Full text
25,072 characters
· extracted from
preprint-html
· click to expand
Evaluating the Efficacy of a Hybrid Physical Therapy Technology: A Pilot Study on Wearable Sleeves within a Veteran Patient Population | medRxiv /* */ /* */ <!-- <!-- /*! * yepnope1.5.4 * (c) WTFPL, GPLv2 */ (function(a,b,c){function d(a){return"[object Function]"==o.call(a)}function e(a){return"string"==typeof a}function f(){}function g(a){return!a||"loaded"==a||"complete"==a||"uninitialized"==a}function h(){var a=p.shift();q=1,a?a.t?m(function(){("c"==a.t?B.injectCss:B.injectJs)(a.s,0,a.a,a.x,a.e,1)},0):(a(),h()):q=0}function i(a,c,d,e,f,i,j){function k(b){if(!o&&g(l.readyState)&&(u.r=o=1,!q&&h(),l.onload=l.onreadystatechange=null,b)){"img"!=a&&m(function(){t.removeChild(l)},50);for(var d in y[c])y[c].hasOwnProperty(d)&&y[c][d].onload()}}var j=j||B.errorTimeout,l=b.createElement(a),o=0,r=0,u={t:d,s:c,e:f,a:i,x:j};1===y[c]&&(r=1,y[c]=[]),"object"==a?l.data=c:(l.src=c,l.type=a),l.width=l.height="0",l.onerror=l.onload=l.onreadystatechange=function(){k.call(this,r)},p.splice(e,0,u),"img"!=a&&(r||2===y[c]?(t.insertBefore(l,s?null:n),m(k,j)):y[c].push(l))}function j(a,b,c,d,f){return q=0,b=b||"j",e(a)?i("c"==b?v:u,a,b,this.i++,c,d,f):(p.splice(this.i++,0,a),1==p.length&&h()),this}function k(){var a=B;return a.loader={load:j,i:0},a}var l=b.documentElement,m=a.setTimeout,n=b.getElementsByTagName("script")[0],o={}.toString,p=[],q=0,r="MozAppearance"in l.style,s=r&&!!b.createRange().compareNode,t=s?l:n.parentNode,l=a.opera&&"[object Opera]"==o.call(a.opera),l=!!b.attachEvent&&!l,u=r?"object":l?"script":"img",v=l?"script":u,w=Array.isArray||function(a){return"[object Array]"==o.call(a)},x=[],y={},z={timeout:function(a,b){return b.length&&(a.timeout=b[0]),a}},A,B;B=function(a){function b(a){var a=a.split("!"),b=x.length,c=a.pop(),d=a.length,c={url:c,origUrl:c,prefixes:a},e,f,g;for(f=0;f<d;f++)g=a[f].split("="),(e=z[g.shift()])&&(c=e(c,g));for(f=0;f<b;f++)c=x[f](c);return c}function g(a,e,f,g,h){var i=b(a),j=i.autoCallback;i.url.split(".").pop().split("?").shift(),i.bypass||(e&&(e=d(e)?e:e[a]||e[g]||e[a.split("/").pop().split("?")[0]]),i.instead?i.instead(a,e,f,g,h):(y[i.url]?i.noexec=!0:y[i.url]=1,f.load(i.url,i.forceCSS||!i.forceJS&&"css"==i.url.split(".").pop().split("?").shift()?"c":c,i.noexec,i.attrs,i.timeout),(d(e)||d(j))&&f.load(function(){k(),e&&e(i.origUrl,h,g),j&&j(i.origUrl,h,g),y[i.url]=2})))}function h(a,b){function c(a,c){if(a){if(e(a))c||(j=function(){var a=[].slice.call(arguments);k.apply(this,a),l()}),g(a,j,b,0,h);else if(Object(a)===a)for(n in m=function(){var b=0,c;for(c in a)a.hasOwnProperty(c)&&b++;return b}(),a)a.hasOwnProperty(n)&&(!c&&!--m&&(d(j)?j=function(){var a=[].slice.call(arguments);k.apply(this,a),l()}:j[n]=function(a){return function(){var b=[].slice.call(arguments);a&&a.apply(this,b),l()}}(k[n])),g(a[n],j,b,n,h))}else!c&&l()}var h=!!a.test,i=a.load||a.both,j=a.callback||f,k=j,l=a.complete||f,m,n;c(h?a.yep:a.nope,!!i),i&&c(i)}var i,j,l=this.yepnope.loader;if(e(a))g(a,0,l,0);else if(w(a))for(i=0;i (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];var j=d.createElement(s);var dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.src='//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;j.type='text/javascript';j.async=true;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-P4HH5NV'); Skip to main content Home About Submit ALERTS / RSS Search for this keyword Advanced Search Evaluating the Efficacy of a Hybrid Physical Therapy Technology: A Pilot Study on Wearable Sleeves within a Veteran Patient Population Jeremy Truntzer , Shannon Gorman doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.21.25320682 Jeremy Truntzer 1 Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto Division , Palo Alto California, USA MD Find this author on Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for this author on this site For correspondence: truntzer{at}stanford.edu Shannon Gorman 1 Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto Division , Palo Alto California, USA PT, DPT Find this author on Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for this author on this site Abstract Full Text Info/History Metrics Data/Code Preview PDF Abstract Introduction Traditional