| 1. |
- Dannapfel, Petra, 1978-
(författare)
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Evidence-Based Practice in Practice : Exploring Conditions for Using Research in Physiotherapy
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Research developments have led to increased opportunities for the use of improved diagnostic and treatment methods in physiotherapy and other areas of health care. The emergence of the evidence-based practice (EBP) movement has led to higher expectations for a more research-informed health care practice that integrates the best available research evidence with clinical experience and patient priorities and values. Physiotherapy research has grown exponentially, contributing to an increased interest in achieving a more evidence-based physiotherapy practice. However, implementation research has identified many individual and contextual barriers to research use. Strategies to achieve a more EBP tend to narrowly target individual practitioners to influence their knowledge, skills and attitudes concerning research use. However, there is an emerging recognition that contextual conditions such as leadership and culture are critical to successfully implementing EBP.Against this background, the overall aim of this thesis was to explore conditions at different levels, from the individual level to the organizational level and beyond, for the use of research and implementation of an evidence-based physiotherapy practice. The thesis consists of four interrelated papers that address various aspects of the aim. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted with physiotherapists and managers within physiotherapy in various county councils in Sweden between 2011 and 2014. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis, direct content analysis and hermeneutics.It was found that many different types of motivation underlie physiotherapists’ use of research in their clinical practice, from amotivation (i.e. a lack of intention to engage in research use) to intrinsic motivation (research use is perceived as interesting and satisfying in itself). Most physiotherapists tend to view research use in favourable terms. Physiotherapists’ participation in a research project can yield many individual learning experiences that might contribute to a more research-informed physiotherapy practice. However, organizational learning was more limited. Numerous conditions at different levels (individual, workplace and extra-organizational levels) provide support for physiotherapists’ use of research in their clinical practice. However, physiotherapy leaders appear to contribute to a modest degree to establishing a culture that is conducive to implementing EBP in physiotherapy practice. Instead, EBP issues largely seem to depend on committed individual physiotherapists who keep to up to date with research in physiotherapy and inform colleagues about the latest research findings.
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| 2. |
- Hermansen, Anna
(författare)
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Clinical and patient-reported outcomes after anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery : A focus on functioning and daily life
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF), with or without an intervertebral cage to add support to the fused segment, is an established surgical treatment of cervical radiculopathy due to cervical disc disease. High recovery rates and pain reductions after surgery have been reported, with similar results with or without a cage. A few small studies have evaluated neck-related physical function and patient-reported disability with less promising results. No previous studies have evaluated clinical and patientreported measures of functioning or compared the Cloward Procedure with the Cervical Intervertebral Fusion Cage (CIFC) more than 10 year after surgery. No studies have explored the patients’ perspective on surgical outcome Knowledge on long-term functioning may provide a base for improved postoperative care and rehabilitation. Combining the perspectives of clinicians and patients may provide a better understanding of outcome after ACDF surgery than has previously been reported.The overall aim of the thesis was to evaluate long-term functioning after anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery due to cervical disc disease, and to provide new insights into patients’ experiences of daily life after surgery.The more than 10-year patient-reported outcomes of pain, disability and psychosocial factors (n=77), as well as clinical outcomes of neck-related physical function (n=51) were evaluated and compared between the Cloward Procedure and the CIFC. Preoperative and surgery-related factors of importance for a good outcome in neck-related pain and disability at 10-year follow-up were also identified. Fourteen women were interviewed at 1.5 to 3 years after ACDF to explore their experiences of daily life.There were no differences between the surgical techniques in long-term neck-related pain or patient-reported disability. Secondary outcomes were, with a few exceptions, similar between groups. Neck-related pain decreased after surgery and remained improved from the 2-year to the 10-year follow-up. However, disability ratings remained improved only in the CIFC group. Predictors of a successful outcome in neck-related pain intensity were high preoperative neck-related pain intensity (Odds Ratio 1.06) and nonsmoking (Odds Ratio 3.03). Male gender was the only predictive factor of a successful outcome in neck-related disability (Odds Ratio 4.33). Moderate to severe pain and patient-reported disability were seen in half of the participants at the 10-year follow-up, and neck-related physical impairments were seen in between 18% (cervical flexion) and 82% (neck-muscle endurance) of participants. Daily life was experienced as recovered or improved by women after ACDF surgery. However they were at the same time affected and limited by remaining symptoms. Behaviors and activities were altered to adjust to the symptoms. Social support provided by family, social and occupational networks, and by healthcare professionals were experienced as important in a good daily life.In conclusion: long-term pain, physical function and patient-reported disability were similar between the two ACDF techniques. High preoperative pain intensity, non-smoking and male gender predicted a good long-term outcome. Individuals after ACDF surgery experienced improvements in pain intensity and a good effect of surgery although they simultaneously reported residual or recurrent disability.
