Journal of Physiotherapy & Physical Rehabilitation

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) continue to impose a significant global health burden, necessitating comprehensive approaches for prevention and management. Physiotherapy, traditionally recognized for its role in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, has expanded its domain to encompass a pivotal role in cardiovascular health promotion. This scoping review synthesizes the existing literature on physiotherapy-driven cardiovascular health promotion interventions. A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted, yielding a diverse array of studies spanning a range of physiotherapeutic interventions, including exercise prescription, lifestyle modification counselling and cardiovascular risk factor management. The review elucidates the breadth and depth of physiotherapy's impact on cardiovascular health, emphasizing the multifaceted strategies employed by physiotherapists in diverse clinical settings. The findings underscore the potential of physiotherapy not only in rehabilitation post-CVD events but also as a proactive force in preventive cardiovascular care. Key themes, gaps in the literature and implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed, providing a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of physiotherapy-driven cardiovascular health promotion.

Stroke survivors often encounter challenges in accessing personalized upper-limb physiotherapy during their inpatient rehabilitation. This study explores the feasibility of implementing personalized online upper-limb physiotherapy interventions for inpatient stroke survivors. Through a comprehensive literature review, we examine technological modalities such as virtual reality, augmented reality and tele-rehabilitation. These technologies offer innovative solutions to accessibility issues, providing tailored interventions that enhance rehabilitation outcomes. The feasibility of personalized online physiotherapy is underscored by positive outcomes in patient engagement, adherence and rehabilitation progress. Despite challenges, such as ensuring technological accessibility and addressing barriers, the integration of personalized online upper-limb physiotherapy holds promise in transforming stroke rehabilitation, fostering inclusivity and improving overall patient outcomes.

Background and objectives: Stroke is a neurological deficit, caused due to vascular changes. Impaired postural control and balance impairments in post stroke patients associated with high risk of fall among the stroke patients. The perturbation-based balance training is mainly used in older adults and balance impairment. Virtual Reality (VR) as a novel technology is rapidly becoming a popular intervention for improving balance. VR can visualize the computer- generated environments with full field of view by Head Mounted Displays (HMD-VR). This study was conducted to assess and investigate the effect of balance exercises with smart phone based virtual reality programme on balance in stroke patients.

Method: This was a randomized single-group pre and post-test study design. 30 subjects met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled, assigned and received intervention. Subjects were given perturbation based balance exercise and smart phone based virtual reality along with conventional physiotherapy. Intervention protocol was for 6 days/week for 4 weeks period.

Results: Following 4 weeks of intervention showed improvement in postural control and balance which was assessed using BBS, TUG, VR BESS, BESTest and SIS 3.0. Paired t test was used to differentiate the mean significance. The mean pre to post intervention difference is 12.6 with P value<0.05. TUG score improved from pre to post intervention difference is 1.443 with P value <0.05. VR BESS score improved from pre to post intervention difference is 10.266 with P value <0.05. The mean BESTest pre to post intervention difference is 11.467 with P value <0.05. SIS 3.0 score improved from pre to post intervention difference is 20.33 with P value<0.05. The result of this study showed highly significant difference in pre and post treatment.

Conclusion: The study concludes that perturbation based balance exercises with smart phone based virtual reality programme is a useful adjunct on improving balance in stroke patients along with conventional physiotherapy.