Physiotherapy Theory and Practice最新文献

{"title":"Psychometric properties of 3-meter backward walk test (3MBWT) in people with Parkinson disease.","authors":"Kristen Barta, Anne Hill Boddy, Megan Flores, Lindsay Perry, Kathryn Sawyer, Ashley Campbell","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2348034","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2348034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>The purpose of this study was to investigate the 3-meter backward walk test (3MBWT) in individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD) to determine the following: (1) concurrent validity with other gait velocity measures and (2) interrater and intrarater reliability of in-person and video assessment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A convenience sample of 25 people with PD participated. Forward gait velocity was measured using a computerized walkway (Zeno Walkway System), the 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and 4-meter walk test (4MWT). Backward gait velocity was measured using the 3MBWT. Concurrent validity was assessed using Pearson's correlations. Reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC_(2,1)).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All relationships between the 3MBWT and gait outcome measures were significant. The 3MBWT demonstrated strong correlations with the 4MWT dual task (<i>r</i> = .795, <i>p</i>=<.001) and moderate correlations with 4MWT comfortable walking speed (<i>r</i> = .658, <i>p</i> < .001), 4MWT fast walking speed (<i>r</i> = .601,<i>p</i>=.002), 10MWT comfortable walking speed (<i>r</i> = .512, <i>p</i> = .009), and 10MWT dual task (<i>r</i> = .535, <i>p</i> = .006). A low yet significant correlation was noted with the 10MWT fast walking speed (<i>r</i> = .398, <i>p</i> = .049). Association between the 3MBWT and the Zeno Walkway System revealed moderate correlations. All reliability tests were significant at <i>p</i> < .001. Interrater reliability ICC_(2,1) values were very high for 3MBWT (ICC_(2,1) = 0.93, [0.83-0.91]). Intrarater reliability was also very high (ICC_(2,1) = 0.96 [0.90-0.98]).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The 3MBWT demonstrates validity and reliability as a tool for assessing gait speed in the posterior direction in people with PD.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"656-663"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140861033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility study of a home-based graded motor imagery intervention (GraMI protocol) for amputees with phantom limb pain.","authors":"Sandra Rierola-Fochs, Marc Terradas-Monllor, Luz Adriana Varela-Vasquez, Mirari Ochandorena-Acha, Eduard Minobes-Molina, Jose Antonio Merchán Baeza","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2349759","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2349759","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Phantom limb pain affects 64% of amputees. Graded Motor Imagery comprises three consecutive application techniques designed to reorganize maladaptive changes that have occurred after the amputation.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the feasibility of a home-based Graded Motor Imagery intervention, the GraMI protocol, for amputee people with phantom limb pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty individuals over 18 years of age with upper or lower limb amputation, experiencing phantom limb pain, who were pharmacologically stable, and had been discharged from the hospital were recruited. The experimental group followed the GraMI protocol. Primary outcomes included study processes, such as recruitment time and rate, adherence, compliance, and the acceptability of digital technologies as a treatment tool. Secondary outcomes assessed the impact on phantom limb pain, quality of life, functionality, and depressive symptoms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>On average, seven participants were recruited monthly over a three-month period. No losses were recorded throughout the nine weeks of intervention. Treatment adherence averaged 89.32%, and all participants demonstrated familiarity with the usability of digital technologies. No significant differences were observed between groups (<i>p</i> = .054). However, within the experimental group, intragroup analysis revealed a significant (<i>p</i> = .005) and clinically relevant reduction (>2 points) with a large effect size (0.89) in phantom limb pain.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Conducting a multicenter study with a home-based intervention using the GraMI protocol is feasible. Future clinical trials are needed to verify its effectiveness in managing phantom limb pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"544-554"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140870751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Can physiotherapy in an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation setting improve physical function? A long-term mixed methods follow-up study.","authors":"Angelica Dahlbäck, Birgit Heckemann, Paulin Andréll, Sara Åkerlund, Emma Varkey","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2351978","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2351978","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of this study was to describe chronic pain patients' perception of their physical function and treatment factors for improving or maintaining physical function long-term after the completion of an Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program (IPRP) and to compare physical function before, directly after and at long-term follow-up (16-20 months after treatment).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Patients with severe nonmalignant chronic pain, participating in an IPRP at a specialist clinic, were eligible for inclusion in a convergent mixed methods study. Quantitative data included aerobic capacity, level of physical activity (PA) and self-efficacy for exercise. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The qualitative analysis resulted in one theme: Orientation change and two categories: Permission to feel self-worth and Reclaiming life, which illuminated factors that enabled a sustained increase in PA. The quantitative data (<i>n</i> = 11) showed a significantly increased maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) from 2.46 l/min (SD = 0.9) at baseline to 2.63 l/min (SD = 0.9, <i>p</i> = .03) on completion of the program. VO₂max was sustained at long-term follow-up (2.56 l/min (SD = 1.0, <i>p</i> = .24).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study indicates that an orientation change process through an IPRP can lead to increased physical function and a sustainable level of PA. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of a person-centered approach to enable sustainable change in patients with chronic pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"588-601"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140900004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Current state of entry-level physical therapy qualitative research methods curricula in the United States: A faculty survey.","authors":"Michelle E Wormley, Chris Sebelski, Jason Cook, Gail Jensen, Melissa M Tovin","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2471409","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2025.2471409","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Qualitative research methods in healthcare delve into the nuanced complexities of health professions work, seeking to comprehend the contextual and interpretive dimensions of patient, caregiver, and provider perspectives and experiences. Qualitative research is an essential contribution to evidence-based and evidence-informed practice, and therefore foundational for practice across all health professions.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to examine the breadth and depth of curricular content, delivery models, instructional strategies, and resources related to qualitative research methods in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs in the United States.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this cross-sectional design, an online survey was developed, piloted, and emailed to 256 Commission for the Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education accredited DPT programs. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and chi-square statistics were completed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall response rate was 31.6%. Respondents reported a mean of 5 instructional hours of qualitative research content, ranging from 0 to 12 hours. Analysis revealed a significant difference in contact hours (<i>p</i> = .026) between faculty reporting no expertise (2.7 hours) and high expertise (7.5 hours). Qualitative research content was primarily located early in the curriculum (76%) and in a stand-alone course (70%), with wide variability in intended learning outcomes, activities, and resources.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Given the critical importance that clinicians understand and apply qualitative and quantitative findings as part of evidence informed practice, this study highlights the need for building resources and faculty capacity to integrate qualitative methods of education in DPT curricula. Findings may inform the development of curriculum models, guidelines, and DPT learner competencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143525000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physical therapist characteristics and therapeutic relationship process construct factors that improve patient health outcomes in physical therapy: a systematic review.","authors":"Óscar Rodríguez-Nogueira, Eduardo Alba-Pérez, María José Álvarez-Álvarez, Antonio Rafael Moreno-Poyato","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2469162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2025.2469162","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>It appears that the therapeutic relationship in physiotherapy practice facilitates the success of patient health outcomes, although the process by which it is carried out has been poorly studied.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the influence of the therapeutic relationship on any patient health outcomes in physical therapy settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, LILACS and Dialnet databases were systematically searched following PRISMA guidelines. The searches were completed in August 2024. Qualitative and quantitative studies measuring the therapeutic relationship and assessing its influence on health outcomes of patients treated with physical therapy were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The search yielded a total of 769 results. 13 studies ultimately retained for analysis. A total of 1555 individuals were studied who had suffered injuries such as low back pain; osteoarthritis; underwent cardiac surgery; hip fracture and elite athletes recovering from injuries. The results obtained were classified into three main themes: characteristics and skills of physical therapists (interpersonal, organizational, leadership and communication skills), therapeutic relationship factors (shared decision making, trusting relationships, motivating the patient and individualization of care) and patient health outcomes influenced by therapeutic relationship (functional outcomes, disability, pain intensity, outcome expectations, perceived global effect, adherence, self-efficacy, sports performance and lung function).