Background: This study aimed to profile functional recovery and outcomes in ICU survivors. Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients with an ICU length of stay >72 hrs . Data were collected on demographics, ICU interventions, physiotherapy input, functional outcomes, including Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment Tool (CPAx) and Manchester Mobility Score (MMS). Outcomes were achievement of MMS Category 6 (mobilising < 30 m), discharge destination, mobilisation status at discharge and post-ICU falls. Results: Of 143 patients included (mean age 61.4 +/- 14.88 years; 64.3% male), 52.4% were post-surgical admissions, 41.9% required mechanical ventilation. The median time to achieving MMS Category 6 was 3 d (IQR 2-5). Only CPAx scores at ICU discharge were significantly associated with discharge home (p < 0.05). In multivariable logistic regression, a higher CPAx score at ICU discharge was independently associated with independent mobilisation at hospital discharge (adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.14, p = 0.002) and discharge to home as a destination (adjusted OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.11, p = 0.026). Despite early mobilisation, independent mobilisation declined from 86.7% pre-ICU to 72.7% at hospital discharge, 12.6% experienced falls post-ICU. Conclusions: These findings support the use of standardised functional outcome measures in identifying recovery trajectories and informing discharge planning.
Background Physiotherapy education is increasingly expected to contribute to sustainable development within planetary boundaries. Yet little is known about how educators themselves understand and approach this task within undergraduate programs. Exploring educators' perspectives is essential for informing the development of meaningful and profession-specific approaches to education for sustainable development. The aim of this study was to describe physiotherapy educators' perceptions of education for sustainable development within undergraduate programs in Sweden.Method Eighteen educators from five undergraduate physiotherapy programs participated in semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The participants were selected to represent educators from both campus and clinical practice, both sexes, different ages, varied educational and professional positions, and varying experiences with education for sustainable development.Result Five themes describe the educators' perspectives on education for sustainable development: 'Strengthening the profession through collective global responsibility'; 'Promoting sustainable health and responsible practice'; 'Broadening perspectives and deepening professional engagement'; 'Embedding sustainability as a lived and integrated curriculum experience'; 'Balancing top-down direction with professional autonomy and growth'.Conclusion Physiotherapy educators in Sweden perceive education for sustainable development as a meaningful yet still unsettled dimension of physiotherapy education. While shaped by a sense of global responsibility, it is primarily understood and emphasised through efficiency and prevention as key professional contributions, with limited attention to broader ethical and planetary health perspectives. Strengthened profession-specific conceptual understanding and institutional support, aligned with professional development, may be important for embedding sustainable development as an integrated dimension of physiotherapy education.
Background: Female athletes face unique health challenges related to the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives. Despite increased research, knowledge gaps persist, leading to inadequate training adaptations, underreported menstrual irregularities and insufficient support. Societal pressures and critical comments exacerbate body dissatisfaction and stress. The aim was to explore experiences of management regarding female health issues related to the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives in Swedish female elite athletes from various sports.Methods A descriptive design with a qualitative inductive approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 female elite athletes. Purposeful sampling ensured diversity in sport type, years of involvement, training hours, age and onset of menstruation. Qualitative content analysis was used, and an overarching theme, categories and subcategories were constructed based on the participants' experiences and perceptions.Results An overarching theme, 'A self-contained path towards optimization and awareness', and five categories described the participants' management: 'Ignoring the symptoms', 'Eliminating the symptoms', 'Adaptation to the menstrual cycle', 'Taboos, security and communication', and 'Gaining knowledge and seeking support'. Twelve subcategories further illuminated these categories. The overarching theme reflected the athletes' way of dealing with female health issues on their own due to lack of support, and the categories described how they handled the circumstances.Conclusion Although not all athletes experienced symptoms related to the menstrual cycle or hormonal contraception, many managed their menstrual health independently, highlighting the need for better education and support from coaches, medical teams and sports organisations. Future research should integrate menstrual health management into athlete development programs.
Background This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) video-based analysis (My Jump-Lab App) for self-reported active joint range of motion (AROM) of the upper and lower limbs and the influence of the age groups on the reliability of the app. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Valencia. A total of 65 healthy subjects with different age groups were included: younger group (<= 35 years) and middle-aged group (>= 55 years). For convergent validity, Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and limits of agreement (LoA) were used for the two devices. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were analysed for reliability using home-based videos. Results For convergent validity, My Jump-Lab showed a good to excellent correlation (r = 0.638-0.958) and an acceptable LoA (<9.84%) for hip flexion and external rotation, knee flexion, and shoulder flexion, extension, and abduction in the younger group. In the older group, good/excellent correlations (rho = 0.694 to 0.928) and acceptable LoA (<9.00%) were reported for all movements except hip external-rotation. For reliability, the older and younger groups showed moderate to good ICCs (0.575 to 0.723) and a moderate SEM for hip internal rotation and shoulder abduction and flexion, hip adduction, shoulder extension, elbow flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion. Conclusions IOS My Jump-Lab app is a valid and reliable tool for measuring AROM for 7 of the 13 movements analysed. AI video-based analysis may be suitable for home-based measurements across age groups, thereby enabling a low-cost digital tool for telerehabilitation.
Background A number of technological, demographic, cultural, organisational and social issues emerged since the current code of ethics of physiotherapists in Italy was published in 2012, making an update mandatory. The development process of a Code of Ethics is understudied and underreported, leading to a lack of consensus. This article describes the methodology employed for developing an updated version of the Code of Ethics, implementing a participatory model. Methods A mixed, multi-step methodology was applied, involving 38 local orders and 74,401 physiotherapists across Italy. Consultation with professional institutions, a literature review, and a comparison of other codes of ethics were conducted. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to all members, and four focus groups were organised to discuss the emerging themes. Results The basis for updating the current code of ethics was built on various sources, such as literature and other codes of ethics, as well as the involvement of all physiotherapists nationwide. Conclusions The proposed approach could serve as an example for developing or updating a code of ethics using a participatory model, in order to enhance engagement and participation in professional governance processes.
