Cerebral palsy (CP) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and postural impairments caused by central nervous system dysfunction. It significantly impacts children’s daily functioning and quality of life. Physical therapy is a crucial intervention for children with CP that aims to improve motor skills and functional abilities. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of holistic physical therapy approaches methods specifically designed for children with CP and examine recent research trends and their implications for optimizing outcomes in this population. This study employed a narrative review approach, conducting a comprehensive examination of the current literature pertaining to physical therapy methods for children with CP. The review encompassed studies exploring assessment techniques, evidence-based interventions, and innovative approaches in the field. It was discerned that encompassing physical therapy strategies, which encompass individualized treatment plans, evidence-based interventions, and the integration of innovative techniques, yield a favorable influence on the motor skills and functional capacities of children with CP. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on effective physical therapeutic strategies for children with CP. Furthermore, this review highlights the need for continued research and innovation in the field of pediatric physical therapy for CP.
Background: The PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games (WPG) being one of the most successful Paralympic Games (PG) in modern athletic world history, hosted the largest number of elite athletes representing 49 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).
Objects: The present investigation highlighted the demographic and clinical characteristics of injured athletes and non-athletes and the physiotherapy services provided during the PyeongChang 2018 WPG.
Methods: Prospective descriptive epidemiology study, in which the study group comprised of 201 participants (51 athletes and 150 non-athletes) who were admitted to and utilized the polyclinic physiotherapy service of 2018 PyeongChang WPG in Physiotherapy Department of Paralympic Village from March 1, 2018 to March 20, 2018.
Results: Qualitative frequency analysis of injury type demonstrated highest number of chronic injuries (51%, n = 100) in athletes and non-athletes. Anatomical injury site analysis revealed that the spine and shoulder areas were affected with equal frequency for athletes (54.9%, n = 14), whereas for non-athletes, the frequencies of spine and shoulder area injuries were 36.7% (n = 55) and 26% (n = 39), respectively. The Pyeongchang WPG showed a high rate of athletes visiting the physiotherapy service during the pre-competition period (33.3%, n = 50), which may have led to smaller incidence rate of traumatic injury. The physiotherapy treatment service analysis demonstrated that manual therapy (35.4%, n = 230) was most commonly utilized, followed by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation/interference current therapy (TENS/ICT), therapeutic massage and therapeutic exercise.
Conclusion: We established the importance of prophylactic and preventive physiotherapy services to reduce the risk of sports injuries during WPG.
Background: Physical therapy has been widely studied in various fields, however, the academic trends and characteristics has not been systematically analyzed. Semantic network analysis is used as an approach for this study.
Objective: To explore academic trends and knowledge system in the physiotherapy research in the Journal of International Academy Physical Therapy (J of IAPTR)
Study design : Literature review
Method: Semantic network analysis was conducted using the titles of 272 articles published in the Journal of IAPTR from 2010 to 2019. Results: Frequency analysis revealed following most frequently used key words; Stroke (27 times), Balance (21 times), Elder (13 times), Forward head posture (FHP, 11 times), Muscle activity (9 times). The relationship between the presented keywords is divided into six subgroups (FHP and pain, walk and quality, elder and balance, stroke and apoptosis, muscle strength and function) according to their correlation and frequency to be used together.
Conclusion: The study is considered to be of help to researchers who want to identify research trends in physiotherapy.
The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of Maitland orthopedic manipulative physiotherapy and stretching on pain, cervical range of motion, and muscle tone of adults with forward neck posture. A total 40 subjects were divided into a Maitland OMPT group(n=20) and a stretching group(n=20), performing joint mobilization exercise and stretching three times per week for six weeks. As for changes in pain, statistically significant decrease were found before and after the exercise within group comparison( p<.01), while no statistically significant difference was observed between-group comparison. In changes in cervical range of motion before and after the exercise, the Maitland OMPT group showed statistically significant increase(p<.01) in flexion, (left lateral flexion(p<.05), extension, left rotation, right rotation, and right lateral flexion, while the stretching group showed statistically significant increase(p<.05) in extension(p<.01), left rotation, left lateral flexion, right rotation, and right lateral flexion. However, no significant differences in between group comparison in flexion, extension, right rotation, left rotation, right lateral flexion and left lateral flexion. The results of measuring muscle tone changes showed that the Maitland OMPT group and the stretching group did not show significance in within and between group comparison(p<.05). In conclusion, the Maitland OMPT and stretching were effective on improving pain and range of motion.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer primarily affecting women and negatively impacting the individuals, families, and the health care system. Despite the well-known benefits of exercise for breast cancer survivors, rate of physical activity declines during adjuvant therapy and may not return to pre-diagnosis levels. In addition, low levels of adherence to exercise have been observed in this cohort. The challenge is to identify strategies that are effective in promoting exercise adherence. Several of the studies use social cognitive theory as a theoretical framework to design exercise interventions that encourage adherence. Within and without this framework, they have implemented interventions within the home and gym-based environments. Strategies used to encourage adherence to exercise programs and which are readily implemented in most situations have included distribution of print materials and pedometers, as well as recommendation from the oncologist. Other strategies that may be less feasible have included provision of trainers, gym memberships, regular phone-calls, and psychologist-lead stress management sessions.