musculoskeletal rehabilitation presents a range of challenges that can hinder patient recovery. Cost, access and travel place a significant burden on many health care systems. We completed a pilot study using a wearable biosleeve to determine if such technology might help address many of the current challenges. Methods Patients were enrolled following knee arthroscopy to receive hybrid physical therapy utilizing a wearable sleeve that tracks joint angles and biometrics in conjunction with a web-based platform that allows provider visibility to patient completion data for assigned protocols. Results Ten patients, who completed a three-month rehabilitation program, experienced successful outcomes with no adverse events. No difference in adverse outcomes or failure to achieve acceptable motion was found in patients that completed hybrid therapy (in-person and digital) or digital-based therapy alone. Conclusion While larger studies are required, this study serves as an important launching point for the potential benefits of integrating wearable technology in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Introduction Traditional physical rehabilitation for musculoskeletal care presents a range of challenges that can impact patient outcomes. Such traditional means often requires in-person interaction, either at the home or the outpatient setting, subjecting the process to delays in initiation, high costs, and patient resources in the form of transportation and inconvenience. Further, the accuracy and resolution of tools are inadequate, limiting objective measurement capability. Access to therapy remains perhaps the most critical issue. Availability of physical therapy services can vary significantly, particularly in rural or underserved communities where physical therapists are scarce. 1 – 3 This inconsistency in access can lead to disparities in recovery outcomes, as patients may not receive the necessary rehabilitation due to travel or service availability constraints. 4 Moreover, delay in care is a known contributor to adverse outcomes and preventable factor leading to secondary procedures. Waiting 28 days to see a PT can be detrimental to the short- and long-term outcomes of MSK injuries. 5 , 6 Access to board-certified specialist physical therapists is even more limited. When telehealth options are offered to patients, there is variability in what “telehealth” means; for example, over a third of Medicare beneficiaries receiving remote care were only offered a phone visit, even though 65% of those patients were video capable. 7 The financial burden associated with multiple physical therapy sessions can be considerable. Research indicates that the average cost of physical therapy can vary widely, with some sessions ranging from $50 to $350, depending on the facility and geographic location. This variability often restricts access for many patients, particularly those in lower socio-economic brackets. 8 , 9 Studies report therapy-associated costs exceeding $2500 following common procedures, with variation depending on insurance provider. 10 The high costs call into question the adequacy of coverage for therapy despite clear importance. 11 Additionally, the travel burden to therapy appointments can negatively impact patient compliance and engagement. Patients living far from rehabilitation centers often find adhering to a prescribed therapy regimen challenging due to the associated time and costs of travel. Studies have shown that such logistical barriers can result in decreased therapeutic adherence and overall treatment efficacy. 10 Multiple studies have identified that telehealth visits have a lower no-show rate than in-person visits, suggesting that increasing the availability of telehealth therapy may improve patient adherence to therapy. 