Physical therapy in patients with systemic sclerosis: physical therapists' perspectives on current delivery and educational needs.
Scand J Rheumatol
; 51(5): 394-401, 2022 09.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34263718
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the perspectives of physical therapists treating patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) on their current practice and educational needs.METHOD:
In July 2019, 405 SSc patients attending a multidisciplinary SSc programme received a survey on physical therapy. Patients who indicated having received physical therapy in the past 2 years were asked to invite their treating physical therapist to complete a questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, referral process, content of treatment, perceived knowledge and skills, and educational needs (mostly yes/no answers).RESULTS:
Forty-eight of 80 possibly eligible physical therapists treating SSc patients returned the questionnaire [median age 44 years (interquartile range 35-58); 52% female; median number of SSc patients currently treated 1 (range 1-4)]. Eighty-one per cent (n = 39) of physical therapists had received a referral, with 69% (n = 27/39) judging its content as insufficient. The most often provided types of exercises were range of motion (96%), muscle-strengthening (85%), and aerobic (71%) exercises, followed by hand (42%) and mouth (10%) exercises. Concerning manual treatment, 65% performed either massage or passive mobilization. Regarding competences, 65% indicated feeling capable of treating SSc patients. Nevertheless, 85% expressed the need for an information website on physical therapy in SSc, and 77% for postgraduate education on SSc.CONCLUSION:
Primary care physical therapists treating patients with SSc used a wide range of treatment modalities. Although most stated that they treated very few patients, the majority felt capable of treating SSc patients. Nevertheless, the large majority expressed a need for additional information and educational activities concerning SSc.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Esclerodermia Sistémica
/
Fisioterapeutas
Tipo de estudio:
Guideline
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Scand J Rheumatol
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Países Bajos