Knowledge and Use of Evidence-Based Programs for Older Adults in the Community: A Survey of Physical Therapy Professionals

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality highlights the need for sustainable linkages between clinical and community settings to enhance prevention and improve care of people with chronic conditions. The first step in promoting linkages is understanding the knowledge and use of evidence-based programs by physical therapy (PT) professionals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the knowledge of and referral to evidence-based programs in the community by a convenience sample of PT professionals and to examine the characteristics of those who refer to evidence-based programs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional web-based survey containing 36 questions regarding respondents' demographics and evidence-based program knowledge and referral practices was disseminated to a convenience sample of PT professionals via email, news-blasts, social media, and word of mouth.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 459 PT professionals completed the survey. Approximately half reported practicing for more than 20 years and 75% are members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The majority (74%) are aware of evidence-based programs; however, fewer (56%) refer to these programs. Compared with individuals who do not refer to evidence-based programs, individuals who refer are more likely to be involved in PT organizations and be an APTA Geriatrics member. Of the individuals who do not refer to evidence-based programs, 21.5% reported not knowing they existed and 33% reported not knowing where the programs are located.

CONCLUSIONS

Most survey respondents reported knowing about evidence-based programs and more than half reported being aware of the evidence-based programs available in their communities. These results indicate many PT professionals already have a knowledge of evidence-based programs to support clinic-community linkages. As survey respondents were a sample of convenience and likely do not represent all PT professionals in the United States, the results should be interpreted with caution. Additional research on a more representative sample is needed to fully understand the current utilization of evidence-based programs, which will enable us to design efforts to improve the clinic to community transition. Improving linkages between PT professionals and community resources has the potential to benefit both patients and clinicians and lessen the burden on the health care system.

The effects of strEngth aNd BaLance exercise on executive function in people living with dementia (ENABLED): Study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Exercise may improve executive function among people living with all-cause dementia (PWD), but more evidence is needed. The aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to examine whether exercise plus usual care improves the primary outcome of executive function, and secondary physiological (inflammation, metabolic aging, epigenetics) and behavioral (cognition, psychological health, physical function, and falls) outcomes compared to usual care alone among PWD.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

The strEngth aNd BaLance exercise on Executive function in people living with Dementia (ENABLED) protocol is a pilot parallel, 6-month assessor-blinded RCT (1:1) in residential care facilities, including n = 21 receiving exercise plus usual care and n = 21 usual care alone [NCT05488951]. We will collect primary (Color-Word Stroop Test) and secondary physiological (inflammation, metabolic aging, epigenetics) and behavioral (cognition, psychological health, physical function, and falls) outcomes at baseline and 6 months. We will obtain falls monthly from medical charts. We will collect physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep via wrist-worn accelerometers over 7 days at baseline and 6 months. The physical therapist-led adapted Otago Exercise Program will involve 1-h of strength, balance and walking 3×/week for 6 months in groups of 5-7. We will use generalized linear mixed models to examine differences over time in primary and secondary outcomes between groups and examine potential interactions with sex and race.

DISCUSSION

This pilot RCT will examine the direct effects and potential underlying physiological mechanisms of exercise on executive function and other behavioral outcomes in PWD, which may have implications for clinical care management.

Physical Therapists as Partners for Community Fall Risk Screenings and Referrals to Community Programs

Objectives: Physical therapists (PTs) are integral team members in fall prevention in clinical settings; however, few studies have investigated PTs' engagement in pro-bono community-based falls prevention. Therefore, we aimed to describe the characteristics of PTs and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in the United States who conduct community-based fall screenings, the reach of screenings, their knowledge and utilization of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's fall-risk screening toolkit (STEADI, Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries), and therapists' knowledge and referrals to evidence-based programs (EBPs) and community resources. Methods: A cross-sectional survey distributed to a convenience sample of PTs/PTAs in the United States through news-blasts, and social media. Results: Four hundred and forty-four therapists who worked with older adults completed the survey. Approximately 40% of the respondents (n = 180) conduct screenings, most frequently annually. People who screen tend to be PTs with >20 years of experience, work in outpatient/wellness or academia, and be involved in the least amount of direct patient care. The majority (n = 344, 77.5%) of survey respondents were somewhat to very familiar with the STEADI, and ~84% (n = 114) of respondents who were very familiar with the STEADI (n = 136) use the toolkit to conduct community-based, pro-bono fall risk screenings. Twenty-six percent (n = 14) out of the 53 PTAs who responded to the survey conduct falls screenings in the community. Of the PTs/PTAs who conduct community-based fall screenings (n = 180), ~ 75% (n = 136) are aware of and refer older adults to EBPs. Over half also refer to Silver Sneakers and/or senior centers. Discussion: PTs and PTAs are key partners in evidence-based multifactorial fall prevention in the community. Data helps inform community organizations that most PTs who engage in community-based fall risk screening utilize the STEADI toolkit and refer to community-based programs. Community organizations seeking PT partners to engage in fall risk screenings and promote referrals to local resources or EBPs will likely have the most success collaborating with local physical therapy education programs or physical therapy clinic managers.

[Treatment of severe perianal cutaneous lesions in hospitalized neonates: Orabase ointment interest]

Cholestyramine ointment is an hospital preparation used as a second-intention treatment for severe perianal skin lesions. These preparations have to be declared to AFSSAPS. The aim of this study was to assess the equivalence of Orabase, a marketed paste, with intention of substitution. A clinical trial was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of cholestyramine ointment versus Orabase paste. This study was conducted in the neonatalogy unit. The principal evaluation criterion was the time to clinical recovery. Nurses also gave their subjective evaluation of each product. Although 34 children were included in the study, the time to clinical recovery delay was evaluated in 28. Time to clinical recovery was 90.5 hours for the cholestyramine ointment and 81 hours for Orabase paste. Concerning the subjective assessment, Orabase paste achieved a higher score than cholestyramine ointment (p<0.01). Orabase paste was considered to be equivalent to cholestyramine ointment.