The study findings formally identified altered motor control strategies and alterations of respiratory function in subjects with sacroiliac joint pain. The changes observed appear to represent a compensatory strategy of the neuromuscular system to enhance force closure of the pelvis where stability has been compromised by injury.

Physiotherapy education is changing, and educators are increasingly concerned about the levels of stress observed in students. Considerable research has investigated stressors in medical and nursing students; however, studies of physiotherapy students were conducted more than a decade ago. This study examined the sources of stress, perceived course difficulty, and hours of paid employment in undergraduate physiotherapy students in Western Australia (WA) and the United Kingdom (UK). The Undergraduate Sources of Stress questionnaire was administered to students in all years of Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) programs (n = 249 WA; n = 161 UK) and a Master of Physiotherapy (graduate entry) program (n = 24 WA) with an overall response rate of 70%. Academic concerns were rated highest for all students, particularly the amount to learn, time demands of the course, and conflict with other activities. The course was perceived to be more difficult than expected by 71% of students. Although the mean (SD) hours per week worked in paid employment by WA and UK students is 12.52 (13.90) and 7.16 (4.02), respectively, there was no correlation between any stress subscale and number of hours worked. Reducing the amount of content and revision of the outcomes of physiotherapy curricula could potentially reduce academic stress.

The current physiotherapy management of patients undergoing coronary artery surgery in 22 public and 13 private hospitals across Australia and New Zealand was examined using a questionnaire survey. Respondents were asked to identify assessment and treatment techniques used in the pre- and post-operative management. An 83 per cent response from physiotherapists was obtained. Ninety-four per cent of respondents reported that pre-operative assessment was performed routinely. Eighty-nine per cent of respondents indicated that all patients were treated routinely by physiotherapists in the post-extubation period. Positioning and deep breathing exercises were the most commonly used techniques for patients post-extubation. Factors determining treatment choice and the impact of research on current physiotherapy practice are discussed.