Emerging Trends in the Field of Physical Therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Riffat Mehboob
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Geriatric Population

There are some major advancements trending in Physical therapy field including wearable vibrating posture sensors, gait-correcting insoles monitoring devices such as Fitbit video games programmed to make treatment sessions moreenjoyable, and sensors for helmets that warn sports persons and physiotherapists of possible impacts causing concussion1. With the invention of the Ekso suit, an aluminum and titanium exoskeleton that allows patients/clients facing different stages of paralysis or hemiparesis with movement, the Berkeley-based Ekso Bionics Company set new standards in rehabilitation facilities and gait training. Moreover for patients/clients suffering from neurologicalimpairments which are traumatic brain injury, strokes, and cerebral paralysis, another promising option for rehab therapists are therapy robots, which help therapists with exercises and can accelerate recovery. More andmore clinicians have begun integrating the Xbox Kinect and Nintendo Wii into therapy plans over the past few years. Wii games are designed to use motion-sensitive controls and repeated motions equivalent to physical therapy. In addition tohelping victims of stroke and people suffering from knee surgery, video game workouts have been found to help people recover from brain injury and patients in ICUs. The application of virtual reality technology in PT has expanded afascinating, interactive treatment session in a virtual world to virtual reality rehab. The CAREN-Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) VR system is designed to support stroke patients or patients with seriousinjuries, geriatric population with disability and improve their sense of stability and mobility2. The Recovery Tracker software from Reflexing Health offers advised client-specific videos with  proper instructions and guidelines, trainingresources, and exercises. The software allowstherapists to track client's success plus monitor his/her progress in real time and in addition allows them to visually check their clients carrying out the exercises with the help of Kinectcamera. In 2010, Chase Curtiss created “Sway”, a solution for concussion management that highlights the forever present risks linked with chronic or untreated head injuries, to assist "health professionals manage objective balanceand reaction time virtually testing in any setting.” Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Utah is working on wearables that notify when the gait speed of a patient decreases, so that they can intervene before a patient falls.These devices can be used within and outside of the clinic to monitor patients, while offering actual measures which avoid exhaustion or injury.Physical therapy is a hands-on field, and will always be, but for sure technology canalways play a significant part. Progresses in r o b o t i c s a n d b i o n i c s a r e h e l p i n g physiotherapists to diagnose more reliably and boost treatment efficiencies which in addition enhance patient/client involvement andcompliance with Home Exercise Program(HEP). All of this results in an improved patient/client experience, eventually leading to enhanced and long-term outcomes in return.

scholarly journals Novel Physical Therapy Protocol Targeting Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy Improves Patient Reported Outcomes that Persist For 1 Year

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0028
Author(s):  
Meghan Kelly ◽  
Ashlee MacDonald ◽  
Rachel Olson ◽  
Grace Weyand ◽  
Ruth Chimenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
One Year ◽  
Therapy Protocol

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (IAT) affects 5% of the general population and up to 20% of the athletic population. Despite trials of non-surgical management such as physical therapy and heels lifts, more than 50% of patients ultimately pursue surgery. One hypothesis regarding the development of IAT pain and stiffness is that ankle dorsiflexion and associated calcaneal impingement causes transverse compression of the tendon insertion, inducing metaplastic changes within the Achilles tendon, and bursa, contributing to inflammation. Thus the aim of the current study is to examine the effect of a home exercise program designed to minimize compression of insertional tissues for patients with IAT on patient reported outcomes (PRO) measures at 3 months and one year. Methods: Thirty-five patients with IAT were enrolled in the study from May 2014 until June 2015 as two separate cohorts (21 and 14 patients, respectively) of whom 26 completed the study (mean age: 56.7 + 10.1 years, BMI: 29.5 + 6.0 kg/m2, 58% women). One patient elected for surgery prior to completing the physical therapy protocol. Physical therapy exercises were progressive eccentric loading of the Achilles tendon and seated isometric plantar flexion that were performed 4 times a week for 3 months. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment – Achilles (VISA-A), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and the SF-36 questionnaires were completed at baseline and at the completion of the 3-month physical therapy protocol. Six of the 14 patients in the second cohort returned for a 1 year follow up visit; four patients were lost to follow up and 4 had undergone surgical intervention prior to 1-year follow up. Results: Completion of the 3 month protocol resulted in statistically significant improvements in VISA-A, FAAM ADL and sports scores as well as multiple subcategories of the SF-36 (physical function, role limiting physical function, energy/vitality, social functioning and general pain). Twenty-two of the 26 patients (~85%) that completed the study had clinically significant, greater than MCID, improvements in their VISA-A and/or FAAM scores. In the second cohort, all six patients that returned for a one year follow up assessment maintained their improved VISA-A and FAAM scores observed at the end of the initial physical therapy protocol. Of the four patients that underwent surgical intervention prior to follow up, two did not demonstrate improvement in any of their outcomes following the initial study period. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that a physical therapy home exercise program utilizing eccentric and isometric Achilles exercises may result in a greater improvement in functional outcomes compared to other exercise programs that do not progressively increase both ankle dorsiflexion and Achilles tendon loading. Furthermore, improvements in pain and function result in increased energy and social wellbeing. Finally, symptomatic improvement that occurs after 3 months is likely to persist for at least one year following initial treatment.

