Midazolam for acute emesis refractory to dexamethasone and granisetron after highly emetogenic chemotherapy: a phase II study

Goals of the work To assess whether the addition of midazolam to dexamethasone and granisetron could ameliorate the refractory acute nausea and/or vomiting caused by a highly emetogenic platinum-based chemotherapy.Patients and methods Enrolled in the study were 30 consecutive adult patients with refractory acute emesis. Nausea and vomiting were assessed by physicians and graded according to the NCI common toxicity criteria. Nausea was further self-assessed by patients using a visual analogue scale. Statistical analysis was performed by nonparametric tests.Results With the introduction of midazolam, 73% of patients had a reduction of at least one grade in nausea and vomiting intensity in comparison with the previous cycle of chemotherapy. From the second cycle, six patients (23%) had complete control of acute vomiting, a benefit that usually persisted in the subsequent cycles. Five more patients achieved complete control of acute vomiting during the third course; this effect persisted in the subsequent courses as well. The average relative reduction in acute nausea and vomiting grade from the first to the second course was 48% (95% CI 34–62%) and 48% (95% CI 31–65%), respectively. A significant difference in acute nausea and vomiting over all the six courses of chemotherapy administered was recorded (Friedman ANOVA, P <0.0001). Comparing each course with any subsequent course, a significant reduction in acute nausea and vomiting was observed between the first and second course, the first and third course, and the first and fourth course.Conclusions Our results suggest that midazolam may be a useful adjunct to standard antiemetic drugs for patients receiving highly emetogenic cisplatin-based chemotherapy. A randomized trial is warranted to confirm these results.     

Effects of thyroid hormone suppression therapy on adverse clinical outcomes in thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND. Long-term thyroid hormone (TH) therapy aiming at the suppression of serum thyrotropin (TSH) has been traditionally used in the management of well differentiated thyroid cancer (ThyrCa). However, formal validation of the effects of thyroid hormone suppression therapy (THST) through randomized controlled trials is lacking. Additionally, the role--if any--of TSH effect at low ambient concentrations upon human thyroid tumorigenesis remains unclear. AIM: Evaluation of the effect of THST on the clinical outcomes of papillary and/or follicular ThyrCa. METHODS. By using a quantitative research synthesis approach in a cumulative ThyrCa cohort, we evaluated the effect of THST on the likelihood of major adverse clinical events (disease progression/recurrence and death). A total of 28 clinical trials published during the period 1934-2001 were identified; only 10 were amenable to meta-analysis. Causality was assessed by Hill criteria. RESULTS: Out of 4, 174 patients with ThyrCa, 2, 880 (69%) were reported as being on THST. Meta-analysis showed that the group of patients who received THST had a decreased risk of major adverse clinical events (RR = 0.73; CI = 0.60-0.88; P < 0.05). Further, by applying a Likert scale, 15/17 interpretable studies showed either a 'likely' or 'questionable' beneficial effect of THST. Assessment of causality between TSHT and reduction of major adverse clinical events suggested a probable association. CONCLUSIONS: THST appears justified in ThyrCa patients following initial therapy. As most primary studies were imperfect, future research will better define the effect of THST upon ThyrCa clinical outcomes.     

Impact of KRAS mutations on clinical outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients treated with first-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy

Although erlotinib has become an important therapeutic option in addition to gemcitabine, the high frequency of KRAS mutations in pancreatic cancer probably limits the benefits. We retrospectively studied 136 pancreatic cancer patients with available formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor blocks from 2003 to 2009 to understand the clinical significance of KRAS mutations in pancreatic cancer patients treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. KRAS mutations were analyzed by sequencing codons 12, 13, and 61. In this study, 71 (52.2%) of the 136 pancreatic adenocarcinomas examined harbored a point mutation in codons 12 (n = 70) and 61 (n = 1) of KRAS. KRAS mutation was not associated with clinicopathologic parameters. Patients with KRAS mutations showed a worse response (11.3%) than those with wild-type KRAS (26.2%) and poor survival (mutant KRAS, 5.8 months vs. wild-type KRAS, 8.0 months; P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed good prognostic factors for overall survival as well to moderately differentiated histology (P < 0.001; HR = 0.437, 95% CI: 0.301-0.634), locally advanced disease (P < 0.001; HR = 0.417, 95% CI: 0.255-0.681), response to first-line chemotherapy (P = 0.003; HR = 0.482, 95% CI: 0.297-0.780), and wild-type KRAS (P = 0.001; HR = 0.523, 95% CI: 0.355-0.770). However, the observed survival advantage is derived from the subgroup of patients treated with gemcitabine/erlotinib (9.7 vs. 5.2 months; P = 0.002), whereas no survival difference based on KRAS mutation status is obvious in the other subgroup of patients treated without erlotinib (7.0 vs. 7.0 months; P = 0.121). These results need to be further explored in upcoming prospective studies to provide a rationale for personalized medicine in pancreatic cancer.     

