Search

There is no choice other than rehabilitation as a practical medical treatment to restore impairments or improve activities after acute treatment in people with spinal cord injury (SCI); however, the effect is unremarkable. Therefore, researchers have been seeking effective pharmacological treatments. These will, hopefully, exert a greater effect when combined with rehabilitation. However, no review has specifically summarized the combinatorial effects of rehabilitation with various medical agents. In the current review, which included 43 articles, we summarized the combinatorial effects according to the properties of the medical agents, namely neuromodulation, neurotrophic factors, counteraction to inhibitory factors, and others. The recovery processes promoted by rehabilitation include the regeneration of tracts, neuroprotection, scar tissue reorganization, plasticity of spinal circuits, microenvironmental change in the spinal cord, and enforcement of the musculoskeletal system, which are additive, complementary, or even synergistic with medication in many cases. However, there are some cases that lack interaction or even demonstrate competition between medication and rehabilitation. A large fraction of the combinatorial mechanisms remains to be elucidated, and very few studies have investigated complex combinations of these agents or targeted chronically injured spinal cords.

Background: There are several tools to assess functional and physical status in critical ill patients. These tools can guide rehabilitation strategies in Intensive care units (ICU). However, they are not standardized, and this can compromise their applicability. The aim of the study is to identify common contents between International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and Medical Research Council sum score (MRC-ss), Functional Status Score for the ICU (FSS-ICU), and Physical Function in ICU Test-scored (PFIT-s). As well as to propose a new assessment approach based on the ICF to ICU patients., Methods: Pilot cross-sectional study. ICU in-patients, both genders, aged between 50 and 75 years were assessed with MRC-ss, FSS-ICU, PFIT-s and the linking rules used were proposed by Cieza et al. The inter-rater agreement for the linking process was performed using the Kappa coefficient., Results: The ICF categories identified in the tools covered a total of 14 items. Common contents were identified in 13 of the 14 and two were related to body functions, six to body structures and five to activities and participation. The inter-rater agreement was considered substantial for the linking of MRC-ss (k = 0.665) and PFIT-s (k = 0.749) to the ICF, and almost perfect for the FSS-ICU (k = 0.832)., Conclusions: This study synthesizes and categorizes commonly used tools and presents a new proposal based on the ICF to guide future studies. The proposed model combines the ICF with the contents of the most relevant instruments used in critical care., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

This study aimed to determine the effect of interprofessional education (IPE) activities on professional level occupational and physical therapy student perception of their competency and their actual observed competency in interprofessional collaboration. The effect of three IPE activities embedded within occupational therapy and physical therapy curricula were measured. Significant changes were noted in the students' perception of their interprofessional collaboration using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey (ICCAS) Revised tool, following each of the three activities. Analysis of the Interprofessional Collaborator Assessment Rubric (ICAR)-Modified revealed "expected" proficiency level with no significant difference between occupational and physical therapy students. The study found from a program evaluation perspective that IPE activities generate immediate positive changes, but longitudinal or cumulative development was not detected. This program evaluation also supports the need for an IPE assessment to measure and track longitudinal development of interprofessional collaborative competencies across the curriculum.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease among the human population worldwide. OA causes functional impairment, leads to disability and poses serious socioeconomic burden. The rehabilitation offers a function-oriented method to reduce the disability using diverse interventions (kinesiotherapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, education, and pharmacotherapy). OA as a widespread disease among elderly patients is often treated by rehabilitation specialists and physiotherapists, however the results of rehabilitation are sometimes unsatisfactory. The understanding of molecular mechanisms activated by rehabilitation may enable the development of more effective rehabilitation procedures. Molecular biology methods may prove crucial in rehabilitation as the majority of rehabilitation procedures cannot be estimated in double-blinded placebo-controlled trials commonly used in pharmacotherapy. This article attempts to present and estimate the role of molecular biology in the development of modern rehabilitation. The role of clinicians in adequate molecular biology experimental design is also described.

Introduction: In the US, rising numbers of patients who misuse illicit or prescribed opioids provides opportunities for physical therapists (PTs) to be engaged in their care. Prior to this engagement, it is necessary to understand the perceptions of patients who access physical therapy services about their PTs playing such a role. This project examined patients' perceptions of PTs addressing opioid misuse., Methods: We surveyed patients, newly encountering outpatient physical therapy services in a large University-based healthcare setting, via anonymous, web-based survey. Within the survey, questions were rated on a Likert scale (1 = completely disagree to 7 = completely agree) and we evaluated responses of patients who were prescribed opioids versus those who were not., Results: Among 839 respondents, the highest mean score was 6.2 (SD = 1.5) for "It is OK for physical therapists to refer their patients with prescription opioid misuse to a specialist to address the opioid misuse." The lowest mean score was 5.6 (SD = 1.9) for "It is OK for physical therapists to ask their patient why they are misusing prescription opioids." Compared to those with no prescription opioid exposure while attending physical therapy, patients with prescription opioid exposure had lower agreement that it was OK for the physical therapist to refer their patients with opioid misuse to a specialist (β = -.33, 95% CI = -0.63 to -0.03)., Conclusions: Patients attending outpatient physical therapy seem to support PTs addressing opioid misuse and there are differences in support based on whether the patients had exposure to opioids.

