{"title":"Is your physio tired? Exploring sleep deprivation in Irish physiotherapists","authors":"Dale F. Whelehan, M. Baily-Scanlan, P. Ridgway","doi":"10.3233/PPR-200400","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-200400","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTION: Health professionals have been subject to increased levels fatigue when compared to population norms. It remains unknown if physiotherapists report high levels of sleep deprivation. This paper explores levels of sleep deprivation, and its potential impact on professional performance. METHODS: A survey was distributed through the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists. The survey explored work characteristics, sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the professional and non-professional causes of sleep deprivation in the profession. Pearson correlation and independent t-tests were used on SPSS to explore relationship between variables. RESULTS: There was a total of 559 valid respondents. Females accounted for 82% and public sector employees accounted for 63% of respondents. Over half (50.1%) of respondents said they felt sleep deprivation impacted on their practice. Most physiotherapists (63.3%) of respondents said they did not feel that their practice impacted sleep. The PSQI global score was 5.6 indicating “poor” quality of sleep. The ESS global score was 6.0 indicating ‘higher normal daytime sleepiness’. Potential causes of sleep deprivation included professional issues relating to burnout and work-life balance, and non-professional reasons such as parenthood. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A mismatch exists between self-reported sleep deprivation and validated measurements of sleep indicating poor self-awareness of the impact of sleep in optimising professional performance. A work-life balance is needed to facilitate a safe and efficient workforce. Individual and organizational efforts should be made to improve sleep quantity and quality to reduce personnel fatigue and enhance physiotherapists professional performance.","PeriodicalId":38170,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Practice and Research","volume":"41 1","pages":"201-211"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2021-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/PPR-200400","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46196545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Ullucci, A. Kalach, B. Reis, Soleil Avena, Rebecca Hinckley, Karlee Picard, Sandra Gibson
{"title":"Seated cervical flexion-rotation test equivalent to supine for identifying cervical dysfunction in patients with dizziness/vertigo","authors":"P. Ullucci, A. Kalach, B. Reis, Soleil Avena, Rebecca Hinckley, Karlee Picard, Sandra Gibson","doi":"10.3233/PPR-200398","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-200398","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: The upper cervical spine should be assessed in patients with complaints of dizziness or vertigo [1–3]. The supine cervical flexion-rotation test (SupCFRT) reliably assesses for the presence of upper cervical spine dysfunction (UCSD) [4]. UCSD has been linked to symptoms often seen in those diagnosed with dizziness or vertigo. Patients diagnosed with dizziness/vertigo often do not tolerate the supine testing position necessary to perform the SupCFRT, but often tolerate sitting well. PURPOSE: To determine if UCSD can be assessed in sitting as reliably as in supine. METHODS: Forty-five college age students (23.7±3.3 years old) acted as controls while forty-six subjects (56.71±14.6 years old) who were referred for physical therapy services by their medical provider acted as the patient group. The SupCFRT was performed first, [4] the Seated Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test (SeatCFRT) was performed next by positioning the subjects seated with their back against a high-backed chair, the head was flexed maximally, then rotated maximally left and right. The SupCFRT [4] and SeatCFRT were considered positive if range of motion limitations were found. Results for each test was compared using McNamar X2. RESULTS: There was no difference, p > 0.05, between SupCFRT and SeatCFRT for all conditions; all subjects (n = 91), control subjects n = 45, subjects referred to physical therapy for treatment of dizziness or vertigo, n = 46. DISCUSSION: The SeatCFRT reliably identifies the presence of UCSD, in controls and patients diagnosed by a referring medical provider for dizziness or vertigo. Patients, who do not tolerate the supine position, can be evaluated for UCSD in the seated position.","PeriodicalId":38170,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Practice and Research","volume":"41 1","pages":"171-176"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2021-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/PPR-200398","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45343810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
G. McKee, C. Cronin, P. Vásquez, D. Burke, Deirdre O’Flaherty
{"title":"The physiotherapy experience of managing patients with COVID-19","authors":"G. McKee, C. Cronin, P. Vásquez, D. Burke, Deirdre O’Flaherty","doi":"10.3233/PPR-209001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-209001","url":null,"abstract":"In January 2020, the WHO declared the SARSCoV-2 outbreak a public health emergency; by March 11th, a pandemic was declared [1]. To date in Ireland, over 4,118 patients have been admitted to acute hospitals as a result of infection with COVID-19 with over 524 of these requiring intensive care unit (ICU) support (numbers correct as of 22nd October 2020) (COVID Tracker). Beaumont Hospital, a large teaching hospital and tertiary care centre was one of the busiest hospitals in Ireland during March to June 2020 for COVID-19 admissions, during this period 174 patients were discharged from Beaumont 22% of whom had been admitted to the intensive care unit [2]. Physiotherapy was, and continues to be involved along the continuum of care for COVID-19 patients: from acute admission to ICU, and ward level management to rehabilitation at dedicated facilities. Treating","PeriodicalId":38170,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Practice and Research","volume":"41 1","pages":"95-97"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2021-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/PPR-209001","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46203845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Efficacy of mirror therapy for improving unimanual motor skills