Low-level laser therapy versus trunk stabilization exercises on sternotomy healing after coronary artery bypass grafting: a randomized clinical trial

The role of photobiomodulation in accelerating bone repair

Bone repair is faced with obstacles such as slow repair rates and limited bone regeneration capacity. Delayed healing even nonunion could occur in bone defects, influencing the life quality of patients severely. Photobiomodulation (PBM) utilizes different light sources to derive beneficial therapeutic effects with the advantage of being non-invasive and painless, providing a promising strategy for accelerating bone repair. In this review, we summarize the parameters, mechanisms, and effects of PBM regulating bone repair, and further conclude the current clinical application of PBM devices in bone repair. The wavelength of 635-980 nm, the output power of 40-100 mW, and the energy density of less than 100 J/cm2 are the most commonly used parameters. New technologies, including needle systems and biocompatible and implantable optical fibers, offer references to realize an efficient and safe strategy for bone repair. Further research is required to establish the reliability of outcomes from in vivo and in vitro studies and to standardize clinical trial protocols.

Barriers and Facilitators to Delivering Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review

Objective

The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the literature on barriers and facilitators that influence the provision and uptake of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (ICR).

Methods

A literature search was conducted using PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and AgeLine. Studies were included if they were published in English after the year 2000 and focused on adults who were receiving some form of ICR (eg, exercise counselling and training, education for heart-healthy living). For studies meeting inclusion criteria, descriptive data on authors, year, study design, and intervention type were extracted.

Results

The literature search resulted in a total of 44,331 publications, of which 229 studies met inclusion criteria. ICR programs vary drastically and often focus on promoting physical exercises and patient education. Barriers and facilitators were categorized through patient, provider and system level factors. Individual characteristics and provider knowledge and efficacy were categorized as both barriers and facilitators to ICR delivery and uptake. Team functioning, lack of resources, program coordination, and inconsistencies in evaluation acted as key barriers to ICR delivery and uptake. Key facilitators that influence ICR implementation and engagement include accreditation and professional associations and patient and family-centred practices.

Conclusion

ICR programs can be highly effective at improving health outcomes for those living with CVDs. Our review identified several patient, provider, and system-level considerations that act as barriers and facilitators to ICR delivery and uptake. Future research should explore how to encourage health promotion knowledge amongst ICR staff and patients.

Trunk stabilising exercises promote sternal stability in patients after median sternotomy for heart valve surgery: a randomised trial

QUESTION

What is the effect of trunk stabilising exercises on sternal stability in women who have undergone heart valve surgery via median sternotomy?

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-six women aged 40 to 50 years who had undergone heart valve surgery via median sternotomy 7 days before enrolment.

INTERVENTION

All participants in both groups received cardiac rehabilitation during hospitalisation and three times per week for 4 weeks after discharge. In addition, participants in the experimental group were prescribed a regimen of trunk stabilising exercises to be performed three times per week for 4 weeks. At each exercise session, each of 11 exercises were to be performed with five to ten repetitions.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was sternal separation (the distance between the two halves of the bisected sternum). The secondary outcome was the Sternal Instability Scale from 0 (no instability) to 3 (an unstable sternum with substantial movement or separation). Measures were taken before and after the 4-week intervention period.

RESULTS

After the 4-week intervention period, the experimental group had a greater decrease in sternal separation by 0.09 cm (95% CI 0.07 to 0.11). The experimental group was twice as likely to improve by at least one grade on the Sternal Instability Scale by 4 weeks (RR 2.00, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.75). The experimental group was almost three times as likely to have a clinically stable sternum (grade 0 on the Sternal Instability Scale) by 4 weeks (RR 2.75, 95% CI 1.07 to 7.04).

CONCLUSION

Trunk stabilising exercises were an effective and feasible method of promoting sternal stability in women who underwent heart valve surgery via median sternotomy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04632914.

