Volume 9:1
Knowledge of the Physical Therapy Profession: A Survey of Outpatient Orthopedic Patients in Southeastern Michigan
Andrew J. Bacyinski, SPT; Klajdi Sina, SPT; Patricia Wren, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Oakland University, Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science – Rochester, MI
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of physical therapy (PT) patients on PT education, licensure requirements, prescription requirements, and scope of practice, both before and after receiving treatment in an outpatient orthopedic setting.
Background: The PT profession has rapidly evolved into an autonomous, doctoral profession. Little is known, however, about the public’s understanding of the PT profession. Furthermore, research is lacking on the effect that PT treatment has on patients’ knowledge of the PT profession.
Methods and Measures: A total of 240 baseline and follow-up surveys were given to four outpatient orthopedic clinics in southeastern Michigan. Clinic staff was instructed to give patients a baseline survey after their initial evaluation and a corresponding follow-up survey at discharge. Completed surveys were returned to the university and kept in a locked office. Data were collected for 6 months and analyzed using SPSS 11.5 software. Descriptive statistics were used to explore demographic data and initial evaluation information, and a paired t-test analysis was used to compare pre-test and post-test data with statistical significance set at P < .05.
Results: Forty-five baseline evaluation surveys and 18 corresponding discharge surveys were collected. At the time of the initial evaluation, 16% of patients indicated that PTs currently graduate with a doctoral degree. At baseline, patients were largely unaware of the integumentary aspect of the physical therapy scope of practice (4.5%) and PT specialty services (58.4%). When comparing the average number of correct responses at both time points for the subset of participants who completed both surveys, there were no statistically significant differences in patients’ knowledge of the education level of PTs (p=0.684), licensure requirements (p=1.0), prescription requirements when paying privately (p=0.516), or scope of practice (p=0.957).
Conclusion: The results show that patients are largely unaware of the educational requirements or full scope of practice of physical therapy, both at evaluation and discharge from physical therapy. This study suggests that patients’ knowledge about the profession does not improve after receiving treatment at an outpatient orthopedic clinic.
The Effects of Static Versus Dynamic Stretching on Average Power in the Young-Adult Athletic Population
Danielle T. Freund SPT; Allison M. Liccardo SPT; Alanna M. Rooney SPT; Ayse Ozcan Edeer, PhD PT; Valerie Dong Olson, PhD PT
Dominican College, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program– Orangeburg, NY
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of static and dynamic stretching in the young-adult athletic population in terms of average knee extensor and flexor muscle power.
Background: Stretching prior to exercise is a common practice for many athletic persons with varying protocols frequently including static or dynamic stretches. Literature has shown deficits in muscle performance lasting up to one hour resulting from static stretching performed prior to activity; alternatively, dynamic stretching has been found to induce positive effects.
Methods and Measures: Forty young-adult athletes were systematically assigned to static or dynamic stretching groups and performed their respective quadriceps and hamstrings stretches according to their group assignment protocols. Pre -test and post-test measurements of hamstrings and quadriceps average power (Watts) at 60 ̊/sec and 180 ̊/sec were obtained using a Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer.
Results: A mixed design ANOVA showed that there was significant main effect for time and interaction between stretching type of dynamic stretching and time in knee flexor and extensor average power at 60 ̊/sec (p<0.05) showing improvement on the muscle strength of hamstrings and quadriceps. There was no significant main effect for time and interaction between stretching type and time in knee flexor and extensor average power at 180 ̊/sec (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Dynamic stretching exercises in the form of straight leg kicks and butt kicks may increase quadriceps and hamstring muscle performance at 60 ̊/sec in terms of average power and may be beneficial to young-adult athletes when performed prior to activity.
Effectiveness of Conservative Physical Therapy on a 49- year-old Male with Split Tear of Peroneus Brevis in the Outpatient Setting: A Case Report
Meredith S. Heneghan, SPT
Governors State University – University Park, IL
ABSTRACT
Study Design: This is a retrospective case report examining the interventions used in physical therapy treatment of a single subject.
Background: Recent literature has shown that peroneus brevis split tears are more common that previously suspected. There is limited literature on the effectiveness of conservative physical therapy treatment to treat the symptoms associated with a split tear of the peroneus brevis. The purpose of this retrospective case report is to describe a multimodal physical therapy treatment approach for a peroneus brevis split tear with peroneus longus tendinosis.
Case Description: The patient was a 49-year-old male who presented to outpatient physical therapy with a diagnosis of split tear of the peroneus brevis tendon and tendinosis of the peroneus longus tendon. Impairments included: resting lateral ankle pain, decreased ankle range of motion, decreased ankle strength, ankle edema, impaired balance, and gait abnormalities.
Outcomes: The patient demonstrated improvements on the following outcome measures: Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Lower Extremity Functional Scale, Right Single Leg Stance, active range of motion, and manual muscle testing. Most physical therapy goals were met; the patient was referred for continued physical therapy treatment.
Conclusion: Steady improvements in pain, function, strength, and balance were seen in this patient following multimodal physical therapy treatment, and he did not require surgical intervention as was initially proposed. Further research is needed in order to study the effects of conservative physical therapy treatment in a larger population of patients with split tears of the peroneus brevis.
