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Bakgrund:Hälften av alla kvinnor och ca två tredjedelar av allamän har minst en ohälsosam levnadsvana.”Rådgivande samtal om fysisk aktivitet samt utfärdande av recept på fysiskaktivitet, FaR,” står högst på Socialstyrelsens prioriteringslista över vad somska göras inom området otillräcklig fysisk aktivitet hos vuxen (grad 3). Detbör finnas en outnyttjad potential hos fysioterapeuten att samtala medpatienter om levnadsvanor, men det saknas systematik och tydliga rutiner för dettaarbete. Syftet med studien var att beskriva hur fysioterapeuterintegrerar frågor om levnadsvanor i den fysioterapeutiska undersökningen. Metod: Med kvalitativ ansats gjordes intervjuer medfysioterapeuter inom primärvården utifrån en frågeguide med öppna frågor. Resultat: Intervjuerna resulterade i följande fyra kategorier: 1) Fysioterapeutens förutsättningar, 2)Fysioterapeutens arbetssätt, 3) Fysioterapeutens yttre drivkrafter, 4)Fysioterapeutens inre drivkrafter Konklusion: I fysioterapeutens arbete med sjukdomsförebyggande metoder finns olika hinderoch möjligheter som bör identifieras och beaktas. För att samtal om patienterslevnadsvanor ska integreras i den fysioterapeutiska undersökningen behövsstrategier och rutiner som utgår ifrån de möjligheter och hinder somfysioterapeuterna beskriver.

Introduction There is little known about the acute status of TKA patients, as many studies have focused on the long-term outcomes (Aarons et al., 1996). Knowing the acute status can aid physiotherapists in planning postoperative treatment protocols and help with discharge planning. This research examines the postoperative status of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients on discharge from an acute setting. The objectives of the study were to establish pain, ROM of the operated knee, functional level, socio-demographic factors, clinical data and the relationship between identified factors and postoperative functional status of TKA patients in the acute setting. Materials and Methods This study is classified as a quantitative, cross-sectional design. Sociodemographic and clinical data, pain, range of movement (ROM) and function of TKA patients were collected on day three post operation. A selfdesigned data capture sheet, the goniometer, VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and ILOA (Iowa Level of Assistance) were used to measure data. Results Forty-four patients were assessed. There were 41% males and 59% females. The average age was 67 years and BMI was 30kg/m2. All patients had decreased ROM and 82% had poor quadriceps strength. Pain on walking was 5.8 on the VAS and correlated with the ILOA score. Pain on rest was 3.3 and when climbing stairs was 2.4. Sixty-one percent of subjects performed supine to sit, 59% performed sit to stand and 43% performed ambulation independently. Men performed better with an ILOA score of 24. Females had an ILOA score of 31. Length of stay (LOS) was 5.7 days. Females, older subjects and those with no medical conditions were more likely to stay in hospital for longer. Conclusion Knowledge of these factors will help to give patients a likely prognosis following a TKA and target future rehabilitation. Patients should receive adequate pain control to improve their functional ability. More attention should be given to female patients as they perform worse than men. Patients in this population should be referred for outpatient physiotherapy post-discharge, as their status on day three post operation reflected poor ROM, quadriceps muscle strength and function which may affect their rehabilitation outcome.

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / The increasing spread of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially in the lowand middle-income countries calls for a more holistic and cost-effective measure to reduce its impact on society. One of the methods advocated for achieving this is health promotion. The Zambian government has called for a shift from curative to preventive management of diseases, including NCDs. Therefore, health professionals are being called upon to redirect their health care management approaches towards preventative care, incorporating health promotion. The study aimed at examining the knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceptions of physiotherapy practitioners and general medical practitioners in Zambia regarding their role in health promotion for NCDs in the hospitals of the Southern Province, Zambia. A sequential explanatory mixed method approach was employed. The quantitative results revealed 98% knowledge of general medical practitioners compared to the 90.6% of the physiotherapists. For attitude, physiotherapists possessed a more positive attitude with 86% while general medical practitioners possessed 80%. Lastly, the study revealed that physiotherapists practise health promotion more than the general medical practitioners, with a 96.2% and 67.7% respectively. The logistic regression showed no significance between the knowledge and attitude scores of the two groups of health practitioners. However, the practice scores revealed that physiotherapists are four times more like to incorporate health promotion compared to the general medical doctors. Both types of health practitioners were of the view that health promotion is the way forward towards the fight against NCDs. However, a number of challenges were echoed that prevent the implementation of a holistic approach management in their practice. Most of the challenges prevalent in these hospitals are policy-based, hence the need for policy makers to intervene for the fight against NCDs.

Doctor of Philosophy / The aim of the studies reported in this project was to examine factors associated with the prevention and management of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis, both in musculoskeletal physiotherapists and the general patient population. Two studies were undertaken to investigate factors associated with the aggravation of thumb pain in musculoskeletal physiotherapists. Study 1 was a survey of the prevalence of thumb pain, and allowed determination of the most aggravating spinal manipulative therapy technique. It identified that 83% of respondents complained of an aggravation of thumb pain due to the performance of spinal manipulative therapy techniques, with 85-87% of the painful respondents complaining of thumb pain aggravated by unilateral and central PA glides. Study 2 was conducted to determine whether the alignment of the joints of the thumb during performance of these glides was associated with thumb pain. This observational study of 129 musculoskeletal physiotherapists performing a PA glide identified that aligning the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints in extension was associated with a lower prevalence of work-related thumb pain. Therefore, it is suggested that musculoskeletal physiotherapists be taught to perform these techniques with the joints of their thumb in extension in an effort to reduce the development of work-related thumb pain. Furthermore, it is suggested that those who are unable to maintain this alignment voluntarily be provided with a thermoplastic thumb splint to maintain the extended alignment. Two studies were undertaken to investigate the conservative and surgical management of patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Study 3 was a randomised controlled trial conducted to compare the efficacy of a new thumb strap splint and an abduction exercise regimen against the standard approach to conservative management of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis, namely a short opponens splint and pinch exercise regimen. While there was no additional benefit of one approach over the other, all participants improved in the outcomes of pain, strength and hand function over the six-week period of intervention. Nevertheless, some people find that symptom relief from conservative intervention is inadequate and short-lived, requesting surgery for the treatment of disabling and persistent pain from trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Study 4 was a systematic review, conducted to determine evidence of efficacy of one surgical procedure over another. This review identified six randomised controlled trials of surgery for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. While there was evidence of no difference in the reduction in weakness between the procedures, there was insufficient evidence to confirm that there was no difference in the outcomes of pain, contracture, hand function, or patient global assessment. Furthermore, there was sufficient evidence to conclude that trapeziectomy had significantly fewer adverse effects, and trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) had significantly more, when compared with the other procedures analysed in this review. It is suggested that the decision as to which intervention is most appropriate for a given patient be based upon the individual patient’s requirements, the extent of disease, and the demands placed upon the joint by domestic duties, work, leisure and recreational activities. The studies presented in this project assist in formulating preventative and management strategies for people with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis.