Impact factors of lymph node retrieval on survival in locally advanced rectal cancer with neoadjuvant therapy

BACKGROUNDConventional clinical guidelines recommend that at least 12 lymph nodes should be removed during radical rectal cancer surgery to achieve accurate staging. The current application of neoadjuvant therapy has changed the number of lymph node dissection.AIMTo investigate factors affecting the number of lymph nodes dissected after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer and to evaluate the relationship of the total number of retrieved lymph nodes (TLN) with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).METHODSA total of 231 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer from 2015 to 2017 were included in this study. According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification system and the NCCN guidelines for rectal cancer, the patients were divided into two groups: group A (TLN ≥ 12, n = 177) and group B (TLN < 12, n = 54). Factors influencing lymph node retrieval were analyzed by univariate and binary logistic regression analysis. DFS and OS were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models.RESULTSThe median number of lymph nodes dissected was 18 (range, 12-45) in group A and 8 (range, 2-11) in group B. The lymph node ratio (number of positive lymph nodes/total number of lymph nodes) (P = 0.039) and the interval between neoadjuvant therapy and radical surgery (P = 0.002) were independent factors of the TLN. However,TLN was not associated with sex, age, ASA score, clinical T or N stage, pathological T stage, tumor response grade (Dworak), downstaging, pathological complete response, radiotherapy dose, preoperative concurrent chemotherapy regimen, tumor distance from anal verge, multivisceral resection, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level, perineural invasion, intravascular tumor embolus or degree of differentiation. The pathological T stage (P < 0.001) and TLN (P < 0.001) were independent factors of DFS, and pathological T stage (P = 0.011) and perineural invasion (P = 0.002) were independent factors of OS. In addition, the risk of distant recurrence was greater for TLN < 12 (P = 0.009).CONCLUSIONA shorter interval to surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer under indications may cause increased number of lymph nodes harvested. Tumor shrinkage and more extensive lymph node retrieval may lead to a more favorable prognosis.     

Effect of early intervention with sumatriptan on migraine pain: retrospective analyses of data from three clinical trials

