Physical Therapy Commons^™

A Call To Action: Towards A Compendium For Culturally Responsive And Inclusive Pain Management, Arvie Vitente, Rob Sweet, Lester Jones

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: Pain is a pervasive global health problem, yet its assessment and management remain shaped by biomedical, monolingual, and culturally narrow assumptions that do not fully reflect the lived realities of diverse populations. Although contemporary pain science recognizes pain as a personal experience influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, inequities persist across racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural groups.

Main Body: These inequities affect how pain is expressed, interpreted, documented, and treated, particularly among Indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees, and patients with limited English proficiency. In this perspective, we call for the development of a comprehensive compendium on culturally responsive and …

Effects Of Clinical Exposure On The Clinical Reasoning Skills Of Senior Pt Interns In Selected Rehabilitation Centers, Jeanelle Louise D. Atienza, Kristel Mae R. Yu, Elisha Almeda, Lance O. Panganiban, Gracyl Shane Valera, Joel Isaac B. Lorenzo, Vivebonn A. Bismonte, Martin Lorenzo Rosanes, Francis U. Santos, Danny G. Espera

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. Clinical reasoning is a fundamental skill in physical therapy (PT), enabling practitioners to recognize patterns and enhance treatment decisions. It serves as a cornerstone of competence, guiding informed judgments and facilitating optimal patient care. This study aimed to examine the development of clinical reasoning skills among physical therapy interns in selected rehabilitation centers, provide baseline data for evaluating program quality, mentorship effectiveness, and impacts on clinical practice.

Methods. A cohort study design was employed in assessing clinical reasoning skills of 36 Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BSPT) interns before and after a two-month clinical exposure. A validated, self-constructed …

Editor’S Note: Responsive Health Sciences: Integrating Education, Equity, And Community Care, Rolando Lazaro

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Mediapipe-Based Extraction Of Joint Rom And Position From Patient Videos For The Functional Movement Screen: An Exploratory Study, Joshua Paul Verdillo, Lily Ann Bautista

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is widely used to identify movement deficiencies and potential injury risk. However, its reliance on visual inspection introduces subjectivity, requires specialized training, and necessitates face-to-face assessment. Advances in computer vision, offer opportunities to automate and better objectify functional movement assessment. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using a MediaPipe-based system, Software-Optimized Movement Assessment (SOMA), to extract joint range of motion (ROM), joint position, and compensatory movement patterns from patient videos during FMS performance.

Methods. SOMA was developed using MediaPipe Pose and MediaPipe Hands libraries integrated with Python-based tools to analyze videos …

Biomechanics Of The Ribs During Respiration At The Costotransverse Joint: An In-Vivo Retrospective Pilot Study, Michael Maninang, Greg Almeter, Erik Pearson, Arvie Vitente

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: Scarce in‑vivo data describe how ribs move at the costotransverse joints during quiet breathing—knowledge critical to thoracic biomechanics and pain mechanisms. This pilot study uses four‑dimensional computed tomography (4D‑CT) to quantify, for the first time, the three‑dimensional magnitude and direction of rib motion at these joints throughout quiet respiration.

Methods: This retrospective, descriptive pilot study analyzed ten 4D‑CT scans obtained from patients undergoing thoracic imaging prior to radiation therapy. End‑expiration and end‑inspiration phases were aligned with a demons deformable‑registration algorithm. For each costotransverse joint, the three‑dimensional displacement vector, its absolute magnitude, and its components along the lateral–medial (L–M), …

Standardizing Assessment Of Clinical Performance In Physical Therapy: From Good Intentions To Shared Standards, Arvie Vitente, Carmina Rafael, Rolando Lazaro

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Clinical education is the crucible in which physical therapy students integrate knowledge, skills, and professional judgment into safe, ethical, and person-centered practice. Yet globally, the assessment of clinical performance remains highly variable, shaped by disparate tools, rubrics, and levels of assessor preparation. While several countries have adopted nationally standardized approaches to clinical assessment, many contexts—including the Philippines—continue to rely on locally developed or institution-specific systems, resulting in inconsistent expectations, inequitable student experiences, and limited capacity for benchmarking, research, and quality improvement. This editorial argues that good intentions alone are insufficient and that the profession must move toward shared, trustworthy standards …

Precision Education In Health Sciences Education: A Call-To-Action For Developing An Interprofessional Strategy, Arvie Vitente, Jennifer Bosworth, Robert Sweet, Rebecca Cozzi, Christopher Galloway, Piotr Szczurek, Melanie Obispo-Young, Eron Bozec, Erica Brkovic, Tina Bobo, Jennifer Lubinski

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. Growing learner diversity, expanding biomedical knowledge, and rapid clinical digitization have exposed the limits of on-size-fits-all health sciences training. Competency-Based Education (CBE) has sharpened the focus on outcomes, yet many programs still move learners through fixed sequences, infrequent assessments, and retrospective remediation. Precision Education (PE) offers a complementary, data-enabled approach that uses learning analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and continuous feedback loops. Embedded within CBE, PE converts competencies from static milestones into dynamic trajectories that can be measured, visualized, and adjusted in real time across the curriculum. This abstract highlights the need for an interprofessional strategy to design, fund, and …

2024 Impetus Platform Presentation Abstracts

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

2024 Impetus Poster Presentation Abstracts

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

The Level Of Heel Pain And Footwear Characteristics And The Duration Of Its Use Among Allied Healthcare Interns At Silliman University, Jeroen Rustam Z. Agustin Ptrp, Jamaica Fe V. Duran, Rhonna Ann O. Duran, Philip Elmerson D. Ebarle, Vincent Al Beethoven G. Felisilda, Charity Gulahab, Andrea Wynn M. Lacnit, Raymond B. Esperida Phd, Mspt, Ptrp¹

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between heel pain and specific footwear characteristics, as well as the duration of footwear usage, among allied healthcare interns at Silliman University. Heel pain, a common condition exacerbated by prolonged standing and walking, is particularly prevalent in healthcare professionals and students. Despite existing literature suggesting footwear as a contributing factor, the relationship between footwear characteristics—heel height, sole thickness, and insole material—and heel pain, especially in healthcare interns, remains underexplored. This study contributes to the field of healthcare ergonomics by highlighting the complexity of heel pain etiology and emphasizing the need for a …

Outcomes Of A Strength- And Power-Focused Exercise Program In An Adult With Multiple Comorbidities Due To Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Report, Frances Rom Lunar, Jeffrey Ralph Luces, Kyla Tan, Mark Gorgon, Eunice Gerona, Abbeygail Abella, Edward Gorgon

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. People with multiple significant comorbidities are commonly excluded from clinical trials of exercise and therefore less is known regarding the outcomes in this population. This case report describes the outcomes of strength- and power-focused exercise training in an adult with multiple comorbidities.

Methods / Case description. A 40-year-old male with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus resulting in stage 5 chronic kidney disease and left-sided below-knee amputation underwent a four-week program that consisted of four clinic-based and eight self-supervised exercise sessions. The design of the exercise training program was guided by principles of muscle power training while also informed by the …

Covid-19 Infection Prevention And Control Guidelines Of Philippine Physical Therapy Association (Ppta) And Rehabilitation Department Of Select Hospitals In The Philippines: Impact On Infection Trend, Ghiester Marc T. Estrellado, Venize Edanne F. Montecillo, Cristina Faye C. Panopio, Alexandra Marie V. Amistoso, Raymond M. Tosoc

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: There is a paucity of evidence supporting the need for setting up hospital COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines for Physical Therapists (PTs) that meet global standards. This study aimed to determine the consistency of IPC guidelines among different rehabilitation departments of hospitals within Region IV-A and the Philippine Physical Therapy Association’s (PPTA) recommendations with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) IPC guidance document. It also compared the hospitals’ consistency scores with the trend of infected PTs per month.

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional survey, an online checklist was developed and validated to examine the consistency of the IPC …

Understanding The Challenges And Opportunities For Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy In Filipino Physical Therapy Practice: An Exploratory Survey, Oliver Ang, Lily Ann Bautista, Maria Carmela Gerella, Roly Dimol, Arvie Vitente, Ulysses Juntilla, Michael Brian Gasidan

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: Orthopedic manual physical therapy (OMPT) is renowned for its positive biophysical and psychosocial effects, making it an important tool in clinical practice. Although OMPT has long been a stable intervention used in developed countries, its adoption has spiked in developing countries, including the Philippines. Despite this progress, no comprehensive study has explored the factors that may hinder or enable Filipino physical therapists (PTs) from utilizing OMPT into their daily clinical practice. The aim of this study was to conduct a thorough behavioral analysis to determine Filipino PTs' capabilities, opportunities, and motivations for using orthopedic manual therapy in their clinical …

