Effects of focal muscle vibration on physical functioning in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition characterized by pain, stiffness and functional limitations. According to the OsteoArthritis Research Society International (OARSI) recommendations, patients with knee OA should undertake regular quadriceps muscle strengthening exercises. Whole body vibration (WBV) proved its effectiveness in strengthening of the quadriceps muscles and improving balance in chronic knee OA patients. To date, there are no published studies that investigated the effects of focal muscle vibration (FMV) in these patients. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of FMV on physical functioning in patients with symptomatic knee OA. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Outpatient clinic, University Hospital. POPULATION: Men and women aged 60 years or older with radiographic diagnosis of mild to moderate monolateral knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III) and chronic knee pain. METHODS: Patients were randomized in two groups (treatment group and placebo control group). The treatment group received FMV treatment, according to the "repeated muscle vibration" protocol. The control group received a sham treatment. The primary outcome measure was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcome measures were the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). Follow up evaluations were done at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Fifty patients were recruited and randomly assigned to either the study or control group. There was a statistical significant difference between the two groups both for primary (WOMAC) and secondary (SPPB and POMA) outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, FMV therapy has proven to be effective and safe in improving functioning of patients affected by mild to moderate chronic knee OA. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The use of FMV therapy might be an additional and safe tool in the conservative management of knee OA.

Neurocognitive therapeutic exercise improves pain and function in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome: a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Traditional rehabilitation improves pain and function in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Neurocognitive rehabilitation has shown to be highly effective after surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. However, its effects in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome have not yet been established. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of neurocognitive therapeutic exercise, based on proprioception and neuromuscular control, on pain and function in comparison to traditional therapeutic exercise in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized, non-inferiority clinical trial. SETTING: Outpatient clinic of Geriatrics and Physiatrics, University Hospital. POPULATION: Forty-eight patients with shoulder impingement syndrome (Neer stage I) and pain lasting for at least three months. METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to either neurocognitive therapeutic exercise or traditional therapeutic exercise. Both treatments were provided one-hour session, three times a week for five weeks. The primary outcome measure was the short form of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (Quick-DASH questionnaire) for the assessment of physical ability and symptoms of the upper extremity. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Constant-Murley shoulder outcome score for the determination of range of motion, pain and strength; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Society standardized shoulder assessment form for the evaluation of physical ability in daily-living tasks; a visual analogue scale for pain assessment at rest and during movements; Likert score for the estimation of participant satisfaction. ENDPOINTS: before treatment, end of treatment, 12 and 24 weeks after the completion of each intervention for all outcome measures, except for the Likert score that was evaluated only at the end of treatment. FOLLOW-UP: 24 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of treatment and at follow-up, both treatment groups experienced improvements in all outcomes measures relative to baseline values, except for the visual analogue scale at rest that was unaffected by traditional therapeutic exercise. For all outcome measures, changes over time were greater in the neurocognitive therapeutic exercise group relative to the traditional therapeutic exercise group. The level of satisfaction with treatment was higher for participants in the neurocognitive therapeutic exercise group. CONCLUSION: Neurocognitive rehabilitation is effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome, with benefits maintained for at least 24 weeks. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: skills and function of the shoulder can greatly benefit from neurocognitive rehabilitation.

Role of spiritual beliefs on disability and health-related quality of life in acute inpatient rehabilitation unit.

BACKGROUND: The influence of spirituality and religious beliefs on health-related quality of life and disability in the rehabilitation field is discussed in literature. AIM: To describe the role of spiritual belief on functional recovery and health-related quality of life in acute inpatient rehabilitation ward. DESIGN: Observational cross sectional study. SETTING: Inpatients clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, University Hospital. POPULATION: One hundred and four patients admitted to an inpatient acute rehabilitation ward, after a neurological or orthopedic disease. METHODS: Anamnestic and demographic data were reported on a standardized form. The Royal Free Interview for Spiritual and Religious Beliefs (RFI) and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) were performed on admission (T0). SF-36 item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF36) and the Barthel index (BI) were performed on admission (T0) and on discharge (T1). RESULTS: Statistical analysis was performed on 102 patients with spiritual belief divided in strong (55 cases) and weak (47 cases) spiritual belief. Change from baseline (T1-T0) of SF36 domains between groups showed a significant higher improvement in Physical Role and Physical Composite Score in the weak belief group than in the strong belief group. The latter presented an improvement (without statistical significance) in almost every emotional score. We found no significant difference in change from baseline of Barthel index between the groups. CONCLUSION: Strength of spiritual belief seems to influence some aspects of quality of life of acute inpatient in the rehabilitation setting. It seems that patients with less spiritual belief showed more improvement in physical role, after acute rehabilitation.

