Issue 25: March 2011.

Report to the National Allied Health Professional Advisory Board on the outcomes of the Modernising Allied Health Professional Careers Programme
In 2008, DH published the UK-wide Modernising Allied Health Professional (AHP) Careers: A Competence-Based Career Framework and an associated set of web-based tools to support competence-based workforce planning and development. The second phase of the Modernising Allied Health Professional Careers programme that commenced in 2009, built on the competence-based approach to workforce planning and development by putting in place the educational drivers necessary to build and maintain a flexible and responsive allied health professional workforce.

Sensory Integration Masterclass
9th May 2011 College of Occupational Therapists, London.
A Masterclass aimed at OTs and OT managers providing services to people with sensory process difficulties, including learning disabilities, children, adult and child mental health and autistic spectrum disorders. Learn about the summary of current evidence, how to apply SI evidence into practice to change clients’ lives and how to demonstrate QIPP.

Clinical Whiplash & Neck Pain – 21st & 22nd May 2011 (2days) in Peterborough.
This theoretical and practical evidence-based 2-day course covers all clinical aspects of whiplash trauma: advanced biomechanics and pathology, the assessment of pain, disability, dizziness, sensorimotor disturbance, motor control, sensory changes and management of the painful neck.

I CAN's Early Talk Programme: Independent evaluation of the impact of Early Talk on addressing speech, communication & language needs in Sure Start Children's Centre settings
This qualitative evaluation of the I Can Early Talk programme focused on children aged 3 to 4 years. It aimed to provide impartial evidence of how the programme has influenced staff and enhanced their ability to provide high quality speech, language and communication support for pre-school children in children’s centre settings.

Interventions for improving mobility after hip fracture surgery in adults
An intervention review to evaluate the effects of different interventions for improving mobility after hip fracture surgery in adults.
Handoll HHG, Sherrington C, Mak JCS. Interventions for improving mobility after hip fracture surgery in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 3. New search for studies and content updated (conclusions changed), published in Issue 3, 2011.

Efficacy of physiotherapy interventions late after stroke: a meta-analysis.
Ferrarello F, Baccini M, Rinaldi LA, Cavallini MC, Mossello E, Masotti G, Marchionni N, Di Bari M
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 01 February 2011, vol./is. 82/2(136-143).
Physiotherapy is usually provided only in the first few months after stroke, while its effectiveness and appropriateness in the chronic phase are uncertain. The authors conducted a systematic review and meta analysis of RCTs to evaluate the efficacy of physiotherapy interventions on motor and functional outcomes late after stroke.
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Motor retraining in virtual reality: a feasibility study for upper-extremity rehabilitation in individuals with chronic stroke.
Burdea, Grigore, Cioi, Daniel, Martin, Joseph, Rabin, Bryan, Kale, Angad, DiSanto, Phillip
Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 01 April 2011, vol./is. 25/1(20-29).
Four volunteers, 3 men and 1 woman, were recruited from a local aphasia support group. All individuals were chronic post stroke with right-side hemiplegia. Training took place at the Tele-Rehabilitation Institute at Rutgers University. The intervention was performed on the Rutgers Arm II, a prototype training table that senses supported arm movement and grasp strength and tilts to resist or assist reach. Participants played games that adapted automatically to each individual's motor abilities. The games were practiced over 6 weeks, 3 sessions every week, with sessions lasting up to 1 hour Results show that motor retraining in virtual reality is feasible, well-tolerated by participants, and benefitting them. The Rutgers Arm II system was able to train participants, who varied greatly in their degree of motor impairment, but without a clinician being present. The present study contributes to the body of knowledge on novel virtual rehabilitation interventions for the upper extremity.
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Chronic pelvic pain: causes, mechanisms and effects.
Cambitzi, Julia
Nursing Standard, 19 January 2011, vol./is. 25/20(35-38).
This article outlines the causes, mechanisms and effects of chronic pelvic pain. It provides a basic overview of the biopsychosocial treatment options delivered by a multidisciplinary team. The focus is on actively listening to patients to validate their pain experience and provide information on their condition. A combination of pain management psychology and pain management physiotherapy, medical interventions and medication are used to improve the quality of life of patients with this distressing condition.
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Patient satisfaction with musculoskeletal physical therapy care: a systematic review
Hush J.M., Cameron K., Mackey M.
Physical therapy, January 2011, vol./is. 91/1(25-36).
Patient satisfaction is an important patient-centered health outcome. To date, no systematic review of the literature on patient satisfaction with musculoskeletal physical therapy care has been conducted. The purpose of this study was to systematically and critically review the literature to determine the degree of patient satisfaction with musculoskeletal physical therapy care and factors associated with satisfaction. Patients are highly satisfied with musculoskeletal physical therapy care delivered across outpatient settings in northern Europe, North America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The interpersonal attributes of the therapist and the process of care are key determinants of patient satisfaction. An unexpected finding was that treatment outcome was infrequently and inconsistently associated with patient satisfaction. Physical therapists can enhance the quality of patient-centered care by understanding and optimizing these determinants of patient satisfaction.
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Factors that influence the clinical decision making of novice and experienced physical therapists
Wainwright S.F., Shepard K.F., Harman L.B., Stephens J.
Physical therapy, January 2011, vol./is. 91/1(87-101).
The depth and breadth of prior experience informs clinical decision making in novice and experienced physical therapist clinicians. The aims of this research were to identify differences in clinical decision-making abilities and processes between novice and experienced physical therapist clinicians and to develop a model of the factors that influence clinical decision making. Qualitative research methods and grounded theory were used to gain insight into the factors and experiences that inform clinical decision making.
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Dietary advice in pregnancy for preventing gestational diabetes mellitus
An intervention review to assess the effects of dietary advice in preventing gestational diabetes mellitus.
Tieu J, Crowther CA, Middleton P. Dietary advice in pregnancy for preventing gestational diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Edited (no change to conclusions), published in Issue 2, 2011.

Children's diets 'still lack nutrition'
Today’s children are a junk food generation facing a “diabetes timebomb” according to The Daily Mail. The newspaper says that research into the modern diet of UK children also shows that many consume just half of their recommended fruit and vegetable intake. The research brought together published studies, surveys, health guidelines and reports that had addressed the diet of UK children in order to examine dietary changes over the years and the current nutritional issues facing children today. The authors say that while there has been improvement in children’s diet over the years, many still experience dietary deficits, and that there need to be child-specific targets for fibre, long-chain fatty acids, vitamin D, and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Research News:
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR): The NIHR International Register of Systematic Reviews: PROSPERO. A major global initiative to establish an international register that will improve the transparency of health research has been launched by Health Minister Lord Howe. PROSPERO is the first online facility to register systematic reviews for research about health and social care from all around the world.

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