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Objective: The objective of this study is to determine whether physiotherapy and counselling students, who represent a future generation of two health professions, have differing views about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Methods: In order to determine physiotherapy and counselling students' self‐rated knowledge and beliefs about CAM and the factors which influence that understanding, a modified 10‐item CAM Health Belief Questionnaire was administered across all year groups to physiotherapy students and counselling students at two universities in Perth, Western Australia. The self‐rated paper‐based survey measured knowledge of CAM among physiotherapy and counselling students, evaluation of their beliefs regarding the use of CAM, factors that influence their knowledge and beliefs, and their likelihood of recommending CAM to future patients. Results: A response rate of 96.8% was achieved, with 387 physiotherapy students and 88 counselling students. Moderately positive beliefs about CAM were confirmed in both groups, with mean scores of 42.8/70 for physiotherapy students and 43.3/70 for counselling students. There were no significant differences between the student groups in overall self‐rated knowledge of CAM. The main factors that influenced the students' responses were personal experience for counselling students and scientific evidence for physiotherapy students. Other factors included university training, attitudes of lecturers, tutors and fellow students, cultural background, and opinions of external practitioners. Counselling students were more likely than physiotherapy students to recommend CAM therapies to their future patients. Conclusion: The results from this study demonstrate minimal self‐rated knowledge but moderately positive attitudes towards CAM by both physiotherapy and counselling students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose This paper aimed to select studies evaluating botulinum toxin (BoNT) intervention applied for upper-limb spasticity and from these identify outcome measures that are a) applicable in the hemiparetic upper limb and b) include evaluation of functional outcome in the context of everyday real-life activities. Methods A systematic search was used to identify peer-reviewed papers evaluating BoNT intervention for focal spasticity management in the upper limb. From these papers, outcome evaluation methods were identified, which attempted to capture 'active function' improvement (functional use of the hand and/or arm) or passive function improvement (care for the affected limb, for example to maintain hygiene and dress or support the arm). Results The search yielded 411 studies. Seventy papers were identified following a final review of the abstracts as potentially including evaluation of functional outcome (active and/or passive function). Following the review of the papers, a total of 22 studies contained specific methods for evaluating functional outcome in the upper limb. Discussion Three different patient-focused methods to evaluate functional outcome following focal spasticity intervention using BoNT have been identified: 1) use of patient report of upper-limb items (including the Leeds Adult Spasticity Impact Scale and the Disability Assessment Scale), 2) use of a composite measure of function incorporating functional items and 3) Goal Attainment Scaling. None of these methods fully address evaluation of functional outcome in this context but may go some way to recording these improvements. An alternative or complementary measure, recently published, is the Arm Activity Measure for evaluation of active and passive function in this context. The Arm Activity Measure addresses active and passive function changes from the perspective of patients and carers and has been developed for application in this context. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]