Physiotherapy Theory and Practice最新文献

{"title":"Effects of Schroth method combined with scapular stabilization exercises on shoulder imbalance, scapular position and Cobb angle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Mustafa Sarı, Nilgün Bek","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2719839","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2719839","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is frequently accompanied by shoulder and scapular asymmetry.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of scapular stabilization exercises (SSE) combined with Schroth exercises on scoliosis severity, scapula position and shoulder imbalance in individuals with AIS. We hypothesized that this combined exercise protocol would significantly reduce scoliosis severity and improve both scapular positioning and shoulder balance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-six individuals with AIS and Lenke Type 1 main thoracic curvature were included. Participants were recruited from a scoliosis rehabilitation clinic and randomly assigned to one of two groups: the Scapular Stabilization Exercises Group (SSEG) (n = 13) or the Schroth Exercises Group (SchEG) (n = 13). While both groups underwent a Schroth exercise program, the SSEG additionally performed SSE three times per week for eight weeks. Outcome measures assessed at baseline and post-intervention (Week 8) included Cobb angle (radiography), trunk rotation (scoliometer), scapular position (Lateral Scapular Slide Test, Scapular Index), periscapular muscle strength, and shoulder imbalance (radiographic/clinical assessments).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At the end of the 8-week intervention, SSE combined with Schroth exercises were found to be more effective than Schroth exercises alone in reducing neck tilt (F = 4.701, p = .042, η² = 0.183) and scapular angle (F = 7.165, p = .014, η² = 0.254). Moreover, the SSEG demonstrated significant improvements from baseline across the majority of outcome measures at week 8 (<i>p</i> < .05). In contrast, in the SchEG, significant improvements were observed in thoracic trunk rotation, convex-side upper trapezius strength, and concave-side serratus anterior strength at the end of 8 weeks (<i>p</i> < .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In individuals with AIS, SSE combined with Schroth exercises appear to be an effective way to reduce shoulder imbalance. However, the effectiveness of this combination on the Cobb angle and scapula position is limited. Studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148799986","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":"Effects of functional versus conventional Physiotherapy-Based pain management on symptoms, psychological outcomes, and quality of life in women with Bladder Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Hilal Yazici İlhan, Serap Özgül, Türkan Akbayrak, Naşide Mangır, Gülbala Gülören, Ceren Gürşen","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2715733","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2715733","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS) is a chronic pelvic pain condition characterized by urinary symptoms, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life (QoL). Given its biopsychosocial nature, physiotherapy approaches targeting peripheral and central pain mechanisms may provide broader benefits than symptom-focused interventions. Objective: To investigate the effects of functional and conventional physiotherapy on symptom severity, pain-related and psychological outcomes, and QoL in women with BPS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-eight women with BPS were randomly allocated to a functional program consisting of pain science education, cognition-targeted exercises, and relaxation exercises (<i>n</i> = 13) or a conventional program including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and pelvic floor stretching exercises (<i>n</i> = 15). Both interventions were delivered twice weekly for six weeks. Primary outcomes were symptom severity and pain intensity. Secondary outcomes included urinary symptoms, pain cognitions, pain-related disability, psychological symptoms, and QoL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both groups improved in symptom severity and pain intensity, with no significant between-group differences for primary outcomes (all <i>p</i> > .05). In the functional group, symptom severity (Mean difference (MD) = 5.92, 95% CI: 2.61-9.24; <i>p</i> = .002; d = 1.08) and pain intensity (MD = 2.17, 95% CI: 0.77-3.56; <i>p</i> = .005; d = 0.94) decreased significantly. Significant improvements were observed in pain-related disability (<i>p</i> = .001; d = 1.18), pain catastrophizing (<i>p</i> = .004; d = 0.98), and pain self-efficacy (<i>p</i> = .003; d = 1.03). The conventional group showed improvements in pain-related disability (<i>p</i> = .049; d = 0.56) and energy/fatigue (<i>p</i> = .006; d = 0.84). A significant group × time interaction favored the functional group for social functioning (<i>p</i> = .027).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both approaches reduced symptom severity and pain intensity, while the functional program yielded broader improvements across pain-related, psychological and QoL domains. These findings support multidimensional, biopsychosocial rehabilitation in BPS management and warrant multicenter trials.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05155384).</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148765600","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":"When algorithms don't care: physiotherapy and the post-professional turn.","authors":"David A Nicholls","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2718438","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2718438","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Physiotherapy has long resisted the forces that restructured manufacturing, journalism, and finance. This resistance is ending. Drawing on Gilles Deleuze's prescient analysis of societies of control, this paper argues that physiotherapy - along with the orthodox health professions more broadly - is entering a post-professional era characterized by the progressive marginalization of practitioners in the coordination and delivery of care. Three concurrent forces drive this transformation: the atomization of bodies and health into commodifiable fragments under late-stage capitalism; the systematic unbundling of professional