THE INDEX

Every paper we have read

Each one summarised from the full article, not its abstract, and kept only if it speaks to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology or nursing. Newest first.

35,183 PAPERS · PAGE 234 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTOther2016Profile of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease classified as physically active and inactive according to different thresholds of physical activity in daily life.Brazilian journal of physical therapyAcross three daily-activity thresholds, COPD patients called active walked farther, had better body composition and lung function, and reported less daily-life limitation. The number called active changed with threshold, so the label depends on the cut-off.
• PTCase Report2016The effects of backward walking training on balance and mobility in an individual with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury: A case report.Physiotherapy theory and practiceOne woman with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury improved balance and mobility after 18 backward walking sessions. Her Berg Balance score rose from 20/56 to 37/56, but walking independence did not change.
• PTOther2016Differences in respirogram phase between taekwondo poomsae athletes and nonathletes.Journal of physical therapy scienceYoung male taekwondo poomsae athletes had a different forced breathing curve than nonathletes, with a larger inspiratory area and higher expiratory slopes. The study compares groups and does not test a treatment.
• PTOther2016Comparison of bone density on the dominant and nondominant sides between healthy elderly individuals and stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceHealthy elderly controls showed no side-to-side difference in heel bone density. Stroke patients had lower bone density on the paretic side than the nonparetic side, and their side-to-side difference was larger than in controls.
• PTOther2016Assessing gait and balance impairment in elderly residents of nursing homes.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn nursing home residents, slower Timed Up and Go and lower Tinetti POMA scores were linked with more falls over the last year. Berg Balance did not track falls, and One-Legged Stance could be used in only 46%.
• PTRCT2016The weight-bearing exercise for better balance program improves strength and balance in osteopenia: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of physical therapy sciencePostmenopausal women with osteopenia who did a six-week weight-bearing balance program had higher hip and knee strength and better balance scores than women who received no treatment. Hip extensor strength did not show a clear between-group difference.
• PTOther2016Ipsilateral patterns of the rotational range of motion of the hip in healthy Japanese adults.Journal of physical therapy science222 healthy Japanese adults showed hip rotation patterns that differed by sex: males more often had external rotation greater than internal rotation, females more often had internal rotation greater. Left and right sides did not differ. The difference was common, not proof of disease.
• PTOther2016A study on the reliability of measuring dynamic balance ability using a smartphone.Journal of physical therapy scienceA smartphone sensor on the lower back gave repeatable acceleration readings for dynamic balance in 30 healthy young adults, especially with eyes closed; gyroscope readings were less consistent, particularly with eyes closed.
• PTOther2016Correlation between hip function and knee kinematics evaluated by three-dimensional motion analysis during lateral and medial side-hopping.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 16 limbs of healthy male rugby players, side-hop landing differed by direction: lateral landing had more knee abduction, medial landing had more external rotation. Hip internal rotation range was linked to greater knee external rotation and abduction loads during lateral landing only.
• SLPOther2016Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on facial muscle strength and oral function in stroke patients with facial palsy.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn nine stroke patients with facial palsy and oral swallowing problems, cheek and lip strength increased after four weeks of facial electrical stimulation, and oral phase swallowing score decreased. No comparison group was included, so natural recovery may explain the changes.
• PTOther2016The effect of feedback respiratory exercise on muscle activity, craniovertebral angle, and neck disability index of the neck flexors of patients with forward head posture.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter two weeks, feedback breathing exercise and McKenzie exercise changed neck muscle activity, raised the craniovertebral angle and lowered neck disability in people with forward head posture. Feedback breathing changed SCM activity and neck disability more than McKenzie.
• PTProtocol2016Effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle intervention for low back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee: protocol and statistical analysis plan for two randomised controlled trials.Brazilian journal of physical therapyNo results are reported. This is a study plan for two randomised trials of telephone weight management and lifestyle coaching for low back pain and knee osteoarthritis, so there is no finding to act on.
• PTRCT2016The effect of gluteus medius strengthening on the knee joint function score and pain in meniscal surgery patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceFor meniscal surgery patients with weak hip abductors, combining hip abduction with squat training improved knee function and reduced pain more than either exercise alone.
• PTOTSLPCohort2016Prediction of destination at discharge from a comprehensive rehabilitation hospital using the home care score.Journal of physical therapy scienceA home care score of 11 or more predicted returning home in Japanese rehabilitation patients. For patients with a FIM score of 54 or less, the home care score was still useful. Both scores were higher at discharge than at admission.
• PTOTCohort2016Effectiveness of the back school program for the performance of activities of daily living in users of a basic health unit in Porto Alegre, Brazil.Journal of physical therapy scienceA Back School program improved how people with chronic pain performed daily tasks like lifting and writing, and reduced pain and disability scores. Sitting posture did not improve. Without a control group, natural recovery cannot be ruled out.
• PTPilot2016Clinical usefulness of brain-computer interface-controlled functional electrical stimulation for improving brain activity in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of physical therapy scienceBoth groups showed increased brain-wave activity after six weeks. The supplied table marks within-group changes, so it does not show BCI-FES was better than FES.
