Dr. Dhara Sharma PhD in Geriatric rehabilitation. She is a Physiotherapist and Principal in charge of Silver Oaks College of Physiotherapy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
An increasing amount of research demonstrating the effectiveness of geriatric physiotherapy interventions in enhancing functional outcomes and quality of life in older persons supports its use.
A few examples of evidence-based practices in geriatric physiotherapy are given below:
Exercise interventions: According to Dr. Dhara Sharma, the key element of geriatric physiotherapy is exercise. Exercise regimens designed with older persons in mind can enhance strength, balance, mobility, and general functional capacity, according to a number of studies.
For instance:
*Exercise therapies dramatically decreased the rate of falls and improved balance and mobility in older persons, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2020.
*A 2019 randomized controlled trial that included resistance training, aerobic exercise, and functional tasks indicated that older people' physical function improved and their chance of developing mobility disabilities decreased when they participated in a combined exercise program.
Fall prevention and balance: Falls are a major concern in the older population, and physiotherapy therapies that emphasize balance training have had successful results.
Examples of evidence include:
According to a 2019 Cochrane systematic review, exercise-based therapies, especially those emphasizing balance and functional exercises, significantly decreased the rate of falls and fall-related injuries in older persons.
According to a randomized controlled experiment that was presented in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2018, older individuals' risk of falling was decreased by an individualized, multimodal falls prevention program that included exercise.
Rehabilitation following joint replacement surgery: Physiotherapy is essential for post-operative rehabilitation after joint replacement surgery. There is evidence that early mobilization and focused physiotherapy treatments can result in better functional outcomes and quicker recovery.
Relevant research examples include:
Physical therapy released a systematic review and meta-analysis in 2020 that demonstrated how exercise-based therapies improved older persons' pain, function, and range of motion following total knee arthroplasty.
A 2017 randomized controlled trial indicated that an expedited rehabilitation program, which included early physiotherapy and a graded exercise regimen, increased function and decreased discomfort after total hip or knee replacement surgery in older persons.
Cognitive and physical function in dementia: Studies have demonstrated that exercise and physical activity improve both cognitive and physical capacities in dementia patients.
Dr. Dhara Sharma gave us some notable examples of evidence including:
A 2020 systematic review indicated that exercise therapies, such as strength and aerobic training, improved cognitive function and physical ability in people with mild to moderate dementia.
A multicomponent exercise program improved physical and cognitive performance in older persons with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, according to a randomized controlled experiment that was reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2018.
It's crucial to keep in mind that these are but a few illustrations of the proof geriatric physiotherapy therapies are effective. Dr. Dhara Sharma specified that the profession is still developing. New studies are continually coming out that support the value of physiotherapy in enhancing functional independence, mobility, and general well-being in older persons.
