1,720,982 research outputs found
Reliability of measuring critical knee flexion angle during single leg squat using silicon coachtm in recreational females
No full textMovement dysfunction resulting in a knee valgus position during weight bearing activity is associated with increased risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome especially in young active females. In clinical practice determining the critical knee flexion angle (CKFA) during a single leg squat (SLS) test is used to assess this dysfunction, yet its reliability is unknown. This study aimed to determine rater agreement in determining the presence of knee valgus movement (yes/no) during a SLS test in recreational females (n = 16, age 24.3 ±7.9 yrs, height 165.7±4.8m, mass 62.5±6.4kg) and the intra and inter-rater reliability of measuring CKFA using SiliconCoach™. Three experienced physiotherapists viewed 48 randomised SLS test videos. One physiotherapist repeated the viewing for test-retest analysis. Test-retest agreement for rating SLS test was acceptable (weighted kappa (k) = 0.667). Inter-rater agreement was moderate to substantial (weighted k = 0.284–0.613). Intra-rater reliability of CKFA was acceptable for all three raters (ICC>0.6). Inter-rater absolute reliability was below 5% of the mean CKFA (SEM 4.26 degrees). As previous research reports intra-rater agreement is better than inter-rater agreement when assessing movement dysfunction during functional activity via visual rating. Intra-rater within session and between session reliability for measuring the CKFA using SiliconCoach™ was acceptable and better than inter-rater reliability. Further research is needed to assess the concurrent and construct validity of the protocols used in this study. It is recommended that qualitative research be performed to identify factors that affect physiotherapist's rating of functional activities
Classification-based cognitive functional group therapy (CB-CFT) in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP)
No full textBackgroundCB-CFT targeting specific pain provoking posture/movements in NSCLBP patients was shown more beneficial than current best practice. Resources for such interventions are substantial and so modifications for today's NHS are warranted. This study investigated feasibility and effect of CB-CFT delivered in a group setting (CB-CFT/G).MethodsTwenty three patients referred to Physiotherapy with NSCLBP undertook (i) 6 week CB-CFT/G(n=13) or (ii) current best practice (C)(n=10). Outcomes: Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ), pain (VAS), fear avoidance (Tampa Scale of Kinaesiophobia;TSK), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire;IPAQ), distress&risk assessment (DRAM), StarTBack and satisfaction. Unpaired t-tests assessed between-group difference in mean change of each outcome (p<0.05).ResultsWith no between-group baseline differences, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups mean change (SD) in ODQ [CB-CFT/G=14.9(8.0), C=5.2(12.4) p=.034], VAS [CB-CFT/G = 2.1(1.5), C=0.7(1.8) p=.045], TSK [CB-CFT/G=12.4(7.2), C=4.1(2.6) p=.002], IPAQ [CB-CFT/G =1855min(1085), C=19min(1672) p=.000] and StarTBack [CB-CFT/G =2.5(1.6), C=0.2(2.2) p=.009]. DRAM also showed greater improvements in CB-CFT/G [8.3(4.7) compared to C [-0.3(15.3) but this was not significant. CB-CFT/G group element was perceived as highly beneficial allowing patients to learn from each other, enhancing awareness and coping.ConclusionCB-CFT/G is feasible, brings benefits to NSCLBP patients and meets with high levels of satisfaction. Long term effects are currently being evaluated
What is the effect of low back pain self-management interventions with exercise components added? A systematic review with meta-analysis
Full text linkBackground
Best practice guidelines endorse self-management and exercise in chronic low back pain (CLBP) management. The majority of existing self-management interventions (SMIs) do not include exercise components, and the effect of SMIs with exercises on CLBP and disability remains unclear.
Objectives
To systematically review the evidence for the effect of SMIs with an exercise component added, on pain and disability in people with CLBP.
Design
Systematic review with meta-analysis.
Method
An electronic search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with SMIs with exercises was performed in 5 databases. Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model for meta-analysis at short-term, intermediate, and long-term follow-up points. The level of evidence was synthesized using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
Results
09 RCTs were included in the review and the GRADE quality assessment revealed low-quality evidence for all meta-analyses across 3 follow-up points. Effect sizes (ESs) for pain were -0.28, -0.36 and -0.21 for short-term, intermediate, and long-term respectively, and -0.30, -0.25 and -0.20 for short-term, intermediate, and long-term for disability, respectively. 6 out of 10 studies included tailored exercise programmes and exercise components differed widely in their content and delivery.
Conclusions
There is low-quality evidence that SMIs with exercises added have moderately positive effects on pain and disability in patients with CLBP compared to control interventions involving usual care typically consisting of access to medication, exercise, advice, education, and manual therapy
The effect of unsupported sitting on lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis
No full textBackground: Back pain is a common complaint in the Western World with a sedentary lifestyle contributing to its recurrence. The aim of this study was to establish differences in lumbar and thoracic posture after a period of unsupported sitting between subjects with a history of back pain but no current symptoms (BP) and those without a history of back pain (NBP).Method: Twenty subjects (10 BP and 10 NBP group) fulfilling specific inclusion criteria were recruited. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutions Ethical Committee. Following placement of markers on the vertebrae L5, T12 and C7, subjects sat unsupported on a plinth following standardisation of hip and knee position. A digital image (sagittal view) was taken at 1, 5 and 10 minutes. Spinal curvature was measured using Matlab, two-dimensional analysis system. Repeated measures ANOVA with Post Hoc analysis were calculated to determine the differences between groups and time points.Results: The NBP group demonstrated no difference in thoracic or lumbar curvature at 1, 5 and 10 minutes. The BP group showed a statistically significant difference in lumbar spine curvature between one and ten minutes (p=0.006). No significant differences in thoracic curvature in BP group were found (F =.524 p = 0.601).Conclusion: This study showed that subjects with BP demonstrate a change in lumbar curvature following a period of unsupported sitting compared to NBP group. The thoracic kyphosis in both group remained unchanged. Further studies investigating differences in spinal curvature between specific sub-sets of LBP population could provide useful information on sitting postures
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Exploring musicians' perspectives on the management of musculoskeletal disorders and the potential role of digital health interventions: A survey study
No full textPurpose: Musicians are chronically exposed to continuous and repeated physical movements, making them susceptible to developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). A survey study was conducted to investigate the factors that contribute to the frequency of musicians' MSDs such as age, gender, weekly working hours and weekly practice hours. In addition, the study aimed to explore the self-perceived efficacy of the various management methods utilised by musicians and their perspectives on the type of information/support that could help them better manage their MSDs, including the potential role of digital health interventions (DHIs).
