Improving Older Adults' Functional Health Using the Progressive Stay Strong, Stay Healthy Program.

This study assessed the Stay Strong, Stay Healthy (SSSH) level two resistance training program in 406 older adults (69.3 ± 8.1 years). SSSH included 10 exercises completed during 60 minute sessions, which were offered twice weekly for eight weeks. 30-second sit-to-stand (30STS), timed-up-and-go (TUG), flexibility, and balance poses were completed pre/post-SSSH. Paired t-tests with Bonferroni corrections showed the whole group improved 30STS, TUG, flexibility, and total balance scores over time (p < .001). Repeated measures analyses of variance showed both geography and age groups improved 30STS, TUG, flexibility, and total balance scores over time (all time effects p ≤ .039). Independent t-tests showed rural participants improved to a similar or greater absolute extent than their urban neighbors for nearly all measures and all age groups improved to a similar absolute magnitude over time. This study demonstrates SSSH level two improves physical function in older adults and these benefits are similar across geography and age groups.

Missed Physiotherapy Appointment and Its Influence on Cost, Efficiency and Patients' Outcomes.

Background: Missed appointments is a significant challenge to efficient running of physiotherapy departments and it has cost implications. In this study, wait time, and pattern, predictors and impact of Missed appointments (MAs) on cost, efficiency and recovery time was assessed among Nigerian patients receiving physiotherapy. Method: In this retrospective study a total of 3,243 physiotherapy appointments were booked between 2009 and 2019 at an Outpatient Physiotherapy Clinic in Nigeria. Data were collected on Missed appointments, on costs of of treatment and on socio-demographic characteristics. The total revenue loss due to missed appointments was calculated as a product of the total of Missed appointments and cost per treatment; recovery time was also estimated. Results: Missed appointments were 1,701 out of 3,243 booked (52.5%) and the average wait time for the first appointment was 9.6 ± 23.2 days. The proportion of Missed appointments was higher among females (50.2%), patients who were not resident of the same location as the clinic (45.3%), patients with orthopaedic conditions (56.2%) and patients referred from an orthopaedic surgeon (32.8%). Females, those who live within the city, and those with neurological/medical conditions were 1.68, 1.24, and 1.52 times more likely to have Missed appointments compared to males (OR = 1.68, Confidence intervals = 1.44 - 1.96, p = < 0.001), those who live outside the city (OR = 1.24, CI = 1.05 - 1.46, p = 0.01), and to those who have orthopaedic conditions (OR = 1.52, CI = 1.20 - 1.93, p = < 0.001), respectively. Using per treatment schedule cost of N1000 (an equivalent of $ 2.31), a 52.5% Missed appointments rate resulted in lower efficiency of 76.6% with an efficiency ratio of 0.23. Further, a 52.5% Missed appointments rate could potentially impact patient recovery time by 3402 days if Missed appointments slow a patient recovery process by 2 days. Conclusions: Missed appointments for physiotherapy treatment pose a significant challenge in terms of costs, efficiency, and patient recovery time. Thus, an innovative reminder system may help reduce patients' non-attendance to physiotherapy and its consequences.

Special Considerations in Behavioral Assessments for Disorders of Consciousness.

Behavioral assessment remains the cornerstone of the clinical evaluation of disorders of consciousness (DoC). Because the basic approach to these evaluations has been extensively reviewed elsewhere, this article focuses on special considerations in the behavioral assessment of patients with a DoC. All therapy disciplines (physical therapy/occupational therapy/speech language pathologist) have a significant role to play and other staff and family members should also be encouraged to share their observations. Finally, the assessment with standardized scales should be supplemented by qualitative behavioral observations as well as, when appropriate, an individualized quantitative behavioral assessment.

Current Concepts in Achilles Tendon Ruptures.

The Achilles tendon has a high incidence of ruptures often occurring in weekend warriors and the aging population. Based on anatomic studies of the Achilles tendon, ruptures are commonly found in the watershed area proximal to the insertion site. Traditionally, treatment options included conservative therapy with immobilization and a prolonged non-weight-bearing phase versus surgical treatment. Surgical treatment can vary between open, minimally invasive, or percutaneous approaches. In more recent years, early functional rehabilitation with or without surgery has shown to have successful results.

Effect of a Patient Engagement, Education, and Restructuring of Cognitions (PEERC) approach on conservative care in rotator cuff related shoulder pain treatment: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite similar outcomes for surgery and physical therapy (PT), the number of surgeries to treat rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP) is increasing. Interventions designed to enhance treatment expectations for PT have been shown to improve patient expectations, but no studies have explored whether such interventions influence patient reports of having had surgery, or being scheduled for surgery. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to examine the effect of a cognitive behavioral intervention aimed at changing expectations for PT on patient-report of having had or being scheduled for surgery and on the outcomes of PT. METHODS: The Patient Engagement, Education, and Restructuring of Cognitions (PEERC) intervention, was designed to change expectations regarding PT. PEERC was evaluated in a randomized, pragmatic "add-on" trial in by randomizing patients with RCRSP to receive either PT intervention alone (PT) or PT + PEERC. Fifty-four (54) individuals, recruited from an outpatient hospital-based orthopedic clinic, were enrolled in the trial (25 randomized to PT, 29 randomized to PT + PEERC). Outcomes assessed at enrollment, 6 weeks, discharge, and six months after discharge included the patient report of having had surgery, or being scheduled for surgery (primary) and satisfaction with PT outcome, pain, and function (secondary outcomes). RESULTS: The average age of the 54 participants was 51.81; SD = 12.54, and 63% were female. Chronicity of shoulder pain averaged 174.61 days; SD = 179.58. Study results showed that at the time of six months follow up, three (12%) of the participants in the PT alone group and one (3.4%) in the PT + PEERC group reported have had surgery or being scheduled for surgery (p = .32). There were no significant differences between groups on measures of satisfaction with the outcome of PT (p = .08), pain (p = .58) or function (p = .82). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with RCRSP, PT plus the cognitive behavioral intervention aimed at changing expectations for PT provided no additional benefit compared to PT alone with regard to patient report of having had surgery, or being scheduled to have surgery, patient reported treatment satisfaction with the outcome of PT, or improvements in pain, or function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03353272 (27/11/2017).

Heel Pain - Plantar Fasciitis: Revision 2023.

The Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has an ongoing effort to create evidence-based practice guidelines for orthopaedic physical therapy management of patients with musculoskeletal impairments described in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). The purpose of these revised clinical practice guidelines is to review recent peer-reviewed literature and make recommendations related to nonarthritic heel pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2023;53(12):CPG1-CPG39. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.0303.

Evolución de la funcionalidad y la fuerza muscular desde cuidado intensivo a hospitalización en sobrevivientes por COVID-19 / Evolution of functionality and muscle strength from intensive care to hospitalization in survivors of COVID-19

Introducción El paciente crítico hospitalizado en cuidado intensivo (UCI) tiene más riesgo de deterioro en la función física. Una forma de contrarrestarlo está relacionada con la intervención temprana de fisioterapia, pero son escasos los reportes en pacientes con enfermedad severa por COVID-19. Objetivo Describir el compromiso y cambio en la funcionalidad y en la fuerza muscular en pacientes con COVID-19 que recibieron intervención temprana de fisioterapia en UCI hasta el alta hospitalaria, y comparar la evolución de acuerdo con si recibieron ventilación mecánica invasiva o no. Metodología Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con COVID-19 que ingresaron a UCI entre marzo y septiembre del 2020 y recibieron intervención de fisioterapia. La funcionalidad se evaluó con el índice Barthel (IB) y la fuerza muscular con el Medical Research Council Sum Score (MRC-SS), los cuales fueron medidos por el fisioterapeuta de turno en dos momentos, al egreso de UCI y de hospitalización. Se consideró el valor p < 0,05 como significativo. Resultados Se revisaron 66 registros; la edad promedio fue de 53,3 (32 ± 11,5) años; 32 (48,5%) requirieron ventilación mecánica. Se observó compromiso en la funcionalidad y en la fuerza muscular, con mejoría progresiva antes del egreso hospitalario: IB [64,1 (± 34,7) vs. 87,7 (± 18,4) p = 0,000], MRC-SS [40,5 (± 11) vs. 48 (± 9) p = 0,000]. El grupo de pacientes ventilados presentó mayor compromiso IB [34,2 (± 24,7) vs. 76,7 (± 21,2) p = 0,000] y MRC-SS [31,5 (± 7,2) vs. 42,3 (± 8,3) p = 0,000]. Los días de ventilación mecánica, de relajación, y mayor APACHE II mostraron una correlación negativa significativa con las variables de resultado (p = 0,000). Conclusiones Los pacientes con enfermedad severa por COVID-19 que recibieron intervención de fisioterapia mostraron cambios significativos en la funcionalidad y en la fuerza muscular. Los pacientes que requirieron ventilación mecánica presentaron mayor compromiso funcional (AU)

Introduction The critically ill patient hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU), has a higher risk of deterioration in physical function. One way to counteract its related to early physiotherapy intervention, but there are few reports in patients with severe disease from COVID-19. Objective To describe the compromise and change in functionality and muscle strength in patients with COVID-19 who received early physiotherapy intervention in ICU until hospital discharge and compare the evolution according to whether or not they received invasive mechanical ventilation. Methodology Retrospective study of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU between March and September 2020 and received physiotherapy intervention. Functionality was assessed with the Barthel Index (BI) and muscle strength with the Medical Research Council Sum Score (MRC-SS), which were measured by the physiotherapist at two moments, upon discharge from ICU and from hospitalization. For the correlations, a value P<.05 was considered significant. Results Sixty-six records were reviewed; the mean age was 53.3 (32±11.5) years; 32 (48.5%) required mechanical ventilation. Compromise in functionality and muscle strength was observed, with progressive improvement before hospital discharge: IB [64.1 (± 34.7) vs. 87.7 (± 18.4), P = .000], MRC-SS [40.5 (± 11) vs. 48 (± 9), P = .000]. The group of ventilated patients presented greater compromise: IB [34.2 (± 24.7) vs. 76.7 (± 21.2), P = .000] and MRC-SS [31.5 (± 7.2) vs. 42.3 (± 8.3), P = .000]. The days of mechanical ventilation, relaxation, and higher APACHE II showed a significant negative correlation with the outcome variables (P = .000). Conclusions Patients with severe disease from COVID-19 who received physiotherapy intervention, showed significant changes in functionality and muscle strength. The patients who required mechanical ventilation presented greater functional compromise (AU)

Ensayo clínico aleatorizado en pacientes COVID- 19 sobre el efecto de la fisioterapia precoz en su acondicionamiento físico / Randomized clinical trial in Covid-19 patients on the effect of early physiotherapy on their physical condition

Introducción La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) recomienda las intervenciones tempranas de rehabilitación y movilización en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. Los beneficios de la fisioterapia precoz, durante la estancia hospitalaria, no han sido probados en ensayos clínicos. Objetivo Evaluar los efectos de la fisioterapia precoz y educación para la salud en pacientes COVID-19 hospitalizados, en relación con los síntomas descritos en estudios previos, analizando diferencias entre grupos respecto a su acondicionamiento físico, necesidad de oxigenoterapia y estancia hospitalaria. Metodología Ensayo clínico aleatorizado con dos brazos, desarrollado en unidades de hospitalización y cuidados respiratorios intermedios (UCRI), con pacientes COVID-19. Se incluyeron 64 sujetos en el grupo experimental (implementación de un programa de fisioterapia precoz tras 48-72 horas de ingreso) y 62 en el grupo control (tratamiento habitual del centro). Variables sociodemográficas y clínicas: escala de disnea modified Medical Research Council (Mmrc), oxigenoterapia, Medical Research Council Scale sum score (MRC-SS), 30 segundos sit to stand test (30 s-STST), fuerza de prensión manual (FPM), Tinetti, escala de fragilidad (FRAIL-España) y escala Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS). Se evaluaron al ingreso, al alta y a los dos meses del alta. Resultados Los experimentales tuvieron menos días de ingreso y de oxigenoterapia convencional. Al alta, presentan menor riesgo de caída (72,9 vs. 95,8%) y menor debilidad en MRC-SS (2,1 vs. 14,6%). A los dos meses tenían menor fragilidad (5,0 vs. 14,5%), mayor fuerza de prensión manual, menos disnea, mejores resultados en 30s-STST y menos limitaciones post-COVID (86,5 vs. 96,4%) (AU)

Introduction The WHO recommends early rehabilitation and mobilization interventions in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The benefits of early physiotherapy, during the hospital stay, have not been proven in clinical trials. Objective To evaluate the effects of early physiotherapy and health education in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, in relation to the symptoms described in previous studies, analyzing differences between groups regarding their physical conditioning, need for oxygen therapy and hospital stay. Methodology Randomized clinical trial with two arms, developed in hospitalization and intermediate respiratory care units, with COVID-19 patients. Sixty-four patients included in the experimental group (implementation of an early physiotherapy program after 48–72 h of admission) and 62 patients in the control group (usual treatment of the center). Sociodemographic and clinical variables: mMRC, oxygen therapy, MRC-SS, 30 s-STST, FPM, Tinetti, FRAIL-España and PCFS. They were evaluated on admission, discharge and two months after discharge. Results The experimental patients had fewer days of admission and conventional oxygen therapy. At discharge, they present a lower risk of falling (72.9% vs. 95.8%) and less weakness in MRC-SS (2.1% vs. 14.6%). At two months they had less frailty (5.0% vs. 14.5%), greater hand grip strength, less dyspnea, better results in 30s-STST and fewer post-COVID limitations (86.5% vs. 96.4%). Conclusión The intervention of early physiotherapy in COVID-19 patients and the health education received, prevents muscle weakness during admission, improves physical conditioning at discharge and two months later, and reduces the days of hospital stay (AU)

Recommendations for the optimal management of peritoneal metastases in patients with colorectal cancer: a TTD and GECOP-SEOQ expert consensus statement

Peritoneal metastases (PM) occur when cancer cells spread inside the abdominal cavity and entail an advanced stage of colorectal cancer (CRC). Prognosis, which is poor, correlates highly with tumour burden, as measured by the peritoneal cancer index (PCI). Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in specialized centres should be offered especially to patients with a low to moderate PCI when complete resection is expected. The presence of resectable metastatic disease in other organs is not a contraindication in well-selected patients. Although several retrospective and small prospective studies have suggested a survival benefit of adding hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to CRS, the recently published phase III studies PRODIGE-7 in CRC patients with PM, and COLOPEC and PROPHYLOCHIP in resected CRC with high-risk of PM, failed to show any survival advantage of this strategy using oxaliplatin in a 30-min perfusion. Final results from ongoing randomized phase III trials testing CRS plus HIPEC based on mitomycin C (MMC) are awaited with interest. In this article, a group of experts selected by the Spanish Group for the Treatment of Digestive Tumours (TTD) and the Spanish Group of Peritoneal Oncologic Surgery (GECOP), which is part of the Spanish Society of Surgical Oncology (SEOQ), reviewed the role of HIPEC plus CRS in CRC patients with PM. As a result, a series of recommendations to optimize the management of these patients is proposed (AU)

[Efficacy evaluation of symptom-complex physiotherapy in polymorbidity based on randomized comparative studies]. / Otsenka effektivnosti simptomokompleksnoi fizioterapii pri polipatii na osnove randomizirovannykh sravnitel'nykh issledovanii.

The problem of comprehensive physical therapy in polymorbidity (PM) identifies among the most urgent difficulties of modern rehabilitation medicine. It is known that PM are more common than it is generally accepted, and their impact on the endpoints of rehabilitative treatment is more significant. Yet, many problems of PM have not been investigated and properly solved. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of comprehensive physical therapy (CPT) in PM in the age aspect on the basis of correlation analysis and ANOVA indicators (OR, RR, Q, x2, r2), as well as evidence-based medicine (EBM), in particular randomized comparative study (RCS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A number of patients with PM equal 554 underwent CPT, of which 204 (36.8%) were male and 350 (63.2%) female. The identified age cohorts were following: the 1st group - 188 (33.9%) patients aged from 45 to 59; the 2nd group - 366 (66.1%) patients aged from 60 to 74. The ratio of middle-aged and elderly patients was 1.9:1. RESULTS: The efficacy of CPT in patients with PM was judged, first of all, by documentary (medical histories and medical records of patients) and mathematical data (OR, RR, Q, x2, r2). The evidence level of CPT effect was determined on the basis of the analysis of the particular method's study results. CONCLUSION: The incidence of positive CPT result in middle-aged patients was higher than in elderly. The positive strong statistical correlation between comprehensive physical therapy and the endpoint in most classes of diseases of patients with PM. The comparative assessment of CPT efficacy based on the EBM principles revealed the advantages of their use for elderly patients relative to middle-aged group.

Framing asynchronous interprofessional education: a qualitative study on medical, physiotherapy and nursing students.

Objectives: To explore how virtual, asynchronous modules can be used in interprofessional health education curricula and to identify any advantages and shortcomings of asynchronous interprofessional education. Methods: A sample of 27 health professional students who attended in-person interprofessional education workshops at the McMaster Centre for Simulation-Based Learning from 2019-2020 were recruited through email discourse. Participants were asked to complete an asynchronous interprofessional education module and take part in a semi-structured interview that was recorded and transcribed verbatim. Techniques of direct content analysis were used to analyze the qualitative data from recorded transcripts. Results: The following emergent themes from participants' responses were identified: 1) the modules, as well as the features interspersed throughout, taught strategies for conflict resolution and interprofessional communication, 2) the modules have utility in preparing students for future interprofessional learning, 3) the convenience of virtual asynchronous modules introduces a sense of learner safety, and 4) a sense of isolation and fatigue was identified as a consequence of the lack of face-to-face interaction in these modules. Conclusion: Asynchronous interprofessional education modules may be best suited to prepare students for future interprofessional learning in a synchronous setting. Asynchronous modules effectively provide an introduction to interprofessional objectives such as conflict resolution and role clarification, yet the competency of team functioning is more difficult to achieve in an asynchronous environment. Future studies may focus on establishing a sequence of completing asynchronous modules for ideal development of interprofessional competencies in health professions learners.

A Study of 45 Patients with Chronic Neck Pain to Compare the Effects on Pain and Disability of 4 Weeks of Physical Therapy with the Active Release Technique and Strain-Counterstrain Manipulation with Massage Alone, Before and After Treatment.

BACKGROUND Active release technique (ART) and strain-counterstrain (SCS) have been reported to be beneficial for patients with trigger point pain. Therefore, this study of 45 patients with chronic neck pain aimed to compare the effects of 4 weeks of physical therapy with the ART and SCS manipulation with massage alone, evaluated before and after treatment, using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the neck disability index (NDI), and the pressure pain threshold (PPT). MATERIAL AND METHODS The participants were 45 adults with neck pain lasting >12 weeks, divided into the ART group (n=15), SCS group (n=15), and control group (n=15). All groups received clinical massage (CM) for 15 min twice a week for 4 weeks. The control group received only CM, the ART group received CM and ART for 15 min twice a week for 4 weeks, and the SCS group received CM and SCS for 15 min twice a week for 4 weeks. VAS, NDI, and PPT were measured before and after the interventions. RESULTS In all groups, there were significant changes in VAS, NDI, and PPT after the interventions (P<0.05), and there was a significant difference among groups in the difference before and after intervention (P<0.05). VAS and NDI showed the greatest difference among before and after intervention in the ART group (VAS pre-post 3.38±0.76, NDI pre-post 5.69±2.78). PPT showed the greatest difference among before and after intervention in the SCS group (PPT pre-post 1.75±0.62). CONCLUSIONS The ART technique and the SCS technique effectively reduced neck pain and neck disorders in adults with chronic neck pain.

Physical Therapy Student Attitudes and Beliefs Related to Evidence-Based Practice Following an Integrated Learning Activity.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an integral competency for physical therapists; however, a knowledge-to-practice gap exists and best educational practices to facilitate EBP-related behaviors are unclear. This study describes the effects of a multi-semester learning activity on student-reported EBP behaviors. Students (n = 34) in their second and third years of a Doctor of Physical Therapy program participated in a 4-semester learning activity including journal club participation and student research, with integrated learning objectives. The Evidence-Based Practice Profile (EBP2) was administered at the beginning and the end of the learning activity to collect outcomes related to five EBP domains. Significant improvements were observed in four EBP domains, with medium to large effect sizes (relevance 0.63; sympathy 0.18; terminology 1.05; practice 0.94; confidence 0.90). The multi-semester activity described here is generalizable and relevant to a variety of allied health disciplines and shows promise to improve student EBP skills and knowledge.

An Infographic Assignment to Translate Knowledge of Research Evidence for the Doctoral of Physical Therapy Classroom: A Case Report.

