Classification and Quantification of Physical Therapy Interventions across Multiple Neurological Disorders: An Italian Multicenter Network

Abstract

Despite their relevance in neurorehabilitation, physical therapy (PT) goals and interventions are poorly described, compromising a proper understanding of PT effectiveness in everyday clinical practice. Thus, this paper aims to describe the prevalence of PT goals and interventions in people with neurological disorders, along with the participants’ clinical features, setting characteristics of the clinical units involved, and PT impact on outcome measures. A multicenter longitudinal observational study involving hospitals and rehabilitation centers across Italy has been conducted. We recruited people with stroke (n = 119), multiple sclerosis (n = 48), and Parkinson’s disease (n = 35) who underwent the PT sessions foreseen by the National Healthcare System. Clinical outcomes were administered before and after the intervention, and for each participant the physical therapists completed a semi-structured interview to report the goals and interventions of the PT sessions. Results showed that the most relevant PT goals were related to the ICF activities with “walking” showing the highest prevalence. The most used interventions aimed at improving walking performance, followed by those aimed at improving organ/body system functioning, while interventions targeting the cognitive–affective and educational aspects have been poorly considered. Considering PT effectiveness, 83 participants experienced a clinically significant improvement in the outcome measures assessing gait and balance functions.

Natural Semantic Networks of the Neurorehabilitation Concept by Spanish Physiotherapists—A Qualitative Phenomenological Representational Study

“…Finally, the higher the academic degree of the physiotherapists, the more they employed concepts linked to an environmentalecological dimension, while those with lower academic levels more frequently referred to meanings associated with a biological dimension. These findings could explain why physiotherapists could select or vary the approaches or techniques that they apply to their patients, considering their levels of experience and degrees obtained over time [27].…”

Advancing Healthcare Management: Harnessing Necrobotics for Enhanced Patient Care

“…Key components of necrobotic rehabilitation systems, such as assistive devices, exoskeletons, and interactive gaming elements, provide patients with the support, motivation, and engagement necessary to facilitate their rehabilitation process. 33,34 Moreover, the incorporation of telerehabilitation capabilities extends access to therapy services beyond traditional clinical settings, enabling patients to receive guided therapy sessions remotely. As a result, necrobotic technologies empower patients to regain mobility, independence, and quality of life while promoting neuroplasticity and functional recovery.…”

Factors influencing physiotherapy decisions between restorative and compensatory gait rehabilitation: an Italian multicenter study

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