Developing Evidence-Based Physical Therapy Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Developing Evidence-Based Physical Therapy Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Pediatr Phys Ther. 2013 Jun 5;
Kaplan SL, Coulter C, Fetters L

PURPOSE:: Recommended strategies for developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are provided. KEY POINTS:: The intent is that future CPGs developed with the support of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association would consistently follow similar developmental processes to yield consistent quality and presentation. Steps in the process of developing CPGs are outlined and resources are provided to assist CPG developers in carrying out their task. These recommended processes may also be useful to CPG developers representing organizations with similar structures, objectives, and resources. HubMed – rehab

 

Methodological quality of a systematic review on physical therapy for temporomandibular disorders: influence of hand search and quality scales-reply to a letter to the author.

Clin Oral Investig. 2013 Jun 7;
Craane B

HubMed – rehab

 

Treatment goals for ambulatory blood pressure and plasma lipids after stroke are often not reached.

Dan Med J. 2013 Jun; 60(6): A4619
Engberg AW, Kofoed K

In Danish health care, secondary prevention after stroke is currently handled mainly by general practitioners using office blood pressure (OBP) assessment of hypertension. The aim of this study was to compare the OBP approach to 24-hour assessment by ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring. Furthermore, we aimed to record the degree of adherence to recommended therapy goals for blood pressure and plasma lipids.In a prospective observational study, 45 stroke patients aged 25-64 years who were participating in specialized intensive outpatient rehabilitation were monitored by OBP and ABP on average 1.3 (0.14-4.3) years post stroke. Furthermore, data on additional risk factors and medication for secondary prevention were collected.OBP and daytime ABP exceeded the therapy goal of 130/80 mmHg in 71% and 44% of the patients, respectively. ABP exceeded the night-time therapy goal of 115/65 in 57% of cases. Normal dipping at night was found in only 41% (systolic) and 32% (diastolic) of the patients. Considering both day- and night-time blood pressure, antihypertensive medication was absent or inadequate in 60%. Low density lipid (LDL) levels exceeded the recommended limit of 2.5 mmol/l in 49%.For blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol, secondary prevention is far from ideal in post-stroke patients. Compared with OBP, ABP demands more resources, but in turn yields more reliable results and also provides important information about diurnal BP variation. ABP monitoring at least once after stroke should therefore be implemented routinely.Aase og Einar Danielsens Fond.not relevant. HubMed – rehab

 

Design and Evaluation of a Wearable Self-Applied Therapeutic Ultrasound Device for Chronic Myofascial Pain.

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2013 Jun 3;
Lewis GK, Langer MD, Henderson CR, Ortiz R

Ultrasound therapy for pain and healing is a versatile treatment modality for musculoskeletal conditions that is used daily in rehabilitation clinics around the world. Our group designed and constructed a wearable, battery-operated, low-intensity therapeutic ultrasound (LITUS) device that patients could self-apply and operate during daily activity for up to 6 h. Thirty patients with chronic trapezius myofascial pain evaluated the LITUS system in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 10-d study under institutional review board approval. While continuing their prescribed medication regimen, patients with the active device reported on average 1.94× reduction in pain and 1.58× improvement in health relative to placebo devices after 1 h of treatment. Both of these results were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for the first 2 d of the study. Male patients reported the majority of benefit, and there is a sex-treatment confound in the sample. The study indicates that wearable, long-duration LITUS technology improves mobile access to drug-free pain relief. HubMed – rehab