Physical therapy
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Evidence of Bilateral Localized, but Not Widespread, Pressure Pain Hypersensitivity in Patients With Upper Extremity Tendinopathy/Overuse Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
The presence of altered nociceptive pain processing in patients with upper extremity tendinopathy/overuse injury is conflicting. Our aim was to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in symptomatic and distant pain-free areas between patients with upper extremity tendinopathy/overuse injury and controls. ⋯ Early identification of people with altered pain modulation could guide clinicians in treatment strategies. This review shows that there is a complex interplay between peripheral and central pain mechanisms in upper extremity tendinopathies/overuse injuries and that there likely are different subgroups of patients with upper extremity conditions.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rapid shift to telehealth-delivered physical therapy services. Common impairments after stroke create unique challenges when providing rehabilitation via telehealth, particularly when it involves activities undertaken in weight-bearing or standing positions, including walking training. Our scoping review maps the evidence regarding safety, efficacy, and feasibility of remotely supervised telehealth interventions involving activities undertaken in weight-bearing or standing positions for people after stroke. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a rapid shift to telerehabilitation services for people with stroke, but there is little evidence to guide best practice. Our review provides practical guidance and strategies to overcome barriers and optimize safety and adherence for telehealth interventions involving activities in weight-bearing or standing positions.
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Meta Analysis
Dry Needling for the Treatment Of Tension-Type, Cervicogenic, or Migraine Headaches: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Dry needling is a treatment technique used by clinicians to relieve symptoms in patients with tension-type headache (TTH), cervicogenic headache (CGH), or migraine. This systematic review's main objective was to assess the effectiveness of dry needling on headache pain intensity and related disability in patients with TTH, CGH, or migraine. ⋯ Although further high-methodological quality studies are warranted to provide a more robust conclusion, our systematic review suggested that for every 1 or 2 patients with TTH treated by dry needling, 1 patient will likely show decreased headache intensity (number needed to treat [NNT] = 2; large effect) and improved related disability (NNT = 1; very large effect). In CGH, for every 3 or 4 patients treated by dry needling, 1 patient will likely exhibit decreased headache intensity (NNT = 4; small effect) and improved related disability (NNT = 3; medium effect).
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of trigger point (TrP) dry needling alone or as an adjunct to other interventions on pain intensity and related disability in nontraumatic shoulder pain. ⋯ Dry needling is commonly used for the management of musculoskeletal pain. This is the first meta-analysis to examine the effects of dry needling on nontraumatic shoulder pain.
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Physical therapists play an important role in responding to pandemic and physical disaster situations. Existing literature can provide guidance to health care leadership teams to appropriately and safely leverage physical therapy resources and skill sets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to provide a review of the pandemic and physical disaster management literature to summarize physical therapy-specific operational considerations to assist hospital-based leadership teams in planning and response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Physical therapists have an important role to play in response efforts related to major events that impact health and wellness, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence-informed, facility-based, and regional planning during the current COVID-19 pandemic will help physical therapists enhance their role in treating patients in physical therapy and rehabilitation settings.