Physiotherapy students' and officers' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of mental health.

Background: Physiotherapy in mental health is not very popular among physiotherapists, students, healthcare professionals, and people living with mental illness (PLWMI), although many PLWMI are managed by physiotherapy students and physiotherapists. Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of physiotherapy students and physiotherapy community service officers (PCSOs) towards mental health. Setting: The study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Methods: A concurrent mixed-method was employed using the Attitudes Toward Psychiatry (ATP-30) questionnaire and focus group discussions. The questionnaire was distributed to 100 PCSOs and 191 physiotherapy students. Focus groups were conducted to assess the knowledge gained through the undergraduate programme, comprising three groups of students from second to fourth year and two groups of PCSOs. An interview was also conducted with one PCSO. Results: A total of 146 students and 72 community service officers completed the questionnaire. Participants had an overall positive attitude, with a mean ATP-30 score of 108.02 (standard deviation [s.d.] = 10.86). Those with a family member or friend with a mental illness scored higher. Focus groups revealed limited knowledge about mental health and reluctance to work in the field. Conclusion: Physiotherapy students and PCSOs in KZN had positive attitudes towards mental health despite limited knowledge. They expressed a desire for more information about mental health. Contribution: The curriculum needs to include adequate mental health content to prepare students to manage PLWMI after graduation, reducing stigma, and negative perceptions, and ensuring confidence.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clinical competence of physiotherapy students in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Clinical competence encompasses attitudes, skills, and knowledge regarding diverse client groups. Appropriate clinical competence requires an understanding of the cultural context in which healthcare is delivered. In conservative countries such as Israel, there is a noticeable scarcity of information regarding the clinical competency of physiotherapy students (PTSs) in effectively treating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. The objective of this study was to assess the level of LGBT clinical competence among PTSs in Israel. METHODS: Conducted through an anonymous online self-report survey, this study gathered personal and academic background information and self-reported data on previous LGBT education during undergraduate studies of PTSs. It utilized the Hebrew version of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were computed for all outcome measures. The internal reliability of the LGBT-DOCSS was assessed. Total scores of the LGBT-DOCSS, along with scores in each of the three subscales (clinical preparedness, knowledge, and attitudes), were compared across different levels of religiosity and gender. RESULTS: The sample comprised of 251 PTSs, with an average age of 25.57 ± 3.07 years (34.7% men, 65.3% women). All students reported a lack of LGBT community-related courses during their undergraduate studies. The translated Hebrew version demonstrated good internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.65 to 0.83. The LGBT-DOCSS total score was 4.55 ± 0.61 out of 7, indicating a low level of clinical competency. The highest mean score was in the attitudes subscale (6.55 ± 0.87), which was significantly higher than the scores for the knowledge subscale (3.14 ± 1.46) and clinical preparedness subscale (3.36 ± 0.86). Religiousness was significantly associated with clinical preparedness and attitudes. Men exhibited higher self-reported levels of knowledge and clinical preparedness, albeit with more negative attitudes compare to women. Sexual orientation was significantly associated with clinical competency, with PTSs who identified as heterosexual demonstrating a lower level of clinical competency compared to participants who identified as non-heterosexual. CONCLUSIONS: In Israel, PTSs demonstrated a low level of clinical competency in terms of self-reported knowledge and self-reported clinical preparedness but contrasting positive attitudes toward the LGBT community. Religiousness, gender and sexual orientation had a significant influence on competency levels.These preliminary findings highlight the urgent necessity to enhance the knowledge of PTSs regarding the LGBT community to improve their clinical competence. TRIAL REGISTRATION NR: Not applicable.

Telehealth usability in a university student physiotherapy clinic during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: 'Telehealth' online delivery of physiotherapy was the only option during the Covid 19 pandemic in many areas. This was a challenge for physiotherapy training in student clinics where students, clinical educators (CEs) and clients were in three separate locations. The aim of this study was to determine the usability and acceptability of online delivery in a physiotherapy student clinic. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional design was used. Clients (adult clients or carers of paediatric clients), students and CEs participated in telehealth physiotherapy appointments over a Telehealth platform called NeoRehab. The three groups were then invited to complete the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ). The 21 item TUQ uses a 7-point Likert scale and covers six constructs (Usefulness, Ease of Use, Interface quality, Interaction quality, Reliability, Satisfaction). RESULTS: Data were analysed from 39 clients, 15 students, and seven CEs. The respective domain scores (SD) for Usefulness [(5.3 (1.5), 5.4 (0.7), 5.1 (0.7)] and Satisfaction [5.1 (1.6), 5.0 (1.0), 5.4 (0.7)] were similarly high across groups, while scores for Reliability [3.7 (1.5), 3.6 (1.0), 3.0 (0.5)] were similarly low across groups. Interface Quality [5.0 (1.5), 4.5 (1.2), 4.1 (0.8)] scores were similarly moderate. Ease of Use [5.6 (1.5), 5.3 (1.0), 4.1 (1.1)] scores were significantly higher in clients than CEs (p = 0.043). Interaction Quality [5.0 (1.4), 3.9 (1.3), 4.2 (0.9)] scores were significantly higher in clients compared with students (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: All groups agreed that the delivery format was useful, easy to use and provided a satisfactory service but was not reliable.

