Physiotherapy Theory and Practice最新文献

{"title":"Helpful strategies identified and utilized by physiotherapy students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds during clinical placements in Australia.","authors":"Stephen West-Newman, Martin Sale, Roma Forbes, Stacie Attrill","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2544191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2025.2544191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Students from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds face more challenges during clinical placements than those who are non-CALD. However, strategies used to navigate these challenges are relatively unknown, especially in physiotherapy. As students have insight into helpful strategies for placements, it is important to explore these in physiotherapy settings for future cohorts from CALD backgrounds to benefit from these perspectives.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To investigate helpful strategies identified by student physiotherapists from CALD backgrounds during clinical placements in Australian settings, and to understand these in relation to the challenges they experience.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) was used as an interpretive framework for an experiential qualitative investigation of 13 students of CALD background and Asian heritage via semi-structured interviews. Interview data underwent inductive, reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Coded data were developed into three key themes: (1) Gaining cognitive control, (2) Clarity is king: \"Things we don't know, we don't know.,\" and (3) Jumping in the deep end with others.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Student physiotherapists from CALD backgrounds identify a variety of strategies during clinical placements. These strategies can be conceptualized as optimizing cognitive load to enhance learning and performance. Strategies include working together with clinical educators to gain clarity through explicit learning expectations, frequent feedback, and open communication. Cognitive enhancement strategies utilized scripting and targeted planning and practice. Students adopted acculturation strategies such as shadowing, communication exposure and simplification, and mind-set training, which optimize cognitive load. Some strategies utilized in this study were influenced by students' Asian heritage.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144795907","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 a 12-week physiotherapy program on lower extremity function and gait in children with isolated gastrocnemius tightness.","authors":"Deniz Tuncer, Fatma Eren Zengin, Hakan Senaran, Gokcer Uzer","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2542415","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2542415","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Isolated gastrocnemius tightness (IGT) limits ankle dorsiflexion with the knee extended. This study evaluated a 12-week physiotherapy program's effects on lower extremity function and gait in children with IGT.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A single-group pre-post interventional design was used, including 30 children aged 6-12 years with bilateral IGT. Active and passive ankle dorsiflexion and lower extremity flexibility were measured. IGT was accepted based on passive dorsiflexion as < 10° with the knee extended and an increase of ≥ 10° with the knee flexed, according to the Silfverskiold test. The physiotherapy program involved stretching, strengthening, and functional exercises targeting the foot and ankle. Outcomes were assessed using the Navicular Drop Test (NDT), Foot Posture Index-6 (FPI-6), the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), the Sit-to-Stand Test (SST). Gait was recorded on video, analyzed using Kinovea® software, and deviations were scored using the Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Bilateral improvements were observed in dorsiflexion with knee extension (ηp2 = 0.888-0.956), dorsiflexion with knee flexion (ηp2 = 0.445-0.749), inversion (ηp2 = 0.300-0.362), and eversion (ηp2 = 0.202-0.280). Foot posture improved on both sides in NDT (ηp2 = 0.363) and FPI-6 (ηp2 = 0.357-0.642). Functional outcomes showed significant changes in SST (ηp2 = 0.336), LEFS (ηp2 = 0.649), and EVGS (ηp2 = 0.548).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the clinical value of physiotherapy in improving foot posture, lower extremity function, and gait in children with IGT. The findings support including targeted physiotherapy to address musculoskeletal impairments from gastrocnemius tightness.ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06678139, registration date: April 11, 2024.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144790466","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":"Muscle activation levels in the lower leg during weight-bearing functional tasks on unstable surfaces in patients with percutaneous Achilles tendon repair.","authors":"Firat Tan, Hande Guney-Deniz, Mahmut Nedim Doral","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2541210","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2541210","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is a common injury that affects functional capacity and neuromuscular control of the lower limb. While exercise interventions after ATR are frequently prescribed, there is limited evidence regarding muscle activation demands during weight-bearing tasks on different balance surfaces in long-term post-operative individuals.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare lower leg muscle activation levels and co-contraction patterns during functional tasks performed on various balance platforms in individuals with a history of percutaneous ATR.