Enza Leone

Background: Prosthetists and orthotists (POs) are essential members of the health care workforce and one of the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) allied health professions. There is a paucity of information on their demographics, which is essential for the development of the profession. To fill this void, this study has attempted to comprehensively explore the sociodemographics and work-related characteristics of the entire workforce. Methods: Data were collected in 2022 through multiple sources, including surveys of POs, private companies employing POs, and freedom of information requests to National Health Service Trusts/Health Boards and higher education institutes offering programs leading to registration as a prosthetist/orthotist. Results: The workforce survey had 641 respondents (74% response rate). The estimated national ratio of POs per million population was 13, with all bar of the 12 regions below the World Health Organization minimum recommendation of 15 POs per million population. Most of the survey respondents were female (47.6%) and younger than male respondents, were British (75.8%), and in the White ethnic group (74.3%). Most of them were employed by private companies (59.9% vs. 31.4% employed by the National Health Service) and had clinical duties (94%), permanent contracts (90%), worked full-time (75%), and treated a wide range of clinical conditions. Conclusions: The national UK prosthetist and orthotist ratio falls below the recommended international standards. The versatility and broad skill set of POs highlight their crucial role in multidisciplinary teams. Establishing a centralized prosthetist and orthotist workforce database system is recommended for data-driven strategic planning.

Introduction Management of muscular dystrophies (MD) relies on conservative non-pharmacological treatments, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited and inconclusive. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions for MD physical management. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and searched Medline, CINHAL, Embase, AMED and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial (inception to August 2022). Effect size (ES) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) quantified treatment effect. Results Of 31,285 identified articles, 39 studies (957 participants), mostly at high risk of bias, were included. For children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), trunk-oriented strength exercises and usual care were more effective than usual care alone in improving distal upper-limb function, sitting and dynamic reaching balance (ES range: 0.87 to 2.29). For adults with Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), vibratory proprioceptive assistance and neuromuscular electrical stimulation respectively improved maximum voluntary isometric contraction and reduced pain intensity (ES range: 1.58 to 2.33). For adults with FSHD, Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), strength-training improved dynamic balance (sit-to-stand ability) and self-perceived physical condition (ES range: 0.83 to 1.00). A multicomponent programme improved perceived exertion rate and gait in adults with Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) (ES range: 0.92 to 3.83). Conclusions Low-quality evidence suggests that strength training, with or without other exercise interventions, may improve perceived exertion, distal upper limb function, static and dynamic balance, gait and well-being in MD. Although more robust and larger studies are needed, current evidence supports the inclusion of strength training in MD treatment, as it was found to be safe.

Determining the walking ability of post-stroke patients is crucial for the design of rehabilitation programs and the correct functional information to give to patients and their caregivers at their return home after a neurorehabilitation program. We aimed to assess the convergent validity of three different walking tests: the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) test, the 10-m walking test (10MeWT) and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Eighty walking participants with stroke (34 F, age 64.54 ± 13.02 years) were classified according to the FAC score. Gait speed evaluation was performed with 10MeWT and 6MWT. The cut-off values for FAC and walking tests were calculated using a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Area under the curve (AUC) and Youden’s index were used to find the cut-off value. Statistical differences were found in all FAC subgroups with respect to walking speed on short and long distances, and in the Rivermead Mobility Index and Barthel Index. Mid-level precision (AUC > 0.7; p < 0.05) was detected in the walking speed with respect to FAC score (III vs. IV and IV vs. V). The confusion matrix and the accuracy analysis showed that the most sensitive test was the 10MeWT, with cut-off values of 0.59 m/s and 1.02 m/s. Walking speed cut-offs of 0.59 and 1.02 m/s were assessed with the 10MeWT and can be used in FAC classification in patients with subacute stroke between the subgroups able to walk with supervision and independently on uniform and non-uniform surfaces. Moreover, the overlapping walking speed registered with the two tests, the 10MeWT showed a better accuracy to drive FAC classification.

