PHYSICAL THERAPY

Research for physical therapy

Papers a physiotherapist can act on — musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory and paediatric practice — each read in full and summarised without overstating what it found.

13,066 PAPERS · PAGE 27 OF 262 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOther2016Effects of elastic-band resistance exercise on balance, mobility and gait function, flexibility and fall efficacy in elderly people.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding elastic-band lower-limb exercise to general physical therapy improved balance, gait, flexibility and fall confidence more than general physical therapy alone in 30 rural older adults. The added band component cannot be separated from extra session time.
• PTOTOther2016Comparison of older adults' visual perceptual skills, cognitive function, and fall efficacy according to fall risk in the elderly.Journal of physical therapy scienceOlder adults classified as at risk for falls had lower visual perception, cognition, and fall efficacy scores than those not at risk. Scores were correlated, but this cannot show that training these skills prevents falls.
• PTRCT2016Effects of virtual reality training using Nintendo Wii and treadmill walking exercise on balance and walking for stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter training, both Wii and treadmill programs lowered standing balance percentages; Wii training, which included yoga, strength, aerobic, and balance tasks, also increased walking cadence. The study was small and included only patients who could already stand and walk independently.
• PTRCT2016The effects on postural control and low back pain according to the types of orthoses in chronic low back pain patients.Journal of physical therapy sciencePeople with chronic low back pain wearing soft or rigid lumbosacral belts for 4 weeks had less pain and more stable balance than before. The soft belt improved forward-back balance more than the rigid belt.
• PTNarrative Review2016The prevention of diabetic foot ulceration: how biomechanical research informs clinical practice.Brazilian journal of physical therapyNo original findings are reported. This narrative review discusses biomechanical theory and guidelines for preventing first-time diabetic foot ulcers, but it cannot change practice on its own.
• PTCohort2016The impact of exercise training on basal BDNF in athletic adolescents.Journal of physical therapy scienceElite adolescent table tennis players had lower resting blood levels of BDNF than inactive peers. This suggests long-term training lowers baseline BDNF, possibly reflecting efficiency rather than impairment. No significant difference was found in NGF levels.
• PTOther2016Comparison of maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps on various posture and respiration conditions for normalization of electromyography data.Journal of physical therapy scienceExpiration after maximal inspiration produced the highest biceps maximum voluntary isometric contraction for EMG normalization in healthy young adults. Posture also changed values, so standardize posture and breathing when measuring.
• PTRCT2016Edema and pain reduction using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation treatment.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 11 patients with lower extremity lymphedema, four weeks of TENS produced a larger reduction in pain than prescribed drugs. Calf circumference also decreased more. The small sample limits confidence.
• PTRCT2016Effects of scapular stability exercise on shoulder stability and rehabilitative ultrasound images in office workers.Journal of physical therapy scienceSix weeks of scapular stability exercises reduced forward head distance and improved upper limb stability more than manual therapy. Use it as an active exercise option, not proof of pain reduction.
• PTCase Report2016Effect of unilateral exercises on low back pain in an urban driver.Journal of physical therapy scienceA taxi driver's left-sided back pain dropped from severe to mild after two ten-day exercise sessions. Unilateral exercises targeting pelvic alignment reduced pain scores and corrected movement asymmetries, though this reflects one person's response.
• PTPilot2016Effects of proprioceptive sense-based Kinesio taping on walking imbalance.Journal of physical therapy scienceKinesio tape on the affected side was followed by smaller left-right walking deviation after each of three taping conditions in 12 stroke patients with hemiplegia. Without a control group, this cannot show the tape caused the change.
• PTOther2016Effects of treadmill speed on the knee angle and stance time of white rats with knee osteoarthritis according to the treadmill speed.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn rats with induced knee osteoarthritis, treadmill walking decreased knee angle at both speeds. Stance time decreased at moderate speed and increased at high speed. This does not show a speed that helps people.