The history of light therapy in hospital physiotherapy and medicine with emphasis on Australia: Evolution into novel areas of practice

Objective: The objective of this narrative review was to investigate the history of light therapy in hospital settings, with reference to physiotherapy and particularly in an Australian context.Types of articles and search method:a review of available literature was conducted on PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar using keywords light therapy, photobiomodulation, physiotherapy, low-level laser, heliotherapy. Physiotherapy textbooks from Sydney University Library were searched. Historical records were accessed from the San Hospital library. Interviews were conducted with the San Hospital Chief Librarian and a retired former Head Physiotherapist from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.Summary: Historically, light treatment has been used in both medical and physiotherapy practice. From its roots in ancient Egypt, India, and Greece, through to medieval times, the modern renaissance in 'light as therapy ' was begun by Florence Nightingale who, in the 1850s, advocated the use of clean air and an abundance of sunlight to restore health. Modern light therapy (phototherapy) had a marked uptake in use in medicine in Scandinavia, America, and Australia from 1903, following the pioneering work of Niels Finsen in the late 19th century, which culminated in Dr Finsen receiving the Nobel Prize for Medicine for the treatment of tuberculosis scarring with ultraviolet (UV) light, and treatment of smallpox scarring with red light. Treatment with light, especially UVB light, has been widely applied by physiotherapists in hospitals for dermatological conditions since the 1950s, particularly in Australia, Scandinavia, USA, England and Canada. In parallel, light treatment in hospitals for hyperbilirubinemia was used for neonatal jaundice. Since the 1980s light was also used in the medical specialties of ophthalmology, dermatology, and cardiology. In more recent years in physiotherapy, light was mostly used as an adjunct to the management of orthopedic/rheumatological conditions. Since the 1990s, there has been global use of light, in the form of photobiomodulation for the management of lymphedema, including in supportive cancer care. Photobiomodulation in the form of low-level laser has been used by physiotherapists and pain doctors since the 1990s in the management of chronic pain. The use of light as therapy is exemplified by its use in the San Hospital in Sydney, where light therapy was introduced in 1903 (after Dr. John Harvey Kellogg visited Niels Finsen in Denmark) and is practiced by nurses, physiotherapists and doctors until the present day. The use of light has expanded into new and exciting practices including supportive cancer care, and treatment of depression, oral mucositis, retinopathy of prematurity, and cardiac surgery complications. Light is also being used in the treatment of neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and multiple sclerosis. The innovative uses of light in physiotherapy treatment would not be possible without the previous experience of successful application of light treatment.Conclusion: Light therapy has had a long tradition in medicine and physiotherapy. Although it has fallen somewhat out of favour over the past decades, there has been a renewed interest using modern techniques in recent times. There has been continuous use of light as a therapy in hospitals in Australia, most particularly the San Hospital in Sydney where it has been in use for almost 120 years.

Analysis of sternal healing after median sternotomy in low risk patients at midterm follow-up: retrospective cohort study from two centres

Background

For low risk patients undergoing median sternotomies, no midterm follow-up studies involving sternal healing have been conducted. In this study we evaluated sternal healing in low risk patients by chest CT scan and the risk factors associated with poor healing were analyzed.

Methods

Patients who underwent sternal median incision heart surgery from September 2014 to March 2015 were recruited. The clinical information of these patients during hospitalization was collected, and the CT scan data were submitted to the two chief physicians of the Radiology Department for radiographical sternal healing score determination. Based on the method of wound closure, the patients were divided into sternum plate (Plates) and wire groups (Wires).

Results

Forty-four patients were recruited. The mean CT examination time was 17.27 ± 2.30 months postoperatively. Twenty-nine (65.9%) patients met the criteria for radiographic sternal healing. Three segments, including the aortopulmonary window, the main pulmonary artery, and the aortic root, had healed less in comparison to the manubrium segment. Compared to patients in whom 6–7 metal wires were used for sternal closure, healing of the lower sternum was worse in patients in whom five wires were used, but the difference in healing was not statistically significant. Univariate analysis of sternal healing showed that patient age was a risk factor for sternal non-healing. When the patient age was > 45 years, the predicted risk of radiographic sternal non-union was 1.833 (95% CI: 1.343–2.503).

Conclusions

At the mid-term follow-up, 65.9% of patients undergoing median sternotomies demonstrated radiographic sternal healing. Age, but not closure device, was a risk factor for sternal non-healing in low risk patients. Use of more wires had a positive impact on sternal healing.

Trial registration

researchregistry4918, registered 28 May 2019, retrospectively registered.