@article{Grigoriadis2021,

title = {Handgrip Force and Maximum Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressures in Critically Ill Patients With a Tracheostomy},

author = {K. Grigoriadis and I. Efstathiou and Z. Dimitriadis and G. Konstantopoulou and A. Grigoriadou and G. Vasileiadis and M. Micha and I. Tsagaris and A. Armaganidis},

doi = {doi: 10.4037/ajcc2021248},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

journal = {Am J Crit Care},

volume = {30},

number = {2},

pages = {e48-e53},

abstract = {Background: 

The association between peripheral striated muscle strength and respiratory muscle strength has been confirmed in a number of disorders. However, this association is unknown in intensive care unit patients with tracheostomies.



Objective: 

To examine correlations between handgrip force, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) in intensive care unit patients with tracheostomies.



Methods: 

Twenty patients (7 women, 13 men) with tracheostomies, in the intensive care unit longer than 11 days, in stable condition, with functional limbs, and with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 15 were recruited. Both MIP and MEP were measured with a membrane manometer; handgrip force was measured with a hydraulic hand dynamometer.



Results: 

Handgrip force was significantly correlated with MIP (r = 0.45, P = .04) and MEP (r = 0.78, P = .001). Handgrip force was significantly predicted by MIP and MEP when the effect of sex was controlled for (P < .05). However, when MIP and MEP were included as predictors in a regression model, MEP was the only significant predictor (R = 0.80, R2 = 0.63, adjusted R2 = 0.57).



Conclusions: 

Strength of the hand flexors and strength of the expiratory muscles (abdominal) were significantly correlated in intensive care unit patients. Handgrip strength appears to be an easy, fast way to evaluate expiratory muscle strength by using a simple handhold command without special equipment. A strong handhold may also correspond to strong expiratory muscles. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03457376.

},

keywords = {patient, physiotherapy, tracheostomy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Krekoukias2021,

title = {Gait Kinetic and Kinematic Changes in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients and the Effect of Manual Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial},

author = {G. Krekoukias and V. Sakellari and E. Anastasiadi and G. Gioftsos and Z. Dimitriadis and K. Soultanis and I. D. Gelalis},

doi = {doi: 10.3390/jcm10163593},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

journal = {J Clin Med},

volume = {10},

number = {16},

abstract = {Patients with chronic back pain as a result of degenerated disc disease, besides pain, also present with impaired gait. The purpose of the article was to evaluate kinetic and kinematic characteristics during gait analysis in patients with chronic low back pain as a result of degenerated disc disease, before and after the application of physiotherapy, including manual therapy techniques. Seventy-five patients suffering from chronic low back pain were randomly divided into 3 groups of 25 each. Each group received five sessions (one per week) of interventions with the first group receiving manual therapy treatment, the second a sham treatment and the third, classic physiotherapy (stretching exercises, TENS and massage). The effectiveness of each treatment was evaluated using an optoelectronic system for recording and analysis of gait (kinetic and kinematic data). Patients overall showed an impaired gait pattern with a difference in kinetic and kinematic data between the left and the right side. Following the application of the above-named interventions, only the group that received manual therapy showed a tendency towards symmetry between the right and left side. In patients suffering from chronic low back pain as a result of degenerated disc disease, the application of five manual therapy sessions seems to produce a tendency towards symmetry in gait.},

keywords = {chronic low back pain, gait, manual therapy, physiotherapy, spinal mobilization},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{S.Stasi2021,

title = {Motor Control and Ergonomic Intervention Home-Based Program: A Pilot Trial Performed in the Framework of the Motor Control Home Ergonomics Elderlies' Prevention of Falls (McHeELP) Project},

author = {S.Stasi and M. Tsekoura and J. Gliatis and V. Sakellari},

doi = {doi: 10.7759/cureus.14336},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

