Biomedical subjects

Andrea Bialocerkowski

Publications and source records attributed to Andrea Bialocerkowski.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Hydrodilatation (distension arthrography): a long-term clinical outcome series.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare the medium to long-term effectiveness of hydrodilatation and post-hydrodilatation physiotherapy in patients with primary and secondary glenohumeral joint contracture associated with rotator cuff pathology. METHODS: Patients with primary and secondary glenohumeral contractures associated with rotator cuff pathology were recruited into a 2-year study. They all underwent hydrodilatation, followed by a structured physiotherapy programme. Patients were assessed at baseline, 3 days, 1 week, 3 months, 1 year and 2 years after hydrodilatation with primary outcome measures (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Shoulder Disability Index and percentage rating of "normal" function; SD%) and secondary outcome measures (range of shoulder abduction, external rotation and hand behind back). Comparisons in recovery were made between the primary and secondary glenohumeral contracture groups at all timeframes and for all outcome measures. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients (23 with primary and 30 with secondary glenohumeral contractures) were recruited into the study. At the 2-year follow-up, 12 patients dropped out from the study. At baseline, the two contracture groups were similar with respect to their demographic and physical characteristics. The two groups of patients recovered in a similar fashion over the 2-year follow-up period. A significant improvement was observed in all outcomes measures over this period (p<0.01), so that both function and range of movement increased. The rate of improvement was dependent on the outcome measure that was used. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrodilatation and physiotherapy increase shoulder motion in individuals with primary and secondary glenohumeral joint contracture associated with rotator cuff pathology. This benefit continues to improve or is maintained in the long term, up to 2 years after hydrodilatation.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

A systematic review of prevalence and risk factors associated with playing-related musculoskeletal disorders in pianists.

BACKGROUND: Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) are a recognized problem amongst instrumental musicians. Although pianists are prominent in data regarding prevalence of PRMDs, there is poor understanding of piano-specific risk factors associated with PRMDs. AIM: To synthesize published literature on the prevalence of and risk factors associated with PRMDs in pianists. METHODS: Thirty-eight databases were searched. Eligible studies were those investigating prevalence of or risk factors associated with PRMDs in pianists, using an appropriate methodology according to a hierarchy of evidence. Information regarding study population, operational definition of PRMD, risk factors investigated, statistical tests used and outcomes was extracted and narratively synthesized for all eligible papers above an arbitrarily chosen quality score. RESULTS: The literature search identified 482 citations. Fifty-two papers were ranked in a hierarchy of evidence; 12 were eligible for evaluation using a quality assessment tool. Common methodological limitations included sampling/measurement biases, inadequate reporting of reliability/validity of outcome measures, lack of operational definition of PRMD and no statistical significance testing. Prevalence rates for PRMDs in pianists varied widely (26-93%). Four authors demonstrated statistically significant risk factors; however, no authors combined a clear operational definition of PRMD with statistically established risk factors. There was no consensus between authors regarding risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence does not provide sufficient information regarding prevalence of and risk factors associated with PRMDs in pianists. Future studies should provide an operational definition of PRMD, use valid, reliable measurement tools, utilize a prospective cohort study design and perform appropriate statistical tests.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Surveys.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Data Collection↗

PubMed2003

The postural effects of load carriage on young people--a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Spinal pain in young people is a significant source of morbidity in industrialised countries. The carriage of posterior loads by young people has been linked with spinal pain, and the amount of postural change produced by load carriage has been used as a measure of the potential to cause tissue damage. The purpose of this review was to identify, appraise and collate the research evidence regarding load-carriage related postural changes in young people. METHODS: A systematic literature review sought published literature on the postural effects of load carriage in young people. Sixteen databases were searched, which covered the domains of allied health, childcare, engineering, health, health-research, health-science, medicine and medical sciences. Two independent reviewers graded the papers according to Lloyd-Smith's hierarchy of evidence scale. Papers graded between 1a (meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials) and 2b (well-designed quasi-experimental study) were eligible for inclusion in this review. These papers were quality appraised using a modified Crombie tool. The results informed the collation of research evidence from the papers sourced. RESULTS: Seven papers were identified for inclusion in this review. Methodological differences limited our ability to collate evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence based recommendations for load carriage in young people could not be made based on the results of this systematic review, therefore constraining the use of published literature to inform good load carriage practice for young people.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Measurement of isometric wrist muscle strength--a systematic review of starting position and test protocol.

BACKGROUND: Isometric strength of the wrist musculature is frequently used in the clinical setting as a primary outcome measure following a wrist disorder. OBJECTIVE: A systematic search of the literature was undertaken to review published starting positions and test protocols used in assessing isometric strength of the wrist musculature. METHODS: AMED, CINAHL, Current Contents, EMBASE and MEDLINE computerized databases were searched for literature published between January 1980 and September 2002 that described the methodologies used to assess isometric wrist muscle strength. Papers were excluded if they explored motor unit recruitment, strength was assessed via manual muscle testing or no information regarding starting position or test protocol was included. RESULTS: A total of 15 papers met the inclusion criteria. Starting position varied between papers, with little justification for the positions assumed. Test protocols used also were variably described, with some not meeting accepted standards for the assessment of isometric strength. Many of the reports lacked information regarding starting position and test protocol used, which precluded replication of the methodology. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is required to determine the optimum starting position and test protocol for the assessment of isometric wrist muscle strength. These should subsequently be assessed for reliability, to ensure that consistent results are produced over different occasions of testing.

Humans↗