Analysis of programme design and aims
| Author | Stated exercise aim (title) | Method exercise aim (within text) | Reviewers’ interpretation of actual exercise aim | Fit of stated exercise aim (in text) and actual exercise | Outcome measure suitability for reviewer defined exercise aim and comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakagawa et al40 | Str | Str | NM | 0 | 1 | No patient capacity specific loading; no additional load; Assessed muscle EMG and isokinetic strength |
| Ismail et al39 | Str | Str | StrEnd | 1 | 2 | Proximal rehabilitation performed at 60% of 10 RM; No patient specific training intensity for CKC exercises reported |
| Fukuda et al23 | Str | Str | Str | 2 | 1 | Programme used 70% of ‘estimated 1 RM’ that could be performed pain free |
| Fukuda et al38 | Str | Str | Str | 2 | 1 | Programme used 70% of ‘estimated 1 RM’ that could be performed pain free |
| Razeghi et al37 | Str | Str | StrEnd | 1 | 2 | McQueen method of load progression used |
| Dolak et al24 | Str | Str | StrEnd | 1 | 2 | Load progression as % of body weight, not of muscle capacity |
| Ferber et al46 | Str | Str | StrEnd | 1 | 1 | Progression offered if exercise performed ‘too easily’, definition of ‘too easily’ not reported |
| Ferber et al42 | Str | NM | StrEnd | 1 | 1 | Clinician led load prescription, ensuring last 3 of 10 repetitions were ‘challenging’ |
| Khayambashi et al26 | Str | Str | NM | 0 | 2 | Resistance progression was generic, 3×20–25 repetitions were performed for each exercise |
| Baldon et al44 | NM/Str | NM/Str | NM/Str | 2 | 2 | NM programme 20 repetitions plus isometric holds; Str performed at 75% 1 RM 3×12 repetitions |
| Khayambashi et al43 | Str | Str | NM | 0 | 1 | Generic progression of resistance, 3×20–25 repetitions were performed for each exercise |
| Avraham et al41 | Str | Str | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear | Programme not clearly defined, repetitions dependent on patient ‘capability’; no additional load described |
| Tyler et al45 | Not stated | Str | StrEnd/NM/P | 0 | 1 | Programme described as ‘progressive resistive exercise’ but exact number of repetitions and load not described |
| Earl and Hoch25 | Str | NM | NM | 1 | 1 | Assessed kinematic change, but also assessed strength |
0=No, 1=In part, 2=Yes.
CKC, closed kinetic chain; EMG, electromyography; NM, neuromuscular (>20 repetitions, <30% 1 RM); P, power (85–100% 1 RM or 0–60% 1 RM at explosive velocity); RM, repetition maximum; Str, strength (≥70% 1 RM); StrEnd, strength endurance (30–70% 1 RM).