Research

14 pages, 1082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measurement Property Evaluation of the Arabic Version of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale for Patients with Stroke

by Mohammad A. ALMohiza, Mohammed A. Khafaji, Faisal Asiri, Muhammad O. Al-Heizan, Ali H. Alnahdi and Ravi Shankar Reddy

Healthcare 2023, 11(11), 1642; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111642 - 03 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1208

Abstract

Neurological disorders refer to disorders that occur due to disease or damage to the nervous system. Stroke is one of the most common neurological disorders in which individuals commonly present with motor and sensory deficits, leading to the limitations on the activities of [...] Read more.

Neurological disorders refer to disorders that occur due to disease or damage to the nervous system. Stroke is one of the most common neurological disorders in which individuals commonly present with motor and sensory deficits, leading to the limitations on the activities of daily life. Outcome measures are used to assess and monitor patients’ condition change. The patient-specific functional scale (PSFS) is an outcome measure used to assess changes in performance levels in participants with a functional disability during daily activities. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the patient-specific functional scale (PSFS-Ar) in individuals with stroke. A longitudinal cohort study was used to examine the reliability and validity of the PSFS-Ar in patients with stroke. All participants completed the PSFS-Ar in addition to other outcome measures. Fifty-five individuals participated (fifty male, five female). The PSFS-Ar showed excellent test–retest reliability, with ICC2,1 = 0.96, p < 0.001. The SEM and MDC95 of the PSFS-Ar were 0.37 and 1.03, respectively. No floor and ceiling effect was observed in this study. Additionally, the construct validity of the PSFS-Ar showed 100% satisfaction with the pre-defined hypotheses. Since the number of female participants was very small in this study, the findings were established for male individuals with stroke. This study showed that the PSFS-Ar is a reliable and valid outcome measure for male individuals with stroke. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

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11 pages, 694 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measurement Properties’ Evaluation of the Arabic Version of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

by Abdulrahman M. Alsubiheen, Nawaf A. Alzain, Alaa M. Albishi, Afaf A. M. Shaheen, Mishal M. Aldaihan, Muneera M. Almurdi, Abdulfattah S. Alqahtani, Asma A. Alderaa and Ali H. Alnahdi

Healthcare 2023, 11(11), 1560; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111560 - 26 May 2023

Viewed by 1017

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the patient-specific functional scale (PSFS-Ar) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) disorder. Materials and Methods: Reliability and validity were examined in patients with [...] Read more.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the patient-specific functional scale (PSFS-Ar) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) disorder. Materials and Methods: Reliability and validity were examined in patients with multiple sclerosis using a longitudinal cohort study design. One hundred (N = 100) patients with MS were recruited to examine the PSFS-Ar, test–retest reliability (using the interclass correlation coefficient model 2,1 (ICC_2,1)), construct validity (using the hypothesis testing method), and floor–ceiling effect. Results: A total of 100 participants completed the PSFS-Ar (34% male, 66% female). The PSFS-Ar showed an excellent test–retest reliability score (ICC_2,1 = 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–0.93). The SEM of the PSFS-Ar was 0.80, while the MDC₉₅ was 1.87, indicating an acceptable measurement error. The construct validity of the PSFS-Ar was 100% correlated with the predefined hypotheses. As hypothesized, the correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between the PSFS-Ar and the RAND-36 domains of physical functioning (0.5), role limitations due to physical health problems (0.37), energy/fatigue (0.35), and emotional well-being (0.19). There was no floor or ceiling effect in this study. Conclusions: The study results showed that the PSFS-Ar is a self-reported outcome measure that is useful for detecting specific functional difficulties in patients with multiple sclerosis. Patients are able to express and report a variety of functional limitations easily and effectively, as well as to measure their response to physical therapy. The PSFS-Ar is, therefore, recommended for use in Arabic-speaking countries for clinical practice and research for patients with multiple sclerosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

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9 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptation, Validity, and Reliability of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

by Francesca Policastro, Alessandra Rossi, Hushyar Musa Sulaiman and Nezar Ismet Taib

Healthcare 2023, 11(4), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11040598 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1656

Abstract

Aim: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is widely used for detecting and screening depression in Iraq. However, no psychometric assessment has been performed on any Iraqi version. This study aims at studying the reliability and validity of the Iraqi Kurdish version of the [...] Read more.

