IFOMPT 2012: a rendez-vous of hands and minds

Utilization and perception of live-blogging coverage of an international manual physical therapy conference

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the utilization and perception of live blogged sessions of a physical therapy (PT) conference. Methods: Sessions at an international PT conference were covered in real time using a live-blogging platform. Session coverage could be viewed remotely using computers and mobile devices. Viewers could interact with the content by clicking on links and using the comment feature. Sessions could also be replayed following their conclusion. An online survey of user perceptions was made available the week following the conference. Results: Twenty-four sessions were live blogged with an average session length of 67 min (range: 27-120). On average, live sessions received 27 views (range: 2-65), 18 clicks (range: 2-36), and 2 comments (range: 0-10). The average time spent viewing a live session was 28 min (32% of viewers <1 min; 68% >1 min). Following the conference, session replays totaled 7206 views and 2910 clicks. The average survey respondent (n = 17) watched five live sessions (range: 1-17) and found the updates easy to read (4.5 on a scale of 5.0). When asked if they learned something from the coverage, 94% of respondents said yes and 94% said they would view if available for an upcoming conference. Discussion: Live blogging extended the viewing audience and facilitated viewer engagement. Survey respondents found the coverage educational, of high quality, and would participate again in the future.

Lasting relief of chronic anterior knee pain in young adult after ten weekly inductive physiotherapy sessions: A case report

BACKGROUND

Patellofemoral pain syndrome particularly impairs quality of life in young, physically active subjects. The exact etiology remains unknown, and so this syndrome is a challenging condition to treat. Some patients continue to experience pain and dysfunction after receiving one or more guidelines-compliant conservative treatments. Reducing the likelihood of patellofemoral pain syndrome is an important way of preventing the onset of debilitating anterior knee pain at all ages of life.

CASE

A 24-year-old sportswoman with a 15-month history of anterior knee pain and failure of previous guidelines-compliant treatments. We treated this patient with techniques derived from the paradigm of inductive physiotherapy, in which tone disorders with a central origin may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders. One distinctive feature of inductive physiotherapy relates to the fact that the painful area is not manipulated directly.

RESULTS

The effects of physiotherapy were evaluated after ten weekly sessions and then 15 months later. The changes in the visual analogue pain scale score and the Knee Lequesne Index were clinically significant. We also observed an unexpected reduction in the static varus misalignment.

CONCLUSION

This case could pave the way to an innovative neurological approach to the management of patellofemoral pain syndrome in the young adult.

Advancing Interprofessional Primary Health Care Services in Rural Settings for People with Chronic Low Back Disorders: Protocol of a Community-Based Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Chronic low back disorders (CLBDs) are a substantial burden on individuals and societies, and impact up to 20% of Canadians. Rural and remote residents are approximately 30% more likely to have CLBDs. Reduced access to appropriate team-based health services, including physical therapy, is a key factor that may magnify the impact of CLBD on pain, physical function, overall quality of life, health-related system costs, and individual costs.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the validity, comparative effectiveness, costs, barriers, and facilitators of an interprofessional management approach for people with CLBDs, delivered via telehealth.

METHODS

This project will examine 3 different health care delivery options: (1) in-person nurse practitioner (NP); (2) in-person physical therapist (PT); and (3) a team approach utilizing an NP (in-person) and a PT joining via telehealth. Validity of the telehealth team care model will be explored by comparing the diagnostic categorization and management recommendations arising from participants with CLBD who undergo a team telehealth, in-person NP, and in-person PT assessment. Comparative effectiveness and costs will be examined using a community-based randomized controlled trial in a rural Saskatchewan community with limited PT services. The 3 arms of the trial are: (1) usual care delivered by a local rural NP; (2) a local NP and an urban-based PT joining via telehealth; and (3) face-to-face services by a PT traveling to the community. Patient-reported outcomes of pain, physical function, quality of life, satisfaction, and CLBD care-related costs will be evaluated up to 6 months after the intervention. Patient and provider experiences with the team telehealth approach will be explored through qualitative interviews.

RESULTS

The study was funded in July 2013 and the University of Saskatchewan Biomedical Research Ethics Board approved the study in November 2013. Participant recruitment began in September 2014 and data collection was completed in December 2015. Analysis is in progress and results are anticipated in 2017.

CONCLUSIONS

CLBD is a widespread public health problem, particularly in rural and remote areas, which requires new innovative approaches to deliver appropriate health care. The results of this project will inform the development of evidence-informed approaches and community-based implementation strategies to improve access to PT services in primary health care settings in other rural and remote underserved areas. Findings might also provide a framework for cost-effective and patient-centered models of service delivery for the management of other chronic conditions.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02225535; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02225535 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6lqLTCNF7).