Researchers in Winnipeg, Manitoba surveyed the prevalence of CAM use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Exeter, in the UK, evaluated the effectiveness of an exercise program in people with Parkinson’s disease who have a history of falls. (more…)

Researchers at Mugla University, in Turkey, investigated the effects of physiotherapy on incision pain and functional activities. (more…)

Researchers at Catholic University Leuven, in Belgium, reviewed the evidence for physical therapy in people with schizophrenia.

First, the details.

10 studies were included in the review.

• 6 studies addressed the use of aerobic and strength exercises.
• In 2 of these studies, yoga techniques also were investigated.
• 4 studies addressed the use of progressive muscle relaxation.

And, the results.

• There’s evidence that aerobic and strength exercises and yoga reduce psychiatric symptoms, anxiety and psychological distress, and improve health-related quality of life.
• Aerobic exercise improves short-term memory.
• Progressive muscle relaxation reduces anxiety and psychological distress.

The bottom line?

The authors concluded, “Physical therapy offers added value in the multidisciplinary care of people with schizophrenia.”

The differences between studies in terms of design and the small number of patients studies, say the researchers, make it necessary to conduct additional studies to confirm these findings.

11/6/11 18:48 JR

Researchers at the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill, reviewed active and passive treatment programs.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

Does extra physical therapy reduce length of stay and improve patient outcomes in people with various conditions.

Researchers at La Trobe University, in Victoria, Australia reviewed the evidence? (more…)

Researchers at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, compared the occurrence of repeated disability in patients treated by different healthcare providers. (more…)

Researchers at the Istanbul Medical Faculty, in Turkey, studied the effects of balneotherapy alone and with physical therapies on the respiratory and other symptoms of fibromyalgia. (more…)

Researchers at the National University of Singapore surveyed the use of CAM in residents of Singapore who had head and neck cancer.

Here are their findings compared to other countries where similar studies have been conducted. (more…)

Researchers at the University Medical Centre Utrecht and De Hoogstraat, in The Netherlands surveyed the use of CAM in a large group of Dutch patients with spinal cord injury. (more…)

Researchers from the Bradford Royal Infirmary, in West Yorkshire, UK reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Lymphoedema refers to swelling in an arm or leg.

Researchers from Alcalá de Henares University, in Madrid, Spain studied the effectiveness of early physiotherapy following breast cancer surgery. (more…)

Just another study of manual therapy for low back pain?

What seems to be new in this study by researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden is the duration of follow-up. (more…)

 Researchers from the Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil evaluated the effectiveness of chest physiotherapy during the immediate postoperative period among patients who had elective upper abdominal surgery. (more…)

Medscape has published a review written by clinicians from around the US.

Let’s focus on 6 supportive care options for chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, aka chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis. (more…)

 Massage might be beneficial for patients with subacute and chronic nonspecific low back pain, especially when combined with exercises and education, according to reviewers from Ontario and Brazil. (more…)

Of the many symptoms experienced by those at the end of life, pain is one of the most common, feared, and often undertreated,

Dr. Perry Fine from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City reviews the treatment options, including CAM. Here’s a summary. (more…)

 Researchers from the University of Toronto, in Ontario have reviewed the contributions of cognitive strategies for improving muscle function (motor skills) after stroke. (more…)

In this study by researchers in Canada and the US, combining several treatments under the umbrella of naturopathic care was better than simply giving advice. (more…)

Researchers in Spain evaluated single-point acupuncture as an adjunct to physiotherapy to improve shoulder function in patients with unilateral subacromial syndrome. (more…)