JOURNAL WATCH Journal Watch


WITHIN-DAY RELIABILITY OF SHOULDER RANGE OF MOTION MEASUREMENT WITH A SMARTPHONE. Seung Han Shin, Du Hyun Ro, et al. Manual Therapy 2012;17(4):298–304


Three observers performed goniometric and smartphone inclinometric measurements of various shoulder movements of 41 patients, including both active and passive range of motion


for forward flexion, abduction, external rotation while the arms are at the sides, external rotation at 90° abduction, and internal rotation at 90° abduction. All measurements were taken twice to assess the intra-observer reliability. Inter- and intra-observer reliabilities were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Reliability between two measurements was also assessed in terms of the ICC. Both the goniometric and inclinometric measurements showed satisfactory inter-observer reliability except for internal rotation at 90° abduction. Intra-observer reliability was excellent.


REPRODUCIBILITY OF THE TIME TO PEAK TORQUE AND THE JOINT ANGLE AT PEAK TORQUE ON KNEE OF YOUNG SPORTSMEN ON THE ISOKINETIC DYNAMOMETER. Bernard PL, Amatob M, et al. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine


2012;55(4):241–251


The isokinetic performance of the knee extensors and flexors in both limbs was measured in 29 male athletes. The protocol consisted of three consecutive identical paradigms separated by 45 min breaks. Each test consisted of four maximal concentric efforts performed at 60 and 180°/s. Reproducibility was quantified by the standard error measurement (SEM), the coefficient of variation (CV) and by means of intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) with the calculation of 6 forms of ICCs. The results were that using ICC as the indicator of


reproducibility, the correlations for time to peak torque (TPT) of both limbs showed a range of 0.51–0.65 in extension and 0.50–0.63 in flexion. For angle at peak torque (APT), the values were 0.46–0.60 and 0.51–0.81, respectively. In addition, the calculated standard error of measurement (SEM) and CV scores confirmed the low level of absolute reproducibility.


sportEX comment This is one for everyone out there doing research


either to satisfy a curiosity or as part of a qualification. Don’t bother with these two measurements as they are not reliably reproduced. The paper is jointly published in French if you want to improve your vocabulary though.


www.sportEX.net sportEX comment The standard long arm goniometer is really only as


good as the operator. Digital inclinometers are available and can be more accurate but they are relativity expensive. This study shows that a smartphone app can be just as accurate. A similar study (Agreement between a novel smartphone application and a long arm goniometer for assessment of knee flexion. Hambly K, Sibley R, Ockendon M. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation 2012;2) came to the same conclusion measuring knee flexion. Smartphones are being increasing used in a clinical environment. They can video patients’ movement and now measure that movement as well.


OTTAWA PANEL EVIDENCE-BASED CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES ON THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE FOR NECK PAIN. BROSSEAU L. WELLS GA, ET AL. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2012;16(3):300–325


This is a literature search looking at papers dealing with the use of massage compared to a control or other treatments for adults (>18


years) suffering from sub-acute and chronic neck pain. Papers examined were published from 1 January, 1948 to 31 December, 2010. The Ottawa Panel created inclusion criteria focusing on high methodological quality and grading methods. Recommendations were assigned a grade (A, B, C, C+, D, D+, D−) based on strength of evidence. A total of 45 recommendations from ten articles were developed including 8 positive recommendations (6 grade A and 2 grade C+) and 23 neutral recommendations (12 grade C and 11 grade D). The conclusion was that therapeutic massage can decrease pain, tenderness, and improve range of motion for sub-acute and chronic neck pain.


sportEX comment There is a big debate going on in the medical world about


the dangers of manipulation for neck problems. Why bother? You don’t need to crunch the bones, just do some soft tissue work. Safe and effective! The Ottawa Panel are a group of researchers headed by Dr Lucie Brosseau, a professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa. They have done similar searches on a range of physical therapy subjects which are available at http://spxj.nl/NdUaqp. A quick glance will leave you


wondering if there is actually much evidence for anything done in the musculoskeletal field.


5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37