Visual estimation of shoulder posture: accuracy and reliability across five planes of motion

Background: Visual estimation is still widely used by physiotherapists in clinical practice. The accuracy and reliability of visual estimation are under question and vary with the joint being evaluated. The utility of using visual estimation to evaluate shoulder angular posture is inconclusive and has yet to be evaluated across a comprehensive range of planes and postures.

Objective: The purpose of this observational, cross-sectional study was to determine whether visual estimation is an accurate and reliable procedure for determining shoulder angular postures in a range of shoulder motions.

Methods: Sixty-three physical therapy students viewed digital photographs of an asymptomatic volunteer to visually estimate degrees of arm abduction, flexion, extension, internal rotation, and external rotation. Six photographs from each plane of movement were shown, at positions spanning the available range of motion, and participants were asked to estimate the angular posture. Estimates were averaged, and errors from computer measurements were calculated. Differences between estimates and measurements were determined with t-tests.

Results: The overall accuracy of the visual estimates is considered poor to fair. Root mean square errors were reasonable, from 5° to 17°, but the 95% spread of the data reached a maximum of 53°. Estimates were most accurate at the abduction and flexion postures closest to 90°. Most estimates for extension were underestimated, while more internal rotation estimates were overestimated. Reliability ranged from poor to fair (0.12–0.63).

Conclusions: Using visual estimation to evaluate shoulder planar postures results in a wide range of error. Physiotherapy students should be encouraged to use more objective measurement methods.     

Evidence for single-limb exercises on exercise capacity,quality of life,and dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or chronic heart failure

Abstract

Background: Although single-limb exercise (SLE) has been used for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), the evidence for SLE has not been evaluated systematically and remains unclear.

Objectives: Determine the evidence for the effect of SLE compared to any comparator on outcome measurements for exercise capacity, quality of life (QoL) or dyspnea in patients with COPD or CHF.

Methods: PubMed, PEDro, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception until 31 May 2011. Searches started 1 April 2011. English language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Extraction of data was performed by two review authors. Data and evidence for SLE were summarized in accordance with grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) guidelines. Authors of included studies were contacted for missing data.

Results: Six RCTs (two COPD and four CHF) were included. Low to very low-quality evidence indicates that SLE significantly improved exercise capacity, but not dyspnea, in patients with COPD, and significantly improved exercise capacity outcomes compared to a control in patients with CHF. However, when SLE was compared to non-SLE regimes in patients with CHF, positive effects were found irrespective of training regime regarding exercise capacity and QoL.

Conclusions: SLE appears to be effective in both conditions especially regarding exercise capacity, and might be included in exercise programs in patients with COPD or CHF. However, the evidence is low to very low according to GRADE and more clinical studies of high quality are required.     

Infrainguinal revascularization using the Crosser® vibrational system

Abstract

Revascularization of infrainguinal vessels is still a challenge. Complications such as flow-limiting dissections or perforation are responsible for a limited success rate. Failed revascularization attempt leads to amputation in a significant number of patients and increases mortality. We report the use of a novel percutaneous device using the CROSSER catheter^® system in two patients with peripheral vascular disease. In case # 1 anterior tibial artery patency was restored in a diabetic foot and in case # 2 a chronic traumatic occlusion of the superficial femoral artery was revascularized. In both cases the lesion was recanalized in a short time without any procedure-related complications. The CROSSER catheter^® system can overcome technical problems and make reentry devices and retrograde distal accesses less relevant. It opens new horizons for the treatment of complex below-the-knee lesions.     