journal = {Cureus},

volume = {13},

number = {4},

pages = {e14336},

abstract = {Objectives Falls are a serious problem that can reduce living autonomy and health-related quality of life of older adults. A decrease in the muscular strength of the lower limbs and the deterioration of balance or motor performance deficits may lead to falls. "Motor Control Home Ergonomics Elderlies' Prevention of Falls" (McHeELP) is a novel motor control exercise program combined with ergonomic arrangements of the home environment. This pilot trial is conducted in order to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the McHeELP program, the selection of the most appropriate outcome measures, and the exact sample size calculation that should be used for the randomized controlled trial (RCT) with Clinical Trial Identifier: ISRCTN15936467. Patients and methods Twenty older adults (aged ≥65 years) who had experienced at least one fall-incident in the past 12 months have participated in the trial; they were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the McHeELP group (McHeELP-G) and the Control group (CG). The McHeELP-G received a personalized therapeutic motor control and learning exercise program performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Regarding McHeELP - home modification, a booklet that contained basic advice and tips on the modification for their inside and outside home environment was provided to the participants. Objective and self-reported outcome measures, collected at baseline and post-intervention (end of the third month), included functional, fear of falling, and quality of life measurements. Results The McHeELP intervention was very feasible and acceptable to the participants, and the adherence was excellent (100%). The majority of outcome measures seemed appropriate and significant differences were also revealed between the two groups. Specifically, post-intervention statistically significant improvement was found in the 4 meters walking test, Timed Up and Go test, Sit to Stand test, Tandem Stance test, Functional Reach test, Foot tapping test, EuroQoL-5D-5L - visual analog scale (VAS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale, Falls Self-Efficacy International Scale, and Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOMEFAST) questionnaire of McHeELP-G (all p-values ≤0.002). No statistically significant difference was observed in the mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort subscales of Euro QoL-5D-5L (all p-values >0.05), except the anxiety/depression subscale of McHeELP-G (p=0.008). Moreover, no statistically significant improvement was found regarding McHeELP participants' knee flexion/extension restriction and ankle dorsiflexion/plantar-flexion restrictions. Regarding CG, no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05), except the Tandem Stance test (p=0.003) and HOMEFAST (p<0.001). Referring to the future McHeELP RCT, it was estimated that a sample size of 25 evaluable patients per group is required. Conclusions This pilot trial's findings suggest that it is feasible to deliver an RCT of the McHeLP program to this population. Exercise programs that are easy to administer need to be developed and implemented to reduce the burden of falls in older adults.},

keywords = {ergonomics, falls, home-based programme, lower limb, motor control, older adults, physiotherapy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Chandrinou2020,

title = {Avascular necrosis of the femoral head: Evaluation of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and quality of life},

author = {A. Chandrinou and A. Korompeli and E. Grammatopoulou and K. Gaitanou and K. Tsoumakas and G. Fildissis },

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-09-01},

journal = {Undersea Hyperb Med},

volume = {47},

number = {4},

pages = {561-569},

keywords = {physiotherapy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Hayden2020,

title = {Exercise treatment effect modifiers in persistent low back pain: an individual participant data meta-analysis of 3514 participants from 27 randomised controlled trials},

author = {J. A. Hayden and M. N. Wilson and S. Stewart and J. L. Cartwright and A. O. Smith and R. D. Riley and M. van Tulder and T. Bendix and F. Cecchi and L. O. P. Costa and N. Dufour and M. L. Ferreira and N. E. Foster and M. R. Gudavalli and J. Hartvigsen and P. Helmhout and J. Kool and G. A. Koumantakis and F. M. Kovacs and T. Kuukkanen and A. Long and L. G. Macedo and L. A. C. Machado and C. G. Maher and W. Mehling and G. Morone and T. Peterson and E. Rasmussen-Barr and C. G. Ryan and T. Sjögren and R. Smeets and J. B. Staal and M. Unsgaard-Tøndel and H. Wajswelner and E. W. Yeung and C. L. B. P. I. M.-A. Group},

doi = {doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101205},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-09-01},

journal = {Br J Sports Med},

volume = {54},

number = {21},

pages = {1277-1278},

abstract = {Background:

Low back pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Exercise therapy is widely recommended to treat persistent non-specific low back pain. While evidence suggests exercise is, on average, moderately effective, there remains uncertainty about which individuals might benefit the most from exercise.



