Articles tagged with Physical Therapy
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a computerized treadmill program to prevent falls in older adults. Studies show that people can be trained not to fall, with adaptations retained for up to 12 months. The training is safe even for those with reduced bone density or osteoporosis.
A multidisciplinary team approach led to improved outcomes and quicker patient recoveries after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. The report identifies essential lessons learned, including broad collaboration, senior-level commitment, and effective communication.
A home-based exercise program improved functional mobility and balance in patients who completed standard rehabilitation after a hip fracture. The study suggests that such programs could be an effective way to continue exercising at home after traditional physical therapy.
A Mayo Clinic study found that nearly all patients with intact rotator cuffs experience improved function and pain relief after shoulder replacement surgery. The procedure improves range of motion and reduces pain in nearly all cases, especially for those with rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers developed a web-based tool using machine learning to analyze injury records from Alberta's workers' compensation database. The tool recommends an appropriate course of rehabilitation, outperforming clinicians in early testing.
A multidisciplinary team at UT Arlington is developing a smart rehabilitation system that can adapt and personalize therapy programs based on a patient's needs. The iRehab system uses multisensory data to produce the best possible rehabilitation program guidelines for patients, improving treatment effectiveness.
A study analyzing national trends from 1999 to 2010 found that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or acetaminophen decreased, while narcotic use increased, despite adherence to clinical guidelines.
A case study reported by Jeong Pyo Seo et al. in Neural Regeneration Research (2013) highlights the importance of investigating delayed gait recovery in stroke patients who cannot walk within 3-6 months after onset. The patient, a 32-year-old female, showed improved gait function despite severe spasticity and sensory-motor dysfunction.
A study published in New England Journal of Medicine shows that physical therapy is just as effective as surgery for patients with meniscal tears and arthritis of the knee. The study found no significant differences in functional improvement between patients who underwent surgery with postoperative physical therapy and those who receiv...
A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that physical therapy improves functional status, pain, and physical function in patients with meniscal tears and osteoarthritis. For a third of patients assigned to physical therapy, surgery was still necessary.
Researchers at UT Arlington are developing individualized rehabilitation software systems that use remote monitoring of people with rheumatoid arthritis to increase compliance and proper physical therapy. The system collects physiological and cognitive data while engaging patients in interactive game-like structured activities.
A study published in JAMA found that corticosteroid injections did not provide significant long-term improvement for patients with 'tennis elbow', and neither option was effective compared to placebo. However, physiotherapy provided some short-term benefits despite no long-term effects.
A new study suggests that telephone physiotherapy can reduce waiting times for patients and provide equally effective treatment results. Researchers compared PhysioDirect with usual care in a randomised controlled trial involving 2,256 patients with musculoskeletal problems.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that intensive therapy is no more effective than traditional care in speeding up recovery from whiplash. While physiotherapy interventions showed modest benefits, they were not cost-effective from a UK NHS perspective.
A Swedish study of 112 adolescent girls found that regular dance training significantly improved self-esteem and reduced symptoms of depression and fatigue. The results persisted at follow-ups four and eight months after the dance training ended.
A literature review published in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that physical therapy begun shortly after ACL surgery can bring about very good outcomes for patients. However, bracing did not seem to improve results. Strength, range-of-motion, and functionality exercises are recommended as a key part of rehabilitation.
A home delivery of stroke rehabilitation program has resulted in improved cognition, communication, and physical function for people with stroke. The program has virtually eliminated waiting lists and saved approximately $1 million annually.
A study presented at the Canadian Stroke Congress reveals that rehabilitation robots can detect post-stroke impairments more accurately than traditional methods. The robots improve detection of limb position, speed, and movement direction, enabling personalized therapy and treatment plans to remap the brain and restore function.
Barefoot running, popularized by Abebe Bikila, is not inherently good or bad; proper training and conditioning are key. However, research suggests that it can increase stress fractures and soreness in the calves, while also risking knee and hip injuries similar to those caused by athletic shoes.
A study found that early physical therapist treatment for low back pain was associated with reduced risk of subsequent healthcare utilization and lower overall healthcare costs. Patients who received early care from a physical therapist had lower rates of surgery, injections, and opioid use, as well as reduced medical costs.
