Researchers found substantial inequities in care practices for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients across seven European countries. The standard of care for DMD typically includes corticosteroid medication, physiotherapy, regular echocardiograms, and regular check-ups, but adherence to guidelines was low, particularly among non-...
Researchers found pelvic floor muscle training significantly reduced prolapse symptoms in women with early signs of prolapse. The study recommended that women should be advised to undertake pelvic floor muscle training even before experiencing symptoms.
A randomized controlled trial found that physiotherapy treatment for mild to moderate ankle sprains has little clinical benefit compared to basic self-management. Fewer than half of patients achieved 'excellent recovery' by six months in the physiotherapy group.
Research from University of East Anglia reveals no significant increase in physical activity after hip replacement surgery, contradicting previous assumptions. The study suggests that patients may need more encouragement to engage in physical activity post-operatively.
A low-cost device called gripAble enables severely paralysed patients to play arm-training games, increasing movement control by 50% compared to standard methods. The device uses novel technology to detect tiny movements and channel them into controlling a computer game.
A study published in The BMJ found that supervised exercise therapy is as effective as arthroscopic surgery in improving thigh muscle strength and knee function in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscal tears. Researchers recommend considering structured exercise therapy as a treatment option for this type of knee damage.
A recent study in rats suggests that acoustic shock waves can accelerate muscle healing by increasing chemical signaling factors and waking up satellite progenitor cells. This technique, called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), has promising potential as a non-invasive therapy complementing existing recovery regimes.
A paralyzed chimpanzee, Reo, was rehabilitated through a dedicated programme using cognitive tasks on a touch screen. After 41 months of intensive physiotherapy, he learned to walk again, showing the potential of this method in improving animal welfare.
A new study has found that home-based pulmonary rehabilitation can be equally effective in improving fitness and quality of life for COPD patients as traditional center-based programs. The low-cost program resulted in comparable outcomes to the hospital-based program, with no significant differences in clinical outcomes at any time point.
A new strategic research centre will aid health professionals design bespoke physical activity and exercise plans for young people with cystic fibrosis. The centre aims to develop guidelines and recommendations for tailored activity and exercise regimes, addressing the current lack of definitive guidelines.
Long-term exercise has been shown to improve muscle resistance and aerobic performance in mice with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Swimming and running both had beneficial effects on motor neurons affected by the disease, suggesting specific types of exercise may limit neurodegeneration.
A large clinical trial conducted on patients with mild to moderate Parkinson disease found no clinically meaningful benefits from physiotherapy and occupational therapy. The study included over 762 patients who were randomly assigned to receive these therapies or no treatment.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham conducted a trial finding that physiotherapy and occupational therapy do not improve 'activities of daily living' in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that resources should be reallocated towards more effective treatments.
A 33-year-old professional goalkeeper suffered an extremely rare complete rupture of his teres major muscle while playing a football match. He recovered after conservative treatment and physiotherapy, eventually returning to competition level without pain or limitation.
Researchers studied 83 patients with moderate to severe AC joint dislocations and found that non-surgical treatment resulted in greater mobility than surgical patients. Patients who did not undergo surgery returned to work sooner and experienced fewer complications.
The UK's largest breast cancer physiotherapy trial, PROSPER, will investigate the impact of physiotherapy on women after breast cancer surgery. The study aims to inform national guidelines and improve treatment outcomes for women experiencing shoulder problems and chronic pain after their treatment.
Researchers have developed a new non-invasive brain stimulation technique that increases brain excitability, potentially improving physical performance and treating neurological disorders. The technique, called transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS), produces larger changes in the brain than conventional methods.
The Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) pilot study explores a community-based approach to support cancer survivors in regaining their strength and energy levels. Participants receive either standard care or supervised group exercise training, showing promising results for improved physical fitness and mental well-being.
The study found a significant decline in smoking rates among nursing and physiotherapy students in Spain from 2003 to 2013. Many students remained unaware of the link between smoking and diseases, indicating a deficiency in undergraduate training.
Botulinum toxin A injections significantly improve lower lip symmetry in children with facial paralysis. The treatment is safe and has the potential to restore permanent symmetry.