Deep heating therapy via microwave diathermy relieves pain and improves physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Deep heating therapy (DHT) has shown to improve pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in the short term. Benefits of superficial heating therapy (SHT) are controversial. Long-term effects of both heating modalities have not yet been investigated. AIM: To compare the effects of DHT and SHT in patients with symptomatic knee OA, and to determine the long-term effects of heat therapy. DESIGN: Double-blind randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Outpatient clinic of Geriatrics and Physiatrics, University Hospital. POPULATION: Fifty-four patients with radiologically established diagnosis of moderate knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III) and pain lasting for at least three weeks. METHODS: DHT: local microwave diathermy (three 30-min sessions a week for four weeks); SHT: application of hot packs (three 30-min sessions a week for four weeks). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index for the assessment of joint pain, stiffness and physical function limitations. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: British Medical Research Council (BMRC) rating scale for the evaluation of muscle strength, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain assessment. Follow up: 24 weeks for all outcome measures; 12 months for the primary outcome. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analyses showed a treatment effect in favor of DHT for all outcome measures. No clinically relevant changes were observed in the SHT group. Benefits of DHT were maintained over 12 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: DHT via localized microwave diathermy improves pain, muscle strength and physical function in patients affected by knee OA, with benefits maintained over the long term. No clinically relevant improvements were observed in patients who underwent SHT. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: DHT via microwave diathermy delivered three times a week for four weeks significantly improves pain and function in patients affected by moderate knee OA, with benefits retained for at least 12 months. No clinically relevant changes are observed in knee OA patients treated with SHT.

[The role of occupational therapy in rehabilitating injured at work]. / Il ruolo della terapia occupazionale nella riabilitazione dell'infortunato sul lavoro.

The evolution of social and health setting in its demographic, productive and welfare elements make work as a finalized activity oriented to different tasks, from individual indepencence to social integration. In this context, the word "re-habilitation" has a double value; on one hand consideration of lifetime acquired abilities; on the other hand recovery of residual activities, consistent with the disablement. In Italy, for years, rehabilitation activities were performed by physiotherapists, who had inadequate occupational knowledge and preferred technical skills of non-finalized function recovery. The acknowledgment of Occupational Therapist took place in the end of the '90s, so that the few organizations sensitive to Occupational Therapy, as "Fondazione Maugeri" and "Fondazione Don Gnocchi", found "prepared ad hoc" personnel only abroad, above all in Spain and Switzerland. Nowadays we have specific first degree courses, but what really obstacles the development of this field is the economic crisis which afflicts healthcare services and avoids the growth of new sectors.

Postural control in patients with total hip replacement.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the balance of the standing position and the motor responses by means of dynamic posturography (DP) in patients affected by hip osteoarthritis and treated by total hip replacement (THR). METHODS: Data obtained from THR patients were compared with those of control adult groups ofage-matched subjects with normal hearing and no history of audio-vestibular symptoms. The statistical tests used were paired and unpaired Student's t-test. Significance was set for P<0.05. The study was carried out at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Department of Physiatrics and Rehabilitation of the A. Gemelli University Hospital of Rome (Italy). Twenty-three consecutive patients, without cochleo-vestibular or neurological pathologies (screened by accurate case-history), affected by hip osteoarthritis and treated by THR were enrolled. The main outcome measure were Sensory Organization Test (SOT), Motor control test (MCT) and Adaptation test (AT) obtained by means of Equi-Test Dynamic Posturography System by NeuroCom (Int. Inc., Clackamas, OR, USA). RESULTS: When analysing the SOT and MCT, no statistically significant differences were observed between patients and controls. In the AT, the sway energy score decreased in the course of the test in an up and down perturbation both in healthy and in THR patients. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm a normal postural control and symmetrical responses in THR patients and confirm the absence of a detectable relationship between balance problems and fall risk. These results could be justified by an irrelevant role of intracapsular proprioceptors in maintaining balance. Moreover DP could be useful in osteo-articular diseases for understanding balance, evaluating surgical outcome and monitoring the rehabilitation program.

