Availability, usage, and factors affecting usage of electrophysical agents by physical therapists: a regional cross-sectional survey

Factors Influencing Decision-Making for Poststroke Paretic Upper Limb Treatment: A Survey of Japanese Physical and Occupational Therapists

This study investigated the treatment methods used by physical and occupational therapists for poststroke paretic upper limbs and the factors influencing their decision-making processes. For the treatment methods of poststroke paretic upper limbs, the respondents were asked to select the most clinically used treatment according to the severity of the patient's condition. For the factors influencing their decision-making processes, the respondents were asked to indicate each determinant using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = no influence at all to 5 = very strong influence). Six hundred thirty-eight therapists participated in this study. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the validity of the questionnaire. The findings indicated task-specific training (N = 333, 52%) as the most popular for mild cases, followed by repetitive facilitative exercise (n = 143, 22.3%) for moderate cases and electrical stimulation (n = 246, 38.4%) for severe cases. This study revealed that evidence about treatment (very strong: n = 171 (27.0%), and strong: n = 287 (45.0%)) and patient preferences (very strong: n = 203 (31.8%), and strong: n = 251 (39.3%)) affected decision-making significantly regarding treatment methods for the poststroke paretic upper limb.

Changes in availability and usage of electrophysical agents by physical therapists: a 5 year longitudinal follow-up study

[Purpose] There have been concerns that the availability and usage of electrophysical agents have decreased, based on data from cross-sectional surveys. The aim of this study was to conduct the first five-year follow-up longitudinal survey to determine the changes in the availability and usage of electrophysical agents in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. [Participants and Methods] This longitudinal observational study employed the same postal questionnaire survey of practicing clinicians in 2014 and 2019. A total of 22 modalities had been selected for inclusion in the questionnaire based on what is used in clinical facilities and hospitals. [Results] The response rate was 71% and 63% for 2014 and 2019, respectively. The modalities that were high in availability and usage for both 2014 and 2019 were hot packs, ultrasound, cryotherapy and low frequency. While most modalities demonstrated a decreased trend in usage, electrical stimulation devices increased from 2014 to 2019. The results also demonstrated that usage was affected by gender (males greater than females), years of experience (older greater than younger), qualifications (diplomas greater than degrees), and confidence (confident greater than non-confident). [Conclusion] Our results may assist educators with designing educational curricula that is consistent with the needs of clinicians.

Electrophysical agents in clinical practice of orthopedic and sports physical therapists in Brazil

ABSTRACT Studies have described the use of electrophysical agents (EPA) by physical therapists worldwide. However, the use of EPA by Brazilian physical therapists remains undetermined. This study aims to describe the availability, use, and perception about EPA by orthopedic and sports physical therapists in Brazil. Professionals of the area were invited to answer an online questionnaire. Demographic data and information regarding the availability, use and perception about EPA in their current clinical practice were asked. Out of 376 physical therapists included in this study, 89% declared to use EPA in clinical practice. Sensory electrotherapy with pulsed current (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound, excitomotor electrotherapy with pulsed current (FES/NMES), and cryotherapy are available for more than 3/4 of interviewees. Scientific articles and clinical experience, respectively, are the most influential factors for the choice of EPA. Ultrasound is the most frequently used EPA, followed by TENS, cryotherapy, photobiomodulation, hot packs, and FES/NMES. The top-five most useful EPA in clinical practice chosen by physical therapists are: (1) ultrasound; (2) photobiomodulation; (3) TENS; (4) cryotherapy; and (5) FES/NMES. In conclusion, EPA are widely used by orthopedic and sports physical therapists in Brazil. Therapeutic ultrasound, TENS, FES/NMES, photobiomodulation, cryotherapy, and hot packs are the most used EPA in clinical practice of these physiotherapists.