Articles tagged with Physical Therapy
A clinical trial at UC Davis Health showed that cellular therapy offers promise for patients with late-stage Duchenne muscular dystrophy, stopping deterioration of upper limb and heart functions. The therapy appears to be safe and effective in improving skeletal muscle and cardiac function.
A joint team of Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania researchers, and JSC Abili created a prototype of an office chair that activates deep muscles and improves trunk stabilisation. This innovation aims to prevent musculoskeletal disorders caused by prolonged sitting, common among sedentary workers.
Researchers developed a user-centered virtual reality system to engage stroke survivors with spatial neglect in intensive therapy, showing promising results. The system uses head-mounted displays and hand-tracking technology to deliver standardized treatment in an engaging environment.
A new review by the International Osteoporosis Foundation highlights the importance of comprehensive post-fracture care, including exercise, nutrition, physiotherapy, and patient education. The study concludes that individualized exercise approaches can improve recovery and reduce future fracture risk.
A new study published in NEJM Evidence reveals that exercise and patient education can provide similar results as surgery for young people with meniscal tears. The research compared surgical and non-surgical treatment options among 121 young individuals and found no significant difference in outcomes between the two groups.
Postpartum pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a complex condition requiring a multidisciplinary care approach. The new clinical practice guideline presents evidence-based recommendations for physical therapy management, including a hybrid diagnostic model and classification system.
A team of scientists at the University of Missouri used small wearable sensors to gather data on how people with a traumatic hand amputation use a prosthesis versus a transplanted hand. The study found that hand transplant recipients exhibit a more balanced pattern of limb use, while prosthesis users rely heavily on their prosthetic hand.
Researchers found that slowness of gait alone can predict loss of capacity to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living (BADL and IADL) in older adults. The study analyzed data from over 3,000 people aged 60 and over, concluding that measuring gait speed is sufficient for efficient prediction of functional disability.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to nonpharmacologic therapies like physical therapy was limited, leading to an increase in opioid prescriptions for pain management. The study found that prescription opioids replaced nonpharmacologic therapies as a primary means of pain control.
A study by GIST scientists found that physical interaction between children with cerebral palsy and horses improves motor skills and balance. The research team recorded horse and child movements, tracking acceleration and angular velocity to quantify interactions, which were linked to improved outcomes.
Boston University researchers found that even low levels of physical therapy before or after total knee replacement surgery lower the odds of chronic opioid use. Participation in six or more sessions of physical therapy post-surgery and initiation within 30 days of surgery were linked to reduced chance of chronic opioid use.
Lactate sensors in wearables aim to monitor athletes' exertion levels, but the connection between sweat and blood lactate remains unclear. Researchers propose improvements to electrochemical sensors and develop an epidermal patch containing a lactate biosensor.
The Charles Lazarus Children’s Abilities Center at Mount Sinai offers cutting-edge treatments for children with disabilities, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The center features state-of-the-art equipment and a multidisciplinary team of experts providing comprehensive care to children from birth to age 21.
A multidisciplinary organization has reached consensus on guidelines for performing, interpreting, and reporting MR defecography. The consensus templates aim to standardize care for patients with evacuation disorders of the pelvic floor.
A study at the University of Missouri found that telehealth helped pediatric physical therapists deliver critical therapy services virtually, despite technical issues in rural areas. Access to reliable Wi-Fi was a common challenge, but caregiver engagement was reported as the biggest facilitator to successful sessions.
Researchers found that high-dose gait training using a robotic exoskeleton can restore functional ambulation in individuals with moderate to severe hemiplegia caused by stroke. The study showed improvements in walking distance, speed, balance, and endurance, with no complications or falls reported.
A new app called selfBACK has been developed to help people deal with back pain in a better way. The app uses artificial intelligence and draws on other people's experiences with back pain to provide tailored advice and feedback.
Research suggests that Nintendo Wii therapy can significantly improve balance in children with cerebral palsy, even when combined with conventional physical therapy. The analysis found medium to large effects of the therapy on functional balance and dynamic balance, respectively.
A recent study found that adults with cerebral palsy receive significantly less physical therapy for musculoskeletal disorders, despite greater risk of secondary comorbid conditions. The researchers underscore the need for increased clinical awareness and improved screening strategies to address this inequity in healthcare.
A study conducted in Brazil found that a cognitive-behavioral approach to treatment can significantly yield weight loss and improve quality of life. The program was shown to be effective in increasing quality of life in all domains, physical, psychological, social, and environmental, while reducing symptoms of depression.