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| 3. |
- Karlsson, Anette, 1986-
(författare)
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Quantitative Muscle Composition Analysis Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Changes in muscle tissue composition, e.g. decrease in volume and/or increase of fat infiltration, are related to adverse health conditions such as sarcopenia, inflammation, muscular dystrophy, and chronic pain. However, the onset and progression of disease and the effect of potential intervention effects are not fully understood, partly due to insufficient measurement tools. For advanced knowledge regarding these diseases, an accurate and precise measurement tool for detecting changes in muscle composition is needed. The tool must be able to detect both local changes on specific muscles for investigating local injuries and generalized muscle composition changes on a whole-body level. Magnetic resonance imaging is an excellent tool due to its superior soft tissue contrast but is normally not quantitative, making it challenging to produce reproducible results. Furthermore, manual analysis of the vast amount of images produced is extremely time consuming and therefore expensive. The aim of this thesis was to develop and validate a new magnetic resonance imaging method for muscle volume quantification and fat infiltration estimation that would have the potential to be used in both large-scale studies and for analyzing small individual muscles.The method development was divided into four main steps: 1) Rapid acquisition and reconstruction of data with sufficient resolution and calibration giving quantitative images where the relative fat content of each voxel (related to pure fat voxels) is attainable; 2) Automated muscle tissue classification based on non-rigid multi-atlas segmentation followed by probability voting to acquire the region of interest for each muscle; 3) Quantification of muscle tissue volume and fat infiltration from the classification step and the local fat signal; 4) Evaluation of the potential of the method in clinical studies.In Paper I, a method for automatic muscle volume quantification of both whole-body and regional muscles, i.e. involving steps 1–3, is presented. The automated method showed good agreement compared to manual segmentation. It was robust to an 8-fold resolution difference using two different scanner field strengths. Papers II and III evaluated the clinical relevance and the need for developing methods with high-resolution images to answer the research questions regarding the effect of a whiplash trauma on the multifidus muscles. This involved steps 1–4. The method enabled acquisition of high-resolution data to distinguish the small multifidus muscles (Paper II). The paper also showed a higher fat infiltration in the multifidus muscles in individuals with severe self-reported disability compared to individuals with milder symptoms and to healthy controls. Furthermore, the local fat infiltration was also related to widespread muscle fat infiltration (Paper III). However, the difference in widespread muscle fat infiltration could not alone distinguish between the three different groups. Paper IV showed the robustness of fat infiltration estimation when changing flip angle, and thereby the T1 weighting, of the acquired images (steps 1–3). The higher flip angle also provided better noise characteristics. Therefore, this quantitative method can be used with higher flip angle, and thus a potentially better anatomical contrast, without losing accuracy or precision.To conclude, this thesis presents a method that quantifies muscle volume and estimates fat infiltration robustly and reproducibly. The versatility of the method allows for both high-resolution images of small muscles and rapid acquisition of whole-body data. The method can be a useful tool in clinical studies regarding small individual muscles. Furthermore, the combination of being quantitative and automatic means that the method has potential to be used in longitudinal, multi-center, and large-scale studies for advanced understanding of muscular diseases.
