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Aim: To quantify test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change for 90 and 95% confidence levels (90MDC, 95MDC) for health-related fitness tests in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Methods: Lower limb muscle strength [hand-held dynamometry (HHD), unilateral heel rise test (UHRT), standing broad jump (SBJ)], muscle endurance [Muscle Power Sprint Test (MPST)] and cardiorespiratory endurance [20-metre Shuttle Run Test (20mSRT)] were evaluated twice (2-7 day interval) in 31 children with DCD (20 males, 9.4 years old ± 2.0). Results: Test-retest reliability was reported as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (2, 1) 95% confidence interval lower bounds. Values were excellent for MPST (peak and mean power: 0.93, 0.95), good for HHD (0.81-0.88), SBJ (0.82), and the 20mSRT (0.87) and moderate for UHRT (0.74). For HHD, the 90MDC and 95MDC were the largest for hip extensors (14.47, 12.14 Nm) and the smallest for ankle dorsiflexors (1.55, 1.30 Nm). For UHRT, SBJ, MPST and the 20mSRT, these MDC values were 11.90, 9.98 repetitions; 25.49, 21.38 cm; 4.70, 3.94 W (mean power), and 6.45, 5.42 W (peak power) and 0.87, 0.73 (number of stages), respectively. Conclusion: These tests yield reliable test-retest results that can be used to evaluate fitness changes in this group.

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Purpose: This clinical practice guide (CPG) aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for promoting and enhancing the participation and integration of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) into physical activities that take place in the home, school, community, or rehabilitation clinic contexts. Methods: A panel of key stakeholders relevant to these contexts (parents, instructors, rehabilitation professionals) developed evidence-based recommendations using a consensus methodology after reviewing results from a recent systematic review of relevant literature. The quality of the evidence on which the recommendations were based was evaluated (2011 Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence scale) as was the strength of the final CPG recommendations (American Society of Plastic Surgeons Grade Recommendation Scale). Results: Recommendations (n = 50; 36% supported by robust, empirically derived evidence) for the different stakeholder groups fell into three categories: 1) Choose an appropriate activity for your child, 2) Harmonize the activity with the child's interests and abilities, and 3) Help the child learn new movements prior to the activity. Conclusions: This comprehensive CPG provides concrete recommendations, based on the currently available evidence, that can be used by stakeholders to address the physical activity participation and integration needs of children with DCD in a variety of contexts.

Objectif: ces directives cliniques visent à fournir des recommandations basées sur les données probantes pour promouvoir et améliorer la participation et l'intégration des enfants ayant un trouble développemental de la coordination (TDC) à des activités physiques qui se déroulent à la maison, à l'école, dans la communauté ou dans des cliniques de réadaptation. Méthodologie: un groupe d'intervenants clés dans ces contextes (parents, entraineurs, professionnels de la réadaptation) a préparé des recommandations fondées sur des données probantes au moyen d'une méthodologie de consensus, après avoir révisé les résultats d'une récente analyse systématique de publications pertinentes. La qualité des données probantes sur laquelle reposent les recommandations a été évaluée (échelle de qualité des preuves de l'Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine de 2011) de même que les catégories des recommandations définitives tirées des directives (échelle des catégories de recommandations de l'American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Résultats: les recommandations (n = 50; 36 % soutenues par des données probantes empiriques vigoureuses) des divers groupes d'intervenants se déclinaient en trois catégories : 1) choisir une activité appropriée pour l'enfant, 2) harmoniser l'activité selon les intérêts et les capacités de l'enfant, 3) aider l'enfant à s'approprier de nouveaux mouvements pour aller vers l'activité. Conclusions: ces directives cliniques complètes fournissent des recommandations concrètes d'après les données probantes disponibles, que peuvent utiliser les intervenants pour aborder la participation à l'activité physique et les besoins d'intégration des enfants ayant un TDC dans divers contextes.

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INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: There is a high prevalence of urinary incontinence among endometrial cancer survivors. They are also known to present with pelvic floor muscle alterations. Evidence on the effects of conservative interventions for the management of UI is scarce. This study aims at verifying the effects of an in-home rehabilitation program, including the use of a mobile technology, to reduce UI severity in endometrial cancer survivors. METHODS: This study used a single-case experimental design with replications. Primary outcome for UI severity was the pad test, and secondary outcomes were the ICIQ-UI SF questionnaire and 3-day bladder diary. Pelvic floor muscle function was assessed using 2D-transperineal ultrasound and intravaginal dynamometry. Adherence was documented using mobile technology and an exercise log. Visual and non-parametric analyses of longitudinal data were conducted. RESULTS: Results show a reduction in UI severity for 87.5% of participants, with a significant relative treatment effect of moderate size (RTE: 0.30). Significant small relative treatment effects were found for the quick contraction and endurance dynamometric tests. CONCLUSION: This study provides new evidence that endometrial cancer survivors can improve the severity of their UI following an in-home rehabilitation program, including the use of a mobile technology. This mode of delivery has the potential to address a gap in access to pelvic floor physiotherapy services for survivors of EC living in rural and remote communities.

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AIMS: To investigate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of two-dimensional (2D) transperineal ultrasound imaging (USI) measures of bladder wall thickness (BWT), urethral length (UL), and parameters related to levator plate length (LP) and transient changes in LP during pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction, and on Valsalva in women who received radiation therapy (RT) for treatment of pelvic cancer. METHODS: Twenty women with a history of RT for the treatment of pelvic cancer were assessed independently by two raters on the same day. Five outcomes were assessed for reliability: BWT, UL, and LP at rest (LP-R), during a maximal voluntary contraction of the PFMs (LP-MVC), and during a maximal-effort Valsalva maneuver (LP-MVM). Reliability was determined using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman analyses. Measurement error was determined using standard error of the measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable difference. RESULTS: Intra-rater reliability was very good for LP-R, LP-MVC, LP-MVM, and UL (ICC: 0.97 [0.93-0.99], 0.95 [0.88-0.98], 0.84 [0.59-0.94], and 0.96 [0.89-0.98], respectively). Inter-rater reliability was very good for LP-R (ICC: 0.82 [0.55-0.93]), and good for LP-MVC, LP-MVM, and UL (ICC: 0.79 [0.46-0.92], 0.79 [0.49-0.92], and 0.75 [0.36-0.90], respectively). BWT had poor intra- and inter-rater reliability. The variability between measurements was the smallest for LP-R, LP-MVC, and UL for intra-rater assessments, and for LP-R and UL for inter-rater assessments. SEM values for intra-rater assessments were LP-R: 1.5 mm, LP-MVC: 1.84 mm, LP-MVM: 4.33 mm, and UL: 1.16 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Although these results support the reliability of 2D-transperineal USI for the evaluation of UL and PFM parameters, they do not support its use for the assessment of BWT.

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BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) contribute to optimal control of the lumbopelvic spine. PFM function appears altered in some people with nonspecific low back pain (LBP). OBJECTIVE: To systematically review if adding PFM training (PFMT) to another exercise intervention can be more effective at improving pain and function in people with nonspecific LBP than without PFMT. DATA SOURCES: The authors conducted a literature search on Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central and Web of Sciences up to October 2018. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: (1) Participants with nonspecific LBP; (2) additional PFMT to an exercise intervention; (3) comparison to the same intervention without PFMT; (4) included minimally one planned outcome; and (5) a randomized controlled trial. Two reviewers performed screening, data extraction (primary outcome; pain severity, secondary outcome; physical function) and risk of bias assessment. SYNTHESIS METHODS: Meta-analysis was performed using mean difference and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Six studies were included (n=200 participants). Participants with PFMT had lower pain severity in comparison with the group without PFMT (mean difference: -0.61, 95%CI [-0.91, -0.31], P<0.0001 and low heterogeneity: I2=0%). Subgroup analysis shows significant effect for interventions lasting longer than 8-weeks. No difference was found for function. Overall risk of bias was unclear. LIMITATIONS: Small groups and high heterogenicity limit our findings. CONCLUSION: There is very low-quality evidence that there is a small benefit of adding PFMT to another exercise intervention on pain severity in nonspecific LBP. Longer duration for an integrated lumbopelvic exercise program including PFMT is likely to impact pain outcomes positively. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42018114601.

