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Biomedical subjects

Rob A de Bie

Publications and source records attributed to Rob A de Bie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Efficiency of immediate postoperative inpatient physical therapy following total knee arthroplasty: an RCT.

BACKGROUND: The main goal of physical therapy treatment (PT) in the clinical stage following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is to prepare patients for discharge from the hospital as soon as possible after their operation. Although aggressive rehabilitation is believed to be important, evidence of effects of different exercise programmes following TKA is limited. This led to the question whether the intensity of PT (once versus twice daily) following TKA affects short-term recovery, measured as range of motion. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial compared an exercise regimen of two sessions per day with a similar programme administered once daily. Primary outcome measure was ROM. RESULTS: At the time of hospital discharge, there was no difference between the experimental and control groups in range of motion. CONCLUSION: This study shows that in our setting twice daily PT sessions do not produce different results as daily PT sessions. It may be questioned whether multiple daily therapy sessions are needed as an in-hospital PT regimen in OA total knee patients.

Appointments and Schedules↗

Effectiveness of a tailor-made intervention for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle and/or low back pain after delivery: short-term results of a randomized clinical trial [ISRCTN08477490].

BACKGROUND: For the moment, scientific evaluation of programs on treatment of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle and/or low back pain after delivery is hardly available with only one study with a positive result, suggesting uncertainty about the optimal approach. Investigators draw particular attention to biomedical factors but there is growing evidence that biopsychosocial factors appear to be even more important as a basis of an intervention program. METHODS: We studied the effectiveness of a tailor-made program with respect to biopsychosocial factors (intervention group) in women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle and/ or low back pain versus usual care based on a pain contingent basis (control group) shortly after delivery in a randomized controlled trial. Women with severe complaints shortly after delivery were selected from a longitudinal prospective cohort study (n = 7526), aimed at pregnancy-related pelvic girdle and/or low back pain in the Netherlands. A concealed block randomization was performed after collecting baseline data. Researchers were blinded to treatment assignment. Outcomes were evaluated within the domains of the biopsychosocial approach. Primary outcome concerned limitations in activities (RDQ). Follow-up measurements were performed 12 weeks after delivery. RESULTS: Since May 2001 until July 2003, 869 women out of the cohort made a request for treatment by a physiotherapist, 10 days after delivery. Because of a quick recovery in two weeks time, we included only 126 women three weeks after delivery. There was a statistically significant and clinically relevant difference in improvement on the primary outcome (RDQ) between the two groups in favor of the experimental intervention. CONCLUSION: The results favored the hypotheses. Women's worries about their condition were major targets in the experimental intervention. The prognosis after delivery, especially in de first weeks, turned out to be favorable.

Adolescent↗

Effectiveness of prolonged use of continuous passive motion (CPM) as an adjunct to physiotherapy following total knee arthroplasty: design of a randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN85759656].

BACKGROUND: Adequate and intensive rehabilitation is an important requirement for successful Total Knee Arthroplasty. The primary focus of early rehabilitation is ambulation of patients and regaining range of motion in the knee. Although research suggests that Continuous Passive Motion should be implemented in the first rehabilitation phase following surgery, there is substantial debate about the duration of each session and the total period of CPM application and. A Cochrane review on this topic concluded that short-term use of CPM leads to greater short-term range of motion. It also suggested, however, that future research should concentrate on the treatment period during which CPM should be administered. METHODS: In a randomised controlled trial we intend to investigate the efficacy of prolonged use of a continuous passive motion (CPM) device in the home situation as an adjunct to standardised physical therapy. The experimental treatment is compared to standardised physical therapy, in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Efficacy will be assessed in terms of faster improvements in range of motion and functional recovery. Seventy patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKA and experiencing early postoperative flexion impairment (less than 80 degrees of knee flexion at the time of discharge) will be randomised over two treatment groups, a usual care group and an experimental group. The experimental group will receive CPM + physiotherapy for 17 consecutive days after surgery, whereas the usual care group will receive the same treatment during the in-hospital phase (i.e. about four days), followed by physical therapy alone (usual care) in the first two weeks after hospital discharge. From 18 days to three months after discharge, both groups will receive standardised PT. The primary focus of rehabilitation will be functional recovery (e.g. ambulation) and regaining range of motion (ROM) in the knee. DISCUSSION: Because restricted knee ROM affects functional activities, knee ROM and knee function are regarded as the primary indicators of successful TKA. Potential effects of the intervention under study include rapid return of knee flexion accompanied by earlier return to functional activities of daily life. If patients benefit significantly from prolonged CPM use, this treatment should be added to the standard PT treatment at home. We expect the additional home CPM programme to be more effective than the usual physiotherapy programme, resulting in a difference in ROM of at least 5 degrees , 17 days after surgery. This clinically important difference, with a possible flexion ROM of about 100 degrees , is expected to lead to better functioning in activities of daily life, like walking, and earlier ability to cycle. These advantages should result in earlier and increasing independence.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗

Implications of process evaluation for clinical effectiveness and clinical practice in a trial on chronic shoulder complaints.