Objective: The aim: To evaluate physical therapy in the prevention of disability in long-lived persons., Patients and Methods: Materials and methods: The study was conducted over a period of 4 months in a group of 27 patients treated at the Residential Care Facility in Szydłowiec. Most patients were over the age of 90 years (68%), with a mean age of 88 years. They underwent physical therapy cycles and their functional status was doc¬umented. Physical therapy included selected physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy methods adjusted to the physical fitness of each patient. Treatment efficacy was monitored using the standardised ADL and Barthel Index scales, which allowed for functional status assessments., Results: Results: The study found that physical therapy improved physical fitness in study patients after 4 months. Appropriate physical therapy and rehabilitation conducted in this group of patients helped considerably improve their objective and subjective condition, including their functional status and degree of independence., Conclusion: Conclusions:1. Chronic musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, nervous system and other disorders are an important aspect of old age. 2. Appropriate physical therapy and rehabilitation in this group of patients helps considerably improve their objective and subjective condition, including their functional status. 3. Providing appropriate care for the elderly is a challenge for healthcare systems.

To achieve better quality and efficiency of care and services for clients, social and health care professionals should be educated to adopt an interprofessional way of working and thinking. This requires the development of an interprofessional identity alongside a professional identity. The process must be facilitated comprehensively in social and health care operations. The aim of this observational and cross-sectional mixed-method study was to investigate readiness and perceived development needs concerning interprofessional work among social and health care students and professionals. Furthermore, the aim was to examine the formation of an interprofessional identity in relation to the theoretical framework of interprofessional socialization. In our results, development needs, expressed by the respondents, were categorized at the system, profession, and individual levels of social and health care. Although, positive attitudes were established among students and professionals, our findings demonstrate that the formation of an interprofessional identity requires comprehensive support from social and health care operations. Interprofessional identity can be enhanced especially by applying and developing interprofessional education and lifelong learning.

This study was designed to increase our understanding about characteristics and the impact of sensory symptoms (SS) and signs of hyperarousal (HA) in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) from childhood through early adulthood and by gender. Data derived from the Fragile X Online Registry With Accessible Research Database (FORWARD), a natural history study of FXS, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate linear and logistic regression models to examine SS and signs of HA, their impact on behavioral regulation and limitations on the subject/family. The sample (N = 933) consisted of 720 males and 213 females. More males were affected with SS (87% vs. 68%) and signs of HA (92% vs. 79%). Subjects who were endorsed as having a strong sensory response had more comorbidities, including behavioral problems. The predominant SS was difficulty with eye gaze that increased with age in both genders. As individuals age, there was less use of non-medication therapies, such as occupational therapy (OT)/physical therapy (PT), but there was more use of psychopharmacological medications and investigational drugs for behaviors. Multiple regression models suggested that endorsing SS and signs of HA was associated with statistically significantly increased ABC-C-I subscale scores and limited participation in everyday activities. This study improves our understanding of SS and signs of HA as well as their impact in FXS. It supports the need for more research regarding these clinical symptoms, especially to understand how they contribute to well-known behavioral concerns.

Background: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of rehabilitation is growing rapidly. Therefore, there is a need to understand how physical therapists (PTs) perceive AI technologies in clinical practice., Objective: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitude of PTs regarding AI applications in rehabilitation based on multiple explanatory factors., Methods: A web-based Google Form survey, which was divided into 4 sections, was used to collect the data. A total of 317 PTs participated voluntarily in the study., Results: The PTs' knowledge about AI applications in rehabilitation was lower than their knowledge about AI in general. We found a statistically significant difference in the PTs' knowledge regarding AI applications in the rehabilitation field based on sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.43, 95% CI 1.53-3.87; P<.001). In addition, experience (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.11-2.87; P=.02) and educational qualification (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.05-2.70; P=.03) were found to be significant predictors of knowledge about AI applications. PTs who work in the nonacademic sector and who had <10 years of experience had positive attitudes regarding AI., Conclusions: AI technologies have been integrated into many physical therapy practices through the automation of clinical tasks. Therefore, PTs are encouraged to take advantage of the widespread development of AI technologies and enrich their knowledge about, and enhance their practice with, AI applications., (©Mashael Alsobhi, Fayaz Khan, Mohamed Faisal Chevidikunnan, Reem Basuodan, Lama Shawli, Ziyad Neamatallah. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 20.10.2022.)

