Background and Purpose: Gait is one of the outcome measures used in evaluation in the field of rehabilitation and there is a need for reference data of gait parameters primarily to understand the physiological significance of these parameters, describe their changes in pathologic gait for better understanding of pathophysiology and be able to provide the appropriate therapeutic approach. The purpose of this study was: 1) To derive a reference data of spatiotemporal parameters of gait among Filipinos, which include step time, stride time, stance time, swing time, single limb support time, double limb support time, cadence, speed, step length, stride length, and step width; 2) To determine correlation of age, gender, and anthropometric measures with spatiotemporal parameters, and 3) To determine
gait symmetry.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 374 participants aged 20-69 years (males = 181, females = 193) were included. They were asked to walk in their comfortable speed. Spatiotemporal parameters were obtained using the Vicon motion capture system.

Results: The walking speed, step length, stride length, and step width declined with age. Filipino men demonstrated higher values in all parameters except cadence which is higher in Filipino women. Height and leg length both have positive correlation with all parameters except for cadence. Weight has a positive correlation with all spatiotemporal parameters except for cadence, swing time, single limb support time, and speed. Cadence and stride length were symmetrical between right and left lower extremities.

Conclusion: Spatiotemporal parameters among healthy Filipinos 20-69 years old were presented including their correlations with age, gender, and anthropometric measures. This can serve as a reference for future studies in gait where Filipinos are the participants.

Objective: To describe the use of autologous-fat grafting in postenucleation-socket syndrome. Methods: This is a case report. Results: There was marked improvement in the gross appearance of the treated orbit of the patient. There was relief in enophthalmos and superior-sulcus deformity. Bilateral orbital symmetry was achieved. Postoperatively, only minimal bruising and swelling both in the orbit and source site were observed, which resolved in 4 weeks. Conclusion The use of autologous-fat graft is a novel but highly effective technique and a good alternative in treating patients with postenucleation-socket syndrome.

Background: Leukemia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among pediatric patients in the Philippines, but it also significantly affects family dynamics and behaviors. Aside from the parents, siblings are also vulnerable to the effects of a chronic disease within the family but are not usually the topic of family studies. Objective: To determine if having control-oriented or escape-oriented coping mechanisms is associated with the different levels and dimensions of family functioning among children ages 13 to 18 years old who have siblings diagnosed with leukemia. Methodology: This case control study was conducted in two Kythe-affiliated hospitals in Luzon, Philippines. Using McMaster Family Assessment Device, adolescent siblings of leukemia patients who belong to dysfunctional families (n=8) were considered as the cases, while siblings who belong to functional families (n=5) were the controls. KidCOPE was used to identify coping mechanisms. Odds ratio for escape- and control-oriented coping mechanisms were computed using Fisher’s exact test through MedCalc, while association of coping mechanisms with demographics was determined using Chi square test through SAS 9.4. Results: Siblings of leukemia patients who belong to dysfunctional families are more likely to use escape-oriented coping mechanism (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 0.0746 to 64.9082; p = 0.648) but also more likely to feel that it is not helpful to them (OR = 0.6471; 95% CI = 0.0111 to 37.6665; p = 0.8337). However, an association between coping mechanisms and family functionality cannot be established because the computed odds ratios are not significant. A significant association was found between the number of extended family members living with the sibling and efficiency of control-oriented coping mechanisms (p = 0.024). Conclusion Association between coping mechanisms of adolescent siblings of leukemia patients and family functionality was not established, but further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm this.
Siblings ; Leukemia ; Philippines

BACKGROUND: Neck pain is considered the fourth leading cause of disability, with an annual prevalence rate of 15 to 30%. Using evidence-based practice in neck pain examination is a vital part of the rehabilitation process as it serves as a basis for determining the best treatment. The objective of the study is to determine the usage of recommended examination tool for neck pain among the physical therapists in selected hospitals and clinics in Metro Manila. METHODS: The study has three distinct phases wherein phase 1 was the development and validation of a data extraction sheet, phase 2 was the assessment of interrater reliability among the investigators who will perform the chart review, and phase 3 was the chart review process. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS: In phase 1, the contents of the data extraction sheet were found to be valid. In phase 2, the inter-rater reliability was 96.7% percent. In phase 3, the visual analogue scale was the most commonly used examination tool, yielding a 54% usage. This was followed by cervical range of motion & cervical manual muscle testing (22%), palpation (15%), sensory testing (7%), postural assessment (6%), special test (4%), ocular inspection (2%), functional assessment (1%), Functional Index Measure (1%) and functional muscle testing (1%). Neck Disability Index, which was one of the literature-recommended examination tools, was not used CONCLUSION Visual analogue scale was the most commonly used examination tool in conditions with neck pain in selected hospitals and clinics in Metro Manila. Further investigation can be done in order to know the reasons for the use or nonuse of examination tools.
Neck Pain

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to innumerable challenges in the practice of physical therapy (PT) in both local and global settings. Healthcare settings often use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to prevent contamination. Despite its benefits, compliance is challenged by issues such as discomfort, availability, accessibility, and individual perception. OBJECTIVES: Considering the contrasting roles and nature of healthcare practitioners' work and the differences in the demands of PPE usage, this study aims to develop a profession-specific questionnaire on the perceptions of physical therapists on PPE usage in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with good face and content validity. METHODS: The study comprises Phase 1 for questionnaire development and Phase 2 for questionnaire validation. Five experts recruited using purposive sampling participated in three rounds of the validation process. Each expert evaluated the face and content validity through Google Forms. Consequently, an expert panel evaluation to reach a consensus on the final items. Google sheets were utilized for analysis. EXPECTED RESULTS The final questionnaire will have 35 items covering the Health Belief Theory domains. All items will receive FVI (overall agreement scores), I-CVI, S-CVI/Ave, and S-CVI/UA scores that meet the cut-off. The final questionnaire will be useful in evaluating physical therapists' perceptions of using PPE due to COVID-19 and may also be helpful to organizations, policymakers, and other entities in their decision-making for PPE protocols, guidelines, and implementation. Future researchers can use this study to conduct a pilot study that assesses other psychometric properties of the tool.

BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 pandemic caused educational institutions to shift from traditional to distance learning. Higher educational institutions offering bachelor’s degrees in Physical Therapy (PT) adapted to the situation by employing various strategies to facilitate learning online. One of the strategies employed is inviting family members as simulated patients in various performance-based assessments (PBA). In the Philippines, the PT department at the University of Santo Tomas made similar changes in the delivery of its courses. Given that family members are one of the primary stakeholders of PT education, it is important to know their experience, insights, and knowledge gained about the profession of PT after playing as a simulated patient (SP) during online performance-based assessments. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore how family members describe their experiences playing the role of patients in PT PBAs. METHODS: This study will utilize a phenomenological explorative research design. Family members, including parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, and household helpers who played the role of a patient in any PT PBAs such as case presentation, case discussion, and practical examination, will be invited to participate. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews will be used for data gathering. Qualitative data from interview transcriptions will be analyzed using thematic analysis using NVivo 12 plus program. EXPECTED RESULTS Family Members will offer experiences in role-playing as patients in PBAs. Main themes and findings will be generated from their sharing that will provide insights regarding the improvement of remote PT PBAs.