Efficacy of Kinesiotape to Improve Upper-Extremity Function in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the primary causes of physical disabilities in children that affects posture and movement. Upper-extremity (UE) function is frequently impaired, which may result in activity and participation limitations in people with CP. The use of kinesiotape (KT) has increased in the treatment of CP for various purposes. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of KT for improving UE function in children and adolescents with CP. METHODS: The literature search was carried out in PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases. The methodological quality was analyzed with the PEDro scale. Review Manager (RevMan 5.4.1) was used for data extraction and risk of bias assessment. RESULTS: A total of five randomized clinical trials were included. The use of KT showed improvement in UE functionality in three studies, with significant outcomes for range of motion (ROM) (three studies), fine motor skills (two studies), grip strength (one study) and manual dexterity (one study). Moreover, it also showed significant improvements in spasticity and gross motor function (one study). Overall, methodological quality was moderate, and the risk of bias was high in the domains related to blinding. CONCLUSION: The use of KT showed improvement in UE function in children and adolescents with CP. However, further research is needed to reinforce the conclusions on the efficacy of KT as a therapeutic tool.

Effectiveness of a Telecare Physical Therapy Program in Improving Functionality in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: A Cases Study.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in childhood and results in motor impairment that is often associated with other disorders. The aim of this study was to assess whether a telecare intervention consisting of Action Observation Therapy with a family-center approach produces improvements in functionality in children and adolescents with CP. Seven girls with CP ages between 6 and 17 participated in this case series study that lasted 12 weeks: 6 weeks of telecare program with a total of six sessions; and a follow-up period of 6 weeks. The outcome variables were Gross Motor Function (Spanish version of the Gross Motor Function Measure), balance (Spanish version of the Pediatric Balance Scale), walking endurance (6-min walk test) and walking speed (10-m walk test). The variables were measured before starting the study, after 6 weeks of intervention and after the 6-week follow-up period. Results showed statistically significant improvements in gross motor function (p = 0.02) after the intervention. After the follow-up period, gross motor function remained statistically significant (p = 0.02), as well as balance (p = 0.04) and walking endurance (p = 0.02). These results show that a telecare program has been beneficial in improving functionality with enhancements in gross motor function, balance and endurance in children and adolescents with CP that will facilitate participation.

Evaluation of Physical Therapy Interventions for Improving Musculoskeletal Pain and Quality of Life in Older Adults.

Background: The ageing process may lead to functional limitations, musculoskeletal pain, and worsened quality of life. The aim of this paper is to evaluate two physical therapy interventions for reducing musculoskeletal pain and improving quality of life in older adults. Methods: A cohort study was carried out with older people (60−75 years old). The Geriatric Physical Therapy group (n = 70) received massage therapy, therapeutic exercise, and therapeutic education program for 5 weeks; the Standardized Therapeutic Exercise group (n = 140) received a standardized therapeutic exercise and therapeutic education program for 3 weeks. Health-related quality of life (SF-36v2) and musculoskeletal pain intensity (VAS) were collected at baseline (A0), post-intervention (A1), and 12 weeks after baseline (A2). Results: There was pain intensity reduction in both groups (p < 0.05) and health-related quality of life improvement, except for Emotional Role (p = 0.34); Physical Function (p = 0.07), Bodily Pain (p = 0.02), and General Health (p = 0.09). At A2 there was a difference (p < 0.05) for neck pain in favor of the Geriatric Physical Therapy Group. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, it was possible to conclude that both physical therapy interventions showed a positive effect for reducing non-specific neck pain and low back pain in older adults, which may contribute to health-related quality of life improvement.