claims to goodness and expertise from both political left and right; and digitally mediated technological disruption that promises efficiency gains while hollowing out professional jurisdiction. Yet Deleuze's framework, written before the internet and artificial intelligence, requires updating. The paper proposes that we are now witnessing the emergence of a \"society of indifference\" - a post-neoliberal formation in which predictive algorithms replace individual choice altogether, offering consumers the benefits of personalization without the burden of decision-making. Using the case of Flok Health, the UK's first AI physiotherapy clinic, the paper demonstrates how this shift threatens not merely physiotherapy tasks but physiotherapists' agency itself. When artificial intelligence can autonomously assess, diagnose, treat, and discharge patients with musculoskeletal conditions, what remains for human practitioners? More troublingly, if the disciplinary infrastructure that sustained professional physiotherapy is progressively dismantled, how will populations' rehabilitation needs be met when algorithms and personal choice prove insufficient? The paper concludes by considering how physiotherapy might respond - not by defending professional territory, but by identifying and sharing the \"intensities\" that have sustained physical therapy practices for millennia.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148760078","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":"Integrated rehabilitation incorporating aquatic therapy following posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a case report.","authors":"Goutami Katage, Ashwini Suste","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2717396","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2717396","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Rehabilitation following posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction can be challenging because of improper muscle activation and excessive joint loading which could further delay graft healing. Aquatic therapy provides a buoyancy-assisted aquatic environment, where reduced effective body weight and joint loading may facilitate early functional recovery while minimizing stress on the reconstructed ligament. However, evidence regarding aquatic rehabilitation following PCL reconstruction remains limited.</p><p><strong>Case description: </strong>A 51-year-old woman presented for physiotherapy 4 weeks after arthroscopic reconstruction of right PCL avulsion injury. The patient reported knee pain, limited range of motion, trouble climbing stairs, walking and difficulties with functional activities. Clinical examination demonstrated quadriceps weakness, antalgic gait, reduced balance, and limited knee mobility. A structured 4-week rehabilitation program combining aquatic physiotherapy and land-based (given for first week only) was implemented 5 sessions per week.</p><p><strong>Outcomes: </strong>Following 4 weeks of rehabilitation, knee flexion ROM improved by 35° (41.2%) and full knee extension was restored. Lower-limb muscle strength increased across all muscle groups, with the greatest gain observed in quadriceps strength (75.8%). Dynamic balance improved substantially, with SEBT reach distances increasing by 22-25 cm (42-49%). Patient-reported outcomes demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement, with KOOS subscale scores increasing by 25-34 points, exceeding the established MCID of 8-10 points. These findings indicate substantial improvements in knee mobility, strength, balance, and function.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Early integration of aquatic therapy following PCL reconstruction was a safe and effective adjunct to conventional physiotherapy rehabilitation. The supportive aquatic environment facilitated improvements in pain, mobility, muscle strength, balance, and functional outcomes while maintaining graft protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148761313","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":"Activation of the gluteus maximus and multifidus muscles in bridge and hip thrust exercise variations.","authors":"Tae-Hyeong Kim, In-Cheol Jeon","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2714954","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2714954","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The gluteus maximus (GM) and multifidus (MF) play important roles in maintaining the stability and mobility of the lumbopelvic-hip complex during various activities. Variations in bridge and hip thrust exercises can affect muscle activity in the GM, MF, and biceps femoris (BF).</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To investigate the exercise position that elicited the greatest GM activation, this study examined the muscle activity of the GM, MF, and BF, as well as the GM/BF and GM/MF ratios, across five modified bridge and hip thrust exercise conditions in healthy individuals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty healthy male individuals were enrolled in this study. An electromyographic device was used to assess the activity of the GM, MF, and BF muscles. Participants were asked to perform bridge exercises in a randomized order: conventional bridge exercise (BE), bridge exercise with elevated feet (BEEF), conventional hip thrust (HT), hip thrust with the feet placed on a balance cushion (HTFB), and hip thrust with the trunk placed on a balance cushion (HTTB).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The muscle activity of the GM showed larger increases in BEEF, HT, HTFB, and HTTB than BE across the five conditions (p_adj <0.005). Furthermore, larger increases were observed in HT, HTFB, and HTTB than in BEEF, and HTTB showed higher activity than HT (p_adj <0.005). For the bilateral MF, increases in HT, HTFB, and HTTB were noted compared to BE, and higher muscle activity was observed in HT, HTFB, and HTTB compared to BEEF (p_adj <0.005). The GM/BF ratio showed a higher muscle activity ratio in HT, HTFB, and HTTB than in BE (p_adj <0.005).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HTTB may promote GM activation with relatively lower BF involvement in healthy individuals. Exercise progression may be applied from BE to BEEF, HT, HTFB, and finally HTTB according to functional level.