PFM activity. Two trials were performed for TA ultrasound measurement: 1) simultaneous to digital palpation during one contraction, and 2) following digital palpation testing in another contraction. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used for analysis. There was a significant correlation between digital palpation and TA ultrasound for PFM assessment when measured simultaneously in one contraction (rho=0.62, p=0.01) and separately in a different contraction (rho=0.52, p=0.02), with a stronger correlation found in simultaneous testing. In conclusion, digital palpation and TA ultrasound measurement are significantly correlated and measure comparable parameters in evaluation of PFM contraction.