3rd International Conference on Movement Dysfunction 30/10/09- 1/11/09
Kinetic Control and MACP
Rehabilitation: Art and Science
3rd International Conference-Edinburgh
The conference had an impressive international feel to it with over 600 delegates and speakers from all over the world: From Australia to United States, China and South Africa. There was a packed programme with 3 streams breaking off in the afternoon for presentation of oral abstracts and even lunchtimes were busy with the opportunity to take part in interactive demonstrations such as pilates. The research projects presented included validation of tests for assessing posterior gluteus muscle, head steadiness in whiplash subjects, scapula stabilising observations, and impairment of cortical sensory function in low back pain subjects. Overall the volume and content of the conference was much greater than 4 years ago and it was impossible to see and hear everything but the quality of the presentations and lectures was very high.

Of the keynote and guests speakers one of the major topics that came through was Classification and sub grouping which needs to be further developed in order to direct more effective management for back pain. We were challenged that present systems do not seem to work effectively and there is lack of robust evidence for sub-grouping.

There was agreement that classification needs to be done collaboratively across the world to be effective. Diagnosis and management of different presentations of back pain is still a challenge and can be hindered by patients understanding, varying validity of diagnostic tests and development of altered pain processing in the cortex.
There was a vast array of poster presentations, with subjects from psychosocial factors and outcome after total knee replacement to how a back pack waist strap affects cranio-vetebral angle. This year there were interactive poster sessions when clinicians orally presented their posters, with opportunities for listeners to ask questions. Topics again were varied and included a qualitative study of physiotherapist's perspective on the meaning of "patient centred care" and measurement of feedback mechanisms in the shoulder complex compared between hypermobile and non-hypermobile subjects.
The science of physiotherapy is moving forward at a strong pace which was reflected in this conference with a strong emphasis on quantitative studies. Anne Moore's closing remark was that there is more room for qualitative data. The art of physiotherapy is and always be that our patients are individuals who are unique. Despite the drive to have classification of conditions and the science that underpins this, our patients present with a unique set of problems and they will always be the centre of what we do.

I would like to thank the MACP , Kinetic Control and Elsevier for organising this high calibre conference. I feel proud to be part of a progressive profession.

Vicky Russell 2009