Aesthetic physical caring--valuing the visible

The aim of this article was to define the term 'aesthetics' in order to demonstrate that aesthetic physical caring is administered to the intensive care patient. Johns's model of structured reflection (10th version) was used to reflect upon three nursing narratives with intensive care unit nurses and relatives and reveals why physical caring is fundamental for the patient.     

Improving physical functioning in the elderly dialysis patient: relevance of physical therapy

Compromised physical functioning is characteristic of medically complicated patients on dialysis, but many of these deficits can be addressed by rehabilitation. This article describes the benefits and limitations of a 3-month physical therapy pilot program at an inner-city hemodialysis clinic. Program results indicate the difficulties in keeping patients participating in such a program, but, for those patients who did regularly participate, on-site physical therapy consultation was valuable in assisting staff to identify exercise regimens that were consistent with individual patients' needs and addressed their functional difficulties.     

Obstetrics in the physical therapy curriculum

We report the status of obstetric education in physical therapy curricula. A questionnaire was sent to 83 accredited physical therapy education programs. Of the respondents from 69 programs, 47 (68%) included a specific unit or information on obstetrics in their program. The reporting programs averaged 7.5 hours for obstetric education. The unit was required in 45 of the 47 programs. Topics covered included anatomy and physiology, psychology, labor and delivery sequence, relaxation techniques, breathing techniques, prenatal and postpartum exercises, body mechanics, nutrition, fetal development, and birthing alternatives. Fifty-three percent of the units were taught by a physical therapist and combination of other professionals including a nurse, physician, nutritionist, psychiatric social worker, physiologist, or anatomist. We present behavioral objectives, required readings, and audiovisual aids used in the units.     

On the physical basis of succussion

It is argued that succussion drives the homeopathic tincture undergoing potentisation to a turbulent regime, where vortices continually form and disappear, ranging in size from the linear extent of the container to a minimum scale determined by viscosity and the rate of energy dissipation. Input mechanical energy cascades down this population of eddies and becomes available at the microscopic level to perform work (chemical, electrical, etc). A structure generated in the tincture would be rupted by vortices smaller than it, and this sets definite limits on the strength of succussion, so the power input leads to larger vortices than the structures one is trying to create and preserve through potentisation. An experimental procedure to test this proposal is suggested, based on Rayleigh scattering.     

The physical examination of the eye

This article is a review of the anatomy of the eye and its surrounding tissues. A working knowledge of the functional anatomy of the eye will aid the emergency physician in performing a thorough yet efficient physical examination of the eye. A goal-directed physical examination of the eye will allow the emergency physician to attempt to identify (or exclude) visionthreatening disease processes and facilitate communication with the ophthalmologist.     

健身锻炼对老年妇女身体素质和运动能力的影响

目的:探讨健身锻炼对老年妇女身体素质和运动能力的影响,为进一步研究健身锻炼对延缓老年妇女衰老提供科学依据。方法:按照东亚地区老年人体质研究联合计划的问卷调查表对88名老年妇女进行问卷调查,对常锻炼组和不常锻炼组在反应时、握力、坐位体前屈、20s两脚步开合、3min10m往返走、平衡能力等身体素质和运动能力的各项指标进行比较分析。结果:老年妇女常锻炼组的反应时、左手握力、右手握力、坐位体前屈、闭眼单足站立、开眼单足站立、20s两脚步开合次数和3min10m往返走犤(0.23±0.02)s,(23.78±4.49)kg,(23.91±4.30)kg,(7.21±7.14)cm,(8.92±12.02)s,(63.96±52.34)s,(29.35±7.77)次,(265.38±40.07)m犦均显著高于不常锻炼组犤(0.25±0.02)s,(21.12±4.64)kg,(21.66±5.17)kg,(4.06±6.48)cm,(4.51±4.24)s,(32.20±33.91)s,(26.02±6.52)次,(242.46±27.81)m犦,差异有显著性意义(t=-2.06～3.42,P<0.05～0.001)。结论:经常参加体育锻炼可以提高老年妇女的身体素质和运动能力。     

Reasons given by California physical therapists for not belonging to the american physical therapy association

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In 1997, only 22% of licensed physical therapists living in California were members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This 1998 study was designed to identify the reason(s) why most licensed physical therapists in California choose not to belong to their profession's national association and to examine the demographics of nonmembers. SUBJECTS: The subjects were a random sample of 400 California licensed physical therapists who were not members of APTA. METHODS: The survey instrument included a demographic questionnaire and statements for response using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Frequency distributions were calculated for responses and demographic data. Nonparametric analyses were used to determine statistical significance. Chi-square analysis was used to compare responses to statements by gender and by full-time versus part-time work status. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used to determine any relationships between demographic data (eg, gender and work status). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine any differences in responses to specific representation questions by those respondents who worked in those environments. All statistical tests were 2-tailed tests conducted at the P(.05 level, unless otherwise indicated. Means, standard deviations, and ranges were used where appropriate. RESULTS: There was a 67% response rate. Eighty-nine percent of the respondents had been members of APTA. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents believed that APTA national dues were too high, and 90% thought California Chapter dues were too high. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Cost was the primary reason given for APTA nonmembership in California.     

Perceived role responsibilities of physical therapists and adapted physical educators in the public school setting

Right to Education legislation has brought physical therapists and adapted physical educators together in the public school setting to serve the child with special needs. Investigation of the role responsibilities of these professionals would facilitate not only communication between the groups, but also understanding of their functions by other school personnel and administrators. We analyzed questionnaires returned by 79 physical therapists and 30 adapted physical educators to determine areas of uniqueness or similarity in 18 identified role responsibilities performed by these two groups. Each subject rated the appropriateness of each role to physical therapists and to adapted physical educators. On 10 of the 18 items, a statistically significant interaction indicated disagreement with regard to the relative contributions of the two professions. On the other 8 items, the two groups agreed that the role responsibility tends to belong to one profession or agreed that either profession could assume the responsibility. These data should provide information to help further delineate the role definitions for each of these professionals. In addition, the most efficient use of available resources may be used to meet the educational needs of these children.     

Proprietary physical therapy service in entry-level physical therapy curricula

The purposes of this study were to 1) assess the value of including an expanded business administration unit that would include proprietary practice issues in an entry-level physical therapy curriculum and 2) organize topics by priority that could be included in such a unit. Twenty-seven physical therapists (100%) in private practice in Montana responded to the questionnaire. Ninety-three percent of the respondents stated that such an expansion would be valuable in the entry-level physical therapy curriculum. Topics of greatest priority were 1) Self-analysis of Resources, 2) Reimbursement, and 3) Contracting Services and Referral Sources. Topics of least priority were 1) City and State Tax and Licensure Requirements, 2) Computers and Computer Programs, and 3) Insurance Planning. Further research and development are needed to formulate methods and objectives for such an expansion.     

带状疱疹后神经痛的综合物理治疗

目的完善带状疱疹后神经痛(PHN)的综合物理治疗方案。方法60例PHN患者,采用高电位全身治疗加脉冲短波和脉冲电磁分别置于病变部位对应的脊髓或神经节的体表投影区局部治疗,按简易McGiLL问卷计算治疗前后疼痛分数。结果治疗前(22·05±3·20)分,治疗后(1·50±1·46)分,t=26·3261,P<0·001。结论脉冲短波加脉冲电磁场于病变脊髓区或神经节体表投影区对置法与高电位疗法联合治疗带状疱疹后神经痛有效、安全。