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ObjectivesTo evaluate the accuracy of detection of temperature differences among skin sites of lay individuals and manual physical therapists.MethodsForty-four manual physical therapists and 44 lay individuals were recruited. Subjects palpated two temperature-controlled surfaces that ranged in temperature between 30 and 35 °C and varied randomly by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 °C for 10 s. The subjects were then asked to identify the warmer pad.ResultsAccuracy increased with larger temperature differences. Accuracy of detection of 1 and 3 °C temperature differences was higher in manual physical therapists than lay individuals.DiscussionPalpation can be used to accurately detecting temperature differences between sites and is more accurately performed by an experienced practitioner.Level of evidence3b.

The article presents a study which describes the characteristics of disciplinary reports and actions adopted against physical therapist assistants (PTAs) by licensing boards in the U.S. during the 2000-2009 period. Methods of the study, which derived data from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, are mentioned. Practice without a valid license, failure to comply with competency requirements, and criminal conviction were revealed as the most common violations by PTAs.

The article discusses the study on the disciplinary reports taken against physical therapists by licensing boards from 2000-2009 by doctor Thomas Mohr and colleagues. It states that the methods used include descriptive statistical analysis, the use of Microsoft Excel 2010, and chi-square tests of independence. Results show that the three most common violations include practice without a valid license, violation of federal rules, and failure to comply with continuing competency requirements.