Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Usefulness Of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation For The Management Of Chronic Low Back Pain, Nicholas Lasarso

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made on a systematic review by Khadilkar et al, which compared the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) against a placebo in the management of chronic low back pain in healthy adults. When comparing TENS versus the placebo, outcome measurements included: pain, functional status, general health status, disability, patient satisfaction and side effects. Per the Visual Analog Scale, two of the three studies were found to have clinically insignificant and clinically unimportant benefits with the use of TENS. Using both the Oswestry Disability Index and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, two studies revealed no statistically significant or clinical …

The Effect Of Anterior Versus Posterior Glide Joint Mobilization On External Rotation Range Of Motion In Patients With Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis, Erika Derks

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

No abstract provided.

Graston Soft Tissue Mobilization And Dynamic Balance Training Effects On Pain And Dynamic Postural Control Of Young Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability, Brandie Schmierer

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

A review of a randomized single-blind controlled trial by Schaefer and Sandrey was done to determine the effects of Graston soft tissue mobilization (GISTM) and dynamic balance training (DBT) on dynamic postural control of young athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Three intervention groups were utilized in this study. The first group interventions consisted of dynamic balance training and Graston instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (DBT/GISTM). The second group interventions consisted of dynamic balance training and Graston instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization sham (DBT/GISTM-S). The third group intervention was dynamic balance training as a control group (DBT/C). Based on the following outcome measures: Foot …

Is The Berg Balance Assessment A Reliable Predictor Of Fall Risk In Older Adults?, Paige Blasco

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

Bogle Thorbahn and Newton performed a prospective cohort study to determine if the Berg Balance Assessment was a reliable measure at predicting an elderly patient’s fall risk. According to the evidence, the Berg Balance Assessment had low sensitivity for identifying those who would fall, but was highly specific at correctly identifying individuals without a history of falls. In addition, the Berg Balance Assessment proved useful at predicting a person’s use of an assistive device with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 94%. The authors concluded that falls are multi-factorial and individuals should be assessed in the environment in which …

Critical Appraisal Of The Efficacy Of Various Assessment Tools In Determining Fall Risk In The Elderly Individual With Parkinson Disease, Gabriella Goshtigian

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

No abstract provided.

Using The 6-Minute Walk Test As A Way To Measure Endurance Improvements In Older Individuals, Cory Marcoux

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made on a randomized controlled trial by Rikli, R & Jones, C to determine if the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a valid outcome measure to determine physical endurance in generally health, older individuals. The participants’ 6MWT results were compared to measures previously proven to be valid and reliable (treadmill testing, composite physical function scale, and self-reported physical activity levels. All data gathered fell within the 95% confidence intervals. The 6MWT was able to distinguish differences between age and fitness level groups, and was comparable to the Balke graded exercise treadmill test. This test has good test-retest …

The Responsiveness Of The Quick Dash Versus The Full Dash In Patients With Hand Pathologies, Erika Derks

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

No abstract provided.

Use Of The Slump Test Over The Straight Leg Raise Test For Diagnosing Lumbar Disc Herniations In Physical Therapy Initial Evaluations, Clinton T. Boone

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made on a prospective case-control study by Majlesi J, Togay H, Unalan H, and Toprak S, which determined the sensitivity and specificity of the Slump Test and Straight Leg Raise Test. Results of these tests were compared to the MRI results of the 75 patients involved in this study. Per Epi Info 2000, the Slump Test had higher levels of sensitivity and specificity compared to the Straight Leg Raise Test. The Slump Test had sensitivity and specificity levels of 84% and 89%, respectively. In comparison, the Straight Leg Raise Test had sensitivity and specificity levels of 52% …

Improving Gait And Function In Children With Cerebral Palsy; A Comparison Of Supported Speed Treadmill Training To Therapeutic Exercise, Brianna Palmer

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made of an article by Schindl et al, regarding the efficacy of supported speed treadmill training (SSTTEP) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The selected paper included children with GMFCS Level II-IV spastic CP, and compared SSTTEP intervention to therapeutic exercise.

Both intervention groups significantly improved gait speed, cadence, and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) global scores, however only the SSTTEP group maintained those gains four weeks after the study ended. The SSTTEP group also yielded decreased stride length.

The study is optimistic for both SSTTEP and therapeutic exercise interventions for improving gait in children with …

Treatment For Cervicobrachial Pain Syndrome; A Comparison Of Direct And Indirect Manual Therapies, Brianna Palmer

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made on a randomized controlled trial by Allison et al, which compared direct and indirect manual therapies for treating cervicobrachial pain syndrome. The direct therapy group (NT) received neural mobilizations, and the indirect therapy group (AT) received joint mobilizations for the glenohumeral joint and thoracic spine.

Per the Northwick Park Questionnaire and the Short Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire, decreases in pain were statistically significant for both groups from pre-assessment to post-assessment, but not between groups. When using the Visual Analog Scale, a statistically significant improvement was found for both groups over the treatment period, though only the NT …

Can The Upper Limb Tension Test 1 (Ultt1) Stand Alone In Diagnosing Median Nerve Compression In Adult Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Cts)?, Brianna Palmer

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made on a validity study by Vanti et al, regarding the upper limb neurodynamic test 1 (ULTT1) for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The selected paper included current patients at an occupational medicine clinic with suspected CTS and referral for nerve conduction study (NCS).

Using Wainner’s Criteria to indicate a positive ULTT1, calculated sensitivity was 0.9167 and specificity was 0.150. In limiting criteria for a positive test by requiring provocation of 1^st-3^rd digits only, the sensitivity decreased to 0.5417, however specificity increased to 0.70.

This study was effective in defining the inclusion criteria for …