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Powell, Dylan; Stuart, Samuel; Godfrey, Alan
doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac016pmid: 35196371
ObjectiveChallenges remain in sports-related concussion (SRC) assessment to better inform return to play. Reliance on self-reported symptoms within the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool means that there are limited data on the effectiveness of novel methods to assess a player’s readiness to return to play. Digital methods such as wearable technologies may augment traditional SRC assessment and improve objectivity in making decisions regarding return to play.MethodsThe participant was a male university athlete who had a recent history of SRC. The single-participant design consisted of baseline laboratory testing immediately after SRC, free-living monitoring, and follow-up supervised testing after 2 months. The primary outcome measures were from traditional assessment (eg, Sports Concussion Assessment Tool and 2-minute instrumented walk/gait test; secondary outcome measures were from remote (free-living) assessment with a single wearable inertial measurement unit (eg, for gait and sleep).ResultsThe university athlete (age = 20 years, height = 175 cm, weight = 77 kg [176.37 lb]) recovered and returned to play 20 days after SRC. Primary measures returned to baseline levels after 12 days. However, supervised (laboratory-based) wearable device assessment showed that gait impairments (increased step time) remained even after the athlete was cleared for return to play (2 months). Similarly, a 24-hour remote gait assessment showed changes in step time, step time variability, and step time asymmetry immediately after SRC and at return to play (1 month after SRC). Remote sleep analysis showed differences in sleep quality and disturbance (increased movement between immediately after SRC and once the athlete had returned to play [1 month after SRC]).ConclusionThe concern about missed or delayed SRC diagnosis is growing, but methods to objectively monitor return to play after concussion are still lacking. This report showed that wearable device assessment offers additional objective data for use in monitoring players who have SRC. This work could better inform SRC assessment and return-to-play protocols.ImpactDigital technologies such as wearable technologies can yield additional data that traditional self-report approaches cannot. Combining data from nondigital (traditional) and digital (wearable) methods may augment SRC assessment for improved return-to-play decisions.Lay SummaryInertia-based wearable technologies (eg, accelerometers) may be useful to help augment traditional, self-report approaches to sports-related concussion assessment and management by better informing return-to-play protocols.
Quick, Stephen M; Snowdon, David A; Lawler, Katherine; McGinley, Jennifer L; Soh, Sze-Ee; Callisaya, Michele L
doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac010pmid: 35157773
ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine physical therapists’ and physical therapist students’ attitudes and beliefs, knowledge, and confidence in working with people with dementia.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods systematic review. Participants included physical therapists working in any clinical specialty and physical therapist students who had completed at least 1 clinical placement. Eleven databases were searched. The evidence was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists. Data synthesis followed a convergent integrated approach according to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed-methods systematic reviews. Quantitative data were “qualitized” using thematic analysis and synthesized with qualitative data using thematic synthesis.ResultsFifteen studies were included (9 quantitative and 6 qualitative studies). Seven key themes evolved. Five related to the belief that (1) working with people with dementia is complex and challenging; (2) opportunities for education in dementia care are lacking; (3) working with people with dementia is a specialized area of practice; (4) there are unsupportive systems for working with people with dementia; and (5) people with dementia deserve rehabilitation, but their potential to improve is less certain. One theme related to knowledge (lack of knowledge in some areas of dementia care), and 1 theme related to confidence (lack of confidence in working with people with dementia).ConclusionsPhysical therapists and physical therapist students believe that working with people with dementia can be challenging. The low levels of knowledge and confidence in areas important to working with people who have dementia suggest that more education about dementia is needed.ImpactThis mixed-methods systematic review highlights that physical therapists and physical therapist students believe that working with people who have dementia is complex and challenging. Physical therapists want more training and support in this growing area of practice.
Liang, Zhiqi; Thomas, Lucy; Jull, Gwendolen; Treleaven, Julia
doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac027pmid: 35230421
ObjectiveThe Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a self-rated disability tool originally developed for whiplash-associated disorders and validated in cervical musculoskeletal conditions. It is now commonly used to assess neck disability in migraine, but it is unknown whether NDI scores relate to migraine and hypersensitivity, cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction, or both. This single-blinded observational study aimed to determine whether the presence of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction, migraine features, and hypersensitivity predict NDI scores and whether alternate versions of the NDI (NDI-physical, NDI-8, NDI-5) relate more to cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction.MethodsMigraine and neck pain features, the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), NDI, Allodynia Symptom Checklist (ASC12), and pressure pain thresholds were assessed in 104 participants with migraine and neck pain, 45 previously identified with cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction and 59 without. The NDI score was regressed on the presence or absence of cervical dysfunction, migraine features, HIT-6, total pressure pain threshold, and ASC12 while accounting for neck pain features. The presence of cervical dysfunction was regressed on the scores of NDI versions.ResultsThe ASC12 (standardized ß = 0.20) and HIT-6 (standardized ß = 0.18) were significantly predictive of total NDI score, as were neck pain intensity (standardized ß = 0.32) and frequency (standardized ß = 0.44). No scores from alternate NDI versions related to cervical dysfunction.ConclusionThe NDI score is a complex measure of neck disability influenced by migraine disability and hypersensitivity beyond the presence of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction. This has implications for the clinical interpretation of NDI scores in patients with migraine.ImpactMany patients with migraine and neck pain report neck disability; therefore, it is important to understand if migraine impacts neck disability. The results of this study indicate that clinicians need to consider migraine-related disability and hypersensitivity when managing neck disability in this population.
Garzonio, Stefano; Arbasetti, Chiara; Geri, Tommaso; Testa, Marco; Carta, Giacomo
doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac001pmid: 35079832
ObjectiveObjectiveThe purpose of this review, focused on people with nonspecific neck pain (NSNP), was to assess the effectiveness of specific exercises that recruit the deep cervical muscles compared with other types of exercises or interventions and minimal or no treatment.MethodsThis systematic review with meta-analysis screened 5 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and The Cochrane Library). Randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of this type of exercise on the intensity of pain were included. Data for each included trial were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool was adopted to assess the internal validity of the included trials. The overall quality of evidence was layered with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations system.ResultsThe review identified a total of 2397 records. Sixteen articles were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 9 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results found moderate- to very low-quality evidence that deep cervical muscle exercise protocols are not superior to other types of active exercises in reducing the intensity of pain in people with NSNP. Studies not included in the meta-analysis suggest that specific exercises induce better effects that are superior to those of nontreatment with clinically relevant results.ConclusionClinicians can share this information with their patients through shared decision-making to determine a more tailored approach to adopt. Future studies with high methodological quality are necessary to reach firm conclusions.ImpactThere has been no consensus on exercise type and dosage for the management of NSNP. This study shows that exercises are a useful tool and that the effect of an exercise program that recruits deep cervical muscles seems to be comparable with the effect of other types of active exercises on pain intensity reduction.Lay summaryIf you have neck pain, exercises designed by a physical therapist can be a useful treatment tool. An exercise program that targets specific deep cervical muscles may be just as good as other types of active exercises to reduce the intensity of pain intensity; you and your therapist can work together to develop a program.
Tousignant-Laflamme, Yannick; Houle, Catherine; Cook, Chad; Naye, Florian; LeBlanc, Annie; Décary, Simon
doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac023pmid: 35202464
In health care, clinical decision making is typically based on diagnostic findings. Rehabilitation clinicians commonly rely on pathoanatomical diagnoses to guide treatment and define prognosis. Targeting prognostic factors is a promising way for rehabilitation clinicians to enhance treatment decision-making processes, personalize rehabilitation approaches, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. This can be achieved by using prognostic tools that provide accurate estimates of the probability of future outcomes for a patient in clinical practice. Most literature reviews of prognostic tools in rehabilitation have focused on prescriptive clinical prediction rules. These studies highlight notable methodological issues and conclude that these tools are neither valid nor useful for clinical practice. This has raised the need to open the scope of research to understand what makes a quality prognostic tool that can be used in clinical practice. Methodological guidance in prognosis research has emerged in the last decade, encompassing exploratory studies on the development of prognosis and prognostic models. Methodological rigor is essential to develop prognostic tools, because only prognostic models developed and validated through a rigorous methodological process should guide clinical decision making. This Perspective argues that rehabilitation clinicians need to master the identification and use of prognostic tools to enhance their capacity to provide personalized rehabilitation. It is time for prognosis research to look for prognostic models that were developed and validated following a comprehensive process before being simplified into suitable tools for clinical practice. New models, or rigorous validation of current models, are needed. The approach discussed in this Perspective offers a promising way to overcome the limitations of most models and provide clinicians with quality tools for personalized rehabilitation approaches.ImpactPrognostic research can be applied to clinical rehabilitation; this Perspective proposes solutions to develop high-quality prognostic models to optimize patient outcomes.