A Collective Approach: Enhancing Population Health And Social Drivers Of Health Through Interprofessional Education And Collaboration, Arvie Vitente

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Interprofessional Education And Collaboration In The Philippines: Current Landscape, Gaps, And Propositions, Arvie Vitente, Michael Sy, Reeva Ann Sumulong, Anna Karerina Causapin, Jocel Regino

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Interprofessional education (IPE) is a forward-looking strategy in healthcare education that unites students and professionals from various disciplines to enhance interprofessional collaboration (IPC). IPE is designed to prepare future health and social care professionals to navigate and address the complexities of modern healthcare systems. In the Philippines, despite being a developing country with a fragmented healthcare system, there have been efforts over the last 15 to 20 years to introduce and institutionalize IPE and IPC in both higher education and healthcare settings. However, significant challenges persist, including the dominance of medical professionals, inadequate regulatory mechanisms, and a lack of strong …

Invited Commentary On Interprofessional Education And Collaboration In The Philippines: Current Landscape, Gaps, And Propositions, Naomi De Aro, Ma. Cecilia Licuan

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Physiotherapy In Community-Based Rehabilitation In Middle And Low-Income Countries: A Scoping Review, Er D. Petil Jr., Napoleon R. Caballero

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is a widely recognized approach to address the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical therapy (PT) plays a crucial role within CBR programs. This study aimed to synthesize the current state of literature regarding the integration of PT in CBR programs in LMICs across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, examining key characteristics, reported outcomes, and challenges to implementation.

Methods: A comprehensive review of literature was conducted, focusing on studies published in the past decade. Data were extracted and synthesized in matrix format to compare and contrast findings across the …

Looking Back And Moving Forward, Rolando Lazaro

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Health Literacy On Physical Therapy Among Senior Citizens With Physical Disability And Community Health Workers, Kriza G. Ganotisi, Faye Angelene J. Barangay, Andrew A. Galang, Wina Frances Q. Lazaro, Christopher U. Rivera, Ryan Dean T. Sucgang

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. This study was conducted to determine the health literacy on physical therapy (PT) among senior citizens with physical disability and community health workers (CHWs). Specifically, it identified the sociodemographic profile of the CHWs and senior citizens with physical disability, their extent of health literacy on PT as to prose, document and numeracy and how health policies, availability of PT programs, and available equipment and facilities for the rendition of PT services affect their health literacy.

Methods. This study employed a descriptive research design. The respondents of the study involved 18 CHWs and 29 senior citizens. It was conducted in …

A Survey On Attitudes Of Rehabilitation Professionals On The Use Of Immersive Gamification Technology Systems In Therapy, Anna Mae U. Consing, Maria Eliza R. Aguila

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. Immersive gamification technology systems (ImGTS) are used among patients with physical impairments in different practice settings. Studies have shown moderate evidence for the effectiveness of ImGTS in improving functional outcomes. However, studies are scarce on the use of ImGTS by rehabilitation professionals in clinical practice. Thus, this study aimed to determine attitudes of rehabilitation professionals in using ImGTS in rehabilitation.

Methods. This cross-sectional descriptive survey utilized a self-administered online questionnaire, the modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) Questionnaire, to determine perceptions on performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions on using ImGTS for …

Client Satisfaction With Tele-Community Based Rehabilitation Services For Low Resource Setting, Ferdiliza Dandah S. Garcia, Alma Labro, Penafrancia E. Ching, Rolando Lazaro

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden shift in the delivery of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) services to online platforms such as tele-CBR. Feedback from community partners is important to determine if these services meet their expectations and to inform if adjustments may be needed for future implementation of CBR services using this mode of service delivery. The purpose of the study is to describe the level of client satisfaction of those who received tele-CBR from a university-led CBR program.

