Physiotherapy
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of a group education programme on pain and function through knowledge acquisition and home-based exercise among patients with knee osteoarthritis: a parallel randomised single-blind clinical trial.
To assess the effect of a group education programme on pain and function through knowledge acquisition and a home-based exercise programme. ⋯ A simple group education programme for patients with knee osteoarthritis is associated with improved functional abilities and pain reduction. Further study is required to determine if this positive effect can be maintained over a longer period.
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To examine the effectiveness of chest physiotherapy for patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Chest physiotherapy techniques such as intermittent positive pressure ventilation and positive expiratory pressure may benefit patients with COPD requiring assistance with sputum clearance, while walking programmes may have wider benefits for patients admitted with an exacerbation of COPD. Chest physiotherapy techniques other than percussion are safe for administration to this patient population.
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Comparative Study
The national clinical audit of falls and bone health-secondary prevention of falls and fractures: a physiotherapy perspective.
To establish current physiotherapy practice in the secondary management of falls and fragility fractures compared with national guidance. ⋯ Physiotherapists have a significant role to play in the secondary prevention of falls and fractures. However, along with managers and professional bodies, more must be done to ensure that clinical practice reflects the evidence base and professional standards.
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To generate expert consensus evidence for the purpose of developing more complete guidelines for people with persistent low back pain than is possible using current research evidence alone. Gaps in research evidence lead to incomplete practice recommendations unless a scientific process can provide supplementary consensus evidence that is a basis for additional recommendations. ⋯ The modified NGT was a practical and cost-effective way of generating consensus evidence from a UK-wide group. The consensus evidence was the basis of appropriately graded recommendations for effective care of people with persistent low back pain. Consensus methods have been little used in physiotherapy to date but are likely to be valuable in developing clinically useful, evidence-based tools for future practice.
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Comparative Study
A comparison of the analgesic efficacy of medium-frequency alternating current and TENS.
To compare the analgesic efficacy of burst-modulated medium-frequency alternating current (BMAC) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) using an experimental cold pain model. ⋯ BMAC is as effective as TENS in increasing cold pain thresholds in healthy subjects. Since BMAC has been shown to be more comfortable than TENS in previous studies and is likely to be better accepted and tolerated by patients, clinical investigation is warranted.