Effectiveness of adding virtual reality to physiotherapeutic treatment in patients with total hip arthroplasty. A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical effectiveness of adding virtual reality via the Nintendo Wii console and its Wii Balance Board to physiotherapy treatment in patients with total hip arthroplasty. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Clinical Hospital San Borja Arriaran, Santiago, Chile. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 73 patients over 50 years of age with total hip arthroplasty were randomly allocated to two groups. INTERVENTIONS: The control group (n = 37) received 6 weeks of physiotherapy treatment; the intervention group (n = 36) received the same treatment plus virtual reality exercises with the Nintendo Wii console. OUTCOME MEASURES: The two groups were assessed at baseline and after the 6 weeks of treatment. The primary outcome assessed was the function with the WOMAC questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were the Berg Balance Scale, distance covered with the six-minute walk test, and difference in weight load on the lower extremities. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients, 37 patients in the control group (20 women; mean age of 70.9 ± 9.16 years) and 36 patients in the intervention group (18 women; mean age of 70.39 ± 9.02 years) were analyzed. At the end of the treatment, the difference between groups for the total WOMAC score was -10.4 points (p = 0.00), 4.7 points (p = 0.00) for the Berg Balance Scale, and 45.2 mt (p = 0.00) for the six-minute walk test All differences were in favor of the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: In the short term, the addition of virtual reality via the Nintendo Wii and its Wii Balance Board platform showed statistically significant differences in the function of patients with total hip replacement, but these differences were not minimally clinically important.Trial registration: This research was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of Australia and New Zealand, with reference ACTRN12618001252202.

Functional Outcomes After a Physiotherapy Program in Elderly Patients With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I After Distal Radius Fracture: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: No published prospective studies have reported the clinical effects of physiotherapy at 1-year follow-up in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I) after distal radius fracture (DRF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate at 1-year follow-up the functional effects of physiotherapy program in elderly patients with CRPS I after extra-articular DRF. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with CRPS I after DRF were prospectively recruited. All patients were treated with a 6-week supervised physiotherapy treatment. Three evaluations were performed: at the beginning, at the end of the treatment, and at 1-year follow-up. Wrist function, upper limb function, grip strength, and pain intensity were assessed with the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Jamar dynamometer, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), respectively. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, the PRWE showed a decrease of 21.6 points (Cohen's d = 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 18.6-24.6; P < .05); the DASH showed a decrease of 23.8 points (Cohen's d = 2.9; 95% CI = 20.8-26.7; P < .05); grip strength showed an increase of 40.6% (Cohen's d = 5.0; 95% CI = 43.5-37.6; P < .05); and the VAS showed a decrease of 2.6 cm (Cohen's d = 1.9; 95% CI = 2.11-3.16; P < .05). CONCLUSION: At 1-year follow-up, a physiotherapy program showed clinically and statistically significant results in all functional outcomes in elderly patients with CRPS I after extra-articular DRF.

Effectiveness of supervised early exercise program in patients with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: Study protocol clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Based on the available evidence, it is difficult to make a clinical decision about the best exercise program and to establish the most favorable time to start postoperative treatment after rotator cuff (RC) repair. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the effects of adding a supervised early exercise program to standard treatment for functional improvement and pain relief compared with standard treatment alone in patients with arthroscopic RC repair. METHOD/DESIGN: A total of 118 patients between the ages of 18 and 50 years with arthroscopic RC repair will be randomized to 2 treatment arms. The control group will receive a standard exercise program based on a consensus statement on shoulder rehabilitation developed by the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists. The intervention group will receive a supervised early exercise program in combination with standard treatment. This supervised exercise program will be based on electromyographic evidence. Three evaluations will be performed: before surgery, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure will be the shoulder function by the Constant-Murley questionnaire, and the secondary outcome measures will be the upper limb function by the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire; pain by the visual analog scale; and the shoulder range of motion by a goniometer. DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that patients who receive a supervised early exercise program in combination with standard treatment will benefit more in respect to shoulder function, pain reduction, and range of motion than those who receive a standard exercise program. If this is confirmed, our study can be used clinically to enhance the recovery of patients with arthroscopic RC repair. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian registry of clinical trials UTN number U1111-1224-4143. Registered December 18, 2018.

Rationale and methods of a randomized clinical trial to compare specific exercise programs versus home exercises in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is a common clinical condition with a multifactorial etiology. Currently, there is a great variety of therapeutic exercise modalities aimed at treating SIS. Based on alterations of the glenohumeral and/or dysfunctional scapular kinematics associated with SIS, we hypothesize that the implementation of a specific exercise program with special focus on the correction of muscle deficits should be more effective than nonspecific exercises performed at home. This article describes the rationale and methods of study aimed at testing the effectiveness of specific exercise programs versus home exercises in patients with SIS. METHOD/DESIGN: Ninety-four patients between the ages of 18 and 50 years referred to the Physical Therapy department of the Clinical Hospital San Borja Arriaran in Chile will be randomized to 2 treatment arms. The intervention group will receive a program of specific exercises with a duration of 12 weeks, taking as a reference the algorithm of clinical decision proposed by a panel of experts. The control group will receive a program of nonspecific exercises to perform at home. Three evaluations will be performed: before the initiation of treatment, and at the 12-week and 1-year follow-up. The primary outcome measure will be the shoulder function by the Constant-Murley questionnaire, and the secondary outcome measures will be the upper extremity function by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, and pain by the visual analog scale. DISCUSSION: This article reports the design of a randomized clinical trial aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a specific exercise program versus home exercises in patients with SIS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian registry of clinical trials UTN number U1111-1204-0268. Registered 27 September 2017.