Researchers found that a multidisciplinary approach combining cognitive behaviour therapy with sound-based tinnitus retraining therapy significantly improves quality of life and reduces symptoms in adults with tinnitus. The study recruited 492 adults and showed that the new treatment programme is beneficial for both mild and severe cases.
Researchers found that children with mild CP can attain moderate levels of physical activity during video game play with full-body movements. The games encouraged repetitive movement and provided feedback through on-screen avatars and scores, promoting neuroplasticity and enjoyment.
A study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that combining CAM therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage with conventional care significantly improves outcomes for patients with lower back pain. This integrated approach shows promise as a multidisciplinary team-based model of care.
The Prospective Surveillance Model is a novel approach to managing pathological conditions resulting from cancer treatment by promoting early identification and treatment of known side effects. The goal of the model is to identify impairment at the earliest onset, alleviate impairment, or prevent it from progressing.
A structured exercise regimen reduced physical therapy visits by 40% in workers' compensation patients after arthroscopic meniscectomy. The study supports the implementation of independent exercise protocols to reduce therapy costs without compromising patient outcomes.
A prospective surveillance model for breast cancer treatment has been shown to significantly reduce costs and improve outcomes. The model, which involves early identification and intervention of lymphedema-related impairment, has been associated with direct treatment costs of $636.19 per year compared to traditional care at $3,124.92.
A new study published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that aquatic therapy beginning 6 days after TKA significantly improved results. In contrast, delaying its onset after THA may be more appropriate. Aquatic therapy has been shown to reduce effusion in the knee joint, leading to less pain.
A new study found that most practitioners believe work factors can cause or exacerbate LBP, and recommend a 'short break from work' to allow healing. Despite guidelines encouraging maintaining people at work during episodes of back pain, many clinicians hold contradictory beliefs that influence their clinical decisions.
A special issue of NeuroRehabilitation highlights the latest clinical advances in vestibular rehabilitation, a proven treatment for balance disorders associated with neurological disease or trauma. The integration of multiple disciplines and specialized training has improved patient outcomes.
Patients with herniated lumbar disc symptoms who waited over six months to undergo treatment had poorer outcomes compared to those who treated their symptoms within six months. Surgical treatment, in particular, was found to be significantly more effective than nonoperative treatment, regardless of symptom duration.
A new study found that patients who visited physical therapists directly had fewer visits and lower overall costs, while maintaining continuity of care. The study analyzed 62,707 episodes of physical therapy and suggested eliminating physician referral requirements for physical therapist services.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that interactive video games safely enhance physical therapy for ICU patients, boosting their interest in therapy and motivation to do more. The study suggests that video game therapy activities can improve muscle weakness and balance in critically ill adults.
Chronic pain affects an estimated 500,000 Canadians aged 12-44 and 38% of seniors living at home, highlighting the need for better care strategies. Experts recommend a broad approach to increase pain management expertise through education, technology, and supported self-care.
A new type of therapy has shown promise in reducing symptoms of pain, weakness, and fatigue in people with functional or psychogenic symptoms. The study, which included a self-help workbook and guided sessions, found that participants who received the extra therapy were more likely to report improvements in their overall health.
A pilot study at Indiana University found that yoga significantly improved balance items and confidence in veterans with stroke. The participants showed a 17% improvement in balance and a 34% increase in confidence after eight weeks of group yoga classes.
The study, which compared two types of physical therapy, found that patients who received at-home strength and balance training made significant improvements in walking speed and mobility, with results lasting up to one year. The findings suggest that conventional wisdom about recovery being limited to six months may be incorrect.
Starting rehabilitation within 24 hours of knee arthroplasty surgery can significantly improve pain management, range of motion, and muscle strength. This early intervention also leads to shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and reduced risk of secondary infections, making it a potential game-changer for patients and hospitals.
A study found that adding family-assisted exercise therapy to routine physical therapy after stroke significantly improved motor function, balance, distance walked, and daily living activities. Family members also experienced reduced stress and increased empowerment.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons emphasizes the risks of delayed hip fracture surgery, which can lead to increased medical complications and longer hospital stays. Additionally, researchers highlight high rates of adverse events in patients undergoing partial hip replacement, particularly among Medicare beneficiaries. The s...
A new study by Duke University researchers has found that home-based physical therapy is an effective way to help stroke survivors regain mobility, with similar results to specialized locomotor training programs. The study, which compared home exercise with body-weight supported treadmill training, found that both approaches led to sig...