Zapanta, Kaylie; Schroeder, E Todd; Fisher, Beth E
doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac022pmid: 35225349
Although Parkinson disease (PD) has traditionally been considered a disease of the central nervous system, a bidirectional communication system known as the gut-brain axis can influence PD pathogenesis. The dual-hit hypothesis proposed that PD is due to peripheral dysregulations to the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis. Since then, further investigation has shown that there are multiple pathological sources associated with PD. However, dysbiosis plays a critical role in the disease process. Substantial evidence has identified that cardinal motor symptoms of PD and disease progression are associated with dysbiosis. In other neurodegenerative disorders, dysbiosis has been linked to cognition. Non-PD research has shown that exercise can effectively restore the gut microbiota. Likewise, exercise has become a well-established strategy to improve cognitive and motor function in PD. However, despite the interaction between the gut and brain, and the exercise benefits on gut health, no research to date has considered the effects of exercise on the gut microbiota in PD. Therefore, the purpose of this Perspective is to explore whether exercise benefits observed in PD could partly be due to restorations to the gut microbiota. First, we will review the gut-brain axis and its influence on motor and cognitive function. Next, we will outline evidence regarding exercise-induced restoration of the gut microbiota in non-PD populations. Finally, we will summarize benefits of exercise on motor-cognitive function in PD, proposing that benefits of exercise seen in PD might actually be due to restorations to the gut microbiota. By positing the gut microbiota as a moderator of exercise improvements to motor and cognitive function, we aim to provide a new perspective for physical therapists to prioritize exercise regimens for individuals with PD that can specifically restore the gut microbiota to better improve PD symptoms and prognosis.ImpactThis Perspective raises awareness that dysregulations to the gut microbiota have recently been attributed to PD symptoms and pathology and that exercise can be an effective therapeutic strategy to improve gut health in individuals with PD.Lay SummaryPeople with PD have been found to have reduced microbial diversity in their gut, which can play an important role in the progression of the disease. Physical therapists can design therapeutic exercises that might help improve gut health in people with PD.
Schmidt, Débora; Piva, Taila Cristina; Glaeser, Sheila Suzana; Piekala, Daniele Martins; Berto, Paula Pinheiro; Friedman, Gilberto; Sbruzzi, Graciele
doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac028pmid: 35233607
ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to identify the occurrence and factors associated with intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness (ICUAW) in patients with COVID-19. Secondarily, we monitored the evolution of muscle strength and mobility among individuals with ICUAW and those without ICUAW and the association of these variables with length of stay, mechanical ventilation (MV), and other clinical variables.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, individuals admitted to the ICU for >72 hours with COVID-19 were evaluated for muscle strength and mobility at 3 times: when being weaned from ventilatory support, discharged from the ICU, and discharged from the hospital. Risk factors for ICUAW were monitored.ResultsThe occurrences of ICUAW at the 3 times evaluated among the 75 patients included were 52%, 38%, and 13%. The length of the ICU stay (29.5 [IQR = 16.3–42.5] vs 11 [IQR = 6.5–16] days), the length of the hospital stay (43.5 [IQR = 22.8–55.3] vs 16 [IQR = 12.5–24] days), and time on MV (25.5 [IQR = 13.8–41.3] vs 10 [IQR = 5–22.5] days) were greater in patients with ICUAW. Muscle strength and mobility were lower at all times assessed in patients with ICUAW. Bed rest time for all patients (relative risk = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.28) and use of corticosteroids (relative risk = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.03) for those who required MV were factors independently associated with ICUAW. Muscle strength was found to have a positive correlation with mobility and a negative correlation with lengths of stay in the ICU and hospital and time on MV.ConclusionThe occurrence of ICUAW was high on patients’ awakening in the ICU but decreased throughout hospitalization; however, strength and mobility remained compromised at hospital discharge. Bed rest time and use of corticosteroids (for those who needed MV) were factors independently associated with ICUAW in patients with COVID-19.ImpactPatients who had COVID-19 and developed ICUAW had longer periods of ICU stay, hospital stay, and MV. Bed rest time and use of corticosteroids (for those who required MV) were factors independently associated with ICUAW.
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