Correlation Between Radiological Parameters and Functional Outcomes in Patients Older Than 60 Years of Age With Distal Radius Fracture.

Background: The relationship between radiographic and functional outcomes is controversial in the elderly. The objective of this study is to determine whether there is a correlation between functional outcome and acceptable distal radius fracture (DRF) alignment in patients older than 60 years of age. Methods: This correlation study was carried out at the Central Metropolitan Health Service of Chile. A total of 180 patients diagnosed with extra-articular DRF, according to the AO classification, were prospectively recruited. Radiological parameters, including radial inclination, residual dorsal angulation, ulnar variance, and articular step-off, were evaluated to assess the results of orthopedic reduction. Functional outcome was assessed immediately following cast removal and again at the 6-month follow-up. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaires were administered to assess upper extremity function, and the visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess pain intensity. Results: Only 68 patients (37.8%) showed acceptable DRF alignment. After cast removal, the correlations between alignment and the functional outcome measures were as follows: DASH 0.071 (P = .546), PRWE 0.03 (P = .823), and VAS 0.12 (P = .631). At the 6-month follow-up, the correlations between alignment and the functional outcome measures were as follows: DASH 0.029 (P = .768), PRWE 0.014 (P = .895), and VAS 0.09 (P = .614). Conclusions: There was no significant correlation between acceptable alignment according to radiological parameters and short- or medium-term functional outcome in patients older than 60 years with extra-articular DRF treated conservatively.

The effectiveness of joint mobilization techniques for range of motion in adult patients with primary adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. / Efectividad de las técnicas de movilización articular sobre el rango de movimiento de pacientes adultos con capsulitis adhesiva primaria de hombro: revisión sistemática y metanálisis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of joint mobilization techniques in the range of motion in adult patients with primary adhesive shoulder capsulitis. METHODS: Systematic review with meta-analysis. The search was performed in the MEDLINE/PubMed, PEDro, CENTRAL, LILACS, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The eligibility criteria were studies that used an oscillatory and/or maintained joint mobilization technique applied alone or added-on to a treatment program in patients with primary adhesive capsulitis at any stage. Two authors carried out the selection of studies and the extraction of data, independently. Risk of bias was evaluated according to the tool proposed by Cochrane. RESULTS: We included 14 studies with variable risk of bias. Posterior mobilization compared to any other technique was not significantly different (0.95 degrees; 95% CI: - 5.93 to 4.02), whereas compared to a control group, the difference is 26.80 degrees (CI 95%: 22.71 to 30.89). When applying a set of joint techniques versus a control group, for abduction the difference is 20.14 degrees (95% CI: 10.22 to 30.05). In both cases, the results are statistically significant, and the effect size is moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence is not conclusive about the effectiveness of joint mobilization. When compared with treatments that do not include manual therapy, joint mobilization seems to have a favorable effect on the range of motion and pain reduction in patients with primary adhesive shoulder capsulitis.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la efectividad de las técnicas de movilización articular en el rango de movimiento en pacientes adultos con capsulitis adhesiva primaria de hombro. MÉTODO: Revisión sistemática con metanálisis. La búsqueda fue realizada en las bases de datos MEDLINE/PubMed, PEDro, CENTRAL, LILACS, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus y Web of Science. Los criterios de elegibilidad fueron estudios que utilizaran una técnica de movilización articular oscilatoria y/o mantenida aplicada, sola o adicionada, a un programa de tratamiento en pacientes con capsulitis adhesiva primaria, en cualquier estadio. La selección de estudios y la extracción de datos fueron realizadas por dos autores de forma independiente. El riesgo de sesgo se evaluó según la herramienta propuesta por Cochrane. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 14 estudios con variados riesgos de sesgo. La movilización posterior versus otra técnica articular no presenta diferencia de media significativa (- 0,95 grados; intervalo de confianza de 95%; - 5,93 a 4,02), mientras que comparada con un grupo control la diferencia es de 26,80 grados (intervalo de confianza 95%; 22,71 a 30,89), además cuando se aplica un conjunto de técnicas articulares versus un grupo control, para la abducción la diferencia es de 20,14 grados (intervalo de confianza 95%; 10,22 a 30,05). En ambos casos, los resultados son estadísticamente significativos y se aprecia un tamaño de efecto moderado. CONCLUSIONES: La evidencia científica no es concluyente acerca de la efectividad de la movilización articular, dada la heterogeneidad en la metodología y sesgo de los artículos incluidos en esta revisión. Al compararla con tratamientos que no incluyen terapia manual, parecieran favorecer la mejoría del rango de movimiento y reducción del dolor, en pacientes con capsulitis adhesiva primaria de hombro.

Physical therapy in patients over 60†years of age with a massive and irreparable rotator cuff tear: a case series.

[Purpose] Describe the effect of a Physical Therapy (PT) program in function improvement and pain reduction in patients over 60 years of age with massive and irreparable Rotator Cuff (RC) tear. [Participants and Methods] Ninety-two patients received a 12 weeks PT program that consisted in manual therapy and a specific exercises program. Before the start and at the end of the treatment, the shoulder function was assessed with Constant-Murley, the upper extremity function with DASH, and the pain during activity with the visual analog scale (VAS). [Results] At the end of the treatment, Constant-Murley exhibited an increment of 24.9 points, DASH showed a decrease of 28.7 points, and the VAS, a decrease of 3.6 cm (p=0.00). [Conclusion] A PT program based on manual therapy and specific exercises in a short term improves the function and reduces the pain during activity in patients with a massive and irreparable RC tear.