OBJECTIVE: The intervention process was evaluated in a randomised clinical trial on the effectiveness of a behavioural Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) programme for patients with chronic shoulder complaints in primary care settings. This process evaluation was done for three reasons: first, to know whether the programme was performed as planned; second, to know whether or not this treatment is feasible in normal practice; third, to identify needs for improvement of the protocol to facilitate implication. METHODS: We evaluated the extent to which the programme is being applied according to protocol, patient adherence to the programme and the suitability of the programme according to patients and physiotherapists. Twenty participating physiotherapists and 87 patients allocated to GET were asked to evaluate the intervention process. Furthermore, a sample of 10 patients, taken from the total number of 87 patients allocated to GET, was invited to take part in a focus group interview at the end of the study. We evaluated the intervention process using a treatment registration form filled in by the physiotherapists during treatment, evaluation forms filled in independently by physiotherapists and patients 26 weeks after the start of the treatment period, and information gathered during the focus group interview at the end of the study. RESULTS: GET was applied according to protocol to an acceptable extent, and participating patients showed satisfactory adherence to the programme. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical effectiveness of GET in this trial is not influenced by flaws in the application of the programme or by lack of patient adherence. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The programme could be improved in terms of the process of goal-setting, and the implementation of GET could be facilitated if the programme is embedded in a multidisciplinary approach in primary care.

Exercise Therapy↗

Effectiveness of exercise therapy and manual mobilisation in ankle sprain and functional instability: a systematic review.

This study critically reviews the effectiveness of exercise therapy and manual mobilisation in acute ankle sprains and functional instability by conducting a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Trials were searched electronically and manually from 1966 to March 2005. Randomised controlled trials that evaluated exercise therapy or manual mobilisation of the ankle joint with at least one clinically relevant outcome measure were included. Internal validity of the studies was independently assessed by two reviewers. When applicable, relative risk (RR) or standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated for individual and pooled data. In total 17 studies were included. In thirteen studies the intervention included exercise therapy and in four studies the effects of manual mobilisation of the ankle joint was evaluated. Average internal validity score of the studies was 3.1 (range 1 to 7) on a 10-point scale. Exercise therapy was effective in reducing the risk of recurrent sprains after acute ankle sprain: RR 0.37 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.74), and with functional instability: RR 0.38 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.62). No effects of exercise therapy were found on postural sway in patients with functional instability: SMD: 0.38 (95% CI -0.15 to 0.91). Four studies demonstrated an initial positive effect of different modes of manual mobilisation on dorsiflexion range of motion. It is likely that exercise therapy, including the use of a wobble board, is effective in the prevention of recurrent ankle sprains. Manual mobilisation has an (initial) effect on dorsiflexion range of motion, but the clinical relevance of these findings for physiotherapy practice may be limited.

Acute Disease↗

Feasibility of preoperative inspiratory muscle training in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery with a high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications: a randomized controlled pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine in a pilot study the feasibility and effects of preoperative inspiratory muscle training in patients at high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications who were scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized controlled pilot study. SETTING: University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six patients at high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications were selected. INTERVENTION: The intervention group (N = 14) received 2-4 weeks of preoperative inspiratory muscle training on top of the usual care received by the patients in the control group. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome variables of feasibility were the occurrence of adverse events, and patient satisfaction and motivation. Secondary outcome variables were postoperative pulmonary complications and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The feasibility of inspiratory muscle training was good and no adverse events were observed. Treatment satisfaction and motivation, scored on 10-point scales, were 7.9 (+/- 0.7) and 8.2 (+/- 1.0), respectively. Postoperative atelectasis occurred in significantly fewer patients in the intervention group than in the control group (kappa(2)(DF1) = 3.85; P = 0.05): Length of hospital stay was 7.93 (+/- 1.94) days in the intervention group and 9.92 (+/- 5.78) days in the control group (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: Inspiratory muscle training for 2-4 weeks before coronary artery bypass graft surgery was well tolerated by patients at risk of postoperative pulmonary complications and prevented the occurrence of atelectasis in these patients. A larger randomized clinical trial is warranted.

