Physical Rehabilitation for Older People in Long-Term Care.

Physical rehabilitation for older people in long-term care.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013; 2: CD004294
Crocker T, Forster A, Young J, Brown L, Ozer S, Smith J, Green J, Hardy J, Burns E, Glidewell E, Greenwood DC

The worldwide population is progressively ageing, with an expected increase in morbidity and demand for long-term care. Physical rehabilitation is beneficial in older people, but relatively little is known about effects on long-term care residents. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2009.To evaluate the benefits and harms of rehabilitation interventions directed at maintaining, or improving, physical function for older people in long-term care through the review of randomised and cluster randomised controlled trials.We searched the trials registers of the following Cochrane entities: the Stroke Group (May 2012), the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group (April 2012), and the Rehabilitation and Related Therapies Field (April 2012). In addition, we searched 20 relevant electronic databases, including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, 2009, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1966 to December 2009), EMBASE (1980 to December 2009), CINAHL (1982 to December 2009), AMED (1985 to December 2009), and PsycINFO (1967 to December 2009). We also searched trials and research registers and conference proceedings; checked reference lists; and contacted authors, researchers, and other relevant Cochrane entities. We updated our searches of electronic databases in 2011 and listed relevant studies as awaiting assessment.Randomised studies comparing a rehabilitation intervention designed to maintain or improve physical function with either no intervention or an alternative intervention in older people (over 60 years) who have permanent long-term care residency.Two review authors independently assessed risk of bias and extracted data. We contacted study authors for additional information. The primary outcome was function in activities of daily living. Secondary outcomes included exercise tolerance, strength, flexibility, balance, perceived health status, mood, cognitive status, fear of falling, and economic analyses. We investigated adverse effects, including death, morbidity, and other events. We synthesised estimates of the primary outcome with the mean difference; mortality data, with the risk ratio; and secondary outcomes, using vote-counting.We included 67 trials, involving 6300 participants. Fifty-one trials reported the primary outcome, a measure of activities of daily living. The estimated effects of physical rehabilitation at the end of the intervention were an improvement in Barthel Index (0 to 100) scores of six points (95% confidence interval (CI) 2 to 11, P = 0.008, seven studies), Functional Independence Measure (0 to 126) scores of five points (95% CI -2 to 12, P = 0.1, four studies), Rivermead Mobility Index (0 to 15) scores of 0.7 points (95% CI 0.04 to 1.3, P = 0.04, three studies), Timed Up and Go test of five seconds (95% CI -9 to 0, P = 0.05, seven studies), and walking speed of 0.03 m/s (95% CI -0.01 to 0.07, P = 0.1, nine studies). Synthesis of secondary outcomes suggested there is a beneficial effect on strength, flexibility, and balance, and possibly on mood, although the size of any such effect is unknown. There was insufficient evidence of the effect on other secondary outcomes. Based on 25 studies (3721 participants), rehabilitation does not increase risk of mortality in this population (risk ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.13). However, it is possible bias has resulted in overestimation of the positive effects of physical rehabilitation.Physical rehabilitation for long-term care residents may be effective, reducing disability with few adverse events, but effects appear quite small and may not be applicable to all residents. There is insufficient evidence to reach conclusions about improvement sustainability, cost-effectiveness, or which interventions are most appropriate. Future large-scale trials are justified. HubMed – rehab

WITHDRAWN: Intensity of exercise for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013; 2: CD004259
Brosseau L, Macleay L, Welch V, Tugwell P, Wells GA

Therapeutic exercise is used as one modality to treat people with osteoarthritis (OA).To evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise of differing intensities on objective and subjective measures of disease activity in people with OA.We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Pedro, Current Contents, Sports Discus and CINAHL up to and including December 2002. The Cochrane Field of Rehabilitation and Related Therapies and the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group were also contacted for a search of their specialized registers. Handsearching was conducted on all retrieved articles for additional studies.Comparative controlled studies, such as randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, cohort studies or case/control studies, of therapeutic exercises compared to control or active interventions in people with OA were eligible. No language restrictions were applied. Abstracts were also accepted.Two independent reviewers identified potential articles from the literature search. These reviewers extracted data using pre-defined extraction forms. Consensus was reached on all data extraction. The two reviewers used a five point scale to assess the quality of the selected articles. Randomization, double-blinding and description of withdrawals were assessed.One study involving 39 participants met the inclusion criteria. The review indicates that there were no significant differences between high intensity and low intensity aerobic exercise on participants with OA of the knee for functional status, gait, pain and aerobic capacity (Mangione 1999).Both high intensity and low intensity aerobic exercise appear to be equally effective in improving a patient`s functional status, gait, pain and aerobic capacity for people with OA of the knee. Further research involving a greater number of subjects, and a larger number of studies involving a control group is needed to further substantiate these results. HubMed – rehab