Effect of pre-operative physiotherapy in patients with end-stage osteoarthritis undergoing hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of pre-operative physiotherapy before hip arthroplasty in patients with end-stage hip osteoarthritis. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled study. SETTING: Physical medicine and rehabilitation and orthopaedic departments of Policlinico Gemelli of Rome. SUBJECTS: Twenty-three patients randomized in study and control groups. INTERVENTION: The study group took part in an educational and physiotherapy programme one month before surgery. Both groups took part in the same inpatient rehabilitation programme after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Both groups were evaluated one month (T0) and the day before arthroplasty (T1), after 15 days (T2), four weeks (T3) and three months (T4) post surgery, using the Barthel Index, the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Hip Harris Score (HHS), visual analogue scale (VAS), the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) measures of hip abductor and quadriceps strength and range of hip abduction and external rotation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups with regard to the Barthel Index, SF-36, WOMAC and HHS at T4. The study group presented significant improvements of the SF-36 physical composite score at T1. The hip external rotation was significantly higher in the study group at each evaluation and the visual analogue scale values were lower at T1, T3 and T4. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative physiotherapy in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty does not improve impairment and health-related quality of life after intervention. Physiotherapy and educational therapy may be useful for end-stage osteoarthritis.

Application of ''Protocollo di Minima per l'ictus'' (PMIC- Minimal Protocol for Stroke) for inpatient rehabilitation setting.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the baseline characteristics of a sample of stroke patients admitted to rehabilitation settings with the use of a standardised stroke assessment named ''Protocollo di Minima per l'ictus cerebrale'' (PMIC), to verify the usefulness of the application of PMIC and to compare the data of the authors with the international literature. METHODS: An observational cross sectional study was conducted on a sample of 102 first-time stroke patients (mean age: 71.9 [+/-11.6], 54 men), in three inpatient rehabilitation centres. MEASUREMENT: PMIC. RESULTS: Most patients were enrolled within 14 days of stroke onset. PMIC assessment took on average 20 minutes and provided the following information: 35% had architectural barriers in their homes; 82% of the cases had 1 or more family assistants; the educational level was low for 53%; 72% were retired; most cases were ischemic stroke without any side predominance being shown; 44% had partial anterior circulation infarcts (PACI) ischemic stroke; 18.6% presented dysphagia; 73% had sphincteral incontinence; there was no hypertone in more than 50% of the cases; 87% required assistance; the median Motricity Index Side Score (Miss) value was 44.1; 38% was affected by mood tone alteration. CONCLUSION: PMIC appeared to be a useful tool for a standardized evaluation of stroke patients. These results provide data with a high correspondence in international reports.

