The Australian journal of physiotherapy 

About: The Australian journal of physiotherapy is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Randomized controlled trial & Low back pain. It has an ISSN identifier of 0004-9514. Over the lifetime, 1290 publications have been published receiving 32304 citations.

The PEDro scale is a valid measure of the methodological quality of clinical trials: a demographic study.

Abstract: Questions: Does the PEDro scale measure only one construct ie, the methodological quality of clinical trials? What is the hierarchy of items of the PEDro scale from least to most adhered to? Is there any effect of year of publication of trials on item adherence? Are PEDro scale ordinal scores equivalent to interval data? Design: Rasch analysis of two independent samples of 100 clinical trials from the PEDro database scored using the PEDro scale. Results: Both samples of PEDro data showed fit to the Rasch model with no item misfit. The PEDro scale item hierarchy was the same in both samples, ranging from the most adhered to item random allocation, to the least adhered to item therapist blinding. There was no differential item functioning by year of publication. Original PEDro ordinal scores were highly correlated with transformed PEDro interval scores (r = 0.99). Conclusion: The PEDro scale is a valid measure of the methodological quality of clinical trials. It is valid to sum PEDro scale item scores to obtain a total score that can be treated as interval level measurement and subjected to parametric statistical analysis. [de Morton NA (2009) The PEDro scale is a valid measure of the methodological quality of clinical trials: a demographic study. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 55: 129–133]

Evidence for Physiotherapy Practice: A Survey of the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)

Abstract: Evidence-based practice involves the use of evidence from systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials, but the extent of this evidence in physiotherapy has not previously been surveyed. The aim of this survey is to describe the quantity and quality of randomised controlled trials and the quantity of systematic reviews relevant to physiotherapy. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) was searched. The quality of trials was assessed with the PEDro scale. The search identified a total of 2,376 randomised controlled trials and 332 systematic reviews. The first trial was published in 1955 and the first review was published in 1982. Since that time, the number of trials and reviews has grown exponentially. The mean PEDro quality score has increased from 2.8 in trials published between 1955 and 1959 to 5.0 for trials published between 1995 and 1999. There is a substantial body of evidence about the effects of physiotherapy. However, there remains scope for improvements in the quality of the conduct and reporting of clinical trials.

The management of chondromalacia patellae: a long term solution.

Abstract: Patellofemoral pain syndrome can be a difficult condition to manage effectively. The success rate of most treatment regimes has been poor and in the long term the condition frequently recurs. The author has developed a treatment programme which has a ninety-six percent success rate. Long term follow up of patients, after twelve months demonstrated that all patients reviewed have remained pain free. The programme involves two major components: a thorough understanding of the mechanics of the patellofemoral joint so that an adequate assessment of the patient's lower limb can be made, and context specific training of certain muscles which contribute to patellar alignment. This training must be relatively pain free so that muscle control can be enhanced.

Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of a weight-bearing lunge measure of ankle dorsiflexion.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of a weight-bearing dorsiflexion (DF) lunge in 13 healthy subjects. Four raters with varying clinical experience tested all subjects in random order. Two of the raters repeated the measurements one week later. Two methods were used to assess the DF lunge: (i) the distance from the great toe to the wall and (ii) the angle between the tibial shaft and the vertical using an inclinometer. The average otthree trials was used in data analysis. Intra-rater intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged from 0.97 to 0.98. Inter-rater ICC values were 0.97 (angle) and 0.99 (distance). Results indicate excellent reliability for both methods of assessing a DF lunge.

A systematic review of low level laser therapy with location-specific doses for pain from chronic joint disorders.

Abstract: We investigated if low level laser therapy (LLLT) of the joint capsule can reduce pain in chronic joint disorders. A literature search identified 88 randomised controlled trials, of which 20 trials included patients with chronic joint disorders. Six trials were excluded for not irradiating the joint capsule. Three trials used doses lower than a dose range nominated a priori for reducing inflammation in the joint capsule. These trials found no significant difference between active and placebo treatments. The remaining 11 trials including 565 patients were of acceptable methodological quality with an average PEDro score of 6.9 (range 5–9). In these trials, LLLT within the suggested dose range was administered to the knee, temporomandibular or zygapophyseal joints. The results showed a mean weighted difference in change of pain on VAS of 29.8 mm (95% CI, 18.9 to 40.7) in favour of the active LLLT groups. Global health status improved for more patients in the active LLLT groups (relative risk of 0.52; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.76). Low level laser therapy with the suggested dose range significantly reduces pain and improves health status in chronic joint disorders, but the heterogeneity in patient samples, treatment procedures and trial design calls for cautious interpretation of the results.