• PTOther2016Effects of complex rehabilitation training on low back strength in chronic low back pain.Journal of physical therapy scienceIsometric low-back strength improved at every tested angle after 12 weeks of combined muscular fitness and stabilization exercise, but there was no described control group and participants were receiving general oriental therapy, so the exercise effect alone cannot be isolated.
• PTRCT2016Comparison of whole-body vibration exercise and plyometric exercise to improve isokinetic muscular strength, jumping performance and balance of female volleyball players.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter 8 weeks, whole-body vibration improved lumbar and knee strength and balance but not jump height; plyometric exercise improved jump height and knee extension strength but not balance.
• PTOther2016Muscle activation patterns in acceleration-based phases during reach-to-grasp movement.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 10 healthy right-hand-dominant adults, shoulder muscles activated differently as the hand accelerated and decelerated toward a bottle. The non-dominant arm showed greater upper trapezius and biceps activity in several phases.
• PTOther2016Intra- and inter-rater reliability of isometric shoulder extensor and internal rotator strength measurements performed using a hand-held dynamometer.Journal of physical therapy scienceA hand-held dynamometer gave consistent shoulder extensor and internal rotator strength readings in swim-specific positions within the same tester and between two testers in 12 healthy male volunteers. This supports measurement, not treatment effect.
• PTOTRCT2017Effects of 2 Years of Exercise on Gait Impairment in People With Parkinson Disease: The PRET-PD Randomized Trial.Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPTTwo years of either progressive resistance or multimodal balance exercise improved fast walking speed and step frequency in Parkinson's. Neither type was superior, but stride length and stability measures did not improve, and gait remained impaired relative to healthy controls.
• PTOTPilot2017Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Children With Brain Tumors.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationNine children with brain tumor hemiplegia completed all 15 constraint-induced movement therapy sessions. Quality of life scores did not show a clear change, but arm use improved and was mostly maintained at 3 months.
• PTPilot2017Reliability and validity of a force-instrumented treadmill for evaluating balance: A preliminary study of feasibility in healthy young adults.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoIn 10 healthy young adults, repeated balance scores from the force-instrumented treadmill were consistent, but they often differed from the established EquiTest. The treadmill may be feasible for research, not yet a validated clinical balance test.
• PTProtocol2017The Interface of Clinical Decision-Making With Study Protocols for Knowledge Translation From a Walking Recovery Trial.Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPTTherapists adapted LEAPS walking protocols in post-stroke trial cases when shoulder pain or poor leg control threatened progression, using movement analysis, adjusted support, and pain-free exercise.
• PTOther2016Effects of body mass index on plantar pressure and balance.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 20 women, plantar pressure and standing balance did not differ clearly between normal and obesity BMI groups. Some sensor areas differed from others, but BMI alone was not enough to separate the groups.
• PTRCT2016Effects of two different mobilization techniques on pain, range of motion and functional disability in patients with adhesive capsulitis: a comparative study.Journal of physical therapy scienceReverse distraction reduced pain more and improved shoulder abduction and function more than Kaltenborn glides, but both groups also received heat, pendular exercises and stretching, so the mobilization alone cannot be credited. External rotation and hand-behind-back did not differ between groups.
• PTPilot2016The temporal relationship of thresholds between muscle activity and ventilation during bicycle ramp exercise in community dwelling elderly males.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 11 active elderly men, the vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscles showed a change in activity before the ventilatory threshold, while the biceps femoris changed near it. This suggests surface EMG could guide safe cycling intensity without gas analysis.
• PTSurvey2016Assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms in different stages of menopause.Journal of physical therapy sciencePerimenopausal women had the greatest urinary incontinence impact, and stress leakage and urgency were common. This study did not test treatment.
• PTCase Report2016Usefulness of continuous actigraph monitoring in the assessment of the effect of corticosteroid treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, home actigraph data rose after corticosteroids began, matching his clinic walk tests. This case report shows a possible monitoring pattern, not proof the drug or device works.
