• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the level of awareness of the guidelines of the physical therapist specialization system. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of 364 clinical physical therapists working in hospitals. A structured questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was used. The questionnaire consisted of standards and management for the institutionalization of physical therapist specialization, intentions to acquire specialized physical therapist qualifications, specialized fields, and general information of the research subjects. RESULTS: At least five years of clinical experience and a bachelor's degree or higher were required to obtain a specialized physical therapist qualification. Many physical therapists said they would accept the qualification of a specialized physical therapist. Training and examination were appropriate for acquiring specialized physical therapist qualifications, and it was desirable to manage qualifications at the national level or the association of physical therapists. As for the specialized fields of physical therapy, musculoskeletal physical therapy, pediatric physical therapy, and nervous system physical therapy were prioritized, and electrotherapy was not recognized as a specialized field. CONCLUSION: A detailed discussion is needed on the system and cost for acquiring a specialized physical therapist qualification and economic benefits after acquiring the qualification.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.99-109
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the current state of training in assistive technology(AT) for pediatric physical therapists(PPTs) and pediatric occupational therapists(POTs), in addition, investigate therapists' preferred training methods and contents. The eventual purpose was to suggest the essential fundamental factors to adapt the assistive technology in clinics. METHODS: The subject of this study were 167 therapists(98 PPTs and 69 POTs) who work at general hospitals, welfare center, facilities for the disabled, and special education school in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. Frequency analysis and Chi-squared test were used. RESULTS: Significant numbers of PPTs(66 therapists, 67.3%) and POTs(50 therapists, 72.5%) answered that they had received training in AT. More than 48% answered no training experience or low adequacy in each classification scheme for questions. The most difficulty in the training was indicated by lack of education opportunity(90 therapists, 53.9%). The most required device training was seating and position device training(43 therapists, 21.9%) for PPTs and orthosis and prosthesis device training(29 therapists, 21.0%) for POTs. In assistive technology service, PPTs needed evaluation to AT device training(69 therapists, 35.2%) and POTs needed evaluation to disabilities for AT training(41 therapists, 29.7%). Both therapists answered that the most effective training is continuous education(52 therapists, 31.1%) and college education(48 therapists, 28.7%). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that PPTs and POTs need more opportunities for training in AT. For effective clinical app lication of AT, there should be continuous education such as on-the-job training, mentoring program, technical manual, and college education.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 2000

The purposes of this study were to research the current state of evaluation of children with delayed development and cerebral palsy and determine pediatric physical therapists' knowledge of assessment tools and their use. The subjects were 130 pediatric physical therapists (general hospitals, university-related hospitals, rehabilitation centers, etc.). Data was obtained from August 24, 1999 to October 18, 1999 by means of a survey questionnaire. The results were as follows: 1. The current state of pediatric physical therapist evaluation of children with delayed development and cerebral palsy. 1) Tools used to assess functional areas of children with cerebral palsy were: subjective description format-128 (47.1%); the GMFM-58 (21.3%); facility-generated tool-51 (18.8%); and DDST-15 (5.5%). 2) Tools used to assess developmentally delayed children were: subjective description format-121 (50.6%); the GMFM-43 (18.0%); facility-generated tool-41 (17.2%); and DDS T-14 (5.9%). 3) After their college or university study, therapists who had attended lectures on evaluation were 113 (86.9%); 13 (10.0%) therapists had not attended any lectures on evaluation 2. Test scores of physical therapists' professional knowledge of evaluation procedures: high (more than 36 points)-74 (56.9%); moderate (18~35 points)-39 (30.0%); and low (below 17 points)-none. 1) For therapists treating cerebral palsied children, 73 (65.2%) were in the high range, 39 (34.8%) were in the moderate range and none were in the low range. 2) For therapists treating children with delayed development, 71 (65.7%) were in the high range, 37 (34.3%) were in the moderate range and none were in the low range. Although the general degree of professional knowledge of evaluation was quite high, there was a lack of variety in the assessment tools used With a large number of therapists depending on subjective description. Possible reasons for the low rate of objective asses sment tool use: 1) Poor clinical environment: too many clients and lirnited treatment time. 2) Lack of any medical insurance fee category for specific assessment tools. 3) Lack of continuing education opportunities in pediatric evaluation skills during or after either college-based (3 year) or university-based (4 year) education programs. Based on the study results, provision of more extended educational opportunities would promote the use of a greater variety of objective assessment tools by pediatric physical therapists.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.1-21