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| 4. |
- Peterson, Gunnel, 1959-
(författare)
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Neck muscle function in individuals with persistent pain and disability after whiplash injury
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Neck pain and disability are common after whiplash injury. One year after the accident up to 50 % still have symptoms called whiplash associated disorders (WAD). Despite decades of research the cause of persistent pain and disability are largely unknown and effective treatment and diagnostic tools are lacking. Altered neck muscle function may cause pain and disability, and real-time non-invasive methods that investigate both superficial and deep neck muscle function need to be evaluated.Aim: The general aim of the work presented in this thesis was to investigate mechanical neck muscle function and evaluate effects of three different exercise interventions related to neck muscle function in individuals with persistent pain and disability after whiplash injury.Method: The thesis comprised two studies, reported in four papers. Study A was a prospective randomized controlled trail with 216 participants. The effects of three exercise interventions; neck-specific exercises, neck-specific exercises with behavioral approach and prescription of physical activity were evaluated. Neck muscle endurance, perceived pain following testing, kinesiophobia and satisfaction with treatment were compared between the three groups (paper I). Study B was an experimental case-control study with participants consecutively recruited from the randomized controlled trial. Deformation and deformation rates in the neck muscles were investigated with real-time ultrasound imaging during ten repetitive arm elevations (paper II-IV). To investigate ventral neck muscles, 26 individuals with WAD were compared with 26 healthy controls (paper II). The dorsal neck muscles were investigated in paper III, including 40 individuals with WAD and 40 controls. In total 46 individuals, 23 with WAD and 23 healthy controls were included in paper IV to develop ventral neck muscle interaction models.Results: Paper I: Participants in the two neck-specific exercise groups (with and without behavioral approach) showed increased dorsal neck muscle endurance (p = 0.003), decreased pain intensity following testing (p = 0.04) and were more satisfied with treatment (p < 0.001) than participants in the prescribed physical activity group. Kinesiophobia did not significantly differ between groups (p > 0.12).Paper II: Deformation and deformation rate showed linear positive relationship between ventral muscle pairs in healthy controls, especially between superficial and deep neck muscles. This relationship was weaker or absent in the WAD group.Paper III: The WAD group had higher deformation rates in the deepest dorsal neck muscles during the first and tenth (only women) arm elevations compared to the control group (p < 0.04). Women in the WAD group showed a weaker linear relationship between the two deepest dorsal neck muscles compared to women in the control group.Paper IV: The results revealed two different ventral neck muscle models in individuals with WAD and healthy controls (R2Y = 0.72, Q2Y = 0.59). The models were capable to detect different neck muscle interplay in people with WAD.Conclusion: Neck-specific exercise intervention with or without a behavioral approach appears to improve neck muscle endurance in individuals with persistent WAD. Decreased pain after the neck muscle endurance test also suggests improved tolerance of load in these two groups. Altered mechanical neck muscle function was revealed in individuals with WAD indicating decreased muscular support for maintain a stable cervical spine during repetitive arm elevations. The results show great promise for improved diagnosis of neck muscle function in WAD.
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| 5. |
- Calner, Tommy
(författare)
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Persistent musculoskeletal pain : A web-based activity programme for behaviour change, does it work? Expectations and experiences of the physiotherapy treatment process
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis concerned persons with persistent musculoskeletal pain in primary health care and had three aims. The first aim was to evaluate the effects of a web-based programme for behaviour change. The second aim was to create and evaluate a multimodal intervention. The third aim was to explore and describe expectations andexperiences of the physiotherapy treatment process.In Study I, we evaluated the effects of a web-based activity programme for behaviour change added to multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MDR) in primary health care. Ninety-nine participants were randomized to 1) MDR with an additional web-based programme, and 2) MDR. Outcome measures were work ability, pain intensity, pain-relate disability and health-related quality of life. There were no significant effects of the web-based programme for any outcome measure at 4 or 12 months. In conclusion, this study provides no support for adding a self-guided web-based programme to MDR in primary health care.In Study II, we evaluated first the web-based programme from Study I compared to the waiting list. Effect measures were workability, pain intensity, disability and self-efficacy. Thereafter, we evaluated the effects and process of a novel multimodal intervention consisting of the web-based programme with additional individual counselling, and individually tailored physiotherapy treatment. Ten participants were included in the study. Effects were evaluated using a Single Subject Experimental Design (SSED) and the process was evaluated by interviews with the participants and log data of usage of the modalities. There were no conclusive effects of the self-managed web-based programme as compared to the waiting list. The SSED analyses of the multimodal intervention showed promising short-term results regarding disability and pain intensity, but no conclusive results for work ability or self-efficacy. The multi-modal intervention process seemed successfully implemented, and the importance of physiotherapy and, to some extent counselling, was emphasized by the participants. In conclusion, the newly designed multimodal intervention in primary health care seemed feasible and showed some promising short-term effects, while the implementation of a self-managed web-based programme as a single intervention seemed without effect.In Study III, qualitative interviews were conducted with ten participants to explore their expectations of physiotherapy. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis and the findings described a multi-faceted picture of the participants’ expectations, encompassing several aspects regarding the treatment process and outcome. Regarding the treatment process, participants expected a good dialogue, to be confirmed as individuals, and to get an explanation for their pain. The participants expected tailored training with frequent follow-ups and their expectations of outcome ranged from hope of the best possible results to being realistic or resigned.In Study IV, qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 participants to explore their experiences in physiotherapy treatment. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. The findings show how the participants described how they used knowledge, awareness, movements and exercises learned from the physiotherapy treatment to develop strategies to manage pain and the process of acceptance. There were experiences involving the importance of establishing an alliance with the physiotherapist, based on trust and with a continuous dialogue. When exercises, activities and other treatment modalities were individualized, participants were actively involved in the process. This was rewarding but was also considered an effort and a challenge. The physiotherapist’s initiatives and actions were considered important for incentive and support.In conclusion, we found no effects of the web-based activity programme on behaviour change for persons with persistent musculoskeletal pain. The newly designed multi-modal intervention in primary health care seemed feasible and showed some promising short-term effects. Expectations of physiotherapy treatment were multi-faceted, encompassing both process and outcome. After finishing physiotherapy, the participants described how they used knowledge, awareness, movements and exercises learned from the physiotherapy treatment to develop strategies to manage pain and the process of acceptance. The importance of alliance and incentives for activities throughout the physiotherapy treatment process were also described.
