Physical Therapy articles from June 2009

Physical Therapy archives from June 2009

Reserve these dates and times for PTJ sessions at PT 2009.(at PT 2009)(Physical Therapy Journal)(Calendar)
June 1, 2009... PTJ Symposium: Nonpharmacologic CARE for Patients With Arthritis Thursday, June 11 2:00-5:00 pm 0.30 CEUs This year, Physical Therapy (PTJ) will publish papers adapted from presentations at the CARE V Conference held in Oslo, Norway. In...

Emilio Longoni (Italian, 1859-1932). The First and the Last Steps.(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Emilio Longoni (Italian, 1859-1932). The First and the Last Steps. 1897. Oil on canvas. Photo Credit: Alinari / Art Resource, NY. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Once under police surveillance for being an "anarchist painter," Longoni belonged...

On "effects of forced use on arm function in the subacute phase after stroke: a randomized, clinical pilot study".(The Bottom Line)
June 1, 2009... What problems did the researchers set out to study, and why? The researchers wanted to study the effectiveness of 2 weeks of forced use training on arm function. Learned non-use of the upper limb is a problem frequently encountered after...

On "physical therapists' experiences updating the clinical management of walking rehabilitation after stroke: a qualitative study".(The Bottom Line)(Report)
June 1, 2009... What problems did the researchers set out to study, and why? Using research literature as part of evidence-based physical therapist practice is not ubiquitous among physical therapists despite a high value placed on using evidence in practice....

Effects of forced use on arm function in the subacute phase after stroke: a randomized, clinical pilot study.(Research Report)(Report)
June 1, 2009... Stroke is the leading cause of disability in many countries. (1) Because motor deficits and decreased use of the upper limb are frequent problems after stroke, it is important to develop cost-effective rehabilitation approaches designed to...

Standardization of the continuing care activity measure: a multicenter study to assess reliability, validity, and ability to measure change.(Research Report)(Report)
June 1, 2009... Physical functioning is an important component of quality of life for elderly people because it affects their sense of autonomy, social engagement, and overall sense of well-being. (1) This finding was confirmed in a 1998 study by Fox and...

Physical therapists' experiences updating the clinical management of walking rehabilitation after stroke: a qualitative study.(Research Report)(Report)
June 1, 2009... Evidence-based practice (EBP) is defined as a culture in which clinicians naturally and consistently consider evidence in every aspect of practice. (1) To implement EBP, practitioners find the best available evidence to address clinical...

Test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change scores for the Timed "Up & Go" Test, the Six-Minute Walk Test, and gait speed in people with Alzheimer disease.(Research Report)(Clinical report)
June 1, 2009... Alzheimer disease (AD) is the ost common form of deentia in elderly people and affects an estimated 5.2 million individuals in the United States. (1) It is estimated that 13% of people aged 65 years and older are diagnosed with AD, and the...

The lower extremity functional scale has good clinimetric properties in people with ankle fracture.(Research Report)(Clinical report)
June 1, 2009... The Lower Extremity Functional Scale is a measure of activity limitation developed for musculoskeletal conditions of the lower extremity. (1) On this scale, participants rate the difficulty in performing 20 activities of the lower extremity on...

Evaluation of an item bank for a computerized adaptive test of activity in children with cerebral palsy.(Research Report)(Report)
June 1, 2009... The importance of using valid and reliable measures to evaluate the impact of surgical, pharmacological, and therapeutic interventions for children with cerebral palsy (CP) is well accepted. (1-4) Over the past decade, clinicians and...

Training of walking skills overground and on the treadmill: case series on individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury.(Case Report)(Report)
June 1, 2009... There has been considerable interest in body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) after incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). (1) The ultimate goal of gait retraining after iSCI is successful ambulation in the home and community. Walking...

Recent publications by foundation-funded researchers.(News from the Foundation for Physical Therapy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... "Effect of Laterally Wedged Foot Orthoses on Rearfoot and Hip Mechanics in Patients With Medial Knee Osteoarthritis," by Robert J. Butler, Joaquin A. Barrios, Todd Royer, and Irene S. Davis, has been published in the June 2009 issue of the...

Foundation announces student intern.(News from the Foundation for Physical Therapy)(Foundation for Physical Therapy )(MaryEllen Petrie )(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Foundation for Physical Therapy has announced that MaryEllen Petrie (Figure), Marquette University, has joined the Foundation as a summer intern. In this position at the Foundation office, Petrie will help build...

Foundation's Dinner Dance at PT 2009--celebrating 30 years of research.(News from the Foundation for Physical Therapy)(Foundation for Physical Therapy )(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The Foundation for Physical Therapy will celebrate 30 years of research at the annual Dinner Dance on June 11th during the APTA Annual Conference in Baltimore. Dinner Dance tickets must be purchased before PT 2009. Tickets can be purchased when...

