Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of physical therapists towards conventional physical therapy-across-sectional study

Background

Conventional physical therapy (CPT) is widely used in clinical practice and known to contribute beneficially to patient's health conditions but remains loosely defined. Research has shown inconsistency in the definition and utilization of CPT among physical therapists in clinical and research settings, limiting its generalisability and reproducibility. Therefore, this study evaluates physical therapists' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions toward CPT.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire containing 36 questions was distributed among 238 licensed physical therapists. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to measure the physical therapists' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards CPT.

Results

Physical therapists showed limited knowledge of CPT in rehabilitation (4.09±1.698, 51%). However, the knowledge scores were significantly associated with age (P=0.002), educational levels (P=0.006), and years of work experience (P=0.001). Nevertheless, physical therapists showed an overall positive attitude towards CPT and perceived it as essential to rehabilitation.

Conclusion

Most physical therapists have low knowledge about CPT but positive attitudes and perceptions. Therefore, customized medical education is necessary to incorporate CPT theories and applications into physical therapists' rehabilitation programs.

Effects of hip abductor with external rotator strengthening versus proprioceptive training on pain and functions in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Strengthening the hip muscles, particularly the abductors and rotators, has been reported beneficial for treating Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Proprioceptive training (PT) is also shown to improve musculoskeletal pain and function in PFPS. The most appropriate treatment from these 2 is unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of hip abductors and external rotator strengthening exercises along with conventional physical therapy (CPT) vs the proprioceptive training of the knee along with CPT in patients with PFPS.

METHODS

Forty-five participants were divided into 3 groups, experimental group 1 (EG 1), experimental group 2 (EG 2), and control group (CG), with fifteen participants in each group. EG 1 received hip abductor and external rotator strengthening exercises in addition to CPT. EG 2 received proprioceptive training and CPT. CG received CPT alone. Intervention programs lasted for 4 weeks. The pain was measured by Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS). The study was registered retrospectively in the protocol registration and results system (clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT05698797 on 26/01/2023).

RESULTS

AKPS scores significantly (P < .001) improved in all 3 groups. A significant (P < .05) difference was also observed between all 3 groups. The greatest improvement was observed in EG 1, followed by EG 2 and CG.

CONCLUSION

The addition of hip abductor and external rotator strengthening exercises to a 4-week CPT program showed a more significant improvement in AKPS scores than the addition of proprioceptive training in patients with PFPS.

Short and Long-Term Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Spasticity and Motor Performance in Children With Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

This study aimed to investigate the short and long-term effects of Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) therapy on spasticity and motor performance in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. We recruited 26 patient participants from among children undergoing conventional physiotherapy in a private rehabilitation center. We randomly assigned 22 participants to equally sized treatment (n = 11) and control (n = 11) groups. We evaluated the participants at the beginning of the study with the Gross Motor Function Measure-88, LEGSys™ Spatio-Temporal Gait Analyzer, SportKAT550™ Portable Computerized Kinesthetic Balance Device and the Modified Ashworth Scale. While children in the treatment group were treated with Compex-Winplate™ to administer WBV in three 15-minute sessions per week for eight weeks, children in the control group received continued conventional physiotherapy during this period. We then re-evaluated all participants both immediately after the treatment and again 12 weeks after the treatment. Following WBV, both gross motor functions and gait and balance skills were significantly improved (p < 0.05), and spasticity in lower and upper extremity muscles was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05). These improvements were preserved even after 12 weeks. We conclude that WBV is an effective incremental approach to conventional physiotherapy in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy for inhibiting spasticity and improving motor performance.