Validity and Reliability of Methods for Sonography Education in Physiotherapy: Onsite vs. Online.

Background: in physiotherapy, the interest in sonography education has been increasing in recent decades, giving rise to opportunities in education in an attempt to meet the elevated demand. In other health professions, online education has demonstrated to be of interest, and another possibility by which to obtain knowledge. Methods: this exploratory observational prospective study compared the outcomes between onsite versus online education, and was approved by the ethics committee of the Francisco de Vitoria University. Two groups (onsite and online) with 136 attendants and two levels for each (basic and advanced) received the same content but through different presentations. Theoretical exams were conducted via “Kahoot” and practical exams using phantoms, and the results were subject to statistical analyses. Results: the average age of onsite participants was 29.5 (25–35.25) years and 34 (28.5–40.5) for the online participants, with a higher percentage of women. The average score ranks in the Kahoot_basic test were higher for both online groups corresponding to basic (group 1) and advanced (group 2) levels: 7 (6.5, 7.5) for group 1 and 7 (6.5, 8.5) for group 2 vs. the onsite groups: 6 (5.5, 7) for group 1 and 6 (5, 6.5) for group 2. In the practical exam, the model detected that a small negative difference between the Onsite 2 group and the total effect was significant with a low effect size (R2adjusted = 0.025) for the measurements of the hollow structure; the difference between the Online 2 and Onsite 1 group was positive (1.5026, SE = 0.5822) and significant (t = 2.5809, p = 0.0113), with a low effect size (R2adjusted = 0.016) for the solid structure depth measurement. Conclusions: the results showed that there could be an opportunity to access sonography knowledge through online education in physical therapy compared to the traditional onsite model. These conclusions support the use of a low-cost and accessible method for ultrasound educationpost-print1219 K

Validation of the Spanish Version of Newcastle Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Measure (NEWSQOL)

Background: Stroke causes a wide variety of clinical manifestations that may have a negative impact on quality of life. Therefore, it is very important to use specific instruments for measuring quality of life in individuals who suffered a stroke. The aim of this study was to develop a psychometrically validated Spanish version of the Newcastle stroke-specific quality of life measure (NEWSQOL). Methods: A psychometric validation of the Spanish version of the NEWSQOL questionnaire was carried out in 159 patients. The reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach&apos;s alpha coefficient), validity (factorial analysis and Spearman&apos;s coefficient), feasibility (response rate), and the ceiling and floor effects were calculated. Results: Internal consistency showed that Cronbach&apos;s alpha coefficient was 0.93. The test-retest reliability was high or excellent for all domains (range 0.71-0.97 p < 0.001). The response rate of the questionnaire was 100% and the average administration time was 20.5 (±7.2) min. No ceiling effect was detected and two domains (pain and vision) may have a significant potential for floor effect. Construct validity showed that all the variables are important enough to keep them all in the questionnaire. Concerning convergent construct validity, a high correlation was found with the Nottingham Health Profile, the Barthel Index, and the Modified Rankin Scale. Conclusion: The Spanish version of the NEWSQOL questionnaire is reliable, valid, and feasible to evaluate quality of life in the Spanish population

Traducción al castellano y análisis preliminar de las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario Newcastle Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Measure (NEWSQOL) para valorar la calidad de vida en pacientes postictus

22 p.Introducción. El Newcastle Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Measure (NEWSQOL) es uno de los pocos cuestionarios específicos para valorar la calidad de vida en pacientes que han sufrido ictus isquémico u hemorrágico. Objetivo. Traducir y adaptar dicho cuestionario al castellano y evaluar su fiabilidad y aceptabilidad. Pacientes y métodos. Se tradujo al castellano la versión original del cuestionario NEWSQOL, traducción que fue consen- suada por un equipo de expertos, y a partir de la cual se hizo una retrotraducción al inglés que se envió a la autora, quien mostró su conformidad. Posteriormente esa versión se administró a un grupo de pacientes para valorar su fiabilidad, aceptabilidad, efecto suelo y efecto techo. Resultados. El proceso de adaptación lingüística permitió obtener la equivalencia semántica, conceptual y de contenido de la versión española de NEWSQOL. Los resultados obtenidos en el análisis preliminar reflejan una excelente aceptabilidad, un índice de consistencia interna de 0,9 para la totalidad del cuestionario y una concordancia test-retest buena o excelen- te para todos los dominios. No se detectó efecto techo, pero sí efecto suelo para los dominios de visión y cognición. Conclusión. La versión española del cuestionario NEWSQOL es fiable para valorar la calidad de vida en pacientes postictus, además de aceptarse bien. Es necesario utilizar el cuestionario en muestras más amplias para evaluar su validez y sensi- bilidad

Reliability of the Spanish Version of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3) and Characteristics of Motor Imagery in Institutionalized Elderly People

Motor imagery (MI) training is increasingly used to improve the performance of specific motor skills. The Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3) is an instrument for assessing MI ability validated in Spanish although its reliability has not yet been studied in the elderly population. The main objective of this study was to test its reliability in institutionalized elderly people. Secondarily, we studied whether there are differences according to gender and age in MI ability (measured by the MIQ-3) and in temporal congruency (measured by mental chronometry of elbow and knee flexion-extension and getting up and sitting down from chair movements). The subjects were 60 elderly, institutionalized, Spanish-speaking individuals without cognitive impairment or dementia, and aged between 70 and 100 years. Cronbach?s alpha showed high internal consistency in the internal visual and external visual subscales and moderate in the kinesthetic subscale. The intraclass correlation coefficient showed good test-retest reliability for all three subscales. Mixed factorial analysis of variances (ANOVAs) showed that MI ability decreased with increasing age range, the imagery time decreased concerning the execution of the same movement, and there were no gender differences in either IM ability or temporal congruence. The Spanish version of the MIQ-3 is a reliable instrument for measuring MI ability in institutionalized elderl

Immediate effects of dry needling on the autonomic nervous system and mechanical hyperalgesia: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Dry needling (DN) is often used for the treatment of muscle pain among physiotherapists. However, little is known about the mechanisms of action by which its effects are generated. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to determine if the use of DN in healthy subjects activates the sympathetic nervous system, thus resulting in a decrease in pain caused by stress. Methods: Sixty-five healthy volunteer subjects were recruited from the University of Alcala, Madrid, Spain, with an age of 27.78 (SD = 8.41) years. The participants were randomly assigned to participate in a group with deep DN in the adductor pollicis muscle or a placebo needling group. The autonomic nervous system was evaluated, in addition to local and remote mechanical hyperalgesia. Results: In a comparison of the moment at which the needling intervention was carried out with the baseline, the heart rate of the dry needling group significantly increased by 20.60% (SE = 2.88), whereas that of the placebo group increased by 5.33% (SE = 2.32) (p = 0.001, d = 1.02). The pressure pain threshold showed significant differences between both groups, being significantly higher in the needling group (adductor muscle p = 0.001; d = 0.85; anterior tibialis muscle p = 0.022, d = 0.58). Conclusions: This work appears to indicate that dry needling produces an immediate activation in the sympathetic nervous system, improving local and distant mechanical hyperalgesia

Relationship between low back pain and shortened hamstring muscles: a case-control study

[Resumen] Objetivos: Este estudio busca establecer una relación directa entre el dolor lumbar de origen inespecífico y el acortamiento de la musculatura isquiotibial mediante la prueba dedos suelo (Finger-to-floor). Material y métodos: En el presente estudio participaron 54 sujetos: 27 casos y 27 controles (41 mujeres y 13 hombres). Resultados: No se ha encontrado relación entre los casos y los controles en las variables Finger-To-Floor test 1 (FTF1) (rP= 0.079; P>0.570), Finger-To-Floor test 2 (FTF2) (rP= 0.000; p>0.998), Finger-To-Floor test 3 (FTF3) (rP= 0.075; p>0.588) y Finger-To-Floor test total (FTFtotal) (-0.006 (-5.23,5.11);p>0.981). Conclusión: No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos grupos y las respectivas variables.[Abstract] Objectives: This study tries to establish a direct relationship between non specific low-back pain and shortened hamstrings by using fingerto- floor test (FTF). Methods: A sample of 54 subjects divided into 27 cases and 27 controls (41 female and 13 male) was recruited. Results: Regarding outcome measurements, a statically significant relationship between the cases and the control was not found: Finger- To-Floor test 1 (FTF1) (rP= 0.079; P>0.570), Finger-To-Floor test 2 (FTF2) (rP= 0.000; p>0.998), Finger-To-Floor test 3 (FTF3) (rP= 0.075; p>0.588) and Finger-To-Floor test total (FTFtotal) (-0.006 (-5.23,5.11); p>0.981). Conclusion: No statistically significant differences were found between both groups for outcome measuraments

