Frida Eek

Introduction: Epidemiological studies on elite female ice hockey players are lacking but needed to tailor preventive efforts in this growing group of athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the incidence, prevalence, and burden of health problems in elite female ice hockey players. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we asked all Swedish Women’s Hockey League (SWHL) players ( N = 207) to report their health status on the OSTRC‐H2 weekly throughout the 2022/2023 season (28 weeks). Reported problems were categorized as injuries (acute or overuse) or illnesses and presented as incidence per player season and mean weekly prevalence. Results: A total of 129 players (62% of all SWHL players) provided 2286 health reports with a mean weekly response rate of 67%. Mean weekly prevalence of health problems was 21% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19–23) (injuries: 15% [95% CI: 14–17] and illnesses: 6% [95% CI: 5–8]). Injury incidence was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.8–2.4) per player season (acute: 1.2 [95% CI: 1.0–1.5] and overuse: 0.8 [95% CI: 0.7–1.1]). Illness incidence was 1.3 per player season (95% CI: 1.1–1.6). Most reported health problems were acute injuries (59.4% of reported injuries). Most common among acute injuries where to the shoulder (15%), head (13%), and knee (11%). The hip/groin was the most reported (35%) and burdensome (49% of severity score) region among overuse injuries. Reported illnesses were mostly represented by respiratory infections (75%). Conclusions: In average, one in five elite ice hockey players reported a health problem at any given time during the season. Results of this study highlight the need to develop and test primary prevention strategies for shoulder, head, and knee injuries and secondary prevention strategies for hip and groin problems.

Scientific evidence is important to evidence-based practice. Hence, the application of evidence-based practice requires relevant skills and an understanding of science, which therefore need to be learned and trained during the undergraduate program in physiotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate attitudes, perceived competence, and conditions for a scientific approach among physiotherapy students in Sweden, and to compare attitudes and perceived competence between students in different program years. Physiotherapy students from six universities (n = 1499) were invited to respond to a digital survey. The survey contained questions regarding attitudes toward science, perceived competence in research interpretations and open comments regarding requirements for a strengthened scientific approach during education. Comparisons between education years were performed with ANOVA/Kruskal‒Wallis test (scale outcomes) and logistic regression (binary outcomes). A total of 466 students responded to the survey. In total, 57% (n = 266) of the students had a high interest in science. No significant difference in interest in science was found between students in the three program years, but 75% (n = 347) reported increased interest during the program. A perceived high ability to understand the structure and performance of scientific studies was reported by 31% (n = 144), to evaluate the methodology by 16% (n = 72) and to interpret statistical results from scientific studies by 12% (n = 55). The lowest perceived competence was reported among students in their second year (p < 0.05). A majority of the students (88%; n = 410) reported a perceived personal need for strengthened conditions for a scientific approach, with suggested prerequisites during education via increased theoretical and applied understanding of the research. Even though this study does not fully cover physiotherapy students at all undergraduate programmes in Sweden, the results support that a scientific approach and training should be strengthened during education to enable physiotherapists to understand and interpret science and to fully apply an evidence-based approach in upcoming clinical practice. Both theoretical and applied knowledge and understanding are needed.

Background: Evidence based medicine (EBM) should be an endeavor within all healthcare professions. Knowledge and understanding of science are important prerequisites of EBM. Objective: The aim was to examine and compare perspectives on science and perceived inhibiting and facilitating factors for the assimilation and implementation of scientific information among clinically working specialist- and non-specialist physiotherapists in Sweden. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted via a web-based questionnaire. Clinically active physiotherapists in Sweden were invited to participate. Attitudes and perspectives were compared between physiotherapists with completed or on-going specialist training, and non-specialists. Results: In total, 1165 physiotherapists responded to the survey (75.5%, (n = 870) women, mean age 44.8 (SD 12.1), whereof 25.5% (n = 319) with completed or ongoing specialist training). The majority of participants had a high interest in science but did not consider a general scientific approach to be applied within physiotherapy. The main perceived inhibiting factor for a clinical practice more based on scientific evidence was lack of time. Specialists had in general higher interest and ability to interpret and evaluate science, and prioritized scientific evidence to a higher extent. Conclusion: Among respondents, a scientific approach was considered valuable within physiotherapy but not considered fully applied in practice. The higher interest and perceived ability to interpret science among specialists indicates that further education and specialist training can increase both interest and understanding of science among physiotherapists.