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• 2017

Objective : The aims of the this study is to identify job characteristics, to generate job description, and additionally to investigate duty task of the job for Korean pediatric occupational therapist focused on sensory integration intervention. Methods : In the first stage, job analysis of pediatric occupational therapist focused on sensory integration intervention was performed by an advisory committee consist of the DACUM panel. Through the job analysis, job description with definition was established. In the second stage, a survey was performed for 141 pediatric occupational therapist using a questionnaire based on the job description in order to investigate importance, frequency and difficulty of duty task and task elements of the job. This process was done from May to September 2017. Results : The job definition drew from this study was 'Pediatric occupational therapist provides occupational therapy services to children and adolescents to support occupational performance and social participation including daily activities and play". Through the job description established in this study, 9 duties (consulting, evaluation, intervention plan, intervention, document, education, self-development, management, and administration), 28 tasks and 169 task elements were drew. In the survey, among the duty tasks and task elements, 'ensure physical safety' and 'perform a session' were selected as the most important task, and 'ensure safety of children, sensory integrative equipment and environment' and 'prepare a safe environment' were selected as the most important element. Conclusion : This study defined job demands and characteristics of pediatric occupational therapist who performs sensory integration intervention. It is expected that this study can be used a resource to develop and/or improve educational program related.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.23-33
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate trend in use of occupational therapy assessment tools used by pediatric occupational therapist. Methods : Survey questionnaire developed for this study were used to for data collection. The questionnaires are divided into 10 area: occupational performance, activities of daily living, education, play, sensory-perceptual, motor and praxis, cognition, social interaction skills, development, and physical examination. Total 105 responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics analysis and frequency analysis. Results : For the general process of evaluation in pediatric occupational therapy, major response on the initial evaluation time was 30~60minutes (41.9%), and major response on the re-evaluation period was 3~6months (41.0%). The major assessment tool for each area Canadian Occupation Performance Measure (55.2%) for occupational performance assessments, Wee Functional Independence Measure (57.1%) for activities of daily living assessments, School Function Assessment (2.5%) for education assessments, Knox Preschool Play Scale (28.6%) for play assessments, Developmental Test of Visual Perception (94.3%) for sensory-perceptual assessments, Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (42.9%) for motor and praxis assessments, Evaluation of Social Interaction (6.1%) for social interaction skills assessments, Denver Developmental Screening Test (92.4%) for development assessments, Clinical Observation (89.5%) for physical examination assessments. Conclusion : The study identified the most assessment tools used for specific area by pediatric occupational therapists. The results can be used as a basic data to educate about pediatric occupational therapy evaluation, as well as to develop new assessment tools in pediatric setting in future.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.183-189
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the pediatric functional muscle testing (PFMT) when applied to children with developmental delay. Methods: Sixteen children with developmental delay (seven females, nine males) participated in this study. For the inter-rater reliability, each was scored on the PMFT by two pediatric physical therapists with more than 8 years of clinical experience on the same day. For assessment of the test-retest reliability, one therapist tested the children again within 10 days. The second measurement was performed by taking a first measurement in video. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to determine the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the PFMT, and Chronbach's alpha was used to measure internal consistency. Results: The results of this study were as follows: 1) The test-retest ICC of the score of the infant action month and the right side of the PFMT was from 0.53 to 1.00 and from 0.63 to 0.99, respectively. 2) The inter-rater ICC of the score of the infant action month and the right side of the PFMT was from 0.66 to 1.00 and from 0.64 to 1.00, respectively. 3) Chronbach's alpha was 0.93. The internal consistency indicated excellent. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed that the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the PFMT was relatively high, except for a few items. Therefore, it can be suggested that the PFMT will be a useful tool for measurement of muscle strength for children with developmental delay if it be some modifications.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.3999-4008
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• 2012