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AIM: To assess effects of growth on lower limb maximal isometric muscle strength (MIMS) development in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). METHOD: This observational study used hand-held dynamometry to evaluate MIMS (hip abductors, flexors, extensors; knee flexors and extensors; ankle dorsiflexors) in children with DCD (n=33, 12 females, 21 males, 6-12y, mean [SD] age 9y [2y]). Regression analysis compared changes in MIMS for similar changes in growth (height or body mass) for children with DCD and typically developing children (pre-existing database, n=183), controlling for age and sex. RESULTS: For the same height gain, the gain in muscle strength was 37.3% to 69.2% less in children with DCD compared with typically developing children, with significantly lower slopes (p-value between <0.001-0.042) in all muscle groups tested except knee extensors and ankle dorsiflexors in females. Strength gains related to body mass gains were not different for children with DCD compared to typically developing children. INTERPRETATION: Even when growing at a similar rate, children with DCD do not develop muscle strength gains at the same rate as their typically developing peers. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Strength gains with growth (height) may be reduced in children with developmental coordination disorder.

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INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to appraise the current use of mobile technologies for the conservative self-management of urinary incontinence (UI). Moreover, we aimed to explore whether they integrate recommended features for the use of mobile technologies in healthcare and recognized parameters for optimal conservative UI treatment. METHODS: We conducted a literature search on Medline, Embase, CINAHL, REHABDATA, Cochrane Library and PEDro databases. Eligible articles included people with UI of any type and use of a mobile technology for the conservative self-management of UI. Two reviewers independently screened, reviewed, and extracted data on study design, type of mobile technologies, valuable features, and outcomes related to UI. RESULTS: Twelve articles (level of evidence II to V) were retained. Technologies used were a mobile app alone (n = 2), a Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) device and app (n = 2), a PFMT device and telerehabilitation (n = 1), a smartphone messaging system (n = 1), and an internet-based program (n = 1). PFMT programs prescribed a daily frequency for at least 8 weeks. Between 1 and 4 valuable features were reported out of 6 identified. After intervention, at least 1 outcome on UI severity was reported improved in 6/7 studies, satisfaction was high in 3/3 studies and adherence was high (daily usage) in 4/5 studies. CONCLUSION: There is level 2 evidence that there are benefits of using mobile technologies in terms of improvements in UI, satisfaction, adherence, and costs. Mobile technologies reviewed seem to follow optimal PFMT parameters, but users could benefit further from more built-in features that may optimize rehabilitation outcomes.

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With the growing interest in daily activity monitoring, several insole designs have been developed to identify postures, detect activities, and count steps. However, the validity of these devices is not clearly established. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the available information on the criterion validity of instrumented insoles in detecting postures activities and steps. The literature search through six databases led to 33 articles that met inclusion criteria. These studies evaluated 17 different insole models and involved 290 participants from 16 to 75 years old. Criterion validity was assessed using six statistical indicators. For posture and activity recognition, accuracy varied from 75.0% to 100%, precision from 65.8% to 100%, specificity from 98.1% to 100%, sensitivity from 73.0% to 100%, and identification rate from 66.2% to 100%. For step counting, accuracies were very high (94.8% to 100%). Across studies, different postures and activities were assessed using different criterion validity indicators, leading to heterogeneous results. Instrumented insoles appeared to be highly accurate for steps counting. However, measurement properties were variable for posture and activity recognition. These findings call for a standardized methodology to investigate the measurement properties of such devices.