in chronic stroke patients: A case series","authors":"Hatice Nur Oktar, H. S. Inal","doi":"10.3233/PPR-190379","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-190379","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Unimanual activities are suggested as an effective intervention for the moderately or severely affected chronic stroke patients and bimanual activities for mildly affected cases in mirror therapy. OBJECTIVE: To observe the feasibility of unimanual mirror therapy to improve the motor skills of the effected hand in mild chronic stroke patients. METHODS: In this is case series study, n = 20 mildly affected chronic stroke patients were screened for participation in a nursing home setting. They were 45–60 years of stroke included ischemia (n = 3) and aneurysm (n = 1) of anterior cerebral artery, median time:3 years. The gross (Fugl-Meyer Assessment test), fine motor (Box and Block Tests) skills, the tripot pinch grip power (JTech Commander PichTrack) were assessed at baseline and post intervention. The intervention supervised included unimanual activities of the non-affected hands for 30 min, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. RESULTS: N = 4 participants were recruited from a nursing home setting; median age: 45, Gender: 3M; 1W. The causes of stroke included ischemia (n = 3) and aneurysm of anterior cerebral artery (n = 1). The median years of stroke was 3 years. The improvement in the gross motor skills (25%) of affected sides after unimanual training may be considered as feasable. There were also increase in tripot pinch grip power of the non-affected (34%) and affected hands (17%). The improvement in fine motor skills were 19% in affected hands the 10% in non-affected hands. CONCLUSIONS: The unimanual mirror therapy resulted in improvements in gross and fine motor skills and tripod pinch grip power of the affected hands of mild chronic stroke patients. This case series provides further evidence that mirror therapy is effective to improve function in patients with mild chronic stroke.","PeriodicalId":38170,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Practice and Research","volume":"41 1","pages":"163-170"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2021-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/PPR-190379","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41509637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Editorial","authors":"O. O'Shea, J. Moran","doi":"10.3233/ppr-209002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/ppr-209002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":38170,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Practice and Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2021-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/ppr-209002","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46462376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A real-world prospective cohort study to examine the relationship between simple physical functioning tests and complications following abdominal surgery","authors":"M. Flahive, J. Broderick","doi":"10.3233/PPR-190390","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-190390","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: The relationship between physical function and the development of complications in people after abdominal surgery is not well known. The objective of this study was to prospectively examine the relationship between simple physical functioning tests and complications following abdominal surgery. METHODS: Participants were recruited from an elective surgery waiting list. The following variables were measured pre-surgery; functional capacity (Six Minute Walk Test, 30 Second Sit to Stand Test), grip strength (hand dynamometer), self-report physical activity [International Physical Activity Questionnaire, (IPAQ)]. At 30 and 60 days post-operatively IPAQ and self-reported recovery were collected by telephone. Data related to complications and length of stay was extracted from the medical chart. RESULTS: Forty-nine participants (25M/18F) were recruited with a mean (SD) age of 59.5 (14.7) years. The complication rate was 41.9% (n = 18). Factors which differed between the complications and no complications groups were; longer operating time (p = 0.05),>2 co-morbidities (p = 0.033), body mass index >30 (p = 0.005), lower activity levels (p = 0.02), VO2 Peak (p = 0.017) and 6-minute walk distance (p = 0.019). There was an increased length of stay (p < 0.001) and sedentary time (p = 0.007) in the complications group. Activity levels reduced in the whole group (p < 0.001) even though self-report physical activity and recovery were high. CONCLUSION: A number of potentially modifiable physical functioning factors differed in the complication versus no complication groups. Future studies should evaluate whether optimizing physical functioning pre-operatively could alter complication rates and recovery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.","PeriodicalId":38170,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Practice and Research","volume":"41 1","pages":"177-185"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2021-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/PPR-190390","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47797007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anthony R. Rafferty, B. Donne, P. Kiely, N. Fleming
{"title":"Functional deficits in post-operative adolescent idiopathic scoliosis","authors":"Anthony R. Rafferty, B. Donne, P. Kiely, N. Fleming","doi":"10.3233/PPR-190365","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-190365","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Little or no research currently exists investigating musculoskeletal strength, joint flexibility and cardiopulmonary capacity post-operative adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. PURPOSE: To explore if AIS patients following spinal fusion surgery have deficiencies in strength, endurance joint flexibility and pulmonary capacity (>12-month post-operative) compared to a matched sample of the general population. METHODS: This retrospective case control study; AIS group (n = 20) and control group (n = 20) matched for gender, age and anthropometrics. Participants underwent standardised tests to establish pulmonary capacity via spirometry, upper and lower limb strength via manual muscle testing, upper and lower limb endurance via press-up and wall squat tests and joint flexibility via manual goniometry. Within session reliability and reproducibility of variables were assessed. RESULTS: No