Methods: The study recruited students and professional musicians over the age of 18 years who had experienced current or previous MSDs. An online survey was distributed to educational and professional organizations in the UK and through social media platforms between December 2022 to February 2023. Survey responses were analysed using the statistical package Scientific Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27. Demographic data were expressed as mean and standard deviation (SD), and summary statistics were calculated for each survey item as a percentage of responses. Inferential statistics were conducted in regression contexts to assess factors associated with the frequency of MSDs, with a p-value of 0.05. Responses to open-ended questions were analysed thematically.
Results: A total of 100 participants met the inclusion criteria and participated in the survey study. Although younger musicians (18-29 years old) reported more MSDs than older age groups, there was no significant association between age and the frequency of MSDs (p-value= 0.078). Similarly, there was no significant relationship between weekly practice hours and the frequency of MSDs (p-value=0.057). Nonetheless, the results indicated a significant correlational relationship between weekly working hours and the frequency of MSDs (p-value=0.004). Active strategies such as exercise and playing-related advice such as pacing playing were ranked as the most effective management methods. The participants' most common request to better manage their MSDs was pain management/education, without implying the need to stop playing. In addition, 75% indicated that DHIs would help them better manage their MSDs, with advice and information websites ranked highest (41%).
Conclusion(s): The study suggests young musicians may be more susceptible to MSDs than older ones. The correlation between long working hours and the frequency of MSDs could be attributed to repetitive tissue loading, which can lead to fatigue failure. This suggests that future interventions should focus on reducing tissue loading and promoting active strategies such as conditioning exercises. Additionally, the results provide valuable insights into the potential of DHIs to support musicians in managing their MSDs. Further research is needed to explore the specific features and functionalities musicians would prefer in DHIs to support their management of MSDs. This study is limited by a small sample size and online bias.
Impact: The survey study provides valuable insights into MSD management and the potential of DHIs for musicians. Targeted interventions should be developed for those working long hours to reduce the risk of MSDs while clinical practice can benefit from emphasizing pain management and education without implying the need to stop playing
The effect of self-management Interventions on musculoskeletal disorders in musicians: A scoping review [Abstract]
No full textPurpose: Musicians are chronically exposed to continuous and repeated physical movements, making them susceptible to developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that may impair their ability to perform. Recent research suggests that offering high-quality self-management interventions (SMIs) can be effective in assisting people with MSDs in occupational settings. However, there is limited information about the effect of SMIs on MSDs in musicians. This review aimed to 1) explore the effect of SMIs on MSDs in musicians and their ability to perform and 2) explore intervention characteristics/features that may be associated with beneficial outcomes. This includes characteristics/features such as the frequency, duration, mode of delivery and methods that promote adherence and/or compliance with the intervention.
Methods: The scoping review methodology was guided by the Johanna Briggs Institute framework. A 3-step systematic search was conducted in Embase, CINAHL, AMED, Music Index, RILM Abstracts of Music Literature, and ProQuest. Studies in English, both published and unpublished grey literature, that included SMIs for professional and student instrumental musicians aged 18 and older were eligible for inclusion. Interventions had to promote active involvement of individuals in managing their condition with the aim of preventing long-term disability and restoring the ability to perform. The search results were reported in a PRISMA Flow Diagram. Relevant information from the included studies were extracted and summarised by two reviewers.
Results: Of the 147 studies full-text articles identified, 36 met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies used a quantitative design with 28 being interventional studies and 5 observational studies. Interventions were predominantly health education and exercise programmes, including strength/endurance exercises and yoga. Strength and endurance exercises targeting the neck, shoulders and back had similar positive effects on playing-related pain (PRP). There were fewer reports on musical performance (7 studies), with some (5 out of 7) reporting improvements in the rate of self-perceived physical exertion during playing music. The frequency and duration of the interventions varied, with the shortest lasting 15 minutes and the longest lasting 1 year. The frequency ranged from once to three times weekly, with sessions/classes lasting 45 minutes to 2 hours. The majority of the interventions were delivered in supervised group sessions. Six studies used digital health interventions (DHIs), either as a standalone method of intervention delivery or to promote independent application after exercises had been demonstrated. The studies that used DHIs achieved consistent improvements in PRP and reported high adherence rates. Only one study used an evidence-based theoretical framework to inform intervention development.
Conclusion(s): Exercise-based SMIs demonstrated improvements in PRP and physical exertion in musicians with MSDs. DHIs had a positive effect on treatment outcomes and promoted adherence to the intervention. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate appropriate theoretical frameworks for intervention development and to explore the use of DHIs. Finally, this study is limited by the exclusion of non-English language studies and the lack of critical appraisal.
Impact: Although exercise-based SMIs may be beneficial, successful rehabilitation for musicians involves restoring at least a basic level of professional performance. This should be considered in both clinical practice and future research
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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