The Pulse

Two recent studies show that ACP’s proprietary PENS waveform technology is effective in treating patellofemoral pain (PFP) and improving muscle function during movement.

Over the past several years, the body of evidence on the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in rehabilitation has significantly expanded. VR has been studied for a variety of diagnoses including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia, burns, pain, and total knee arthroplasty. VR helps enhance patient involvement and motivation while increasing the repetitions and duration of exercise. Benefits addressing ADL performance, balance, gait, pain, and cognition have been reported.

Range of motion (ROM) deficits may affect an individual’s ability to move, care for themselves, or perform typical daily activities including self-feeding, walking, and dressing. Decreased ROM is a common deficit addressed regularly by rehab professionals in all settings. Contractures arise from shortened muscle or other joint structure restrictions, leading to reduction in mobility and deformity with resultant reduced function.
• Prevalence of contractures in nursing homes is estimated at 55% with significant functional and medical consequences. (Offenbächer, 2014)
• Patients who are immobilized for a prolonged period are at risk of developing joint contractures, which often affect functional outcomes. (Born, 2017)

Patient Information: Male, Age 94

Diagnosis: Chronic Kidney Disease / Generalized Weakness

History: Following hospitalization related to chronic kidney disease, this gentleman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, was referred to occupational therapy to address severely decreased range of motion (ROM) in his right hand which limited his ability to feed himself. Prior to the hospitalization, he was able to feed himself independently.

Proper trunk positioning is an essential component of optimal aerobic capacity training. Poor positioning of the head, neck, shoulders, trunk, and pelvis during aerobic exercise may compromise an individual’s ability to reach optimal functional outcomes.

Gersten’s 1955 article on the effect of ultrasound on tendon extensibility began six decades of continuous published research, which has demonstrated the tried and true benefits of ultrasound. ¹ These benefits include pain reduction, a high degree of patient comfort and acceptability, increased cellular microcirculation, relaxation of trigger points and improved collagen extensibility. All of these physiological benefits are dependent on proper dosage and application technique. Ultrasound can provide both mechanical and thermal effects. An effective, skilled ultrasound treatment requires the use of high-quality ultrasound equipment, evidence-based patient-specific parameters, the appropriate treatment area, proper transducer movement speed, and optimal incorporation of the treatment with other therapy procedures.

Shoulder range of motion, strength, and function are vital to self-care and everyday activities such as dressing, bathing, lifting and carrying items, and putting away groceries. With advanced age individuals may experience a variety of shoulder impairments including arthritis, rotator cuff tears, impingement, and fractures. These issues can result in pain, decreased motion, impaired strength, and reduced function.

Patient Information: Male, Age 50

Diagnosis: Below Knee Amputation

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for physical and occupational therapy services after hospitalization due to a non-healing diabetic ulcer on the right foot resulting in a below the knee amputation. Prior to the amputation, he lived at home and was independent with walking and driving.

The primary function of the hip is to support the weight of the body in both static standing and dynamic activities such as walking, stair climbing, running and sports. Hip weakness can decrease mobility, stability, and increase risk of injury. The external or lateral rotators are a group of six small deep hip muscles which arise from the sacrum & pelvis and insert on or about the greater trochanter, where they act to externally rotate the femur in the hip joint adding stability during functional mobility.