The majority of people with stroke regard walking in their community as very important (Lord et al 2004). Walking in the community is limited by slow walking speeds and poor walking capacity (Lord et al 2004; Patterson et al 2007). Slow walking speeds and poor walking capacity are identified sequela in people with stroke (Hill et al 1997). By the end of rehabilitation approximately 80% of people with stroke achieve independent walking (Dean & Mackay 1992; Hill et al 1997). However, less than 10 percent are able to easily walk in their community (Hill et al 1997). Optimal motor learning requires task-specific practice (Carr & Shepherd 2003). Treadmills offer the opportunity for repetitive practice of complete gait cycles (Shepherd & Carr 1999), potentially providing greater intensity and longer duration walking practice than usual physiotherapy rehabilitation. Recently there has been some suggestion that high-intensity interventions may improve walking in people with stroke (Moseley et al 2005). Low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness in people with stroke have been shown to impact on walking, in particular walking capacity (Kelly et al 2003). Treadmills, commonly used to retrain cardiorespiratory fitness in the healthy population, have been used to implement high-intensity interventions, improving cardiorespiratory fitness in people with chronic stroke (Macko et al 2005). Therefore it is possible that exercise aimed at improving cardiorespiratory fitness may improve walking in people with stroke. The aim of these four studies was to investigate in those following stroke if walking on a treadmill at high-intensity during inpatient rehabilitation could improve walking capacity without compromising pattern and quality. The first study determined, in an Australian setting, the duration and intensity of usual physiotherapy rehabilitation. Study 2 compared walking pattern immediately following overground and treadmill walking practice at the same intensity. Study 3 examined the effect of treadmill walking at intensities high enough to influence cardiorespiratory fitness on walking pattern and quality. The final study, investigated the feasibility of implementing a high-intensity treadmill intervention in addition to usual physiotherapy rehabilitation in people following stroke able to walk undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Intensity in all studies was calculated using heart rate reserve or the Karvonen method. Heart rate is a valid, accurate and stable indicator of exercise intensity due to its relatively linear relationship with oxygen consumption (ACSM 2006). For those people taking beta-blocker medication, the heart rate-lowering effect of this type of medication was accommodated. A target intensity of 40% heart rate reserve was used; as this is the minimum required improve cardiorespiratory fitness (ACSM 2006). Walking pattern and quality were measured in Studies 2-4. Walking pattern was measured by linear kinematics using GAITRite (CIR Systems, Clifton, NJ, USA) and angular kinematics using a 2-dimensional webcam application. Walking quality was determined by observation of the webcam footage and scored using the Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment, Wisconsin Gait Scale and a vertical visual analogue scale by blinded assessor. The first study found that people with stroke spent an average of 21 (SD 11) minutes participating in standing and walking activities that are associated with reaching the target intensity during physiotherapy rehabilitation. Those who could walk spent longer in these activities (25 minutes, SD 12) compared to those would couldn’t walk (17 minutes, SD 9). However, the intensity of these activities was low; walkers reached a maximum of 30% heart rate reserve and non-walkers reached 35% heart rate reserve. Using the treadmill as a mode of task-specific physiotherapy rehabilitation, the second study in this thesis found that walking pattern was similar following 10 minutes of treadmill and overground walking practice at the same intensity. The third study found that during walking on the treadmill at intensities high enough to influence cardiorespiratory fitness (up to 60% heart rate reserve), many of the linear and angular kinematic parameters moved closer to a more normal pattern and walking quality was not compromised. The final study in this thesis, a randomised controlled trial, found that a 6-week high-intensity treadmill walking intervention was feasible in people with stroke able to walk who were undergoing rehabilitation. Participants attended 89% of the treadmill sessions, reaching an average duration of more than 20 minutes and an intensity of 40% heart rate reserve after two weeks. The intervention also appeared effective with significant improvements in walking speed and capacity following the treadmill walking intervention. Improvements in walking speed were maintained at 3 months. In summary, these studies found that usual physiotherapy in people with stroke was of low intensity. In addition, it was found that treadmill walking was safe and feasible as a means of increasing the intensity of physiotherapy rehabilitation, without compromising walking quality and pattern. Therefore, it may be possible to improve walking in people with stroke using high-intensity treadmill walking.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a heterogeneous disorder in which movement and posture are affected. Increased excitation of the central nervous system leads to neural symptoms, which can cause spasticity and muscle weakness. These neural abnormalities result in secondary CP-related mechanical adaptations of muscles and tendons, which can lead to muscle contracture, joint deformities and pain. Therapeutic interventions are therefore essential to treat CP-induced abnormalities. Passive stretching in particular is a popular treatment method in clinical practice. However, due to a lack of scientific evidence, clinicians often have to make assumptions about the mechanical adaptability of muscles and tendons. Currently, the mechanical properties of muscles and tendons in children with CP and their adaptability are not well understood, which makes it difficult to implement evidence-based practice in clinical settings. Therefore, the overall purpose of this research was to examine the mechanical properties of the medial gastrocnemius muscle and Achilles tendon in children with spastic CP, and the adaptations of the muscle and tendon to acute and long-term passive stretching. The first experimental Chapter (3) was carried out in healthy adults, to assess the agreement between two methods of deriving Achilles tendon stiffness (i) active contraction of the triceps surae muscles to elongate the Achilles tendon, or (ii) passive rotation of the ankle joint. Taking into consideration the tendon’s viscoelastic response, the effects of strain-rate on Achilles tendon stiffness were also described. Results revealed that tendon stiffness measured using the “active method” was 6% greater than the “passive method”. There was also a significant increase in Achilles tendon stiffness in response to increased strain-rate. As the more commonly used active method is problematic to be used in children with CP, due to muscle weakness and excessive co-contraction, the passive method of deriving tendon stiffness was used in subsequent experimental studies. In experimental Chapter 4, differences in the mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon and triceps surae muscles between children with CP and their typically developing (TD) peers, were investigated. The results revealed that estimates of triceps surae muscle stiffness were significantly greater in children with CP compared to TD children. The results also showed that despite a smaller tendon cross-sectional area in children with CP, Achilles tendon stiffness was not different between groups. In addition, children with CP had a steeper tendon stiffness-strain-rate relationship compared to TD children. These results have significant clinical implications regarding the diagnosis of spasticity using the current clinical methods. Experimental Chapters 5 and 6 examined the muscle’s and tendon’s response to stretch. Passive stretching, implemented by a clinician or by the children themselves, is a commonly used intervention for children with CP with the aim of inducing structural alterations in muscles and tendons to improve function. In order for these alterations to take place, elongation of the muscle and fascicles would presumably need to occur with acute stretching. To date, this assumption has not been tested. Thus, the purpose of Chapter 5 was to investigate the medial gastrocnemius and muscle fascicle response to acute stretching, using two commonly used stretch techniques. Results of this study revealed that 100 s of stretching caused a transient increase in tendon (1.0 cm), muscle (0.8 cm) and fascicle lengths (0.6 cm). This effect was independent of stretch technique. These results provide evidence that the muscle and fascicles are capable of elongating in response to stretch in children with spastic CP. They provide a basis for the hypothesis that the spastic muscle may be able to adapt in response to long-term stretching. Thus, the purpose of the final experimental Chapter (6) was to assess the effects of a six week passive stretching intervention (four days per week, 15 minutes per day) on muscle and tendon properties, and gait parameters in children with CP. Results revealed there was a significant reduction in joint stiffness in the experimental group following six weeks of stretching. This was accompanied by a reduction in muscle stiffness, but with no alterations in Achilles tendon stiffness. Additionally, there were no positive effects of passive stretching on gait parameters. Together, the results of the present series of investigations demonstrates how fundamental knowledge of muscle and tendon mechanics in children with spastic CP, can be implemented to support evidence-based clinical practice.

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This thesis offers new insights into physiotherapy practice by asking 'how is physiotherapy discursively constructed?" Physiotherapy is a large, well-established, orthodox health profession. Recent changes in the economy of health care in developed countries, added to an increasing prevalence of chronic illness amongst aging populations, and growing public distrust for the established health professions, are now challenging physiotherapists to consider how best to adapt to the future needs of health care consumers. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2008.