Merry Christmas. God bless all

Wishing You the Best of What This Christmas Can Bring. 
Have A Joyous, Peaceful , Happy & Love-Filled Christmas!
Merry Christmas.

National Congress of Physical Therapy (NCPT) Jaipur 2016

National Congress of Physical Therapy (NCPT) Conference at the Pink City, Jaipur on December 17-18, 2016 (Saturday and Sunday). Join the conference for Brain Storming Scientific sessions by reputed speakers, Career Fair, Networking, Sports events, Cultural events and many more.

For registrations and enquiries contact 
+91 9782468066 / 9461442808 / 9414643454

E-Mail: ncpt2016@gmail.com
Website: www.ncpt2016.com

Theme "A Step toward Professional Legislation"

Physiotherapy Career building -An Insight

Professional talk on "Career building -An Insight" in the Oxford Physiotherapy College Conference. A Good interactive session with representation by the Director of Health Share Community Centre, United Kingdom and other dignitaries & enthusiastic students.

World Patient Safety day- Physical Therapy Documentation

World Patient Safety day is celebrated every year on 9th of December to raise awareness about the safety of patient. Patient safety is a global public health concern and is a fundamental principle of health care. Let's Document the Physiotherapy Treatment and provide an effective and Safe Physiotherapy Service to our Patients.

Published by Physiotherapy Jobs Portal for Information Purpose

Physiotherapy Jobs Portal- www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in -India's first and exclusive registered Job Portal for Physiotherapists since 2010.

Physiotherapist Jobs- India and Gulf- Updated in December 2016

Physiotherapist Vacancies in Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Pune, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Chandigarh , Ludhiana and Gulf.
– Updated on December 07, 2016

To apply for vacancies posted in Physiotherapy Jobs Portal and for Job updates ,assistance and career building, Register as an exclusive Member of Physiotherapy Jobs Portal by visiting www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in to download the Membership Form and Registration details or send a request mail to info@physiotherapyjobs.co.in
-Physiotherapy Jobs Portal an Exclusive Registered Job Portal for Indian Physiotherapists for Job Search, Assistance and Career building since 2010
(Service Tax Code & Registration Number: DSFPS4451BSD001)

Website: www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in
E-Mail: info@physiotherapyjobs.co.in

Pay Scale Up-gradation for Physiotherapists: 7th Pay Commission MOHFw

Positive reply by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt.of India that Physiotherapists Payscale up-gradation recommendation has been sent to Ministry of Finance.Time for followup in the Finance Ministry to get the Payscale up-gradation implemented. This will help in Professional up-gradation in Pay and Cadre Restructuring with promotions. 
PS: Document shared for information purpose.

Canadian Physiotherapy Association chief says the profession must demonstrate its value to decision makers

ER-WCPT: Canadian Physiotherapy Association chief says the profession must demonstrate its value to decision makers:

Physiotherapists need to understand and leverage the politics of decision making, according to Michael Brennan, chief executive officer at the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

‘We may be factually correct in what we know, but we are bringing incomplete information to the task at hand,’ said Mr Brennan, an economist by background, in his CSP Founders’ Lecture at the 4th congress of the European regions of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy in Liverpool today.

‘Put another way, all evidence is information, but not all information is evidence.’

He said the profession was unlikely to have high level evidence to apply to every healthcare decision. And there will almost always be incomplete data and unique contextual consideration.

Structure evidence:

But as the gaps in evidence are going to be filled by assumption, physiotherapists should find a way to structure evidence so that assumptions and circumstance are accounted for.

He told delegates about a project in 2013 when his association used an MDCA (multi-criteria decision analysis) framework. It was a tool which has been used for more than a decade in different economic settings and had achieved ‘considerable traction’ in healthcare.

‘At the end of this project we had a very well-informed assessment of the value of physiotherapy in 12 practice settings,’ said Mr Brennan.

‘We produced short information sheets for each, with pithy statements as to the positive impact of physiotherapy on patient care, population health and resource management.

Value of physio:

‘These documents, and our much better appreciation of the decision making process, have allowed us to greatly improve our advocacy efforts at the grass roots and ministerial level.’

But in his speech on the theme of the value of physiotherapy, Mr Brennan said that every day practitioners, administrators and politicians are choosing how best to allocate scarce healthcare resources.

‘The closer these decisions are to the patient, the more likely we in this room are to understand them, and hopefully affect them in a way that is favourable to good outcomes,’ he told delegates.

News Source: http://www.csp.org.uk/news/2016/11/11/er-wcpt-canadian-physiotherapy-association-chief-says-profession-must-demonstrate-it

Physiotherapist Vacancies- November 2016 -Physiotherapy Jobs Portal

Physiotherapist Vacancies in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh ,Hyderabad, Thrissur, Delhi NCR and Gulf.