Background and Purpose: Patellofemoral (PF) dislocation is frequently encountered in clinical practice among people with Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT), but the frequency and risk factors for PF dislocation in adults with CMT are unknown. This study aimed to establish the incidence of PF dislocation in adults with CMT and to explore the risk factors associated with PF dislocation.Methods: This is a cross‐sectional study involving adults with a diagnosis of CMT, attending their outpatient clinics at a specialist neuromuscular centre in the United Kingdom. Eighty‐one individuals were interviewed about any PF dislocation and underwent a lower‐limb assessment, with a focussed knee examination, to identify possible risk factors for PF dislocation. The incidence of PF dislocation was expressed as a percentage (number of individuals with a positive history of patellar dislocation/overall sample) and the association between different risk factors and PF dislocation was explored using logistic regression analysis.Results: The incidence of PF dislocation was 22.2% (18/81). PF dislocation was associated with a younger age at the time of the assessment (p = 0.038) and earlier disease onset (p = 0.025). All people bar two who dislocated had CMT1A (88.9%), but there was no difference in terms of CMT distribution with the non‐dislocation group (p = 0.101). No association was found between PF dislocation and CMT severity measured by CMTSS (p = 0.379) and CMTES (p = 0.534). Patella alta (p = 0.0001), J‐sign (p = 0.004), lateral patellar glide (p = 0.0001), generalised joint hypermobility (p = 0.001) and knee flexors weakness (p = 0.008) were associated with an increased risk of dislocation. Patella alta (p = 0.010) and lateral patellar glide (p = 0.028) were independent PF dislocation predictors.Conclusions: PF dislocation was common in this cohort with CMT and was associated with multiple risk factors. Future studies should be conducted to confirm the present findings so that the identified risk factors may be addressed by clinicians through preventive, supportive and corrective measures.

Purpose AHPs make up the third largest healthcare workforce in the UK NHS and with their wide range of skills make a significant contribution to the health and care of people using their services. Current telehealth guidelines and training programmes for AHPs are not sufficiently comprehensive and lack information on key telehealth aspects, meaning AHPs may not be adequately supported in the delivery of remote patient consultations. Therefore, a policy brief to guide the development of AHP telehealth patient consultation guidelines and training was developed to meet the needs of policymakers, AHP professional bodies, and clinical services. The intended purposes of this policy brief are to: (1) present key telehealth domains that should be considered when designing telehealth guidelines for patient consultations, and (2) present areas in which AHPs should be trained prior to providing telehealth consultations. This policy brief aims to provide guidance and facilitate further discussion on the essential components of telehealth guidelines and staff training, it is not an exhaustive list of recommendations. Recognising the diversity of telehealth applications and the differences between and within individual allied health professions, this policy brief is not profession specific and may require adaptation to the context of use and individual circumstances. Policy brief development This policy brief was developed in four phases, which include: (1) a scoping review to synthesise available evidence; (2) a survey to explore the opinions of UK AHP clinicians and service managers on their telehealth service guidelines and training; (3) formulation of the draft policy brief; (4) consultation with stakeholders and formulation of the final policy brief. Patient users of telehealth were not involved in the development of this policy brief. However, the policy brief considers patient users’ suitability, needs and requirements. Audience This policy brief is intended to inform the development of telehealth consultation guidelines and training for AHP patient consultations. Therefore, the target audience includes policymakers, AHP professional bodies, AHP service managers, and professional societies involved in the planning and management of AHP training, clinical and academic staff involved in training AHPs, and independent AHPs requiring support in their telehealth patient consultations. Telehealth definition Telehealth is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “The delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all health care professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries, research and evaluation, and for the continuing education of health care providers, all in the interests of advancing the health of individuals and their communities” (1). For this policy brief, telehealth was defined as a telephone or video consultation with a patient.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a rapid shift to remote consultations. United Kingdom (UK) NHS Allied Health Professional (AHP) services may have been unprepared for telehealth implementation. This study explored these services’ organisational readiness regarding telehealth guidelines implementation and staff training. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey exploring available telehealth guidelines and staff training was distributed among UK AHPs and AHP service managers between May and June 2021. Results: 658 participants answered the survey (119 managers and 539 clinicians). Most services, in which telehealth was in place, had implemented telehealth guidelines (clinicians, 64%; managers, 82%), with most guidelines produced by the NHS staff who use them for their consultations. Most clinicians reported that guidelines had ambiguous areas (e.g., regarding protection from litigation and dealing with emergencies), whereas most managers reported the opposite opinion. Guidelines most frequently reported on appropriate telehealth technology and environment for staff and patients, while recommended consultation length and how to conduct telehealth with certain population groups were least reported. Clinicians lacked training in most telehealth aspects, while managers reported that staff training focused on telehealth software and hardware. For both clinicians and managers, training is needed on how to deal with emergencies during telehealth. Conclusions: UK NHS AHP services are not fully equipped with clear and comprehensive guidelines and the skills to deliver telehealth. Vulnerable people are excluded from current guidelines, which may widen health inequalities and hinder the success of the NHS digital transformation. The absence of national guidelines highlights the need for uniform AHP telehealth guidelines.