The Locomotor Experience Applied Post-stroke (LEAPS) trial found that 52% of participants experienced improved functional walking ability one year post-stroke, regardless of the type of exercise program they received. Early locomotor training and home-based programs targeting strength and balance achieved similar results.
The UCLA Neurology program played a key role in assessing stroke rehabilitation, finding that patients who received physical therapy at home improved their walking ability comparable to those treated in a clinic. Early locomotor training did not seem to matter, with all groups showing similar gains in walking speed and mobility.
A study by Indiana University found that runners who continue despite exhaustion change their form, increasing the risk of injury. The study showed that at the end of a normal run, runners' mechanics start to change when they reach fatigue levels, typically indicated by RPEs between 13-15.
A new study published in Spine found that patients who received early physical therapy after an episode of low back pain were less likely to receive epidural steroid injections, lumbar surgery, and frequent physician visits. This suggests that prompt access to physical therapy can lead to improved outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
New brain machine technologies show promise in restoring vision, controlling prosthetics with thoughts, and regaining limb function after injury. An artificial retina may restore vision more effectively than existing prosthetics.
A study published in Experimental Brain Research reveals that chronic impingement syndrome, a common cause of shoulder pain, is triggered by excessive activation of specific neck and shoulder muscles during daily life or sports. The research opens the door to future tests of physiotherapy as a non-invasive treatment for shoulder injury.
A randomized trial of chest physiotherapy in infants hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis found no reduction in recovery time. The study suggests that routine chest physiotherapy may not be necessary for this population.
Patients with osteoarthritis who adhere to recommended exercises and physically active lifestyle experience improvements in pain, physical function, and self-perceived effect. Long-term exercise behavior and physical activity also improve the effectiveness of exercise therapy.
Research suggests that COPD patients who engage in higher amounts of daily physical activity have better functional exercise tolerance. Increasing normal daily activities like walking or gardening may be more beneficial than formal exercise training. This approach aims to promote a more active lifestyle and improve long-term function.
A study published by the American Physical Therapy Association found that physical therapist-led exercise programs in ICU patients improve functional mobility and reduce hospital stays. The program involved 57 patients who received rehabilitation-based exercise sessions, resulting in a decrease of 2.1 and 3.1 days in ICU and hospital l...
Fluoroscopic (X-ray) guided steroid injections offer a safe and effective alternative to conventional treatment of hamstring tendonitis. The study found that 11 out of 16 patients showed major improvement after treatment, with no immediate or long-term complications reported.
Critically ill patients experience reduced muscle weakness, delirium and hallucinations when introduced to mild exercise programs, with recovery times speeding up by 2-3 days. Patients can exercise while attached to life support equipment, including mechanical ventilators.
A physiotherapist-led exercise and education program improved wellbeing and reduced depressive symptoms in postnatal women. The study found a 50% reduction in
A physical therapy exercise and health education program has been shown to improve postnatal well-being and reduce the risk of postnatal depression. The study found that the program reduced depressive symptoms and improved psychological well-being in new mothers, with a significant positive effect at 8 weeks after completion.
A study by a University of Michigan researcher found that treadmill training can help infants at risk for neuromotor delays walk on the same trajectory as normal children. The intervention reduced toe-walking in affected infants and showed a critical window for improvement between 10-18 months.
The University of Missouri is launching a health literacy study emphasis program offering the first US health literacy certificate, focusing on non-physician professionals. The program aims to address low health literacy's $106 billion annual cost by providing thorough training on issues like culture and health compliance.
A study published in Physical Therapy found that decreased muscle strength is associated with difficulty performing daily activities like stooping, crouching, and kneeling. Older adults with weakened trunk extensor, knee extensor, and ankle flexion muscles had significant difficulties with these tasks.
Researchers found that patients typically drop weight in first few weeks after total knee arthroplasty but then experience an average weight gain of 14 pounds over two years. Weight gain is more pronounced among weaker surgery patients.
A recent study shows that supervised exercise combined with nicotine replacement therapy can help women quit smoking and reduce weight gain. However, long-term relapse rates remain a challenge, highlighting the need for cost-effective maintenance programs to prevent smoking relapse.
A systematic review found that constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) shows promise in improving arm use in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. CIMT forces the use of the affected side, and positive effects were demonstrated 6 to 8 months after intervention.