The added value of therapist communication on the effect of physical therapy treatment in older adults; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Lower physical activity levels in older adults are associated with increased co-morbidities and disability. Physical therapists have a critical role in facilitating increases in physical activity. The communication they use may impact their effectiveness. This study investigates the additional value of therapist’s communication during physical therapy on older adults’ physical activity levels. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical trials were identified in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PEDro, Cochrane, up to July 2016. Communication was classified with the Behavior Change Taxonomy(BCT). Effect sizes were pooled using Cochrane’s Review-Manager. Strength of the evidence was analyzed using GRADE’s criteria. Results Twelve studies were identified. Overall, communication techniques revealed an immediate and long-term effect(ES:0.19;0.24) on self-reported physical activity measures but not on performance-based, with moderate to high strength of evidence. Divided in BCT-categories, only ‘Generalisation of target behavior’, defined as communication aimed to help patients generalise an exercise from one situation to another at home), had a positive effect on self-reported activity(ES:0.34), with low strength of evidence. Conclusion Adding a communication technique to physical therapy is effective on self-reported physical activity measures but not on performance-based measures. Practice implications Add communication to exercise when treatment aims at perceived, but not performed, physical activity

Does patient-therapist communication change the effect of physical therapy treatment in elder adults? A systematic review

Aim This study aims to investigate the additional value of elderly-therapist communication on the effect of physical therapy treatment to increase the physical activity level of elderly. Conclusion Although the level of evidence is low, in older adults, it is recommended to repeat easy tasks and improve elder adult’s confidence of performing physical activities above setting behavioral goals

The added value of therapist communication on the effect of physical therapy treatment in older adults; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Lower physical activity levels in older adults are associated with increased co-morbidities and disability. Physical therapists have a critical role in facilitating increases in physical activity. The communication they use may impact their effectiveness. This study investigates the additional value of therapist's communication during physical therapy on older adults' physical activity levels. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical trials were identified in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PEDro, Cochrane, up to July 2016. Communication was classified with the Behavior Change Taxonomy(BCT). Effect sizes were pooled using Cochrane's Review-Manager. Strength of the evidence was analyzed using GRADE's criteria. Results: Twelve studies were identified. Overall, communication techniques revealed an immediate and long-term effect(ES:0.19;0.24) on self-reported physical activity measures but not on performance-based, with moderate to high strength of evidence. Divided in BCT-categories, only 'Generalisation of target behavior', defined as communication aimed to help patients generalise an exercise from one situation to another at home, had a positive effect on self-reported activity(ES:0.34), with low strength of evidence. Conclusion: Adding a communication technique to physical therapy is effective on self-reported physical activity measures but not on performance-based measures. Practice implications: Add communication to exercise when treatment aims at perceived, but not performed, physical activity. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The added value of therapist communication on the effect of physical therapy treatment in older adults; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Lower physical activity levels in older adults are associated with increased co-morbidities and disability. Physical therapists have a critical role in facilitating increases in physical activity. The communication they use may impact their effectiveness. This study investigates the additional value of therapist’s communication during physical therapy on older adults’ physical activity levels. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical trials were identified in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PEDro, Cochrane, up to July 2016. Communication was classified with the Behavior Change Taxonomy(BCT). Effect sizes were pooled using Cochrane’s Review-Manager. Strength of the evidence was analyzed using GRADE’s criteria. Results Twelve studies were identified. Overall, communication techniques revealed an immediate and long-term effect(ES:0.19;0.24) on self-reported physical activity measures but not on performance-based, with moderate to high strength of evidence. Divided in BCT-categories, only ‘Generalisation of target behavior’, defined as communication aimed to help patients generalise an exercise from one situation to another at home), had a positive effect on self-reported activity(ES:0.34), with low strength of evidence. Conclusion Adding a communication technique to physical therapy is effective on self-reported physical activity measures but not on performance-based measures. Practice implications Add communication to exercise when treatment aims at perceived, but not performed, physical activity