Editors’ Selections From This Issue: Volume 94 / Number 2 / February 2013

The Effectiveness of a Deep Water Aquatic Exercise Program in Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast CancerSurvivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cantarero-Villanueva and colleagues investigated the impact of an aquatic exercise program on cancer-related fatigue (CRF), strength, and psychological function in 68 women with breast cancer. Participantswere randomized into 2 groups. Half participated in an 8-week, 3 times/week aquatic exercise programwhile their control group counterparts were asked to follow their oncologist’s activity recommendations.Large intergroup differences in favor of the intervention in terms of total fatigue scores, trunk curlendurance and leg strength were noted at the trial’s conclusion. Minimal effects were noted in the subjects’reported vigor, confusion, or mood. Differences had lessened, but at follow-up 6 months later, the exercisegroup continued to display significantly better fatigue scores, trunk curl endurance, and leg strengths. Theauthors conclude that an aquatic exercise program can be effective in improving CRF and strength inbreast cancer survivors. - SEE THE FULL ARTICLE AT PAGE 221

Home-Based Functional Exercises Aimed at Managing Kinesiophobia Contribute to Improving Disability

Irene Cantarero-Villanueva, PhD

Carolina Fernandez-Lao, PhD

Antonio I. Cuesta-Vargas, PhD

Rosario Del Moral-Avila, PhD

Cesar Fernandez-de-las-Penas, PhD

Manuel Arroyo-Morales, MD, PhD

and Quality of Life of Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Monticone and colleagues note that pain and fear of movement (kinesiophobia) are thought to limitperformance and proceeded to evaluate the benefits of a home-based program targeted at managingkinesiophobia in 110 adults who were completing a 15-day inpatient total knee arthroplasty rehabilitationprogram. Subjects were divided into 2 groups. Those in the intervention group were asked to continuetheir inpatient exercises on a 2 times a week schedule for 6 months and given a book containing infor-mation about the management of kinesiophobia. Control group members were advised to stay active andgradually resume their normal activities. Analysis revealed that the intervention group fared better thantheir control group counterparts in terms of disability, kinesiophobia, and quality of life, but that this effectpersisted for 6 months following the trial’s completion. - SEE THE FULL ARTICLE AT PAGE 231

Marco Monticone, MD, PhD

Simona Ferrante, PhD

Barbara Rocca, Psy

Stefano Salvaderi, MD

Roberta Fiorentini, PT

Maddalena Restelli, PT

Calogero Foti, MD

Community-Based Argentine Tango Dance Program Is Associated With Increased Activity ParticipationAmong Individuals With Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD), even in its earliest stages, often lessens community participation and quality oflife. This fact led Foster and colleagues to investigate the effects of a community-based dance program onactivity participation of 52 adults with PD. Subjects were randomized to participate in either a 12-monthprogram of twice weekly tango dance classes or to maintain their usual level of activity. Participation, asmeasured by an activity card sort measure, remained stable in the control group but increased throughoutthe year in the dance group with dance group members also reporting engagement in new activities andrecovery of those lost since the onset of PD. The investigators conclude that incorporating dance into thelives of people with PD may benefit their participation and quality of life for this population. - SEE THEFULL ARTICLE AT PAGE 240

Erin R. Foster, OTD

Laura Golden, OTD

Ryan P. Duncan, PT, DPT

Gammon M. Earhart, PhD, PT

Effects of Phonophoresis of Piroxicam and Ultrasound on Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

The clinical benefits of phonophoresis remain controversial. Luksurapan and Boonhong examined 1 aspectof this issue in 46 adults with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. Subjects were randomlyallocated into 2 groups. All received continuous wave, 1.0 watt/cm2 ultrasound (US) for 2 weeks on a 5times/week schedule with the only difference between the groups being that those allocated to phono-phoresis had a 4:11 volume ratio of 0.5% piroxicam gel mixed into the coupling agent while those in thecontrol group were treated with the coupling agent. Evaluation revealed that both groups improved overthe treatment period, but the improvements in those receiving phonophoresis tended to be larger andreached a significant intergroup difference in terms of pain but not for their overall Western Ontario andMcMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) scores. The investigators conclude that piroxicamphonophoresis appears more effective than US therapy alone in reducing the pain of patients with mild tomoderate knee osteoarthritis. - SEE THE FULL ARTICLE AT PAGE 250

Wanwadee Luksurapan, MD

Jariya Boonhong, MD