Breaking barriers: exploring physiotherapists' willingness and challenges in embracing telerehabilitation in a developing country.

INTRODUCTION: Telerehabilitation (TR) is an innovative approach that can address the limited availability and restricted access to rehabilitation services, particularly during challenging times such as pandemics and natural disasters. This study focuses on understanding the desires, perceptions, and barriers that physiotherapists face when implementing TR in a developing country. METHOD: The study was conducted with 219 physiotherapists residing in a developing country using a web-based survey on Google Docs. RESULT: The findings revealed that a significant majority of physiotherapists (88.1%) recognized TR as a potential solution for individuals with physical problems during the pandemic. Additionally, 89.5% expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to receive consultations from different hospitals, indicating a positive perception of TR. However, the study also highlighted certain barriers that hindered the implementation of TR. Around 40.2% of physiotherapists reported having training deficiencies, suggesting a need for educational support in utilizing TR effectively. Furthermore, the analysis of demographic factors revealed interesting insights. It was noteworthy that the age and years of experience of physiotherapists had an impact on their willingness and adoption of TR. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that physiotherapists in the developing country exhibit a positive attitude towards TR and recognize its potential benefits. However, various barriers, such as training deficiencies, need to be addressed to facilitate a broader adoption of TR in their practices. Overcoming these barriers is anticipated to heighten physiotherapists' readiness to embrace TR, ultimately enhancing the accessibility and delivery of rehabilitation services.

Rasch analysis, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version of the Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire.

Background/aim: Lumbar instability is an important condition that can be seen frequently in people with low back pain, affecting both the progression and the choice of appropriate exercise. The Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire (LSIQ) is a simple and low-cost tool for evaluating disturbed back stability in people with low back pain. The aim of this study is to develop the Turkish version of the LSIQ (LSIQ-T) and to evaluate its psychometric properties using the Rasch model. Materials and methods: One hundred participants with chronic low back pain completed the LSIQ-T. The LSIQ-T was repeated for 30 participants after 1 week to establish its test-retest reliability. While internal and external construct validity were investigated using Rasch analysis and the Spearman correlation coefficient, respectively, reliability was evaluated in terms of internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha and the Person Separation Index (PSI). Results: All items of the LSIQ-T were found to fit the Rasch model (chi-square: 34.07 (df = 15), p = 0.0033). The internal construct validity was good, the overall mean item fit residual was 0 (SD: 0.765), and the mean person fit residual was 0.322 (SD: 1.123). Internal consistency reliability was low with a PSI of 0.63 although Cronbach's alpha was acceptable (0.68). When the test-retest reliability was examined via differential item functioning (DIF) by time, none of the items showed DIF. Conclusion: The LSIQ-T is a valid unidimensional scale for the Turkish population. Although the LSIQ-T had low internal consistency, it demonstrated unidimensionality and is appropriate for use. Therefore, the LSIQ-T can be used in clinical practice and scientific research.

An investigation of body awareness, fatigue, physical fitness, and musculoskeletal problems in young adults with hypermobility spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) is associated with excessive joint range of motion and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms. The objective of this study was to examine body awareness, physical fitness parameters, fatigue levels, and musculoskeletal disorders in young adults with HSD and compare them with those without HSD. METHODS: Young individuals in the age range of 18-24 years were included in the study. Joint hypermobility of individuals was determined by the Beighton Score. Evaluations were made using the Body Awareness Questionnaire, the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Eurofit Physical Fitness Test Battery, and the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 94 healthy individuals (74 females, 20 males, mean age 21.44 years, SD ± 1.19 years), 47 with HSD and 47 without HSD, were included in the study. It was concluded that body awareness and fatigue levels were similar in two groups (p > 0.05). When physical fitness parameters were examined, there was a significant difference between the two groups in Sit and Reach test and the dominant side grip strength (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the two groups in the neck, back, dominant wrist, and total musculoskeletal problems (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that young individuals with HSD had more flexibility, lower grip strength, more pain especially in the neck and back region, and more musculoskeletal disorders in general. Joint hypermobility is a factor to be considered in evaluating functional performance in these individuals.

Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale in cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: The Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB) is a multi-item balance assessment test designed to measure balance in relatively higher functioning individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the FAB (FAB-T) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). RESEARCH QUESTION: Is the Turkish version of the Fullerton Advance Balance Scale valid and reliable in determining balance problems in children with cerebral palsy and determining the underlying cause of this condition? METHODS: Forty-six children with CP participated in this study. Rasch analysis was used to investigate item adherence. Internal consistency of the FAB-T was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Test-retest reliability was also evaluated. In addition, to assess concurrent validity, FAB-T scores were compared with the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) using the Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The FAB-T showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha value=0.94) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC=0.99). The FAB and the PBS exhibited concurrent positive validity (r = 0.913; p < 0.001). All items of the FAB-T were found to fit the Rasch Model (Chi-square 16.01(df=20), p = 0.716). SIGNIFICANCE: The FAB-T is a reliable and valid tool that can be used to measure balance skills and to identify the source of the problem in children with CP.