Aged↗

Comparison of two recruitment strategies for patients with chronic shoulder complaints.

BACKGROUND: Recruiting adequate numbers of participants represents a major problem to the completion of randomised clinical trials in primary care. Information on different recruitment strategies applied in one trial is scarce. AIM: To evaluate the application of two recruitment strategies in one trial. DESIGN OF STUDY: The study was performed within the framework of a randomised clinical trial on the effectiveness of a behavioural treatment for patients with chronic shoulder complaints. SETTING: Thirty-two general practices in the Netherlands. METHOD: Patients recruited during a consultation with their GP for chronic shoulder complaints were compared with patients recruited by advertisement in a local newspaper as regards baseline characteristics, withdrawals (drop-outs and losses to follow-up) and post-treatment clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Patients recruited by the GPs (n = 83) were similar to those recruited by advertisement (n = 83) in terms of demographic characteristics and clinical outcome measures at baseline, but differed slightly in disease characteristics and treatment preferences. Recruitment strategy was not related to reasons for or numbers of withdrawals. Improvements on outcome measures were greater in patients recruited by the GPs, irrespective of allocated treatment. Results on the clinical effectiveness of treatments at the end of the treatment period or during follow-up were neither modified by recruitment strategy, nor by differences between the two strategy groups in patient characteristics found at baseline. CONCLUSION: Using two recruitment strategies did not influence the outcomes on clinical effectiveness in this trial.However, recruitment strategy should be considered as a putative modifying factor in the design of a study.

Chronic Disease↗

Paratonia: a Delphi procedure for consensus definition.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Paratonia is a motor problem that develops during the course of dementia. Definitions of paratonia used in the literature differ considerably, which has clinical implications and may lead to an undesirable heterogeneity in study populations. For this reason, we initiated a Delphi procedure with known experts in the field to establish an operational consensus definition of paratonia. METHODS: The Delphi procedure involved an anonymous and multistage approach presented as a questionnaire, with each stage building on the results of the previous one in order to reach consensus on the definition of paratonia. RESULTS: Eight of 17 experts agreed to participate in the study. After 4 rounds, the participants reached consensus on the following definition: paratonia is a form of hypertonia with an involuntary variable resistance during passive movement. The nature of paratonia may change with progression of dementia (eg, from active assistance (aka Mitgehen) to active resistance). The degree of resistance depends on the speed of movement (eg, slow > low resistance, fast > high resistance). The degree of paratonia is proportional to the amount of force applied and increases with progression of dementia. The resistance to passive movement is in any direction and there is no clasp-knife phenomenon. CONCLUSION: The Delphi procedure resulted in a comprehensive, operational definition of paratonia. Future research should focus on the reliability and validity of this definition.

Delphi Technique↗

A historical perspective on pregnancy-related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain.

The growing interest in pregnancy-related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain has invoked research projects to this subject. Although it seems a modern syndrome, historical articles show that pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) was already known centuries ago. The purpose of the present article is to provide a summary review of performed studies on pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Remarkably, these studies show large differences in results with regard to, for example, incidence rates and relevant etiologic factors of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. These differences can be explained by the use of different definitions and descriptions of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain between studies. In conclusion, it is necessary to search for an evidence-based overall definition of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain in order to provide more knowledge about incidence rates, etiologic factors and other related subjects.