Aim: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is widely used for detecting and screening depression in Iraq. However, no psychometric assessment has been performed on any Iraqi version. This study aims at studying the reliability and validity of the Iraqi Kurdish version of the PHQ-9 as tool for identifying depression. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used; data were collected from 872 participants (49.3% female and 51.7% male) at Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) in the host community as well as from Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugee camps. Sociodemographic information was obtained; PHQ-9 for the diagnosis and screening of depression and Self Reporting Questionnaire 20 items (SRQ-20) for the screening of common mental illnesses were administered. Validity and reliability analyses were performed. Results: In total, 19% of the participants had a PHQ-9 total score equal to or higher than the clinical cut-off of 10 for diagnosing depressive disorder. The internal consistency of the PHQ-9 was good (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.89). Good concurrent validity for PHQ-9 compared with SRQ-20 (71%, p < 0.001) was found. Conclusions: The PHQ-9 demonstrates good psychometric properties and proves to be a good tool for detecting and screening depression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

11 pages, 264 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Checklist (SPSRC)

by Giulia Purpura, Cynthia Y. Y. Lai, Giulia Previtali, Ivan Neil B. Gomez, Trevor W. K. Yung, Luca Tagliabue, Francesco Cerroni, Marco Carotenuto and Renata Nacinovich

Healthcare 2023, 11(1), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11010092 - 28 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1440

Abstract

Sensory processing abilities play important roles in child learning, behavioural and emotional regulation, and motor development. Moreover, it was widely demonstrated that numerous children with neurodevelopmental disabilities show differences in sensory processing abilities and self-regulation compared with those of typical children. For these [...] Read more.

Sensory processing abilities play important roles in child learning, behavioural and emotional regulation, and motor development. Moreover, it was widely demonstrated that numerous children with neurodevelopmental disabilities show differences in sensory processing abilities and self-regulation compared with those of typical children. For these reasons, a complete evaluation of early symptoms is very important, and specific tools are necessary to better understand and recognize these difficulties during childhood. The main aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate in a population of Italian typically developing (TD) children the Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Checklist (SPSRC), a 130-item caregiver-reported checklist, covering children’s sensory processing and self-regulation performance in daily life. Preliminary testing of the SPSRC-IT was carried out in a sample of 312 TD children and 30 children with various developmental disabilities. The findings showed that the SPSRC-IT had high internal consistency, a good discriminant, and structural and criterion validity about the sensory processing and self-regulation abilities of children with and without disabilities. These data provide initial evidence on the reliability and validity of SPSRC-IT, and the information obtained by using the SPSRC-IT may be considered a starting point to widen the current understanding of sensory processing difficulties among children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

10 pages, 2589 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the ‘Return to Duty Readiness Questionnaire’

by Carly Cooper, Bruce Frey, Haiying Long and Charles Day

Healthcare 2023, 11(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11010041 - 23 Dec 2022

Viewed by 962

Abstract

The Readiness to Return to Duty Questionnaire (RDRQ) is a recently developed screening instrument for detecting fear-avoidance behavior in a military musculoskeletal pain population. The RDRQ was developed based on the Fear-Avoidance Model which postulates four factors resulting in overall fear-avoidance behavior. While [...] Read more.