Mechanical Hyperalgesia but Not Forward Shoulder Posture Is Associated with Shoulder Pain in Volleyball Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity, Exercise Testing and Clinical Assessment in Sports Medicine[Abstract] Shoulder antepulsion, altered scapular kinematics and imbalance of muscle activity are commonly associated with shoulder pain. This study aimed to observe if there is an association between the forward shoulder angle (FSA) and the pectoralis minor length index (PMI) in volleyball players with and without shoulder pain. Furthermore, this study observed if there is an association between shoulder posture and upper limb mechanical hyperalgesia in volleyball players with and without shoulder pain. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in the Physiotherapy and Pain Research Center in Alcalá de Henares (Spain). A total of 56 volleyball players met the inclusion criteria and agreed to enter the study. Subjects were divided into two groups: shoulder pain group (SPG) and control group (without pain). The following measurements of the dominant sides of the players were collected: FSA, PMI, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) in serratus anterior, lower trapezius, infraspinatus, teres minor, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, pectoralis major, radial nerve, cubital nerve, and median nerve. Results: The Spearman’s Rho revealed no significant correlations were found between FSA and PMI. Moreover, Spearman’s Rho test revealed in the SPG a negative moderate correlation between FSA and Infraspinatus-PPT (Rho = −0.43; p = 0.02); FSA and levator scapulae-PPT (Rho = −0.55; p < 0.01); FSA and pectoralis major-PPT (Rho = −0.41; p = 0.02); PMI and cubital nerve-PPT (Rho = −0.44; p = 0.01). Conclusions: No association was found between the forward shoulder angle and the pectoralis minor index in volleyball players with and without shoulder pain. There is a moderate negative association between shoulder forward angle and muscle mechanical hyperalgesia in volleyball players with shoulder pain, but no such associations were found in volleyball players without shoulder pain. Treatment of the infraspinatus, levator scapulae, pectoralis major, and pectoralis minor muscles could improve shoulder pain and ulnar nerve mechanosensitivity.Part of Hector Beltran-Alacreu’s salary is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (2020/5154

The Role of Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging Technique in the Lumbopelvic Region as a Diagnosis and Treatment Tool in Physiotherapy: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) technique seems to be a valid and reliable tool for diagnosis and treatment in physiotherapy and has been widely studied in the lumbopelvic region the last three decades. The aims for this utility in clinical settings must be review through a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. A systematic review was designed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines with PROSPERO registration and per review in all phases of the process using COVIDENCE, analysis of risk of bias and meta-analysis using REVMAN, and meta-regression calculation using STATA. Database screening provided 6544 references, out of which 321 reported narrative synthesis, and 21 reported quantitative synthesis, while only 7 of them provided comparable data to meta-analyze the variables pain and muscle thickness. In most cases, the forest plots showed considerable I2 heterogeneity indexes for multifidus muscle thickness (I2 = 95%), low back pain (I2 = 92%) and abdominal pain (I2 = 95%), not important for transversus abdominis muscle thickness (I2 = 22%), significant heterogenity (I2 = 69%) depending on the subgroup and not important internal oblique muscle thickness (I2 = 0%) and external oblique muscle thickness (I2 = 0%). Meta-regression did not provide significant data for the correlations between the variables analyzed and the intervention, age, and BMI (Body Mass Index). This review reveals that RUSI could contribute to a high reliability of the measurements in the lumbopelvic region with validity and reliability for the assessments, as well as showing promising results for diagnosis and intervention assessment in physiotherapy compared to the traditional model, allowing for future lines of research in this area.post-print835 K

Diaphragmatic activation correlated with lumbar multifidus muscles and thoracolumbar fascia by B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography in subjects with and without non-specific low back pain: a pilot study.

Background and Objectives: The diaphragm, the lumbar multifidus muscles, and the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) execute an important role in the stability of the lumbar spine and their morphology has been modified in subjects with non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP). While it is true that three structures correlate anatomically, the possible functional correlation between them has not been investigated previously in healthy subjects nor in subjects with NS-LBP. The aim of the present study was to examine this functional nexus by means of a comparison based on ultrasonographic parameters of the diaphragm, the lumbar multifidus muscles, and the TLF in subjects with and without NS-LBP. Materials and Methods: A sample of 54 (23 NS-LBP and 31 healthy) subjects were included in the study. The thickness and diaphragmatic excursion at tidal volume (TV) and force volume (FV), the lumbar multifidus muscles thickness at contraction and at rest, and the TLF thickness were evaluated using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) by B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography. The diaphragm thickening capacity was also calculated by thickening fraction (TF) at tidal volume and force volume. Results: There were no significant differences recorded between the activation of the diaphragm and the activation of the lumbar multifidus muscles and TLF for each variable, within both groups. However, there were significant differences recorded between both groups in diaphragm thickness and diaphragm thickening capacity at tidal volume and force volume. Conclusions: Diaphragmatic activation had no functional correlation with the activation of lumbar multifidus muscles and TLF for both groups. Nevertheless, subjects with NS-LBP showed a reduced diaphragm thickness and a lower diaphragm thickening capacity at tidal volume and force volume, compared to healthy subjects