• PTRCT2016Effect of spinal decompression on the lumbar muscle activity and disk height in patients with herniated intervertebral disk.Journal of physical therapy scienceDisk height did not change significantly after either decompression or traction plus trunk stabilization exercise. The decompression group had a significant decrease in disk herniation index, but both groups also did trunk stabilization.
• PTOther2016Changes of oxidative/antioxidative parameters and DNA damage in firefighters wearing personal protective equipment during treadmill walking training.Journal of physical therapy scienceFirefighters walking on a treadmill in full firefighter protective gear had higher heart rate and exertion than in regular clothes. Blood oxidative and antioxidant markers rose, and DNA damage did not fully return to baseline after rest.
• PTCase Report2016The effect of a powered ankle foot orthosis on walking in a stroke subject: a case study.Journal of physical therapy scienceFor one stroke patient, a powered ankle-foot orthosis raised ankle and hip moments and stride length, but walking speed fell. This single case cannot show the device helps.
• PTRCT2016Effect of proprioception cross training on repositioning accuracy and balance among healthy individuals.Journal of physical therapy scienceEight weeks of proprioceptive training on one leg improved the untrained leg's position sense and single-leg balance in healthy adults. The study did not test injured patients.
• PTOther2016Knee joint angle of intracerebral hemorrhage-induced rats after extracorporeal shock wave therapy.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn rats with induced brain hemorrhage, shock wave therapy to the affected hindlimb hamstring produced a smaller increase in knee angle at mid stance than no therapy. This is animal data, not evidence of human walking improvement.
• PTOTSurvey2016Study on the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy.Journal of physical therapy scienceQuality of life in children with cerebral palsy was linked to mental function, pain, movement, self-care, school and social participation, and environmental barriers. These are daily-life and environment factors, not only movement.
• PTRCT2016The effects of the intake of an isotonic sports drink before orienteering competitions on skeletal muscle damage.Journal of physical therapy scienceDrinking isotonic sports drink before orienteering did not reduce most blood markers of muscle damage compared with water. Only 2-hour myoglobin was lower. Both groups showed higher blood markers after competition.
• PTRCT2016The effects of short foot exercises and arch support insoles on improvement in the medial longitudinal arch and dynamic balance of flexible flatfoot patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 14 young adults with flexible flatfoot, short foot exercises reduced navicular drop more than arch insoles worn while walking. Both groups improved dynamic balance after five weeks of three-times-weekly sessions.
• PTOTSLPOther2016Reliability and validity of standing balance assessment index using a hand-held dynamometer in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy sciencePushing against a stroke patient's pelvis with a hand-held dynamometer until they lose balance measures standing stability reliably. The force needed correlates strongly with standard balance scores. It is quick and works for patients too impaired to perform other tests.
• PTOTSLPRCT2016The effects of high intensity laser therapy on pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding high-intensity laser therapy to standard physical therapy reduced knee pain and improved function more than physical therapy alone in 20 patients with osteoarthritis over four weeks. However, the study was small and short-term, so the durability of this benefit is unknown.
• PTRCT2016The effects of visual control whole body vibration exercise on balance and gait function of stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn stroke patients, adding 10 minutes of visual control whole body vibration to 30 minutes of Neuro-developmental treatment improved Functional Reach and Timed Up and Go scores more than Neuro-developmental treatment alone. Both were given together, so vibration alone cannot be separated.
• PTOther2016The effects of sitting with the right leg crossed on the trunk length and pelvic torsion of healthy individuals.Journal of physical therapy scienceCrossing the right leg over the left knee while sitting for 20 minutes shortened the trunk and increased posterior rotation of the right pelvis in 30 healthy adults. This is a short-term posture change, not proof of pain or deformity.
• PTOther2016Examinations of factors influencing toe grip strength.Journal of physical therapy scienceAmong 12 healthy young women, stronger toe grip was linked to higher foot arches, more front-of-shin muscle activity, more toe curling, and greater ankle angle. This is an association in a small group, not proof that training toe grip prevents falls.