Health professionals are beginning to use yoga as a treatment modality. However, evidence explaining physical therapists' integration of yoga in clinical practice is lacking., Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore how, why, and with whom physical therapists integrate yoga into clinical practice., Design: This study is a secondary analysis of qualitative data collected during a larger multi-methods study. Thematic analysis of 13 interviews was conducted., Results: Analysis indicated four themes, and six subthemes. Facilitating yoga in clinical practice and yoga training themes; including evaluation of outcomes, billing, terminology, and safety subthemes describe how physical therapists are using yoga in clinical practice. The perceived client outcomes theme, including physical and psychosocial outcomes explain why physical therapists use yoga in practice. The yoga with clinical populations theme addresses with whom physical therapists are using yoga., Conclusion: Physical therapists are using yoga with individuals with various health conditions to improve their physical and mental health. Findings support the need for physical therapists to increase their assessment and documentation of functional outcomes associated with client's yoga participation. Documentation could contribute to evidence-based literature related to how, why, and with whom physical therapists are using yoga. Documented outcomes could also provide rationale for yoga to receive classification as a reimbursable complementary and integrative health approach. Future research involving a larger, diverse sample (e.g., physical therapists with varying levels of education and yoga training) focused on how, why, and with whom physical therapists integrate yoga into clinical practice is recommended., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Comprehending English medical terms represents a major obstacle for medical students, especially the none-native English speaking learners that might lead some of them to failure sometimes. This study was intended to examine the usefulness of a "pre-lecture medical terminology guide" in improving those students' academic achievement and class participation during their study of a physiotherapy course. A two-cycle approach of intervention was followed implementing a written pre-lecture guide in the first cycle, and a written pre-lecture guide with a 5-minute explanatory lecture in the second cycle. The obtained results showed a slight improvement in students' scoring in the first cycle, but a significant one during the second cycle. In addition, the findings revealed students' preference of pre-lecture medical terminology guide with a 5-minute explanatory lecture as an effective teaching method for them to understand the medical terms in English. The students also showed a positive feedback towards the pre-lecture guide and felt it helped them understand and memorize difficult medical vocabulary more easily. They also believed that the same technique should be used with other physiotherapy classes.

Health professionals' roles and scopes often overlap, creating a need for role clarity in interprofessional teamwork. Yet, such clarity does not mean roles are fixed within teams and some literature suggests role flexibility can enhance team functioning. Interprofessional practice competencies and learning activities often emphasize knowledge and definition of roles, but rarely attend to the dynamic nature of roles and influential contextual factors. This study explores role fluidity in interprofessional student groups using an activity theory framework. Using a collective instrumental case study approach, the authors examine the fluidity of one physical therapy (PT) student's role within 3 different interprofessional (medical, pharmacy, PT) student groups completing nursing home patient care plans. Field notes, group debriefing interviews, and care plans were collected and coded from all care planning sessions. Codes mapped to group-specific activity systems that compared role-influencing interactions and tensions. The PT student's role fluidity varied in each group's activity system, influenced primarily by system tensions from implicit rules (e.g., encouraging questions), division of labor (e.g., rigid profession-based task assignment), and tool use (e.g., computers). Attention to modifiable system elements, such as tool use and explicit rules of inclusivity, could foster role fluidity and improve interprofessional teamwork and learning environments.

Background: Studies have reported unmet health needs in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). This study illustrated and analysed patterns of healthcare services utilization among people with intellectual disability and compared their use to that of the general population. Method: Participants (N = 791, aged 15-82) were mainly recruited through government-financed agencies specializing in services for people with intellectual disabilities in Québec, Canada. Comparisons were possible by using health administrative data. Results: Some services were more used by people with intellectual disability than the general population (general medicine, psychiatry, PSA blood tests), and others were accessed at significantly lower frequencies (optometry, physiotherapy, Pap tests). Similar rates were found for mammography, dentistry and psychology. Inequities were more salient for individuals who had more severe levels of intellectual disability. Conclusions: Our findings support that the population with intellectual disability would benefit from policies and practices aimed at enhancing the access to healthcare services.

Objective: Exercise is beneficial for individuals who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or cancer. Healthcare providers are well placed to discuss exercise with their patients, but their referral practices and the content of exercise recommendations remain unclear. Method: Cardiologists and oncologists completed an online survey comprising four closed-ended questions and one open-ended question to assess exercise recommendation and referral practices. Chi-square tests were used to compare the frequency of closed-ended responses, and open-ended responses were coded and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Of the 154 surveys, 58 were returned (n = 25; 43.1% cardiologists, and n = 33; 56.9% oncologists). Respondents (M[subscript age] = 45.5 ± 11.1) were mostly men (62.1%). The majority of cardiologists (95.8%) and oncologists (78.1%) reported referring patients to hospital-based exercise programmes. In this study, the cardiologists were more likely to refer patients to certified exercise physiologists (X[superscript 2](1) = 6.140, p = 0.021), whereas oncologists were more likely to refer to physical therapists (X[superscript 2](1) = 11.764, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Findings reveal that cardiologists and oncologists discussed and recommended exercise to their patients at least some or most of the time; there were differences in the type of exercise professionals they were referred to; and exercise recommendations were variable and infrequently concurred with established guidelines.