12 , 13 In response to the numerous challenges in the current physical therapy landscape, providers and patients are turning to emerging technologies and pathways. Wearable devices present an innovative solution to address these challenges by offering customizable rehabilitation programs, remote engagement and objective data feedback to both patient and provider. However, even with newer technology, there remains gaps in measurement capability and patient engagement. This pilot program aimed to assess the initial efficacy and safety of a wearable technology in the post-operative setting that provides cost effective and accurate measurement of motion features such as joint angles and biosignals. The integrated solution was tested within a select Veteran patient population. Methods Veteran patients (n=10) who underwent knee arthroscopy with a single fellowship-trained surgeon were enrolled in this pilot study. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and all patients signed a consent prior to enrollment. The participants were enrolled in a post-operative therapy program and equipped with the OpenMotion AI (Saratoga, CA) BioSleeve™ - a flexible garment with a mesh of embedded sensors ( FIGURE 1 ). Patients were instructed to wear the sleeve during prescribed rehabilitation exercises only. Initiation of home therapy with the sleeve was started within the first week of therapy. Phased protocols were customized by providers and assigned to patients based on the operative procedure within the Open Motion AI Kaleidoscope™ web-application ( FIGURE 2 ). Sleeves tracked motion, biomechanical features such as joint angles, and biosignals such as vital signs – data which are then transmitted to the web-based platform. Patients were monitored via standard clinic visits or telehealth video appointments with the surgeon. Analytics and visualizations were provided to both patients and providers accessible via the application portal. Patients completed at home therapy using the wearable sleeve often along with routine outpatient therapy per prior arrangement. Patient satisfaction and adverse events were recorded. Download figure Open in new tab FIGURE 1: Lower Extremity Open Motion AI Biosleeve Download figure Open in new tab FIGURE 2: Kaleidoscope web-application interface that pairs with the Open Motion AI Biosleeve Results A total of ten patients were enrolled in the study and successfully completed a 3-month course. All 10 patients were Veterans, male, aged 36.3 (range 24-64 yrs) ( TABLE 1 ). Laterality included six right knees and four left knees. Seven of the patients received outpatient in-person therapy compared with three that engaged in remote digital therapy only using the wearable sleeve. Six of the patients traveled over 90 miles for surgical care, thus completed surgical follow-up care via telehealth video visits. View this table: View inline View popup Download powerpoint TABLE 1: Patient Characteristics At the completion of the study all patients obtained full range of motion as determined by exceeding or meeting pre-operative levels. No skin or adverse events were reported related to use of the wearable sleeve. Four patients reported challenges with onboarding due to charging issues of the sleeve that were resolved by the company support team. In all cases, care was not delayed more than 3 days. All patients noted high satisfaction with the technology and would consider using the wearable sleeve in the future. Discussion This pilot study indicates that the utilization of a hybrid therapy model including a wearable sleeve in combination with a digital rehabilitation program may positively impact post- operative recovery from musculoskeletal injury. The absence of adverse events highlights the safety of this technology, while the achievement of full range of motion in all participants suggests its potential efficacy in improving rehabilitation outcomes. Additionally, the model is promising for addressing several of the challenges in the broader context of current physical therapy practices. Consideration of digital physical therapy has gained traction recently given the multiple limitations of conventional therapy. The Covid pandemic is also responsible for accelerating adoption. Studies have noted high retention rates and patient satisfaction with digital therapy. 14 , 15 Digital therapy has proven a viable model for shoulder ailments. 16 – 18 Similarly, effective results are reported for telehealth models following total hip and knee arthroplasty. 