The Readiness to Return to Duty Questionnaire (RDRQ) is a recently developed screening instrument for detecting fear-avoidance behavior in a military musculoskeletal pain population. The RDRQ was developed based on the Fear-Avoidance Model which postulates four factors resulting in overall fear-avoidance behavior. While research investigating the factor structure of the RDRQ does not exist, research investigating the factor structure of other measures of fear avoidance have found evidence of one and two factor solutions. In the present paper we assess the adequacy of the proposed factor structure of the RDRQ using confirmatory factor analysis. The results favor a three-factor model. Theoretical implications for research using the RDRQ are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

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10 pages, 280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Pregnancy Mobility Index for the Italian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Andrea Manzotti, Sonia Zanini, Sofia Colaceci, Niccolò Giovannini, Agnese Antonioli, Alice Ziglioli, Francesco Frontani and Giovanni Galeoto

Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 1971; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101971 - 08 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1225

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy is a specific condition that modifies the mobility of women. In this population, it seems important to use specific tools to properly assess them. The Pregnancy Mobility Index (PMI) was created in 2006 with the aim of assessing mobility in pregnant [...] Read more.

Introduction: Pregnancy is a specific condition that modifies the mobility of women. In this population, it seems important to use specific tools to properly assess them. The Pregnancy Mobility Index (PMI) was created in 2006 with the aim of assessing mobility in pregnant women. The goal of this study was to translate, adapt, and evaluate the statistical properties of the questionnaire in the Italian pregnant population. Methods: The PMI underwent translation and transcultural adaptation. Reliability and concurrent validity, compared to the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), was investigated on a sample of pregnant women. An ANOVA was performed to detect differences in the PMI score considering the Body Mass Index (BMI) and age of the sample. Results: The PMI was forward translated, back translated, and transculturally adapted. A consensus meeting accepted the final version of the questionnaire. The PMI was given to 93 pregnant women. PMI showed excellent reliability for every item and the total score (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.945). Concurrent validity compared with ODI items 2–9 was strong considering the total score, with r = 0.726, but moderate comparing the first item of the ODI and the total score of the PMI, r = 470, and considering the total score of both questionnaires (r = 0.683). The ANOVA showed statistical difference in pregnant women with lower BMI for every subscale and total score of PMI (p = 0.009) and for outdoor mobility considering age (p = 0.019). Conclusions: The PMI seems to be a valid and reliable tool to assess mobility in the pregnant population. Pregnant women with a lower BMI showed a greater mobility score in the PMI. In turn, younger pregnant women presented a lower mobility score compared to older pregnant women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

11 pages, 266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring Disability among Migrants with Washington Group Tools: Reflections for Field Use

by Marco Tofani, Giovanni Galeoto, Anna Berardi, Silvia Iorio, Antonella Conte, Giovanni Fabbrini, Donatella Valente and Maurizio Marceca

Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 1860; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101860 - 24 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1349

Abstract

Measuring disability among migrants is a significant challenge; however, there is no consensus on how to measure disability and functional limitations. The present study reports a methodological approach to measure disability in refugees and asylum seekers using Washington Group (WG) tools, namely the [...] Read more.

Measuring disability among migrants is a significant challenge; however, there is no consensus on how to measure disability and functional limitations. The present study reports a methodological approach to measure disability in refugees and asylum seekers using Washington Group (WG) tools, namely the WG Short Set (WG-SS), the Short Set Enhanced (WG-SS-E), and the Extended Set on Functioning (WG-ES). We interviewed 161 migrants in different regions of Italy. The recommended threshold for each WG tool was used. We identified 13.7% of migrants with disabilities using the WG-SS, 21.7% using the WG-SS-E, and 31.6% using the WG-ES. Anxiety and depression were the main weights to identify migrants with disabilities (11.8%). The WG-SS does not measure mental health, and therefore we do not suggest its use in the field. However, the WG-SS-E, together with some questions on pain and fatigue, should be considered to identify migrants with a greater risk of disability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

14 pages, 644 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Moving toward Appropriate Motor Assessment Tools in People Affected by Severe Acquired Brain Injury: A Scoping Review with Clinical Advices

by Mirjam Bonanno, Rosaria De Luca, William Torregrossa, Paolo Tonin and Rocco Salvatore Calabrò

Healthcare 2022, 10(6), 1115; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10061115 - 15 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2127

Abstract

Severe acquired brain injury (SABI) is among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Patients following SABI may develop motor, sensory and cognitive disorders, alone or in combination. This review aims to point out the most used scales to assess motor function [...] Read more.