Membership statistics.(Table)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... For the interest of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) members, a tabular summary of membership figures for 10-year intervals from 1948 to 2008 appears below. 1948 1958 1968 1978 ...

Scale.(Product News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Tanita Corp [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tanita introduces the PH-740 digital handrail scale with an extra-wide 30-in x 25-in low platform. This portable acute care scale allows accessibility for patients with disabilities. It features an...

Injury treatment.(Product News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... CoolSystems Inc [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Game Ready Injury Treatment System is a pneumatic cryotherapy system designed for use by physical therapists, professional sports teams, and athletic trainers and for use in hospitals,...

Ultrasound components.(Product News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... ITT Acoustic Sensors [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ITT supplies custom piezo ceramic components for ultrasound products. Piezo products are the heart of ultrasonic therapy devises and ultrasound equipment. The company can assist with the...

Power seat.(Product News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Uplift Technologies Inc [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The portable Uplift Power Seat, an electric-powered cushion, and the Uplift Seat Assist, a mechanical lifting cushion, are both designed to gently and safely ease users in and out of...

Pain relief spray.(Product News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Performance Health Inc [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thera-Biofreeze Pain Relieving Spray is formulated with natural menthol, methyl sulfonyl methane, Ilex, and a new blend of botanical ingredients to treat pain and discomfort associated with...

Disinfectant spray.(Product News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Parker Laboratories [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Parker introduces Protex Disinfectant Spray, a one-step disinfectant for a broad spectrum of pathogens, including MRSA, HIV, and staph. Protex can be used to disinfect ultrasound transducers,...

Software.(Product News)(ECLIPSE Practice Management Software )(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Eclipse/MPN Software Systems Inc ECLIPSE Practice Management Software has been used daily at thousands of locations for more than 20 years, according to the company. The software includes billing, scheduling, electronic health records,...

Thera-Band Foot Roller.(Product News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The Hygenic Corp [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Thera-Band Foot Roller is made of supple natural rubber and is intended for patients who need relief from foot pain caused by such common conditions as plantar fasciitis and over-activity....

Software.(Fitness Maker, a software for fitness assessment)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... BioEx Systems [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fitness Maker is an integrated software system designed specifically to aid in fitness assessment, testing, goal achievement, and development of fitness programs. Features include capture and...

Transitioning to ICD-10: what does it mean for you?(government affairs)(International Classification of Diseases)
June 1, 2009... Although the deadline is more than 4 years away, the time is now for physical therapists (PTs) to begin preparing for the transition from ICD-9 (International Classification of Disease, 9th revision) code sets to the ICD-10 series. ...

Professional behavior: case one: too much togetherness.(ethics in action)
June 1, 2009... This month's scenario is the first of two related to professional behavior---specifically, the ethical issues that can come into play when the professional and personal lives of PTs mix. As you read the following case, use the...

A valuable resource: recent actions confirm the important role of the PTA in the practice of physical therapy and in APTA.(pta viewpoint)(physical therapist assistant )(American Physical Therapy Association)
June 1, 2009... Any student studying to become a physical therapist assistant (PTA) learns in his or her Introduction to Physical Therapy course that the first PTAs graduated in 1969 from programs at the College of St Catherine in Minnesota and Miami Dade...

Auditing your disability options: there are various factors to consider.(fiscal therapy)
June 1, 2009... You put a portion of every paycheck in savings. You keep on top of your monthly bills. You've signed up for your employer's disability plan. And if needed, you have Social Security or workers' compensation. So, were your monthly income to be...

Well beyond function: reasons and opportunities abound for PTs and PTAs to provide fitness and wellness services--but so does reluctance. What's at stake? What's the holdup? What do clinicians need to know?(physical therapist assistants)(Cover story)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Perhaps it's inevitable that physical brand campaign figures conversation when Lisa Culver, PT, DPT, MBA, discusses the role of physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in promoting physical...

Using transformational leadership to breathe new life into your practice.
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Are you part of a private practice or are you hospital-based? From a competitive standpoint, it no longer matters. Competition is leveling the playing field for all providers and causing everyone to place greater...

Surfing for evidence: APTA's Web site research portals offers much more than journal articles. A wealth of information and practice tools await clinicians as well as researchers.(American Physical Therapy Association)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Do you find yourself surfing the Web regularly for evidence you can use to bolster practice decisions? If not, you may want to take a look at how the Web can help you get the results you need. And as a regular user,...

Instant physical therapy marketing: here are some ideas to reach potential patients, clients, and referral sources.(Practice Matters)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a busy world where it's becoming increasingly difficult to get the attention of potential patients and referral sources, many physical therapists (PTs) are looking to new avenues to reach their local communities....

Effect of health IT spending depends on model used.(news)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The development of a software platform model--similar to the one created for the iPhone--could create a flexible health information infrastructure that will improve delivery of health care, increase physician productivity, foster advances in...

