Electromyographic Analysis in Elite Swimmers with Shoulder Pain during a Functional Task

The purpose of study was to determine and compare electromyographic activity of selected shoulder girdle muscles in elite swimmers with and without shoulder pain. Twelve professional swimmers with shoulder pain (mean age: 18.55±3.16 years, body mass: 74.33±2.91 kg, and height: 179.00±5.29cm) and twelve swimmers without pain (mean age: 18.11±1.61 years, body weight: 73.33±6.06 kg, height: 178.33±5.07cm) were recruited. Surface electromyography signals were collected from seven upper limb muscles during a task: participants were instructed to mark points with a pen within each of the 3 circles counterclockwise. The normalised root-mean-square value was used to determine the muscular activation. Swimmers with shoulder pain demonstrated greater activation of the upper trapezius (pain group mean: 28.04±10.37, control group mean: 13.40±06.04; p=0.002, partial eta square: 0.455), serratus anterior (pain group mean: 30.78±20.09, control group mean: 13.30±5.52; p=0.023, partial eta square: 0.283) and latissimus dorsi (pain group mean: 27.05±17.87, control group mean: 4.99±3.90; p=0.002, partial eta square: 0.450) muscles. There was no difference (p>0.05) in the activation of the middle and lower trapezius, middle deltoid and sternocleidomastoid. The altered muscle activation patterns may contribute to the painful shoulder in elite swimmers and need to be considered within the rehabilitation interventions

Pediatric Integrated Clinical Experiences: Enhancing Learning Through a Series of Clinical Exposures

Physical therapists (PTs) provide services to individuals throughout the lifespan. Previous research supports the inclusion of opportunities for PT students in entry-level programs to observe and interact with both children who are typically developing and those with disabilities. Currently, there are limited opportunities for clinical internship placement in specialized settings, such as pediatrics, and programs and students compete to secure such placements. A unique model of integrated clinical experiences (ICEs) was implemented at 1 university. The model, which interweaves clinical exposure in diverse pediatric settings throughout a 2-semester pediatric course series, was designed to enable students to practice applying the components of the patient/client management model with children, and to facilitate integration of pediatric content. Outcome data were collected from PT students in the 2014 and 2015 cohorts, and from clinical instructors (CIs) involved in the model since its inception. The model was evaluated using a mixed-method, case study design consisting of 2 phases. Phase 1 of the design consisted of pre and postintervention survey methodology including a reflection component. Phase 2 consisted of interviews with students and CIs to gather qualitative data about their experience with participating in the model. Results indicate that the integrated labs achieved the intended objectives. Furthermore, real-life interactions with children and members of the interprofessional team improved students\u27 confidence for working with the pediatric population, improved interprofessional communication skills, and enabled clinical application of content and concepts of family-centered care learned in the classroom. Findings can inform pediatric curriculum design for PT education programs to better prepare students for pediatric clinical practice

Enhancing Learning Through Pediatric Integrated Clinical Experiences

Introduction: Physical therapists serve individuals across the lifespan. Limited availability of full­time clinical internship placements in pediatric specialty settings creates a challenge for professional programs to prepare students to provide service to pediatric patients. There is evidence that experiential learning through integrated clinical experiences (ICE) can enhance students’ readiness for general clinical practice, yet little is known about the effect of ICE on student readiness for pediatric practice. Purpose: Pediatric ICE was implemented to interweave clinical exposure in diverse pediatric settings throughout a pediatric course series to facilitate student application of patient/client management skills and integration of pediatric content. Methodology: Outcomes were evaluated using a mixed-method, case study design, consisting of pre- and post-intervention survey methodology, and interviews with students and clinical instructors to gather qualitative data about their experience with pediatric ICE. Data were collected from 84 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students, and 7 clinical instructors. Results: Post-ICE survey scores were statistically significantly higher (pConclusion: The pediatric ICE program achieved the intended objectives and added greatly to the students’ learning experience. Findings can inform pediatric curriculum design for DPT professional education programs