Methods:

In parallel with a Cochrane review update, we requested individual participant data (IPD) from high-quality randomised clinical trials of adults with our two primary outcomes of interest, pain and functional limitations, and calculated global recovery. We compiled a master data set including baseline participant characteristics, exercise and comparison characteristics, and outcomes at short-term, moderate-term and long-term follow-up. We conducted descriptive analyses and one-stage IPD meta-analysis using multilevel mixed-effects regression of the overall treatment effect and prespecified potential treatment effect modifiers.



Results:

We received IPD for 27 trials (3514 participants). For studies included in this analysis, compared with no treatment/usual care, exercise therapy on average reduced pain (mean effect/100 (95% CI) −10.7 (−14.1 to –7.4)), a result compatible with a clinically important 20% smallest worthwhile effect. Exercise therapy reduced functional limitations with a clinically important 23% improvement (mean effect/100 (95% CI) −10.2 (−13.2 to –7.3)) at short-term follow-up. Not having heavy physical demands at work and medication use for low back pain were potential treatment effect modifiers—these were associated with superior exercise outcomes relative to non-exercise comparisons. Lower body mass index was also associated with better outcomes in exercise compared with no treatment/usual care. This study was limited by inconsistent availability and measurement of participant characteristics.



Conclusions:

This study provides potentially useful information to help treat patients and design future studies of exercise interventions that are better matched to specific subgroups.},

keywords = {chronic, exercise, low back pain, participants, physiotherapy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Paraskevopoulos2020,

title = {Systematic infection control in Greek physiotherapy practices during the COVID-19 pandemic},

author = {E. Paraskevopoulos and M. Papandreou},

doi = {doi: 10.3233/wor-203186 },

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-09-01},

journal = {Work},

volume = {66},

number = {2},

pages = {367-370},

keywords = {covid, pandemic, physiotherapy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Paraskevopoulos2020b,

title = {Reliability of assessment methods for scapular dyskinesis in asymptomatic subjects: A systematic review},

author = {E. Paraskevopoulos and M. Papandreou and J. Gliatis},

doi = {doi: 10.5152/j.aott.2020.19088},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-09-01},

journal = {Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc},

volume = {54},

number = {5},

pages = {546-556},

abstract = {Objective: 

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available published evidence on the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of assessment methods used for identifying and measuring scapular dyskinesis (SD) in asymptomatic subjects.



Methods: 

A systematic electronic literature search was performed in PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, and studies on the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of physical examination tests used for identifying SD in asymptomatic people were identified. Methodological quality of the studies meeting the inclusion criteria was assessed using the Quality Appraisal of Reliability Studies (QAREL) checklist by two reviewers. The overall level of evidence of this systematic review was determined by the Modified Cochrane Back Pain Criteria based on previous research which was modified for reliability studies of the shoulder complex.



Results: 

The literature search generated 388 results, and only 14 articles met the inclusion criteria. In these studies, reliabilities of two qualitative and five quantitative methods for the assessment of SD were analyzed. The QAREL checklist revealed that 12 studies had moderate risk of bias and 2 had high risk of bias. Additionally, none of the studies were of high quality. On the basis of the Modified Cochrane Back Pain Criteria, the overall level of evidence was moderate. Most of the studies including quantitative measurement methods found good to excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability values. Most of the studies including qualitative methods found low-to-moderate intra- and inter-rater reliability values.



Conclusion: 

Considering the available published evidence, there is lack of high-quality studies evaluating the inter- and intra-rater reliabilities of qualitative or quantitative methods used for the assessment of SD. There are no qualitative methods with high reliability that are fit for clinical applications. Some quantitative methods with higher reliability are present, but clinicians should be aware of the methodological flaws that studies evaluating these methods suffer from. },

keywords = {evidence, physiotherapy, scapular dyskinesis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}