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Objective: To investigate whether sensitivity to movement‐evoked pain (SMEP), central sensitivity symptom burden, and quantitative sensory testing (QST) outcomes differ between healthy controls and people with chronic shoulder pain. Methods: People with chronic shoulder pain (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 26) completed validated questionnaires measuring demographic, pain characteristics, psychological factors, social support, sleep quality, central sensitivity inventory (CSI), and physical activity levels. A blinded assessor administered QST measuring pressure pain threshold, temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation, and cold hyperalgesia. All participants performed repeated lifting of weighted canisters and reported severity of pain over successive lifts of the weighted canisters. Between‐group differences in the QST, SMEP and CSI scores were investigated. Demographic and psychosocial variables were adjusted in the analyses. Results: Dynamic mechanical allodynia, mechanical temporal summation, movement‐evoked pain scores, SMEP index, and CSI scores were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in the chronic shoulder pain group than in healthy controls. A significant proportion of people with chronic shoulder pain presented with pro‐nociceptive profiles and experienced higher pain severity, interference, and disability. Conclusions: People with chronic shoulder pain displayed symptoms and signs of central sensitization. Future research should investigate the predictive role of central sensitization on clinical outcomes in shoulder pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today’s modern day context, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) become the mantra for businesses as it can be seen as a strategic approach for firms to be succeed in their business endeavours. Hence, it remains the most widely used concept to refer to organizational- stakeholder relationships. An understanding about a stakeholder approach to CSR is an important means for a firm to enhance their commitment to operate in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner. In support with above arguments, this article presents a theoretical proposition based on stakeholder theory for better CSR and firm performance. By drawing upon classic work in the field, the paper offers conceptual discussion and then systematically develops a means of stakeholder approach into corporate CSR strategy. The aim of this paper is to demonstrates the need for a firm to enhance further understanding about the role of stakeholders in the context of corporate CSR strategy, which is increasingly necessary in view of the fact that business entities are absolutely essential for economic development, but at the same time, their business activities pose a huge impact to society and the environment. Thus, firm's CSR disclosure is a pivotal tool to establish a relationship of working together with the stakeholders that ensures mutual benefit and continue to be a firm that is needed by society. This article contributes to the literature by providing a fundamental explanation of how a business should embrace responsibility for the impact of its activities on the stakeholders across various levels of the value chain. By doing so, firms are offered a means to take a much more proactive approach to CSR through the stakeholder approach which is precisely helpful in measuring the effectiveness of any CSR initiative on the society to foster business sustainability.

In line with the implementation of value added tax (VAT) by 160 countries, Malaysia has taken its own path with the introduction of goods and services tax (GST) starting from 1 April 2015 to replace its previous tax system. This new tax system has been announced on 25 October 2013, which has given about 17 months for businesses and people in Malaysia to make a complete preparation for GST. GST is proven to be the fairer tax system to overcome the previous one which was not only limited in scope, but also came with a number of inherent weaknesses. Therefore, in order to achieve the desired awareness regarding GST, it is essential that all Malaysians have the required level of understanding in terms of its concepts, scopes, charges and mechanisms. This paper discusses the benefits of GST for the nation in the long run as well as the negative perceptions from the public. This should reveal the additional steps to be taken by the regulators in ensuring a better comprehension of this new tax system among the citizens as a support for the government’s tax reform, which has been programmed for Malaysia to move towards a high-income nation.

Objective: Alteration in somatosensory function has been linked to pain experience in individuals with joint pain. In this systematic review we aimed to establish the level of evidence of associations between psychological, social, physical activity, and sleep measures and somatosensory function that were assessed via quantitative sensory testing (QST) among individuals with joint pain. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in 6 electronic databases from their inception to July 2019. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality using a modified Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool and supplemented with recommendations from the Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Review of Prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS) checklist and the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS‐2) tool. The level of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system. Data were pooled to evaluate the strength of the relationships of interest. Results: Seventeen studies related to joint pain were included. Pain catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, and physical activity level have been shown to have a significant (small to fair) association with several QST measures. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) is the only measure that was found to be consistently correlated with all the domains. The overall quality of evidence for all factors ranged from very low to moderate. Subgroup analysis revealed a stronger association for depression and pain catastrophizing and PPT and temporal pain summation in individuals with shoulder pain. Conclusion: Psychological factors and physical activity levels are associated with somatosensory function in people with joint pain. These factors need to be adjusted when establishing predictive relationships between somatosensory function and pain outcomes in individuals with joint pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence and severity of phantom limb pain (PLP) does not differ much between the extremities of amputation. However, its impact on functional ability and quality of life in lower limb amputation may be different, as prosthetic weight bearing is a key component in the movement and functional rehabilitation of individuals with a lower limb amputation. Objective: To evaluate the evidence for effectiveness or efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in the management of PLP in adults with lower limb amputation. Methods: A comprehensive literature search conducted on 11 electronic databases, from their inception to 25 March 2016 identified 626 potentially relevant articles. Full-text randomised controlled trials in English which examined any form of non-pharmacologic intervention for managing PLP in lower limb amputees were included. The data with regard to characteristics of the studies, participants, intervention and outcome measures and overall statistical result were extracted. The Cochrane ‘Risk of bias assessment tool’ was used to assess the bias of all included articles. Results: Four studies met the final criteria to be included in the review. Four treatment techniques had been used in the treatment of 204 patients with lower limb amputation. Two trials showed a positive impact of intervention on PLP compared to control group. Risk of bias varied across studies, and only one included study was assessed as having a low risk of bias. Conclusion: The review identified lack of evidence to support non-pharmacological interventions in the management of PLP. Adequately powered high-quality trials are needed in this area to inform rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soccer involves many physically challenging actions and engaging in such activities can induce a decline in performance due to physical fatigue which predisposes players to develop injuries. The present study aimed to examine the impact of post-match fatigue on functional performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetry Index (LSI) in adolescent soccer players., Methods: Thirty-eight adolescent male soccer players (15-18 years) completed a battery of functional performance measures (Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, 10 m sprint, agility T-test, and Single leg hop for distance (SLHD) test). The data collection started prior to a soccer match and consisted of two testing sessions; two hours before the match, while the subsequent testing session was performed within two hours immediately following the match., Results: The study results revealed a significant effect of post-match fatigue on change of direction abilities and SLHD (moderate effect size). However, no significant differences were observed in the 10 m sprint test and LSI (P>0.05)., Conclusions: Functional performance measures such as agility test and SLHD test can detect physical ability changes due to post-match fatigue in adolescent soccer players. The study findings offer insightful and practical information on the importance of employing field-based functional performance measures in monitoring players' recovery following a game.