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Despite the accessibility of several step count measurement systems, count accuracy in real environments remains a major challenge. Microelectromechanical systems and pressure sensors seem to present a potential solution for step count accuracy. The purpose of this study was to equip an insole with pressure sensors and to test a novel and potentially more accurate method of detecting steps. Methods: Five force-sensitive resistors (FSR) were integrated under the heel, the first, third, and fifth metatarsal heads and the great toe. This system was tested with twelve healthy participants at self-selected and maximal walking speeds in indoor and outdoor settings. Step counts were computed based on previously reported calculation methods, individual and averaged FSR-signals, and a new method: cumulative sum of all FSR-signals. These data were compared to a direct visual step count for accuracy analysis. Results: This system accurately detected steps with success rates ranging from 95.5 ± 3.5% to 98.5 ± 2.1% (indoor) and from 96.5 ± 3.9% to 98.0 ± 2.3% (outdoor) for self-selected walking speeds and from 98.1 ± 2.7% to 99.0 ± 0.7% (indoor) and 97.0 ± 6.2% to 99.4 ± 0.7% (outdoor) for maximal walking speeds. Cumulative sum of pressure signals during the stance phase showed high step detection accuracy (99.5 ± 0.7%⁻99.6 ± 0.4%) and appeared to be a valid method of step counting. Conclusions: The accuracy of step counts varied according to the calculation methods, with cumulative sum-based method being highly accurate.

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INTRODUCTION: Children with physical disabilities are rarely included in interventions to promote healthy lifestyles, despite being at higher risk for suboptimal dietary and physical activity behaviours. The Children and Teens in Charge of their Health study explores the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a strengths-based, solution-focused coaching intervention for improving and sustaining physical activity and healthy dietary habits in children and young people with physical disabilities. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Thirty children aged 10-18 years with a diagnosis of spina bifida or cerebral palsy who are able to set healthy lifestyle goals will be recruited from two children's rehabilitation hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Participants will be enrolled in the study for twelve months. All participants will receive standard care and printed information about healthy lifestyles. Of the 30 participants, 15 will be randomised to receive a coaching intervention for the first 6 months. Health indicators and psychosocial outcomes will be assessed by blinded assessors four times: at the start of the trial, immediately postintervention (6 months after randomisation), and at 3 and 6 months postintervention (9 and 12 months after randomisation, respectively). Predefined success criteria will be used to assess the feasibility of trial processes such as recruitment, attrition, stratification and intervention fidelity. Acceptability and perceived impact of the intervention will be explored qualitatively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital's Research Ethics Board (Ref: 17-752). A knowledge translation planning template will be used to ensure our findings have maximum reach. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03523806.

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Background: Endometrial cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in Canadian women. Radiotherapy (RT) is frequently recommended as an adjuvant treatment. There is a high prevalence (>80%) of urinary incontinence (UI) after RT. It is plausible that UI is associated, at least in part, with alterations of the pelvic-floor muscles (PFM). Objective: The aim of this exploratory study was to compare the PFM functional properties of women reporting UI after hysterectomy and RT for endometrial cancer with those of women with a history of hysterectomy but without UI. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Eleven women were recruited for the affected group, and 18 were recruited for the comparison group. Methods: Urogenital and bowel functions were assessed using International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires, and PFM properties were evaluated using a Montreal dynamometer. Nonparametric tests were used for comparison of personal characteristics, functional status, and muscle properties. A correspondence analysis detailed the association between UI severity and PFM properties. Results: Maximal opening of dynamometer branches, maximal vaginal length, PFM maximum force and rate of force development in a strength test, and number of rapid contractions during a speed test were reduced in the affected group. No significant difference was found for the endurance test. The severity of UI was found to correspond to the rate of force development and the number of rapid contractions in a speed test, endurance, age, and vaginal length. Limitations: The results are limited to the population studied. The small sample size limited the strength of the conclusions. Conclusions: Some evidence of alterations in PFM properties were found in women with UI after hysterectomy and RT for endometrial cancer. These alterations appeared to be associated with UI, suggesting a possible role for rehabilitation.