Severe acquired brain injury (SABI) is among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Patients following SABI may develop motor, sensory and cognitive disorders, alone or in combination. This review aims to point out the most used scales to assess motor function in SABI patients, also attempting to give some indications on their applicability in clinical practice. Studies were identified by searching on PubMed, Web of Science, PeDro and Cochrane databases between January and March 2022. We found that motor assessment tools are currently used by researchers/clinicians either in the acute/post-acute phase (for prognosis and rehabilitation purposes) or in the chronic phase (when functional items may also be considered). Moreover, specific scales exist only for patients with disorders of consciousness, whereas regarding motor function, SABI is mainly assessed by adapting the tools commonly used for stroke. Although some doubts remain about the validity of some of these assessment tools in SABI, to investigate motor outcomes is fundamental to establish a correct prognosis and plan a tailored rehabilitation training in these very frail and vulnerable patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

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9 pages, 252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

by Anna Berardi, Giulia Graziosi, Gina Ferrazzano, Laura Casagrande Conti, Maria Grazia Grasso, Marco Tramontano, Antonella Conte and Giovanni Galeoto

Healthcare 2022, 10(6), 985; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10060985 - 25 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2046

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and has a major impact on their quality of life. Measurement tools that assess the patient’s condition are commonly used in the neurological field, though diagnostic tools are [...] Read more.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and has a major impact on their quality of life. Measurement tools that assess the patient’s condition are commonly used in the neurological field, though diagnostic tools are currently unable to distinguish potential alternative causes of fatigue in individual patients. The Revised Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS-R) is a self-administered assessment scale that is internationally used for fatigue measurement. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Italian version of the PFS-R in patients with MS. Methods: Forty-one individuals were included in this study. Each participant in the study was given a dossier, in paper format, containing the informed consent form, a personal data sheet, the Fatigue Symptoms and Impacts Questionnaire in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (FSIQ-RMS), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the PFS-R. Results: The PFS-R was found to have strong internal consistency, with a value of α equal to 0.977. Correlations between PFS-R, FSS, and FSIQ-RMS scores were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and all scales showed statistically significant correlations. Conclusion: The PFS-R is a new self-administered tool to assess fatigue in patients with MS. It evaluates fatigue characteristics, difficulty in carrying out daily life activities, and how the individual feels as a result of this symptom. This tool was previously validated for use in cancer patients, which also allows us to make a comparison between different pathologies and rehabilitation treatments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

26 pages, 2689 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Narrative Review on Multi-Domain Instrumental Approaches to Evaluate Neuromotor Function in Rehabilitation

by Alessandro Scano, Eleonora Guanziroli, Cristina Brambilla, Caterina Amendola, Ileana Pirovano, Giulio Gasperini, Franco Molteni, Lorenzo Spinelli, Lorenzo Molinari Tosatti, Giovanna Rizzo, Rebecca Re and Alfonso Mastropietro

Healthcare 2023, 11(16), 2282; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11162282 - 13 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1136

Abstract

In clinical scenarios, the use of biomedical sensors, devices and multi-parameter assessments is fundamental to provide a comprehensive portrait of patients’ state, in order to adapt and personalize rehabilitation interventions and support clinical decision-making. However, there is a huge gap between the potential [...] Read more.