Methods. This is a descriptive study using quantitative and qualitative approaches for collecting, analyzing, and integrating information on client satisfaction. Quantitative …

Current Practices Of Physiotherapists In Implementing Psychologically Informed Physical Therapy In Chronic Pain Management: A Scoping Review, Eunice J. Garces, John Marco L. Recio, Viviana Patricia D. Rios, Janine Patricia Sadiz, Anna Barbara N. Sanchez

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: This study is a scoping review of the current practices in implementing Psychologically Informed Physical Therapy (PIPT) in chronic pain management. A fundamental shift of physiotherapy practice from the traditional approach of biomedical to a biopsychosocial approach has acquired recognition indicating a more comprehensive approach to addressing the complexity of the physiotherapy profession. Thus, the primary objective of this scoping review is to identify and map current data on physiotherapists’ current practices in implementing PIPT in chronic pain management, and its secondary objective is to map the evidence and describe the effectiveness/efficacy, clinical utility, cost-effectiveness, and barriers of PIPT …

Feasibility Of Using Standardized Outcome Measures In The Remote Assessment Of Patients With Chronic Stroke: A Case Series, Ricieline Evans

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: With the increase of telerehabilitation utilization worldwide after the COVID-19 pandemic, a review of the current literature shows a concurrent increase in telerehabilitation studies focusing on interventions and delivery models. There is a gap in research on valid and reliable tests and measures that can be used in the physical therapy examination of people with stroke via telerehabilitation. Current reports on psychometric properties of most standardized outcome measures are only applicable in an in-person setting and may not be directly applicable in a remote setting where various challenges contribute to the reliability of results. This report describes the feasibility …

Patellofemoral Pain: Correlations Between Hip Strength, Pain Severity, And Function, James R. Burns, Jennifer L. Kennedy, Amy D. Parker

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: Patellofemoral pain is a common condition that results in anterior knee pain and frequently affects a wide range of the population, from adolescents to older adults. The etiology of patellofemoral pain is multifactorial and usually results in peripatellar or retropatellar pain. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a correlation exists between the strength of the posterolateral hip musculature and the severity of pain or level of function experienced by individuals with patellofemoral pain.

Methods: The participants rated pain and functional levels with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, respectively. The strength …

Effect Of The Collaborative Model On Communication And Clinical Reasoning In Dpt Students’ Clinical Experiences., Karina Ingegneri, Carmina Rafael, Lisa Jenkins

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: The collaborative clinical experiences pair one physical therapist (PT) clinical instructor (CI) with one or more student(s) (Wolff-Burke et al, 2022).The collaborative model has been widely accepted among nursing and other healthcare professions. Benefits of the collaborative model include improved communication and clinical reasoning, enhanced teamwork, and reduced anxiety among students. Additionally, the collaborative model facilitates peer-to-peer learning and leadership. Despite the benefits, PT education has been slow to embrace this model. This study's purpose was to determine if the collaborative model is effective in helping students obtain the required performance ratings required by the university during their clinical …

Writing Effective Policy Briefs To Bridge Research And Policy, Arvie Vitente, Rolando T. Lazaro, Francis Clarence C. Chua

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Visualizing Versatility In Clinical Research: A Letter To The Editor On “Clinicians As Researchers”, Francis Clarence Chua

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Evolution Of Physical Therapy Scholarship In The Philippines: A Scientometric Analysis Of Peer-Reviewed Publications, Rolando Lazaro, Catherine Joy T. Escuadra, Esmerita Rotor, Arvie Vitente, Edward Gorgon, Eric Robinson

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

ABSTRACT

Introduction. The Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy began publication in 2021. The editorial board identified as a high-priority project to undertake a detailed analysis of current publishing practice among physical therapy researchers in the Philippines.

Methods. This study systematically mined publications from Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed using the keywords “physical therapy” OR “physiotherapy” OR “physical therapist” OR “physiotherapist.” Results were further refined to only include English publications by authors from the Philippines. Publication, citation, collaboration, and text-co-occurrence network analysis were done using RStudio and VOSViewer.

Results. A total of 122 publications from 1987 to 2022 were …

Philippine Physical Therapy Association Convention 2023 Conference Abstracts: Poster Presentations, Philippine Physical Therapy Association

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Measures Of Function In Physical Therapy Assessment Of Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Clinical Audit, Marvin D. Zotomayor

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: The assessment of outcomes in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is important for monitoring their progress, evaluating interventions, and guiding health policies. This study aimed to (1) identify the most common outcome measures used in the clinics to assess function in children with CP, and (2) determine whether the outcome measures used in the clinics meet the current standards of assessment for the purpose of improving patient care decisions, research, and quality assurance.

Methodology: A retrospective record audit study design was used to determine if the current practice in the clinics on the assessment of function in children with …