Physiotherapy Commons^™

Application Of The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 In Older Adults: A Narrative Review Of Current Evidence And Future Direction, Yuan-Chen Chang, Tsan-Hon Liou, Lien-Chieh Lin, Reuben Escorpizo, Shih-Wei Huang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) is increasingly valued in geriatric care and rehabilitation for its patient-centered approach and sensitivity to cognitive and social dimensions of disability. It has demonstrated utility in assessing disability prevalence, predicting functional outcomes after dementia, and monitoring rehabilitation effectiveness in older adults. This review evaluated WHODAS 2.0’s application in older populations, identifying research gaps and clinical implications. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase in April 2025 by using the keywords “WHODAS,” “Elderly,” “Geriatric,” and “Disability” without time restrictions. Studies evaluating disability in …

L3 Extraforaminal Herniated Intervertebral Disc Masquerading As Knee Disorder, Ming-Yen Hsiao, Chueh-Hung Wu, Tyng-Guey Wang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

No abstract provided.

Biomechanical Effects Of Exercise-Based Interventions In Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Lara De Vecchi Machado

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide and represents a complex, multifactorial, and heterogeneous condition. It is characterized by substantial interindividual variability in muscle activation patterns, lumbo-pelvic coordination, and movement strategies. Although exercise is widely recommended as a first-line intervention and its clinical benefits are well established, the biomechanical mechanisms underlying functional improvement remain fragmented in the literature and are rarely synthesized quantitatively.

This dissertation conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to investigate the biomechanical effects of exercise-based interventions in individuals with CNLBP. A total of 39 studies were included and …

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Case Report In Post-Tibial Orif Patient, Olufemi Akinleye Akintunde, Leah Guzzardo, Kerstin Palombaro

Capstone Showcase

Background and Purpose

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is one of the most common causes of anterior knee pain, which can be idiopathic or insidious. Despite this, another cause of patellofemoral pain is a secondary complication from tibial fractures and surgeries. Post-Tibial Open Reduction Internal Fixation: patients undergo a period of knee immobilization, altered weight-bearing status, and quadriceps dysfunction.  This causes quadriceps atrophy, altering the knee's biomechanics. The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the rehabilitation strategy and prognosis of this set of patients.

Case Description

A 44-year-old woman who had a right tibial ORIF developed anterior knee pain one-month …

Effectiveness Of A Task-Oriented Exercise Program In Managing Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Case Report, Daphne N. Olipas

Capstone Showcase

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal condition that commonly affects adolescents characterized by an abnormal multiplanar curvature of the spine. This condition may result in postural imbalance, trunk asymmetry, and limitations in functional activities. Exercise-based interventions are designed to enhance spinal stability, promote postural awareness, improve respiratory function, and support participation in daily activities. This case report aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured therapeutic exercise program for a person diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. The intervention program includes core stabilization exercises, postural re-education, breathing exercises, and functional training.

Case Description: A 14 year-old female was referred to …

Effect Of Active Music-Based Intervention Conducted By Music Therapists Or Medical Professionals On Reducing Agitation In Patients With Dementia: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jian-Jia Huang, Yu-Hsuan Chen, Yun-Chen Chung, Yu-Peng Huang, Yu-Cheng Pei

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Music-based interventions (MI), including music therapy and music medicine, have been proposed to reduce agitation in patients with dementia, yet evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews remains inconsistent. Moreover, the efficacy of MI may vary by method and professional involvement, which has not been fully examined. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of active MI conducted by music therapists or medical professionals on agitation in patients with dementia compared with those of general therapy (GT). RCTs published between January 1, 2010, and July 31, 2021, were identified from MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library. Study quality …

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease Incidentally Diagnosed During Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Case Report, Ching-Yun Liao, Chung-Hao Chao, Chih-Chin Hsu

