by jsurdej | Jul 29, 2021 | News
Howard Physical Therapy, an outpatient physical therapy practice located at 4721 Transit Road in Depew, NY, has recently added the “REAL” Virtual Reality System to their clinical services. The “REAL” system incorporates state-of-the-art technology into the rehabilitation setting and has been shown to markedly improve patient outcomes, compliance, and satisfaction. By donning a virtual headset and motion sensors, patients can move within a “virtual” world. In this environment, they perform a variety of activities designed to improve mobility, balance, strength, and coordination. While the “REAL” system was originally introduced for hospital-based patients, its benefits have made it a valuable tool in the outpatient setting. Research has shown it to be very effective in the management of chronic back and neck pain. In addition, clinicians and patients have found it to be highly useful in the treatment of many other orthopedic conditions. At Howard Physical Therapy, patient response has been overwhelmingly favorable with many preferring the virtual activity to traditional exercise. From a clinical perspective, therapists are seeing patients demonstrate a greater tolerance to exercise when distracted by the virtual world, thereby allowing them to move farther and longer than with regular activity.
For more information on the benefits of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation, visit the “REAL” system at www.realsystem.com or contact Howard Physical Therapy at 716-656-1880
by jsurdej | Mar 18, 2021 | News
A recent literature review looked at 554 published studies and determined that strength training had minimal detectable benefit in improving balance in patients with chronic ankle stability. While strengthening is recognized as an important component of any ankle rehabilitation, this review indicates that strengthening alone is not sufficient to significantly improve balance in patients with chronic ankle instability. Additional activities, beyond pure strengthening, designed to improve proprioception and balance should be integrated into an ankle rehabilitation program. This is especially important when working with athletes subject to repetitive injury, or older patients at risk of falling.
Does Strength Training for Chronic Ankle Instability Improve Balance and Patient-Reported Outcomes and by Clinically Detectable Amounts? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Lijiang Luan, MSc, Roger Adams, PhD, Jeremy Witchalls, PhD, Charlotte Ganderton, PhD, Jia Han, PhD
Physical Therapy, pzab046, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab046
by jsurdej | Mar 18, 2021 | News
A recently published article summarized the findings of 73 previously published articles related to childhood obesity and postural changes in children and adolescents. The results of this review confirmed that obesity can contribute to a number of significant postural changes including increased lumbar (low back) curvature, genu valgum (knock knee) and pes planus (flat feet). These are all postural problems that can lead to pain, dysfunction and degenerative changes as children mature. In addition to the medical benefits associated with managing childhood obesity, we now have evidence of concurrent musculo-skeletal issues that can be reduced with proper weight management. For more information on managing the effects of childhood obesity, speak with your child’s pediatrician and a Physical Therapist.
The Impact of Childhood Obesity on the Body Posture: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Pablo Molina-Garcia, PhD, Damian Miranda-Aparicio, MS, Esther Ubago-Guisado, PhD, Celia Alvarez-Bueno, PhD, Jos Vanrenterghem, PhD …
Physical Therapy, pzab066, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab066
Recent Comments