• PTSurvey2016Availability, usage, and factors affecting usage of electrophysical agents by physical therapists: a regional cross-sectional survey.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn Nagano, PTs reported that hot packs, ultrasound, low frequency current and traction were available, but confidence in many agents was low. Equipment access, past experience and research evidence were top factors reported as influencing usage.
• PTRCT2016The effects of horse riding simulation exercise with blindfolding on healthy subjects' balance and gait.Journal of physical therapy scienceHealthy adults who wore a blindfold during horse-riding simulation had higher post-training static balance, dynamic balance, and cadence scores than adults doing the same simulation without a blindfold. Both groups improved, so the simulator alone may explain much of the change.
• PTSurvey2017Australian critical care nursing professionals' attitudes towards the use of traditional "chest physiotherapy" techniques.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoMost Australian critical care nurses reported using traditional chest physiotherapy techniques, often independently, and saw it as part of nursing care. Many said limited physiotherapy coverage outside weekday hours drove this, while asking for more training.
• PTRCT2017Functional implications of muscle co-contraction during gait in advanced age.Gait & postureIn older adults, more lower-extremity co-contraction was linked to longer cognitive test time, slower dual-task gait, and lower balance confidence, but not to physical or balance test scores.
• PTOther2017Speed, resistance, and unexpected accelerations modulate feed forward and feedback control during a novel weight bearing task.Gait & postureIn healthy adults, faster single-leg squat tracking and more brake resistance increased knee movement errors. Unexpected brake release produced larger error and force responses at high speed and resistance. Quadriceps activity increased and hamstrings inhibited.
• PTOther2017Plantarflexor passive-elastic properties related to BMI and walking performance in older women.Gait & postureOlder women with higher BMI had 47% lower ankle plantarflexor stiffness per kg, but elastic energy storage and energy loss did not differ. Stiffness per kg was linked to slower maximal walking and lower push-off rate.
• PTOTCohort2017Hip and Lumbar Spine Physical Examination Findings in People Presenting With Low Back Pain, With or Without Lower Extremity Pain.The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapyMost patients with low back pain had reduced hip movement or pain during hip tests. Those with these hip findings reported worse pain and disability. Examining the hip is common in this group and may help identify contributing factors, though this study does not prove hip treatment improves back pain.
• PTOther2017Trunk Muscle Characteristics of the Multifidi, Erector Spinae, Psoas, and Quadratus Lumborum in Older Adults With and Without Chronic Low Back Pain.The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapyOlder adults with chronic low back pain showed more fat within the multifidus and smaller erector spinae muscles than peers without pain, with differences also varying by sex. This is an MRI comparison, not proof that exercises change these muscles.
• PTOTSurvey2017Musculoskeletal problems among string instrumentalists in South Africa.The South African journal of physiotherapyMost string players report musculoskeletal pain, with women at higher risk. Low back, upper back, and shoulders are the main trouble spots. Symptoms are usually mild to moderate but interfere with performance for over a third of players.
• PTOther2017Quantification of upper body movements during gait in older adults and in those with Parkinson's disease: impact of acceleration realignment methodologies.Gait & postureWearable sensor alignment methods changed every upper-body gait variable tested. For 12 of 42 variables, the method also changed how clearly Parkinson's disease differed from controls, so sensor results cannot be compared across studies without the same processing.
• PTOther2016The effect of walking sticks on balance in geriatric subjects.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 39 older adults already using a walking stick, balance scores were higher when they held the stick than when they did not. The pattern was seen across body mass groups, but stick use was not assigned.
• PTOTOther2016Effects of community-based rehabilitation program on activities of daily living and cognition in elderly chronic stroke survivors.Journal of physical therapy scienceOlder adults with chronic stroke who took part in a monthly community rehabilitation program combining exercise and crafts improved in daily activities and cognition. Only eleven finished, and there was no control group.