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

背景

髓鞘少突膠質細胞糖蛋白抗體相關疾病（MOGAD）是一種罕見的自體免疫發炎性疾病，主要涉及中樞神經系統（CNS），其主要特徵是視神經、腦部和脊髓脫髓鞘。我們報告一例最初疑似復發性中風的病例，該病例在住院中風復健期間最終確診為MOGAD。

病例概要

49歲女性，左側大腦半球梗塞，在中風後復健期間出現多次右側肢體肌力下降伴隨失語症。這些神經功能波動偏離了典型卒中的預期復健軌跡。卒中發作兩個月後行腦部磁振造影（MRI）檢查，結果顯示右側內囊後肢、腦橋及C1脊髓出現多處新發病灶。後續血清學檢查顯示抗髓鞘少突膠質細胞糖蛋白（MOG）IgG抗體陽性，而水通道蛋白4（AQP4）抗體陰性，確診為MOGAD。患者接受了甲潑尼龍治療及充分的復健治療，追蹤期間肌力顯著改善，未見脫髓鞘病灶復發。

結論

本案例凸顯了復健科醫師在早期發現類似中風的神經發炎性疾病的關鍵作用。復健科醫師處於獨特的領先地位，能夠透過持續的功能監測識別「危險信號」；任何偏離預期復健路徑或無法解釋的神經功能波動都應促使醫生進行進一步檢查。早期識別此類非典型模式，並及時進行免疫治療和多學科康復，可以預防永久性功能衰退，並優化長期預後。

Current Regenerative Injection Treatment For Rotator Cuff Disease: A Review Article And Practical Algorithm, Abdallah El-Sayed Allam, Manal Hassanien, Ahmed Omar Mahmoud Abdallah

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Rotator cuff disease is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting shoulder function and quality of life. Traditional management includes conservative treatments and surgery, but ultrasound-guided regenerative orthobiological interventions have emerged as effective alternatives. This review examines epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnostic approaches to rotator cuff disease, with an emphasis on the role of ultrasound-guided regenerative injections. Specific techniques such as platelet-rich plasma, alpha-2 macroglobulin, lipoaspirate, and bone marrow concentrate are discussed. Recent human studies highlight the efficacy and safety of these interventions, supporting their integration into clinical practice.

A Narrative Review Of The Central Neural Control Of Swallowing And Its Implications For Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Kuo-Chang Wei, Tyng-Guey Wang, Ming-Yen Hsiao

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Swallowing is controlled by a distributed neural network spanning the brainstem central pattern generator, subcortical modulatory circuits, and cortical regions responsible for volitional planning and sensorimotor integration. Evidence from lesion studies, neuroimaging, and neurophysiology demonstrates that dysphagia arises from disruptions at different nodes of this network, producing lesion-specific impairment profiles rather than a uniform swallowing deficit. This network-based perspective has shifted rehabilitation from predominantly compensatory management toward mechanism-driven interventions aimed at restoring physiological function. Behavioral skill-training and resistance-based exercises harness motor learning and cortical plasticity, whereas neuromodulatory approaches—including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), pharyngeal electrical …

Experience And Barriers In Pediatric Dysphagia Rehabilitation: A Quantitative Survey Study, François-Xavier Brajot, Ai-Ju Wu, Pao-Chuan Torng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Purpose: Despite an important need for health care services targeting pediatric dysphagia, there exist a number of barriers to doing so, including workforce competence. The current study surveyed practicing Speech-Language Pathologists to determine (1) the importance of pediatric dysphagia in their caseload, (2) the adequacy of existing educational resources, and (3) perceived barriers to providing quality care in Taiwan.

Methods: An anonymous survey was completed by Speech-Language Pathologists working in Taiwan. Responses were analyzed with respect to current work setting, experience, preparation, and perceived barriers.

