Reflections on the challenges of conducting an international multicentre randomized controlled trial of balance training in addition to pulmonary rehabilitation and its impact on fall incidence in people with COPD.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is accepted as standard care for individuals with COPD. We conducted an international, multi-centred randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine if adding balance training to PR would reduce the incidence of falls in people with COPD. While there have been many trials investigating the effectiveness of PR, few have involved international collaboration. Successful execution of rehabilitation trials requires a significant investment of time, staffing, and resources. With the recent completion of the Balance Training for Fall Reduction in COPD RCT, we report on the design, implementation, and execution of our trial using project management phases. We also highlight our lessons learned for consideration in future multi-centre rehabilitation trials. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of the planning, preparation, timelines, and personnel training involved in the execution of this study using four of the five project management phases described by Farrell et al. in 2010: (1) initiation, (2) planning, (3) execution, and (4) monitoring and controlling. We report descriptive statistics as percentages and counts and summarize our lessons learned. RESULTS: Ten outpatient PR programs in three continents participated. Thirty-one personnel worked on the trial across all sites. Enrolment began in January 2017 and was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 1275 patients were screened, 455 (36%) were eligible, 258 (57%) consented, 243 (53%) participated, and 130 (61%) completed the 12-month follow-up assessment. Lessons learned through our experience included (1) ensuring awareness of funder policies and considering the impact on collaborating sites; (2) preparing for the possibility of human resource and program disruptions; (3) anticipating site dropout and having a contingency plan in place; (4) planning and monitoring process measure data before, during, and after trial initiation; (5) ensuring frequent and consistent communication with and between collaborating sites; (6) maximizing features of database platform to ensure data set completeness and controlled data access; and (7) identifying strategies for increasing patient engagement in a high-demand study. CONCLUSIONS: We identify seven lessons learned through our experience conducting an international, multicentre rehabilitation-based RCT. These lessons can provide guidance to other trialists conducting studies with similar logistics and may assist with future trial planning and implementation.

The effects of inspiratory muscle training on physical function in critically ill adults: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is one possible strategy to ameliorate respiratory muscle weakness due to invasive mechanical ventilation. Recent systematic reviews have focused on respiratory outcomes with minimal attention to physical function. The newest systematic review searched the literature until September 2017 and a recent preliminary search identified 5 new randomized controlled trials focusing on IMT in critical care. As such, a new systematic review is warranted to summarize the current body of evidence and to investigate the effect of IMT on physical function in critical care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We will search for three main concepts ("critical illness", "inspiratory muscle training", "RCT") across six databases from their inception (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Emcare, AMED, CINAHL, CENTRAL) and ClinicalTrials.gov. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility using the Covidence web-based software. Eligible studies must include: (1) adult (≥18 years) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) who required invasive mechanical ventilation for ≥24 hours, (2) an IMT intervention using a threshold device with the goal of improving inspiratory muscle strength, with or without usual care, and (3) randomized controlled trial design. The primary outcome of interest will be physical function. We will use the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tools (ROB2) and will assess the quality of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) tool. This protocol has been reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA- P) guidelines and is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). CONCLUSION: Results will summarize the body of evidence of the effect of IMT on physical function in critically ill patients. We will submit our findings to a peer-reviewed journal and share our results at conferences.

Treatment Fidelity in 94 Randomized Controlled Trials of Physical Rehabilitation in the ICU: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVES: Recent reviews demonstrated discordant effects of ICU-based physical rehabilitation on physical function. These inconsistencies may be related to differences in treatment fidelity-the extent to which a protocol is delivered as planned. Before evaluating the association of fidelity with outcomes, we must first understand the extent of treatment fidelity reporting in ICU-based physical rehabilitation randomized controlled trials (RCTs). DATA SOURCES: Six electronic databases from inception to December 2022. STUDY SELECTION: We included RCTs enrolling adults or children admitted to the ICU, if greater than or equal to 50% were invasively mechanically ventilated greater than 24 hours, and underwent an ICU-based physical rehabilitation intervention, with no limitation to comparators or outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: We screened and extracted data independently and in duplicate, with a third reviewer as needed. Extracted data included study characteristics, treatment descriptions, and the presence of National Institutes of Health Behaviour Change Consortium (NIH-BCC) treatment fidelity tool components. Treatment fidelity scores were calculated as the proportion of reported (numerator) out of total NIH-BCC components (denominator). We calculated scores across studies and by treatment group (intervention vs. comparator). We used linear regression to assess for a time trend in study treatment fidelity scores. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 20,433 citations, 94 studies met inclusion criteria. Authors reported a median (first-third quartiles) of 19% (14-26%) of treatment fidelity components across studies. Intervention group scores were higher than comparator groups (24% [19-33%] vs. 14% [5-24%], p < 0.01). We found a mean increase in study treatment fidelity scores by 0.7% (0.3 points) per year. CONCLUSIONS: Only 19% of treatment fidelity components were reported across studies, with comparator groups more poorly reported. Future research could investigate ways to optimize treatment fidelity reporting and determine characteristics associated with treatment fidelity conduct in ICU-based physical rehabilitation RCTs.

