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OBJECTIVES: The main research aims were to investigate whether physical therapists are examining the hip(s) in individuals with a primary complaint of low back pain (LBP) and if so, the interventions being provided that target the hip(s). METHODS: An anonymous electronic survey was distributed to the membership of the American Physical Therapy Association Orthopaedic and Sports Sections, as well as that of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. Participant demographics and survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Associations between variables were examined using chi-square analysis. RESULTS: The estimated response rate was 18.4% (n = 1163, mean age 40.5 ± 11.4 years). The majority of respondents (91%, n = 1059) reported they always or most of the time examined the hip(s) in individuals with LBP. The most common examination items utilized were hip strength testing (94%, n = 948), passive range of motion (91%, n = 921) and muscle flexibility testing (90%, n = 906). The most common interventions included hip strengthening (94%, n = 866) and hip flexibility exercises (90%, n = 814). Respondents enrolled in or having completed a post-professional fellowship were more likely to utilize hip joint manual therapy techniques (x(2) = 25.3, p =

Background Weaning a patient from mechanical ventilation is a complex procedure that involves clinical and contextual aspects. Mechanical ventilation also depends on the characteristics of health professionals who work in intensive care. Objective This study described the organizational aspects associated with the physical therapist's performance in the weaning procedure from mechanical ventilation and extubation in neonatal, pediatric and mixed (neonatal and pediatric) intensive care units in Brazil. Methods In order to identify the existing intensive care units in Brazil, data from the National Health Facilities Census was used to enable the researchers to obtain information about registered units. A cross-sectional survey was carried out by sending an electronic questionnaire to 298 neonatal, pediatric and mixed intensive care units in Brazil. Results This study assessed questionnaires from 146 intensive care units (49.3% neonatal, 35.6% pediatric and 15.1% mixed). A total of 57.5% of these units applied mechanical ventilation weaning protocols, and a physical therapist frequently conducted this procedure (66.7%). However, the clinician responsible for conducting the weaning and deciding when to do extubation varied regardless of ICU patient age profile. Regardless of the type of hospital or the type of units, most of these had a dedicated physical therapist. However, physical therapy care 24 h/7 days per week was predominantly in pediatric intensive care units (56.0%), and in public hospitals (45.9%). Moreover, when the physical therapist was available 24 h/7 days per week, (s)he was responsible for the mechanical ventilation extubation decision and patients were successfully extubated on the first attempt. Conclusion In this survey, intensive care units using physical therapy assistance 24 h/7 days per week were associated with the use of a mechanical ventilation weaning protocol, an extubation decision and success commonly on the first attempt of extubation.

Background The overall purpose of physical therapy for patients with spinal cord injury is to improve health-related quality of life. However, poor adherence is a problem in physical therapy and may have negative impact on outcomes. Objectives To explore the physical therapists’ perspectives about patients with incomplete post-traumatic paraplegia adherence to recommended home exercises. Methods A qualitative content analysis was conducted. Data were collected in a convenience sample using semi-structured interviews. Thirteen registered physical therapists in Athens area participated in the study. Results Five categories emerged from the data: (1) reasons to recommend home exercise by the physical therapist; (2) obstacles to recommend home exercise by the physical therapist; (3) methods addressing these obstacles; (4) the family's role in the adherence to recommended home exercise; and (5) the impact of financial crisis in adherence to recommended home exercise. All participants found the recommended home exercises essential to rehabilitation and health maintenance, and they value their benefits. They also expressed the obstacles that need to be faced during rehabilitation process in order to promote adherence. Conclusion Physical therapists should take into account the different obstacles that may prevent patients with incomplete post-traumatic paraplegia adherence to recommended home exercises. These involve the patients and their families, while, financial crisis has also an impact in adherence. In order to overcome these obstacles and increase adherence, communication with patient and family while taking into account the individual's needs, capacities, and resources are essential.

BACKGROUND: Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) is regularly used as a self-administered airway clearance technique. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the need to teach the correct use of the PEP device and to measure the progress of the success rate of the maneuver after training. METHOD: A PEP system (PariPEP-S Sytem) was used to generate PEP in 30 healthy volunteers. They were instructed by a qualified physical therapist to breathe correctly through the PEP device. Then they were evaluated during a set of ten expirations. Two other evaluations were performed at day 2 and day 8 (before and after feedback). The mean PEP and the success rate were calculated for each set of expirations. The number of maneuvers needed to obtain a correct use was calculated on the first session. RESULTS: An optimal PEP was reached after 7.5 SD 2.7 attempts by all subjects. Success rates and mean pressures were similar between the different sets of expirations (p=0.720 and p=0.326, respectively). Pressure variability was around 10%. After one week, 30% of subjects generated more than two non-optimal pressures in the set of ten expirations. No difference in success rate was observed depending on the evaluations. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that good initial training on the use of the PEP device and regular follow-up are required for the subject to reach optimal expiratory pressure.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:39:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-01-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2019-10-09T18:28:18Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S1413-35552015000400320.pdf: 1535521 bytes, checksum: 2dcdb92ae903ab7a6401f8b806e93a96 (MD5) Background: It is unclear whether the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) is widely and equally used by physical therapists in Brazil. As PEDro is considered a key resource to support evidence-based physical therapy, analyses of PEDro usage could reflect the extent of dissemination of evidence-based practice. Objective: To describe the usage of PEDro among the five regions of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) and, in more detail, in the South American region and Brazil over a 5-year period. Method: PEDro home-page sessions and the number of searches performed were logged for a 5-year period (2010-2014). Absolute usage and relative usage were calculated for each region of the WCPT, each country in the South American region of WCPT, and each Regional Council (CREFITO) in Brazil. Results: Europe had the highest absolute and relative usage among the five regions of the WCPT (971 searches per million-population per year), with the South American region ranked 4th in absolute terms and 3rd in relative terms (486). Within the South American region, Brazil accounted for nearly 60% of searches (755). Analysis at a national level revealed that usage per physical therapist in Brazil is very low across all CREFITOs. The highest usage occurred in CREFITO 6 with 1.3 searches per physical therapist per year. Conclusions: PEDro is not widely and equally used throughout Brazil. Strategies to promote PEDro and to make PEDro more accessible to physical therapists speaking Portuguese are needed. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)

Dear colleagues,This edition of the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy (BJPT) features an editorial concerning an important initiative to harmonize Graduate education in Respiratory Physiotherapy throughout the world. This editorial is about the work of a task force organized by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) which aims at standardizing the essential content to be reached in the area of Respiratory Physical Therapy, regardless of the country in which the Physical Therapist is working on. More than 150 well known experts in Respiratory Physical Therapy from all over the world contributed to this initiative. Moreover, since the goal of the task force is to disseminate this information in order to reach the widest possible range of professionals, this knowledge has been forwarded to the most important national scientific vehicles of Physical Therapy, such as the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy (BJPT) in the case of Brazil. Since the idea is to “spread the word” for the largest number of professionals and languages, this is the reason why this editorial, published in the BJPT, is in Portuguese, as opposed to the typical content, which is currently published in English by the journal. The editorial includes links to the most relevant available documents already developed by the task force. We hope the content is useful to as many Physical Therapists as possible!With kind regards