title: A randomized comparative trial of generalized vs targeted physiotherapy in the management of childhood hypermobility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Joint hypermobility, common in childhood, can be associated with severe pain and significant morbidity. Physiotherapy, the mainstay of treatment, lacks a robust evidence base. This study is aimed at determining the best physiotherapy intervention in managing childhood hypermobility.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized comparative trial (RCT) compared a 6-week generalized programme, improving muscular strength and fitness, with a targeted programme aimed at correcting motion control of symptomatic joints. Patients were assessed on symptom scores (pain/global-impact), function, muscle strength and fitness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-seven children, aged 7-16 years with symptomatic hypermobility, were randomly assign to receive a targeted (T; n = 30) or generalized (G; n = 27) programme. Statistically significant improvements were demonstrated in both the children's and parental pain scores across both the randomized groups between baseline and follow-up assessments (P < 0.05). However, the difference in improvement between the groups was not statistically significant. Child's assessment of change in pain score: mean difference (95% CI) T - G, 3.97 (-15.59, 20.85) at the end of treatment and 9.41 at 3-month follow-up (-17.42, 36.24). At the end of treatment, parental assessment of change in pain score, T - G was: -0.27 (-15.05, 14.50) and at 3-month follow-up it was: -9.48 (-26.40, 7.43). Change in parental global assessment was statistically significant, in favour of targeted physiotherapy at final assessment: -21.29 (-40.03, -2.55).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first physiotherapy RCT for treating hypermobility. It demonstrated significant and sustained reduction in pain when both groups were combined, but did not detect any difference between the groups. This study provides normative and methodological data for future studies of hypermobility.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials, www.controlled-trials.com, ISRCTN58523390.
authors: Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Kemp
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Roberts
authors: Carrol
authors: C
authors: Gamble
authors: Stuart
authors: S
authors: Wilkinson
authors: Joyce E
authors: JE
authors: Davidson
authors: Eileen M
authors: EM
authors: Baildam
authors: Andrew Gavin
authors: AG
authors: Cleary
authors: Liza J
authors: LJ
authors: McCann
authors: Michael W
authors: MW
authors: Beresford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome