Collaborating with Businesses to Support and Sustain Research

Financial assistance is necessary for sustaining research at universities. Business collaborations are a potential means for obtaining these funds. To secure funding, understanding the process for obtaining these business funds is important for nursing faculty members. Although faculty rarely request funding from businesses, they are often in a position to solicit financial support due to existing relationships with clinical agency administrators, staff, and community leaders. The economic support received from businesses provides outcomes in nursing research, research education, academic–service partnerships, and client health care. This article describes the steps and processes involved in successfully obtaining research funding from businesses. In addition, case examples for securing and maintaining funding from health care agencies (evidence-based practice services) and from a health manufacturing company (product evaluation) are used to demonstrate the process

Adhesion of Three Brands of Elastic Therapeutic Tape

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare, over a period of 5 days, the rate of adhesion of TheraBand® Kinesiology Tape (TKT) with either KT Tape® (KT) or Kinesio® Tex Gold (KTEX) under 25% elongation among healthy adults. Methods: In this study, 2 independent cohorts of 20 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to simultaneously receive applications of 2 brands of deidentified elastic therapeutic tape (ETT) applied to their lower back at 25% elongation. Cohort 1 received TKT and KTEX tape, whereas cohort 2 received TKT and KT. Data were collected at 1 h (D1), 3 days (D3), and 5 days (D5) following the initial application of the ETT. Data collected included 3 digital photographs of the subjects’ lower back. The percentage of the tape that remained adhered (0%–100%) was assessed independently by 3 evaluators and then averaged to arrive at a percentage of tape adhesion for each brand of tape at each data collection point. Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA of cohort 1 indicated no differences (P \u3e .05) in adhesion between the TKT and KTEX at any data collection point, although post hoc analysis of the significant time effect indicated that the rate of adhesion of the KTEX brand declined from D1 (97%) to D3 (74%) to D5 (59%), whereas that of the TKT tape did not change over the duration of the study (97%, D1; 86%, D2; 70%, D3). In cohort 2, the analysis indicated a significant interaction effect with the KT brand (99%, D1; 67%, D2; 35%), declining over the course of the study and exhibiting lower rate of adhesion than the TKT (99%, D1; 83%, D2; 76%, D3) brand at D3 and D5. The rate of adhesion of the TKT tape did not significantly decline in cohort 2. Conclusions: Clinicians can use evidence from this study when choosing different ETT brands

Applying a menthol pain reliever prior to strength training reduces chronic low back pain and increases functional capacity in overweight or obese older adult

The combined effect of a muscle strength training program with the previous application of a topical menthol gel on the intensity of chronic low back pain (CLP) and the functional capacity of overweight/obese older women was evaluated. A randomized controlled clinical trial with parallel group comparison was conducted. In Phase 1 (12-weeks), 31 women were randomly assigned: (i) a control group that did not change their habits (CG; n = 11); (ii) group of strength training prior to application of a gel with menthol (RTM; n = 10) and (iii) group that performed the same training prior to application of a placebo gel (RTP; n = 10). After 12 weeks of no training, phase 2 of the study (32-week duration) was run, where the RTM and RTP women were randomly reassigned. It was evaluated before and after each phase: body composition, functional capacity, pain perception and Oswestry disability index. The significance level established for the study was p ≤ .05. Both training groups significantly improved all variables after stages 1 and 2, with significant post-intervention differences but no significant intergroup differences, although RTM obtained better results. The percentage of improvement in pain perception and functional parameters were related to the intervention time without positive effects for CG. In conclusion, the use of menthol gel prior to a muscle strength program reduced pain and enhanced the functional improvements achieved as a result of moderate-high intensity training in older adult women with CLP and overweight or obesity

The Use of MSK Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries

As physical therapists, understanding the anatomy and biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment outcomes. Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) is one tool that has revolutionized the way physical therapists evaluate musculoskeletal pathology. Specific to the elbow, assessing the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) proves especially beneficial for providing both diagnosis and treatment planning. By directly visualizing static and dynamic loads to the ligament, physical therapists can gain valuable information about underlying pathology and guide the therapeutic decision-making process. In this sound byte, we will look at how incorporating MSK-US imaging into your patient assessments can provide you with more comprehensive data to make informed clinical decisions when treating UCL injuries in the elbow

The Application of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Supraspinatus Injuries