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Divide in Physiotherapy Education.

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care and education has become increasingly evident, promising to revolutionize how healthcare professionals deliver services and how learners engage with educational content. AI enhances individualized student learning experiences and transforms education delivery by adapting to emerging healthcare advancements. We emphasize the current need for more exploration of AI's applications in day-to-day education in physiotherapy schools. We conducted a PubMed search, revealing a significant gap in research on AI in physiotherapy education compared to medical and dental education. Knowledge gaps and varied perspectives among Canadian healthcare students, including physiotherapy students, highlight the need for targeted educational strategies and ethical considerations. We conclude with a call to bridge the digital divide in physiotherapy education, stressing the importance of integrating AI to empower students and foster innovation in physiotherapy education.

Level of knowledge, nutritional habits, use of stimulants, and physical activity during the COVID-19 epidemic among students of physiotherapy at Wroclaw Medical University.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge effect around the world. The aim of this study was to determine what eating habits, physical activity, and use of stimulants were likely among physical therapy students during the outbreak. METHODS: The 16-65-ComPAN questionnaire for views and eating habits was used. The Fagerström Test was used to determine nicotine dependence, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to gauge physical activity, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test to determine alcohol consumption. RESULTS: The results indicated a relatively high percentage of alcohol consumption among this group, as well as a relationship between an unhealthy diet and years of study and smoking. A high value of unhealthy diet and the relationship between dietary knowledge, body mass index, and healthy diet index were also found. No correlation was obtained between the effect of COVID-19 on the student's life and nutritional knowledge and habits, but the percentage of students negatively affected by COVID was high (51%). CONCLUSION: The findings presented here indicate the need to take measures to increase nutritional knowledge among physiotherapy students and to take measures to reduce the use of stimulants.

Effectiveness of a heart disease blended learning program in physiotherapy students: a prospective study.

Background: In recent years, novel teaching methodologies have been emerging with the aim of improving student learning. One of them is known as Blended Learning. BL allows educators to integrate elements of traditional face-to-face teaching with tailored online learning modalities, integrating the distinct strengths of both methodologies. Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of a heart disease blended learning program in undergraduate physiotherapy students. Methods: 124 participants (average age 21.20 ± 4.67 years, 58.87% female) performed an 8-week heart disease blended learning program that included face-to-face classes and online resources. Knowledge was assessed at baseline, at 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks. Motivation and engagement were assessed at 4 and 8 weeks. Design of the instructions and learning behaviors were measured at 8 weeks. Finally, 108 subjects completed the study. Results: Knowledge significantly increased mid-program (p = 0.02), at the end of the program (p < 0.001), at 12 weeks (p < 0.001) and 20 weeks (p = 0.001). After the intervention, a high intrinsic motivation was shown (5.60 ± 0.80)) over 7), whilst extrinsic motivation scored 4.24 ± 0.97 over 7.Finally, engagement (3.98 ± 0.52) over 5), design of the instructions (4.15 ± 0.62) over 5) and learning behaviors (70.51 ± 36.08) downloads, 28.97 ± 16.09) topics visited, and online questionnaires scored 7.67 ± 1.60) over 10) reported adequate scores. Conclusion: This program seems to be an appropriate methodology in future physiotherapists, since it improved knowledge and participants exhibited a high motivation and an adequate engagement, design of the program instructions and learning behaviors.

You just want a break from the hatred of failure: the lived experience of being a student physiotherapist perfectionist and considerations for educators.

