Physical Therapy News and Research

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Sports physicals keep athletes healthy to play and avoid tragic occurrences, says sports medicine expert

While seemingly invincible teenage athletes at the height of good health and fitness aren't likely candidates for doctor's visits, even the fit need to visit a physician before practice. Sports physicals, often called pre-participation sports examinations, are key to making sure athletes are healthy enough to play and avoiding tragic occurrences, like sudden cardiac death, says a Saint Louis University sports medicine expert.

17 May 2010

Blood flow restriction combined with resistance exercise can increase muscle-mass in older men

For years, researchers have known that resistance exercise training -such as weightlifting, in which muscles work against gravity or another force - can be one of the most effective ways to fight the debilitating muscle loss caused by aging.

15 May 2010

Guidelines for reducing risk of falling among older adults

Falling down is hazardous to a senior citizen's health, yet fewer than half of all seniors see a doctor after a fall. And those who don't seek medical attention are far less likely to engage in any of the six widely recommended activities - such as a review of their medications or getting a cane or walker - that might prevent repeated falls, according to a new policy brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

14 May 2010

Pain rehabilitation programs can help patients break the cycle of worsening pain: Mayo Clinic Health Letter

Chronic pain -- whether from headaches, back pain or conditions such as fibromyalgia -- can interfere with work, day-to-day activities and relationships. All too often, pain relief treatments are ineffective and can lead to a downward spiral of frustration, decreased functioning, stress, isolation -- and worsening pain.

13 May 2010

Patients who participate in physical therapist-led exercise achieve higher functional mobility: Report

Patients who are critically ill and participate in mild exercise programs led by physical therapists achieve higher functional mobility and spend fewer days in intensive care units and hospitals than those who receive less exercise, according to a report published in the April issue of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

12 May 2010

Many pregnant women in the U.S. have insufficient vitamin D levels: Study

Seven out of every ten pregnant women in the United States are not getting enough Vitamin D according to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. While prenatal vitamins do raise Vitamin D levels during pregnancy, the study shows that higher doses may be needed for many women.

12 May 2010

UNC-CH awarded $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant for study of ultrasound as a contraceptive

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The grant will support an innovative global health research project conducted by James Tsuruta, PhD, and Paul Dayton, PhD, titled "Ultrasound as a long-term, reversible contraceptive."

11 May 2010

NIAMS, NINDS announce 5-year, $7.5M natural history study of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) are launching a five-year, $7.5 million natural history study of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), a degenerative genetically-linked neuromuscular disease. The study aims to validate non-invasive approaches to monitor the progression and treatment of Duchenne, and holds potential to facilitate the development of promising new therapies for people with the disease.

10 May 2010

NIH awards UF scientists $7.5M for study of MRI technology in evaluating children with DMD

Duchenne muscular dystrophy research at the University of Florida got a major boost with the award of $7.5 million in National Institutes of Health funding to study the use of magnetic resonance imaging in determining the natural progression of the disease.

10 May 2010

Majority of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans experience multi-symptom pain disorders

Dr. Gallagher further noted the VA's pain care challenge is magnified by a 90 percent injury survivor rate from these conflicts compared with only 40 percent in the Vietnam War. VA clinicians are now challenged to manage pain in blast survivors with one or several other consequences of blast, such as head injuries causing mild to severe TBI, physical disfigurement and social stigma, emotional trauma, and often post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

10 May 2010

Researchers launch NIH-sponsored clinical trial for spinal deformity

Researchers at Northwestern Memorial have launched the first-ever National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical trial for spinal deformity. The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical treatments in people with adult scoliosis or curvature of the spine. Researchers also hope to identify important factors related to patient reported outcomes such as pain, activity and appearance.

7 May 2010

Ohio scientists demonstrate existence of effective technology for nationwide newborn screening of SMA

Scientists in Ohio studying Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) have concluded that the technology now exists to carry out nationwide screening of newborn children and pregnant mothers. The study, published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, reveals that effective screening may allow parents to find proactive treatments before the symptoms become irreversible.