Responsiveness of the Spanish Version of Newcastle Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Measure (NEWSQOL).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the responsiveness of the Spanish version of the Newcastle Stroke-specific Quality of Life measure (NEWSQOL) to assess quality of life in Spanish people after suffering a stroke. DESIGN: A prospective observational study was conducted to assess the responsiveness of the Spanish version of NEWSQOL. The sample contained 128 patients who filled in the questionnaires before and after a physical therapy intervention. The responsiveness was assessed with p-values using the effect size (ES) and the standardized response means (SRMs) of the change. Besides, two other external criteria were used to distinguish patients who improved with the treatment from those who remained stable. This classification was based on one functional independence measure (the Barthel Index) and one disability measure (the modified Rankin Scale). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant correlation (Spearman's coefficient = p < 0.01) between the domains of the Spanish version of NEWSQOL in relation to the Barthel Index and the modified Rankin Scale. All domains showed between marked-to-mild change responsiveness except sleep and relationships; mobility (ES 0.66 and SRM 0.92) and activities of daily living (ES 0.75 and SRM 0.87) were markedly responsive; communication (ES 0.38 and SRM 0.61) was moderately responsive; and pain, vision, cognition, feelings, emotions and fatigue were mildly responsive (ES 0.21-0.41 and SRM 0.23-0.44). CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of NEWSQOL shows between marked and mild responsiveness to measure the perception of QoL in post-stroke patients. Therefore, its use can be suitable for evaluation studies, clinical trials and clinical practice.

Validation of the Spanish Version of Newcastle Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Measure (NEWSQOL).

BACKGROUND: Stroke causes a wide variety of clinical manifestations that may have a negative impact on quality of life. Therefore, it is very important to use specific instruments for measuring quality of life in individuals who suffered a stroke. The aim of this study was to develop a psychometrically validated Spanish version of the Newcastle stroke-specific quality of life measure (NEWSQOL). METHODS: A psychometric validation of the Spanish version of the NEWSQOL questionnaire was carried out in 159 patients. The reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient), validity (factorial analysis and Spearman's coefficient), feasibility (response rate), and the ceiling and floor effects were calculated. RESULTS: Internal consistency showed that Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.93. The test-retest reliability was high or excellent for all domains (range 0.71-0.97 p < 0.001). The response rate of the questionnaire was 100% and the average administration time was 20.5 (±7.2) min. No ceiling effect was detected and two domains (pain and vision) may have a significant potential for floor effect. Construct validity showed that all the variables are important enough to keep them all in the questionnaire. Concerning convergent construct validity, a high correlation was found with the Nottingham Health Profile, the Barthel Index, and the Modified Rankin Scale. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the NEWSQOL questionnaire is reliable, valid, and feasible to evaluate quality of life in the Spanish population.

Traducción al castellano y análisis preliminar de las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario Newcastle Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Measure (NEWSQOL) para valorar la calidad de vida en pacientes postictus / Translation into Spanish and a preliminary analysis of the psychometric properties of the Newcastle Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Measure (NEWSQOL) questionnaire for rating the quality of life among post-stroke patients

Introducción. El Newcastle Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Measure (NEWSQOL) es uno de los pocos cuestionarios específicos para valorar la calidad de vida en pacientes que han sufrido ictus isquémico u hemorrágico. Objetivo. Traducir y adaptar dicho cuestionario al castellano y evaluar su fiabilidad y aceptabilidad. Pacientes y métodos. Se tradujo al castellano la versión original del cuestionario NEWSQOL, traducción que fue consensuada por un equipo de expertos, y a partir de la cual se hizo una retrotraducción al inglés que se envió a la autora, quien mostró su conformidad. Posteriormente esa versión se administró a un grupo de pacientes para valorar su fiabilidad, aceptabilidad, efecto suelo y efecto techo. Resultados. El proceso de adaptación lingüística permitió obtener la equivalencia semántica, conceptual y de contenido de la versión española de NEWSQOL. Los resultados obtenidos en el análisis preliminar reflejan una excelente aceptabilidad, un índice de consistencia interna de 0,9 para la totalidad del cuestionario y una concordancia test-retest buena o excelente para todos los dominios. No se detectó efecto techo, pero sí efecto suelo para los dominios de visión y cognición. Conclusión. La versión española del cuestionario NEWSQOL es fiable para valorar la calidad de vida en pacientes postictus, además de aceptarse bien. Es necesario utilizar el cuestionario en muestras más amplias para evaluar su validez y sensibilidad (AU)