Background: Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Current treatment supports coping strategies to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The need to predict response to treatment has been raised to personalise care. This study aims to examine change in HRQoL from baseline to three and nine months follow-up after participating in a Supported Osteoarthritis Self-Management Programme (SOASP) and to examine if empowerment and/or enablement were associated with change in HRQoL after a SOASP. Methods: Patients participating in a SOASP were recruited consecutively between April 2016 and June 2018. The EQ-5D was used to measure HRQoL, the Swedish Rheumatic Disease Empowerment Scale (SWE-RES-23) (score range 1–5) to measure empowerment and the Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI) (score range 0–12) to measure enablement. The instruments were answered before (EQ-5D, SWE-RES-23) and after (EQ-5D, SWE-RES-23, PEI) the SOASP. A patient partner was involved in the research process to enhance the patient perspective. Changes in outcome were examined with paired sample t-test and standardized effect sizes (Cohen´s d). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess potential associations. Results: One hundred forty-three patients participated in baseline measurement. Mean EQ-5D-5 L index score increased significantly from baseline to three months corresponding to a standardised effect size (Cohen´s d) of d = 0.43, 95% CI [0.24, 0.63] (n = 109), and from baseline to nine months d = 0.19, 95% CI [0.01, 0.37] (n = 119). The average EQ VAS score increased significantly from baseline to three months corresponding to a standardised effect size of d = 0.26, 95% CI [0.07, 0.45] (n = 109), and from baseline to nine months d = 0.18, 95% CI [0.00, 0.36] (n = 119). Neither SWE-RES-23 nor PEI at three months follow-up nor the change in the SWE-RES-23 score from baseline to three months follow-up were associated with change in either EQ-5D-5 L index (p > 0.05) or the EQ VAS (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Health-related quality of life increased after participating in a SOASP. Empowerment and enablement as measured with the SWE-RES-23 and the PEI were not associated with change in HRQoL among patients participating in a SOASP. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov. Identification number: NCT 02974036. First registration 28/11/2016, retrospectively registered.

Currently, there is limited knowledge on how the Swedish strategy with more lenient public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced people’s life satisfaction. Here, we investigated self-reported life satisfaction during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, and perceived changes in life satisfaction in relation to various sociodemographic factors. A total of 1082 people (mean age 48 (SD 12.2); 82% women) responded to an online survey during autumn 2020 including the “Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11”. A majority (69%) were satisfied with life as a whole, and with other important life domains, with the exception of contact with friends and sexual life. An equal share reported that life as a whole had either deteriorated (28%) or improved (29%). Of those that perceived a deterioration, 95% considered it to be due to the pandemic. Regarding deteriorated satisfaction with life as a whole, higher odds were found in the following groups: having no children living at home; being middle aged; having other sources of income than being employed; and having a chronic disease. The Swedish strategy might have contributed to the high proportion of satisfied people. Those who perceived a deterioration in life satisfaction may, however, need attention from Swedish Welfare Authorities.

Context: The epidemiological focus on time loss may underestimate the true magnitude of hip and groin problems in male ice hockey players. Objective: To describe the prevalence, incidence and severity of hip and groin problems (time loss and non-time-loss) in Swedish ice hockey players over the course of a season and to explore potential pre-season risk factors for these problems. Design: Prospective one-season cohort study Setting: Professional and semi-professional Swedish ice hockey Patients or other participants: Twelve professional and semi-professional male ice hockey teams were invited to participate. Nine teams agreed to participate, and 163 players were included in analyses. Main outcome measures: Hip and groin problems in the previous season (time loss; non-time-loss), isometric adduction and abduction strength, and five-second squeeze test were recorded prior to the season and served as independent variables in the risk factor analysis. Main outcome measures were cumulative incidence of hip and groin problems, average prevalence, and odds ratios for groin problems in-season Results: Cumulative incidence for all problems was 45.4 % (95% CI 37.6–53.4) and 19% (13.3–25.9) for substantial problems. Average prevalence was 14.1% (10.8–17.5) for all and 5.7% (4.3–7.2) for substantial problems. Among reported problems, 69.2% had gradual onset; where only 17% lead to time loss. Players with non-time-loss problems in the previous season had significantly higher odds for new problems [All: OR 3.3 (1.7–6.3); Substantial: OR 3.6 (1.8–8.4)]. Pre-season strength was not significantly associated with the odds for subsequent problems. Conclusion: Hip and groin problems are common in ice hockey and may lead to substantial impairments in performance. Only one in five problems led to time loss and 7 out of 10 had gradual onset. Non-time-loss problems in the previous season were found to be a significant risk factor for new problems whereas preseason hip adduction and abduction strength was not.