19 – 21 Within the Veteran population specifically, where access barriers to care are well-known, telehealth models have shown great promise for expanding timely musculoskeletal care. 22 Hatch et al found that success in telehealth utilization increased with rural location, living far away from a VA facility, and high co-payments within a Veteran population. 23 A study assessing functional mobility in wheeled mobility devices found larger and clinically significant changes in transfer scores with telehealth compared to in-person care. 24 Although not explored directly in this pilot program, multiple studies have demonstrated the cost-value of digital and telehealth platforms for rehabilitation. 25 Telehealth-based physical therapy following hip arthroscopy led to significant savings compared to in-person models. 26 Significant cost savings were also reported for the treatment of chronic knee pain. 27 ’ Conclusion Overall, digital rehabilitation has proven a viable, effective, and resource saving model across various musculoskeletal domains. Our pilot program provides further evidence for the potential to improve physical therapy via shared objective data, easy engagement, analytics, and telehealth capabilities. Larger studies are needed across various health care models to further evaluate and confirm cost savings, safety, outcomes and generalizability. Data Availability All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors References 1. ↵ Rogers MJ , Penvose I , Curry EJ , et al. Medicaid Health Insurance Status Limits Patient Accessibility to Rehabilitation Services Following ACL Reconstruction Surgery . Orthop J Sports Med 2018 ; 6 ( 4 ):2325967118763353; doi: 10.1177/2325967118763353 . OpenUrl CrossRef 2. Rogers MJ , Penvose I , Curry EJ , et al. Insurance status affects access to physical therapy following rotator cuff repair surgery: A comparison of privately insured and Medicaid patients . Orthop Rev (Pavia) 2019 ; 11 ( 2 ): 7989 ; doi: 10.4081/OR.2019.7989 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 3. ↵ Curry EJ , Penvose IR , Knapp B , et al. National disparities in access to physical therapy after rotator cuff repair between patients with Medicaid vs. private health insurance . JSES Int 2021 ; 5 ( 3 ): 507 – 511 ; doi: 10.1016/j.jseint.2020.11.006 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 4. ↵ Grona SL , Bath B , Busch A , et al. Use of videoconferencing for physical therapy in people with musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review . J Telemed Telecare 2018 ; 24 ( 5 ): 341 – 355 ; doi: 10.1177/1357633×17700781 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 5. ↵ Ojha HA , Wyrsta NJ , Davenport TE , et al. Timing of physical therapy initiation for nonsurgical management of musculoskeletal disorders and effects on patient outcomes: A systematic review . Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 2016 ; 46 ( 2 ): 56 – 70 ; doi: 10.2519/JOSPT.2016.6138/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/JOSPT-56-FIG001.JPEG . OpenUrl CrossRef 6. ↵ Denninger TR , Cook CE , Chapman CG , et al. The Influence of Patient Choice of First Provider on Costs and Outcomes: Analysis From a Physical Therapy Patient Registry . Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 2018 ; 48 ( 2 ): 63 – 71 ; doi: 10.2519/JOSPT.2018.7423/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/JOSPT-63-FIG001.JPEG . OpenUrl CrossRef 7. ↵ Benjenk I , Franzini L , Roby D , et al. Disparities in Audio-only Telemedicine Use Among Medicare Beneficiaries During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic . Med Care 2021 ; 59 ( 11 ): 1014 – 1022 ; doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000001631 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 8. ↵ Wagner ER , Solberg MJ , Higgins LD . The Utilization of Formal Physical Therapy After Shoulder Arthroplasty . J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018 ; 48 ( 11 ): 856 – 863 ; doi: 10.2519/JOSPT.2018.8176 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 9. ↵ Atarere J , Agudile E , Orhurhu V , et al. Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in the Utilization of TKA Among Patients with Posttraumatic Knee Osteoarthritis: Estimates from the United States National Inpatient Sample, 2011-2018 . JB JS Open Access 2022 ; 7 ( 3 ); doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.22.00017 . OpenUrl CrossRef 10. ↵ Arshi A , Kabir N , Cohen JR , et al. Utilization and Costs of Postoperative Physical Therapy After Rotator Cuff Repair: A Comparison of Privately Insured and Medicare Patients . Arthroscopy 2015 ; 31 ( 12 ): 2392 - 2399 .e1; doi: 10.1016/J.ARTHRO.2015.06.018 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 11. ↵ Pyrz K , Hargreaves M , Wood A , et al. Does Insurance Provide Adequate Coverage for Physical Therapy Visits for Common Orthopedic Diagnoses? A Survey Study . South Med J 2024 ; 117 ( 7 ): 353 – 357 ; doi: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000001707 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 12. ↵ Shao CC , Katta MH , Smith BP , et al. Reducing no-show visits and disparities in access: The impact of telemedicine . J Telemed Telecare 2024 ; doi: 10.1177/1357633×241241357 . OpenUrl CrossRef 13. ↵ Haar C ter , Class Q , Kobak W , et al. Evaluation of telehealth services in a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic . Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022 ; 226 ( 3 ): S1341 ; doi: 10.1016/J.AJOG.2021.12.124 . OpenUrl CrossRef 14. ↵ Costa F , Janela D , Molinos M , et al. Telerehabilitation of acute musculoskeletal multi-disorders: prospective, single-arm, interventional study . BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022 ; 23 ( 1 ); doi: 10.1186/S12891-021-04891-5 . OpenUrl CrossRef 15. ↵ Xiang XN , Wang ZZ , Hu J , et al. Telehealth-Supported Exercise or Physical Activity Programs for Knee Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis . J Med Internet Res 2024 ; 26 ; doi: 10.2196/54876 . OpenUrl CrossRef 16. ↵ Pak SS , Janela D , Freitas N , et al. Comparing Digital to Conventional Physical Therapy for Chronic Shoulder Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial . J Med Internet Res 2023 ; 25 ; doi: 10.2196/49236 . OpenUrl CrossRef 17. Janela D , Costa F , Molinos M , et al. Digital Rehabilitation for Elbow Pain Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study . Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 ; 19 ( 15 ); doi: 10.3390/IJERPH19159198 . OpenUrl CrossRef 18. ↵ Lin YJ , Chung CY , Chen CPC , et al. The Feasibility and Efficacy of Remote App-Guided Home Exercises for Frozen Shoulder: A Pilot Study . Healthcare (Basel) 2024 ; 12 ( 11 ); doi: 10.3390/HEALTHCARE12111095 . OpenUrl CrossRef 19. ↵ Moffet H , Tousignant M , Nadeau S , et al. Patient Satisfaction with In-Home Telerehabilitation After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial . Telemed J E Health 2017 ; 23 ( 2 ): 80 – 87 ; doi: 10.1089/TMJ.2016.0060 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 20. Bini SA , Mahajan J. Clinical outcomes of remote asynchronous telerehabilitation are equivalent to traditional therapy following total knee arthroplasty: A randomized control study . http://dx.doi.org/101177/1357633X16634518 2016 ; 23 ( 2 ): 239 – 247 ; doi: 10.1177/1357633X16634518 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 21. ↵ Correia FD , Nogueira A , Magalhães I , et al. Digital Versus Conventional Rehabilitation After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Single-Center, Parallel-Group Pilot Study . JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol 2019 ; 6 ( 1 ); doi: 10.2196/14523 . OpenUrl CrossRef 22. ↵ Areias AC , Doverspike D , Brostek DF , et al. Transforming Veteran Rehabilitation Care: Learnings from a Remote Digital Approach for Musculoskeletal Pain . Healthcare (Basel) 2024 ; 12 ( 15 ): 1518 ; doi: 10.3390/healthcare12151518 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 23. ↵ Hatch MN , Martinez RN , Etingen B , et al. Characterization of Telehealth Use in Veterans With Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders . PM R 2021 ; 13 ( 10 ): 1094 – 1103 ; doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12515 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 24. ↵ Bell M , Schein RM , Straatmann J , et al. Functional Mobility Outcomes in Telehealth and In-Person Assessments for Wheeled Mobility Devices . Int J Telerehabil 2020 ; 12 ( 2 ): 27 – 34 ; doi: 10.5195/ijt.2020.6335 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 25. ↵ Marks D , Kitcher S , Attrazic