The Perception of Physical Therapy Students towards Their Profession in Jordan.

Background: The physical therapy profession has grown rapidly in less than a century, increasing its importance, techniques, settings, and the responsibilities provided to its practitioners. Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore how undergraduate physiotherapy students view physiotherapy as their future career and their perception of the educational physiotherapy programs in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A questionnaire designed to collect data on students' perceptions of their profession was delivered to 222 undergraduate physiotherapy students at Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan. The response rate was 157 (70.72%). Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used to analyse the data. Results: Among 157 physiotherapy students, results were collected. Although students were satisfied with being physiotherapy students (p < 0.001), most of the study participants knew about physical therapy from their families, and they were not satisfied with the job opportunities in Jordan. Conclusions: Physiotherapy education in Jordan is rising rapidly. The public, patients, parents, and clinical preceptors in physiotherapy settings must recognize this educational and professional practice. It is noted that some levels of occupational awareness are intermediate. However, it would be beneficial to organize activities such as seminars and interviews in order to increase the level of professional awareness.

Relationship between improvements in physical measures and patient satisfaction in rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.

The aim of this study was to examine patient satisfaction with rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Fifty-six patients, aged 45-77 years, were enrolled in a post-TKA comprehensive therapy program focusing on knee strengthening and functional activities. The program lasted 3 months and was conducted for 1 h, twice a day, 5 days per week. Pain scores, number of steps climbed (STp), and maximum walked distance (MWD) were determined before the operation and 3 months after cessation of the rehabilitation program. In addition, knee-flexion range of motion (ROM) was measured before the surgery and immediately, 2 weeks and 3 months after the surgery. Pain decreased whereas MWD and STp increased at 3 months postoperation. In addition, the magnitude of improvement in STp correlated positively with the magnitude of change in MWD and pain. There was a significant increase in knee-flexion ROM at 2 weeks and 3 months postoperation compared with preoperation. The patient age also correlated positively with the magnitude of improvement in knee-flexion ROM after 2 weeks and 3 months of therapy. Improvements in MWD and STp were greater and pain was less, among the satisfied patients compared with unsatisfied ones. The results of this study further confirm the importance of therapy for osteoarthritis patients after TKA. In addition, as older patients are less conditioned, they seem to be more inclined to improvement in functionality with rehabilitation. Satisfied patients seem to achieve larger improvements in functional capacity and pain measures.

Blood pressure and circulatory relationships with physical activity level in young normotensive individuals: IPAQ validity and reliability considerations.

Physical activity (PA) reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. However, the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) relationships with blood pressure (BP) and flow (BF) and vascular resistance (VR) in healthy young individuals have not been studied. Therefore, BP, BF, and VR relationships with the IPAQ were evaluated in college normotensive students (18-23 yrs). Additionally, the IPAQ relationships with body fat (%BF), muscle mass (MM), body mass index (BMI), waist/hip (W/H) ratio, maximum walking distance in 6 min (6MWD), and handgrip strength (MHG) were examined to evaluate the questionnaire validity against fitness. Subsequently, the IPAQ was administered three times to examine its reliability. Walking, moderate, and total PAs correlated negatively with sysbolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (range: r = -3 to -0.5, p < 0.05). Additionally, all BP measures were greater in least physically active individuals. In a subgroup of 42 students, IPAQ sitting time correlated with BF (r = -0.3) and VR (r = 0.4). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for walking, moderate, vigorous, and total PAs and sitting time/week were, 0.97, 0.96, 0.97, 0.97, and 0.96, respectively. The males scored greater vigorous PA (p = 0.001) than the females, while moderate, walking, and total PAs were the same (p > 0.05). Additionally, vigorous PA correlated with %BF (r = -0.2), MM (r = 0.3), MHG (r = 0.3), and 6MWD (r = 0.3) and total PA correlated with MM (r = 0.2), MHG (r =0.2), and 6MWD (r = 0.3). The IPAQ association with the circulatory measures demonstrates PA importance for controlling BP and adds clinical value to the IPAQ. Additionally, the IPAQ is reliable, can discriminate between populations, and reasonably valid against health-related fitness.

Association between the functional independence measure and Glasgow coma scale regarding the rehabilitation outcomes of traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of early comprehensive rehabilitation protocols for traumatic brain injury (TBI) using the functional independence measure (FIM), and to study the relationship between FIM and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) variables to determine which patients will be best served by rehabilitation therapies. METHODS: Fifty-one subjects with diagnosed TBI receiving treatment at a single inpatient rehabilitation facility at Jordan University of Science and Technology, Teaching Hospital, Irbid, Jordan were enrolled in this experimental study between August 2006 and February 2008. Of the enrolled subjects, 47 completed the study. The mean age of the participants was 33 years (8 females and 39 males). Glasgow coma scale was measured on admission. Functional independence measure score was measured on admission and on discharge. According to the GCS, the participants were divided into 3 groups as severe injury (GCS: 3-8 [n=24]), moderate injury (GCS: 9-12 [n=12]), and mild or no injury (GCS: 13-15 [n=11]). The FIM score and CGS and their relation were evaluated. RESULTS: Evaluation outcomes revealed a significant improvement in FIM scores after rehabilitation compared to the FIM admission (p=0.00006) in severe TBI. In moderate TBI, the FIM scores were significantly improved (p=0.0004) after rehabilitation. However, with minimal injury, the FIM scores were not significantly improved (p=0.15). CONCLUSION: Early rehabilitation interventions significantly improved the FIM scores in moderate and severe TBI patients. ERRATUM NOTICE PUBLISHED IN NEUROSCIENCES 2009; 14: 306.