• PTRCT2016The effect of intervention according to muscle contraction type on the cerebral cortex of the elderly.Journal of physical therapy scienceFour weeks of eccentric knee exercises increased brain activity in motor areas and rectus femoris muscle activity more than concentric exercises in healthy older adults. This suggests eccentric training may better stimulate the nervous system, though functional improvements were not measured.
• PTOther2016Comparison of hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio between accelerating and decelerating sections during squat exercise.Journal of physical therapy scienceHamstring-to-quadriceps muscle activity ratio was higher during the slowing-down part of a squat than during the speeding-up part (0.79 vs 0.54) in nine healthy men.
• PTOther2016Comparison of abdominal muscle thickness according to feedback method used during abdominal hollowing exercise.Journal of physical therapy scienceDuring a 15-minute abdominal hollowing exercise, real-time ultrasound feedback showed greater transversus abdominis thickness than manual-contact basic training. Pressure biofeedback did not differ from either method. These were 30 healthy students, not patients.
• PTOther2016Compression of the lungs by the heart in supine, side-lying, semi-prone positions.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn eight healthy people, the heart compressed the lung least in semi-prone positions and most in right side-lying. The scan measured lung compression only, not breathing outcomes, and no patients were studied.
• PTOther2016Comparative assessment of knee extensor and flexor muscle strength measured using a hand-held vs. isokinetic dynamometer.Journal of physical therapy scienceHand-held dynamometer knee strength readings were repeatable and tracked closely with isokinetic readings in healthy adults. Hand-held flexor/extensor ratios did not match isokinetic ratios well.
• PTOther2016Effects of wearing ankle weight on knee joint repositioning sense in the elderly.Journal of physical therapy scienceAnkle weights did not show a reliable improvement in knee position sense in older adults in this small study. Older adults still made larger angle errors than younger adults.
• PTOther2016Advancements in Imaging Technology: Do They (or Will They) Equate to Advancements in Our Knowledge of Recovery in Whiplash?The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapyNo original finding to act on. This imaging commentary for whiplash reports no methods or outcomes.
• SLPSurvey2016Analysis of dysphagia risk using the modified dysphagia risk assessment for the community-dwelling elderly.Journal of physical therapy science52.6% of community-dwelling Korean elders were classified as high risk for dysphagia. Older age, dentures, and needing partial daily-living help were linked to higher risk. The cross-sectional survey cannot show these factors cause swallowing problems.
• PTOther2016Effects of upper extremity training in a standing position on trunk alignment in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 12 stroke patients, upper limb tasks done while standing reduced forward rounding of the upper back more than the same tasks done while sitting. The lower back curve did not show this change.
• PTOther2016Relationship between the duration and trunk inclination and hip angle during car transfer in individuals with tetraplegia.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 11 men with C6 tetraplegia, shorter wheelchair-to-car transfers were linked with more hip flexion, not more trunk lean.
• PTOther2016Characteristics of lower limb muscle activity during upper limb elevation in badminton players.Journal of physical therapy scienceExperienced badminton players lifted the dominant arm faster and used the opposite leg muscle more strongly than non-players. The leg difference was not seen when they lifted the non-dominant arm.
• OTRCT2016Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on visual perception function and performance capability of activities of daily living in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding tDCS to occupational therapy did not show a significant difference between the tDCS and sham groups in stroke patients, though both groups improved on visual perception and ADL scores. The tDCS group had larger reported mean gains.
• PTOther2016Changes in the activity of trunk and hip extensor muscles during bridge exercises with variations in unilateral knee joint angle.Journal of physical therapy scienceLifting a bridge with the dominant knee straight rather than bent raised trunk and opposite hip extensor activity, and lowered the hamstring on the straight side. For healthy young men only, this does not prove better function or pain relief.
• PTRCT2016Effects of 8 weeks of mat-based Pilates exercise on gait in chronic stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn chronic stroke patients, the Pilates group showed faster walking and longer strides after 8 weeks, but imbalance between sides did not improve.
• SLPRCT2016Effect of orofacial myofunctional exercise on the improvement of dysphagia patients' orofacial muscle strength and diadochokinetic rate.Journal of physical therapy scienceStroke patients with swallowing problems improved more in tongue, cheek, lip strength and rapid /Pa/ and /Ta/ sounds when orofacial exercises were added to temperature-tactile stimulation. The study did not test orofacial exercise alone.
• PTRCT2016Effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation on event related potentials.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn young women with normal cognition, brief electrical stimulation near the ears changed some brain responses during word-picture matching. The study did not show that this improves memory, attention, or everyday function.
• PTOTOther2016Reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire for patients with musculoskeletal disorder.Journal of physical therapy scienceThe Korean Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment gives consistent scores when patients repeat it after one week and aligns with the SF-36. It is a reliable self-report tool for tracking disability in Korean patients with limb musculoskeletal disorders.
• PTOTCase Series2016Deviation in the recovery of the lower limb and respiratory muscles of patients with polymyositis: a preliminary clinical study.Journal of physical therapy scienceFive people with polymyositis who received physiotherapy and prednisolone for four weeks showed improved leg strength, breathing muscle pressures, and daily function. Inspiratory muscle pressure improved less than expiratory muscle pressure. Because both treatments were given together, their separate effects cannot be identified.