HHS names council for comparative effectiveness research.(news)(Department of Health and Human Services)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the members of the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research. Authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the new council will help...

Medicare direct access bill updates available online.(APTA Update)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act (HR 1829) now pending in the US House of Representatives and Senate would allow physical therapists to evaluate and treat Medicare Part B beneficiaries who require outpatient physical...

Foundation presents service awards at PT 2009.(news)(Foundation for Physical Therapy )
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A congressman noted for his advocacy of rehabilitation and health care issues and a physical therapist who attempted to swim the English Channel are among the...

Neck stabilization exercises can reduce pain.(Research Roundup)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Patients with chronic neck pain who receive physical therapy interventions that include general neck advice and/or an exercise program have similar reductions in pain when neck stabilization exercises are added to their physical therapy...

Physical therapy underutilized in patients with back pain.(Research Roundup)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... People with chronic low back pain use many types of medical interventions, but often not those with the strongest evidence of effectiveness, such as therapeutic exercise, according to a telephone survey study of 732 adults by University of...

Healthy behavior reduces stroke risk.(Research Roundup)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Four health behaviors combined predict more than twice the difference in relative risk of stroke in men and women, says an article published online February 19 in BMJ. The 20,040 participants scored one point for each health behavior: not...

Early introduction of an individualized exercise program.(Research Roundup)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Early introduction of an individualized exercise program and long-term telephone follow-up may reduce emergency health service utilization and improve quality of life of older adults at risk of hospital readmission, says an article in the March...

PTs screen Special Olympics athletes at World Winter Games.(Members on the Move)(physical therapists)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] About 64 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and PT students screened more than 2,000 Special Olympics athletes in FUN fitness, the fitness screening program developed in collaboration with APTA as a...

Larry Hess, PT, director of rehabilitation for the Washington Redskins football team, and Kevin E Wilk, PT, DPT, president of APTA's sports physical therapy section, were among the keynote speakers at the fourth annual injuries in football conference in March.(Members on the Move)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Larry Hess, PT, director of rehabilitation for the Washington Redskins football team, and Kevin E Wilk, PT, DPT, president of APTA's Sports Physical Therapy Section, were among the keynote speakers at the fourth annual Injuries in Football...

Marilyn Moffat, PT, DPT, PHD, CSCS, FAPTA, presented a 1-day seminar at Lebanon Valley College (LVC) titled Physical Therapists as Exercise Experts for Aging Adults: Evidence-based Examination and Exercise Prescription.(Members on the Move)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Marilyn Moffat, PT, DPT, PhD, CSCS, FAPTA, presented a 1-day seminar at Lebanon Valley College (LVC) titled Physical Therapists as Exercise Experts for Aging Adults: Evidence-based Examination and Exercise...

Michele Nesin, PT, OCS, FCFMT.(Members on the Move)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Nesin Therapy Services of Madison, Alabama, was among only 56 companies in the United States to receive a Blue Ribbon Small Business Award from the US Chamber of Commerce and to be nominated for the chamber's Small Business of the Year Award....

PTA Caucus candidates.(news)(physical therapist assistants )
June 1, 2009... The PTA Caucus consists of 50 representatives elected or appointed by their chapters to be the voice of physical therapist assistants (PTAs) and work closely with their chapter leadership to integrate PTA members into the activities of the...

MemberBenefit: dental insurance.(APTA Resources)(American Physical Therapy Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The APTA-Endorsed Group Dental Insurance Plan enables you to choose your own dentist, and there is no waiting period for preventive or diagnostic services. As an APTA member, you can benefit from the group rates offered by this comprehensive...

Framing expectations: the value of the job description.(Business Tip)
June 1, 2009... A written job description helps to frame expectations, which can be defined as a standard of conduct or performance expected by or of someone. (1) A job description helps the employer match the description of the "ideal candidate" to a pool of...

Destroy paper records of Personal Health Information (PHI).(Practice Tips)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Under HIPAA security rules, covered entities are not permitted simply to abandon PHI or dispose of it in dumpsters or other containers that are accessible by the public. Paper PHI should be destroyed to ensure that the information is rendered...

Learn to recognize and prevent MRSA.(Practice Tips)(Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... A national education initiative by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/mrsa/, offers downloadable brochures for clinicians to help identify Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); a resource kit with...

New practice guidelines for international physical therapy.(Practice Tips)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) offers a new practice section on its recently redesigned Web site with information and resources aimed at delivering high-quality, effective physical therapy services internationally. Areas...

Physical therapists & spinal manipulation web page.(Web Resources)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... This page features a new white paper on thrust manipulation performed by PTs, along with other resources designed to help educate policy makers and to use as a tool against attempts to restrict this part of the PT scope of practice. Developed...