The present review aims to explore the use of Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) in the treatment of visual perception in Unilateral Spatial Neglect (USN) after a stroke. PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Pedro databases were searched, from inception to 1 February 2022. All studies that investigated the effect of IVR on USN, such as outcome in the stroke population, have been included. The current comprehensive systematic review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations and was registered in the PROSPERO database [CRD42022311284]. Methodological quality was assessed through JBI critical appraisal tool. A total of 436 articles were identified through the database searches. A total of 10 articles, with a heterogeneous study design, which involved 77 patients with USN with low-to-moderate methodological quality, have been selected. Five out the included studies tested usability of IVR for assessed or treated visual perception deficits in USN, comparing the results with 134 healthy subjects. In the rest of studies that tested IVR such as treatment, three showed statistical positive results (p < 0.05) in visual perception outcome. To date, the literature has suggested the potential benefits in the use of IVR for the treatment of visual perception disorders in USN. Interestingly, IVR motivates patients during the rehabilitation process improving compliance and interest. The heterogeneity in the studies’ design and in IVR treatments indicate the need of future investigations in the consideration of potentiality and low-cost of this technology.

Background: Postural control is a complex ability, also controlled by the somatosensory connection of the neck muscles with the vestibular nuclei. This circuit seems to be interested in maintaining head stabilization during movements. The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is the dominant source of the vestibular afferents as confirmed by neurophysiological acquisition. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the application of kinesio-tape on the SCM muscle can induce a perturbation of the standing postural control by altering the somatosensory system of the neck muscles. Methods: Thirteen healthy participants (age: 24.46 ± 3.04 yrs; 9 female) were enrolled, and the four kinesio-tape (KT) conditions were performed in a random order: without KT application (Ctrl); right KT application (R-SCM); left KT application (L-SCM); and bilateral KT application (B-SCM). All conditions were performed three times with open eyes and closed eyes. Results: There was a significant increase in the length of the centre of pressure (CoP), in the maximal oscillation, and in the anteroposterior root mean square between the three tape application conditions with respect to the Ctrl condition with open eyes. The same parameters were statistically different when the participants were blindfolded in the B-SCM condition with respect to the Ctrl condition. A statistical decrease in the difference in weight distribution between the two feet was observed in the B-SCM group with respect to the Ctrl group in both open and closed eyes conditions. Conclusions: Our results suggest that KT on the SCM muscles may involve some space-time parameters of postural control. Bilateral KT improved the weight distribution between the feet but showed a parallel increase in anteroposterior oscillations and in the length of the CoP with respect to the Ctrl condition. The perturbation seems to be greater in the somatosensory system when it is working coupled with visual afferences during an upright position.