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the efficacy of sumatriptan 50- and 100-mg tablets in the treatment of migraine attacks while the pain is mild rather than moderate/severe. BACKGROUND: Results from The Spectrum Study suggested that early treatment of migraine attacks with sumatriptan 50-mg tablets while the pain is mild might enhance pain-free response and reduce headache recurrence. METHODS: Retrospective analyses of headaches treated during mild pain were performed using data from 3 studies of sumatriptan tablets (protocols S2CM09, S2BT25, and S2BT26). Our primary interest was pain-free response 2 and 4 hours after dosing; secondary interests were use of a second dose of medication, clinical disability (as measured on a 4-point disability scale), migraine-associated symptoms, meaningful pain relief (patient defined), time to meaningful relief, sustained pain-free response, and proportion of attacks in which pain had worsened 2 and 4 hours after dosing, all of which were compared in headaches treated during mild versus moderate/severe pain. RESULTS: In S2CM09, 92 patients treated 118 headaches during mild pain. Rates of pain-free response were higher 2 hours after dosing with sumatriptan 50 mg (51%) or 100 mg (67%; P < 0.05) compared with placebo (28%), and were higher with early treatment of mild pain compared with treatment of moderate/severe pain at 2 hours (sumatriptan 50 mg: mild pain, 51%; moderate/severe pain, 31%; P < 0.05; sumatriptan 100 mg: mild pain, 67%; moderate/severe pain, 36%) and 4 hours (50 mg: 75% vs 56%; 100 mg: 90% vs 61%; P < 0.05). Early intervention also resulted in less redosing than when moderate/severe pain was treated (50 mg: 21% vs 32%; 100 mg: 20% vs 29%). More attacks treated early with sumatriptan 50 or 100 mg were associated with normal function 4 hours after dosing compared with placebo (70% and 93% vs 46%, respectively). Sustained pain-free response rates 2 to 24 hours after early dosing with sumatriptan 50 or 100 mg were also higher (34% and 53%, respectively) compared with treatment of moderate/severe pain (19% and 24%, respectively). Early treatment with sumatriptan 100 mg produced significantly higher pain-free rates at 2 hours after dosing (P < 0.001) than did ergotamine plus caffeine (S2BT25: 69% vs 34%, respectively) or aspirin plus metoclopramide (S2BT26: 73% vs 25%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Sumatriptan 50- and 100-mg tablets are effective whether pain is mild or moderate/severe. However, treatment with sumatriptan while pain is mild provides high pain-free response rates while reducing the need for redosing, benefits not seen with ergotamine plus caffeine or aspirin plus metoclopramide.     

强化免疫抑制疗法联合不同方案G-CSF治疗重型再生障碍性贫血患者的长期随访研究

目的 比较强化免疫抑制疗法(IIST)联合两种不同方案重组人粒细胞集落刺激因子(rhG-CSF)治疗重型再生障碍性贫血(SAA)患者的有效性和安全性.方法 回顾性分析1994年3月至2007年12月lIST联合rhG-CSF治疗的176例SAA患者资料.方案A:96例患者IIST后1个月始用rhG-CSF,300μg/次,每周3次、2次、1次各用1个月;方案B:80例患者IIST前始用rhG-CSF 5μg·kg-1·d-1,直至造血功能出现恢复.比较两组的治疗反应、感染相关死亡率和克隆性演变发生率.结果 ①B组患者早期治疗反应率(67.5%)显著高于A组(37.5%)(P<0.01),且其获早期治疗反应时间明显提前.B组患者IIST后4个月内感染相关死亡率(6.3%)显著低于A组(16.7%)(P=0.034).B组患者4年总体生存率[(77.7±4.9)%]显著高于A组[(57.2±5.1)%](P=0.006).②IIST后4个月无效的难治性SAA患者,A组者停用rhG-CSF,B组者继续应用,两组12个月疗效、感染相关死亡率及总体生存率差异均无统计学意义(P值分别为0.066、0.296、0.288),但B组患者转化为骨髓增生异常综合征/急性髓系白血病(MDS/AML)风险显著增高.③多因素分析发现疾病严重程度(RR=1.922,P=0.010)、是否有早期治疗反应(RR=5.749,P<0.01)为独立预后影响因素,且SAA转化为MDS/AML仅与rhG-CSF疗程相关(RR=1.004,P=0.017).结论 早期足量应用rhG-CSF联合IIST有助于造血功能恢复,并降低其感染相关死亡率,但延长rhG-CSF疗程并不能进一步提高难治性SAA患者的远期疗效,且增加其转化为MDS/AML的危险性.     

Targeted therapy for stress urinary incontinence: a systematic review based on clinical trials

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Controversy exists regarding the therapeutic benefit of cell-based therapy in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Areas covered: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate evidence regarding the therapeutic effect and safety of cell-based therapy in the treatment of SUI and to propose a new approach to SUI treatment utilizing tissue engineering methodologies. We have thoroughly reviewed the literature using PubMed in order to identify only original, clinical studies involving cell therapy for SUI.

Expert opinion: Cell-based therapy, as practiced today, is a safe but ineffective method for SUI treatment. The key to an optimal therapeutic outcome in SUI is accurate diagnosis combined with targeted therapy. Targeted therapy in SUI should be based on cell implantation to restore and regenerate the damaged urethral sphincter and/or the construction of a neo-pubourethral ligament utilizing tissue engineering methodologies.     

