title: Clinical effectiveness of knee rehabilitation techniques and implications for a self-care treatment model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physiotherapy is a complex intervention frequently recommended for knee conditions. The International Classification of Functioning and Disability (ICF) can be used as a framework to evaluate evidence to develop care models and clinical guidelines.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of knee rehabilitation modalities categorised according to the ICF domains.
  
  
  METHODS
  A keyword search of Medline, Cinahl, Amed, Embase and Cochrane databases from 1996 to 2010 using terms related to the knee joint and physiotherapeutic interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reviewer assessment using inclusion/exclusion criteria and a quality assessment tool compiled from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Tool, Consort and Cochrane Bone Joint and Muscle Trauma Groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information about the research design, intervention and subjects was extracted. Outcome measures and findings were categorised according to ICF domains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of studies evaluated exercise. Findings were supportive but specific recommendations were limited due to variations in content and application. There was limited quality research to support the theory that manual therapy, electrotherapy or taping in isolation contributes to recovery. Multimodality physiotherapy programmes were found to be beneficial and to reflect clinical practice, but the effectiveness of each component is unknown. Outcome measures from the participation domain of the ICF were used least frequently and were not generally true measures of participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Development of participation outcome measures is required to evaluate the long-term benefits of interventions. Rehabilitation should be based around delivery of effective exercise programmes incorporating participation outcomes to provide feedback and complement self-care for knee conditions.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, School of Healthcare Studies, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. buttonk@cardiff.ac.uk
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Button
authors.forename: Arshi S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Letchford
authors.forename: Robert W M
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: van Deursen
mesh_terms: D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome