Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Journal

In this paper, the potential use of virtual reality for use with persons with vestibular disorders is discussed. Just as optimal intervention for individuals with vestibular disorders commonly involves multiple disciplines, so are multiple disciplines conducting excellent research that demands vigilance in the practicing clinician. Vestibular exercises progress from simple movement in simple environments to complex movements in complex environments. The value of virtual reality systems for the investigation and rehabilitation of cognitive and perceptual impairments is significant. Current and potential applications of virtual reality technology address various neuro-rehabilitation issues. Vartual reality technology also allows the development of low-cost training environments consistent with a client’s home environment furthermore, virtual environments are adaptable and can afford patients the opportunity to practice under a variety of simulated circumstances.

Key words: desensitization, simulated, cortical reorganization.

objective: to evaluate the effect of preoperative exercise programme in mitral valve replacement surgery in decreasing the incidence of ppcs, increasing the pulmonary function and decreasing the hospital stay. Methods: 30 subjects participated in the study. Subjects were randomly assigned into 2 groups: pre-operative exercise program and usual care (n=15in each group). 3 days pre-operative exercise program was given to the group 1. Outcome measures were ppc, hospital stay and pulmonary function test and 6 minute walk test. Results: paired t-test was used for within group comparison of pretest and post test measurement and again t-test was used for between group comparisons of the 2 groups. The result of the study showed that the group receiving preoperative physical therapy had shown significant reduction in hospital stay and ppc although there is no significant change in terms of pft.,Conclusion: it is recommended that preoperative exercise program should be included as a part of the treatment protocol in the rehabilitation of mitral valve surgery patients.

Key words: preoperative exercise program, preoperative patient education, ppc, hospital stay, mitral valve replacement surgery.

Though Cryotherapy is widely used in the field of Sports injury rehabilitation, due to its therapeutic uses and availability, the method of application varies among Sports injury specialists. Appropriate selection and application of therapeutic modalities is the key to success in rehabilitation. Lack of structured guidelines pertaining to sports injury rehabilitation led to the considerable variability in Practicality. It is important to find out the variability in the usage of Cryotherapy, in order to establish an acceptable protocol., Method: A structured Telephonic survey was conducted among 40 professionals working in the field of Sports., Results: There was diversity in the method of application of cryotherapy among the professionals working in the field though all of them preferred cryotherapy in acute sports injury management. Direct applications by using simple methods were considered by the majority of the therapists. Ideal dosage of cryo application remains controversial., Conclusion: There is a need to prepare an Evidence Based Guideline regarding the application of Cryotherapy in sports injury Rehabilitation.

Keywords: Cryotherapy, sports injury, physiotherapy, therapeutic modalities

Horticulture Therapy is an integrated approach to human development using horticulture techniques with behavioral science. This paper attempts to present the results of the study to evaluate the impact of horticulture therapy in developing self-esteem and motor skills in physically challenged children. Fifty physically challenged children in the age group of 12-18 years were selected using purposive sampling. Motor skills of the children were studied using an observation schedule by inter observer agreement method. Assessment of self-esteem of the sample was done using a rating scale. The tools were constructed and standardized. Horticulture therapy included goal specific activities along with raising a vegetable garden. The data collected before and after horticulture therapy was analyzed using paired sample ‘t’ test. The results revealed that there is significant impact on the development of self-esteem and motor skills in challenged children after attending the horticultural therapy programme.

KeyWords: Horticulture therapy, Self esteem , Motor skills

Objective: To compare the external foot measurements & foot print of non-obese& obese children .Methods:15 male and 15 female school children, without other health problems, who could be classified as overweight or obese according to international standard BMI cut-off points and hip-waist ratio on the basis of age and sex, were selected as experimental subjects. An additional 15 male and 15 females non-overweight children, matched for age, height, and sex to the overweight/obese children, were selected as non-overweight controls. To characterize the external structure and arch height of each child’s feet, various foot dimensions , including foot length, normalized Instep length, Normalized Fibular Instep length, Normalized foot breadth, normalized navicular height truncated, and Staheli’s Plantar Arch Index, were directly measured for the right foot of each child.Results: The external foot measurements namely instep length, fibular instep length and foot breadth were normalized using foot length. Student’s T-test was used as Statistical test for data analysis and was compared with the age matched normal children. No significant difference was found between the groups. Conclusion: We concluded from this study that the external foot appearance of obese and non-obese children is similar and no significant difference is noted when compared using external foot measurements and footprints.

Keywords: Obesity, Plantar Arch, foot dimensions.