A pilot study of ondansetron plus metopimazine vs. ondansetron monotherapy in children receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy: a Bayesian randomized serial N-of-1 trials design

Goals of work Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is problematic in paediatric brain tumour treatment protocols which often discourage the use of corticosteroids as anti-emetics. The dopamine receptor antagonist, metopimazine, is an effective anti-emetic in combination with ondansetron in adults. The present study was designed to assess its efficacy in children with cancer, a group in which it has not been studied previously.Patients and methods We conducted a series of randomized, multiple-crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled N-of-1 trials comparing ondansetron/metopimazine with ondansetron monotherapy in children with brain tumours receiving highly emetogenic therapy and combined the individual results using Bayesian statistical modeling.Main results Ten of twelve enrolled patients completed at least one chemotherapy cycle on study (median=2.5 cycles, range 1–11). Two patients were unable to complete any cycles, and a further three patients withdrew from the study prior to completing all cycles because of an inability to tolerate the taste of the study drug. Combination therapy increased the proportion of days during which patients had no emesis (overall odds ratio=1.52, 95% credible region=0.32–6.40, probability of odds ratio>1=72%), decreased the number of emetic episodes per day (overall rate ratio=0.67, 95% credible region=0.15–3.14, probability of rate ratio<1=75%) and decreased parents ratings of their childs distress. The drug was more effective during the delayed chemotherapy phase than the acute phase. No adverse events were attributed to metopimazine.Conclusions Based on this pilot study, we believe that the high likelihood that metopimazine is an effective adjunct to ondansetron monotherapy suggests that this combination therapy is worthy of further study in children receiving emetogenic chemotherapy.     

Impact of passive humidification on clinical outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE: Previous meta-analyses reported advantages of passive (i.e., heat and moisture exchangers, or HMEs) compared with active (i.e., heated humidifiers, or HHs) humidifiers in reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, but they did not examine the effect of these devices on mortality, length of intensive care unit stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation. In addition, relevant data were recently published. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing HMEs with HHs for the management of mechanically ventilated patients to determine the impact of these devices on clinical outcomes of such patients. METHODS: We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials as well as reference lists from publications, with no language restrictions. We estimated pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using a random effects model. RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled trials, studying 2,580 patients, were included. There was no difference in incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia among patients managed with HMEs and HHs (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.62-1.16). There was no difference between the compared groups regarding mortality (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.80-1.20), length of intensive care unit stay (weighted mean differences, -0.68 days, 95% CI -3.65 to 2.30), duration of mechanical ventilation (weighted mean differences, 0.11 days, 95% CI -0.90 to 1.12), or episodes of airway occlusion (OR 2.26, 95% CI 0.55-9.28). HMEs were cheaper than HHs in each of the randomized controlled trials. CONCLUSION: The available evidence does not support the preferential performance of either passive or active humidifiers in mechanical ventilation patients in terms of ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence, mortality, or morbidity.     

介入疗法配合三维适型放疗治疗肝癌15例临床护理

目的:探讨介入疗法配合三维适型放疗疗法肝癌患者的护理方法。方法:将采取介入治疗配合三维适型放疗的30例肝癌患者随机分为两组各15例,对照组实施常规护理,观察组在此基础上加强心理护理、饮食指导、康复指导及治疗期护理。比较两组患者的护理效果。结果:观察组副作用反应程度显著低于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);观察组满意度显著优于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:加强临床护理可显著降低患者副作用反应程度,提高患者满意度。     

Impact of adherence to disease-modifying therapies on clinical and economic outcomes among patients with multiple sclerosis

Background  

Adherence to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is essential for the reduction of multiple sclerosis (MS) progression and relapse. However, only limited data currently exist on the impact of treatment adherence on MS-related clinical and economic outcomes in the real world setting.     

谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶P1基因多态性与晚期胃癌患者对顺铂化疗疗效的相关性研究

目的 基因多态性通过影响药物的代谢、转运和作用靶点从而导致药物疗效和毒性的个体差异,寻找明确的生物学标记来识别获益人群已成为最大的挑战.本研究旨在观察谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶P1(GSTP1)基因多态性与以顺铂(DDP)为基础的化疗方案治疗晚期胃癌疗效间的关系.方法 收集经病理学确诊的晚期胃癌患者59 例.所有病例化疗前抽取外周静脉血,提取脱氧核糖核酸(DNA),用连接酶检测反应技术(PCR-LDR)检测研究对象的GSTP1 基因型.所有患者经多西他赛(DOCETAXEL)/DDP/5-氟尿嘧啶(5-FU) 联合方案化疗,化疗结束后观察疗效及其与GSTP1 基因多态性的关系.结果 59 例晚期胃癌患者中,15 例(25.4%)为GSTP1 G/G 基因型,21 例(35.6%)为GSTP1 G/A 基因型,23 例(39.0%)为GSTP1 A/A 基因型.其中4 例完全缓解,14 例部分缓解,19 例稳定,22 例进展,总有效率为30.5%(18/59).GSTP1 G/G 基因型患者的化疗有效率(73.3%)明显高于G/A 基因型患者(19.0%)(χ2 ＝10.616,P ＝0.005),同样明显高于A/A 基因型患者(13.0%)(χ2 ＝14.202,P ＝0.001).G/A 基因型患者的化疗有效率与A/A 基因型患者之间差异无统计学意义(χ2 ＝0.31,P＝0.856).突变基因型(G/G +G/A)对化疗较敏感,其化疗有效率是野生基因型(A/A)的3.2 倍(95% CI 1.442 ～7.302,P ＝0.004).结论 GSTP1 基因型对预测以DDP 为基础化疗方案治疗晚期胃癌的疗效具有较好的临床意义.     

认知行为疗法对乳腺癌术后化疗患者睡眠质量的影响

目的探讨认知行为疗法（渐进性放松训练联合刺激控制疗法）对改善乳腺癌术后患者睡眠质量的效果。方法采用随机对照研究,将56例乳腺癌术后化疗患者随机分为干预组和对照组各28例。对照组接受乳腺癌术后化疗患者的常规护理;干预组在此基础上,接受为期18周的认知行为治疗。干预前和干预结束后分别用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数问卷（Pittsburgh sleep quality index,PSQI）对两组患者进行评定。结果干预前两组患者PSQI各项得分和总分比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;干预后干预组患者PSQI量表总分及睡眠质量、入睡潜伏期、睡眠时问、睡眠效率、睡眠障碍、催眠药物、日间功能障碍因子分均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论认知行为疗法能有效改善乳腺癌术后化疗患者的心理健康状况,提高患者睡眠质量。     

Darbepoetin alfa in lung cancer patients on chemotherapy: a retrospective comparison of outcomes in patients with mild versus moderate-to-severe anaemia at baseline

Goals Currently, there is some debate concerning the haemoglobin level at which treatment of anaemia with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents should be initiated in cancer patients on chemotherapy. We report several analyses of data from a phase III trial of darbepoetin alfa versus placebo, comparing outcomes for patients with mild and moderate-to-severe anaemia.Patients and methods Data were obtained from a phase III trial of darbepoetin alfa versus placebo in anaemic patients with lung cancer receiving chemotherapy (n=314). Outcomes were compared for patients with baseline haemoglobin 10–11 g/dl and <10 g/dl.Results Darbepoetin alfa significantly reduced transfusions compared with placebo, irrespective of haemoglobin level at treatment initiation. For patients with baseline haemoglobin <10 g/dl, 31% and 59% of those receiving darbepoetin alfa and placebo, respectively, required a transfusion from week 5 to the end of the treatment phase (P<0.038). For patients with baseline haemoglobin 10 g/dl, the proportions were 15% and 41%, respectively (P<0.001). Darbepoetin alfa also improved fatigue compared with placebo in both haemoglobin categories.Conclusions These findings show that initiating treatment at haemoglobin levels both <10 g/dl and 10–11 g/dl results in substantial clinical benefits, supporting the use of erythropoietic therapy also in patients with mild anaemia.J. Vansteenkiste is the beneficiary of the Amgen Fund in Supportive Cancer Care at the Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium.This work was supported by Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA     