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Nineteen recreationally active males (mean age 40.6 ± 7.2 years) who underwent unilateral percutaneous ATR approximately 5.0 ± 4.8 years prior to testing were recruited. Surface electromyography (%MVIC) was recorded from the peroneus longus (PL), tibialis anterior (TA), medial and lateral gastrocnemius (GM, GL), and soleus (SL) during Single-Leg Stance (SLS), single-leg squat (SLSQ), and forward lunge (FL) performed on flat ground, wobble board, stability trainer, and BOSU®. TA:GM and TA:SL co-contraction ratios were calculated. All subjects performed the functional tasks barefoot.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The BOSU surface elicited the highest %MVIC in all muscles, particularly during SLS (e.g. PL: 44.8 ± 15.5; GM: 36.6 ± 12.7). FL and SLSQ on flat ground induced lower gastrocnemius activation. Co-contraction ratios were significantly higher in SLSQ and FL compared to SLS (<i>p</i> < .001), indicating more balanced dorsiflexor - plantarflexor engagement during dynamic tasks.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Muscle activation and co-contraction patterns vary by functional task type and surface. These findings may assist physiotherapists in prescribing functional progression exercises based on neuromuscular demand profiles after ATR.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144790465","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 influence of hospital context on acute care physical therapy fall prevention practice: A qualitative study.","authors":"James P Crick, Gideon Hewitt, Lisa Juckett, Marka Salsberry, Carmen E Quatman, Catherine C Quatman-Yates","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2447923","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2447923","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Falls are a significant concern for hospitals and patients. The risk of falls is particularly heightened around the period of hospitalization. Physical therapy (PT) is commonly consulted for hospitalized patients at-risk for falls, yet it is unknown how the hospital context influences fall prevention practice among physical therapists.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To explore the perspectives of acute care physical therapists on fall prevention practices within hospital settings and examine how specific contextual factors influence their practice patterns and the effectiveness ofPT interventions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective qualitative study using collaborative qualitative data analysis was conducted through semi-structured interviews with acute care physical therapists nationwide. Interviews focused on therapists' perceptions of fall prevention practices, PT intervention effectiveness, and the influence of hospital context.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We derived three primary themes and ten subthemes. First, mobility promotion was identified as central to fall prevention, requiring a system-wide culture involving multidisciplinary teams, particularly nursing staff. Second, systemic factors, such as time constraints, institutional priorities, high patient volumes, staff availability, equipment availability, and the physical environment, were found to limit optimal PT practice for fall prevention. Third, the effectiveness of PT interventions was context-dependent, with therapists adapting their practices to maximize impact within systemic constraints. Notably, clinical experience seemed to mitigate some practice limitations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite the acknowledged benefits of PT, systemic factors often prevent therapists from implementing effective fall prevention interventions. Addressing these contextual barriers and developing standards of practice may enhance patient safety and the overall success of fall prevention efforts in hospitals.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1675-1693"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957277","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":"High-intensity interval training to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in a patient with frailty and multimorbidity: A case report.","authors":"Anna Liu, James C Baldi, John C Woodfield, Kari A Clifford","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2450609","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2450609","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Low cardiorespiratory fitness predicts worse postoperative outcomes, exacerbated by age and frailty. Preoperative High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) improves cardiorespiratory fitness and postoperative outcomes but is challenging to implement in frailty due to perceived risks.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of this case report was to demonstrate feasibility of HIIT in a patient with frailty and multimorbidity.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>An 83-year-old frail male with atrial fibrillation and limited mobility presenting with locally advanced rectal cancer was assessed as unfit for major surgery unless his cardiorespiratory fitness improved. Initial cardiopulmonary exercise testing demonstrated low cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption (<math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math>O_2peak) of 11.45 mL·min^-1·kg^-1). He subsequently underwent 15 supervised HIIT sessions targeting a Rating of Perceived Exertion ≥ 15.