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Through physical therapist's soft skills, therapeutic relationship factors are built under the paradigm of person-centered care and shared decision making, having a positive influence on certain patient health outcomes. Therefore, evidence support that therapeutic relationship contributes to improved patient health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143484321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of physiotherapy-led bike fitting on the evolution of knee pain in recreational cyclists: the PBF study.","authors":"Ariane Viau, Christina Tremblay, Guillaume Coutu, François Desmeules, Simon Lafrance","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2468908","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2025.2468908","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>A Physiotherapy-led Bike Fitting (PBF) intervention including a bike fit, education, and exercise prescription can be helpful among cyclists with knee pain.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe the PBF intervention and to assess knee-related pain and disability change among recreational cyclists exposed to the PBF intervention.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a single group prospective observational longitudinal study on a cohort of recreational road cyclists who consulted for cycling-related knee pain at a physiotherapy clinic specialized in cycling. The PBF included a comprehensive bike fit focusing on key measurements such as knee flexion and knee alignment relative to the pedal axis while cycling. Additionally, tailored education was provided on cycling cadence and training progression, along with exercise prescriptions. The primary outcome was the knee pain during cycling measured with the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS; 0-10). Linear models were used to assess within-group changes across time points at 4 and 12 weeks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seventy-six recreational road cyclists with knee pain while cycling were included and all received the PBF intervention. In terms of evolution over time following the intervention, there were significant improvements over time in worst, least, and average knee pain while cycling (<i>p</i> < .001) with respective improvements of -2.52 (95% CI: -3.04; -2), -0.7 (95% CI: -1.02; -0.38) and -1.81 (95% CI: -2.27; -1.36) at 12 weeks.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Based on this single group observational study, recreational road cyclist exposed to a PBF intervention, including a bike fit, tailored education, and exercises prescriptions reported a reduction in cycling-related knee pain and disability.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143469634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of blood flow restriction and electrical stimulation in a patient with transverse myelitis: a case report.","authors":"Paul Mintken, Winter Ball, Mark M Mañago","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2468909","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2025.2468909","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Transverse myelitis (TM) is a rare inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord resulting in neurological impairments that impact motor function and mobility. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training has emerged as a feasible intervention in neurologic populations to improve strength and functional performance. Recent studies suggest that combining BFR with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may further enhance outcomes.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the effects of an 8-week, low-intensity lower-extremity resistance training program incorporating BFR (2×/week for 4 weeks) followed by combined BFR+NMES (2×/week for 4 weeks) on functional performance in a patient with chronic TM. The patient was seen for a total of 17 visits.</p><p><strong>Case description: </strong>A 31-year-old male with a 17-year history of TM presented with significant left lower extremity weakness, functional mobility limitations, and challenges navigating stairs and walking long distances. His primary goal was to improve his functional mobility.</p><p><strong>Outcomes: </strong>Post-intervention assessments demonstrated improvement across multiple functional performance measures. The patient's gait speed with the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) increased from 1.17 to 1.43 m/s (MDC 0.13 m/s), Timed Up and Go (TUG) time improved by 17.5% (MCID 10-15%), and his 30-Second Sit-to-Stand (30STS) performance increased by two repetitions (MDC 1.13). Improvements were also seen in the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) and the SF-36.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings suggest that BFR, alone or in combination with NMES, may improve function in chronic TM patients with lower extremity weakness. BFR appears to offer a promising approach for individuals with neurological conditions where traditional high-intensity resistance training is limited.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143460305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The responsiveness and minimal important change of the Persian STarT Back Screening Tool in patients with non-specific low back pain.","authors":"Iman Kamali Hakim, Iraj Abdollahi, Hossein Negahban, Nava Yadollahpour, Neda Mostafaee","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2447485","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2024.2447485","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Subgroups for Targeted Treatment Back Screening Tool (SBST) is used to assess risk factors for chronic disability in non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). Patients are categorized into three subgroups (low, medium, and high risk) based on their SBST score.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate the responsiveness and minimal important change (MIC) of Persian SBST in NSLBP.