Perfectionism is a personality orientation associated with mental health and adjustment problems. Recent evidence demonstrates that perfectionism is widespread among students and on the rise, with recent generations of students placing increasingly more importance on perfection. Whilst the extant literature is vast, it tends to focus on psychopathology and identification of perfectionism correlates rather than the experience of student perfectionism. Furthermore, the education literature is scant and there is a need to understand the deeper processes and nuances of perfectionism, particularly within health professions education where intense study demands, competition to gain entry to educational programmes, and professional cultures may nurture the problem. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of ten physiotherapy students as they wrestled with perfectionism in the various facets of their studies. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken, and participants completed log sheets to document perfectionism-related experiences. Idiographic profiles were composed and interview transcripts were analysed, drawing upon features of both phenomenological and thematic analysis. Perfectionism was found to have toxic consequences for the learning experience. Harmful phenomenological experiences included perpetual and excessive achievement striving, punitive self-criticism and health and wellbeing difficulties. A range of sabotaging learning behaviours such as self-handicapping and feedback avoidance was also illuminated, and cultural and organisational influences perceived to foster perfectionism emerged. Findings are discussed in relation to underlying processes and implications for educators. The prospect of findings transferring to other educational contexts is highlighted.

Habituation for professional learning: a qualitative study of physiotherapy students' experiences working with anatomy cadavers.

INTRODUCTION: Cadaveric dissection shapes the ways in which healthcare students understand the human body and the attitudes, identities and behaviors they exhibit as health professionals. There is however a paucity of related research with physiotherapy (PT) students. PURPOSE: The purpose of this interpretivist study was to investigate PT students' conceptions of the human body in relation to experiences with human cadavers in anatomy education. METHODS: Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with PT students along with four optional written reflections completed. Data was thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Students engaged in a continuous process of habituation involving oscillation between "humanization" and "dehumanization" of cadavers in the anatomy lab. We describe the contextual mediators that shaped the process, the multi-sensory and emotional experience of the students, and the "interruptions" that contributed to the variability in their conceptions over time and contexts. Students ultimately habituated toward dehumanization which had multiple effects on learning and professionalization. CONCLUSION: Study findings highlight the complexity of PT students' experiences and learning within the cadaver lab outside of the formal goals of anatomy education. We discuss the implications for anatomy curricula, including the potential advantages of incorporating a biopsychosocial approach.

Overcoming the monster! Perceptions of physiotherapy students regarding the use of stroke master plots for building therapeutic relationships; a vignette study.

BACKGROUND: Narrative master plots identify illness stories which are recognisable within clinical settings. Responses to different master plots by physiotherapy students can lack empathy and need to be understood further. One narrative master plot for people with stroke that has not been well studied is called 'overcoming the monster'. Research is needed to understand physiotherapy students' reactions to this master plot. OBJECTIVE: To examine the responses of physiotherapy students to three variations of the master plot called 'overcoming the monster' generated from patients who have had a stroke. METHODS: A qualitative narrative vignette study was undertaken. A university in the West Midlands (England) was used to access physiotherapy students on the pre-registration programs. A purposive sample of students volunteered to complete a single vignette questionnaire at one time point. The vignette provided three unique examples of the master plot overcoming the monster as told by people with stroke. Students responded to each by asking specific questions that captured demographic information and questions that captured reactions to the different versions of the master plot. Categorical-content narrative analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: Thirty-two first year (BSc) students, thirty-nine first year (pre-registration) MSc students and nineteen third year (BSc) students participated in this study. Neither first year groups had undertaken any clinical placement hours. All third-year students had finished the required clinical placement hours for the physiotherapy course. Students consistently demonstrated empathy towards this master plot. Students often valued the variant of the story which illustrated how difficulties following stroke could be experienced as an 'adventure'. Students also valued and were motivated by the story variant that considered a family member as a source of motivation and encouragement. The story variant which focused on the shortcomings of the health care system was more often related to by the final year BSc students and MSc students. However, first year students, particularly BSc students, reported being more emotionally affected by the vignette. CONCLUSION: All variants of the master plot overcoming the monster appeared to generate empathetic responses. This is important because it highlights the value of students' understanding the patients' story and challenges or 'monsters' faced. Therapeutic relationships will benefit from training physiotherapy students on the importance of listening and exploring challenges people with stroke face.

"I feel like this is an area where one can feel a lot of satisfaction": Physiotherapy students' preferences for their prospective area of practice.

