Background and Objective: Pre-pandemic, various healthcare settings were not used to seeing patients virtually. The unprecedented need to adopt virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic may have caught physical therapists (PTs) unready for it. This study aimed to determine the telerehabilitation knowledge, attitude, and practice of PTs in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the association between demographic and study outcome variables. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study among members of the Philippine Physical Therapy Association, Inc. (PPTA) practicing in the Philippines. Purposive sampling (total enumeration) was employed. All PPTA members were invited to the study through e-mail and official social media group chats. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on telerehabilitation knowledge (through test questions on various theoretical aspects), attitude, and practice. Results: The questionnaire items had a content validity index of >0.80. The study yielded a 40% response rate. Most respondents were practicing clinicians in urban-based, private rehabilitation centers. Approximately half had average telerehabilitation knowledge, while the majority had agreeable telerehabilitation attitudes across different constructs. Among the respondents, 15.9% used telerehabilitation pre-pandemic, while 64.8% used it during the pandemic. Hybrid (synchronous and asynchronous) telerehabilitation sessions usually lasted one hour per patient, mostly using Facebook Messenger. Conclusion Telerehabilitation was not widely practiced locally pre-pandemic, which may explain their average telerehabilitation knowledge. The positive telerehabilitation attitudes may represent a small group of PTs favoring telerehabilitation, while information from the larger population remains unknown. Early adopters of telerehabilitation may help introduce virtual care to colleagues and guide them in developing relevant knowledge and skills amid and beyond the enduring COVID-19 crisis.
COVID-19 ; Developing Countries ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; Telerehabilitation ; Telemedicine

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in the Philippines. Diabetic foot complications represent a prevalent and significant chronic concern for individuals with type 2 diabetes. This poses an immediate community health concern, as diabetic complications may threaten an individual's well-being.

This study intends to cross-culturally adapt the Diabetic Foot Knowledge Subscale (DFKS) and Foot Self-Care Behavior Scale (FSCBS) questionnaires into the Filipino language as an assessment tool among Filipinos with diabetes.

The study employed a psychometric research design, where it entailed Phase A and Phase B. Phase A involved the forward translation of the DFKS and FSCBS questionnaires, followed by the synthesis of the translations and backward translation. Subsequently, an expert committee reviewed the translations and concluded the final version. The final translated versions of the questionnaires ensured that it can be understood by an individual who has a Grade 6 level of reading proficiency. Phase B entailed the validity testing with the evaluation of the expert committee, and reliability testing of the said questionnaires with a sample size of 30 participants. A wash-out period of 24 hours was given for the test-retest reliability, followed by data analysis. The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were measured using the item and scale content validity indices and the internal consistency and test-retest reliability, respectively, to ensure their accuracy and appropriateness. The content validity of the questionnaires was evaluated individually by the experts using a Likert scale from 1-4, with 4 being the highest meaning the item was very relevant and succinct. Scores per item were between 3 and 4, which indicate that the translated version of the items were relevant and succinct or were relevant but needed minor revisions.

The validity scores for the translated DFKS and FSCBS questionnaires were obtained using the Scale Content Validity Index (S-CVI) with a score of 0.96 and 0.92, respectively. Moreover, all items in the questionnaires obtained an Item Content Validity Index (I-CVI) of 0.88-1.00. The DFKS also has an acceptable internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.72, while the FSCBS has a good internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.85. The test-retest reliability shows an acceptable Spearman’s correlation at 0.76 for the DFKS and a strong positive Pearson correlation coefficient at 0.73 for the FSCBS.

The validity of the two questionnaires was acceptable and the test-retest reliability showed a strong positive correlation among the items thereby making the cross-cultural adaptation of the questionnaires successful. The Filipino versions of the DFKS and FSCBS questionnaires accurately measure the knowledge and behavior of individuals with type 2 diabetes, respectively.

BACKGROUND: With the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for social distancing presents an apparent barrier to in-clinic consultation. Therefore, the adoption of telerehabilitation has rapidly increased to improve access and minimize cross-infection risk to patients. Nevertheless, Filipino pediatric physical therapists must ensure that they conduct evidence-based procedures for specific tests and measures to determine patient outcomes. The utilization of outcome measurement tools (OMTs) enhances the quality of assessment in clinical decision-making and provides a credible and reliable justification for treatment on an individual patient level. However, a lack of information on utilizing OMTs in telerehabilitation by pediatric physical therapists internationally and locally is evident OBJECTIVE: To determine the most common pediatric OMTs used in telerehabilitation by Filipino pediatric physical therapists catering to 0 to 21-year-olds in the Philippines. METHODS: The study will use an adapted questionnaire to gather data on common OMTs used during pediatric telerehabilitation. Phase I will include the validation of the 15-item adapted questionnaire by determining the content validity index. In Phase II, participants will be recruited through email and social media. Descriptive statistics will be used to report participants' responses EXPECTED RESULTS In Phase I, the expected result is a valid and reliable questionnaire to investigate the common OMTs used in pediatric telerehabilitation for Phase II. The results will be synthesized to inform other researchers and clinicians and encourage nonusers to utilize OMTs despite the challenge of the pandemic. The study can give insights to stakeholders on what OMTs optimize pediatric telerehabilitation.