Adult patient perceptions on the effectiveness of scoliosis specific exercises

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Sbihli ◽  
F Tudini ◽  
K Chui
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Primary Investigator ◽  
General Physical ◽  
Survey Responses

There is a paucity of research focusing on adults with scoliosis, yet many of these individuals suffer from pain and disability. Recent literature has demonstrated that for this patient population general physical therapy is no better than other non-operative treatment options.[1-3] This study assessed the perceptions of the effectiveness of Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercises (PSSE) on adult scoliosis. The purpose of this study is to present the results of a retrospective analysis of how adults with scoliosis perceive that physical therapy utilizing PSSE has impacted their quality of life (QoL), function, and pain. A 10 question survey was sent via a secure server (Qualtrics) to all PSSE participating patients ≥ 18 years old from one PSSE specialty clinic from the beginning of the PSSE program, 7 years. Survey responses were anonymous, collected by someone other than the primary investigator, and statistics were calculated with SPSS 24 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results: Fifty-seven adults (88.9% female) responded to the survey (55% response rate) with 67.2% being over the age of 55 years. The majority (61.9%) felt that PT had moderately or significantly positively impacted their QoL. The most common number of PT visits ranged from 5–10, after which 71.9% of participants were either somewhat or very confident in their ability to perform their PSSE program unsupervised at home. The most common frequency of home exercise program (HEP) performance was 1-2 times per week (46.0%) for a duration of 5–40 minutes. Quantitative analysis of exercise adherence using a Spearman’s rho (rs) revealed positive associations between confidence in correctly performing the HEP with the perceived positive impact of the exercises (rs = .45, p < .001), the greater frequency of performing the HEP (rs = .30, p = .024) and greater time performing the HEP (rs = .33, p = .004). This retrospective analysis showed that 61.9% of adults with scoliosis felt that PT utilizing PSSE had moderately or significantly positively impacted their QoL. Adherence to a HEP is critical to the success of the program. Greater confidence in correctly performing the HEP was positively correlated with perceived impact, frequency and time spent exercising. The sample was limited to adults from one clinic that specializes in scoliosis and may not be generalizable to other clinics.

Clinical Experience Using a 5-Week Treadmill Training Program With Virtual Reality to Enhance Gait in an Ambulatory Physical Therapy Service

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (9) ◽  
pp. 1319-1326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Roth Shema ◽  
Marina Brozgol ◽  
Moran Dorfman ◽  
Inbal Maidan ◽  
Lior Sharaby-Yeshayahu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Clinical Experience ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Treadmill Training ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Clinical Records

BackgroundCurrent literature views safe gait as a complex task, relying on motor and cognitive resources. The use of virtual reality (VR) in gait training offers a multifactorial approach, showing positive effects on mobility, balance, and fall risk in elderly people and individuals with neurological disorders. This form of training has been described as a viable research tool; however, it has not been applied routinely in clinical practice. Recently, VR was used to develop an adjunct training method for use by physical therapists in an ambulatory clinical setting.ObjectiveThe aim of this article is to describe the initial clinical experience of applying a 5-week VR clinical service to improve gait and mobility in people with a history of falls, poor mobility, or postural instability.DesignA retrospective data analysis was conducted.MethodsThe clinical records of the first 60 patients who completed the VR gait training program were examined. Training was provided 3 times per week for 5 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 1 hour and consisting of walking on a treadmill while negotiating virtual obstacles. Main outcome measures were compared across time and included the Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG), the Two-Minute Walk Test (2MWT), and the Four Square Step Test (FSST).ResultsAfter 5 weeks of training, time to complete the TUG decreased by 10.3%, the distance walked during the 2MWT increased by 9.5%, and performance on the FSST improved by 13%.LimitationsLimitations of the study include the use of a retrospective analysis with no control group and the lack of objective cognitive assessment.ConclusionsTreadmill training with VR appears to be an effective and practical tool that can be applied in an outpatient physical therapy clinic. This training apparently leads to improvements in gait, mobility, and postural control. It, perhaps, also may augment cognitive and functional aspects.

