Return to sport (RTS) tests and criteria following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR): a scoping review.

Objective: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery is a common procedure to restore knee stability and enable athletes to return to sport (RTS). This scoping review aimed to explore RTS tests and criteria used in decision-making following ACLR surgery.

Methods: A scoping review methodology was undertaken.

Injury, illness, and mental health problems during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Our study aimed to describe the patterns and characteristics of injuries and illnesses incurred during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 (FWWC2023). Team medical personnel recorded all injuries, illnesses, and mental health problems requiring medical attention, plus match, and training exposure into a centralised FIFA database using recent consensus-based methodology. Of the 32 teams at FWWC2023, 26 teams participated in the study, including 536 of 742 players.

Use of physical exertion to enhance objective testing following mild traumatic brain injury: a systematic review.

Background: Assessment of recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is complex and challenging. Post-exertion testing, where individuals undergo objective testing following physical exercise, has shown promise in identifying mTBI-related impairments that may not be evident at rest, but could hinder a safe return to sport.

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review to determine if physical exertion affects objective physiological or sensorimotor tests differently in individuals with mTBI compared with healthy controls.

Custom Foot Orthoses: A Retrospective Analysis of 1000 Prescriptions From New Zealand Podiatrists.

Background: Podiatrists frequently prescribe foot orthoses to manage a range of musculoskeletal complaints. This study aimed to understand what characteristics were included in the design of custom foot orthoses, how symmetrically these were applied and whether there was an association between these features and the clinical diagnosis.

Methods: One thousand orthotic prescriptions were obtained from two commercial orthotic labs in New Zealand.

Beliefs About and Use of Forefoot Lateral Wedging in Podiatric Medical Practice: A Survey of Podiatric Physicians in New Zealand.

Background: Evidence is limited exploring the beliefs and application of forefoot lateral wedges (FLWs) in clinical practice by podiatric physicians. We aimed to understand rationale and beliefs that guide the use of FLWs among podiatrists.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of New Zealand (NZ) podiatrists was conducted between May 31 and July 26, 2021.

The well-being of people with anterior cruciate ligament rupture-related post-traumatic osteoarthritis in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are a potent risk factor for post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis (PTOA). Annually, in Aotearoa New Zealand, approximately 2,500 people under the age of 30 undergo ACL reconstruction surgery. Due to the young age of injury and surgery, many develop osteoarthritis before age 50 and have a higher likelihood of requiring total knee replacement compared to the general population.

Patient perspectives of process variables in musculoskeletal care pathways.

Background: The prevalence of disability caused by musculoskeletal conditions continues to increase. Little research has considered the effect of process variables of a musculoskeletal care pathway on patient outcomes. A process variable is as any modifiable factor in a pathway that can be quantified and measured and that if varied may achieve a different operational or patient outcome.

A consensus-based agreement on a definition of a process variable: findings from a New Zealand nominal group technique study.

Background: Musculoskeletal pain and disability are leading causes of reduced health and significant economic costs worldwide. Individualised, and evidence-based treatment approaches for specific musculoskeletal conditions aimed at improving patient outcomes and costs have not been successful. Recently authors have suggested that the 'process' of how care is implemented within a health system needs to be considered as an influencer on patient outcomes.

Clinical care ratios: differences in allied health roles in New Zealand.

ObjectiveAllied health workforce planning is difficult and needs to be informed by data. Clinical care ratios (CCR) are commonly used to differentiate between clinical and non-clinical demands. This study aimed to identify trends within and across allied health disciplines and determine if the CCR differed by allied health discipline within one New Zealand district.

Reflections on 50 years of IFOMPT.

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT). IFOMPT became the first subgroup of World Physiotherapy. IFOMPT aims and works for global promotion of excellence and unity in clinical and academic standards for manual/musculoskeletal physiotherapists.

Defining the role of sport and exercise physicians: the experience of different referrer types in New Zealand.

The aim of this study was to analyse the reasons health professionals refer to sport and exercise physicians (SEPs) and to define what service gap the specialty fills. This was a qualitative study design using thematic analysis. Online focus group interviews consisting of 4-6 participants in each group were conducted separately with physiotherapists, emergency clinicians, general practitioners and orthopaedic surgeons practising in New Zealand.

Current practice, guideline adherence, and barriers to implementation for Achilles tendinopathy rehabilitation: a survey of physical therapists and people with Achilles tendinopathy.

Objective: To explore clinical practice patterns of physical therapists (PTs) who treat people with Achilles tendinopathy (AT), and identify perceived barriers and facilitators for prescribing and engaging with therapeutic exercise among PTs and people with AT.

Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys were electronically distributed between November 2021 and May 2022; one survey was designed for PTs while the second was for people with AT. Survey respondents answered questions regarding their physical therapy training and current practice (PTs), injury history and management (people with AT), and perceived barriers and facilitators (PTs and people with AT).

Lateral Wedging of the Foot: A Scoping Review.

Lateral wedges are a common intervention used to alter biomechanical function of the lower limb. Although there is evidence investigating the use and impact of lateral wedges in individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis, knowledge of how these wedges affect foot function in healthy adults is limited. Therefore, this study intends to investigate how lateral wedging affects foot function in healthy adults and, furthermore, how wedge design influences the outcome.

Identifying inefficient strategies in automation-aided signal detection.

Automated diagnostic aids can assist human operators in signal detection tasks, providing alarms, warnings, or diagnoses. Operators often use decision aids poorly, though, falling short of best possible performance levels. Previous research has suggested that operators interact with binary signal detection aids using a sluggish contingent cutoff (CC) strategy (Robinson & Sorkin, 1985), shifting their response criterion in the direction stipulated by the aid's diagnosis each trial but making adjustments that are smaller than optimal.

Suggested improvements to the 11+ as identified by coaches, players, strength and conditioning staff and medical staff in New Zealand Football.

The aim of this study was to investigate the experience with the 11+, attitudes towards injury prevention, and potential improvements to the 11+ and the delivery of injury prevention strategies within football. A qualitative study design was used to investigate the views of four stakeholder groups (players, coaches, strength and conditioning staff and clinicians). Twenty-two adults participated (nine women; median age 35.

Knowledge and management of sport-related concussion in primary care in New Zealand.

Aim: To assess the current state of knowledge around sport-related concussion (SRC) guidelines and management among primary care doctors in New Zealand.

Methods: An online, self-administered, 21-item multi-choice questionnaire targeted at general practitioners and urgent care doctors in New Zealand was used. Main outcome measures were knowledge and management of patients with SRC through to return-to-sport.

Realization, Self-View, and Disclosure of Pedophilia: A Content Analysis of Online Posts.

In order to treat individuals with pedophilia who are at risk of committing offenses, disclosure of the attraction must first take place. The aim of this study was to understand processes of initial recognition of pedophilic attraction, disclosure, and help-seeking. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of online posts from self-identified individuals with pedophilia, finding four categories: (1) (with emotions including denial, shame, and fear), (2) (typically made to family, friends, or therapists, but also done online in an anonymous way), (3) (ranging from rejection to support), and (4) (including minimization, distortions, despair, resignation, and non-offending/anti-contact commitment).

The effectiveness of preoperative exercise programmes on quadriceps strength prior to and following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: A systematic review.

Objectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative exercise programmes on quadriceps strength prior to and following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Design: Systematic review.

Methods: a systematic review was undertaken, included studies were evaluated using the Modified Downs and Black checklist which is appropriate for determining the quality of randomised and non-randomised studies.

Injury incidence within male elite New Zealand cricket from the early T20 era: 2009-2015.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the injury epidemiology of domestic and international level male New Zealand cricketers from seasons 2009-2010 to 2014-2015 across all match formats given the increasing popularity of T20 cricket.

Methods: Match exposure and injury surveillance data collected prospectively by New Zealand Cricket was analysed using international consensus recommendations for injury surveillance and reporting in cricket. Relationships between playing level, role and injury were statistically analysed.

Current perspectives of New Zealand physiotherapists on rehabilitation and return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A survey.

Objective: To investigate the clinical beliefs and practices of New Zealand physiotherapists regarding pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation and return to sport (RTS) criteria following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Design: Online cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A survey was adapted from a previously published survey and disseminated to New Zealand physiotherapists who were considered more likely to be involved in post-ACLR rehabilitation.

Advanced practice physiotherapists are effective in the management of musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of systematic reviews.

Background: There are increasing demands for orthopaedic specialist services due to the increasing burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. This situation creates a barrier for patients to access appropriate health care. Advanced practitioner physiotherapists (APP) may provide an alternative service for patients with MSK disorders.

Does research help to inform a district health board's purpose? A qualitative thematic analysis of clinician researcher views.

Aim: The outcomes from research should guide the decisions of healthcare providers, policymakers and funders. This study sought the perspectives of senior hospital clinicians and researchers from a New Zealand district health board (DHB).

Method: A series of interviews asked participants about the purpose and benefits of research to the DHB, and to reflect upon the enablers and barriers they had experienced in conducting and translating research in a DHB context.