Back Pain↗

Etiology and prognosis of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain; design of a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Absence of knowledge of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) has prompted the start of a large cohort study in the Netherlands. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and incidence of PPGP, to identify risk factors involved in the onset and to determine the prognosis of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. METHODS/DESIGN: 7,526 pregnant women of the southeast of the Netherlands participated in a prospective cohort study. During a 2-year period, they were recruited by midwives and gynecologists at 14 weeks of pregnancy. Participants completed a questionnaire at baseline, at 30 weeks of pregnancy, at 2 weeks after delivery, at 6 months after delivery and at 1 year after delivery. The study uses extensive questionnaires with questions ranging from physical complaints, limitations in activities, restriction in participation, work situation, demographics, lifestyle, pregnancy-related factors and psychosocial factors. DISCUSSION: This large-scale prospective cohort study will provide reliable insights in incidence, prevalence and factors related to etiology and prognosis of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Increasing days at work using function-centered rehabilitation in nonacute nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of function-centered compared with pain-centered inpatient rehabilitation in patients whose absence from work is due to chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP). DESIGN: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial with follow-up assessments immediately after treatment and at 3 months. SETTING: Center for work rehabilitation in Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with more than 6 weeks of work absence due to chronic nonspecific LBP (N=174; 137 men, 37 women; mean age +/- standard deviation, 42+/-8 y; mean sick leave before study, 6.5 mo). INTERVENTIONS: Function-centered treatment (FCT) (4h/d, 6d/wk, for 3 wk) consisted of work simulation, strength, endurance, and cardiovascular training. Pain-centered treatment (PCT) (2.5h/d, 6d/wk, for 3 wk) used a mini back school, individually selected passive and active mobilization, stretching, and low-intensity strength training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of days at work in 3 months after treatment, self-efficacy, lifting capacity, pain, mobility, strength, and global perceived effect. Effect sizes (ESs) (Cohen d ) were defined as small (ES range, 0.2-0.5), moderate (ES range, 0.5-0.8), and large (ES, >0.8). RESULTS: Groups were comparable at baseline. Moderate ESs for the FCT group versus PCT group were found for days at work (25.9 d vs 15.8d, ES=.36, P =.029), self-efficacy (5.9 points vs -7.4 points, ES=.55, P =.003), and lifting capacity (2.3 kg vs 0.2 kg, ES=.54, P =.004). CONCLUSIONS: Function-centered rehabilitation increases the number of work days, self-efficacy, and lifting capacity in patients with nonacute nonspecific LBP.

Adult↗

Effectiveness of exercise therapy: a best-evidence summary of systematic reviews.

The purpose of this project was to summarise the available evidence on the effectiveness of exercise therapy for patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Systematic reviews were identified by means of a comprehensive search strategy in 11 bibliographic databases (08/2002), in combination with reference tracking. Reviews that included (i) at least one randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of exercise therapy, (ii) clinically relevant outcome measures, and (iii) full text written in English, German or Dutch, were selected by two reviewers. Thirteen independent and blinded reviewers participated in the selection, quality assessment and data-extraction of the systematic reviews. Conclusions about the effectiveness of exercise therapy were based on the results presented in reasonable or good quality systematic reviews (quality score > or = 60 out of 100 points). A total of 104 systematic reviews were selected, 45 of which were of reasonable or good quality. Exercise therapy is effective for patients with knee osteoarthritis, sub-acute (6 to 12 weeks) and chronic (> or = 12 weeks) low back pain, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and intermittent claudication. Furthermore, there are indications that exercise therapy is effective for patients with ankylosing spondylitis, hip osteoarthritis, Parkinson's disease, and for patients who have suffered a stroke. There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of exercise therapy for patients with neck pain, shoulder pain, repetitive strain injury, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and bronchiectasis. Exercise therapy is not effective for patients with acute low back pain. It is concluded that exercise therapy is effective for a wide range of chronic disorders.

Chronic Disease↗

Effectiveness of a graded exercise therapy program for patients with chronic shoulder complaints.

An operant behavioural and time-contingent graded exercise therapy program was developed to improve functional ability irrespective of pain experience in patients with chronic shoulder complaints. The clinical effectiveness of graded exercise therapy compared to usual care was evaluated in a randomised clinical trial. Assessments were carried out before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Performance of daily activities was measured by two outcome measures: the main complaints instrument and the Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ). Patients were eligible for participation if they had suffered from shoulder complaints for at least three months. Patients suffering from systemic diseases, referred pain or severe biomedical or psychiatric disorders were excluded. Patients (n = 176) were randomised and allocated either to graded exercise therapy (n = 87) or usual care (n = 89). Graded exercise therapy led to greater improvement in the performance of daily activities than usual care. However, only mean differences between groups in performance of activities related to the main complaints reached statistical significance (p = 0.049; 95% CI 0.0 to 15.0). The observed beneficial effects were considered to be small to moderate (calculated effect sizes: 0.30 for the main complaints instrument and 0.07 for the SDQ). Subgroup analysis showed larger improvements on the mean complaints instrument in patients not reporting pain reduction over time. Graded exercise therapy seems to be less effective in restoring performance of daily activities as assessed by the SDQ in patients showing a painful arc during physical examination. Results showed that graded exercise therapy is more effective in restoring the ability to daily activities in patients with chronic shoulder complaints than usual care, although beneficial effects are small.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Assessment of readiness to change in patients with osteoarthritis. development and application of a new questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a self-report measure for assessment of the stage of change in patients with osteoarthritis, in order to identify patients who would benefit from a self-management programme. METHODS: According to the 'stages of change' model a questionnaire was developed with three groups of items corresponding to the precontemplation stage (Pre), the contemplation (Cont) and the action (Act) stage. Internal consistency and factor structure of this questionnaire were investigated by assessing Cronbach's alphas and by performing factor analysis. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The questionnaire was offered to 273 patients who entered a randomized clinical trial on self-management in a general health care setting. RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed that most items corresponded to the a priori described groups, while some items were not loading on the presumed factor. In each subgroup some items were deleted, resulting in a 15-item questionnaire. After this item reduction Cronbach's alphas were 0.72 (Pre), 0.76 (Cont) and 0.79 (Act) and all factor loadings were satisfactory (above 0.35). Classification revealed some differences between parts of the total group, for example in the proportion of patients in the preparation stage (recruited by general practitioner = 33.6%; advertisement = 49.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The Stages of Change Questionnaire in Osteoarthritis, a 15-item questionnaire to assess the 'stage of change' of a patient with osteoarthritis showed good internal consistency and adequate factor structure. These findings warrant further studies on validity and applicability in a clinical context.