E , et al. The Health Economic Impact of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Delivered by Telehealth: A Systematic Review . Int J Telerehabil 2022 ; 14 ( 2 ): e6524 ; doi: 10.5195/IJT.2023.6524 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed 26. ↵ Horton BS , Marland JD , West HS , et al. Transition to Telehealth Physical Therapy After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Pilot Study With Retrospective Matched-Cohort Analysis . Orthop J Sports Med 2021 ; 9 ( 4 ); doi: 10.1177/2325967121997469 . OpenUrl CrossRef 27. ↵ Mecklenburg G , Smittenaar P , Erhart-Hledik JC , et al. Effects of a 12-Week Digital Care Program for Chronic Knee Pain on Pain, Mobility, and Surgery Risk: Randomized Controlled Trial . J Med Internet Res 2018 ; 20 ( 4 ); doi: 10.2196/JMIR.9667 . OpenUrl CrossRef View the discussion thread. Back to top Previous Next Posted January 22, 2025. Download PDF Data/Code Email Thank you for your interest in spreading the word about medRxiv. NOTE: Your email address is requested solely to identify you as the sender of this article. Your Email * Your Name * Send To * Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas. You are going to email the following Evaluating the Efficacy of a Hybrid Physical Therapy Technology: A Pilot Study on Wearable Sleeves within a Veteran Patient Population Message Subject (Your Name) has forwarded a page to you from medRxiv Message Body (Your Name) thought you would like to see this page from the medRxiv website. Your Personal Message CAPTCHA This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Share Evaluating the Efficacy of a Hybrid Physical Therapy Technology: A Pilot Study on Wearable Sleeves within a Veteran Patient Population Jeremy Truntzer , Shannon Gorman medRxiv 2025.01.21.25320682; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.21.25320682 Share This Article: Copy Citation Tools Evaluating the Efficacy of a Hybrid Physical Therapy Technology: A Pilot Study on Wearable Sleeves within a Veteran Patient Population Jeremy Truntzer , Shannon Gorman medRxiv 2025.01.21.25320682; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.21.25320682 Citation Manager Formats BibTeX Bookends EasyBib EndNote (tagged) EndNote 8 (xml) Medlars Mendeley Papers RefWorks Tagged Ref Manager RIS Zotero Tweet Widget Facebook Like Google Plus One Subject Area Orthopedics Subject Areas All Articles Addiction Medicine (568) Allergy and Immunology (863) Anesthesia (299) Cardiovascular Medicine (4425) Dentistry and Oral Medicine (443) Dermatology (382) Emergency Medicine (607) Endocrinology (including Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Disease) (1507) Epidemiology (15221) Forensic Medicine (30) Gastroenterology (1123) Genetic and Genomic Medicine (6588) Geriatric Medicine (667) Health Economics (997) Health Informatics (4524) Health Policy (1368) Health Systems and Quality Improvement (1612) Hematology (540) HIV/AIDS (1264) Infectious Diseases (except HIV/AIDS) (15910) Intensive Care and Critical Care Medicine (1103) Medical Education (623) Medical Ethics (145) Nephrology (667) Neurology (6588) Nursing (346) Nutrition (998) Obstetrics and Gynecology (1143) Occupational and Environmental Health (956) Oncology (3331) Ophthalmology (970) Orthopedics (369) Otolaryngology (420) Pain Medicine (435) Palliative Medicine (129) Pathology (663) Pediatrics (1690) Pharmacology and Therapeutics (691) Primary Care Research (710) Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology (5440) Public and Global Health (9220) Radiology and Imaging (2195) Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy (1369) Respiratory Medicine (1196) Rheumatology (593) Sexual and Reproductive Health (710) Sports Medicine (529) Surgery (710) Toxicology (99) Transplantation (289) Urology (265) (function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'9ffdb6fd2eafdfa9',t:'MTc3OTQ3Mjc2Nw=='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();
Text is read by the "Ask this paper" AI Q&A widget below.
Extraction quality varies by source — PMC NXML preserves structure
cleanly, OA-HTML may include some navigation residue, and OA-PDF can
have broken hyphenation. The publisher copy
(via DOI)
is the canonical version.