David Kietrys

• Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Background Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common overuse injury among runners, affecting females at a higher rate than males. PFP can often become chronic, with evidence suggesting it may be linked to both peripheral and central sensitization of the nervous system. Sensitization of the nervous system can be identified through quantitative sensory t...

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare disability in people with HIV and peripheral neuropathy to those without neuropathy and explore how neuropathy and other relevant factors are associated with disability. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants completed the Brief Pain Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory II, World...

Background: Achilles tendinopathy is a common overuse injury sustained by athletes (including runners) that often becomes chronic. There is evidence that chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions exhibit signs of nervous system sensitization. Hypothesis/Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare pain sensitivity (pressure pain threshold [PPT...

Study Design Systematic literature review with meta-analysis. Background Management of patellofemoral pain (PFP) may include the utilization of manual therapy (MT) techniques to the patellofemoral joint, surrounding soft tissues, and/or lumbopelvic region. Objectives To determine the effectiveness of MT, used alone or as an adjunct intervention,...

Background: This pilot study determined the feasibility of a specifically designed 8-week yoga program for people with moderate multiple sclerosis (MS)–related disability. We explored the program's effect on quality of life (QOL) and physical and mental performance. Methods: We used a single-group design with repeated measurements at baseline, pos...

This study aimed to determine the effects of input device type, texting style, and screen size on upper extremity and trapezius muscle activity and cervical posture during a short texting task in college students. Users of a physical keypad produced greater thumb, finger flexor, and wrist extensor muscle activity than when texting with a touch scre...

Dry needling is a therapeutic intervention that has been growing in popularity. It is primarily used with patients that have pain of myofascial origin. This review provides background about dry needling, myofascial pain, and craniofacial pain. We summarize the evidence regarding the effectiveness of dry needling. For patients with upper quarter myo...

Background: Distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) is a common complication of HIV disease. Its effects on quality of life (QOL) and function have not been well described. Objective: The study objectives were: (1) to compare QOL and lower extremity function in people with HIV-related DSP and people with HIV disease who do not have DSP, (2) to deter...

We examined roles of loading and inflammation on forearm bones in a rat model of upper extremity overuse. Trabecular structure in distal radius and ulna was examined in three groups of young adult rats: 1) 5% food-restricted that underwent an initial training period of 10 min/day for 5 weeks to learn the repetitive task (TRHF); 2) rats that underwe...

This excerpt was created in the absence of an abstract. highlights the findings and application of Cochrane reviews and other evidence pertinent to the practice of physical therapy. The Cochrane Library is a respected source of reliable evidence related to health care. Cochrane systematic reviews explore the evidence for and against the effectivene...

Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is associated with hyperalgesic zones in muscle called myofascial trigger points. When palpated, active myofascial trigger points cause local or referred symptoms, including pain. Dry needling involves inserting an acupuncture-like needle into a myofasc...

We sought to determine if tendon inflammatory and histopathological responses increase in aged rats compared to young rats performing a voluntary upper extremity repetitive task, and if these changes are associated with motor declines. Ninety-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the rat model of upper extremity overuse: 67 aged and 29 young...

The authors elucidate exposure-response relationships between repetitive tasks, inflammation, and motor changes with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Using a rat model of reaching and handle pulling, they examined effects of performing a high-repetition, low-force (HRLF); low-repetition, high-force (LRHF); or high-repetition, high-force (HRH...

As physical therapists who have been working since the 1980s with patients diagnosed with HIV, it was a pleasure to read this well-done study.1 The Bauer et al article clearly reflects the fact that many individuals with HIV today have a greatly different set of problems and comorbidities than those affected in the 1980s, a time when HIV …

Repetitive motion disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and focal hand dystonia, can be associated with tasks that require prolonged, repetitive behaviors. Previous studies using animal models of repetitive motion have correlated cortical neuroplastic changes or peripheral tissue inflammation with fine motor performance. However, the possibilit...

Performance of high repetition tasks with or without force is associated with peripheral tissue inflammation, decreased nerve function and motor dysfunction. Here, we examined whether a low repetition task with negligible force (LRNF) produces fewer tissue and behavioral pathologies than previously observed with high repetition tasks using our rat...

Upper limb movement degration with performance of repetitive reaching in a rat model

At-work exercises are commonly recommended for computer operators. This randomized control trial assessed adherence, pain and satisfaction after 4 weeks of at-work exercise. Subjects (n=72) were randomized into 3 groups: resistance exercise, stretching, and control. Outcomes included a satisfaction survey, a visual analogue pain scale (VAS), a pain...

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of change in video display terminal (VDT) height from desktop height (96.5 cm [38 in]) to an elevated position (109.2 cm [43 in]) on postural angles of the head and neck and the effect on cervical spine flexion moments. Twenty-seven persons (3 male, 24 female) who spent at least 3 hours per day...