Purpose: To assess if the addiction of progressive muscular relaxation (PMR) to aerobic continuous training (ACT) is more effective than ACT alone in order to improve exercise tolerance of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: Thirty CHF patients, age 67±6 years; ejection fraction 34±2. NYHA II-III was enrolled. Fifteen patients were randomized to group 1 and performed PMR and ACT; 15 to group 2 and performed ACT alone. At baseline and after 8 weeks all patients underwent: 6-minute walking test (6 MWT), measurement of blood pressure and heart rate, administration of a quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-brief). PMR and ACT were performed 3 times/week.

Readmore... DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000009

The authors present a technique paper on the utilization of both ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance for injections about the hip joint. This review draws from specialists including physiatry, family medicine and orthopaedic surgery. We hope the editors and reviewers find this document beneficial to the readership, especially those practicing musculoskeletal medicine and may use this information when performing hip injections.

Readmore... DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000008

Background: To evaluate a service reconfiguration of pain rehabilitation programmes for chronic back pain using three programmes of differing intensity and duration and a clinical algorithm. This study describes the outcomes for each programme for three consecutive cohorts.
Method: Non randomised observational study of 120 consecutive patients with chronic pain treated by a Physiotherapy Department of a Specialist Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation hospital. Three different pain rehabilitation programmes each comprising of multidisciplinary rehabilitation with varying intensity and duration of content were compared for clinical and cost efficacy. The main outcomes used were Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Pain visual analogue score (VAS), pain catastrophising scale (PCS), pain self efficacy questionnaire (PSEQ), Tampa scale for kinesiophobia (TSK) and physical tests of timed sit to stand and 5 minute walk test.

Readmore... DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000007

Pain is a global phenomenon in which it has been estimated that 20% of adults and 8% of children suffer from at any one time of whom 10% suffer chronic pain [1,2]. Pain is the leading reason for primary care consultations (80%) and musculoskeletal pain is the commonest reason for work absenteeism [3,4]. Pain is complex and there are aspects that require better recognition and understanding in order to improve its treatment and management.

Readmore... DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000006

Background: High loads on an anterior spinal implant can cause an implant to subside into the vertebral body. This alteration may endanger the clinical output of the treatment and can result in back pain. The aim of this paper is to show the possibilities for avoiding or reducing high spinal loads in daily life.
Methods: The loads on a telemeterized vertebral body replacement were measured in 5 patients for a variety of different activities. The effects of the ways an exercise was performed on implant loads were evaluated.

Readmore... DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000005

Background: Loss of functional ability and motor control following stroke appears to affect women more severely than men in general. However, little attention has been paid specifically to the upper extremity.
Objective: To quantify loss of upper extremity control, comparing men to women that survived ischemic stroke. A secondary purpose was to report gender differences in residual deficits (RD) of the paretic upper extremity following 12 weeks of rehabilitation.

Readmore... DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000004

Talar injuries are infrequently encountered in practice as the majority require a high energy force such as road traffic accident or fall from height and they are often presented as complex injuries. Talar neck fracture accounts for half of these injuries. Because of the high rate of avascular necrosis (AVN) and posttraumatic arthritis associated with these injuries, it is difficult to predict the prognosis of AVN with the current classification systems. The anatomical position, difficulty of surgical approaches and its complex blood supply add to the challenges.

Readmore... DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000003

Purpose: To examine whether a subjective measure of moderate-intensity exercise (12-13 on Borg's ratings of perceived exertion scale; RPE) corresponds to the target heart rate for moderate-intensity exercise (40-59% heart rate reserve; %HRR) and to determine the characteristics of those for whom RPE does not appropriately estimate exercise intensity.

Readmore... DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000002

Background and objective: Unrecognized BPPV leads to activity limitations. This case report aims to report on use of optokinetic chart stimulation and one off Epley's manouvre to treat unrecognised BPPV in chronic Meniere's disease.

Readmore... DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000001