OBJECTIVES: To identify physiotherapy students' preferences about their prospective area of practice and the reasons for their choices. METHODS: Tel-Aviv University physiotherapy students participated in a cross-sectional survey and three open-ended questions that comprise the qualitative component of the study. At the very beginning of their studies, and at the end of the first to fourth years, participants were asked about their area of preference, the factors that shaped their choice, and the reasons for prospective changes in their preference. RESULTS: In total, 289 students filled out the survey. Response rate was 68%. Interest in some areas of practice such as pediatrics remained stable throughout years of physiotherapy studies. In contrast, interest in other areas such as sports declined and interest in others such as rehabilitation increased. The open-ended questions yielded 1,616 codes sorted into five categories that shaped the students' preferences: "I/Me /My" the largest category, followed by "the physiotherapy studies program" and then the relational focused "physiotherapy practice." The number of codes for "working conditions" and "work-life balance" increased steeply with the progression of the studies and the age of the students. CONCLUSIONS: The choice for areas of practice of physiotherapy students vary during their professional formation. During their professional development, their preferences are shaped by their personal feelings, interest in and past experience with the specific areas of practice, as well as their practical exposure, experiences in practicums, and theoretical studies. Millennial physiotherapists prefer areas of practice in which personal as well as relational considerations are core.

Learning from clinical placement experience: how do undergraduate physiotherapy students approach person-centered practice?

INTRODUCTION: It is now widely accepted in physiotherapy and in other health professions, that involving patients in the design, planning and implementation of services is best practice. Little is, however, known about how physiotherapy students perceive their professional development in applying person-centered practice. OBJECTIVE: To analyze how undergraduate physiotherapy students experience the process of learning to work in a person-centered way in clinical practice. METHOD: Five focus-group interviews of final-year physiotherapy students. RESULTS: It is important that students communicate in ways that accommodate the sociocultural characteristics of their patients. Students, where they experience that mutual understanding is not possible to achieve, tend to resort to the biomedical model and take on an expert instructor role that is met with acceptance from the patients. Some practice contexts were also found to strongly promote person-centered practice, others tightly restricting it. CONCLUSION: In the educational setting, attention should be paid to the practice learning context, to the improvement of the ability of students to grasp the lived world of patients, and to activate their own identities and experiences as a relational tool in practicing person-centered care.

Has the COVID-19 outbreak altered the prevalence of low back pain among physiotherapy students?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among physiotherapy students during the COVID-19 lockdown in the State of Israel. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS: One hundred and sixty four physiotherapy students from all four-year student levels were invited to participate. One hundred and thirty-seven students (83.5%) were recruited in the study with 79 females (57.7%) and 58 males (42.3%). We used a structured anonymous questionnaire that sought standard information on age, height, weight, sports activity and low back pain (LBP) prevalence during three periods. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted in the prevalence of LBP between the lockdown period compared to 12-month period in all four-year levels. More so, our findings showed that LBP prevalence among physiotherapy students was greater during the 12-month period compared to the lifetime period. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that COVID-19 lockdown has no negative impact on the prevalence of LBP among physiotherapy students.

Physiotherapy students' empathy towards Australians living in rural settings: A pre-test post-test evaluation of a stand-alone rural simulation activity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how a rural simulation activity influenced physiotherapy students' rural empathy, and to explore students' perception of the activity. SETTING: A metropolitan university in Queensland, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Second year undergraduate physiotherapy students. DESIGN: A single cohort pre-test post-test evaluation was undertaken to evaluate a rural simulation activity. Participants received the rural simulation activity, featuring an immersive video and telehealth simulation with a standardised patient portrayed by an actor. Participants undertook a structured debrief and guided reflection following the simulation. Outcome measures included the Rural Comprehensive State Empathy Scale (R-CSES) and the Satisfaction with Simulation Experience Scale. Group interviews were undertaken regarding participant perceptions of the activity. Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests were used to analyse survey data, and group interview data were subject to thematic analyses. RESULTS: A total of 102 students undertook the activity, with an outcome measure response rate of 92.2% (94/102). Intra-personal rural empathy increased following the activity as demonstrated by the overall R-CSES score [pre-test: 101.5 (90-110.75) vs post-test 107 (100-120); p = <0.001; r = 0.39]. There was high satisfaction with the experience [mean SSES score = 18/21]. Two themes were generated from the group interview data: (1) effect on perceptions of rural practice and (2) feedback regarding the simulation. CONCLUSION: A rural simulation activity using an immersive video, standardised patient, and a structured debrief increased physiotherapy students' empathy towards Australians living in rural settings. Students were satisfied with the activity and felt that it improved their understanding of the challenges of rural healthcare.

