Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as a new adjuvant therapy has shown a potential capability to promote diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) healing. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ESWT on the healing of DFUs. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine and reference lists were searched for studies published up to December 2018. Randomized controlled trials of any design, including ESWT for patients with DFU, were included. Two reviewers extracted data, including the wound surface area (WSA), percentage of re-epithelialization, population of complete cure and unchanged and other related outcomes. Eight randomized controlled trials (N=339) were included. ESWT was found to be associated with a greater reduction of WSA by 1.54 cm2, and increase of re-epithelialization by 26.31%. A greater population with complete cure was found at the end of treatment (risk ratio [RR] = 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46 to 3.40); however, there was no statistically significant difference at the end of follow up (p=0.052). It can also reduce treatment inefficiency by 4.8-fold (95% CI, 0.12 to 0.37). In addition, ESWT also showed a higher superiority than hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the population for complete cure and unchanged ulcer (RR=1.83; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.94 and RR=0.25; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.48, respectively). ESWT is a feasible adjuvant treatment for DFUs. It can effectively improve the complete cure rate, shorten the healing period of DFUs and significantly reduce treatment ineffectiveness. This can provide new therapeutic ideas for clinical practice of intractable and recurrent DFUs.

Objective: Making best use of existing skills to increase service capacity is a global challenge. The aim was to systematically review physiotherapy and podiatrist prescribing and medicines management activity, including evidence of impact on patient care, levels of knowledge and attitudes towards extended medicines role. Methods: A search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases, using terms to identify prescribing and medicines management across a range of roles, was conducted from January 1985 to May 2016 for physiotherapy, and January 1968 to May 2016 for podiatry. Hand searching of citations and databases from professional organisations was undertaken. Data were extracted and analysed descriptively, and quality appraised by 2 reviewers using the mixed methods appraisal tool. Results:1316 papers were identified, and 21 included in the review. No studies were identified that reported prescribing and no studies specific to podiatry met the inclusion criteria. Physiotherapists were highly involved in administering medicines, providing medicines advice, and recommending new medicines. Patient satisfaction, cost and outcomes were equivalent when comparing physiotherapist-led injection therapy to traditional care. Pharmacology knowledge was variable and unmet training needs identified. Conclusion:Medicines management practices were identified in physiotherapy and positive outcomes of extended scope physiotherapy. There was a lack of evidence regarding podiatric practice. Review of educational preparation for medicines management is recommended along with evaluation of medicines management practice.

Introduction There is no enforced international standardisation of the physiotherapy profession. Thus, registration is used in many countries to maintain standards of care and to protect the public. However, registration may also limit international workforce mobility. Question What is known about the professional registration factors that may limit the international mobility of people holding physiotherapy qualifications? Design Systematic review using an electronic database search and hand searching of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy and International Network of Physiotherapy Regulatory Authorities websites. Analysis was conducted using thematic analysis. Results 10 articles and eight websites were included from the search strategy. Data is representative of high-income English speaking countries. Four themes emerged regarding limitations to professional mobility: practice context, qualification recognition, verification of fitness to practice, and incidental limitations arising from the registration process. Conclusion Professional mobility is limited by differences in physiotherapy education programmes, resulting in varying standards of competency. Thus, it is often necessary to verify clinical competencies through assessments, as well as determining professional attributes and ability to apply competencies in a different practice context, as part of the registration process. There has been little evaluation of registration practices, and at present, there is a need to re-evaluate current registration processes to ensure they are efficient and effective, thereby enhancing workforce mobility.

Authors' objectives: The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health is re-evaluating the reimbursement of long-term physiotherapy, defined as more than 36 physiotherapy sessions (4 bouts of 9 sessions each). This report aims to determine the feasibility of conducting a health technology assessment (HTA) of long-term physiotherapy in patients after stroke, with multiple sclerosis (MS), or with Parkinson’s disease (PD) based on clinical, economic, legal, social, ethical and organisational data identified during the scoping phase. The comparison of interest to the policy question is long-term physiotherapy compared to short-term physiotherapy. Supplementary comparisons between long-term physiotherapy and other comparators (i.e. placebo, sham, usual care and best possible care) were also sought.

Authors' objectives: This health technology assessment evaluates the effectiveness and safety of continual long-term physiotherapy for adults after a diagnosis of stroke. It also evaluates the budget impact of publicly funding continual long-term physiotherapy after stroke and the experiences, preferences, and values of people who have had a stroke.