Movement as a Gateway to Participation for Individuals With Neuromotor Conditions: A Scoping Review

Purpose:The purpose of this scoping review was to examine and analyze the developmental and rehabilitation literature related to movement and participation at key points of transition for individuals with neuromotor conditions.Methods:Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review protocol was applied, and 37 articles were included. Extracted data included population, developmental transition points, movement opportunity, type of participation, and outcome measures.Results:Most studies covered developmental transition points; none examined transitions as a variable for participation outcomes. Physical activity/exercise was the most common movement opportunity. Most publications used formal outcome measures of participation; others used observation or interviews.Conclusion:No publications adequately addressed the effect of movement opportunities on participation during developmental transition points

Effects of early intensive postoperative physiotherapy on limb function after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs with deficiency of the cranial cruciate ligament

Objective-To determine effects of early intensive postoperative physiotherapy on limb function in dogs after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for deficiency of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). Animals-8 adult dogs with CCL deficiency. Procedure-After TPLO, dogs underwent a physiotherapy program 3 times/wk (physiotherapy group; n = 4) or a walking program (home-exercise group; 4). All dogs were evaluated before surgery, 1 and 10 days after surgery, and 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. Thigh circumference (TC), stifle joint flexion and extension range of motion (ROM), lameness, and weight-bearing scores were recorded. Results-Before surgery, CCL-deficient limbs had significantly reduced TC and reduced flexion and extension ROMs, compared with values for the contralateral control limb. Six weeks after TPLO, the physiotherapy group had significantly larger TC than the home-exercise group, with the difference no longer evident between the affected and nonaffected limbs. Extension and flexion ROMs were significantly greater in the physiotherapy group, compared with values for the home-exercise group, 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. Six weeks after surgery, the difference in flexion and extension ROMs was no longer evident between the affected and nonaffected limbs in the physiotherapy group. Both groups had improvements for lameness and weight-bearing scores over time, but no difference was found between the 2 groups. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-After TPLO in CCL-deficient dogs, early physiotherapy intervention should be considered as part of the postoperative management to prevent muscle atrophy, build muscle mass and strength, and increase stifle joint flexion and extension ROMs

Casein Kinase 1δ Activity: A Key Element in the Zebrafish Circadian Timing System

Zebrafish have become a popular model for studies of the circadian timing mechanism. Taking advantage of its rapid development of a functional circadian clock and the availability of light-entrainable clock-containing cell lines, much knowledge has been gained about the circadian clock system in this species. However, the post-translational modifications of clock proteins, and in particular the phosphorylation of PER proteins by Casein kinase I delta and epsilon (CK1δ and CK1ε), have so far not been examined in the zebrafish. Using pharmacological inhibitors for CK1δ and CK1ε, a pan-CK1δ/ε inhibitor PF-670462, and a CK1ε -selective inhibitor PF-4800567, we show that CK1δ activity is crucial for the functioning of the circadian timing mechanism of zebrafish, while CK1ε plays a minor role. The CK1δ/ε inhibitor disrupted circadian rhythms of promoter activity in the circadian clock-containing zebrafish cell line, PAC-2, while the CK1ε inhibitor had no effect. Zebrafish larvae that were exposed to the CK1δ/ε inhibitor showed no rhythms of locomotor activity while the CK1ε inhibitor had only a minor effect on locomotor activity. Moreover, the addition of the CK1δ/ε inhibitor disrupted rhythms of aanat2 mRNA expression in the pineal gland. The pineal gland is considered to act as a central clock organ in fish, delivering a rhythmic hormonal signal, melatonin, which is regulated by AANAT2 enzymatic activity. Therefore, CK1δ plays a key role in the circadian timing system of the zebrafish. Furthermore, the effect of CK1δ inhibition on rhythmic locomotor activity may reflect its effect on the function of the central clock in the pineal gland as well as its regulation of peripheral clocks