Physiotherapy students' knowledge and attitudes about their role in mental health.

Background: As the prevalence of mental health disorders (MHD) increases, physiotherapy students will be increasingly exposed to patients with MHD in their undergraduate studies. International research has shown that students who have mental health included in their curriculum have more knowledge and positive attitudes towards patients with MHD. In South Africa, little is known about physiotherapy students' attitudes towards and knowledge of mental health. Objectives: To establish the knowledge of and attitudes towards the role of physiotherapy in determining the mental health attitudes. Method: In our cross-sectional, descriptive study, third- and fourth-year physiotherapy students at the University of the Witwatersrand were purposefully sampled. Online questionnaires, based on the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS) and Mental Illness Clinicians' Attitudes (MICA) scales were completed. Results: Thirty-four students participated in our study. Overall, all students indicated a moderate level of knowledge and a positive attitude towards mental health with mean MAKS score: 26.94 (standard deviation [s.d.]: 3.57) and MICA-4 score: 39.12 (s.d.: 16.12). Fourth-year students had more knowledge and a better attitude towards mental health when compared to the third-year students. Conclusion: Third- and fourth-year University of the Witwatersrand physiotherapy students have moderate knowledge and a positive attitude towards the role of physiotherapy in mental health. Clinical implications: The inclusion of mental health in the physiotherapy curriculum may improve students' knowledge and attitudes towards mental health and prepare them for managing these complex patients in the future.

Prevalence of psychological symptoms and their correlates among physiotherapy clinical students: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Mental health in medical students is well researched, with physiotherapy students receiving less attention even though psychiatry is a recognised specialty within physiotherapy. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety and stress among physiotherapy clinical students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed on 402 physiotherapy clinical students aged 17-40 years using a convenience sampling method. The data were collected using the self-administered 42-items Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS) and the data were analysed using a Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among these students was 79.9%, 85.6% and 81.6%, respectively. The results indicate that financial status and social life influenced depression by 20.6% (odds ratio [OR] [95%] = 1.206 [1.110, 1.311]) and 36% (OR [95%] = 1.360 [1.050, 1.764]), respectively. Fear of repeating a class influenced anxiety by eight times (OR [95%] = 8.330 [6.643, 10.422]). Fear of repeating a class, financial status and academic performance influenced stress by eight times (OR [95%] = 8.360 [6.677, 10.470]), 17.5% (OR [95%] = 1.175 [1.083, 1.275]) and 18.1% (OR [95%] = 1.181 [1.083, 1.276]), respectively. Conclusion: Our study concluded that there was a high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among physiotherapy clinical students. These outcomes suggest that more attention needs to be given to improving physiotherapy clinical students' mental health, which will ultimately improve learning outcomes. Clinical implications: The long-term effects of psychological distress could potentially impact students' academic performance. It may also have long-lasting effects after graduation. Therefore, students who are at risk of developing psychological symptoms are needed to be thoroughly examined and then receive early required interventions.

Autonomic stress response of physiotherapy student in the different scenarios of an objective structured clinical examination.

The aim of the present research was to analyse modifications in the autonomic stress response of Physiotherapy students undergoing a 12-scenario Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE). A total of 86 last year students of the Physiotherapy bachelor's degree (27.29 years (SD = 6.66); 36 females and 50 males) randomly assigned were monitored during the complete OSCE to measure heart rate variability (HRV) in temporal, frequency, and non-linear domains. The HRV analysed showed a large anticipatory stress response of students maintained during the entire evaluation. The stress response varied regarding OSCE station complexity and demands and the highest sympathetic response was not found in higher emotional scenarios.The autonomic modulation monitoring allows teachers to design OSCE scenarios more adapted to the students, limiting the effect of the stress response to allow a better performance.

Examination of Telerehabilitation Knowledge, Awareness, and Opinions of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Students.