Adult↗

Comparison of conventional treatment and supervised rehabilitation for treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains: a systematic review of the literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic literature review. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of conventional treatment complemented by supervised rehabilitation training (supervised exercises) with conventional treatment alone for the rehabilitation of acute lateral ankle sprains. BACKGROUND: Conventional treatment is advocated as a preferable treatment strategy. Whether supervised exercises should complement conventional treatment is unclear. METHODS AND MEASURES: We searched 5 computerized databases from 1966 to March 2004, checked the reference lists of all studies that fulfilled our eligibility criteria, and searched for nonindexed journals available on the Internet. Three reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and controlled clinical trials (CCTs), comparing conventional treatment alone with conventional treatment combined with supervised exercises for treating patients with an acute lateral ankle sprain. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of each included study. Two reviewers extracted data regarding outcomes, interventions, and results. Follow-up measurements were grouped as (a) immediate term, (b) short term, (c) intermediate term, and (d) long term. A best-evidence synthesis was conducted, weighting the studies with respect to their internal validity and statistical significance of the outcomes. RESULTS: Seven RCTs were included. The quality assessment resulted in 1 high-quality and 6 low-quality studies. There is limited evidence that the addition of supervised exercises to a conventional treatment approach results in greater reduction in swelling and faster return to work. Studies reporting a lack of difference between treatment approach did not report statistical power, making interpretation of those results difficult. CONCLUSIONS: The retrieved data failed to demonstrate a clearly superior treatment approach, although preliminary support exists for supervised exercises. Additional high-quality RCTs are needed that are appropriately designed and reported.

Ankle Injuries↗

Treatment of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle and/or low back pain after delivery design of a randomized clinical trial within a comprehensive prognostic cohort study [ISRCTN08477490].

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle and/or low back pain is a controversial syndrome because insight in etiology and prognosis is lacking. The controversy relates to factors eliciting pain and some prognostic factors such as the interpretation of pain at the symphysis. Recent research about treatment strategies also reflects those various opinions, in fact suggesting there is professional uncertainty about the optimal approach. Currently, physiotherapists often prescribe a pain-contingent treatment regime of relative rest and avoiding several day-to-day activities. Additionally, treatment more often includes an exercise program to guide rectification of the muscle imbalance and alignment of the pelvic girdle. Effectiveness of those interventions is not proven and the majority of the studies are methodologically flawed. Investigators draw particular attention to biomedical factors but there is growing evidence that important prognostic issues such as biopsychosocial factors appear to be even more important as point of action in a treatment program. METHODS/DESIGN: This pragmatic randomized controlled trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a tailor-made treatment program with respect to biopsychosocial factors in primary care. The effect of the experimental intervention and usual care are evaluated as they are applied in primary health care. The trial is embedded in a cohort study that is designed as a longitudinal, prospective study, which studies prevalence, etiology, severity and prognosis during pregnancy until one year after delivery. The present paper focuses on choices regarding recruitment procedures, in-/exclusion criteria and the development of a well-timed intervention. DISCUSSION: This section briefly discusses the actions taken to minimize bias in the design, the proper time-window for the experimental intervention and the contrast between the experimental intervention and usual care.

Activities of Daily Living↗