This study investigated the symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorder(WMSDs) for physical therapists who have different work duties. We analyzed the symptoms in the musculoskeletal system and the degree of work-harmfulness by the survey of the symptom in the musculoskeletal system and rapid upper limb assessment(RULA) for pain control group(n=56), adult exercise group(n=53), and pediatric exercise group(n=22). As a result, 69.6% of the pain control group, 84.9% of the adult exercise group, 81.8% of the pediatric exercise group show the observable symptom. The adult exercise group has the biggest work load per hour in the final wrist & arm score of the ergonomic risk assessment using RULA. The action level of the pain control group is $3.0{\pm}0.9$; the Action Level of adult exercise group is $3.3{\pm}0.6$; the Action Level of the pediatric exercise group is $3.2{\pm}0.8$, and so it is shown that the adult exercise group has a problem of working posture. It is considered that devices and education system for preventing from WMSDs should come into wide use.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.13-18
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this paper is to look at educational needs based on the academic background to improve continuing education (CE) for physical therapists in the Republic of Korea. Methods : 350 people who attended the CE were selected for analysis of the need of the education in Gwangju Metropolitan city of the Korean Physical Therapy Association. Final education was classified as college, university, and master of science course (MSc) or higher. The authors selected 11 subjects such as basic education, musculoskeletal system, nervous system, pediatric, cardiopulmonary, sports, senior citizens, physical therapy, women, oriental medicine, and others. Simple linear regression analysis was performed using dummy variable to identify the needs of the CE according to the academic background. Results : The need for CE in the MSc or higher was greater than college graduation in the nervous system (R2=.019, B=.347), pediatric (R2=.028, B=.491), cardiopulmonary system (R2=.038, B=.600), sports (R2=.037, B=.584), geriatric (R2=.030, B=.261), oriental (R2=.033, B=.597), and others (R2=.028, B=.531). University graduation was lower than college graduation in the need of physical agents (R2=.037, B=-.277). Conclusion : Authors infer that CE was not fully satisfied with physical therapists especially according to academic background that's why present study showed no meaningful statistical results were found. Therefore, we still think that a wider survey of CE will be needed, and the efforts are constantly required for both the Korean physical therapy association and people who working as physiotherapists to strengthen their awareness of the education.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2016

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-core set (ICF-core set) for children and youth (CY) with cerebral palsy (CP) provides a useful conceptual framework and a guide for health care planning and measuring the changes brought by interventions across a multitude of dimensions from body functions to personal activities, social participation, and environmental factors for them. Objects: This single case study was reported to illustrate the use of a goal directed approach in applying the ICF-core set for CY with CP from a physical therapist perspective. Methods: An eleven year old boy with spastic CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level V, and his mother participated in an evaluation of his functioning state. The intervention goal was set through an interview using the ICF-core set, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Goal Attainment Scale (GAS). Physical therapy was carried out on an outpatient basis using a goal directed approach for 30 min, 1 time/week during 12 weeks and the boy's gross motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66 version (item set 2) before and after the intervention. Results: As measured by the boy's mother, the COPM score showed a meaningful clinical change (performance=mean 3.5, satisfaction=mean 2.5) and the T-score of GAS changed 34.4 after the goal directed approach. The GMFM-66 (item set 2) score changed from 31.8 to 38.7 and evaluation using the ICF-core set displayed improvement in 6 items of activity level between before and after the intervention. Conclusion: The ICF-core set for CY with CP is useful for understanding the overall functioning of CY with this condition and provides an opportunity to share and integrate information and opinions from different disciplines. We consider it as a useful tool in the universal language for the therapy and education of CY with CP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.133-138
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of modified motor developmental intervention on the SCM muscle thickness and the range of motion (ROM) of neck in subjects with congenital muscular torticollis. METHODS: Thirteen subjects who had congenital muscular torticollis were participated in this study and they were offered the modified motor developmental interventions for 8 weeks by pediatric physical therapist. SCM thickness of affected and non-affected side and ROM of neck rotation were collected between before and after intervention. SCM thickness was measured by using Ultrasound Unit (IU 22, Ultrasound system, Philips, Netherlands) and ROM of neck was measured by using the goniometer (Arthrodial protractor, North coast, USA). Data were represented as means ${\pm}SD$. Paired t-test was used to determine the effect of interventions on the SCM muscle thickness and neck ROM. RESULTS: SCM thickness of affected side was significantly decreased after the modified motor developmental interventions and that of non-affected side was generally increased but it was not significantly difference between pre and post interventions. ROM of neck rotation and lateral flexion was significantly increased after interventions. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the modified motor developmental interventions could improve the recovery of SCM muscle thickness and neck ROM.