</p><p><strong>Outcomes: </strong>The patient demonstrated initial substantial improvements in his physical condition, increasing maximal work rate from 27.5 W to 55 W. However, there was no additional progress following session eight. At his post-exercise CPET he rapidly fatigued, resulting in a <math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math>O_2peak of 7.4 mL·min^-1kg^-1. Clinical investigations revealed a worsening anemia with a hemoglobin of 92 g/L caused by an undiagnosed synchronous cecal tumor which was corrected preoperatively. Postoperatively, the patient recovered without complications and was successfully discharged home.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Personalized HIIT improved exercise duration and work rate and was associated with positive postoperative outcomes in this patient with frailty and multimorbidity. A unique feature of this case was the unexpected loss of training progress and <math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math>O_2peak deterioration post-HIIT, which prompted further clinical investigations. These identified a worsening anemia and resulted in important changes in both the preoperative and intraoperative treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1736-1744"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143025398","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":"Measuring physical activity, automaticity and memory are determinants for physical activity promotion among physical therapists in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation: a cross-sectional survey.","authors":"Rahizan Zainuldin, Chong Hui Goh, Wen Hui Jasmine Koh, Sarah Chong, Yu Jie Wong, Kacie Patterson, Richie Talbot, Nicole Freene","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2456509","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2456509","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The study aims to identify determinants of implementation behavior among physical therapists frequently promoting physical activity (PA) in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey incorporating the Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire (DIBQ) and anchored by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) was sent to physical therapists working in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation practices in Australia and Singapore. All items on the DIBQ were scored on a 7-point Likert scale from \"Strongly Disagree\" to \"Strongly Agree.\" Demographics and determinants were associated with frequency of PA promotion using logistic regression analysis with manual backward stepwise elimination. Differences between countries were measured using the Mann-Whitney U test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-four Australia and 32 Singapore physical therapists responded to the survey. Seventy-four percent of them correctly identified the PA guidelines and almost all (98%) agreed that PA promotion was the physical therapist's role. However, only 58% encouraged ≥ 10 patients monthly to be physically active. The logistic regression revealed that physical therapists with > 8 years of working experience (AOR = 8.08: 95% CI 1.69-38.67), currently measuring PA (AOR = 8.04: 95% CI 1.73-37.39) and who promote it automatically (Nature of Behaviors) (AOR = 8.57: 95% CI 0.66-111.55) were more likely to frequently promote PA. Similar determinants, except Belief about Consequences, were found between Australia and Singapore physical therapists.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Currently measuring PA, automaticity and working experience influence PA promotion frequency among physical therapists working in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, regardless of PA guidelines knowledge, role awareness and countries they practice in.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1620-1629"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143048345","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":"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":"1721-1728"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","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":"Validity and test-retest reliability of a modified version of the upper quarter Y balance test in athletes with spinal cord injury and lower limb amputation.","authors":"Mohammadreza Mahmoudkhani, Fatemeh Alizadeh, Mohammad Karimizadeh Ardakani, Zahra Fathi","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2444386","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2444386","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-UQ) assesses upper limb dynamic balance in able-bodied individuals but lacks a reliable version for those with disabilities.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to introduce a modified YBT-UQ (mYBT-UQ) for physically impaired individuals (PI) and establish its validity and reliability.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study involved 33 male athletes aged 18-55, divided into three equal groups: able-bodied, spinal cord injury with trunk control (SCI), and below-the-knee amputation (BKA). To ensure test validity, able-bodied athletes completed both tests. Test-retest reliability was evaluated by repeating the mYBT-UQ seven days after the first test by PI groups. The validity was assessed using the Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman plot. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (2,1), standard error of measurement (SEM), and the minimal detectable change with 95% confidence (MDC95%) were calculated to assess relative and absolute reliability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were significant differences and excellent relationships between YBT-UQ and the mYBT-UQ. Also, the Bland-Altman plot showed minimal bias and an acceptable range of agreement. In athletes with BKA, the ICC (2,1) was above 0.90 for both limbs. The SEM ranged from 2.4%-2.7%, and MDC95% ranged from 6.7%-7.5%. In athletes with SCI, the ICC (2,1) ranged from 0.72-0.80. The SEM ranged from 3.1%-3.2% and MDC95% ranged from 8.6%-8.9%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results indicate that the mYBT-UQ is a reliable test to assess upper quarter dynamic balance in athletes with SCI and BKA. However, regarding the small sample size of the study, there is a need to conduct other research to establish the validity of the test.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1694-1702"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142865890","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":"Movement control of the cervical spine declines with aging: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Izabela Luznik, Maja Pajek, Ziva Majcen Rosker","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2454519","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2454519","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Previous studies suggest that cervical spine position sense declines with age, while the relationship between aging and cervical spine movement control remains unknown.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the relationship between age and cervical spine movement control in asymptomatic adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>One hundred five asymptomatic adults (21-79 years old) were included. The Butterfly test (performed with an inertial measurement unit) was used to assess movement control of the cervical spine, in which participants tracked an unpredictable moving target with active head and neck movements at three different movement path difficulty levels (3 repetitions each). The determined parameters were amplitude accuracy (AA), time on target (ToT), undershoot (U) and overshoot (O). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and simple linear regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between age and each parameter.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant relationship was demonstrated between advancing age and the AA, ToT and U parameters for all three movement path difficulty levels (<i>p</i> ≤ .001), but not for the O parameter (<i>p</i> > .05). Advancing age explained 19.8-30.4%, 24.5-30.8% and 33.7-37.2% of the variance in the AA, ToT, and U parameters, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results suggest that cervical spine movement control declines with aging in an asymptomatic population. Clinicians may need to monitor potential deficits in cervicocephalic kinesthesia in older asymptomatic adults, as these impairments may have a considerable impact on their functional abilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1612-1619"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143053975","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 multifaceted role of physiotherapy - a qualitative study exploring the experiences of physiotherapists working with adolescents with persistent pain.","authors":"Arne Kandal, Berit Østerås, Sylvia Söderström","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2447915","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2447915","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Persistent pain is increasingly recognized as a growing issue among adolescents worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of 10-30%. Physical therapy is a recommended treatment modality for managing this kind of pain. Yet, there is still limited knowledge regarding how physiotherapists experience, manage, and follow up this patient population.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of physiotherapists in Norwegian primary healthcare working with adolescents experiencing persistent pain. The study examined the resources the therapists make use of, and the challenges they encounter.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Four focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 13 Norwegian physiotherapists experienced in treating adolescents with persistent pain. The interviews explored the physiotherapists' experiences of working with adolescents with persistent pain. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three main themes were identified from the data analysis: (1) Relationship building as the foundation of the intervention. (2) Accompanying the adolescents into their everyday life. (3) Challenging cases that are also rewarding to work with.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study sheds light on the importance of sufficient and multifaceted clinical competence among physiotherapists to enable them to work effectively with adolescents experiencing persistent pain, and their families. The experiences of physiotherapists show the importance of a strong therapeutic alliance and individualized treatment approaches, based on shared decision-making and age-appropriate communication and interventions. The therapists in our study emphasized the need to integrate interventions into the adolescents' everyday lives, tailoring treatments to the unique life of each individual. Physiotherapists must navigate the complexities of meeting individual patient needs and adapting to challenges beyond traditional practice. To support this patient group effectively, ongoing professional development is recommended, either through continued education or colleague guidance from other experienced physiotherapists.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1663-1674"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143014047","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}