Background: Lateral epicondylalgia (LE) causes ineffective handgrip due to microtrauma on the elbow's common extensor origin. Objectives: This study will determine the differences in the Extensor Digitorum Communis' (EDC) fascia slide, percentage maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC), static maximum handgrip strength (SMHGT), muscle activation onset time (MAOT) in LE and non-LE elbows, with and without Biomechanical Tape (BMT). The study will determine differences in Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) and Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) scores of patients with and without BMT. Methods: Nineteen participants' elbows with unilateral LE with and without BMT will be evaluated using musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK) and electromyography (EMG) on Days 1, 3, and 5. A Physiotherapist-Sonographer, a Physiotherapist-EMG user, and a Research Assistant using Jamar hydraulic dynamometer will evaluate the participants. The participants will perform Mill's test during MSK and SMHGT using the dynamometer during EMG. A Chi-squared test will evaluate the relationship between BMT and fascia slide. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA will compare the fascia slide, %MVC, SMHGT, and MAOT between elbows with and without BMT. It will be blocked according to elbow status (i.e., LE, no LE). Dunnett post hoc test will determine the groups whose results differed significantly. Differences in PRTEE scores at Days 1 and 5 will be determined. A p-value <0.05 indicates a significant difference in scores. Expected Results We expect decreased fascial slide measurements on EDC, VAS, PRTEE scores, and increased %MVC, MAOT, and SMHGT on taped elbows. Results will determine the underpinning mechanism behind the short-term effects of BMT.
Electromyography

BACKGROUND

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a long-term metabolic disease distinguished by persistently elevated levels of glucose in the bloodstream. It affects 7.5% of adults in the Philippines, translating to 4,303,899 adults with diabetes in 2021. Type 2 DM (T2DM), which results from a combination of genetic predispositions and lifestyle choices, is the most prevalent form of diabetes in the Philippines. Foot ulcers are a common and highly comorbid complication of diabetes. By improving the knowledge and behavior regarding foot care using health education strategies, preventing diabetic foot ulcers is achievable.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of health education strategies in improving the knowledge and behavior of participants diagnosed with T2DM regarding foot ulcer prevention in Binangonan, Rizal.

This study uses a quantitative quasi-experimental design. A 2-day workshop will be held by the researchers, including a screening, pretest, orientation on the health education material (HEM), and demonstration of the HEM content, followed by 2-weeks of self-intervention and posttest. The study will include males and females from Binangonan, Rizal, aged 20-79, who are medically diagnosed with T2DM by a physician. The effectiveness of the strategies will be evaluated using paired t-tests based on the mean of the pre-test and post-test scores obtained from the Diabetic Foot Knowledge Subscale (DFKS) and Foot Self-Care Behavior Scale (FSCBS) questionnaire.

The researchers expect an increase in the post-test scores of the participants in the DFKS and FSCBS questionnaires. This would mean increased behavior and knowledge of foot care practices to prevent diabetic foot ulcers after 2 weeks of self-intervention guided by the HEM and strategies.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of Telerehabilitation in managing hypertension showed positive outcomes as an alternative approach to deliver healthcare services. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which necessitates less physical contact, the study aims to determine the effectiveness of Telerehabilitation versus the usual care in hypertension management among adults in communities, especially in rural settings. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic search was conducted in the following databases: ProQuest, EBSCOhost, AHA Journals, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, HERDIN, Web of Science, JSTOR, and ScienceDirect in March 2022 and was updated in August 2022. Inclusion criteria are randomized controlled trial studies that involve participants aged ≥ 18 years old with hypertension or baseline blood pressure of >140/90 mmHg and the use of technologies and digital services to address hypertension versus non-Telerehabilitation approaches in rural communities or through community- based rehabilitation. Exclusion criteria are non-randomized controlled trials, qualitative studies, unfinished and article type records. The revised Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool will be used to evaluate the content for risk of bias, quality, and internal validity. An electronic data collection form and Raxter will be utilized to extract and to organize the following: demographics, objectives, design, settings, interventions, outcome measures, and significant findings. Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.4 will be used to perform quantitative synthesis of the pooled data if homogeneity is observed in the outcomes. EXPECTED RESULTS The study will determine the effectiveness of Telerehabilitation in managing hypertension and aiding in its implementation in response to the global trend of urbanization in rural areas.
Telerehabilitation

BACKGROUND: Prior to developing a community-based rehabilitation program, there is a need to conduct a needs assessment to identify the factors that may affect the quality of life (QOL) in a community. However, after reviewing related literature, no community needs assessment tools were readily accessible and were directed toward the target population and research locale of this study. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to develop and validate a questionnaire that assesses the needs of selected barangays in Binangonan, Rizal as part of the first phase of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. METHODS: A purposive sampling method will be utilized in recruiting via email a panel of experts, consisting of five content experts and five lay experts, to evaluate the researcher-developed questionnaire’s content validity. Content validity will be assessed through evaluation of the tool’s grammar, choice of words, question construction, and scoring of items. The data will then be analyzed by a statistician using content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) where questions may be retained, revised, or eliminated. EXPECTED RESULTS The study expects to produce a content-validated questionnaire in English consisting of four dimensions: social, epidemiological, educational, and administrative/policy. For an item to be considered valid, scores for CVR and CVI should be equal to or greater than the cut-off values. The information from the questionnaire may be utilized by healthcare professionals aiming to improve the QOL in the community.