Introduction. The Newcastle Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Measure (NEWSQOL) is one of the few specific questionnaires for evaluating the quality of life among patients who have suffered an ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke. Aims. To translate and adapt this questionnaire into Spanish and to evaluate its reliability and acceptability. Patients and methods. The original version of the NEWSQOL questionnaire was translated into Spanish. The translation was agreed upon by a team of experts, and was then back-translated into English and sent to the author, who gave her approval of the rendering. This version was later administered to a group of patients in order to evaluate its reliability, acceptability, floor effect and ceiling effect. Results. The process of linguistic adaptation allowed semantic, conceptual and content equivalence to be achieved in the Spanish version of the NEWSQOL. The results obtained in the preliminary analysis show excellent acceptability, an internal consistency index of 0.9 for the whole questionnaire and a good or excellent test-retest agreement for all the domains. No ceiling effect was detected, but a floor effect was observed in the case of the vision and cognition domains. Conclusion. The Spanish version of the NEWSQOL questionnaire is reliable for evaluating the quality of life in post-stroke patients, as well as being well accepted. The questionnaire must be used in more broader samples in order to evaluate its validity and sensitivity (AU)

Influencia de la práctica clínica en la presencia de puntos gatillo miofasciales en el músculo trapecio de estudiantes de enfermería. Estudio longitudinal descriptivo / Influence of clinical practice in trapezius muscle myofascial trigger points in nursing students: longitudinal descriptive study

Objetivo: Observar si la práctica clínica de estudiantes de enfermería influye en el estado de PGM en el trapecio. Participantes y métodos: Estudio longitudinal descriptivo en el que se evaluaron 30 estudiantes de tercero de la Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería de Alcalá de Henares. Criterios de inclusión: iniciar su primer período de prácticas tras la primera sesión de valoración. Criterios de exclusión: presentar alteración muscular sensitiva o trófica, estar realizando o iniciar algún tratamiento influyente. Se pasó un cuestionario sobre tareas desempeñadas en sus prácticas clínicas y otros factores sociodemográficos y del entorno académico-laboral. Se valoraron: la presencia de puntos gatillo miofasciales (activos y latentes) en el trapecio según criterios diagnósticos, el umbral de dolor a la presión (con algómetro), y los rangos de movimiento cervical activo. Todas las medidas se tomaron antes y después de un mes de prácticas. En el análisis estadístico se compararon los datos recopilados en el cuestionario con el estado de los PGM en los dos momentos, considerando una p<0.05 y el intervalo de confianza del 95%. Resultados: Todos los participantes fueron mujeres, que tras el período de prácticas clínicas, registraron una puntuación 1.8 superior en la escala analógica visual, mostraron un incremento medio de 1,55º en los rangos de movimiento cervical, salvo en la flexión; y el umbral de dolor a la presión aumentó de media 0.139 kg/cm2. Los PG 1 y 2 cambiaron de estado latente a activo en un 6,7% de sujetos, y el PG 5 en un 3,3%. Al final del período el PG6 apareció en el 6,7%. Conclusiones: Se han observado tendencias en las variables analizadas que permiten plantear el estudio más específico de factores biológicos y sociolaborales influyentes en la presencia de PGM, para establecer estrategias fisioterápicas eficientes antes de la incorporación al ámbito profesional (AU)

Aim: To observe whether the tasks performed by nursing students during their third year of nursing degrees have an influence on the state of MTP of their trapezius muscle. Participants and Methods: 30 third-year students from Alcalá de Henares University College of Nursing were evaluated. Exclusion criteria: to suffer any sense or trophic muscular disorder, to have begun or be receiving any influential treatment. A questionnaire about the types of tasks they carry out and other sociodemographic and academical work factors were done. Students were assessed to check the presence of some MTP in their trapezius, describing its active or dormant state through diagnostic criteria, their pressure pain threshold (measured with an algometer) and active ranges of cervical movements were also recorded. All measurements were taken before and after one month of the experiment. Through the statistical analysis the data collected in the questionnaire was compared with the state of the MTP in both moments, with a p<0.05 and a 95% confidence interval. Results: all the subjects were women who over the course of the experiment recorded a 1.8- upper scoring on the visual analogue scale, they showed an average increase of 1.55º in the cervical ranges of motion, except flexion; and the pressure pain threshold rose an average 0.139 kg/cm2. Trigger points (TP) 1 and 2 changed from dormant to active state on 6,7% of the subjects, and the TP5 on 3,3%. At the end of the experiment the TP6 appeared as 6,7% of them. Conclusions: tendencies have been observed among the analyzed variables which allow the proposition of more specific studies about biological and socio-labour factors linked to MTPs in order to establish physio-therapeutic efficient strategies for incorporation into the professional world (AU)