Temporomandibular disorder content in the curricula of physical therapist professional programs in the United States.

Objective: To describe the status of entry-level physical therapist (PT) education related to the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in accredited, entry-level United States PT programs. Methods: An electronic survey explored specific TMD diagnostic and management curricular content, including the use of evidence-based diagnostic criteria, opportunities for students to interact with individuals with TMD, and faculty qualifications. Results: Eighty-four programs completed the survey. TMD content is covered in the entry-level PT curriculum of almost all (98.8%) responding programs. Content specifically related to TMD averaged 12 h across program respondents (range 1.5-50 h). The majority (68%) of respondents utilized established evidence-based diagnostic criteria. Discussion: Consistent entry-level education guidelines related to TMD and additional post-professional education opportunities are necessary to ensure that patients with TMD are not underserved by the profession of PT by newly graduated PTs.

Effect of Injury Prevention Programs on Lower Extremity Performance in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Understanding how existing youth injury prevention programs affect specific modifiable injury risk factors will inform future program development for youth athletes. OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively evaluate the effects of injury prevention programs on the modifiable intrinsic risk factors associated with lower extremity performance in youth athletes. DATA SOURCES: This systematic review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A systematic search of the literature was performed using multiple databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost [including CINAHL, Medline, and SPORTDiscus], and PEDro). Secondary references were appraised for relevant articles. Article types included randomized or cluster randomized controlled trials and randomized cohort designs with youth athletes engaged in organized sports, along with outcomes that included at least 1 physical performance outcome measure. STUDY SELECTION: Eight studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were reviewed by 2 independent reviewers, with a third consulted in the case of disagreement, which was not needed. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. DATA EXTRACTION: Included studies underwent review of methodological quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. RESULTS: Studies included mixed-sex samples of youth athletes who predominantly participated in soccer at different skill levels. The FIFA 11+ series was the most commonly used injury prevention program. Among studies, the mean percentage of improvement identified was 11.3% for force generation, 5.7% for coordination, 5.2% for posture, and 5.2% for balance. The lowest mean percentage improvement was in speed (2.2%). Endurance was not significantly affected by any of the programs. CONCLUSION: This systematic review shows that injury prevention programs improve several modifiable intrinsic risk factors of lower extremity performance among youth athletes, particularly force generation. However, several intrinsic risk factors were either not significantly affected or specifically addressed by existing programs.

Upper limb neurodynamic test of the radial nerve: a study of responses in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects.

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical measurement. INTRODUCTION: Nonspecific cervical pain is a common clinical presentation. The role of upper limb neurodynamic tests (ULNT), for evaluation and treatment intervention, is not well defined for this population. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This study's purpose was to determine if the radial-biased (RB)-ULNT discriminates any response differences between symptomatic subjects with a positive (+) RB-ULNT (n=36), symptomatic subjects with a negative (-) RB-ULNT (n=24), and asymptomatic subjects (n=60). METHODS: Sixty asymptomatic and 60 subjects presenting with nonspecific cervical and/or unilateral upper extremity pain were compared using the RB-ULNT. Symptomatic subjects were further divided in (+) and (-) RB-ULNT groups due to their response to the RB-ULNT. Within the symptomatic population, a positive response to the RB-ULNT was defined by the symptomatic subject reporting their sensations were increased with contralateral cervical lateral flexion and decreased with ipsilateral cervical lateral flexion. Sensation provocation and location were evaluated using the RB-ULNT in all the subjects during each stage of the testing. RESULTS: Significant differences on stage of reproduction and type of sensations were identified between 1) the (+) RB-ULNT symptomatic subjects, 2) the (-) RB-ULNT symptomatic subjects, and 3) the asymptomatic subjects. The (+) RB-ULNT group showed significantly increased pain responses during the first stage of the RB-ULNT compared with the (-) RB-ULNT group and the asymptomatic subjects. The (+) RB-ULNT also showed significantly decreased glenohumeral abduction passive range of motion when compared with the asymptomatic group. CONCLUSION: Clinically, the differences found between the groups in their response to the RB-ULNT suggest heightened mechanosensitivity in the (+) RB-ULNT group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3a.