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148708140","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":"Factors associated with the dual-task cost of walking in people with Parkinson's disease.","authors":"Çağrı Gülşen, Fatih Söke, Elvan Özcan Gülşen, Bilge Koçer, Duygu Korkem Yorulmaz, Asiye Gökçe, Öznur Tunca, Hatice Ayşe Tokçaer Bora","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2715732","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2715732","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Walking skills are negatively affected in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) when performing dual-tasks. However, the factors that contribute to this negative dual-task cost (DTC) remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study was planned to investigate the factors associated with the DTC of walking in PwPD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seventy-seven PwPD were included. Single task walking speed and dual-task walking speed were assessed with the 10-Meter Walking Test (10MWT). The following tests were used in the assessments: the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) for clinical symptoms, the Single Leg Stance Test (SLST) for static balance, the Four-Square Step Test (FSST) for dynamic balance, the Trail Making Test (TMT) for attention, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) for processing speed, the Word List Generation Test (WLGT) for verbal fluency, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety and depression, the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) for fear of falling, the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ) for freezing of gait, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Short Form) (IPAQ-SF) for level of physical activity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Dual-task 10MWT scores of PwPD were significantly worse than single-task 10MWT scores (<i>p</i> < .001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only SDMT (Β = -0.361, <i>p</i> < .001), dual-task 10MWT (Β = 0.294, <i>p</i> = .001), and TMT-B (Β = 0.338, <i>p</i> = .001) determined the DTC in PwPD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Dual-tasking has a negative impact on walking in PwPD and this DTC is associated with processing speed, dual-task walking speed and attention.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148702706","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":"Exploring the preoperative experiences of patients in a disruptive recovery trajectory following lumbar spinal fusion surgery: a secondary analysis of a qualitative study.","authors":"Sima Vatandoost, Shokoofih Abbasalipour, Andrews Tawiah, Alison Rushton","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2709173","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2709173","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Following lumbar spinal fusion surgery (LSFS), some patients experienced a disruptive recovery, characterized by persistent pain, functional limitations, and difficulty resuming life. However, little is known about their preoperative experiences.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the preoperative experiences of patients in disruptive recovery following LSFS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A secondary analysis was performed on qualitative data aligned with the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research. Participants from four UK surgery centers underwent two semi-structured interviews following LSFS and completed weekly diaries. Three recovery trajectories emerged from the first month's diaries: meaningful, progressive, and disruptive. Transcripts from the interviews with participants in disruptive recovery, conducted two weeks following LSFS, were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, focusing on their preoperative experiences. Two independent researchers defined themes through an iterative process. Collaborative analytical process and reflexive dialogs were used to enhance trustworthiness, with ideography maintained through constant data comparison and discussion.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven themes were interpreted from eight participants. Patients' experiences while living with back problems captured in \"compounded struggles\" and \"multidimensional effects of back problems.\" Their experiences with the treatment process and the factors influencing their decision to undergo surgery were described in \"experiences in the treatment process\" and \"journey to surgery.\" Their experiences before surgery were identified in \"understanding surgery: awareness and expectations,\" \"psychological burden,\" and \"preparation for surgery.\"</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings revealed complex patient challenges, diverse treatment interactions, long waits, multifactorial surgery decisions, with identified preoperative gaps, informing future research of patient needs to improve LSFS outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148680553","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 effect of online physical activity monitoring on physical activity level, psychological health, fatigue, and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Busra Candiri, Dilan Demirtas Karaoba, Burcu Talu, Mehmet Tecellioglu","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2713001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2713001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>It is known that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) have lower levels of physical activity compared to the healthy population. Encouraging and continuous monitoring ofphysical activity through digital reminders can be beneficial in increasing physical activity levels.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of continuous monitoring of walking-based physical activity, supported by reminders using a messaging application, on physical activity level, psychological health, and quality of life.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty-two individuals with MS were randomly assigned to either experimental (EG = 22) or control (CG = 20) groups. The EG group was informed three times a week about the benefits of daily physical activity, then reminded to walk, and their daily step counts were recorded.The CG received a general briefing at baseline and then only recorded daily step counts. The outcomes were change in step count after 8 weeks of follow-up and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and International Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Study (MSQoL-54).