Study Appraised:: Gonzalez-Iglesias et al. Short-term effects of cervical kinesio-taping on pain and cervical ROM in patients with acute whiplash injuries: A RCT. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009; 39(7):515-521. Level of Evidence: 1b Purpose of the study Whiplash is the result of forceful back and forth movement of the spine which may lead to […]
Local vs Distal Acupuncture vs Sham
Immediate Effects of Dry Needling, and Acupuncture at Distant Points in Chronic Neck Pain: Results of a Randomized, Double-blind, Sham-controlled Crossover Trial Purpose of the study: Evaluate any immediate effects of two different modes of acupuncture compared to sham laser acupuncture on motion-related pain and cervical spine mobility in patients with chronic neck pain (>2 […]
ACL Tears
A retrospective pair-matched follow-up study found that after 20-years, there was no difference in knee osteoarthritis between operative versus nonoperative treatment when treatment was allocated on the basis of a patient’s response to 3 months of physiotherapy.
Electroacupuncture and Diabetic Neuropathy
Electroacupuncture may be a new low risk option for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy in those with diabetes. Researchers in South Korea conducted a randomized, assessor-blinded, multicentred trial that included 126 subjects with type II diabetes and a history of peripheral diabetic neuropathy of six months or longer. The groups included in the study had […]
Surgery vs Physiotherapy for Osteoarthritis and Meniscal Tear
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common reasons for visits to the physiotherapist by individuals over the age of 50. Meniscal tears are also very common among this age group and can occur in people that don’t complain of knee pain. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine challenges the thought that […]
Tennis Elbow Treatment: Physiotherapy, cortisone, or wait and see?
Study Appraised: . Bisset, L., Beller, E., Jull, G., Brooks, P., Darnell, R., & Vicenzino, B. (2006). Mobilisation with movement and exercise, corticosteroid injection, or wait and see for tennis elbow: randomised trial. BMJ, 333(7575), 939. Level of Evidence: 2 What question did the study ask? Purpose: Is physical therapy more effective than no treatment or corticosteroid […]
Fibromyalgia and Yoga
Fibromyalgia is a common condition. Estimates are that it affects two to four percent of the population. The ratio of females to males affected is nine to one, those suffering usually diagnosed between the age of 20 and 50. For years people who suffer from fibromyalgia have visited multiple doctors and have had multiple tests […]
Eccentric vs Concentric strengthening for tendinopathy
Critical Appraisal Rikke Beyer, Mads Kongsgaard, Birgitte Hougs Kjær, Tommy Øhlenschlæger, Michael Kjær and S. Peter Magnusson. Heavy Slow Resistance Versus Eccentric Training as Treatment for Achilles Tendinopathy : A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Sports Med 2015 43: 1704 originally published online May 27, 2015 THERAPY STUDY: Are the results of the trial valid? […]
MVA: Collar, Act as Usual, or Mobilization?
Critical Appraisal Kongstead A, Qerama E, Kasch H, Bendix T, Winther F, Korsholm L, and St ehelin Jensen T. Neck Collar, “Act-as-Usual” or Active Mobilization for Whiplash Injury? A Randomized Parallel-Group Trial. SPINE, Volume 32, Number 6, Pages 618-626 THERAPY STUDY: Are the results of the trial valid? What question did the study ask? How […]
Plantar Fasciitis – PT vs Steroid injection, a critical review
A prospective, single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial study shows that a corticosteroid injection improves short term pain and function in treating plantar fasciitis, but has no more benefit than physiotherapy at 12 month followup. Study appraised: Celik D, Kus G, Sirma SO. Joint Mobilization and Stretching Exercise vs Steroid Injection in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis: […]
Tennis Elbow Braces – A critical appraisal
A recent study shows that some people benefit from bracing for the treatment of lateral epicondylalgia and that the specific type of brace is not that important. Study Appraised: Bisset LM, Collins NJ, Offord SS. Immediate Effects of 2 types of braces on pain and grip strength in people with lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized controlled […]
Ultrasonography use in the diagnosis of neck pain
Critical Appraisal Stecco, A., Meneghini, A., Stern, R., Stecco, C., & Imamura, M. Ultrasonography in myofascial neck pain: randomized clinical trial for diagnosis and follow-up. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2014;36(3), 243-253. A. ARE THE STUDY RESULTS VALID? Was there an independent “blind” comparison with a reference standard? The preclinical study done to collect normative data […]