Physical therapy
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Survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are faced with a complicated recovery, which typically includes surgery, prolonged monitoring in the intensive care unit, and treatment focusing on the prevention of complications. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that an early mobilization program for patients with aneurysmal SAH is safe and feasible.
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Rehabilitation of patients in critical care environments improves functional outcomes. This finding has led to increased implementation of intensive care unit (ICU) rehabilitation programs, including early mobility, and an associated increased demand for physical therapists practicing in ICUs. Unfortunately, many physical therapists report being inadequately prepared to work in this high-risk environment. Simulation provides focused, deliberate practice in safe, controlled learning environments and may be a method to initiate academic preparation of physical therapists for ICU practice. ⋯ Incorporating a simulated, interprofessional critical care experience into a required clinical course improved physical therapist student confidence in technical, behavioral, and cognitive performance measures and was associated with high student satisfaction. Using simulation, students were introduced to the critical care environment, which may increase interest in working in this practice area.
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Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an effective procedure that provides patients with long-term relief from pain and enables them to resume their normal daily activities. Preoperative instruction about the functional outcomes and optimum goal of rehabilitation is helpful for patients undergoing THA. ⋯ The findings indicate that patients with a preoperative TUG score of less than 10 seconds are likely to walk without an assistive device at 6 months after THA.
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Physical performance tests are important for assessing the effect of physical activity interventions in older people with dementia, but their psychometric properties have not been systematically established within this specific population. ⋯ The physical performance tests evaluated are useful for detecting differences in performance between older people with mild to moderate dementia and, therefore, are suitable for cross-sectional or controlled intervention studies. They appear less suitable to monitor clinically relevant intra-individual performance changes. Future studies should focus on the development of more sensitive tests and the identification of criteria for clinically relevant changes in this rapidly growing population.