Recent advances in musculoskeletal physiotherapy for haemophilia

Ther Adv Hematol. 2018 Jul 2;9(8):227-237. doi: 10.1177/2040620718784834. eCollection 2018 Aug.

Abstract

Physiotherapy is directed towards the movement needs and potential of individuals, providing treatment and rehabilitation to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. Recent systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials have extended evidence for the clinical efficacy of physiotherapy interventions and rehabilitation for people with haemophilia. This narrative review synthesizes recent evidence to discuss; differentiating musculoskeletal bleeding and haemophilic arthropathy, efficacy of physiotherapy and rehabilitation for acute musculoskeletal bleeding and arthropathy, as well as monitoring musculoskeletal health. Whilst robust evidence is emerging, there is a need for more well designed randomized clinical studies with larger numbers and homogeneity of participants and collaboration of all researchers and clinicians to identify a core set of outcome measures that can be used to monitor musculoskeletal health.

Keywords: arthropathy; bleeding; haemophilia; musculoskeletal; physical therapy; physiotherapy; rehabilitation.

Publication types

  • Review