• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2020

Background: Pregnancy-related low back pain (PLBP) has fewer systematic guidelines than pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, previous studies have not evaluated physical therapy for this ailment in Korea. Objects: We aimed to provide a detailed account of clinical decision making by Korean physiotherapists while treating PLBP. Methods: In total, 955 questionnaires were distributed mainly in places of continuing education held by the Korean Physical Therapy Association from April to July 2019. The same questionnaire was posted on a website used by physiotherapists. We collected subject information, a specific Vignette typically represent symptoms of PLBP, and responses to multiple questions about decision making, subjective recognition and interest level in the field of women's health physiotherapy (WHPT). Results: The overall response rate was 56% (n = 537); of these, responses to 520 questionnaires were analyzed. Most respondents chose various combinations of physical therapy methods. There were significant differences in subjective recognition levels of WHPT according to gender (p < 0.05), age (p < 0.01), education level (p < 0.01), and clinical experience (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in interest according to gender (p < 0.01) and education level (p < 0.01). With respect to the types of treatment, significant differences were noted in selective rates for "manual therapy", "pain control", and "supportive devices" based on gender. Manual therapy tended to be chosen more with increasing age and clinical experience. With increased education level, there were fewer choices for the use of pain control. Conclusion: This is the first data on how Korean physiotherapists manage PLBP patients using the vignette method. We were able to recognize the Korean physical therapist's decision on PLBP patients, and observed statistically significant correlations. This may aid in developing future research and education plans in the WHPT field.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.15-24
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• 2022

Background: This study investigated the perception of community care-based tele exercise rehabilitation according to demographic characteristics of physical therapists and presented basic data for the spread of tele exercise rehabilitation within community care. Methods: The study collected and analyzed data from 195 physical therapists. The analysis was performed using frequency analysis with 10 general characteristics, 13 tele exercise rehabilitation recognition questions, and a total of 23 questions. Analysis of general characteristics of study subjects and recognition of tele exercise rehabilitation were expressed in terms of frequency and percentage using frequency analysis. Chi-squared test was used to compare general characteristics and tele exercise rehabilitation recognition. Correlation analysis of major sociodemographic variables affecting the perception of remote exercise rehabilitation was conducted. Results: The awareness level of physical therapists for remote exercise rehabilitation was confirmed. The difference in the recognition of remote motor rehabilitation in the number of therapists, career, hospital form according to the sociodemographic characteristics showed statistically significant differences. Conclusion: It is necessary to first raise awareness of therapists through the promotion of tele exercise rehabilitation, and furthermore, in the future, it will be necessary to find a policy direction and plan on how tele exercise rehabilitation can be applied to rehabilitation services in local communities care.