Qualities of a French version of the Wolf Motor Function Test: A multicenter study

IntroductionThere are currently a small number of standardized tools in French that measure and compare the effect of constraint-induced movement therapy, or other recent therapies promoting motor recoveryObjectiveTo create a French version of the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and assess its reliability, minimal detectable change, and criterion validity.MethodProspective multicenter repeated-measure design with 44 patients with post stroke hemiparesis. A French Version of the WMFT was created; it was then assessed against the Fugl Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (French version) to establish its reliability, the minimal detectable change and its validity.ResultsInter-rater reliability was very good. Reproducibility of the scores was good. Cronbach α coefficients showed adequate internal consistency. The minimal detectable change (MDC_95%) for functional ability scores was below 10% of the highest possible score; the MDC_95% for performance time was very high at more than 90 seconds. Criterion validity was good.ConclusionThe French version of the WMFT is reliable and valid. The test shows promise for use as an objective outcome measure for people post stroke in French speaking countries.     

下肢静脉曲张的微创治疗

微创治疗是下肢静脉曲张治疗的发展方向,随着新方法和新器械的不断出现和改进,包括透光直视旋切术、静脉腔内激光闭合术、静脉腔内射频闭合术、腔镜深筋膜下交通静脉结扎术、静脉内血管硬化术、经皮静脉瓣膜植入术等,具有创伤小、手术时间短、恢复快、疗效确切等优点,将为下肢静脉曲张患者提供了多种选择。本文回顾了目前治疗下肢静脉曲张的概况,就微创治疗下肢静脉曲张的方法、器械以及初步研究成果和最新进展等进行综述。     

贲门失弛缓症介入治疗进展

贲门失弛缓症是一种原发性食管运动障碍疾病,由下食管括约肌(LES)张力增高及松弛不良造成,主要表现为吞咽障碍,其发病机制目前尚不明确。各种治疗方法的目的均为降低LES的紧张性和阻滞性以缓解症状。目前治疗贲门失弛缓症的方法有药物治疗、肉毒毒素治疗、外科肌松解术、球囊导管成形术和贲门支架成形术。暂时性贲门支架成形术,是近年来使用的新介入治疗法,具有较好的优势和疗效,将成为治疗贲门失弛缓症的首选微创疗法。     

模拟舱室内肢体爆炸伤后肺损伤的特点及短暂全身低温对肺损伤程度的影响

目的 观察密闭舱室环境下,肢体爆炸伤后肺损伤的特点及全身短暂低温对肺损伤程度的影响.方法 24只雄性SD大鼠,随机分为对照组、单纯致伤组和短暂全身低温干预组.采用比色法测定肺组织丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)和髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性;肺湿重/干重代表总肺水含量;观察肺组织病理改变.结果 密闭环境中,肢体爆炸伤后肺组织发生出血、水肿,肺间隔断裂,炎症细胞浸润,肺组织MDA含量和MPO活性明显升高,SOD活性明显下降;短暂全身低温可减轻肺组织出血、水肿和炎症细胞的浸润,降低肺组织MDA含量和MPO活性,增加SOD活性.结论 密闭环境中,肢体爆炸伤后发生明显的肺冲击伤,氧化应激和炎症细胞浸润可进一步加重肺组织损伤,短暂全身低温可通过减轻氧化应激和炎症细胞浸润,减轻肺组织损伤.     

下肢动脉闭塞性病变的64层CT血管造影与DSA的对照研究

目的对照DSA,研究64层螺旋CT血管造影(CTA)对下肢动脉闭塞性病变诊断的临床应用价值。方法对31例下肢动脉闭塞性病变患者行64层螺旋CTA检查,检查后2周内行DSA。CT数据重建采用最大密度投影、容积重建及多平面重建技术。DSA采用步进跟踪造影技术或分段DSA进行下肢血管检查,将CTA与DSA结果比较。结果在216个动脉节段中,2种检查方法狭窄程度显示一致的有157个,被CTA高估13个,低估6个。CTA对下肢动脉狭窄程度≥50%诊断的灵敏度为98.21%,特异度96.15%,准确率97.22%,阳性预测值96.49%,阴性预测值98.04%。结论64层CT血管造影是下肢动脉闭塞性病变评估的可靠方法,可为制订介入治疗方案提供准确的参考依据。