Scoping Review of Curricula and Pedagogical Approaches for Physiotherapist Performed Point of Care Ultrasonography.

Purpose: This study collates and maps physiotherapy pre- and post-licensure curricula and pedagogical approaches for point of care ultrasonography (POCUS). Method: We used a standardized scoping review methodology and reporting framework. A total of 18,217 titles and abstracts, and 1,372 full text citations were screened, with 209 studies classified as physiotherapist performed POCUS. Results: Of the 209 studies, 15 evaluated pre- and post-licensure curricula and pedagogical approaches. Seventy-two to 98% of pre-licensure programs reported including theoretical knowledge of POCUS and 44-45% reported practical teaching or competency assessment. In post-licensure studies of POCUS, 0-61% of physiotherapists reported training for POCUS. All studies of post-licensure pedagogical approaches included an assessment of theoretical knowledge of POCUS, but only one study included a practical assessment of competency. There was considerable variability in POCUS methods and duration of pedagogical approaches. Except for one study, all pedagogical approaches reported improvement in theoretical knowledge. Conclusion: Progress in physiotherapy-specific, standardized, competency-based curricula and pedagogical approaches in POCUS has been limited, with minimal research available, and considerable variability both pre- and post-licensure. These findings could be used to advocate for the inclusion of POCUS in pre- and post-licensure physiotherapy curriculum, and suggest a need for clear guidelines from regulatory colleges and licensing bodies, and a common terminology for physiotherapist performed POCUS. Future directions for research include a systematic review of the psychometric properties of physiotherapist performed POCUS within and across anatomical areas, an assessment of value of different forms of training, and an evaluation of the impact of physiotherapist performed POCUS on patient outcomes.

Objectif: compiler et cartographier les programmes et les approches pédagogiques avant et après l'obtention du permis d'exercer à l'égard de l'échographie au point d'intervention (ÉPI). Méthodologie: analyse environnementale standardisée et cadre référentiel. Les chercheurs ont examiné un total de 18 217 titres et résumés et de 1 372 citations complètes, et 209 études ont été classées comme des ÉPI effectuées par des physiothérapeutes. Résultats: des 209 études, 15 évaluaient des programmes et des approches pédagogiques avant et après l'obtention du permis d'exercer. De 72 % à 98 % des programmes avant l'obtention du permis d'exercer présentaient des connaissances théoriques sur l'ÉPI, et de 44 % à 45 % traitaient de l'enseignement pratique ou de l'évaluation des compétences. Pour ce qui est des études sur l'ÉPI après l'obtention du permis d'exercer, de 0 % à 61 % des physiothérapeutes ont déclaré avoir suivi une formation sur l'ÉPI. Toutes les études sur les approches pédagogiques après l'obtention du permis d'exercer contenaient une évaluation des connaissances théoriques sur l'ÉPI, mais une seule incluait une évaluation pratique de la compétence. Les modes d'ÉPI et la durée des approches pédagogiques étaient très variables. Sauf dans une étude, toutes les approches pédagogiques entraînaient une amélioration des connaissances théoriques. Conclusion: les programmes et approches pédagogiques des ÉPI fondés sur les compétences, standardisés et propres à la physiothérapie ont peu évolué, on fait l'objet de très peu de recherches et sont très variables tant avant et qu'après l'obtention du permis d'exercer. Ces résultats pourraient être utilisés pour revendiquer l'inclusion des ÉPI dans les programmes de physiothérapie avant et après l'obtention du permis d'exercer et démontrent la nécessité de directives claires de la part des ordres de réglementation et des organismes d'attribution de permis, de même que d'une terminologie commune sur les ÉPI effectuées par des physiothérapeutes. Les futures orientations de la recherche comprennent une analyse systématique des propriétés psychométriques des ÉPI effectuées par un physiothérapeute dans les zones anatomiques et entre elles, une évaluation de la valeur de divers types de formation et une évaluation des effets des ÉPI effectuées par des physiothérapeutes sur les résultats cliniques des patients.

The effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable lung disease which affects more than 300 million people worldwide. People with COPD have elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers, which are linked to physiological alterations in the respiratory system and extrapulmonary manifestations. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is one of the strategies used in the management of individuals with COPD irrespective of severity, however its effect on systemic inflammation is poorly understood. We report the protocol of a systematic review on the effects of PR on systemic inflammation in patients with COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the search terms "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease", "pulmonary rehabilitation", and "inflammatory biomarkers" and their synonyms, five databases (AMED, CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, MEDLINE (Pubmed), EMBASE) will be searched from their inception to identify primary literature evaluating the effects of PR on systemic inflammation. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility using the Covidence web-based software. Eligible studies must be published in a peer-reviewed journal and include: (1) participants with COPD undergoing PR with an exercise component of at least 4 weeks in length and (2) a measure of systemic inflammation (e.g., bloodwork or sputum sample) as an outcome of interest. We will use the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tools (ROB2 and ROBINS-I) and will rate the quality of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) tool. This protocol has followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines and is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). CONCLUSION: The results of this systematic review will summarize the status of the evidence highlighting the effect of PR on systemic inflammation. A manuscript will be drafted and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and shared at conferences.

Physiotherapist performed Point of Care Ultrasonography (POCUS): a scoping review of 209 studies.

BACKGROUND: Point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) is a non-ionizing imaging technique that is emerging in physiotherapy practice. OBJECTIVE: To systematically map the research literature on physiotherapist performed POCUS. DATA SOURCES: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, OVID Medline, CINAHL, AMED, and EMBASE were searched. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Peer-reviewed publications of physiotherapist performed POCUS were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND DATA SYNTHESIS: Data collected included: title, author(s), journal, year of publication, design of included studies, sample size, age category of the sample, anatomical area of POCUS, geographical location of research, study setting, and disease condition/patient population. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics for the key characteristics of each research question. RESULTS: A total of 18 217 titles and abstracts and 1 372 full-text citations were screened, with 209 studies included. Most included studies were measurement studies that assessed the psychometric properties of POCUS in adult patients, were published in the United States of America and imaged the abdominal lumbo-pelvic region. Eighty-two percent of studies were published in the last 10 years. LIMITATIONS: Non-English language, review articles and grey literature were excluded for feasibility. Studies were excluded if it was not clearly reported that a physiotherapist performed the POCUS. CONCLUSION: This review identified a wide variety of practice settings and a diverse number of patient conditions in which physiotherapists are performing POCUS. This breadth and depth of this review highlighted the need for improved reporting of study methodology and key areas of future research in physiotherapy performed POCUS. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.

Survey of Physiotherapy Practice in Ontario Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Units.

Purpose: This article describes current physiotherapy practice for critically ill adult patients requiring prolonged stays in critical care (> 3 d) after complicated cardiac surgery in Ontario. Method: We distributed an electronic, self-administered 52-item survey to 35 critical care physiotherapists who treat adult cardiac surgery patients at 11 cardiac surgical sites. Pilot testing and clinical sensibility testing were conducted beforehand. Participants were sent four email reminders. Results: The response rate was 80% (28/35). The median reported number of cardiac surgeries performed per week was 30 (interquartile range [IQR] 10), with a median number of 14.5 (IQR 4) cardiac surgery beds per site. Typical reported caseloads ranged from 6 to 10 patients per day per therapist, and 93% reported that they had initiated physiotherapy with patients once they were clinically stable in the intensive care unit. Of 28 treatments, range of motion exercises (27; 96.4%), airway clearance techniques (26; 92.9%), and sitting at the edge of the bed (25; 89.3%) were the most common. Intra-aortic balloon pump and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation appeared to limit physiotherapy practice. Use of outcome measures was limited. Conclusions: Physiotherapists provide a variety of interventions to critically ill cardiac surgery patients. Further evaluation of the limited use of outcome measures in the cardiac surgical intensive care unit is warranted.

