A study published in Experimental Brain Research reveals that chronic impingement syndrome, a common cause of shoulder pain, is triggered by excessive activation of specific neck and shoulder muscles during daily life or sports. The research opens the door to future tests of physiotherapy as a non-invasive treatment for shoulder injury.
A randomized trial of chest physiotherapy in infants hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis found no reduction in recovery time. The study suggests that routine chest physiotherapy may not be necessary for this population.
Researchers have found that walking uphill and using obstacles can improve flexibility in arthritic dogs' joints, while walking downhill offers little therapeutic benefit.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Kerry Courneya will investigate the impact of physical activity on breast cancer outcomes in a five-year study. The study aims to explore how physical fitness levels affect disease recurrence, treatment completion, and quality of life in women with breast cancer.
Policies restricting smoking in public have been shown to decrease the number of people who experience heart attacks and improve overall health indicators. The findings are based on a comprehensive review of 50 studies that monitored the impact of legislative bans on secondhand smoke exposure.
A physiotherapist-led exercise and education program improved wellbeing and reduced depressive symptoms in postnatal women. The study found a 50% reduction in
A physical therapy exercise and health education program has been shown to improve postnatal well-being and reduce the risk of postnatal depression. The study found that the program reduced depressive symptoms and improved psychological well-being in new mothers, with a significant positive effect at 8 weeks after completion.
Researchers developed a 'Braccio di Ferro' robot to assist patients in learning arm movements again. The interactive robot helps patients perform correct movements, promoting motor system learning and improving movement ability.
The American Lymphedema Framework Project establishes a standard of care for breast cancer survivors with lymphedema, providing evidence-based treatment guidelines. Complete decongestive physiotherapy and compression garments are found to be effective methods in reducing swelling.
A study found that ultrasound-guided cortisone injections showed a clinically significant improvement in pain level for 72% of patients with gluteus medius tendinopathy. Patients were satisfied with the results, making this treatment method a promising option for treating severe hip pain.
A team of researchers has made a breakthrough discovery about the defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis, understanding its special relationship with pH levels inside cells. By regulating acid-base balance, the protein controls salt transport and cell survival, offering hope for developing new therapies to restore function.
A new study published in Clinical Rehabilitation found that patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) who underwent painful physiotherapy experienced significant improvements in physical function, while those who avoided painful treatment saw further loss of function. The study suggests a 'full on' approach to physiotherapy m...
Researchers found Botox injections significantly improve chronic pain control in patients with CRPS, while breast reduction surgery reduces lower back stress. Increased testing of removed tissue may lead to higher cancer detection rates in older breast reduction patients.
A three-year study is underway to explore the link between knee inflammation and osteoarthritis. Researchers use ultrasound to identify inflammation in people over 55 with knee pain or osteoarthritis.
Research waste occurs due to poor design, inadequate reporting, and biased publication practices. The Lancet authors recommend improving research quality by increasing clinician-patient involvement, using systematic reviews, and supporting open access.
A Phase III study found that fampridine improved walking speed and leg strength in patients with multiple sclerosis. The drug also showed promise in reducing fatigue and improving endurance. However, adverse events were reported in some patients, highlighting the need for further research on its treatment profile.
A randomised trial found that kyphoplasty treatment significantly improved quality of life, function, mobility, and pain in patients with acute vertebral fractures compared to non-surgical management. The procedure was also safe and effective, with no significant differences in adverse events between the two groups.
A new drug therapy called VX-770 has shown promising results in improving the quality of life for cystic fibrosis patients. Early trials have demonstrated a 50% decrease in sweat salt concentration and a 10% increase in lung function, offering new hope for this devastating disease.
Researchers found that VEGF-C gene therapy induced robust growth of lymphatic capillaries in mice, leading to functional collecting lymphatic vessels and improved lymph node transplantation outcomes. The treatment also showed promise in preventing systemic dissemination of metastases and improving patient safety.
A new acoustic absorber developed by National Physical Laboratory has improved the calibration accuracy of physiotherapy ultrasound machines, reducing the risk of patient injury. The upgrade enables equipment to accommodate spreading beams and provides greater calibration accuracy.
The RT3 accelerometer measures walking intensity, providing an accurate alternative to traditional questionnaires. Researchers found that only 15% of Americans meet the recommended physical activity level, with people with disabilities getting even less.
A study of 445 MS patients found that 29% prioritize medical treatment, while 19% seek socio-economic support, including household adaptations and transport provision. The researchers developed an MS satisfaction tool to assess quality of care and identify gaps in provision.
New research suggests that treatment with TNF inhibitors reduces cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents, in rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, a separate study found an increased risk of serious infections in patients treated with TNF inhibitors.
Researchers at Penn University School of Medicine have developed an ultrasound-based treatment that can disrupt the blood flow to tumors, reducing growth. This innovative approach targets newly formed vessels created by tumors and may lead to new cancer therapies.
A randomised trial found that a brief pain management programme delivered by physiotherapists was as effective as a package of physiotherapy incorporating spinal manual-therapy techniques in treating low back pain. The programme resulted in fewer treatment sessions and referrals to secondary care.
Researchers developed a treatment using a neuroprosthesis that stimulates muscles with electrical pulses, enabling stroke patients to reconnect damaged neuronal connections and restore hand function. After 16 weeks of training, 85% of the treatment group showed progress in reaching and grasping functions.
A study combining data from 11 trials found that early supported discharge services reduced deaths, dependency, and hospital stays by 8 days. The service, which provides rehabilitation and support in a community setting, is especially beneficial for patients with mild to moderate disability.
Researchers tested rTMS on four patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries, finding a 37.5% drop in intracortical inhibition and improvements in motor and sensory function. This treatment may facilitate functional recovery and has the potential to help people with partial spinal cord injuries recover some movement and feeling.
Therapy-based rehabilitation services for stroke patients living at home reduced the odds of deteriorating in personal activities of daily living (eg. walking, dressing) by 28% and increased the ability of patients to undertake activities of daily living by 14%. These findings suggest that a therapy-based rehabilitation service could b...
The Exten Fitness System uses motorized chairs to provide a safe all-body workout for those unfit or overweight, helping counter the UK's 'couch potato' culture. The system offers 23 exercises in 30 minutes, promoting increased muscle tone and mobility, improved circulation and coordination.
A Dutch study investigated treatment options for tennis elbow, comparing corticosteroid injections and physiotherapy. Corticosteroid injections showed significant improvement at 6 weeks, but high recurrence rates. Physiotherapy offered better long-term results with lower recurrence rates.
A study published in The Lancet found that community physiotherapy had minimal and short-lived effects on patients with stroke-related mobility problems one year post-stroke. The treatment showed only minor improvements in gait speed at three months, but these benefits were not sustained over time.
A small study found leech therapy to be effective in reducing pain from osteoarthritis, with rapid relief seen after three days and sustained effects four weeks later. The treatment produced no side effects or infections.
A preliminary study suggests that levodopa combined with physiotherapy can improve motor recovery in stroke patients. After three weeks of treatment, the levodopa group showed a significant improvement in motor function compared to the placebo group, with an RMA score gain of 6.4 points versus 4.1 points.