In clinical scenarios, the use of biomedical sensors, devices and multi-parameter assessments is fundamental to provide a comprehensive portrait of patients’ state, in order to adapt and personalize rehabilitation interventions and support clinical decision-making. However, there is a huge gap between the potential of the multidomain techniques available and the limited practical use that is made in the clinical scenario. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art and provides insights into future directions of multi-domain instrumental approaches in the clinical assessment of patients involved in neuromotor rehabilitation. We also summarize the main achievements and challenges of using multi-domain approaches in the assessment of rehabilitation for various neurological disorders affecting motor functions. Our results showed that multi-domain approaches combine information and measurements from different tools and biological signals, such as kinematics, electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and clinical scales, to provide a comprehensive and objective evaluation of patients’ state and recovery. This multi-domain approach permits the progress of research in clinical and rehabilitative practice and the understanding of the pathophysiological changes occurring during and after rehabilitation. We discuss the potential benefits and limitations of multi-domain approaches for clinical decision-making, personalized therapy, and prognosis. We conclude by highlighting the need for more standardized methods, validation studies, and the integration of multi-domain approaches in clinical practice and research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

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16 pages, 2515 KiB

Open AccessReview

Impact of Active Physiotherapy Rehabilitation on Pain and Global and Functional Improvement 1–2 Months after Lumbar Disk Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Kiran Afzal, Hafsah Gul Khattak, Abdul Ghafoor Sajjad, Syed Ali Hussain, Zouina Sarfraz, Azza Sarfraz and Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda

Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 1943; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101943 - 05 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2924

Abstract

Introduction: Lumbar disc surgery is a common procedure for patients with lower back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of active physiotherapeutic rehabilitation on global/functional improvement and subjective pain score reduction among patients 1–2 months [...] Read more.

Introduction: Lumbar disc surgery is a common procedure for patients with lower back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of active physiotherapeutic rehabilitation on global/functional improvement and subjective pain score reduction among patients 1–2 months following lumbar disc surgery. The outcomes of this study are to assess the impact of active physiotherapeutic rehabilitation on functional improvement and subjective improvement in pain behavior post active rehabilitation. The outcomes are measured as pain assessed using the visual analog scale, global measurement of improvement, back pain functional status, and return to work. Methods: Databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed (10 June 1996, 2022), Web of Science (10 June 1997, 2022), Scopus (15 March, 10 June 2004, 2022), CINAHL Plus (10 June 1961, 2022), and Cochrane (10 June 1993, 2022) were reviewed without any language restrictions. All studies were systematically screened; however, only randomized controlled trials were eligible against the inclusion/exclusion criteria. All statistical tests were conducted in Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4. The quality of studies was appraised using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach and the risk-of-bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Results: Fifteen articles were identified, enrolling a total of 2188 patients, where the majority of active rehabilitation interventions continued for 3 months. All these interventions began 1–2 months postoperatively, and quantitative findings were presented as mean scores. The subjective pain scores were significantly lower in the interventional group, with a mean difference (MD) of −7.01 (p = 0.004). The pain disability score was considerably lower in the interventional group, with an MD of −3.94 (p = 0.002). Global improvement was higher in the interventional group (OR = 1.94, p = 0.0001). Conclusions: This study presents significant improvement in all parameters concerning pain and functionality. Postoperative rehabilitation requires optimization concerning timing, duration, intensity, and associated components to benefit patients post lumbar disc surgery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

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Other

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9 pages, 1750 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Physiotherapy Screening for Referral of a Patient with Peripheral Arterial Disease Masquerading as Sciatica: A Case Report

by Daniel Feller, Andrea Giudice, Giorgio Maritati, Filippo Maselli, Giacomo Rossettini, Roberto Meroni, Graziana Lullo, Nathan Hutting and Firas Mourad

Healthcare 2023, 11(11), 1527; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111527 - 24 May 2023

Viewed by 2769

Abstract

Many causes potentially underline pain in the lower extremities, presenting a real challenge for primary care clinicians in the recognition of the source of the patient’s complaints. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is defined as a total or partial blockage of the vessels that [...] Read more.