Introduction Goal setting is widely used in stroke rehabilitation, and goal achievement may relate to patient and clinical characteristics. Rehabilitation goals can be set multiple times during rehabilitation; however, therapeutic goals are not often evaluated across sectors in a rehabilitation course. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether goals were achieved after rehabilitation in patients with strokes and to identify factors associated with goal achievement status. Materials and methods Patients with stroke referred to municipal rehabilitation after hospitalisation were included in a cohort study. Rehabilitation therapists categorised goal achievement as achieved, partly achieved, not achieved, or not reported. Associations between patient/clinical characteristics and achievement status were analysed. Rehabilitation goals were grouped into 13 overall categories. Other outcomes were the 30-second Chair Stand Test (CST) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Stroke severity was assessed using the Scandinavian Stroke Scale and the Modified Rankin Scale. Results 117 patients were included (mean age 72 years, 65% men). At the end of rehabilitation, 30.8% achieved their rehabilitation goals, 45.3% achieved them partly, 14.5% did not achieve goals, and 9.4% had unavailable data. Upper extremity function goals were more frequent in hospital settings than municipalities, whereas sport was more frequent in municipalities (p < 0.05). The two most frequent goals in municipalities were walking and activities of daily living. Failure to achieve the goals was associated with a lower CST score at rehabilitation completion (p < 0.05). Higher baseline BBS scores were associated with goal achievement. Conclusion Only one-third of patients achieved their rehabilitation goals in municipal programmes. The most frequent goals targeted physical function.
PurposeTo examine the association between preoperative kinesiophobia and postoperative recovery of passive knee range of motion (ROM) in patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).Materials and methodsThis retrospective observational study included 52 patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent UKA. Preoperative kinesiophobia was assessed using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Passive knee flexion and extension ROM were measured preoperatively and at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Associations between preoperative TSK and postoperative ROM trajectories were analysed using linear mixed-effects models with participant-specific random intercepts. Additional models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and preoperative pain severity.ResultsFor passive knee flexion ROM, significant TSK-by-time interactions were observed at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 3 months, indicating that higher preoperative kinesiophobia was associated with smaller postoperative improvement during early recovery. The interaction at 6 months was not significant. These findings were unchanged after adjustment. No significant TSK-by-time interactions were found for passive knee extension ROM.ConclusionsHigher preoperative kinesiophobia was associated with smaller early postoperative improvement in passive knee flexion ROM, but not knee extension ROM, after UKA. Preoperative psychological assessment may help identify patients who may experience slower early ROM recovery.
BackgroundThe rapid adoption of AI tools in academic research has created uncertainty about appropriate use in manuscript preparation, including in academic physiotherapy and physical therapy where clear guidance is essential for maintaining research integrity.ObjectivesThis review aimed to assess the availability and content of AI policies across physiotherapy and physical therapy journals and their publishers.MethodsWe identified physiotherapy and physical therapy journals through searches of SCImago Journal & Country Rank, Google Scholar, and Google searches. After screening for English language, functioning webpages, recent publications, and exclusion of predatory journals, 32 journals were included. Two reviewers independently reviewed journal homepages, author guidelines, submission policies, and editorial policies for AI-related statements at both journal and publisher levels between 21-25 July 2025.ResultsOf 32 journals assessed, 24 (75.0%) had publicly available AI policies. Of these, 13 (54.2%) were at the journal level and 11 (45.8%) at the publisher level. Eight journals (25.0%) had no identifiable public AI policy. All identified policies were permissive towards AI use (favourable to considering manuscripts that have received AI assistance) but varied in requirements across five key areas: disclosure of AI use, acceptable AI tasks, AI authorship considerations, author responsibility, and peer review guidelines.ConclusionWhile most physiotherapy and physical therapy journals have established AI policies, significant gaps remain in accessibility and standardisation. The fragmented governance landscape, characterised by inconsistent policy locations and requirements, creates confusion for authors and might compromise research integrity. Standardised, easily accessible AI policies are needed to enable researchers to harness AI's potential while maintaining transparency and scientific rigour.
BackgroundStroke is a leading cause of disability in older adults. Effective rehabilitation, particularly through self-management strategies, is essential to support recovery. The randomised controlled trial 'Stroke - 65 plus. Continued Active Life' previously investigated a self-management intervention on self-efficacy among stroke survivors. This substudy examines the secondary outcome: accelerometer-measured physical behaviour.MethodsThe trial compared a novel self-management intervention to usual care for stroke patients aged >= 65 years residing in Aarhus Municipality. Participants were recruited from hospital wards and municipal care centres. The intervention aimed to enhance self-efficacy, quality of life, and participation, supplementing tailored municipal rehabilitation. Physical behaviour was assessed using accelerometers worn on the non-affected leg for seven consecutive days. An in-house algorithm classified behaviour types, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a linear mixed model.ResultsAt both 3- and 9-month follow-ups, participants in both groups showed increased daily activity compared to baseline, particularly in standing time. No notable changes were observed in more intensive behaviours such as cycling or running. No significant between-group differences were found in any measured behaviours.ConclusionWhile physical activity levels increased over time in both groups, the self-management intervention did not demonstrate superior effects compared to usual care based on accelerometer data. These findings align with the primary outcome of the main study, suggesting that the intervention did not yield additional benefits in physical activity behaviour.