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| 6. |
- Diarbakerli, Elias, et al.
(författare)
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Swedish musculoskeletal researchers view on a collaborative network and future research priorities in Swedish healthcare
- 2024
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Ingår i: Musculoskeletal Care. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1478-2189 .- 1557-0681. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSK) are a global burden causing significant suffering and economic impact. Systematic identification and targeting of research questions of highest interest for stakeholders can aid in improving MSK disorder knowledge and management.Objective: To obtain Swedish MSK researchers' opinions and views on a collaborative Swedish MSK network (SweMSK) and identify future research areas of importance for Swedish MSK research.Methods: A web-based survey was conducted July to September 2021 to collect data from 354 Swedish MSK researchers. The survey focused on the need, objectives, and structure of a SweMSK network and identified prioritised areas for future MSK research.Results: The study included 141 respondents, of which 82 were associate professors or professors. The majority (68%) supported the creation of a new musculoskeletal network. The most supported element was increased collaboration regarding nationwide and multicenter studies. Respondents recommended the creation of a homepage and the establishment of national work groups with different specific interests as the primary elements of a new network.Conclusion: The results demonstrated a need and desire for increased national research collaboration and the creation of a new musculoskeletal network. The high academic experience and active research participation of the respondents suggest the need for MSK disorder knowledge and management improvement in Sweden. Therefore, the SweMSK network may help facilitate effective collaboration and research efforts that can contribute to the advancement of MSK disorder management and care. This study may provide valuable insights for policymakers, clinicians, and researchers to improve MSK disorder care and management in Sweden.
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| 7. |
- Landén Ludvigsson, Maria, 1967-
(författare)
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Neck-specific exercise with or without a behavioural approach, or prescription of physical activity in chronic whiplash associated disorders
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Although 50% of those who suffer a whiplash injury still report neck pain after one year, there is a lack of knowledge about effective treatment for chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD). Exercise is potentially useful, but the response to exercise in chronic WAD is highly variable between individuals and factors associated with good outcomes as well as the cost-effectiveness are unknown.Aim: The general aim of this thesis was to evaluate the effect on self-reported disability/ functioning, pain and selfefficacy of three different exercise interventions in chronic WAD grade 2 and 3, and to determine the cost-effectiveness of these interventions.Material and methods: A total of 216 participants with chronic WAD took part in this randomized, assessor blinded, controlled, clinical trial. Participants were randomized to either neck-specific exercise without (NSE), or with a behavioural approach (NSEB), or prescription of physical activity (PPA) for 12 weeks. Evaluations of change scores and proportion of clinically relevantly improved participants regarding disability/functioning (Neck Disability Index (NDI)/Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS)), pain (Visual Analogue Scale of current neck pain (VAS-P), pain bothersomeness (VAS-B)) and Self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy Scale (SES)) were made after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Secondary analyses were made, regarding factors associated with clinically relevant improvements in disability, pain and regarding cost-effectiveness.Results: Disability was more improved in the NSE/NSEB groups (NDI, P=0.02) than the PPA group, which reported no improvement, at 3 and 6 months, results remaining at 12 and 24 months (p ≤ 0.02). Functioning (PSFS) was also more improved in the NSE/NSEB groups than the PPA group at 3 months, in the NSEB compared to the PPA group at 6 months, and the NSE compared to the PPA groups at 12 and 24 months. The proportion of participants reaching clinically relevant improvement regarding NDI and PSFS was also larger in the NSE/NSEB groups at all time points (P<0.05), except NDI at 3 months and PSFS at 24 months. There were no differences between groups in VAS-P, VASB or SES change scores. The proportion of participants with clinically relevant reduction in VAS-P and VAS-B was however higher (P<0.02) in the NSE/NSEB groups compared with the PPA group at 3 and 12 months. Self-efficacy was only improved in the NSE group but without any between-group differences. There were no significant differences in any outcomes between the NSE/NSEB groups.The only significant factor associated with both clinically relevant improvements in disability and neck pain both at 3 and 12 months was participation in the NSE group, with odds up to 5.3 times higher than in the PPA group. Different baseline features were associated with the improvements depending on the outcome and time point examined. From a societal perspective, NSE was the cost-effective option.Conclusion: Physiotherapist-led neck-specific exercise resulted in better outcomes than prescription of physical activity regarding disability, functioning, and pain. The observed benefits of adding a behavioural approach to neck-specific exercise were inconclusive, and NSE was the cost-effective option from a societal perspective. Factors associated with clinically relevant improvements after exercise interventions in chronic WAD differed whether disability or neck pain was the outcome, but also differed in the short and long term. Participation in the NSE group was the only factor associated with both outcomes after both 3 and 12 months.
