Physiotherapy theory and practice
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Physiother Theory Pract · Aug 2016
Minimum standards of clinical practice for physiotherapists working in critical care settings in Australia and New Zealand: A modified Delphi technique.
Achieving competency in critical care in entry-level physiotherapy courses across Australia and New Zealand is not essential, and accredited training for qualified physiotherapists working in critical care units is lacking. As a result, practice standards and training may vary. The objective was to establish consensus-based minimum clinical practice standards for physiotherapists working in critical care settings in Australia and New Zealand. ⋯ This is the first study to develop a consensus framework of minimum standards of practice for physiotherapists working in critical care. The clinical utility of this framework now requires assessment.
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Physiother Theory Pract · Aug 2016
Reliability and validity of a smartphone pulse rate application for the assessment of resting and elevated pulse rate.
Purpose/hypothesis: This study was designed to investigate the test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and the standard error of measurement (SEm) of a pulse rate assessment application (Azumio®'s Instant Heart Rate) on both Android® and iOS® (iphone operating system) smartphones as compared to a FT7 Polar® Heart Rate monitor. Number of subjects: 111.
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Physiother Theory Pract · Aug 2016
Multicenter StudyPhysiotherapists' perspectives on aerobic exercise early after stroke: A preliminary study.
Aerobic exercise is recognized as part of comprehensive stroke rehabilitation in best-practice and clinical guidelines, yet many individuals remain physically inactive during their hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to identify the perspectives of physiotherapists on aerobic exercise prescription and implementation at in-patient stroke rehabilitation centers with and without a structured aerobic exercise program. A survey was conducted at three Canadian rehabilitation centers to evaluate physiotherapist perceptions of individuals recovering from stroke, the practice environment, and their training on aerobic exercise in stroke. ⋯ Only physiotherapists at the center with a structured aerobic exercise program had received continuing education on aerobic exercise in stroke. The lack of resources at rehabilitation centers without a structured aerobic exercise program needs to be addressed. There remains a need for continuing education on aerobic training in stroke, specifically on assessment and prescription using a standardized approach.