Physiotherapy Commons^™

The Incidence Of Falls In Intensive Care Survivors, Shane M. Patman, Diane Dennis, Kylie Hill

Shane Patman

Background: Falling among adults in acute care is an important problem with falls rates in tertiary hospitals ranging from 2% to 5%. Factors that increase the risk of falling, such as advanced age, altered mental status, medications that act on the central nervous system and poor mobility, often characterise individuals who survive a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Purpose: To measure the incidence of falls and describe the characteristics of fallers among intensive care survivors.

Methods: A comprehensive retrospective chart review was undertaken of 190 adults who were intubated and ventilated for ≥168 h and survived their acute care …

Seeing It Helps: Movement-Related Back Pain Is Reduced By Visualization Of The Back During Movement, Benedict M. Wand, Verity M. Tulloch, Pamela J. George, Anne J. Smith, Roger Goucke, Neil E. O'Connell, G Lorimer Moseley

Pamela George

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether visualization of the back influenced parameters of movement-related pain in people with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Methods: We used a randomized cross-over experiment in which 25 participants performed repeated lumbar spine movements under 2 conditions. In the visual feedback condition, patients were able to visualize their back as it moved by the use of mirrors. In the control condition, the mirror was covered so no visualization of the back was possible. Results: The average postmovement pain intensity after participants had moved with visual feedback was less (35.5+/-22.8 mm) than …

Rasch Analysis Supports The Use Of The Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Scales To Measure Mood In Groups But Not In Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain, Luke Parkitny, James Mcauley, David Walton, Leonardo Pena Costa, Kathryn Refshauge, Benedict Wand, Flavia Di Pietro, G Moseley

David Walton

Objective: Chronic pain is a common problem that is associated with mood disorders such as depression. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21) questionnaire is commonly used to help measure disordered mood. In this study, we used Rasch analysis to analyze the clinimetric properties of the DASS-21 in a chronic low back pain sample. Study Design and Setting: A Rasch analysis was conducted on data collected as a part of a randomized hospital-based placebo-controlled trial. DASS-21 questionnaires were completed by the 154 enrolled participants. Results: The DASS-21 subscales fit the Rasch model. No differential item functioning was detected for age, …

Low Dose Ct Vs Plain Abdominal Radiography For The Investigation Of The Acute Abdomen, Long K. Nguyen, Daniel D. Wong, Daniel M. Fatovich, Justin M. Yeung, Jennifer Persaud, Christopher J. Wood, David De Vos, Richard M. Mendelson

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: To compare low-dose abdominal computed tomography (LDCT) with plain abdominal radiography (AR) in the primary investigation of acute abdominal pain to determine if there is a difference in diagnostic yield, the number of additional investigations required and hospital length of stay (LOS).

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained. Patients presenting to the emergency department with an acute abdomen and who would normally be investigated with AR were randomized to either AR or LDCT. The estimated radiation dose of the LDCT protocol was 2–3 mSv compared to 1.1 mSv …

Factors Associated With Older Patients' Engagement In Exercise After Hospital Discharge, Anne-Marie Hill, Tammy Hoffmann, Steven Mcphail, Christopher Beer, Keith D. Hill, Sandra G. Brauer, Terrence P. Haines

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: To identify factors that are associated with older patients' engagement in exercise in the 6 months after hospital discharge.

Design: A prospective observational study using qualitative and quantitative evaluation.

Setting: Follow-up of hospital patients in their home setting after discharge from a metropolitan general hospital.

Participants: Participants (N=343) were older patients (mean age ± SD, 79.4±8.5y) discharged from medical, surgical, and rehabilitation wards and followed up for 6 months after discharge.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: Self-perceived awareness and risk of falls measured at discharge with a survey that addressed elements of the Health Belief Model. Engagement and …

Falls After Discharge From Hospital: Is There A Gap Between Older Peoples’ Knowledge About Falls Prevention Strategies And The Research Evidence?, Anne-Marie Hill, Tammy Hoffmann, Christopher Beer, Steven Mcphail, Keith D. Hill, David Oliver, Sandra G. Brauer, Terry P. Haines

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine whether older people are prepared to engage in appropriate falls prevention strategies after discharge from hospital.

Design and Methods: We used a semi-structured interview to survey older patients about to be discharged from hospital and examined their knowledge regarding falls prevention strategies to utilize in the post-discharge period. The study was part of a prospective cohort study, nested within a larger, randomized controlled trial. Participants (n = 333) were asked to suggest strategies to reduce their falls risk at home after discharge, and their responses were compared with current reported …

A Randomized Trial Comparing Digital Video Disc With Written Delivery Of Falls Prevention Education For Older Patients In Hospital, Anne-Marie Hill, Steven Mcphail, Tammy Hoffman, Keith Hill, David Oliver, Christopher Beer, Sandra Brauer, Terry P. Haines

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of a digital video disc (DVD) with that of a written workbook delivering falls prevention education to older hospital patients on self-perceived risk of falls, perception of falls epidemiology, knowledge of prevention strategies, and motivation and confidence to engage in self-protective strategies. To compare the effect of receiving either education approach versus no education on patients' perception of falls epidemiology.

Design: Randomized trial (DVD vs workbook) with additional quasi-experimental control group.

Settings: Geriatric, medical, and orthopedic wards in Perth and Brisbane, Australia.

Participants: One hundred (n=51 DVD, n=49 workbook) hospital inpatients aged 60 and older …