Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy最新文献

Background and purpose: Despite the popularity of Pilates exercises among postmenopausal women, few studies have devoted attention to verifying the effects of the technique on bone mineral density (BMD), and, to date, no systematic review and meta-analysis have been conducted on this topic. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examining the effect of Pilates on BMD.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials were considered eligible, with follow-up of 6 months and more, which verified the effects of Pilates exercise on the BMD of postmenopausal women. The calculations of the meta-analysis were performed through the weighted mean difference between the Pilates exercise and control groups, through the absolute change between pre- and postintervention in the areal bone mineral density.

Results: Three randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Only 1 study presented satisfactory methodological quality. Pilates exercises did not offer significant effects to improve areal bone mineral density of the lumbar spine (0.019 g/cm2 [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.018 to 0.057], P = .32), total hip (0.012 g/cm2 [95% CI, -0.002 to 0.027], P = .10), or femoral neck (0.000 g/cm2 [95% CI, -0.021 to 0.022], P = .97).

Conclusions: Pilates exercises had no significant effects on BMD in postmenopausal women. However, the few studies included in the meta-analysis and the low methodological quality of the majority of the studies do not allow safe extrapolation of the results at this time. More robust randomized controlled trials with high methodological quality are needed so that the results of this meta-analysis can be confirmed.

A clinical practice guideline on physical therapist management of patients with suspected or confirmed osteoporosis was developed by a volunteer guideline development group (GDG) that was appointed by the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy (APTA Geriatrics). The GDG consisted of an exercise physiologist and 6 physical therapists with clinical and methodological expertise. The guideline was based on a systematic review of existing clinical practice guidelines, followed by application of the ADAPTE methodological process described by Guidelines International Network for adapting guidelines for cultural and professional utility. The recommendations contained in this guideline are derived from the 2021 Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) document: Management of Osteoporosis and the Prevention of Fragility Fractures. These guidelines are intended to assist physical therapists practicing in the United States, and implementation in the context of the US health care system is discussed.

The rationale for the development and the intent for use of a research agenda for the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy is described. The reasons for the research agenda for geriatric physical therapy are (1) to have a broad representation of the research conducted by physical therapist(s) working with older adults, (2) to provide guidance and assistance to emerging investigators to aid the trajectory of a research career, and (3) as a document to engage potential funding agencies, foundations, and individuals in support of physical therapist-conducted research. The design was based on the Research Agenda for Physical Therapy (APTA document), formatted to be consistent with the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, priority ratings for the research statements, and specific examples of research questions for each category of the Research Agenda. The Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy Research Agenda generated to be a living document, with revisions to research questions and priority ratings expected in the future to enable the agenda to adapt to changes in science, practice, workforce, education, and health policy.

Background and purpose: Osteoporosis is a systemic, metabolic bone disease that affects bone quality, increases susceptibility to low-trauma bone fracture, and has downstream effects on falls and fragility fractures. Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease process that requires management from multiple health care providers including physicians, nurses, and physical therapists. However, the paucity of information regarding comprehensive physical therapist management for patients with osteoporosis indicated the need for an evidence-based document. The purpose of this document was to provide the best available expert guidance for clinicians in the selection of screening tools, essential tests and measures, treatment goals, and interventions for patients with osteoporosis.

Methods: A Delphi process was used. Thirty-one physical therapists with expertise in the care of patients with osteoporosis participated in a series of 3 sequential surveys designed to build and reach agreement on the management of patients with osteoporosis. The desired survey outcomes were to: (1) identify the range of examination and plan of care components considered important to physical therapists' care for patients with osteoporosis, (2) determine which components should be considered essential, and (3) achieve consensus on the final list of essential components and related operational definitions.

Results: A clear consensus on the essential components of examination and interventions was achieved. In general, there were 4 to 6 items across each category of history, tests and measures, education/goals, and treatment.

Conclusions: The prioritization of these management items will better support clinicians working with adults who have osteoporosis.

A clinical practice guideline on physical therapist management of patients with suspected or confirmed osteoporosis was developed by a volunteer guideline development group (GDG) that was appointed by the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy (APTA Geriatrics). The GDG consisted of an exercise physiologist and 6 physical therapists with clinical and methodological expertise. The guideline was based on a systematic review of existing clinical practice guidelines, followed by application of the ADAPTE methodological process described by Guidelines International Network for adapting guidelines for cultural and professional utility. The recommendations contained in this guideline are derived from the 2021 Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) document: Management of Osteoporosis and the Prevention of Fragility Fractures. These guidelines are intended to assist physical therapists practicing in the United States, and implementation in the context of the US health care system is discussed.

Background and purpose: In rural communities, perceptions of neighborhood walkability, the rating of how easy it is to walk in an area, influence engagement in physical activity outside the home. This has not been studied in older adults residing in urban settings. Additionally, it is not known how perceived walkability is associated with falls. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to first describe the perceptions of neighborhood walkability in urban-dwelling older adults based on recent fall history and then examine associations between recent falls and neighborhood walkability constructs after controlling for fall risk factors.

Methods: Urban-dwelling older adults (N = 132) 65 years and older without cognitive dysfunction or uncontrolled comorbidity completed a survey assessing health status, physical activity, and walkability using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated. Group assignment was based on recent fall history. Between-group comparisons of demographic and walkability constructs were completed using analysis of variance. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between walkability constructs and recent falls after controlling for covariates.

Results and discussion: Poorer perception of land use was significantly associated with recent falls. Questions assessing the ease of walking to a store or transit stop may be valuable in understanding fall risk in older adults living in urban settings.

Conclusions: Perceptions of neighborhood walkability are lower in urban-dwelling older adults with a history of falling.

Background and purpose: Walking speed can be used to identify characteristics of frailty in older adults. It has a strong positive correlation with balance abilities. The Brief-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Brief-BESTest) was developed to assess functions of the 6 balance control systems in a short time. However, for community-dwelling older adults, the relationship between walking speed and the Brief-BESTest needs to be clarified. Even the cutoff scores for each Brief-BESTest section should be indicated for physical therapists to effectively evaluate balance deficits. Our objective was to establish cutoff scores for individual Brief-BESTest sections, determine fast or slow walkers in community-dwelling older adults, and investigate the relationship between balance control systems and walking speed.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study involving 55 participants 77 years and older, the Brief-BESTest was evaluated after grouping the participants based on their walking speeds in public community centers. We compared the age, history of falls, handgrip strength, quadriceps strength, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, comfortable walking speeds, and the Brief-BESTest scores between the fast- and slow-walking groups by using the independent t test, Fisher exact test, or Mann-Whitney U test. We also determined the receiver operating characteristic curves, and calculated the cutoff, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of each section.

Results: All sections of the Brief-BESTest, except Section 1 (Biomechanical Constraints) were able to differentiate between fast and slow walkers in community-dwelling older women. Section VI (Stability in Gait) showed the highest AUC (0.83) and the cutoff score for the fast- and slow-walker groups was 3.0 points (sensitivity = 0.85, specificity = 0.81). Sections III, IV, and V (Anticipatory, Reactive, and Sensory Orientation, respectively) had moderate AUC (0.71-0.72). Sections I and II (Stability Limits) showed weak correlations with the walking speed.

Conclusions: Three sections (III, anticipatory postural adjustments; IV, reactive postural responses; and VI, stability in gait) could differentiate between fast and slow walkers. Section VI was a particularly important balance function measurement that differentiated the walking speed with the highest accuracy. Therefore, it should be a primary focus when physical therapists treat community-dwelling older adults.