Results: Survey results from 122 respondents indicated that the pediatric dysphagia caseload is unexpectedly low …

A Scoping Review Of Non-Instrumental Dysphagia Screening Tools: Building Flowcharts To Guide Tool Selection, Yu-Chun Chang, Ming-Jhuan Wang, Shu-Fen Siao, Yu-Juan Xu, Meng-Shan Wu, Tyng-Guey Wang, Cheryl Chia-Hui Chen

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Selecting an appropriate non-instrumental dysphagia screening tool is a complex process. This scoping review aimed to identify dysphagia screening tools with established reliability and validity, and to develop administrator-based flowcharts to guide tool selection across different clinical populations. A scoping review was conducted using studies identified in CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Our search was guided by five keywords: “dysphagia,” “deglutition,” “screening,” “test,” and “measure.” Original studies about the development and validation of non-instrumental dysphagia screening tools were selected. Six reviewers were involved in the review process, and at least two reviewers independently completed each step of …

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 …

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

Rehabilitation Sciences Department Faculty Articles

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), …

Prediction Of Lung Vital Capacity Value From Thoracoabdominal Expansion In Young Adults, Aung Myo Htun, Aung Aung Nwe, Chatchaya Jaimanee, Thiwaphon Chatprem, Saowanee Nakmaroeng, Chatchai Phimphasak

Journal of Health Research

Background: Vital capacity (VC) is a fundamental indicator of pulmonary health, but its routine assessment often depends on spirometry devices that may be unavailable (i.e. because of access, cost) in many clinical or community settings. In contrast, lower costal (LC) and upper abdominal (AB) expansions are simple, equipment-free methods commonly used in physiotherapy.

Method: This cross-sectional study was aimed at developing prediction equations for VC using LC or upper AB expansion alongside demographic and anthropometric variables. The study involved 116 healthy nonsmokers (53 male and 63 female individuals) aged 18–39 years. VC was measured via spirometry using a …

Transforming Fear Of Falling Care: Bridging Evidence Synthesis And Clinical Trial On Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Multicomponent Interventions For Older Adults, Haehyun Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Fear of falling (FoF) and associated avoidance behavior represent critical health concerns for older adults, with profound impacts on physical functioning, independence, psychosocial well-being, and healthcare utilization. Although fear of falling avoidance behavior (FFAB) is increasingly recognized as a distinct construct and clinically meaningful construct, intervention research remains limited due to fragmented assessment methodologies and incomplete integration of cognitive-behavioral and physical approaches. This dissertation addresses these gaps through two interrelated projects (1) a scoping review of the evidence base, assessment methods, and intervention strategies for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targeting FFAB in older adults; and (2) a randomized controlled …

Physical Therapy Direct Access To Unrestricted Access In The State Of Michigan- Is Michigan Ready To Embrace Change? A Policy Analysis, Erica M. Fernandes, Mary D. Lagerwey, Kieran Fogarty

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Michigan’s Direct Access Provision of 2015 (Enrolled Senate Bill No. 690, 201), which aimed to increase patient access to physical therapy and reduce waiting times, has created hurdles for patient access and for physical therapy as an autonomous profession. The purposes of this policy analysis were: 1) to analyze the Direct Access (DA) policy including examining existing challenges resulting from implementation, 2) provide recommendations for implementing an alternative policy, and 3) outline the benefits of the alternative policy. The DA policy with provisions was examined using the Patton and Sawicki (1993) framework, which provides a basic approach that …

Pengaruh Aerobic Low Impact Exercise Terhadap Fungsi Kognitif Lansia Dengan Risiko Demensia Di Sasana Tresna Werdha Cibubur Tahun 2025, Nur Achirda, Liza Laela Abida, Kania Annisa Zahra

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Background: Entering old age, the elderly often face various problems, one of which is impaired cognitive function. Some factors that influence the decline in cognitive abilities in the elderly include gender, education level, occupation, nutritional status, and comorbidities that can interfere with the nervous system, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The problem of dementia in the elderly is an important concern that requires effective prevention and treatment. Dementia in the elderly can include several aspects, such as orientation, registration, attention and calculation, memory, and language. Physiotherapy has an important role in maintaining and improving body movement function, so that …