WITHDRAWN: Therapeutic ultrasound for treating patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013; 2: CD003375
Brosseau L, Casimiro L, Welch V, Milne S, Shea B, Judd M, Wells GA, Tugwell P

Therapeutic ultrasound is one of several rehabilitation interventions suggested for the management of pain due to patellofemoral knee pain syndrome.To assess the effectiveness and side effects of ultrasound therapy for treating patellofemoral knee pain syndrome.We searched the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group register, Cochrane Field of Physical and Related Therapies register, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, HealthSTAR, Sports Discus, CINAHL,and PEDro databases (to December 2000) according to the sensitive search strategy for RCTs designed for the Cochrane Collaboration. The search was complemented with handsearching of the reference lists. Key experts in the area were contacted for any further articles.All randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), case-control and cohort studies comparing therapeutic ultrasound against placebo or another active intervention in people with patellofemoral pain syndrome were selected according to an a priori protocol.Two reviewers determined the studies to be included based on a priori inclusion criteria. Data were independently extracted by the same two reviewers and checked by a third reviewer (BS) using a previously developed form. The same two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of the RCTs and CCTs using a validated scale. The data analysis was performed using Peto odds ratios.The search retrieved 85 articles. Of the eight that were potentially relevant, only one RCT, including 53 participants with patellofemoral pain syndrome, was identified for this review. All participants received an exercise program as concurrent therapy. Ultrasound combined with ice massage contrast (n of 13), where n equals the number of participants, was not statistically different from ice massage alone (n = 16) in terms of participant-rated pain relief or quadriceps and hamstring strengthening. In the ultrasound and ice massage group, 46% (6 of 13) reported improved pain relief compared to 31% (4 of 13) in the ice massage alone group. This difference of 15% does not meet international standards for clinically important improvements in osteoarthritis, which is 20%. Side effects were not reported.Ultrasound therapy was not shown to have a clinically important effect on pain relief for people with patellofemoral pain syndrome. These conclusions are limited by the poor reporting of the therapeutic application of the ultrasound and low methodological quality of the one trial included. No conclusions can be drawn concerning the use, or non-use, of ultrasound for treating patellofemoral pain syndrome. More well-designed studies are needed. HubMed – rehab

Malawian prosthetic and orthotic users’ mobility and satisfaction with their lower limb assistive device.

J Rehabil Med. 2013 Feb 28;
Magnusson L, Ahlström G, Ramstrand N, Fransson EI

Objective: To investigate patients’ mobility and satisfaction with their lower limb prosthetic or orthotic device and related service delivery in Malawi and to compare groups of patients regarding type and level of device and demographics. Methods: Questionnaires were used to collect self-report data from 83 patients. Results: Ninety percent of prostheses or orthoses were in use by patients, but approximately half of these needed repair. Thirty-nine percent reported pain when using their assistive device. The majority of patients were able to rise from a chair (77%), move around the home (80%), walk on uneven ground (59%) and travel by bus or car (56%). However, patients had difficulties walking up and down hills (78%) and stairs (60%). In general, patients were quite satisfied with their assistive device (mean of 3.9 out of 5) and very satisfied with the service provided (mean of 4.4 out of 5). Access to repairs and servicing were rated as most important, followed by durability and follow-up services. Lack of finances to pay for transport was a barrier to accessing the prosthetic and orthotic centre. Conclusion: Patients were satisfied with the assistive device and service received, despite reporting pain associated with use of the device and difficulties ambulating on challenging surfaces. HubMed – rehab