• PTRCT2016The immediate effects of spinal thoracic manipulation on respiratory functions.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn healthy young adults, thoracic spinal manipulation immediately increased forced vital capacity by 0.2 liters and FEV1 by 0.1 liters; placebo showed no change. The authors called the gains very small.
• PTCase-Control2016Is ultrasonography useful in the diagnosis of the polyneuropathy in diabetic patients?Journal of physical therapy scienceUltrasound showed larger ulnar nerves at the elbow in diabetic patients with polyneuropathy or carpal tunnel syndrome. The elbow measurement was the most effective ultrasound parameter for polyneuropathy diagnosis, but no diagnostic gold standard existed.
• PTOther2016Fall- and BBS-related differences in muscle strength and postural balance of the elderly.Journal of physical therapy scienceActive older women who had fallen and those who had not looked almost the same in strength and Berg Balance Scale scores. A sensor sway measure differed, but the Berg scale alone did not separate fallers.
• PTOther2016Mean individual muscle activities and ratios of total muscle activities in a selective muscle strengthening experiment: the effects of lower limb muscle activity based on mediolateral slope angles during a one-leg stance.Journal of physical therapy scienceAt slopes of 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, and 25° during one-leg stance, electrical activity differed for the gluteus medius, hamstring, and medial gastrocnemius. The medial gastrocnemius percentage of total activity also differed. This was in 21 healthy volunteers.
• PTOther2016The effect of age and body mass index on plantar cutaneous sensation in healthy women.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn healthy women, heel and some forefoot areas felt pressure less often with older age and higher BMI. Foot pain also rose with age and was worse in obesity. This is a link, not proof that weight or aging causes sensory loss.
• PTSystematic Review2016The effect of whole body vibration therapy on the physical function of people with type II diabetes mellitus: a systematic review.Journal of physical therapy scienceThe evidence is inconclusive. Some trials of whole-body vibration plus exercise reported better balance, strength and walking endurance, but Timed Up and Go results were inconsistent.
• PTOther2016Primary and secondary gait deviations of stroke survivors and their association with gait performance.Journal of physical therapy scienceFive stroke survivors had less ankle, knee, and hip motion than five healthy controls, but more pelvic tilt, rotation, and side-to-side movement. On the affected side, knee, hip, and pelvic motion were seen with slower walking and shorter steps.
• PTRCT2016Effects of ankle biofeedback training on strength, balance, and gait in patients with stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceAnkle strength did not differ between biofeedback training and conventional strengthening. Balance improved and walking time decreased more with biofeedback training after 8 weeks.
• PTSurvey2016Physical activity of men from Wroclaw compared with their discretionary income.Journal of physical therapy scienceIncome groups differed in reported physical activity. The lowest income group reported the least total activity, and low-intensity and high-intensity activity also varied by income; moderate intensity did not. This is an association, not proof money causes it.
• PTPilot2016Physical exercises for breast cancer survivors: effects of 10 weeks of training on upper limb circumferences.Journal of physical therapy scienceTen weeks of Nordic Walking, with or without ISA exercises, and Walking plus ISA exercises reduced arm circumferences on the surgery side. Walking alone did not. This was a small pilot.
• PTRCT2016The effects of wall slide and sling slide exercises on scapular alignment and pain in subjects with scapular downward rotation.Journal of physical therapy scienceWall slide exercises, but not sling slide exercises, significantly improved resting scapular alignment, increased pressure pain threshold, and reduced upper trapezius pain in young men with scapular downward rotation after four weeks. Sling exercises showed no significant benefit over baseline.
• PTOther2016The effects of performing a one-legged bridge with hip abduction and use of a sling on trunk and lower extremity muscle activation in healthy adults.Journal of physical therapy scienceSome trunk and hip muscles activated more when one-legged bridge exercises added hip abduction or a sling in healthy adults. The study did not test patients or functional outcomes.
• PTOther2016Effect of elastic stockings and ankle positions on the blood velocity in the common femoral vein.Journal of physical therapy scienceElastic stockings did not change common femoral vein blood velocity in 10 healthy men. Head-up position lowered velocity compared with supine or leg-up, with or without stockings.
• PTOther2016Effect of rain boot shaft length on lower extremity muscle activity during treadmill walking.Journal of physical therapy scienceLong, middle and short rain boots showed no significant difference in lower-limb muscle activity during treadmill walking in 12 healthy young women. Shaft length alone did not appear to alter how these muscles worked.
• PTOther2016The effect of proficiency level on measurement error of range of motion.Journal of physical therapy scienceGoniometer error decreased as testers gained experience. For knee flexion measured by a less experienced tester, a small change may be indistinguishable from measurement error.
• PTOTCohort2016The effects of hand strength on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patients, with a focus on right hemiplegia.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn stroke patients with right hemiplegia, grip strength correlated with both upper extremity function and daily living independence. Pinch strength correlated with function but not with daily living tasks. Grip appears more critical for basic independence than finger pinch.