AIMS: The purpose of this report was to describe an example of how to incorporate infographics as a group assignment in the entry-level physical therapy classroom to integrate course content and translate knowledge of research evidence. METHODS: This was a retrospective case report. Students developed their own infographics as a group assignment to present in the classroom. During course orientation and at the end of the course, students were asked to complete an optional survey about infographics. RESULTS: Fifty students completed the survey. All students (n=50) reported that they were attracted to visual information, and 74% (n=37) had used an infographic as an educational/informative tool. 74% (n=37) completed the post-intervention survey and found infographics valuable in reviewing course content. 95% (n=35) would consider using infographics as a learning and knowledge translation (KT) tool in the future. CONCLUSION: These data validated students' interest in visual information and awareness about the use of infographics as an educational/informative tool. Health care educators may use innovative KT strategies, such as infographics, in the classroom to encourage students to develop competency in KT and dissemination of information.

Chronic shoulder pain.

BACKGROUND: Chronic shoulder pain is a common presenting compliant in general practice. The differential diagnosis is broad and varies with patient age. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the management of patients presenting with chronic shoulder pain. A structured approach to history and physical examination is presented, and appropriate investigations are discussed. Non-surgical and surgical treatment options are reviewed. DISCUSSION: Many patients presenting with chronic shoulder pain can be successfully treated non-surgically. A multidisciplinary approach including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology as needed will optimise care. Patients presenting with acute injuries or 'red flag' diagnoses should be urgently referred for specialist care. Referral to an orthopaedic surgeon is also recommended for patients who have failed an appropriate course of non-surgical treatment.

Surgical Treatment of a Neglected Thumb Volar Plate Injury in an 11-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Volar plate injuries are rare and difficult to diagnose and treat. Only a few cases have been described on the thumb, especially in children, that resulted in swan-neck type deformity. Conservative treatment has been suggested as first-line management, but surgical reconstruction utilizing flexor digitorum superficialis tenodesis has been described for refractive cases. Only a few attempted surgical repairs of the volar plate have been reported, since it is a technically demanding procedure. CASE REPORT We present the case of a neglected thumb volar plate injury in an 11-year-old girl after a thumb hyperextension injury. The patient presented 2 months after her injury with functional disability of her thumb. Magnetic resonance imaging had been performed, with no signs of volar plate injury, and she was consequently treated with an extension-blocking splint, with no effect. Clinical examination raised the suspicion of a thumb volar plate injury, which was confirmed during surgical exploration. Therefore, fixation with a bone anchor was performed, and the metacarpophalangeal joint was immobilized in 20° flexion with a percutaneously inserted Kirschner wire. After splinting for 3 weeks, the patient had 10 sessions of physical therapy. At 6-week follow-up, she presented with excellent active and passive range of motion and absence of pain. CONCLUSIONS Magnetic resonance imaging did not have high sensitivity. Six weeks after surgery, full range of motion was achieved, with no stiffness or tenderness at the first metacarpophalangeal joint, suggesting that a thumb volar plate injury had been managed surgically with a suture anchor with excellent results.

Physical therapy in the intensive care unit: A cross-sectional study of three Asian countries.

BACKGROUND: Physical therapy (PT) is beneficial for critically ill patients, but the extent of its application in the intensive care unit (ICU) differs between countries. Here, we compared the extent of PT intervention in the ICU in Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan by evaluating the sociodemographic and ICU-related profiles of ICU physical therapists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a semistructured nationwide online survey was distributed to ICU physical therapists in the three countries. RESULTS: We analyzed the responses of 164 physical therapists from Japan, Philippines, and Taiwan. Significant differences were observed between the countries in all sociodemographic variables and the following ICU-related profiles of physical therapists: ICU work experience, duration of the ICU posting, number of hours per day spent in the ICU, on-call ICU PT service engagement, source of ICU patient referral, therapist-patient ratio, and ICU-related PT training participation (p < 0.05). Medical, surgical, and neurologic ICUs were the most common ICU workplaces of the ICU physical therapists, but only surgical and neurologic ICUs exhibited significant differences between the countries (p < 0.05). Standard PT techniques in the ICU were passive and active-assisted range of motion, positioning, and breathing exercises but were implemented with significantly different frequencies between the countries (p < 0.05). The most common challenge faced in ICU PT service delivery by respondents from all three countries was lack of training prior to ICU duty, and lack of training was even bigger challenge in Japan than in other two countries after adjustment of age, highest educational attainment, and work experience. CONCLUSION: The differences in the health-care system between Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan were related to differences in the compliance with internationally recommended PT practice standards in the ICU, differences in the type of PT intervention prioritized, and the challenges encountered in ICU PT service delivery.