Assessment of the effects of a multi-component, individualized physiotherapy program in patients receiving hospice services in the home.

BACKGROUND: The interest in physiotherapy programs for individuals in hospice is increasing. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of a multi-component, individualized physiotherapy program on the functional and emotional conditions and quality of life of patients receiving hospice services in the home. METHODS: The study included 60 patients (mean 66.3 years) receiving hospice services in the home. A model of a physiotherapy program was designed, including breathing, strengthening, transfer, gait, balance, functional, and ergonomic exercises, as well as an adaptation of the patient's living environment to functional needs. The tests were performed before and after the intervention. The study used the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scales, the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Bref (WHOQOL-BREF), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scale, the Tinetti POMA Scale, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). To enable comparison of our results worldwide, a set of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) categories was used. RESULTS: The average functional level of the ADL (mean 2.9) and the IADL (mean 11.9), as well as the WHOQOL-BREF (mean 46.4) of the patients before the intervention were low, whereas the intensity of pain (VAS mean 5.8), the risk of falling (Tinetti mean 8.2), and depression (GDS mean 16.7) were recorded as high. After the completion of the intervention program, a significant improvement was found in the ADL (mean 4.0), IADL (mean 13.9), WHOQOL-BREF (mean 52.6), VAS (mean 5.1), risk of falling (Tinetti mean 12.3), and GDS (mean 15.7) scores. CONCLUSIONS: The physiotherapeutic intervention had a significant impact on improving the performance of ADL, as well as the emotional state and quality of life of patients receiving hospice services in the home. The results of our research provide evidence of the growing need for physiotherapy in individuals in hospice and for comprehensive assessment by means of ICF. Registered 02.12.2009 in the Research Registry ( https://www.researchregistry.com/why-register ) under the number research registry 5264.

Benefits of Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy in Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Over the past few decades, physical therapists have emerged as key health care providers in emergency departments (EDs), especially for patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSKD). PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to update the current evidence regarding physical therapist care for patients with MSKD in EDs and to update current recommendations for these models of care. DATA SOURCES: Systematic searches were conducted in 5 bibliographic databases. STUDY SELECTION: The studies selected presented quantitative data related to the care of patients with MSKD by physical therapists in an ED setting. DATA EXTRACTION: Raters reviewed studies and used the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool to assess their methodological quality. DATA SYNTHESIS: Fifteen studies were included. Two studies, 1 of weak and 1 of strong quality, demonstrated that physical therapist care in EDs was as effective as or more effective than usual medical care for pain reduction, and 6 studies of varying quality reported that physical therapist care in EDs was as effective as usual care in EDs in reducing disability. Eight studies of varying quality reported that physical therapist care could significantly reduce waiting time in EDs. Four studies of varying quality reported that physical therapists ordered no more, or even fewer, medical images than physicians. In terms of health care costs, 2 studies of moderate to high quality found no significant differences in costs between physical therapist care and usual care in EDs. Finally, 6 studies of varying quality reported that patients were as satisfied or more satisfied with physical therapist care as with usual medical care in EDs. LIMITATIONS: The roles of physical therapists in EDs vary depending on the setting, legislation, and training of providers. Only a limited number of high-quality studies were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Although the quality of the evidence is heterogeneous, physical therapist care for patients with MSKD in EDs may be beneficial.