A Trinity College study found people homeless in their 20s-40s experience high levels of physical and mobility problems, with only one-third able to climb hospital stairs. The study suggests that targeted health and accommodation services are necessary for this vulnerable group.
A new model in physical therapy education aims to address opioid use disorder by incorporating topics such as women's health, pediatric care, and sports therapy. By understanding the complex interplay between physical activity, pain perception, and addiction, physical therapists can provide holistic care to patients across the lifespan.
A recent study found that Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans are severely underrepresented in the US health workforce, with representation ranging from 3.3% to 11.4%. The study highlights the need for increased diversity in the health professions to improve access and outcomes in underserved communities.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed a new treatment that uses skin-surface stimulation to help people with spinal cord injuries regain hand and arm mobility. After a five-month training program, six participants showed significant improvements in hand function, which lasted for up to six months after treatment ended.
A new robotic device called TruST helps children with cerebral palsy improve their trunk and reaching control, allowing them to sit stably and perform daily activities without assistance. After a two-year pilot study, four children aged 6-14 showed significant postural and reaching control improvements.
A randomized controlled trial found that early referral to physical therapy significantly improved function and reduced symptoms of back pain with sciatica compared to usual care. Patients who received physical therapy immediately after their primary care visit reported less disability than those who took the wait-and-see approach.
A new study found that patients with sciatica who received four weeks of physical therapy experienced less disability in the year following their initial doctor's visit compared to those who followed a wait-and-see approach. Physical therapy significantly improved patient outcomes, including reduced pain and increased activity levels.
A recent study found that COVID-19-related interruptions in rehabilitation care for women with breast cancer led to increased emotional distress and reduced physical activity. The study, published in Rehabilitation Oncology, surveyed 15 breast cancer survivors who experienced cancelled appointments due to the pandemic.
A new study published in Physical Therapy found that high-intensity rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities significantly improved patient function, reducing the need for extended care. Patients who received high-intensity training showed a 0.13m/s increase in walking speed and a 3.5-day reduction in hospital stay.
A study at Boston Medical Center found that yoga and physical therapy led to better results for patients with chronic low back pain compared to self-care. Participants who feared exercise or were already taking pain medication showed a larger response to these treatments.
A new framework for assessing and managing serious spinal pathologies has been developed by the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT). The framework provides a clinical-reasoning pathway to recognize red flags in spinal injuries and disease, enabling early identification and management.
A study by Harvard's Wyss Institute shows that a soft robotic exosuit can significantly increase stroke survivors' walking speed and distance. The device, which weighs less than five kilograms, assists patients with impaired gait functions, enabling them to walk faster and farther.
The new guidelines aim to prevent complications of the respiratory system and muscle deconditioning, while also improving long-term physical function and recovery. Physiotherapists are essential in providing treatment and limiting ICU-acquired weakness.
Researchers have developed a system that uses virtual reality and 3D motion capture to provide guidance for physiotherapy exercises. The study found that participants could accurately follow the movements of a virtual avatar when it was accompanied by realistic footstep sounds, but struggled with visual information alone.
The Parkinson's Foundation has awarded a total of $30,000 to three physical therapists through its new Physical Therapy Faculty Award. The award will support individual project initiatives aimed at improving life for people with Parkinson's disease, including developing academic partnerships and heart rate monitoring protocols.
A study from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that individualized physical therapy can effectively reduce urinary incontinence and pain in men after prostate surgery. The approach focuses on relaxing tight pelvic muscles rather than strengthening weak ones, leading to improved outcomes for 87% of patients.
A new study by Swansea University found that women who value their own health are more likely to benefit from physiotherapy treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction. The research suggests that supporting patients to develop positive health values can enhance attendance and outcomes, potentially reducing the need for surgical intervention.
A comprehensive review of 53 studies found no evidence that changing a runner's strike pattern reduces injury risk or improves performance. Running on the front of feet may make runners less efficient in the short term.
Research reveals disparities in physiotherapy provision across England, with patients in London and the North receiving more, while those in the South West receive less. Factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity impact access to physiotherapy, highlighting a need for parity in service provision.
Researchers detected a significant correlation between kinesiophobia and chronic musculoskeletal pain, with increased fear of movement linked to longer pain durations. In contrast, whiplash patients showed less influence from kinesiophobia, suggesting other factors at play.