Aim: To encourage students and professionals to use telerehabilitation, it is critical to understand their perspectives on various aspects of using the service. This study aims to evaluate the awareness, knowledge, and opinions of physiotherapy and rehabilitation students about telerehabilitation. Method: In the cross-sectional survey, an electronic questionnaire was sent to 484 students studying at Manisa Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. To assess the student's awareness, knowledge, and opinions of telerehabilitation, a self-administered questionnaire which was created by researching the literature was sent to students that consisted of three sections: "baseline general characteristics," "knowledge and awareness categories," and "opinions" categories. Results: Only 322 students who completed questionnaires were received, giving a response rate of 66.5%.The median age of the students is 21. One hundred thirty students (40.4%) are aware of telerehabilitation. Most of the students (240; 74.5%) considered the COVID-19 pandemic had contributed to a greater understanding of the importance of telerehabilitation. More than half of the students (201; 66.2%) agreed that the place of telerehabilitation in the education curriculum should be increased. Two hundred thirty-three students (72.4%) reported that telerehabilitation practices will develop further in the future. Conclusion: The majority of the students stated that they were not aware of telerehabilitation due to the lack of lesson curriculum. Determining students' thoughts about telerehabilitation can also guide the future of telerehabilitation practices, the development of various strategies for the implementation of telerehabilitation, and the policies related to physiotherapy education.

Psychological Impact during Confinement by COVID-19 on Health Sciences University Students-A Prospective, Longitudinal, and Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to analyze the factors that influence reactions to confinement situations, such as personality, humor, coping with stressors, and resilience, and to compare this population with a normal situation of exposure to an intense academic stressor such as a partial test, and with the confinement situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A longitudinal study was performed involving 116 health sciences students from Spain. Three situations were evaluated: a basal situation of normality at the beginning of the course, situation facing an academic stressor (partial test), and confinement situation due to COVID-19. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and NEO-FFI scale were used. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the increase in negative humor and decrease in positive one, as well as decrease in "Focus on and Venting of Emotions". Personality factors that better predict humor at confinement were "conscientiousness" for having positive humor and low "extraversion" for negative humor. CONCLUSIONS: The confinement situation due to COVID-19 has caused changes in predominant humor, as well as in coping strategies. Personality factors positively or negatively influence the situation.

The Effect of Contact with a Horse During a Three-day Hippotherapy Session on Physiotherapy Students' Emotions.

Background: Activities with horses cause many emotional reactions in their recipients, the measurement and analysis of which can provide information about positive or negative attitudes toward hippotherapy activities. The purpose of the study was to explore how horse contact affects the emotions of female and male students experiencing horseback riding during a three-day hippotherapy session. Material and Methods: The study included 252 physiotherapy students from the Medical University of Wroclaw who participated in hippotherapy classes during a three-day didactic and scientific course implemented in the years 2014-2019. The Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) and the Sanoquell automatic 766 pulse measuring device were used for the study. The SPANE took place at the beginning (study I) and at the end (study II) of the camp. Pulse was measured daily before and after hippotherapy (6 times). Results: Analysis of variance proved the existence of statistically significant difference between the intensity of positive feelings (SPANE-P, p=0.000) and negative feelings (SPANE-N, p=0.000) and in the outcome of overall satisfaction/happiness balance (SPANE-B, p=0.000) in I and II study in the group of women. No such difference was noted for the men. The pulse in women measured on the third day was statistically significantly higher than in men (p=0.0345). Conclusion: Hippotherapy classes bring physiotherapy students an increase in positive feelings and a decrease in negative feelings. Personal experience seems to be the best way to understand and consciously use hippotherapy as a therapeutic method.

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Students in Croatia and their Association with Physical Fitness.

Introduction: Among physiotherapists, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the most common health problem. This study aimed to provide evidence for planning evidence-based health promotion programmes for ensuring and maintaining adequate physical fitness (PF) to decrease WMSDs among physiotherapists which would have started already during the study. Methods: A cross-sectional study involved the participation of a total of 100 physiotherapy students and 62 physiotherapists. Observed variables were prevalence of WMSDs in the last 12 months, lasting >3 days during physiotherapeutic activities and five PF components: body composition, cardiorespiratory and muscle endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility. A chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used as the main analytical methods. Results: Prevalence of WMSDs in physiotherapists was 63.9% (the most common locations: lower back, shoulders, neck), while in physiotherapy students it was 46.5% (the most common locations: lower back, neck, upper back) (p=0.031). Among the PF components, the results showed statistically significantly worse flexibility among students compared to physiotherapists (about two thirds of students had poor or very poor results of flexibility testing) (p=0.002) in comparison to physiotherapists. A statistically significant positive association between WMSDs and PF was observed only between knee pain and poor cardiorespiratory endurance (OR=4.03 with 95% CI 1.12-14.58; p=0.033). Conclusion: The study showed poor flexibility among students indicating that it is necessary to direct them to perform activities that will increase the extensibility of muscles. The awareness of this problem should be increased. A specific role should be played by staff involved in clinical practice.