Objectif : décrire la pratique actuelle de la physiothérapie auprès des patients adultes gravement malades de l'Ontario qui doivent séjourner plus de trois jours en soins intensifs après une opération cardiaque complexe. Méthodologie : distribution d'un sondage électronique autoadministré de 52 questions à 35 physiothérapeutes en soins intensifs qui soignent des patients après une opération cardiaque dans 11 établissements de chirurgie cardiaque. Les chercheurs ont procédé à des essais pilotes et à des tests de sensibilité clinique auparavant. Les participants ont reçu quatre rappels par courriel. Résultats : le taux de réponse s'élevait à 80 % (28 sur 35). Selon la médiane, 30 (plage interquartile [PIQ] de 10) chirurgies cardiaques étaient effectuées par semaine, pour une médiane de 14,5 (PIQ de 4) lits en chirurgie cardiaque par établissement. La charge de travail habituelle se situait entre six et dix patients par thérapeute par jour, et 93 % ont déclaré entreprendre la physiothérapie avec les patients dont l'état s'était stabilisé à l'unité de soins intensifs. Sur 28 traitements, les plus courants étaient des exercices d'amplitude (27 sur 28, 96,4 %), des techniques de dégagement des voies respiratoires (26 sur 28, 92,9 %) et la capacité de s'asseoir au bord du lit (25 sur 28, 89,3 %). Le ballon de contrepulsion intra-aortique et l'oxygénation par membrane extracorporelle semblaient limiter la pratique de la physiothérapie. L'utilisation des mesures de résultats cliniques était limitée. Conclusion : les physiothérapeutes proposent diverses interventions aux patients gravement malades après une opération cardiaque. Une évaluation plus approfondie du recours limité aux mesures de résultats cliniques à l'unité de soins intensifs de cardiologie s'impose.

The experiences of cardiac surgery critical care clinicians with in-bed cycling in adult patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE: In-bed cycling is a novel modality that permits the early initiation of rehabilitation in the intensive care unit. We explored clinicians' experiences and perceptions of in-bed cycling with critically ill cardiac surgery patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used an interpretive description methodology. All critical care clinicians who had been present for at least 2 cycling sessions were eligible. Data were collected using semi-structured, audio-recorded, face-to-face interviews transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was used to identify themes. RESULTS: Nine clinicians were interviewed. Our sample was predominantly female (77.8%) with a median [IQR] age of 40 [21.5] years. Critical care experience ranged from <5 years to ≥30 years. Acceptability was influenced by previous cycling experiences, identifying the "ideal" patient, and the timing of cycling within a patient's recovery. Facilitators included striving towards a common goal and feeling confident in the method. Barriers included inadequate staffing, bike size, and the time to deliver cycling. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians supported the use of in-bed cycling. Concerns included appropriate patient selection and timing of the intervention. Teamwork was integral to successful cycling. Strategies to overcome the identified barriers may assist with successful cycling implementation in other critical care environments.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONIn-bed cycling is a relatively novel rehabilitation modality that can help initiate physical rehabilitation earlier in a patient's recovery and reduce the iatrogenic effects of prolonged admissions to an intensive care unit.Clinicians found in-bed cycling to be an acceptable intervention with a population of critically ill cardiac surgery patients.Teamwork and interprofessional communication are important considerations for successful uptake of a relatively new rehabilitation modality.Identified barriers to in-bed cycling can assist with developing strategies to encourage cycling uptake in similar critical care environments.

CardiO Cycle: a pilot feasibility study of in-bed cycling in critically ill patients post cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: In-bed cycling is a novel modality for the initiation of early mobilization in the intensive care unit. No study has investigated its use in the critically ill, off-track post cardiac surgery population. Before conducting an effectiveness trial, feasibility data are needed. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of in-bed cycling in a population of off-track cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective feasibility study in a 16-bed adult cardiac surgery intensive care unit in Ontario, Canada. Previously ambulatory adults (≥ 18 years) who were mechanically ventilated for ≥ 72 h were enrolled within 3 to 7 days post cardiac surgery. Twenty minutes of in-bed cycling was delivered by ICU physiotherapists 5 days/week. The primary outcome, feasibility, was the percent of patient-cycling sessions that occurred when cycling was appropriate. The secondary outcome was cycling safety, measured as cycling discontinuation due to predetermined adverse events. RESULTS: We screened 2074 patients, 29 met eligibility criteria, and 23 (92%) consented. Patients were male (78.26%) with a median [IQR] age of 76 [11] years, underwent isolated coronary bypass (39.1%), and had a median EuroScore II of 5.4 [7.8]. The mean (SD) time post-surgery to start of cycling was 5.9 (1.4) days. Patients were cycled on 80.5% (136/169) of eligible days, with limited physiotherapy staffing accounting for 48.5% of the missed patient-cycling sessions. During 136 sessions of cycling, 3 adverse events occurred in 3 individual patients. The incidence of an adverse event was 2.2 per 100 patient-cycling sessions (95% CI 0.50, 6.4). CONCLUSIONS: In-bed cycling with critically ill cardiac surgery patients is feasible with adequate physiotherapy staffing and appears to be safe. Future studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of this intervention in a larger sample. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT02976415 ). Registered November 29, 2016.

Correction to: Project management lessons learned from the multicentre CYCLE pilot randomized controlled trial.

Following publication of the original article [1], we have been notified that one of the authors' names is spelled incorrectly. In this Correction the incorrect and correct author name are shown.

Project management lessons learned from the multicentre CYCLE pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials management can be studied using project management theory. The CYCLE pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to determine the feasibility of a future rehabilitation trial of early in-bed cycling in the intensive care unit (ICU). In-bed cycling is a novel intervention, not typically available in ICUs. Implementation of this intervention requires personnel with specialized clinical expertise caring for critically ill patients and use of the in-bed cycle. Our objective was to describe the implementation and conduct of our pilot RCT using a project management approach. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed activities, timelines, and personnel involved in the trial. We organized activities into four project management phases: initiation, planning, execution, and monitoring and controlling. Data sources included Methods Centre documents used for trial coordination and conduct, and the trial data set. We report descriptive statistics as counts and proportions and also medians and quartiles, and we summarize the lessons learned. RESULTS: Seven ICUs in Canada participated in the trial. Time from research ethics board and contracts submission to first enrolment was a median (first quartile, third quartile) of 185 (146, 209) and 162 (114, 181) days, respectively. We trained 128 personnel on the CYCLE pilot RCT protocol, and 80 (63%) completed trial-related activities. Four sites required additional training after start-up due to staff turnover and leaves of absence. Over 15 months, we screened 864 patients: 256 were eligible and 66 were enrolled. Despite an 85% consent rate, 74% (190/256) of eligible patients were not randomized, largely (80% [152/190]) due to physiotherapist availability. Thirteen percent of recruitment weeks were lost due to physiotherapist staffing shortages. We highlight five key lessons learned: (1) prepare and anticipate site needs; (2) communicate regularly; (3) proactively analyse and act on process measure data; (4) develop contingency plans; (5) express appreciation to participating sites. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis highlights the scope of relevant activities, rigorous training and monitoring, number and types of required personnel, and time required to conduct a multicentre ICU rehabilitation intervention trial. Our lessons learned can help others interested in implementing complex intervention trials, such as rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02377830 . Registered prospectively on 4 March 2015.

Physiotherapy in the neurotrauma intensive care unit: A scoping review.

PURPOSE: This scoping review summarizes the literature on the safety and effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in patients with neurological and/or traumatic injuries in the intensive care unit (ICU), identifies literature gaps and provides recommendations for future research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched five databases from inception to June 2, 2018. We included published retrospective studies, case studies, observation and randomized controlled trials describing physiotherapy interventions in ICU patients with neurotrauma injuries. Two reviewers reviewed the databases and independently screened English articles for eligibility. Data extracted included purpose, study design, population (s), outcome measures, interventions and results. Thematic analysis and descriptive numerical summaries are presented by intervention type. RESULTS: 12,846 titles were screened and 72 met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were observational studies (44 (61.1%)) and RCTs (14 (19.4%)). Early mobilization, electrical stimulation, range of motion, and chest physiotherapy techniques were the most common interventions in the literature. Physiotherapy interventions were found to be safe with few adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Gaps in the literature suggest that future studies require assessment of long term functional outcomes and quality of life, examination of homogenous populations and more robust methodologies including clinical trials and larger samples.