A new study analyzed US physician visits for knee osteoarthritis from 2007 to 2015 and found that rates of physical therapy and lifestyle recommendations decreased, while narcotic prescriptions increased. The study highlights the need for more research on barriers to prescribing exercise-based interventions to improve patient care.
Patients who first see a chiropractor or physical therapist are less likely to be prescribed opioids, reducing the risk of short- and long-term use. The study found that state-level policy regulations impact opioid prescribing, with patients in states with limited access more likely to receive opioids.
A randomized clinical trial found that combining behavioral and physical therapy before and after midurethral sling surgery improved symptoms of mixed urinary incontinence. However, the small difference may not be clinically significant due to a lack of established thresholds for minimal clinically important differences.
Professional drivers, manufacturing workers, and cleaners have a threefold increased risk of type 2 diabetes compared to university teachers. Workplace interventions could reduce weight and increase physical activity among employees in these occupations to major health gains.
Researchers found that 23% of participants in one group and 18% in another could walk over 300 meters in six minutes after a 16-week home-based intervention. While both groups showed significant improvement, the difference was not statistically significant.
Patellofemoral pain affects one in four of the general population every year, with women reporting PFP twice as often as men. Exercise therapy, particularly hip and knee strengthening treatments prescribed by a physical therapist, is found to be the most effective recovery approach for individuals with patellofemoral pain.
Researchers analyzed data from 27,000 Canadian nursing home residents with advanced dementia and found significant differences in end-of-life care between men and women. Men were less likely to receive invasive procedures, physical restraints, and antibiotic therapy in the last 30 days of life compared to women.
Stroke survivors who completed group-based aerobic exercise programs showed significant improvements in aerobic endurance and walking speed. Participants with mild movement impairments benefited the most, with average distances walked during a six-minute test being almost half the size of a football field.
A new study has shown that people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) experience significant improvements in movement and balance thanks to a specialized standing frame. The intervention also appeared cost-effective, leading researchers to conclude it could be routinely implemented within MS care throughout the UK.
A study by James Cook University found that pelvic floor exercises can effectively manage erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) in men, with cure rates as high as 47% for ED and 83% for PE. Physiotherapists recommend non-invasive exercises to build strength and control.
Women are often prevented from seeking early treatment for pelvic organ prolapse due to confusion about symptoms and feelings of shame. The condition causes pain, incontinence, and psychological distress, but conservative treatments can be effective if detected early.
A study by Brown University researchers found that stroke patients who receive more physical therapy have lower readmission rates, with those receiving 75 minutes or more of PT being 14% less likely to be readmitted. However, the amount of occupational therapy had minimal impact on readmission risks.
A smart fabric system developed by Dartmouth College researchers uses off-the-shelf fabrics to monitor joint rotation and provide real-time feedback for athletic coaching and physical therapy. The wearable is lightweight, washable, and comfortable, achieving a low median error of 9.69º in reconstructing elbow joint angles.
A study found considerable microbial colonization in ball pits, including bacteria and yeast that can cause disease. The research highlights the need for regular cleaning protocols to reduce the risk of transmission of these organisms.
A study by the University of Vermont found that free community-based screenings significantly influenced older adults to adopt fall risk reduction strategies. Physical therapists played a crucial role in assessing participants' risk levels and providing tailored recommendations.
A new study suggests that surgery is a viable option for adults with scoliosis, but nonoperative treatments can also be effective. The extent of disability was found to be the most important factor in deciding whether to operate, with patients who had adequate quality-of-life benefiting from nonoperative treatment.
Researchers found that patients who believed in their ability to overcome pain and continue with daily activities recovered faster than those who lacked this confidence. The study also showed that physiotherapy is effective for many people with shoulder pain, but not everyone.
A new study by Stanford Medicine and Duke University finds that early physical therapy can reduce the risk of long-term opioid use by 7-16% for patients with musculoskeletal pain. Physical therapy is also associated with a 5-10% reduction in opioid dosage for those who do use them.
A study of nearly 89,000 U.S. adults found that early physical therapy was associated with lower opioid use for shoulder, knee, and low back pain, but not neck pain. This suggests that early physical therapy may play a role in reducing the risk of long-term opioid use in patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Researchers aim to identify barriers to successful therapy outcomes and develop optimal physical therapy treatment strategies for military personnel. Brain scans and virtual reality tests will be used to guide the development of new therapy methods, which could have real-world applications beyond the military.