Physiotherapy News and Research

RSS

No evidence for added benefits of spinal manipulation for acute lower back pain

Manipulating or "adjusting" the spine is a popular way to treat occasional or acute lower back pain and is covered by many health insurance plans, but a recent review by The Cochrane Library finds no evidence to suggest it is more effective than other therapy options.

21 Sep 2012

Ultrasound boosts rheumatology clinical examination findings

Musculoskeletal ultrasound improves rheumatology diagnosis and guides treatment, say researchers who believe imaging should be performed alongside clinical examination.

21 Sep 2012

Concussion: an interview with Dr Rob Reid

Concussion happens when something produces a concussive force to the head, such as a blow to the head. The definition from the 2008 consensus, which was in Zurich, is, “concussion is defined as a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces.”

10 Sep 2012

New guidelines for physiotherapists can help prevent falls in older adults

Taking a fall in older life can not only result in injury, but also a potentially debilitating loss of confidence. But new guidelines for physiotherapists, co-compiled by a leading academic in the field from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD), University of Exeter, aim to refresh out-dated guidelines and introduce better direction for physiotherapists who work with elderly people at risk of falling.

1 Sep 2012

Physiotherapy beneficial for Parkinson’s patients

Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the BMJ suggest that physiotherapy interventions benefit Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, at least in the short term.

20 Aug 2012

Physiotherapy beneficial for Parkinson’s patients

Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the BMJ suggest that physiotherapy interventions benefit Parkinson’s disease patients, at least in the short term.

14 Aug 2012

Tai Chi improves health and quality of life for COPD sufferers

A new University of Sydney study has found Tai Chi can be an effective form of exercise therapy for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), improving exercise capacity and quality of life.

14 Aug 2012

Physios to get prescribing powers

Physiotherapists and podiatrists are set to gain independent prescribing powers from 2014, under proposals unveiled by the Department of Health this week.

26 Jul 2012

Roke, University of Southampton pioneer use of Xbox computer technology for stroke

The University of Southampton, in collaboration with Roke Manor Research Ltd (Roke), a Chemring company, has pioneered the use of Xbox computer technology to develop the world's first process that measures hand joint movement to help stroke patients recover manual agility at home.

15 Jun 2012

Study tests effectiveness of personally tailored exercise programmes on young people with depression

A unique study to test the effectiveness of personally tailored exercise programmes on young people with depression has been launched by researchers at The University of Nottingham.

18 Apr 2012

Hi-tech 3D imaging may improve lives of chronic lung disease patients

Pioneering research in Southampton, using hi-tech 3D imaging, could improve the lives of those suffering from chronic lung disease.

26 Mar 2012

Researcher examines factors that influence injury rate among soccer players

All soccer players and fans know that it is better to win than to lose. Yet the fact that victory also means less risk of injury is not as obvious. New findings from researchers in sports medicine at Linköping University have aroused great interest among Europe's elite soccer teams.

23 Mar 2012

Groundbreaking cystic fibrosis clinical trial to proceed after renewed funding

The team of scientists based in Edinburgh, Oxford and London were developing a treatment which involves putting genes into the lungs of patients suffering the fatal, inherited wasting disease, passed early clinical trials in 2010. But the recession badly affected the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the charity that had funded the programme, and work had to stop last year just as the consortium was closing in on its goal.

19 Mar 2012

Unique board game to help bridge gaps between various health disciplines

A unique board game developed by a group of medical students at Western University will help bridge gaps between various health disciplines to better educate students about their roles in interdisciplinary health teams.

17 Feb 2012

Surgery causes musculoskeletal alterations in breast cancer patients

A research study conducted at the University of Granada -and published in the prestigious American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation-has revealed that the surgery performed on breast cancer patients causes musculoskeletal alterations.

14 Feb 2012

Muscle endurance tests can detect abnormalities in early stages of MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurodegenerative disease, causes periodic attacks of neurologic symptoms such as limb weakness and mobility defects. And while MS patients' walking abilities and muscle strength are examined on a regular basis, doctors have yet to determine when the lower limb muscles begin to deteriorate.

27 Jan 2012

Early aquatic therapy after TKA may improve quality of life

Despite increased use of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), there is a notable lack of consensus about optimal postoperative treatment. Aquatic therapy has been shown to have a beneficial effect, and it is typically begun two weeks after surgery, after the wound has healed.

21 Dec 2011

Flying Start NHS increases clinical skills development, confidence in newly qualified practitioners

Newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals who took part in an online course during their first year of employment reported increased clinical skills development and confidence. However the survey on the Flying Start NHS programme, published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing, found that mentors needed more training and time to provide support.

18 Nov 2011

How much does trauma cost?

A study that has changed the way specialist trauma hospitals function such as St George, Royal Prince Alfred and the Royal North Shore has won Sydney Nursing School’s Clinical Associate Professor Kate Curtis a prestigious Trans-Tasman award

17 Nov 2011

Six prominent surgeons receive ACS' Honorary Fellowship

Honorary Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) was awarded to six prominent surgeons from South Africa, England, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, and the People's Republic of China last night during Convocation ceremonies that preceded the official opening of the College's 97th Annual Clinical Congress.

24 Oct 2011