Many causes potentially underline pain in the lower extremities, presenting a real challenge for primary care clinicians in the recognition of the source of the patient’s complaints. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is defined as a total or partial blockage of the vessels that supply blood from the heart to the periphery. PAD of the lower extremities may masquerade as lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR)—a common source of leg pain. Physiotherapists should be able to screen for PAD in people presenting with pain in the lower extremities. Failure to correctly screen for PAD could put the patient at risk of severe disability and possible permanent sequelae. This case report outlines the relevant concepts relating to the pathophysiology, screening, and differential diagnosis of PAD, and then further describes the relevant findings from the history and physical examination from the physiotherapist’s perspective in a patient with an unusual symptom presentation. Although the patient was referred by a physician with a diagnosis of LSR, our case highlights the pivotal role of skilled physiotherapists in triaging a severe lower-limb PAD in need of referral. Therefore, this case report aims to increase clinicians’ awareness of the clinical features of a complex case of PAD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

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13 pages, 1099 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Recognition of Prodromal Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy Presenting with Neck Pain as Primary Complaint: Findings from a Rare Case Report in Direct Access Physiotherapy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Firas Mourad, Claudia Milella, Graziana Lullo, Francesco Zangari, Roberto Meroni, Alan Taylor, Roger Kerry, Nathan Hutting and Filippo Maselli

Healthcare 2023, 11(9), 1342; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091342 - 07 May 2023

Viewed by 2368

Abstract

Neck pain (NP) is the second most common musculoskeletal disorder. Spinal cysts (SCs) are cystic dilatations of the synovial sheaths in joints and tendons. SCs are extremely rare in the cervical spine. Typically, patients are unaware of having an SC due to its [...] Read more.

Neck pain (NP) is the second most common musculoskeletal disorder. Spinal cysts (SCs) are cystic dilatations of the synovial sheaths in joints and tendons. SCs are extremely rare in the cervical spine. Typically, patients are unaware of having an SC due to its asymptomatic nature; however, when cervical SC extends, its volume could compress the surrounding structures, such as the hypoglossal nerve. Isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy (HNP) is very rare and typically presents with unilateral atrophy of the musculature of the tongue and contralateral tongue deviation. Often, patients with HNP also report occipital/neck pain. A 75-year-old man with occipital/neck pain as a primary complaint. Although difficult to observe because of the filtering facepiece two mask, difficulties in articulation and sialorrhea during the interview were noticed. These latter were cues to consider CN examination that revealed CN XII palsy. This prompted a referral for further examination that revealed an SC compressing the right hypoglossal canal. The patient was not considered a surgical candidate and was managed conservatively. This case report outlines the relevant findings relating to the triage of a rare isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy from the physiotherapist’s perspective within a complex setting because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although referred with a diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy, our case highlights that skilled physiotherapists may play a fundamental role in both the recognition and, when applicable, subsequent novel management of a non-musculoskeletal presentation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

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14 pages, 3872 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Physiotherapy Screening for Referral of a Patient with Patent Foramen Ovale Presenting with Neck Pain as Primary Complaint: A Case Report

by Giovanni Lopez, Fabio Cataldi, Giuseppe Bellin, James Dunning, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Erasmo Galeno, Roberto Meroni, Filippo Maselli and Firas Mourad

Healthcare 2023, 11(8), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11081165 - 18 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2010

Abstract

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder encountered by physiotherapists. However, it may be the early manifestation of more alarming conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases mimicking musculoskeletal pain. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a congenital heart defect consisting of a small opening between [...] Read more.

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder encountered by physiotherapists. However, it may be the early manifestation of more alarming conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases mimicking musculoskeletal pain. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a congenital heart defect consisting of a small opening between the right and the left atrium. A 56-year-old male presented with neck pain and head heaviness as primary complaints. The cardiovascular profile and the behavioral symptoms led the physiotherapist to find an exaggerated blood pressure response during exercise; in addition to subtle neurological signs, this prompted the physiotherapist to make an urgent referral. At the emergency department a PFO was diagnosed. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case to describe a rare clinical presentation of a PFO presenting neck pain as primary complaint. This case report emphasizes the importance for physiotherapists to be able to triage patients for conditions outside their scope suggestive of further medical investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outcome Measures and Assessment Tools in Rehabilitation)

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