Research shows that altering visual cues can impact pain by changing the physical point at which pain is experienced. Participants who suffered from chronic neck pain were shown to have a broader range of motion when visual feedback understated head rotation and a reduced range when it overstated head rotation.
A Tel Aviv University researcher has successfully identified a novel genetic mutation in a rare disease using whole exome sequencing and crowdfunding. The study, led by Dr. Noam Shomron, used DNA sequencing of a three-year-old girl and her family to reveal the genetic cause of her symptoms, which included mental retardation and severe ...
A £250,000 award will support a three-year study on the feasibility and effectiveness of resistance training for youngsters with cerebral palsy. The study, led by physiotherapists at Brunel University London, aims to recruit 60 young people between 12 and 19 years old.
Researchers found that combining imagery with observation strengthens brain activity in movement-related areas, potentially aiding motor function recovery for stroke patients. The technique may help compensate for lost brain functions through brain plasticity.
The University of Huddersfield is a key centre for research and teaching on spirituality in healthcare, with a focus on its practical application. Research has shown that spirituality can improve resilience, patient experience, and recovery outcomes in healthcare.
Ultrasound-guided injections of growth factors-containing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been shown to be no more effective than saline injections in treating recently developed epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow. However, pain scores decreased significantly over the course of the trial.
A recent study published in JAMA found that physiotherapy for adults with painful hip osteoarthritis does not produce greater improvements in pain or function compared to a placebo treatment. The study suggests questioning the benefits of specific physiotherapy components for this patient population.
A new study published in The Lancet found that expensive, intense physiotherapy sessions do not provide additional benefits over a single session of education and advice with phone follow-up. The study supports previous claims that longer physiotherapy programmes offer minimal added benefit for acute whiplash-associated disorders.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that early rehabilitation significantly improved sensory function, motor function, and activity of daily living in pediatric children with spinal tumors. The research suggests that rehabilitation programs initiated earlier are effective in achieving functional independency levels ...
A study by the University of Warwick found that sleep quality is a key driver of daytime physical activity in chronic pain patients. Engaging in physical activity can be a crucial treatment process for managing chronic pain. By improving sleep quality, sufferers may overcome their motivation to stay inactive due to pain.
A new study by ETH Zurich researchers shows that robotic therapy outperforms conventional physiotherapy in improving sensory-motor function and arm mobility. Robot-assisted therapy enables patients to carry out exercises independently and motivates them via computer game elements, leading to better results in terms of mobility.
Researchers found that adding dance exercises to a physiotherapy program improved urine leakage, increased participation rates, and provided more functional pelvic floor muscle exercises. The study opens the door to a randomized clinical trial for treating urinary incontinence with virtual reality and dance.
Researchers found that seniors over 90 improved their walking speed, balance, and reduced falls with strength training. The 12-week program boosted muscle power and mass in the lower limbs.
Researchers found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can promote recovery from simulated childbirth injury and reduce symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. The treatment uses multipotent cells found in connective tissues, which home to damaged pelvic organs and release trophic factors to stimulate repair.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are working to better understand how cerebral palsy affects children's speech. They hope to develop more effective treatments by analyzing speech patterns in over 40 affected youngsters.
A groundbreaking study, funded by £2m from the National Institute for Health Research, will examine ways to improve service user and carer involvement in decisions about their care. The research aims to develop a training package for mental health professionals and test its effectiveness in improving care planning.
A study published in JAMA found that corticosteroid injections did not provide significant long-term improvement for patients with 'tennis elbow', and neither option was effective compared to placebo. However, physiotherapy provided some short-term benefits despite no long-term effects.
A new study suggests that telephone physiotherapy can reduce waiting times for patients and provide equally effective treatment results. Researchers compared PhysioDirect with usual care in a randomised controlled trial involving 2,256 patients with musculoskeletal problems.
A brain imaging study found that THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, reduces the emotional reaction to pain but does not reduce the intensity of pain. The study suggests that individual responses to cannabis-based pain relief may vary greatly.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that intensive therapy is no more effective than traditional care in speeding up recovery from whiplash. While physiotherapy interventions showed modest benefits, they were not cost-effective from a UK NHS perspective.