Musculoskeletal (MSK) diagnostic ultrasound has become an invaluable tool in the assessment of musculoskeletal pathologies, including rotator cuff injuries, notably the supraspinatus tendon. MSK ultrasound, characterized by high-resolution and real-time imaging capabilities, presents a cost-effective, safe, and patient-friendly alternative. This modality allows precise visualization of the supraspinatus tendon's structure and function, aiding in the identification of pathological alterations, such as thickening, thinning, or disruption, critical in diagnosing conditions like tendonitis, partial tears, and ruptures. In this manuscript, we detail the diagnostic utility of MSK ultrasound in assessing supraspinatus injuries, discussing the indications, techniques, and findings relevant to the supraspinatus tendon. Moreover, we examine the advantages and limitations of this imaging modality and provide a step-by-step guide for accurate supraspinatus tendon evaluation. The evidence suggests that MSK ultrasound is a dependable and cost-effective imaging technique for diagnosing supraspinatus injuries when executed by skilled operators

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: An Essential Tool in Diagnosing Patellar Tendon Injuries

Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound has emerged as a vital tool in diagnosing patellar tendon injuries. Traditional imaging techniques, such as X-rays and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, have certain limitations in assessing soft tissue structures or may not be easily accessible. MSK ultrasound, with its high-resolution, real-time imaging capabilities, offers a cost-effective, safe, and patient-friendly alternative. It allows for accurate visualization of the patellar tendon's structure and function, thereby facilitating the identification of pathological changes such as thickening, thinning, or disruption which aids in diagnosing conditions such as tendonitis, partial tears, and ruptures. Furthermore, MSK ultrasound serves as an invaluable tool for guiding interventions like injections, as it provides real-time imaging. This article explores the role and benefits of MSK ultrasound in diagnosing patellar tendon injuries, highlighting its cost-effectiveness, accessibility, real-time assessment capabilities, and reduced patient burden compared to other imaging modalities. Despite its numerous benefits, the need for ongoing research to enhance its utility is highlighted. As technology advances, MSK ultrasound is set to revolutionize the early detection and management of patellar tendon injuries. ©The Author(s

Inequality in the built environment underlies key health disparities in physical activity and obesity

CONTEXT. Environmental factors are suggested to play a major role in physical activity (PA) and other obesity-related behaviors, yet there is no national research on the relationship between disparity in access to recreational facilities and additional impact on PA and overweight patterns in US adolescents. OBJECTIVE. In a nationally representative cohort, we sought to assess the geographic and social distribution of PA facilities and how disparity in access might underlie population-level PA and overweight patterns. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS. Residential locations of US adolescents in wave I (1994–1995) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 20745) were geocoded, and a 8.05-km buffer around each residence was drawn (N = 42857 census-block groups [19% of US block groups]). PA facilities, measured by national databases and satellite data, were linked with Geographic Information Systems technology to each respondent. Logistic-regression analyses tested the relationship of PA-related facilities with block-group socioeconomic status (SES) (at the community level) and the subsequent association of facilities with overweight and PA (at the individual level), controlling for population density. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Outcome measures were overweight (BMI ≥ 95th percentile of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Health Statistics growth curves) and achievement of ≥5 bouts per week of moderate-vigorous PA. RESULTS. Higher-SES block groups had a significantly greater relative odds of having 1 or more facilities. Low-SES and high-minority block groups were less likely to have facilities. Relative to zero facilities per block group, an increasing number of facilities was associated with decreased overweight and increased relative odds of achieving ≥5 bouts per week of moderate-vigorous PA. CONCLUSIONS. Lower-SES and high-minority block groups had reduced access to facilities, which in turn was associated with decreased PA and increased overweight. Inequality in availability of PA facilities may contribute to ethnic and SES disparities in PA and overweight patterns

The Deceleration Index - Is it the Missing Link in Rehabilitation?

The ability to decelerate is a key component of any successful rehabilitation program, yet it is often overlooked in favor of more traditional forms of rehabilitation and training. Deceleration, which is defined as the ability to reduce speed or momentum and stop or change direction, can be a key component of successful rehabilitation. The deceleration index is a new metric being used by some physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists to improve patient outcomes. The index is based on the principle that deceleration forces should match those created with acceleration. When patients can quickly and efficiently decelerate during physical activity, they are less likely to experience pain or injury. While the deceleration index is still in its early stages of development, there is promising evidence that it could be the missing link in effective rehabilitation. In this editorial commentary, we'll explore what the deceleration index is and why it is important to the rehabilitation process