Group physiotherapy with survivors of torture in urban and camp settings in Jordan and Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: In this paper we report provisional field results on the impact of CVT’s (the Center for Victims of Torture) interdisciplinary group treatment on physiotherapy indicators in refugees living in urban and camp settings in Kenya and Jordan. The physiotherapy component of this model includes pain neuroscience education, sleep hygiene, posture and body mechanics instruction and healing of pain and trauma from a biopsychosocial perspective, in a program of ten weekly sessions. This program is supported by a clinical assessment that records a broad set of indicators of participant experience and functioning. In addition, some survivors report having pelvic floor dysfunction and data will be offered about a subset of survivors looking at prevalence of these issues.
 Methods: Survivors are identified through referral systems, community education and sensitization campaigns, contacts and trainings with other NGOs and health care providers. Prospective survivors are screened into CVT services or referred to other agencies that can better meet their needs. CVT focuses its services on refugees with physical and emotional difficulties that may be effectively treated through its interdisciplinary treatment model and who have survived torture or related human rights violations. Following an informed consent process, survivors participate in a comprehensive individual assessment and then progress to the 10-week program. Wherever possible, follow-up assessments are conducted 2 weeks after the sessions end, and at 3, and 9 months following completion of the 10-week long intervention.
 Results: On average, participants who completed 3-month follow-up assessments showed statistically and clinically significant improvements on physiotherapy indicators.
 Discussion: Provisional results are encouraging and suggest that the model is adaptable to the needs of different populations and settings. As nearly all participants receive both counseling and physiotherapy, it is difficult to know which benefits can be attributed to physiotherapy alone.

Physiotherapeutic Protocol and ZnO Nanoparticles: A Combined Novel Treatment Program against Bacterial Pyomyositis

“…In another avenue, physiotherapy is a provisional therapy that is best utilized in conjunction with standard chemical medication, despite the fact that it is sometimes misunderstood as an alternative. Physiotherapy is a field of medicine that incorporates a variety of physical disciplines to help relieve injuries, restore mobility, and improve physical function [ 9 ]. In health recruitment, management, treatment, and rehabilitation, the advantages of physiotherapeutic intervention have been thoroughly applied in muscle atrophy studies [ 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Physiotherapy is a field of medicine that incorporates a variety of physical disciplines to help relieve injuries, restore mobility, and improve physical function [ 9 ]. In health recruitment, management, treatment, and rehabilitation, the advantages of physiotherapeutic intervention have been thoroughly applied in muscle atrophy studies [ 9 , 10 ]. Several techniques can be employed in physiotherapy programs, such as the low-level laser treatment (LLLT), which was proven to be efficient in decreasing the latency of acute inflammation and enhancing tissue regeneration in muscle and tendon lesions [ 11 ].…”