Researchers from Italy have developed a wearable system that uses strain sensors to monitor human trunk movements and estimate flexibility. The device will enable remote monitoring of physiotherapy exercises at home or during everyday tasks, providing an advancement in portable rehabilitation tracking.
A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that high birth weight, rapid weight gain, and maternal smoking are significant risk factors for childhood obesity. Conversely, breastfeeding and delayed introduction to solid food may reduce the risk.
Researchers found that combining antibiotics with additional compounds made previously resistant bacteria more susceptible, increasing efficacy by up to six-fold. The study's lead author believes adjuvant therapy could revolutionize antibiotic use and reduce antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are using 3D imaging to create personalized maps of how inhaled drugs work within the lungs. This unique visualization will help optimize drug administration and inform future treatments for diseases like asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Researchers discovered that Fasudil increases the size of muscle fibers and their connection to motor neurons, improving the movement of SMA mice. This treatment bypasses the genetic cause of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) by targeting the ROCK intracellular signaling pathway.
A unique board game called 'Circles of Care' helps educate students about their roles in healthcare teams by simulating real-world interactions among allied health professionals. The game is being translated into French and digital applications are also being explored for its potential to improve patient care.
A study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that breast cancer patients undergo increased activation of neck and shoulder muscles during upper limb tasks, potentially leading to chronic pain.
A new study published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that aquatic therapy beginning 6 days after TKA significantly improved results. In contrast, delaying its onset after THA may be more appropriate. Aquatic therapy has been shown to reduce effusion in the knee joint, leading to less pain.
The study found that newly qualified nurses, midwives, and AHPs reported increased clinical skills development and confidence after completing the online course. However, mentors needed more training and time to provide support, with many respondents reporting a lack of time for both students and mentors.
A study found that an exercise program improved balance and reduced fear of falling in people with Parkinson's disease who had a history of falls. The research team tracked significant improvements in physical recreational activity, supporting the effectiveness of physiotherapy and exercise in managing Parkinson's disease.
A study published in Pain found that observers estimate lower pain intensity and are perceptually less sensitive to patients they don't like. Researchers used video fragments of patients experiencing shoulder pain and asked participants to rate pain severity and likability.
A group of scientists reviewed nine trials involving 503 participants and found no evidence that Botulinum toxin injections reduce chronic neck pain. The study suggests that further research is needed to clarify whether the dose can be optimized for neck pain.
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) has presented nine research awards and two grants to recognize cutting-edge research in key areas of orthopaedic sports medicine. The award recipients include researchers studying molecular mechanisms in meniscal injury, tendon-to-bone repair, and osteoarthritis.
A study by Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry found that acupuncture significantly improved the overall health status of patients with unexplained symptoms. The treatment also led to reduced medication use and improved wellbeing, without affecting GP visits or clinical outcomes. Patients reported positive experiences with the ...
Scientists have discovered that high levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are associated with better long-term recovery after a stroke. The study found that patients who exercised more actively, with physiotherapy and physical exercise, demonstrated better recovery after a stroke.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham discovered a simple illusion can reduce and even eliminate arthritic pain in the hand, affecting 85% of volunteers. The MIRAGE technology uses computer manipulations to trick the brain into feeling less pain, with some participants experiencing temporary elimination of pain.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that video game treatment can significantly improve upper-arm motor function in stroke survivors. Virtual reality games showed promise as a promising and potentially useful alternative to traditional physiotherapy.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have developed three new technologies to aid in stroke rehabilitation. The 'tactile' devices mimic everyday sensations, such as holding a hot cup of tea, to help patients regain movement in their arms and hands.
A study found that adding family-assisted exercise therapy to routine physical therapy after stroke significantly improved motor function, balance, distance walked, and daily living activities. Family members also experienced reduced stress and increased empowerment.
A new balloon kyphoplasty procedure provides rapid pain relief, increased mobility, and reduced need for painkillers compared to standard non-surgical care. Cancer patients with spinal fractures experience improved spinal function, quality of life, and pain during the study period.