An assessment of physiotherapist's delivery of behaviour change techniques within the SOLAS feasibility trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate physiotherapist's (PTs) fidelity to 31 protocol-listed behaviour change techniques (BCTs) during a group-based self-management intervention. This study also explored the PTs delivery of these BCTs beyond the present or absent dichotomy, using a third variable, partial delivery (i.e., attempted). DESIGN: Assessment of the intervention arm of the Self-management of Osteoarthritis and Low back pain through Activity and Skills (SOLAS) cluster, randomized controlled feasibility trial, using quantitative methods. METHODS: Eight PTs delivered six SOLAS classes each, of which 50% were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded by two raters using the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy v1 and an intervention-specific manual and assessed for the delivery (i.e., full, partial, or absent) of the 31 BCTs and their target behaviours. Fidelity was calculated as fully delivered BCTs listed as a percentage of those due to take place within each class. RESULTS: Physiotherapists delivered a mean 20.5 BCTs per class (68.3%; range = 64.9-72.4%). Of these, 17 BCTs were fully delivered in each class representing moderate fidelity to the protocol (56.8%; range = 53.5-59.3%). A further 3.5 BCTs per class (11.5%; range = 8.7-14.8%) were partially delivered. BCTs associated with 'goals and planning' were often poorly delivered. CONCLUSIONS: Delivering the SOLAS intervention BCTs with high fidelity was not feasible. The assessment of partial delivery of BCTs provided greater insight into the techniques that should be removed from the protocol or that may require further training. Complex interventions should consider a list of 'core' or mandatory BCTs alongside 'optional' BCTs, depending on the target behaviour, and the needs of individual participants. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? BCTs are the smallest active components of behavioural interventions, yet typically their effectiveness is determined through meta-analyses. Attempted delivery of BCTs is often unaccounted for yet may provide valuable insight into difficulty with delivery. There is a need to investigate BCT implementation beyond simple presence/absence to identify protocol refinements or required BCT training. What does this study add? BCT delivery was assessed in greater depth than previous research, including partial delivery. Highlights the need for appropriate training in BCTs that are difficult to deliver, particularly those associated with 'goals and planning' Highlights the need for intervention-specific criteria as to what constitutes 'high', 'moderate', and 'low' fidelity.

The effects of a life goal-setting technique in a preventive care program for frail community-dwelling older people: a cluster nonrandomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Frailty among older people is associated with an increased risk of needing care. There have been many reports on preventive care programs for frail older people, but few have shown positive effects on disability prevention. Physical exercise programs for frail older people affect elements such as physical fitness and balance, but are less effective for disability outcomes and are not followed up in the longer term. We developed a life goal-setting technique (LGST). Our objective was to determine the effect of a LGST plus standard preventive care program for community-dwelling frail older people. METHODS: We used a cluster nonrandomized controlled trial with seven intervention and nine matched control groups, with baseline assessment and follow-up at 3, 6, and 9 months. Participants were 176 frail older people, aged 65 years or over, living in the community in Izumi, Osaka, Japan. All participants attended regular 120 min preventive care exercise classes each week, over 3 months. They also received oral care and nutrition education. The intervention groups alone received life goal-setting support. We assessed outcomes longitudinally, comparing pre-intervention with follow-up. The primary outcome measure was health improvement according to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Kihon Checklist" for assessment of frailty and quality of life (QOL), analyzed with a two-way ANOVA and post-test comparison. Secondary outcomes included physical functions and assessment of life goals. RESULTS: The improvement on the Kihon Checklist for the intervention group was approximately 60 % from baseline to 9-months follow-up; the control group improved by approximately 40 %. The difference between groups was significant at 3-month (p = 0.043) and 6-month (p = 0.015) follow-ups but not at 9-month (p = 0.098) follow-up. Analysis of QOL yielded a significant time × group interaction effect (p = 0.022). The effect was significant at 3 months in the intervention group, but at no time in the control group. CONCLUSION: A 3-month exercise program helped to decrease frailty and improve QOL in frail older people, and the addition of LGST increased its effectiveness. The LGST is a feasible and promising intervention for reducing risk of needing care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000021485 . Registered 15 March 2016.

[MEDICAL AND SOCIAL INSPECTION AS A PART OF THE REHABILITATION OF CHILDREN WITH JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS].

Provided evaluation of the medical and social inspection of the dcotrors-consultative commission of Vinnytsya regional childrens hospital in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Patients with JRA that got position of the child-invalid are given individual program of the rehabilitation that includes medical, professional, sport and physical, social adaptation that gives ability control recommendations for both--physicians and parents.

Ventilator use, respiratory problems, and caregiver well-being in korean patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis receiving home-based care.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to describe the status of ventilator use, respiratory problems, and caregiver well-being relating to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using a home-based ventilator as well as to examine the relationship among ventilator use, respiratory problems, and caregiver well-being. METHODS: Patients with ALS (n = 141) registered in the Severe-Rare Disease Center of the Korean Center for Disease Control and their caregivers (n = 83) were surveyed from August 2008 to April 2009. Trained research assistants visited patient homes; collected data using questionnaires; and then performed analyses with descriptive statistics, χ test, and t test as well as partial correlation analysis using SPSS WIN 18.0. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients used noninvasive ventilation (NIV), and 109 used tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation (TMV). One hundred of the TMV patients used the ventilator 24 hours per day. The ventilator circuit exchange cycle was 0.96 times per month for NIV patients and 1.17 times per month for TMV patients (t = -4.91, p < .001). However, NIV patients had a higher level of tidal volume than TMV patients (t = 3.34, p = .001). Approximately 22% of NIV patients and 24% of TMV patients used one or more physiotherapies for airway clearance. There was a significant relationship between hypoventilation symptoms and caregiver burden (r = .31, p = .006). Hypoventilation symptoms were positively related to physiotherapy (r = .24, p = .042), and physiotherapy was positively related to caregiver burden (r = .24, p = .043). CONCLUSION: On the basis of the findings of this study, care management for patients with ALS with a home-based ventilator as well as their caregiver's well-being was relatively inappropriate. We recommend that community-based support programs and burden relief programs be considered as managerial interventions.

Insights from a physiotherapist's lived experience of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of a hip joint, with subsequent total hip joint replacement surgery, is portrayed in the literature in terms of quantitative research studies, where the person living with the hip disappears in objective statistical analyses, or in qualitative studies where one person's story is fragmented within thematic findings. This phenomenological study of a physiotherapist's (Peter) lived experience of OA offers insights relevant to practice. In the initial stages of the disease, Peter was too close to 'see' the possibility of OA as a diagnosis. As the pain limited what he could do, he needed to reinvent ways of retaining his sense of 'self'. The pain worsened; there was nothing that relieved it. The experience became one of endurance, leading to a moment when he decided the time had come to have surgery. Post-surgery, the journey of recovery was one of the feelings vulnerable. He wanted guidance and re-assurance. Paradoxically, recovery showed itself as 'forgetting' the body. The insights call for therapists to listen to the experience of clients and be alongside side them as they struggle with vulnerability. Sharing an understanding of the nature of the experience can bring confidence to clients.

Clinical assessment of motor imagery after stroke.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate: (1) the effects of a stroke on motor imagery vividness as measured by the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ-20); (2) the influence of the lesion side; and (3) the symmetry of motor imagery. METHODS: Thirty-two persons who had sustained a stroke, in the right (n = 19) or left (n = 13) cerebral hemisphere, and 32 age-matched healthy persons participated. The KVIQ-20 assesses on a 5-point ordinal scale the clarity of the image (visual scale) and the intensity of the sensations (kinesthetic scale) that the subjects are able to imagine from the first-person perspective. RESULTS: In both groups, the visual scores were higher (P = .0001) than the kinesthetic scores and there was no group difference. Likewise, visual scores remained higher than kinesthetic scores irrespective of the lesion side. The visual scores poststroke were higher (P = .001) when imagining upper limb movements on the unaffected side than those on the affected side. When focusing on the lower limb only, however, the kinesthetic scores were higher (P = .001) when imagining movements of the unaffected compared to those on the affected side. CONCLUSIONS: The vividness of motor imagery poststroke remains similar to that of age-matched healthy persons and is not affected by the side of the lesion. However, after stroke motor imagery is not symmetrical and motor imagery vividness is better when imagining movements on the unaffected than on the affected side, indicating an overestimation possibly related to a hemispheric imbalance or a recalibration of motor imagery perception.

The impact of race, ethnicity, and country of professional preparation on physical therapists' assessment and treatment preferences.

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of race, ethnicity, and country of professional preparation on physical therapists' assessment and treatment preferences. A three-part questionnaire consisting of demographic questions, a patient scenario, and a list of assessment and treatment options was completed by 187 physical therapists. Chi-square analysis showed no difference between physical therapists educated in this country and foreign-educated physical therapists in any of the assessment and treatment preferences. More minority (66%) than non-minority (46.3%) physical therapists indicated they would evaluate back extensor muscle strength. This is the first study to investigate the impact of race, ethnicity, and country of professional preparation on practice in physical therapy and opens the door to future studies.

[Severity of chronic back pain. Assessment with the Mainz Pain Staging System]. / Schmerzchronifizierung bei ambulanten Rückenschmerzpatienten. Anwendung des Mainzer Stadienmodells der Schmerzchronifizierung.

BACKGROUND: Among the possible reasons for low back pain, psychological factors are getting more attention. Early assessment of the stage of chronicity is important for successful therapy. The aim of the present study was to analyse the applicability of the Mainz Pain Staging System (MPSS) for chronic back pain outpatients. METHODS: Each of 679 back pain outpatients were assigned to one of the three MPSS stages of chronic back pain severity. Pain intensity and duration, anxiety and depression, pain sensation, impression of control and muscular capacity (isometric power of lumbal extensor), number of clinical consultations, hospitalisation, and days of work inability were also recorded. RESULTS: Males and females showed levels of chronic pain increasing with age. Patients with high MPSS levels showed significantly higher mean scores for anxiety, depression, number of consultations, hospitalisation, and days of inability to work. Furthermore, the same patients showed lower impressions of control and muscular capacity. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirms the significance and usefulness of the MPSS applied to outpatients with back pain. To assess completely the stage of chronicity, psychological and physical/functional parameters should also be obtained.

The social organization in constraint-induced movement therapy.

Ethnographic data were collected at two rehabilitation facilities conducting ongoing research to evaluate functional and neurological outcomes of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). Our findings indicate that several patterns of behavior occur during participant/therapist interaction in therapy sessions: coaching, cheerleading, reminding, changing, and contemplating. These interaction patterns indicate that learned nonuse of an affected limb does not exist in social isolation and that people who participate in CIMT routinely consider the balance of any improvement against the costs of using an affected limb that is still not fully functional. These patterns of social interaction that occur during therapy--which often influence a participant's hope for future physical progress--are an important part of CIMT that may not be fully acknowledged in the clinical training of therapists.

The first year of rehabilitation after a stroke - from two perspectives.

This phenomenographic study aimed to highlight divergent ways in which a group of people hit by a stroke and their health care professionals understand the implications of having a stroke. Data consisted of interviews with 15 patients (aged less than 65 years) who have had a stroke and transcripts from the health care professionals' recording during the first year of rehabilitation. Three basic conceptions related to the stroke were shared, but the interpretation of these conceptions and the goals of the rehabilitative activities differed. While the patients' experience of the loss of control, fatigue and a fear of a relapse influenced their rehabilitation process, the health care professionals ignored these aspects in their recording. Their focus was more on reduced functions and training. Successful rehabilitation must be based on the conceptions of those who have had a stroke of what it involves. Goals should be explicitly expressed and discussed and be experienced as relevant by the person who has had a stroke as well as by the health care professionals. Measures to assess all the implications of strokes must be developed. The multi-professional perspectives represented amongst the team of health care professionals must be adopted and implemented.

[Subjective estimations of the treatment programmes offered in inpatient and outpatient orthopaedic rehabilitation]. / Subjektive Bewertungen der Behandlungsangebote in stationärer und ambulanter orthopädischer Rehabilitation.

The survey of psychosocial, somatic and economic outcomes is regarded as standard in establishing the effectiveness of various rehabilitative forms of medical care. Another important part is the patient's perspective for the subjective valuation of the entire measure or different facets of the rehabilitation measure. During a comparison of the effectiveness of different forms of care of orthopaedic rehabilitation (inpatient, outpatient in the hospital, outpatient) 1176 patients were questioned in writing at 4 different time points. The results concerning the general measurement of the satisfaction with the rehabilitation measure showed a high level and a high acceptance in all forms of medical care at the end of and after the measure. The result relating to the selection of the correct hospital for the specific troubles of the patient was positive as well. This can also be stated for the patients' estimation of the contacts between the doctors and the physiotherapists. At the end of measure, all the patients in every form of care viewed these contacts as being helpful. The outpatient offers were viewed a bit better by the patients concerning the contacts to doctors and physiotherapists. The extent of the care specific to the different occupational groups was estimated by almost all patients of all forms as being just about right. Additionally, the course organization and the work of the administration had a good evaluation - with slight advantages for the inpatient forms.