Nutrition and healthy weight for children.(Web Resources)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The National Institutes of Health site We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) is aimed at helping to prevent childhood obesity. The science-based national education program provides families and...

APTA is now on Twitter.(Web Resources)(American Physical Therapy Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... This microblogging service allows colleagues, friends, and family to stay connected one "tweet" at a time. APTA will use Twitter to send updates and links to information can be of value and interest to our members. Further Twitter initiatives...

APTA welcomes the following new members.(APTA Resources)(American Physical Therapy Association)
June 1, 2009... (Home states of new PT and PTA members are listed so chapter members can welcome colleagues.) Physical Therapists Jess J Barsotti, PT (MA) Lauren Barrett Beursken, PT (VA) Erin Martha Louise Black, PT (GA) Melanie...

APTA recognizes facilities with 100% membership.(APTA Resources)(American Physical Therapy Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Congratulations to the following facilities and educational institutions that recently have met APTA's Facility Challenge. For more details about the Facility Challenge and a full list of participating facilities,...

Stock market performance of selected health care companies.(facts figures & trends)(Table)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Stock Market Performance of Selected Health Care Companies HLS THC ASGR Recent Price 8.82 1.09 14.90 Market Value (millions) $776.2 $523.1 $138.3 ...

Employment trends.(facts figures & trends)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... For the first time since 2004, hospitals posted a decline in employment, according to preliminary seasonally adjusted data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS data show that the number of hospital workers dropped by 700 in March,...

PT employment trends 2006-2016: specialty hospitals, public and private (except psychiatric and substance abuse).(facts figures & trends)(physical therapy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... PT Employment Trends 2006-2016 Specialty hospitals, public and private (except psychiatric and substance abuse) 2006 5,913 2016 est 7,742 Change 31% Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor. Available...

Economy at a glance.(facts figures & trends)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Economy at a Glance * 4th Jan Feb Mar Qtr 2009 2009 2009 Unemployment Rate (1) 7.6 8.1 8.5 ...

Medicare direct access bill introduced in the US House of Representatives.(April 3)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... On Tuesday, Rep Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) along with Reps Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), introduced the Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act (HR 1829) in the US House of Representatives. The bill would allow physical...

Utah updates physical therapy practice act.(April 3)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Utah Gov Jon Hunstman recently signed into law SB 137, sponsored by Sen Wayne Niederhauser, enacting many improvements to the Utah physical therapy practice act. The successful legislative effort is the culmination of several years of work by...

CMS schedules provider outreach meetings on recovery audit program.(April 3)(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services )(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a schedule of provider outreach meetings related to the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program. Under the program, four RAC contractors will identify Medicare over- and...

Executive order establishes health care reform office.(April 10)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... President Obama issued an executive order on Wednesday formally establishing an office in the White House to oversee an overhaul of the nation's health care system. The executive order also charges the secretary of Health and Human Services...

Legislation expands paralysis funding at NIH, enhances rehabilitation research.(April 10)(National Institutes of Health)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... A bill that contained the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act recently was signed into law, enhancing paralysis research, rehabilitation, and quality of life programs for people with paralysis and other disabilities. The act will...

CMS releases final rule affecting Medicaid programs.(April 17)(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services )(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule that could have implications for physical therapists who participate in their state Medicaid programs. The final rule establishes the contracting requirements...

Core bed.(marketplace)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The Pro-HealthCore Bed by Tempur-Pedic Medical, a division of Tempur-Pedic North America is designed for health care professionals who want to provide their patients with relief from chronic back pain. The bed has three specific body zones that...

Disinfectant spray.(marketplace)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Parker Laboratories introduces Protex Disinfectant Spray, a one-step disinfectant effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including MRSA, HIV, staph, and others. Protex can be used to disinfect ultrasound transducers, probes,...

Thera-Band Foot Roller.(marketplace)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The Hygenic Corp introduces the Thera-Band Foot Roller made of natural rubber and designed for patients who need relief from foot pain caused by common conditions such as plantar fasciitis and overactivity. Therapeutic exercises for a variety...

Power seat with assist.(marketplace)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Uplift Technologies Inc offers the portable Uplift Power Seat, an electric-powered cushion, and the Uplift Seat Assist, a mechanical lifting cushion, both designed to gently and safely ease users in and out of almost any armchair or sofa. Using...

Pain relief spray.(marketplace)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Performance Health Inc announces its Biofreeze Pain Relieving Spray, formulated with natural menthol, MSM, Ilex, and a new blend of botanical ingredients to treat pain and discomfort associated with arthritis, painful joints, sore or strained...

Gratitude: humbled by a patient's service.(This Is Why)(Personal account)
June 1, 2009... I am filled with gratitude. Today I met a man named Jim. He came into our cardiovascular/pulmonary pathology lab as a patient volunteer. We asked him to be patient throughout our novice attempts to assess his cardiopulmonary status and its...