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| 8. |
- Wibault, Johanna, 1978-
(författare)
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Neck disability in patients with cervical radiculopathy and evaluation of structured postoperative physiotherapy
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Non-surgical and surgical approaches to treatment are used in patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR) due to disc disease. Overall, good effects of surgery have been reported on arm pain and neurological symptoms. However, the effects on neck functioning are more uncertain. Studies have shown persistent activity limitations; participation restrictions; and impairments in neck-related body functions after surgery. Structured physiotherapy combining neck-specific exercises with a behavioural approach has been suggested as treatment before as well as after surgery to improve clinical outcomes in patients with CR. Randomized clinical trials of postoperative physiotherapy to inform evidence-based clinical guidelines for the treatment of patients with CR are lacking.The overall aim of the thesis was to investigate the additional benefit of structured postoperative physiotherapy combining neck-specific exercises with a behavioural approach compared to standard postoperative approach in patients with CR. A further aim was to evaluate the contribution of different aspects of neck-related body functions and mental functions on preoperative neck disability in these patients.A total of 202 patients with CR who were scheduled for surgery were recruited, and randomized preoperatively to either structured postoperative physiotherapy, or standard postoperative approach. Standard postoperative approach was in accordance with Swedish postoperative care, and may have included pragmatic physiotherapy after surgery when needed. Patients were evaluated with a set of questionnaires and clinical examinations before surgery and at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Outcomes included patient-reported measures of pain, neck functioning, global outcome, clinical evaluation of neckrelated body functions, self-efficacy and coping strategies, as well as expectation fulfilment and enablement. Differences between treatment groups were investigated in complete case and per-protocol approaches (Paper III & IV). A sub-sample of patients with CR who were scheduled for surgery were also compared with neck-healthy individuals for assessment of head repositioning accuracy with a cervical range of motion device (Paper I). In patients with CR who were scheduled for surgery, associations between preoperative measures of neck-related body functions, mental functions, and other contextual factors with patientreported neck disability were studied (Paper II).With the exception of greater expectation fulfilment in patients who received structured postoperative physiotherapy (p = 0.01), there were no differences between the treatment groups in outcomes at 6 months after surgery. There were no differences reported for changes in outcomes from before surgery to 6 months after surgery between the groups, but all outcomes significantly improved from baseline in both groups (p<0.001) (Paper III & IV). However, global outcome and frequency of neck pain improved during the postoperative period only in patients who received structured postoperative physiotherapy (p< 0.01) (Paper III). Six months after surgery, patients with at least 50% attendance to treatment sessions in the structured postoperative physiotherapy group reported less neck pain frequency (p = 0.05), and greater expectation fulfilment (p = 0.001), and enablement (p = 0.04) than those who received standard postoperative approach. These patients also had larger improvements in neck functioning, arm pain and catastrophizing during the rehabilitation period from 3 to 6 months after surgery (p< 0.03). Sixty-one percent of the patients who received standard postoperative approach reported additional use ofpostoperative physiotherapy. These patients had a worse surgical outcome compared with patients who reported no additional use of postoperative physiotherapy. In patients with CR who were scheduled for surgery, larger errors in head repositioning accuracy were found compared to neck-healthy individuals (Paper I). Preoperative measures of neck-related body functions, mental functions and other contextual factors explained 73% of the variance in Neck Disability Index scores in patients with CR who were scheduled for surgery (Paper II).The results may suggest a benefit from combining surgery with structured postoperative physiotherapy in patients with CR. Moreover, the results confirm that neck-specific exercises are tolerated by patients with CR after surgery. However, CR is a heterogeneous condition and specific subgroups of patients are likely to benefit from different interventions. More studies are needed to inform evidence-based clinical guidelines for the treatment of patients with CR. A broader preoperative assessment in patients with CR improved the description of patient-reported neck disability.
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