隐裂牙146例综合治疗的临床分析

目的观察对146例隐裂牙综合治疗的效果。方法对132例患者146颗隐裂牙进行治疗，治疗措施包括粘固带环、牙髓治疗、调、人工冠修复。结果隐裂牙好发年龄30～50岁，早期隐裂牙治疗成功率87．50％，中晚期治疗成功率93．48％。结论隐裂牙经综合治疗后，有较好的临床效果。     

Antiemetic therapy for high-dose chemotherapy with transplantation: report of a retrospective analysis of a 5-HT3 regimen and literature review

 The goal of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist regimens in the transplant setting through a retrospective analysis of clinic patients and a review of the literature. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of an antiemetic regimen in 24 patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplantation. The antiemetic agent used in 96% of the patients was single-agent ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg as a continuous infusion every 12 h starting on the first day of chemotherapy. Efficacy or failure was defined by the need for administration of rescue antiemetics, as documented by nurses' notes and pharmacy records. Overall, 23 (96%) patients experienced antiemetic failure within the first 3 days. Rescue antiemetics yielded improved control of nausea and vomiting in 16 of 23 (70%) patients. These data demonstrate poor antiemetic efficacy of single-agent, continuous-infusion ondansetron in a small group of patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplantation. These data are considered in the context of a thorough literature review that shows the limitations of previously reported antiemetic studies in this setting, potential pharmacokinetic interactions, and also highlights the utilization of combination therapy, administered orally or intravenously, to improve efficacy and tolerability of antiemetic therapy. A number of recent investigations suggest that appropriate doses of 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists with phenothiazine and corticosteroids can improve the safety and efficacy of antiemetic regimens in patients undergoing transplantation.     

音乐疗法对胃癌患者化疗期间焦虑状态及免疫功能的影响

目的观察音乐疗法在胃癌患者临床治疗中的作用。方法将80例胃癌患者随机分为实验组和对照组各40例，实验组采用音乐疗法配合抗肿瘤治疗，对照组仅接受常规抗肿瘤治疗。比较2组患者的焦虑自评量表（SAS）得分、中国人状态特性焦虑量表（C-STAI）得分及外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、自然杀伤（NK）细胞抗肿瘤活性测定等指标的变化。结果治疗后实验组SAS和C-STAI的分值显著低于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。2组治疗后CD8均有所下降（P〈0.01）；实验组CD3、CD4、CD4/CD8及NK细胞活性均较化疗前显著升高（P〈0.05），并显著高于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论音乐疗法对化疗期间胃癌患者焦虑状态及免疫功能的调节具有积极作用。     

Short- and long-term clinical outcomes following a standardized protocol of orthopedic manual physical therapy and exercise in individuals with osteoarthritis of the hip: a case series

Objectives:

Describe short- and long-term outcomes observed in individuals with hip osteoarthritis (OA) treated with a pre-selected, standardized set of best-evidence manual therapy and therapeutic exercise interventions.

Methods:

Fifteen consecutive subjects (9 males, 6 females; mean age: 52±7.5 years) with unilateral hip OA received an identical protocol of manual therapy and therapeutic exercise interventions. Subjects attended 10 treatment sessions over an 8-week period for manual therapy interventions and performed the therapeutic exercise as a home program.

Results:

Baseline to 8-week follow-up outcomes were as follows: Harris Hip Scale (HHS) scores improved from 60.3(±10.4) to 80.7(±10.5), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores improved from 4.3(±1.9) to 2.0(±1.9), hip flexion range of motion (ROM) improved from 99 degrees (±10.6) to 127 degrees (±6.3) and hip internal rotation ROM improved from 19 degrees (±9.1) to 31 degrees (±11.5). Improvements in HHS, NPRS, and hip ROM measures reached statistical significance (P<0.05) at 8-weeks and remained significant at the 29-week follow-up. Mean changes in NPRS and HHS scores exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) at 8-weeks and for the HHS scores alone at 29 weeks. The 8 and 29 week mean Global Rating of Change scores were 5.1(±1.4) and 2.1(±4.2), respectively. Improved outcomes observed following a pre-selected, standardized treatment protocol were similar to those observed in previous studies involving impairment-based manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for hip OA. Future studies might directly compare the two approaches.

Discussion: