Articles tagged with Physical Rehabilitation
A Mayo Clinic study highlights the benefits of animal-assisted treatment in stroke rehabilitation, showing increased patient engagement and improved rehabilitation outcomes. Therapy animals support patients with limited motivation, reduced energy and lack of companionship.
Researchers develop first quality-of-life measure specifically designed for Australian aged 65 and over, to improve care and outcomes. The tool will enable consistent monitoring of quality-of-life outcomes across health and aged care settings.
The University of North Florida has been awarded a grant to provide immersive research education focused on pediatric rehabilitation and assistive technology. Students will participate in a 12-week program with coursework, guest speakers, mentored projects, and hands-on exposure to data science and clinical populations.
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT) will move to the Sage Journals digital platform, strengthening reader experience and expanding visibility of occupational therapy scholarship. AJOT's mission remains unchanged, publishing peer-reviewed research supporting practitioners, educators, students, and researchers.
The University of Pittsburgh's DPT-PhD Bioengineering Program has been awarded a five-year NIH T32 training grant. The program, co-directed by Rakié Cham and Patrick Sparto, supports students in integrating physical therapy education with bioengineering research training.
Researchers developed a multimodal rehabilitation platform combining virtual reality with targeted sensory nerve stimulation to improve arm and hand function in stroke patients. The platform showed greater improvements in motor impairment, sense of touch, and perception of the affected arm compared to conventional rehabilitation.
A study from the University of Gothenburg found that patients with chronic pain do not have equal access to specialized rehabilitation programs. Sociodemographic factors such as education, age, sex, and region of birth play a significant role in determining participation rates. The study suggests that addressing these disparities is cr...
The University of Louisville has opened an expanded Pediatric NeuroRecovery Center, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and increasing treatment capacity by 33%. The center provides life-changing therapies to children with spinal cord injuries, accelerating recovery and expanding access for those in need.
A novel rehabilitation system connects therapists and patients through robotic exoskeletons, enabling real-time adaptation and personalized care. Stroke survivors who used the system demonstrated improved joint range of motion, longer and higher steps, and high levels of motivation.
A new study from Northwestern University developed a customized video game to help chronic stroke survivors regain lost arm function. After six weeks of therapy, participants showed significant improvement in arm function and daily activities, with scores improving up to 7.8 times that of the control group.
Researchers found that using transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) while moving activates specific brain areas involved in motor systems. This suggests that taVNS may be a useful treatment intervention for mobility issues, potentially leading to improved motor performance.
A new study by the University of Southampton has found that reusable catheters are just as safe for patients as single-use ones and do not increase the risk of urinary tract infections. The study followed hundreds of patients for a year and discovered that those who tested reusable catheters used 35 per cent fewer antibiotics.
A novel antibody, NG101, accelerates the regeneration of damaged spinal cord tissue by neutralizing a protein that blocks nerve fiber growth. This therapy enables new nerve fibers to form functional connections, allowing patients to become more independent and potentially recover arm and hand function.
Dr. Jonathan H. Whiteson has been appointed as the new chair of Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health, aiming to enhance rehabilitation care and services across the institution. He plans to focus on growth in oncology rehabilitation, frailty prevention, healthy aging, and emerging technologies like AI and remote patient monitoring.
High-intensity interval training shows strongest vascular benefits in cardiovascular patients. HIIE consistently improves flow-mediated dilation and vasodilation, with combined high-intensity programs showing the largest estimated effects on endothelial function.
The UT San Antonio School of Health Professions' Doctor of Physical Therapy program has climbed national rankings due to its five-decade commitment to excellence. The program's curriculum includes clinical affiliations, interprofessional collaborative care, and a selective rotation tailored to student interests.
Research reveals longer weekly home-visit rehabilitations (HR) significantly improve activities of daily living (ADL) among older adults, especially those requiring moderate to severe care. The study found that HR duration correlates with ADL improvement in this population.
A clinical trial by University of Auckland researchers found that high-intensity therapy for patients begun within two weeks of a stroke did not improve hand and arm recovery. Despite the extra therapy, neither group did better than a cohort who received standard care alone.
A clinical trial found that high-intensity therapy for patients begun within two weeks of a stroke did not improve hand and arm recovery beyond standard care. Despite having access to extra therapy, neither group did better than a cohort who received standard care alone.