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Responsiveness of SBST over 4 weeks' physiotherapy was investigated (in all the patients, low-, medium-, and high-risk subgroups) by calculating the effect size (ES) of SBST change, correlation with a global rating of change, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index changes, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Five priori hypotheses were formulated about the ES, correlation coefficients, and Area Under the ROC Curve. If 75% or more of the hypotheses were supported, the responsiveness of SBST was approved. The MIC of SBST was determined through coordinates of the ROC curve and Youden index.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All (100%) of the hypotheses were accepted in all patients (200 patients). 40%, 80%, and all (100%) of the hypotheses were accepted in the low-, medium-, and high-risk subgroups, respectively. The MIC values of SBST in all patients, low-, medium-, and high-risk subgroups were 1.5, 0.5, 1.5, and 4.5 points, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The SBST accurately detects clinical changes when considering all the patients together. The SBST is responsive in the medium- and high-risk subgroups but not in the low-risk subgroup. A reduction of at least 1.5 points in the SBST score is required for clinically meaningful changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143460297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Kinesio taping can relieve symptoms and enhance functions in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Zelin Li, Xiyang Liu, Siyi He, Jiaqi Wu, Zhaoying Zhu, Wei Lu","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2463902","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2025.2463902","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The effectiveness of Kinesio Taping (KT) for mild-to-moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) remains controversial.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate both the short-term and long-term efficacy of KT in the management of CTS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus databases up to October 2024. Randomized controlled trials comparing KT with control (sham, no intervention, or basic treatment) or other conservative treatment were included. The revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (ROB-2) was used to assess the risk of bias across studies. Meta-analysis was performed to pool data from studies, calculating Mean Differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for continuous outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fourteen studies with 637 participants were included. Kinesio Taping (KT) significantly improved long-term pain relief compared to control (MD = -1.14, 95% CI: -1.69 to -0.59, <i>p</i> < .001). Additionally, KT led to significant improvements in symptoms and functional status. KT showed similar therapeutic outcomes to orthoses, and combining KT with orthoses provided greater short-term pain relief than orthoses alone (MD = -0.94, 95% CI: -1.76 to -0.11, <i>p</i> = .03).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Low to moderate quality evidence indicates that KT may effectively improve long-term pain relief and functional outcomes in patients with CTS. Additionally, low quality evidence suggests that the combination of KT and orthoses may provide greater short-term pain relief.<b>PROSPERO registration number</b>: CRD42024555320.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improvement in gait and functional abilities in an adult with posterior cortical atrophy after translingual neuromodulation with neurorehabilitation physical therapy: a case report.","authors":"Julie Ann Webeck, Katherine Laing, David M Andrews","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2464849","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2464849","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by progressive damage to the brain's visual and association areas, resulting in impaired spatial awareness, visual processing, and functional independence.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This report examines the effects of a 14-week treatment protocol consisting of translingual neuromodulation via a portable neuromodulation stimulator (PoNS_®¹) in conjunction with physical therapy on balance, gait, and functional mobility in an adult male with PCA.</p><p><strong>Case description: </strong>Assessments included objective and subjective measures of balance and gait - the 10-Metre Walk Test, Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M), Neuro-Quality of Life (Neuro-QoL), and Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. These were performed at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 14 to evaluate the protocol's efficacy in improving balance, stability, and gait.</p><p><strong>Outcomes: </strong>Postural stability, balance, gait patterning, and gait speed improved, enhancing daily functioning abilities and self-confidence. Gait speed improved by 0.48 m/s (comfortable) and 0.46 m/s (fast), exceeding MDC thresholds. The participant's FGA score increased 21 points and DGI increased 17 points, both exceeding their respective MDC thresholds (6 points for FGA, 3.2 points for DGI), reflecting marked gait improvements. The CB&M score rose 24 points, exceeding the MDC of 9.6 points. Despite these gains, gait speed remained below age-related norms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Given the largely positive response to the protocol, further investigation should be undertaken to continue to explore the efficacy of PoNS_® and physical therapy to determine its viability as a treatment for symptoms of PCA.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143374403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}