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Background and Introduction: Telerehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is supported by strong evidence on the effectiveness of such intervention and from a cost-benefit point of view. Satisfaction of patients toward in-home telerehabilitation after TKA has not yet been examined thoroughly in large-scale clinical trials. This study aims to compare satisfaction level of patients following in-home telerehabilitation (TELE) after TKA to one of the patients following a usual face-to-face home visit (STD) rehabilitation. Secondarily, to determine if any clinical or personal variables were associated to the level of satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was embedded in a multicenter randomized controlled trial with 205 patients randomized into two groups. Rehabilitation intervention was the same for both groups; only approach for service delivery differed (telerehabilitation or home visits). Participants were assessed at baseline (before TKA), at hospital discharge, and at 2 and 4 months postdischarge (E4) using functional outcomes. Patient satisfaction was measured using the validated Health Care Satisfaction Questionnaire (HCSQ) at E4. RESULTS: Characteristics of all participants were similar at baseline. Satisfaction level of both groups did not differ and was very high (over 85%). It was neither correlated to personal characteristics nor to improvements of functional level from preoperative to E4. Satisfaction was rather found associated to walking and stair-climbing performances. CONCLUSIONS: These results, in conjunction with evidences of clinical effectiveness and cost benefits demonstrated in the same sample of patients, strongly support the use of telerehabilitation to improve access to rehabilitation services and efficiency of service delivery after TKA.

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BACKGROUND: Audio/video-mediated communication between patients and clinicians using videoconferencing over telecommunication networks is a key component of providing teletreatments in rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to (1) document the conditions of use, performance, and reliability of videoconferencing-based communication in the context of in-home teletreatment (TELE) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and (2) assess from the perspective of the providers, the quality attributes of the technology used and its impact on clinical objectives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive embedded study in a randomized controlled trial using a sample of 97 post-TKA patients, who received a total of 1,431 TELE sessions. Technical support use, service delivery reliability, performance, and use of network connection were assessed using self-report data from a costing grid and automated logs captured from videoconferencing systems. Physical therapists assessed the quality and impact of video-mediated communications after each TELE session on seven attributes. RESULTS: Installation of a new Internet connection was required in 75% of the participants and average technician's time to install test and uninstall technology (including travel time) was 308.4 min. The reliability of service delivery was 96.5% of planned sessions with 21% of TELE session requiring a reconnection during the session. Remote technical support was solicited in 43% of the sessions (interventions were less than 3-min duration). Perceived technological impacts on video-mediated communications were minimal with quality of the overall technical environment evaluated as good or acceptable in 96% of the sessions and clinical objectives reached almost completely or completely in 99% of the sessions. CONCLUSIONS: In-home rehabilitation teletreatments can be delivered reliably but requires access to technical support for the initial setup and maintenance. Optimization of the processes of reliably connecting patients to the Internet, getting the telerehabilitation platform in the patient's home, installing, configuring, and testing will be needed to generalize this approach of service delivery.

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PURPOSE: Radiation therapy (RT) is often recommended in the treatment of pelvic cancers. Following RT, a high prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunctions (urinary incontinence, dyspareunia, and fecal incontinence) is reported. However, changes in pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) after RT remain unclear. The purpose of this review was to systematically document the effects of RT on the PFM structure and function in patients with cancer in the pelvic area. METHODS: An electronic literature search using Pubmed Central, CINAHL, Embase, and SCOPUS was performed from date of inception up to June 2014. The following keywords were used: radiotherapy, muscle tissue, and pelvic floor. Two reviewers selected the studies in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA). Out of the 369 articles screened, 13 met all eligibility criteria. The methodological quality was assessed using the QualSyst scoring system, and standardized mean differences were calculated. RESULTS: Thirteen studies fulfilled all inclusion criteria, from which four were of good methodological quality. One presented strong evidence that RT affects PFM structure in men treated for prostate cancer. Four presented high-level evidence that RT affects PFM function in patients treated for rectal cancer. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity and lack of descriptive statistics. CONCLUSION: There is some evidence that RT has detrimental impacts on both PFMs' structure and function. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: A better understanding of muscle damage and dysfunction following RT treatment will improve pelvic floor rehabilitation and, potentially, prevention of its detrimental impacts.

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This longitudinal preliminary study aims to describe the components and features of the eChez-Soi home-based telerehabilitation platform, and present preliminary results on practitioners' readiness for and perception of its usability. Four patients receiving chemotherapy treatments for lung cancer followed an 8-week home-based telerehabilitation program with the new eChez-Soi platform and four healthy adults used it for 2 weeks. The users' perception was very good, with an overall satisfaction rate of 4.6±0.4 (max. score=5) for the patients, 4.8±0.2 for the healthy adults and 4.4±0.3 for the practitioners. Total practitioner telehealth readiness was 73.5±9.1 (max score=85), suggesting that certain items, for at least one practitioner, may adversely impact the use of telehealth. These preliminary results support the usability of this new platform and suggest that practitioner telehealth readiness is reinforced with experience.

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BACKGROUND: The availability of less resource-intensive alternatives to home visits for rehabilitation following orthopaedic surgeries is important, given the increasing need for home care services and the shortage of health resources. The goal of this trial was to determine whether an in-home telerehabilitation program is not clinically inferior to a face-to-face home visit approach (standard care) after hospital discharge of patients following a total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Two hundred and five patients who had a total knee arthroplasty were randomized before hospital discharge to the telerehabilitation group or the face-to-face home visit group. Both groups received the same rehabilitation intervention for two months after hospital discharge. Patients were evaluated at baseline (before total knee arthroplasty), immediately after the rehabilitation intervention (two months after discharge), and two months later (four months after discharge). The primary outcome measure was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire at the last follow-up evaluation. Secondary outcome measures included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire, functional and strength tests, and knee range of motion. The noninferiority margin was set at 9% for the WOMAC. RESULTS: The demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients were similar at baseline. At the last follow-up evaluation, the mean differences between the groups with regard to the WOMAC gains, adjusted for baseline values, were near zero (for 182 patients in the per-protocol analysis): -1.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.6%, 2.3%) for the total score, -1.6% (95% CI: -5.9%, 2.8%) for pain, -0.7% (95% CI: -6.8%, 5.4%) for stiffness, and -1.8% (95% CI: -5.9%, 2.3%) for function. The confidence intervals were all within the predetermined zone of noninferiority. The secondary outcomes had similar results, as did the intention-to-treat analysis, which was conducted afterward for 198 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated the noninferiority of in-home telerehabilitation and support its use as an effective alternative to face-to-face service delivery after hospital discharge of patients following a total knee arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation provided through home visits is part of the continuum of care after discharge from hospital following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). As demands for rehabilitation at home are growing and becoming more difficult to meet, in-home telerehabilitation has been proposed as an alternate service delivery method. However, there is a need for robust data concerning both the effectiveness and the cost of dispensing in-home telerehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to document, analyze, and compare real costs of two service delivery methods: in-home telerehabilitation and conventional home visits. METHODS: The economic analysis was conducted as part of a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) on telerehabilitation for TKA, and involved data from 197 patients, post-TKA. Twice a week for 8 weeks, participants received supervised physiotherapy via two delivery methods, depending on their study group allocation: in-home telerehabilitation (TELE) and home-visit rehabilitation (VISIT). Patients were recruited from eight hospitals in the province of Quebec, Canada. The TELE group intervention was delivered by videoconferencing over high-speed Internet. The VISIT group received the same intervention at home. Costs related to the delivery of the two services (TELE and VISIT) were calculated. Student's t tests were used to compare costs per treatment between the two groups. To take distance into account, the two treatment groups were compared within distance strata using two-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs). RESULTS: The mean cost of a single session was Can $93.08 for the VISIT group (SD $35.70) and $80.99 for the TELE group (SD $26.60). When comparing both groups, real total cost analysis showed a cost differential in favor of the TELE group (TELE minus VISIT: -$263, 95% CI -$382 to -$143). However, when the patient's home was located less than 30 km round-trip from the health care center, the difference in costs between TELE and VISIT treatments was not significant (P=.25, .26, and .11 for the <10, 10-19, and 20-29 km strata, respectively). The cost of TELE treatments was lower than VISIT treatments when the distance was 30 km or more (30-49 km: $81<$103, P=.002; ≥50 km: $90<$152, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study of the actual costs of in-home telerehabilitation covering all subcosts of telerehabilitation and distance between the health care center and the patient's home. The cost for a single session of in-home telerehabilitation compared to conventional home-visit rehabilitation was lower or about the same, depending on the distance between the patient's home and health care center. Under the controlled conditions of an RCT, a favorable cost differential was observed when the patient was more than 30 km from the provider. Stakeholders and program planners can use these data to guide decisions regarding introducing telerehabilitation as a new service in their clinic. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Registered Clinical Study Number (ISRCTN): 66285945; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN66285945 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6WlT2nuX4).

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BACKGROUND: The assessment of muscle function is a cornerstone in the management of subjects who have sustained a lateral ankle sprain. The ankle range of motion being relatively small, the use of preloading allows to measure maximal strength throughout the whole amplitude and therefore to better characterize ankle muscles weaknesses. This study aimed to assess muscle strength of the injured and uninjured ankles in subjects with a lateral ankle sprain, to document the timeline of strength recovery, and to determine the influence of sprain grade on strength loss. METHODS: Maximal torque of the periarticular muscles of the ankle in a concentric mode using a protocol with maximal preloading was tested in 32 male soldiers at 8 weeks and 6 months post-injury. FINDINGS: The evertor muscles of the injured ankles were weaker than the uninjured ones at 8 weeks and 6 months post-injury (P<0.0001, effect size=0.31-0.42). Muscle weaknesses also persisted in the plantarflexors of the injured ankles at 8 weeks (P=0.0014, effect size=0.52-0.58) while at 6 months, only the subjects with a grade II sprain displayed such weaknesses (P<0.0001, effect size 0.27-0.31). The strength of the invertor and dorsiflexor muscles did not differ between sides. INTERPRETATION: The use of an isokinetic protocol with preloading demonstrates significant but small strength deficits in the evertor and plantarflexor muscles. These impairments may contribute to the high incidence of recurrence of lateral ankle sprain in very active individuals.

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BACKGROUND: Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) has often been considered an injury leading to localized joint impairments affecting the musculoskeletal system. Persistent chronic ankle instability and bilateral alterations in motor control after a first ankle sprain episode suggest that the origin of relapses might be a maladaptive reorganization of central motor commands. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare the quality of motor control through motor strategy variables of two groups (with and without LAS) from a military population (n = 10/group), (2) to evaluate the contribution of the lower limbs and the trunk to global body strategy and (3) to identify which global variable best estimates performance on the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) for each group, reaching direction, and lower limb. METHODS: Personal and clinical characteristics of the participants of both groups were collected. Their functional ability was measured using questionnaires and they performed a series of functional tests including the SEBT. During this test, the maximal reach distance (MRD) and biomechanical data were collected to characterize whole body and segmental strategies using a 3D motion capture system. RESULTS: At maximal lower limb reach, participants with LAS had a smaller variation in their vertical velocity in lowering-straightening and lowered the body centre of mass less for all injured limb conditions and some conditions with the uninjured lower limb. The global body centre of mass variables were significantly correlated to SEBT performance (MRD). CONCLUSION: Modifications in global motor strategies were found in participants with LAS as well as a decreased performance on the SEBT for the injured and uninjured lower limbs. These results support the hypothesis that following LAS, there may be a maladaptive reorganization of the central motor commands. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3b.

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UNLABELLED: The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) has frequently been used to measure motor control and residual functional deficits at different stages of recovery from lateral ankle sprain (LAS) in various populations. However, the validity of the measure used to characterize performance--the maximal reach distance (MRD) measured by visual estimation--is still unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the concurrent validity of the MRD in the SEBT estimated visually vs the MRD measured with a 3D motion-capture system and evaluate and compare the discriminant validity of 2 MRD-normalization methods (by height or by lower-limb length) in participants with or without LAS (n = 10 per group). RESULTS: There is a high concurrent validity and a good degree of accuracy between the visual estimation measurement and the MRD gold-standard measurement for both groups and under all conditions. The Cohen d ratios between groups and MANOVA products were higher when computed from MRD data normalized by height. CONCLUSION: The results support the concurrent validity of visual estimation of the MRD and the use of the SEBT to evaluate motor control. Moreover, normalization of MRD data by height appears to increase the discriminant validity of this test.

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