Quality of life and quality of education among physiotherapy students in Europe

Background: The study of physiotherapy is challenging and can affect the students’ well-being and quality of life. The aim of this study was to describe and compare factors that could affect well-being among students across Europe. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire survey, students of bachelor’s physiotherapy programs from 23 European faculties, from 8 countries, were interviewed on mental health and stress burden, sleep quality, dietary habits, and physical activity. Results: Although 75% of students rated their quality of life positively and 47% were satisfied with their mental health, 65% showed higher levels of stress and 51% described impaired sleep quality. The minimum physical activity of 150 min weekly was described by 79% of students, within which 67% engaged in strengthening twice a week. Students with a higher stress load/worse psychological health also showed worse sleep quality and lower amount of physical activity, women were significantly worse off. In terms of physical activity and sleep quality, students from Finland and Kosovo achieved the best results, while students from Italy, Greece, and Portugal achieved the worst. Students from Italy indicated the greatest dissatisfaction with the organisation of the study system and communication with teachers, while in Kosovo students rated the communication and study organisation the highest. All students had a problem with adhering to nutritional habits. Students from Italy and Spain, with the lowest body mass indexes and weight averages, were closest to the nutrition recommendations. Conclusion: We demonstrated that physiotherapy students are burdened with stress, suffer from sleep disorders, and do not follow the recommendations regarding nutrition nor physical activity. There are significant differences between universities and countries in some aspects

Corrigendum: Quality of life and quality of education among physiotherapy students in Europe (Frontiers in Medicine, (2024), 11, (1344028), 10.3389/fmed.2024.1344028)

In the published article, an author name was incorrectly written as [Sara Laura Cortés-Amaro]. The correct spelling is [Sara Cortés-Amaro]. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated

Physiotherapeutic interventions in multiple sclerosis across Europe: Regions and other factors that matter.

BACKGROUND: A wide variety of interventions exists in physical therapy (PT), but knowledge about their use across different geographical regions is limited. This study investigated the use of PT interventions in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) across Europe. It aimed to determine whether regions differ in applying interventions, and explore whether factors other than regions play a role in their use. METHODS: In an online cross-sectional survey, 212 respondents from 115 European workplaces providing PT services to people with MS representing 26 countries (four European regions) participated. Cluster analysis, Pearson Chi-squared test and a Poisson regression model were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Thirteen of 45 listed PT interventions were used by more than 75% of centers, while nine interventions were used by less than 25%. For 12 interventions, regions differed markedly in their use. Cluster analysis of centers identified four clusters similar in their intervention use. Cluster assignment did not fully align with regions. While center region was important, center size, number and gender of physical therapists working in the center, and time since qualification also played a role. Cluster analysis exploring the use of the interventions provided the basis for a categorization of PT interventions in line with their primary focus: 1. Physical activity (fitness/endurance/resistance) training; 2. Neuroproprioceptive "facilitation/inhibition"; 3. Motor/skill acquisition (individualized therapy led); 4. Technology based interventions. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this is the first study that has explored this topic in MS. The results broaden our understanding of the different PT interventions used in MS, as well as the context of their use

The organisation of physiotherapy for people with multiple sclerosis across Europe: a multicentre questionnaire survey

Background Understanding the organisational set-up of physiotherapy services across different countries is increasingly important as clinicians around the world use evidence to improve their practice. This also has to be taken into consideration when multi-centre international clinical trials are conducted. This survey aimed to systematically describe organisational aspects of physiotherapy services for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) across Europe. Methods Representatives from 72 rehabilitation facilities within 23 European countries completed an online web-based questionnaire survey between 2013 and 2014. Countries were categorised according to four European regions (defined by United Nations Statistics). Similarities and differences between regions were examined. Results Most participating centres specialized in rehabilitation (82 %) and neurology (60 %), with only 38 % specialising in MS. Of these, the Western based Specialist MS centres were predominately based on outpatient services (median MS inpatient ratio 0.14), whilst the Eastern based European services were mostly inpatient in nature (median MS inpatient ratio 0.5). In almost all participating countries, medical doctors - specialists in neurology (60 %) and in rehabilitation (64 %) - were responsible for referral to/prescription of physiotherapy. The most frequent reason for referral to/prescription of physiotherapy was the worsening of symptoms (78 % of centres). Physiotherapists were the most common members of the rehabilitation team; comprising 49 % of the team in Eastern countries compared to approximately 30 % in the rest of Europe. Teamwork was commonly adopted; 86 % of centres based in Western countries utilised the interdisciplinary model, whilst the multidisciplinary model was utilised in Eastern based countries (p = 0.046). Conclusion This survey is the first to provide data about organisational aspects of physiotherapy for people with MS across Europe. Overall, care in key organisational aspects of service provision is broadly similar across regions, although some variations, for example the models of teamwork utilised, are apparent. Organisational framework specifics should be considered anytime a multi-centre study is conducted and results from such studies are applied.PubMedWoSScopu

Validity and reliability of the Greek version of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale in multiple sclerosis patients

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be attributed to a variety of biological and psychological factors. Scales addressing the multidimensionality of fatigue are used in MS evaluation, although adequacy of data on their reliability and validity is questionable. The aim of the present study was to provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the Greek version of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). The MFIS was translated into Greek and administered to 99 MS patients and 75 controls. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out and reliability measures were calculated. Discriminant validity was also assessed. The mean MFIS score was 33.8 (SD 17.8). Two factors (physical and cognitive) were extracted through factor analysis; a psychosocial factor was not identified. Reliability measures (intraclass correlation coefficient, Cronbach's α, Pearson's correlation) yielded high values. Patients and nonpatients differed statistically significantly in the MFIS scores; no statistically significant differences in MFIS score according to the type of MS were observed. It can be concluded that the Greek version of MFIS is valid and reliable, although questions about the scale dimensions remain. Further modifications and cultural adaptation of the scale may help create a useful tool for screening and assessment of fatigue in MS patients. © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health

Effects of a structured dance program in Parkinson's disease. A Greek pilot study

Introduction: Dance for Parkinson's Disease® (DfPD®) is a structured dance program that has never been evaluated in Greek PD population. This study assesses for the first time the efficacy, safety and feasibility of DfPD® program in Greek PD patients. Material and methods: A total of 16 early-to-mid-stage PD patients (50% men, aged 56 ± 12) underwent a total of 16 60-min classes of adjusted to Greek music and dance culture DfPD®, twice weekly, over 8 weeks. Assessments were performed at baseline and at the end of the study period and included quality of life (PDQ-8), depressive symptoms (BDI-II), fatigue (PFS-16), cognitive functions (MoCA), balance (BBS) and body mass index (BMI). Safety (possible falls, injuries, muscle soreness or excessive fatigue) and feasibility (technical and financial parameters, willingness for participation and continuation, recruitment rates) were also assessed. Results: Statistically significant improvements were found in quality of life (29 ± 47%, p = 0,020), depressive symptoms (26 ± 52%, p = 0,046), fatigue (13 ± 20%, p = 0,021), cognitive functions (17 ± 23%, p = 0,010), balance (5 ± 4%, p = 0,003) and BMI (2 ± 2%, p = 0,010). No adverse events, high adherence (93,75%) and low attrition (12,5%) rates were reported. Conclusion: A twice weekly 60-min DfPD® class for 8 weeks is a safe and feasible non-pharmacological complementary therapeutic intervention for Greek PD patients and may improve their quality of life, depressive symptoms, fatigue, cognitive functions, balance, and BMI. Further research on this intervention is warranted. © 202