A pilot study found that axillary radiotherapy may be as effective as surgery in killing cancer cells while reducing the risk of painful swelling. The trial compared radiotherapy to axillary lymph node dissection and found similar cancer outcomes, but lower rates of lymphoedema after radiotherapy.
A new Australian study shows that a tailored, home-based program can significantly reduce the number of falls after stroke. The 'falls after stroke trial' (FAST) found that the program reduced falls by 33% over 12 months.
A new platform, Build Better Bones, offers evidence-based guidance and practical resources for osteoporosis management. The platform, developed by the International Osteoporosis Foundation, provides a trusted place for people with osteoporosis to start their journey, with a focus on exercise, nutrition, and home safety.
A large survey of stroke survivors under 50 found that they experience more difficulties concentrating and have poorer mental health days compared to older survivors. Younger survivors who were not working faced the greatest challenges in their recovery, highlighting the need for unique support services.
Researchers developed a new model to predict long-term survival after heart failure in elderly Japanese patients. The Top-20 XGBoost model incorporates physical function metrics, rivaling the importance of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and provides a more accurate estimation of mortality risk.
A study of 77,947 patients found that those over 80 and with low initial ADL scores benefited from holiday rehabilitation. This suggests prioritizing interventions for elderly and independent individuals can lead to better outcomes.
A survey by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reveals that 76% of people don't complete their physical therapy homework. Adding home exercises to routines can help successful recovery and reduce the need for additional medical procedures.
A study published in the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy found that backward walking training improved postural stability and gait speed in most participants with multiple sclerosis. The researchers suggest that this therapy may promote neuroplasticity and be a potential new treatment for improving mobility and decreasing falls.
A new randomized clinical trial found that training the less-impaired arm significantly improved movement coordination, speed and control in chronic stroke survivors. The study showed that motor skills in the less-affected arm can be improved even years after a stroke occurs.
A new treatment combining cognitive and occupational therapy is being tested to improve stroke recovery, especially for rural patients. The 'cognition-first' approach tackles cognitive difficulties before physical rehabilitation, addressing a significant gap in existing treatments.
The updated guideline recommends rapid diagnosis, imaging, and coordinated care to improve outcomes. It also introduces first-ever pediatric stroke guidance, highlighting the importance of prompt recognition and timely treatments.
A new machine learning model developed at the University of Michigan uses data from wearable sensors to predict how physical therapists would assess balance training performance. The model was trained with sensor data combined with analysis from physical therapists and predicted patients' balance ratings with nearly 90% accuracy.
The 9th IOF Asia-Pacific Bone Health Conference will bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and shape the future of bone health across the region. The conference will feature keynote lectures, sponsored sessions, and a launch of the IOF Asia-Pacific Regional Audit 2025.
The DEFEND study aims to assess whether virtual exercise sessions can be successfully delivered to patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. Researchers will evaluate the impact on physical function, fatigue, and disability.
Research on 1,000 older Japanese adults found that declining hand function significantly increases the risk of requiring long-term care. Hand function below a certain threshold was associated with an increased risk, highlighting its importance for daily activities and overall health.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association details differences in cardiac rehabilitation access, participation, and outcomes for women compared to men. The statement suggests evidence-based strategies to increase referral and completion rates for cardiac rehab programs among women with cardiovascular disease.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that vision therapy can effectively treat concussion-related eye coordination disorders, including convergence insufficiency and accommodation insufficiency. Nearly 90% of patients in the treatment group were able to see normally after 12 weeks of therapy.
Chronic back pain is associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, depression, and other conditions. A study found that people with back pain are more likely to report severe activity limitations due to comorbidities.
The Mount Sinai Hospital has relocated its inpatient services to a newly renovated space at Mount Sinai Morningside, featuring lifts, larger rooms, and state-of-the-art equipment. The new facility aims to enhance care for patients with various rehabilitative needs, including brain and spinal cord injuries.
A new review emphasizes the importance of both physical activity and reduced sedentary time for optimal skeletal health. Emerging evidence reveals that prolonged sitting and inactivity can harm bone health, even among regular exercisers.
A new study from UTS highlights the emotional and mental toll on teachers managing student pain in classrooms, finding educators often feel helpless, emotionally drained, and unsupported. The research identifies three key areas where pain science education can create meaningful change for both teachers and students.
Dr. Trevor Dyson-Hudson has received the prestigious James J. Peters Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to spinal cord injury healthcare. He is co-director of the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research at Kessler Foundation.
A new rehabilitation approach, FAST walk, combines spinal and hip stimulation to enhance neuroplasticity and support motor recovery in patients with post-stroke impairments. The study found that the FAST walk group showed a statistically significant improvement in gait speed compared to other treatment groups.
A study published in The Journal of Pain found that nature exposure can help people with chronic lower back pain by providing a sense of escapism, social connection, and physical exercise. Researchers recommend incorporating accessible design features into natural spaces to improve inclusivity.
The journal is seeking submissions to a new theme issue exploring the importance of telerehabilitation and future directions for the field. Researchers will focus on implementation challenges, health equity concerns, and emerging innovations like AI-driven personalized rehabilitation.
A new study from the University of California - San Francisco suggests that telehealth can be an effective treatment option for women experiencing urinary incontinence after giving birth. The research found significant improvements in symptoms, regardless of whether women received physical therapy in-person or via telehealth.
Research found that certain diabetes medications associated with weight loss can contribute to muscle mass loss and increased risk of falls. The study identified three significant risk factors for falls: history of falls, use of SGLT2 inhibitors, and advanced age.
Researchers found that limiting daytime sleep and getting approximately seven hours of sleep each night in the first week after a concussion may speed up recovery. Youth who sleep more or less than ideal amounts during this period may experience slower symptom resolution.
A new drug-free intervention targets the root cause of progressive loss of neural function in SMA by gradually reawakening functionally silent motor neurons. Early results show improved leg muscle strength and walking in adults with SMA, regardless of symptom severity.
A clinical trial showed that an antibody blocking Nogo-A protein improves motor function in patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. The treatment led to significant improvements in voluntary muscle activation and everyday life functional independence. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
A systematic review of 33 rehabilitation clinical trials found that cycling in the ICU leads to better physical function and shorter hospital stays. Patients who cycled spent one day less in the ICU and 1.5 days less in the hospital, with no increase in mortality rates.
Researchers developed a motor meta-learning task to assess stroke patients' ability to recognize their learning capabilities and plan practice. The study found a significant correlation between meta-learning ability and improvement index, suggesting that enhanced individual meta-learning ability can improve rehabilitation efficacy.
A longitudinal study has found that tissue bridges in the spinal cord are associated with short- and long-term clinical improvements in patients with cervical spine injuries. The study's models, developed by a team of experts, incorporate tissue bridges for improved prognosis and can be transferred to other patient cohorts.
A special issue of the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine explores cerebral palsy beyond childhood, highlighting topics like mental health, sexuality, and independence in adults. The issue aims to address long-overlooked aspects of CP care, promoting a broader perspective for improved patient outcomes.
The World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases will showcase new clinical research from over 1507 submitted abstracts. The event will offer valuable knowledge to help clinicians treat patients more effectively in their daily practice.
A new special issue of Calcified Tissue International & Musculoskeletal Research sheds light on sarcopenia's pathogenesis, clinical implications, and therapeutic targets. Researchers have made significant progress in evaluating, managing, and developing interventions for this condition.
Researchers at Boston University's Center for Neurorehabilitation have made two important advances that may help people with Parkinson's disease walk more smoothly. Wearable soft robotic apparel and a music-based technology were tested in studies, showing promising results in increasing walking duration and distance.
A Kessler Foundation study found that spatial neglect affects a substantial percentage of people with traumatic brain injury, with an incidence rate of 38% post-TBI. The study also revealed that right brain damage is more likely to result in spatial neglect, highlighting the need for timely treatment and screening guidelines.
Researchers found that whole-word errors are influenced by egocentric position, while unilateral paralexias are not. A failure of selective attention also contributes to whole-word intrusion errors. The findings suggest different rehabilitative approaches are needed for each type of error.
Despite its cost-effective prevention for recurrent events, cardiac rehabilitation remains inaccessible to many due to lack of social support, particularly in poorer countries. Home-based rehabilitation and comprehensive lifelong healthy behavioral programs may help address these barriers.
A novel robotic system developed by USC researchers can help clinicians accurately assess a patient's rehabilitation progress. The method generates an 'arm nonuse' metric using machine learning and a socially assistive robot to track how much a patient is using their weaker arm spontaneously.