7 May 2010

Study reveals benefits of X-ray guided steroid injections for treatment of hamstring tendonitis

Fluoroscopic (X-ray) guided steroid injections offer a safe and effective alternative to the conventional treatment of hamstring tendonitis, according to a study to be presented at the ARRS 2010 Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. Conventional treatment includes rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy.

7 May 2010

DJOFL net sales increases 10.3% to $240.1 million for first-quarter 2010

DJO Incorporated a global provider of medical device solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management, today announced financial results for its operating subsidiary, DJO Finance LLC ("DJOFL"), for the first quarter of 2010, ended April 3, 2010.

6 May 2010

Southeast Pain Care offers non-addictive alternatives to pain relief

The untimely death of Michael Jackson has brought the issue of pain medication addiction to the forefront of American media recently. The good news for people suffering with pain is that there are several non-addictive alternatives to pain relief.

6 May 2010

Boston Scientific commences enrollment in trial comparing SCS to spine reoperation in FBSS patients

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced the start of patient enrollment in the EVIDENCE Clinical Trial, which compares the therapeutic effectiveness and cost effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy to spine reoperation in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). The first patient was enrolled by Joseph Buwembo, M.D. and Krishna Kumar, M.D., F.R.C.S.C., at Regina General Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

4 May 2010

$Osteoporosis screening can reduce risk of future fractures$

Osteoporosis screening can reduce risk of future fractures

One in two women in the United States will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime. However, according to a review article published in the May 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS), only a few of these women will be tested and treated for osteoporosis, which if identified and treated, could dramatically decrease their risk of future fractures.

4 May 2010

Gaps in delivering publicly-funded physiotherapy across Canada

From Prince Edward Island, to Ontario, to British Columbia; it is getting harder for many Canadians to access publicly funded physiotherapy services. Health care reform initiatives have shifted outpatient physiotherapy into the community, decreasing or eliminating public funding.

30 Apr 2010

CTCA installs Calypso's real-time tumor tracking technology at Southwestern Regional Medical Center

Calypso Medical Technologies, Inc., a developer of non-ionizing real-time localization technology used for the precise tracking of tumor targets, and Cancer Treatment Centers of America, a national network of hospitals providing a comprehensive, fully integrative approach to cancer treatment, announced today that with the installation of the Calypso System at the CTCA at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa, Okla., Calypso's real-time tumor tracking technology is now available at all CTCA centers nationwide.

30 Apr 2010

Race and age play a major role in use of alternative therapies for chronic pain

In a University of Michigan Health System study, 1 out of 3 patients with chronic pain reported using complementary and alternative medicine therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic visits for pain relief.

30 Apr 2010

Physical Therapy News and Research

Sports physicals keep athletes healthy to play and avoid tragic occurrences, says sports medicine expert

Blood flow restriction combined with resistance exercise can increase muscle-mass in older men

Guidelines for reducing risk of falling among older adults

Pain rehabilitation programs can help patients break the cycle of worsening pain: Mayo Clinic Health Letter

Patients who participate in physical therapist-led exercise achieve higher functional mobility: Report

Many pregnant women in the U.S. have insufficient vitamin D levels: Study

UNC-CH awarded $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant for study of ultrasound as a contraceptive

NIAMS, NINDS announce 5-year, $7.5M natural history study of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

NIH awards UF scientists $7.5M for study of MRI technology in evaluating children with DMD

Majority of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans experience multi-symptom pain disorders

Researchers launch NIH-sponsored clinical trial for spinal deformity

Ohio scientists demonstrate existence of effective technology for nationwide newborn screening of SMA

Study reveals benefits of X-ray guided steroid injections for treatment of hamstring tendonitis

DJOFL net sales increases 10.3% to $240.1 million for first-quarter 2010

Southeast Pain Care offers non-addictive alternatives to pain relief

Boston Scientific commences enrollment in trial comparing SCS to spine reoperation in FBSS patients

Osteoporosis screening can reduce risk of future fractures

Gaps in delivering publicly-funded physiotherapy across Canada

CTCA installs Calypso's real-time tumor tracking technology at Southwestern Regional Medical Center

Race and age play a major role in use of alternative therapies for chronic pain

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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