significant differences between AIS and control cohorts were identified for mass (57.1±9.0 vs. 62.8±9.0kg), height (164.7±6.3 vs. 165.6±6.0cm) or BMI (21.2±4.0 vs. 22.9±2.7). Pulmonary and musculoskeletal deficiencies in the AIS cohort were identified, including significantly lower forced vital capacity (FVC; 2.6±0.5 vs. 3.3±0.5L, P < 0.001) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1, 2.8±0.6 vs. 3.3±0.5L, P < 0.001); restrictions in shoulder flexion (P < 0.01) and internal rotation (P < 0.001) weaker bilateral pinch grip (P < 0.01) and bilateral hip adductor strength (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results highlight that AIS patients still have major pulmonary and musculoskeletal impairments over a year after spinal fusion surgery. Clinicians should consider periodic assessment of pulmonary and musculoskeletal function with comparison to these age-matched reference values in order to improve the post-operative rehabilitation process.","PeriodicalId":38170,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Practice and Research","volume":"41 1","pages":"133-141"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2021-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/PPR-190365","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47142939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Alashram, G. Annino, Salameh Aldajah, Sakher Bani Hamad, Besan Aliswed, E. Padua
{"title":"Effects of sensory stimulation on level of consciousness in comatose patients after traumatic brain injury: A systematic review","authors":"A. Alashram, G. Annino, Salameh Aldajah, Sakher Bani Hamad, Besan Aliswed, E. Padua","doi":"10.3233/PPR-200428","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-200428","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: A coma is a prolonged unconscious state in which there is no response to various stimuli. In response, sensory stimulation was designed to stimulate brain plasticity and to promote brain regeneration. The effects of sensory stimulation intervention on comatose patients following traumatic brain injury (TBI) remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the effects of sensory stimulation on the level of consciousness (LOC) after TBI and to identify the effective treatment dosage. METHODS: We searched PubMed, REHABDATA, EMBASE, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PEDro, SCOPUS, and Web of Science from inception to February 2020. Experimental studies investigating the influence of sensory stimulation on the LOC in the comatose patients (Glasgow coma scale < 8) following TBI were selected. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale (PEDro) was used to evaluate the methodological quality. RESULTS: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Six were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), clinical controlled trials (CCTs) (n = 2), and pilot studies (n = 3). A total of 356 comatose patients (<8 on GCS) post-TBI were included in this study with sample sizes ranging from 5–90 patients. The sample sizes for the selected studies ranged from 5 to 90 patients. The scores on the PEDro scale ranged from three to eight, with a median score of seven. The multimodal sensory stimulation showed beneficial effects on the LOC in the comatose patients following TBI. The evidence for the effects of unimodal stimulation was limited, while the optimal treatment dosage remains unclear. CONCLUSIONS: The multimodal sensory stimulation intervention improves the LOC in patients with coma after TBI compared with unimodal stimulation. Further high-quality studies are needed to verify these findings.","PeriodicalId":38170,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Practice and Research","volume":"41 1","pages":"143-153"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2021-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/PPR-200428","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44068099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A profile of physiotherapy practice educators and practice tutors in the Republic of Ireland","authors":"A. O'Connor, A. McCurtin","doi":"10.3233/PPR-200427","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-200427","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists regarding practice educators’ and practice tutors’ experience of, and training in, student supervision in the physiotherapy workplace. This knowledge would inform universities of their learning needs and help to enhance the practice-based experience for physiotherapy students. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to create a profile of physiotherapy practice educators’ and practice tutors’ student supervision experience, university support available to them during practice placement and training undertaken by them. This study was undertaken in the Republic of Ireland. METHODS: An online survey was designed and circulated via the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists’ database of physiotherapy members. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two practice educators and 71 practice tutors participated. Findings indicate that the 1:1 model of practice education is the predominant model of practice education employed in the Republic of Ireland. 70% of practice educators currently receive support from a practice tutor. Fifty-five percent of practice educators undertake student supervision 2-3 times per year. However, 56% of practice educators and 48% of practice tutors had not undertaken training in student supervision in the year prior to the study. A decline was also noted in the uptake of student supervision among clinicians with 16–25 years clinical experience. CONCLUSION: This study provides an insightful profile of physiotherapy practice education in the Republic of Ireland. Findings are encouraging, with data highlighting that most practice educators are supported by practice tutors. Recommendations include the need for further investigation of the apparent decline in student supervision among experienced clinicians. Consideration of the learning needs of practice educators and practice tutors is encouraged as well as a review of the accessibility and flexibility of training resources provided.","PeriodicalId":38170,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Practice and Research","volume":"41 1","pages":"193-199"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2021-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/PPR-200427","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42320565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}