A systematic review of conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of conservative therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome. DATA SOURCES: A computer-aided search of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Collaboration was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from January 1985 to May 2006. REVIEW METHODS: RCTs were included if: (1) the patients, with clinically and electrophysiologically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome, had not previously undergone surgical release, (2) the efficacy of one or more conservative treatment options was evaluated, (3) the study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and performed data extraction using a standardized form. In order to assess the methodological quality, the criteria list of the Cochrane Back Review Group for systematic reviews was applied. The different treatment methods were grouped (local injections, oral therapies, physical therapies, therapeutic exercises and splints). RESULTS: Thirty-three RCTs were included in the review. The studies were analysed to determine the strength of the available evidence for the efficacy of the treatment. Our review shows that: (1) locally injected steroids produce a significant but temporary improvement, (2) vitamin B6 is ineffective, (3) steroids are better than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and diuretics, but they can produce side-effects, (4) ultrasound is effective while laser therapy shows variable results, (5) exercise therapy is not effective, (6) splints are effective, especially if used full-time. CONCLUSION: There is: (1) strong evidence (level 1) on efficacy of local and oral steroids; (2) moderate evidence (level 2) that vitamin B6 is ineffective and splints are effective and (3) limited or conflicting evidence (level 3) that NSAIDs, diuretics, yoga, laser and ultrasound are effective whereas exercise therapy and botulinum toxin B injection are ineffective.

Assessment and correlation between clinical patterns, disability and health-related quality of life in patients with low back pain.

AIM: Low back pain (LBP) is the main symptom of most lumbar spine diseases. This symptom, due to physical, psychological and social factors, is correlated to a real disability which can affect the quality of life (QoL.) The aim of this study is to evaluate the QoL and the disability in patients with LBP and to correlate them to clinical patterns. METHODS: In this prospective multidimensional study, 108 patients underwent the following protocol: 1. collection of patient-oriented and disability data with the use of SF-36 and North American Spine Society (NASS); 2. collection of clinical, anamnestic and instrumental data (MRI, CT) with the use of DOVAC files; 3. assessment of disability with the use of Barthel index (BI) and deambulation index (DI). RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between the BI and the physical composite score (PCS), but no significant correlation was noticed between BI and the mental composite score (MCS). DI was not correlated to the SF-36. A positive Lasegue and the absence of the osteo-tendinous reflexes are significantly correlated to the disability and QoL. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there is no simple, linear correlation between QoL and disability.

Predictive variables on disability and quality of life in stroke outpatients undergoing rehabilitation.

The purposes of this study were: (1) to evaluate the relationship between disability and Quality of Life (QoL) in stroke outpatients undergoing rehabilitation and (2) to determine whether and how demographic and social features of the patient, duration of disease and concomitant diseases influence the disability and QoL of the stroke outpatients. We performed a prospective study using several conventional disability measurements (Barthel Index, Functional Independence Measure, Modified Rankin Scale and Deambulation Index) and a validated patient-oriented measurement of QoL (SF-36). Sixty-eight outpatients were evaluated consecutively. As expected, all disability measurements were related to Physical Function: patients with higher disability, according to the physician's perspective, complained of higher deterioration of physical performance. Unexpectedly, patients with higher disability from the physician's point of view perceive that they were not able to do some daily activities not only because of physical problems but also because of emotional problems, and complained of higher deterioration of mental health. Multivariate analysis showed that higher disability is associated with higher age, depression and lower educational level. Physical Composite Score appeared to be deteriorated in patients with lower educational level who lived with family; on the contrary, Mental Composite Score appeared deteriorated in patients with higher educational level who lived alone. The current study provides interesting data about the relationship, not always expected, between disability and QoL for stroke patients and about the influence of patients' characteristics on disability and QoL. Our results showed that in a rehabilitation programme we should consider not only disability assessment but also QoL, which is more relevant for the patient.

Axial deviations of the spine in blind children.

The authors screened blind children from a special school to determine whether there is any correlation between idiopathic scoliosis and changes in the postural control system induced by blindness. Children with disabilities in addition to blindness, and children under the age of 8 years were excluded. They selected a homogeneous sample of 46 children of whom 39 were congenitally blind and 7 had become blind after birth. The results in the congenitally blind group were highly significant both quantitatively (59% exhibited structural deviations of the spine) and qualitatively. Apart from 2 cases they all exhibited multiple short scoliotic curves with unique characteristics rarely seen in sighted subjects. Despite this, the authors feel unable to make any categorical assertions regarding the possible role played by functional changes in the exterosensory and proprioceptive organs in the pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis. They suggest that the development of such multiple small curves in congenital blindness is simply the response of a congenitally deprived mechanism of body development to achieve stable equilibrium in the spine.