scholarly journals Equilibrium and muscle flexibility in elderly people subjected to physiotherapeutic intervention

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariane Fernandes Ribeiro ◽  
Lislei Jorge Patrizzi ◽  
Vicente de Paula Antunes Teixeira ◽  
Ana Paula Espindula
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Therapy Group ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Functional Reach Test ◽  
Before And After

To evaluate the equilibrium and flexibility of elderly people submitted to a training program involving physical therapy exercises. Six elderly people were selected, average age 69.66 years. Wells’s Bench and the Functional Reach Test (FRT) plus Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) were employed respectively to assess muscle flexibility and balance analysis. Tests were performed before and after the exercise program which consisted of thirty-five 50 min physical therapy group sessions, twice a week, with stretching exercises, gait training, active exercises, postural correction exercises and breathing exercises. Statistical analysis was done with Sigma-Stat® 3.5. Assessments occurred before and after sessions, and the final test was undertaken after 35 sessions. There was a statistically significant increase in the flexibility of the posterior muscle chain. In the TUG test, the group achieved a shorter time after treatment, with statistical significance between tests. There was a statistically significant increase in the average FRT after the sessions. Current study showed better results in the execution of tests evaluated after the program of physiotherapy activities, contributing towards the improvement of muscle flexibility and balance of elderly people. 

scholarly journals Improvements in Gait Speed and Weight Shift of Persons With Traumatic Brain Injury and Vestibular Dysfunction Using a Virtual Reality Computer-Assisted Rehabilitation Environment

2015 ◽  
Vol 180 (3S) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinata H. Sessoms ◽  
Kim R. Gottshall ◽  
John-David Collins ◽  
Amanda E. Markham ◽  
Kathrine A. Service ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Vestibular Dysfunction ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Weight Shift

Physical Therapy Management of Adults with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (01) ◽  
pp. 036-047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Diaz ◽  
Carolyn Moore ◽  
Ashley Kane
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Motion Sensitivity

AbstractRehabilitation for individuals after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion requires emphasis on both cognitive and physical rest, with a gradual return to activity including sports. As the client becomes more active, the rehabilitation professional should pay close attention to symptoms associated with mTBI, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty concentrating. The systematic approach to return to play provided by the Berlin Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport can apply to adults with mTBI. This protocol calls for gradually increasing the intensity of physical activity while attending to postconcussion symptoms. During the incident that led to an mTBI, the injured individual may incur injuries to the vestibular and balance system that are best addressed by professionals with specific training in vestibular rehabilitation, most commonly physical therapists. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a condition in which otoconia particles in the inner ear dislodge into the semicircular canals, resulting in severe vertigo and imbalance. This condition frequently resolves in a few sessions with a vestibular physical therapist. In conditions such as gaze instability, motion sensitivity, impaired postural control, and cervicogenic dizziness, improvement is more gradual and requires longer follow-up with a physical therapist and a home exercise program. In all of the above-stated conditions, it is essential to consider that a patient with protracted symptoms of mTBI or postconcussion syndrome will recover more slowly than others and should be monitored for symptoms throughout the intervention.

Supervised physical therapy vs home exercise program for patients with distal radius fracture: A single-blind randomized clinical study

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Héctor Gutiérrez-Espinoza ◽  
David Rubio-Oyarzún ◽  
Cristian Olguín-Huerta ◽  
Rodrigo Gutiérrez-Monclus ◽  
Sebastian Pinto-Concha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Study ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Distal Radius Fracture ◽  
Distal Radius ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Radius Fracture ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Home Exercise Program ◽  
Randomized Clinical Study ◽  
Single Blind
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