Physiotherapy
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Smoking status and its relationship with exercise capacity, physical activity in daily life and quality of life in physically independent, elderly individuals.
To investigate the relationship between smoking status and exercise capacity, physical activity in daily life and health-related quality of life in physically independent, elderly (≥60 years) individuals. ⋯ Among elderly individuals, current smokers had lower exercise capacity than never smokers. Although the level of physical activity did not differ between the groups, an association was found with smoking. Tobacco exposure was associated with worse scores for the mental health dimension of SF-36 in physically independent, elderly individuals.
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To compare sensitivity of pathology on imaging between referrals from primary care, physiotherapists, spinal surgeons and other secondary care providers. ⋯ When appropriate, referrals via the extended physiotherapy service should be encouraged, rather than referrals directly from GPs. With appropriate training and in the appropriate clinical context, extended physiotherapy services could include inpatients and could accept outpatient referrals from other secondary care providers and not just from GPs; this would improve efficiency and reduce the workload of the radiology department and the spinal surgical unit.
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To identify the types of clinical prediction rules (CPRs) for low back pain (LBP) that Australian physiotherapists wish to see developed and the characteristics of LBP CPRs that physiotherapists believe are important. ⋯ There were several identified areas of perceived need for LBP CPR development and a range of characteristics such tools need to encompass to be considered clinically meaningful and useful by physiotherapists in this study. Targeting and incorporating the needs and preferences of physiotherapists is likely to result in the development of tools for LBP with the greatest potential to positively impact clinical practice.