Early mobilization of critically ill adults: a survey of knowledge, perceptions and practices of Canadian physicians and physiotherapists.

BACKGROUND: The promotion of early mobilization following critical illness is tempered by national reports of patient and institutional barriers to this approach. We carried out a survey to assess current knowledge, perceptions and practices of Canadian physicians and physiotherapists with respect to acquired weakness and early mobilization in adults in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, self-administered postal survey among critical care physicians and physiotherapists in all 46 academic ICUs in Canada in 2011-2012. To identify all physicians and physiotherapists working in the ICUs, we contacted division heads and senior physiotherapists by telephone or email. We designed, tested and administered a questionnaire with the following domains: knowledge of ICU-acquired weakness and early mobilization; personal views of, perceived barriers to and adequacy of technical skills for early mobilization; assessments for initiation of early mobilization and permissible activity levels by patient physiologic characteristics, diagnoses and therapies; staffing issues; and sedation practices. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 71.3% (311/436); it was 64.2% (194/302) among physicians and 87.3% (117/134) among physiotherapists. A total of 214 respondents (68.8%) underestimated the incidence of ICU-acquired weakness in the general medical-surgical ICU population, and 186 (59.8%) stated they had insufficient knowledge or skills to mobilize patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Excessive sedation, medical instability, limited staffing, safety concerns, insufficient guidelines and insufficient equipment were common perceived barriers to early mobilization. INTERPRETATION: Physicians and physiotherapists in the ICU underestimated the incidence of ICU-acquired weakness and felt inadequately trained to mobilize patients receiving mechanical ventilation. We identified multiple modifiable barriers to early mobilization at the institutional, health care provider and patient levels that need to be addressed when designing mobilization programs for critically ill adults.

A Systematic Review of Head-to-Head Comparison Studies of the Roland-Morris and Oswestry Measures' Abilities to Assess Change.

PURPOSE: To determine if the sensitivity to change of Roland-Morris Questionnaire (RMQ) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores differ when applied to patients with low back pain (LBP). A secondary purpose was to critique the methodological rigour of the identified head-to-head comparison studies. METHODS: A systematic review of five online databases was performed to locate head-to-head comparison studies of the RMQ and the ODI that assessed the sensitivity to change of the two measures. Studies were eligible if they met a pre-determined set of inclusion criteria. A newly developed quality criteria form was used to evaluate the methodological rigour of head-to-head comparison studies. RESULTS: Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Although there was a statistically significant difference in favour of the RMQ for two studies, there was no apparent consistent advantage of one measure over the other. Frequent methodological deficiencies included no formal sample size calculation, no formal between-measure comparison, and no independent reference standard. CONCLUSION: There was no consistent evidence supporting one measure over the other. Many studies displayed methodological deficiencies.

Objectif : Déterminer si la sensibilité au changement des résultats au questionnaire Roland-Morris (Roland-Morris Questionnaire, RMQ) et au questionnaire d'incapacité d'Oswestry (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI) diffèrent lorsqu'on les applique aux patients qui souffrent de lombalgie. Comme objectif secondaire, réaliser une analyse critique de la rigueur méthodologique des études comparatives directes sélectionnées. Méthode : Une revue systématique de cinq bases de données en ligne a été réalisée pour rechercher des études comparatives directes du RMQ et de l'ODI qui évaluaient la sensibilité au changement de ces deux mesures. Les études étaient retenues si elles satisfaisaient à un ensemble de critères d'inclusion préétabli. Un formulaire de critères de qualité nouvellement élaboré a été utilisé pour évaluer la rigueur méthodologique des études comparatives directes. Résultats : Neuf articles satisfaisaient aux critères d'inclusion. Bien que pour deux études, on ait constaté une différence statistique appréciable favorable au RQM, il n'y avait aucun avantage apparent commun pour une mesure plutôt que pour l'autre. Les lacunes méthodologiques fréquentes étaient notamment l'absence de calcul formel de la taille de l'échantillon, l'absence de critère pour la comparaison des mesures et le fait qu'il n'y avait aucune norme de référence indépendante. Conclusion : Il n'y a aucun élément probant commun permettant de privilégier une mesure plutôt qu'une autre. Plusieurs études comportaient des lacunes sur le plan méthodologique.