Manual therapy
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Review Case Reports
Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (Paget-Schroetter syndrome) after surfing: a case report.
This case report summarises the presentation of a 28-year-old female with signs and symptoms characteristic of thoracic outlet syndrome, but who was later found to have an effort-induced Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis (UEDVT), otherwise known as Paget-Schroetter syndrome. Effort-induced UEDVT is rare, but the similarity between the signs and symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome and this type of thrombosis can result in patients with this condition presenting to musculoskeletal therapists. The key features of the case are described, followed by an overview of UEDVT and the importance of recognising this condition in musculoskeletal therapy practice. The role of therapists in referring for early medical diagnostics is key to ensuring management of the thrombosis is instigated early, therefore reducing the risk of life threatening consequences such as pulmonary embolism.
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Even though nociceptive pathology has often long subsided, the brain of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain has typically acquired a protective (movement-related) pain memory. Exercise therapy for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain is often hampered by such pain memories. Here the authors explain how musculoskeletal therapists can alter pain memories in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, by integrating pain neuroscience education with exercise interventions. ⋯ Next, exercise therapy can address movement-related pain memories by applying the 'exposure without danger' principle. By addressing patients' perceptions about exercises, therapists should try to decrease the anticipated danger (threat level) of the exercises by challenging the nature of, and reasoning behind their fears, assuring the safety of the exercises, and increasing confidence in a successful accomplishment of the exercise. This way, exercise therapy accounts for the current understanding of pain neuroscience, including the mechanisms of central sensitization.
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This study investigates the clinical course of and prognostic factors for quality of life (Short Form 36 items Health survey (SF-36)) and global perceived effect (GPE) in patients treated for chronic non-specific low back pain at 5 and 12-months follow-up. Data from a prospective cohort (n = 1760) of a rehabilitation center were used, where patients followed a 2-months cognitive behavior treatment. The outcome 'improvement in quality of life (SF-36)' was defined as a 10% increase in score on the SF-36 at follow-up compared with baseline. ⋯ At 5-months follow-up, the 10% improvement in quality of life (SF-36 PCS) and GPE was associated with patient characteristics, physical examination, work-related factors and psychological factors; for GPE, an association was also found with clinical status. At 12-months follow-up GPE was associated with patient characteristics, clinical status, physical examination and work-related factors. The next phase in this prognostic research is external validation of these results.
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Observational Study
The clinical utility of pain classification in non-specific arm pain.
Mechanisms-based pain classification has received considerable attention recently for its potential use in clinical decision making. A number of algorithms for pain classification have been proposed. Non-specific arm pain (NSAP) is a poorly defined condition, which could benefit from classification according to pain mechanisms to improve treatment selection. ⋯ Pain classification was achievable with high inter-rater agreement for two of the three algorithms assessed. The Smart classification may be useful but requires further direction regarding the use of clinical criteria included. The impact of adding a pain classification to clinical assessment on patient outcomes needs to be evaluated.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Validation of a sham comparator for thoracic spinal manipulation in patients with shoulder pain.
The evidence to guide use of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for patients with shoulder pain is limited. A validated sham comparator is needed to ascertain the unique effects of SMT. We investigated the plausibility of a thoracic sham-SMT comparator for SMT in patients with shoulder pain. ⋯ The sham-SMT was believable as an active treatment, perceived as having equal beneficial effects both when verbally described and after familiarization with the treatment, and has an inert effect on shoulder AROM. This comparator can be considered for used in clinical trials investigating thoracic SMT. IRB number: HM 13182.