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant difference was found between the IPAQ-Walking and IPAQ-Total groups (<i>p</i> = .042 and <i>p</i> = .010, respectively). In EG, IPAQ-Walking showed a significant increase with a large effect (<i>p</i> = .001, Cohen d = 0.843), while there was no difference in CG (<i>p</i> = .108). No significant difference was observed in BDI and BAI after the intervention (<i>p</i> > .05). In MSQoL-54, no significant difference was observed between groups in all subscales (<i>p</i> > .05). In EG, a significant change with moderate to large effect sizes was recorded in all subgroups (<i>p</i> < .05, Cohen d = 0.661-1.483). A significant group ×time interaction was shown for step counts (F = 192.63, <i>p</i> = .018).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While improvements in psychological health and quality of life indicators did not differ significantly between groups, findings suggest that digital reminder-based apps arefeasible, accessible, and cost-effective option for supporting physical activity in MS.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148674280","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":"Preliminary effects of myofascial release on chest mobility and trunk impairment in patients with chronic stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Saetbyeol Lee, Sinyoung Kim, Haneul Lee","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2712998","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2712998","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study investigated the effects of myofascial release (MFR) on chest mobility, trunk impairment, and respiratory function in patients with chronic stroke.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this randomized controlled trial, 20 participants with chronic stroke were assigned to either an MFR group (<i>n</i> = 10) receiving MFR plus inspiratory muscle training (IMT) or a stretching and diaphragmatic breathing (SDB) group (<i>n</i> = 10) receiving chest stretching, diaphragmatic breathing, and IMT three and two times per week, respectively, for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was chest mobility measured at the axillary, xiphisternal, and basal levels. Secondary outcomes included trunk impairment (Trunk Impairment Scale, TIS), inspiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and quality of life (SS-QoL).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant group × time interactions were observed for xiphisternal chest mobility (estimate = 1.34 cm, 95% CI 0.24-2.43; Cohen's d = 1.15; <i>p</i> = .019), basal chest mobility (estimate = 1.33 cm, 95% CI 0.28-2.39; Cohen's d = 1.19; <i>p</i> = .016), and trunk impairment (estimate = 2.10 points, 95% CI 0.13-4.07; Cohen's d = 1.00;<i>p</i> = .038), favoring the MFR group. At the axillary level, both groups demonstrated significant improvements over time (<i>p</i> = .001), but no significant group × time interaction was observed (<i>p</i> = .098). MIP increased significantly in both groups over time (<i>p</i> = .001), with no between-group difference (<i>p</i> = .255). No significant between-group differences were observed for pulmonary function or SS-QoL outcomes (all <i>p</i> > .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These preliminary findings suggest that eight weeks of MFR combined with IMT may improve lower chest mobility and reduce trunk impairment in patients with chronic stroke. MFR may be considered a potentially useful adjunct intervention to address thoracoabdominal mobility restrictions during stroke rehabilitation. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and determine their clinical significance.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148670968","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":"Comparing methods to measure wearable device adherence for physical activity monitoring for persons with autism: A prospective observational cohort study.","authors":"Melissa M Tovin, Sheila B Madden, Kaiwen Wu, Annabel Nunez-Gaunaurd","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2618078","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2618078","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have higher rates of obesity and exhibit more sedentary behaviors than neurotypical peers. Use of wearable devices (WD) to target insufficient physical activity (PA) in this population has increased over the past decade. However, standardized methods for assessing WD adherence remain limited among this understudied population.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>A prospective observational cohort design was used to compare two methods for determining WD adherence for monitoring PA in adolescents and adults with ASD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Subjects were enrolled in an 8-week telehealth program aimed at improving PA among adolescents and adults with ASD. The Fitbit Inspire 3 WD was utilized for PA tracking and self-monitoring. Subject step activity and heart rate (HR) data were collected for an 8-week period via FITABASE management platform. Adherence was calculated using two methods. Method-A was defined as ≥10-hr daily wear-time based on HR monitoring; Method-B was defined as ≥ 500 steps/day. Observational data collected via researcher field notes documented participant-reported factors and/or behaviors that influenced WD adherence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data from twenty-seven subjects (21 males, 6 females) ages 14 to 28 years (mean: 18.85 years) were analyzed. Adherence was significantly higher when calculated using Method B (mean = 40 days, 5.4 weeks) compared to Method A (mean = 24 days, 2.8 weeks; <i>p</i>  < .001). Observational data identified disability-related behaviors that negatively impacted Method A derived adherence.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Using HR-based measures of adherence may underestimate device use in individuals with ASD, potentially setting unrealistic expectations for continuous wear. Step-based metrics provides a more inclusive and pragmatic approach for assessing WD adherence in this population, with implications for future intervention design and evaluation. This study highlights the need to tailor WD adherence definitions to the behavioral and sensory profiles of neurodiverse populations. Further study is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1058-1066"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146042034","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}