Development of the physical therapy outpatient satisfaction survey (PTOPS).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purposes of this 3-phase study were (1) to identify the underlying components of outpatient satisfaction in physical therapy and (2) to develop a test that would yield reliable and valid measurements of these components. SUBJECTS: Three samples, consisting of 177, 257, and 173 outpatients from 21 facilities, were used in phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. METHODS AND RESULTS: In phase 1, principal component analyses (PCAs), reliability checks, and correlations with social desirability scales were used to reduce a pool of 98 items to 32 items. These analyses identified a 5-component model of outpatient satisfaction in physical therapy. The phase 2 PCA, with a revised pool of 48 items, indicated that 4 components rather than 5 components represented the best model and resulted in the 34-item Physical Therapy Outpatient Satisfaction Survey (PTOPS). Factor analyses conducted with phase 2 and phase 3 data supported this conclusion and provided evidence for the internal validity of the PTOPS scores. The 4-component scales were labeled "Enhancers," "Detractors," "Location," and "Cost." Responses from subsamples of phase 3 subjects provided evidence for validity of scores in that the PTOPS components of "Enhancers," "Detractors," and "Cost" appeared to differentiate overtly satisfied patients from overtly dissatisfied patients. "Location" and "Enhancer" scores discriminated subjects with excellent attendance at scheduled physical therapy sessions from those with poor attendance. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: In this study, we identified components of outpatient satisfaction in physical therapy and used them to develop a test that would yield valid and reliable measurements of these components.

Cost-effective rehabilitation: Part 2--Approaches to patient management problems.

Part one of this two-part series discussed general principles of cost-effective rehabilitation: Patients in rehabilitation programs should be working toward achievement of real-world functional goals. Goals should be realistic, and reachable in a reasonable amount of time. Rehabilitation services should be provided at the lowest safe and effective level of care appropriate to the patient's needs. Patients should be participating to their full potential in an active therapy program. Therapy intended to maintain a patient's current condition should be carried out by nonprofessionals who have had training sessions with rehabilitation professionals as needed. Discharge planning begins on the day of admission to the inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program. This second of the two-part series will focus on individual patient management issues. It discusses circumstances in which the principles of cost-effective rehabilitation may need to be modified. It also discusses approaches to remedy patient management problems that may lead to excessive or ineffective utilization of rehabilitation services.

Routine stresses in caring for a child with cystic fibrosis.

Difficulties experienced by mothers caring for a child with cystic fibrosis were assessed. Difficulties were categorized as: (1) developmental, which included tasks generic to all families (bedtimes, socialization, siblings and communication with others); and (2) illness, which were especially pertinent to the care of the child with cystic fibrosis (mealtimes, physiotherapy and home-based medical care). Age differences were found in stresses associated with developmental routines, with mothers of younger children reporting more difficulties. With regard to illness routines, more difficulties were reported for children in better health (higher Shwachman scores). The data suggest that parents experience increasing difficulties in implementing home-based medical care where the child is in better health. Clinic staff need to be more aware of these difficulties and target information to parents appropriately.

[Social medicine aspects in lymphatic and oncologic diseases]. / Sozialmedizinische Gesichtspunkte bei lymphologischen und onkologischen Erkrankungen.

Lymph flux disturbance lead to social changes in the life of the patient. In crafts and administration there are numerous occupations which interfere with the pathophysiological conditions of the lymphedema patient. This is being discussed in patients with breast cancer who underwent axillary dissection. Matters of legislation in retirement and handicap have to be reflected. In addition, current problems in the prescription of physical theory in lymphedema patient are reviewed.

A comparative analysis of recruitment and retention of health care professionals.

Professional staff shortages in hospitals can drastically increase operating costs and compromise the quality of care, yet many recruitment and retention programs are ineffective. Shortages in the physical therapy and nursing professions are created by similar factors; management must also be sensitive to the differences.

Examination and communication: a study of first encounters between patients and physiotherapists.

What happens in first encounters between patients and physiotherapists? Videotaped encounters between two patients and their physiotherapists were analysed in depth to try to answer this question. It is advocated that attention must not be restricted to either clinical decision making or communication, but needs to be directed towards the relationship between communication and diagnostic approaches. In other words, in order to understand how a health problem is defined, the complexity and social organization of the process of interaction cannot be ignored. Therapies are chosen and cooperation is built on such socially and professionally constructed basis, and it is suggested that the nature of this construction needs to be grasped. To this end, the author analyses both the therapists' examination and the communication between patient and therapist. Focus is thereby shifted from the 'pure' diagnostic activity to the frame of reference underlying it. The analysis demonstrates differences in the two therapists' practice from the very moment patient and therapist greet one another till they say farewell. The therapists' actions mirror the dissimilar conceptual frameworks underlying their practice, and the therapists' conceptual lenses therefore need to be scrutinized further.