– Updated on November 07, 2016

To apply for vacancies posted in Physiotherapy Jobs Portal and for Job updates ,assistance and career building, Register as an exclusive Member of Physiotherapy Jobs Portal by visiting www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in to download the Membership Form and Registration details or send a request mail to info@physiotherapyjobs.co.in

-Physiotherapy Jobs Portal an Exclusive Registered Job Portal for Indian Physiotherapists for Job Search, Assistance and Career building since 2010

(Service Tax Code & Registration Number: DSFPS4451BSD001)

Website: www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in

E-Mail: info@physiotherapyjobs.co.in

ApoKos Rehabilitation Hospital by Apollo Hospital

Premium healthcare services provider Apollo Hospitals and KOS Group of Italy announced the opening of an exclusive rehabilitation centre for post-operation care to patients.

The joint venture was India’s first complete for neurological, orthopaedic, cardiopulmonary, paediatric, geriatric and cancer patients, said ApoKos Rehab Director.

Dr. Antonello Morgantini and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Rahul Khandelwal. It is aimed at addressing the huge, untapped potential in medical rehabilitation services in India, they explained.

India's rehab and physiotherapy market in the organised and unorganised sectors is estimated at about Rs. 20 billion per annum. As of now, the market is concentrated around home or out-patient physiotherapy and for most patients it provided sub-optimal care leading to slow and incomplete recovery.

Dr. Antonello said they brought in time-tested European rehabilitation protocols to India for the first time and focused on providing intensive, goal-oriented rehabilitation, they helped provide the best chance of recovery for patients.

The ApoKos Rehabilitation Hospital here would be a 64-bedded centre with a mix of single and sharing rooms, besides fully-equipped physiotherapy and occupational therapy gyms.

Dr. Rahul Khandelwal said ApoKOS provides hope, expertise and motivation for patients who have experienced a life-altering medical condition or clinical procedure.

“We are committed to bridging the gap from illness and injury to health and well-being,” he said.

News Compiled by Physiotherapy Jobs Portal ( www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in ) for information purpose

News Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/apollo-launches-rehab-centre/article9166062.ece

Physical Therapy may be beneficial when pregnant or after giving birth

California, USA: Many head to physical therapy after experiencing chronic joint or muscle pain. One doctor suggests that going to PT when pregnant or after having a baby is beneficial.

Within the nine months of developing a baby, many physical changes occur in a woman's body.

That's why Karen Joubert, Doctor of Physical therapy, believes that women should see a physical therapist within weeks of delivering their child.

"You have to deal with an influx of relaxin, progesterone, estrogen, and it affects the woman mentally, physically, emotionally," Joubert explained.

Also during pregnancy, many experience back pain due to the extra pressure on the pelvis.

"What people don't realize is, after delivery of a baby, studies have proven that about 40 percent of women sustain some kind low back pain or stress urinary incontinence," Joubert said.

Also, trying to get back to abdominal exercises can put undue pressure on the abdominals and the pelvic floor. Plus, when it comes to those recommended kegel exercises, she says watch out for this advice.

Some say you should stop and start your urine flow, but Joubert says that could result in a urinary tract infection.

Instead, she suggests this pattern:

"I want you to think of pulling the pelvic floor in and up to the count of three, all the way up and then down," Joubert advises a patient. "It's almost like you're pulling it in toward your stomach...I want you to take that pelvic floor and you're going to pull in quick and fast, 30 times."

Pregnant or not, many of us fail to see a physical therapist, as it is assumed it means a costly visit to the doctor first.

California is a "Direct Access" state. This means that you don't have to go to your general practitioner to get a prescription - instead you can go directly to PT.

"You can come into physical therapy without the prescription of a doctor for 12 visits or 45 days without a doctor's prescription," Joubert said.

Seeing a PT can strengthen your core muscles to better care for that baby.

News Source: http://abc7.com/health/physical-therapy-may-be-beneficial-when-pregnant-after-giving-birth-/1558098/

Tribute and Respect to Dr.MG Mokashi Sir

Dr.MG.Mokashi Sir, the Pioneer Physiotherapist who always worked for the profession. Sharing his last mail to me with valuable points about Professional up gradation. “God's Law of Cause and Effect: Your rewards in life will always be equal to the amount and quality of service rendered, in the long run.” Tribute and Respect to you always. Will keep this as a Souvenir.

Dr.M.G.Mokashi - A Pioneer Physiotherapist

Rest in Peace beloved Dr.M.G.Mokashi Sir. You will always be loved and fondly remembered for your tremendous contributions in the field of Physiotherapy.You will forever be missed and never be forgotten Sir. Date: 20/20/2016

Soft Robots That Mimic Human Muscles Could Revolutionize Physiotherapy

Scientists from Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have successfully created soft robots from elastomer that could copy the behavior of human muscles. This new technology could help patient rehabilitati as well as handling of fragile objects.

According to the study published in the journal Scientific Reports, scientists from EPFL's Reconfigurable Robotics Lab (RRL) have built soft robots powered by muscle-like actuators. Made of elastomers such as silicon and rubber, these robots moves by controlling the air pressure in the robot's body which has a "soft balloon" design.

The muscle actuators are shaped like a cucumber, could be bent in two directions and extended six times their length.

"We conducted numerous simulations and developed a model for predicting how the actuators deform as a function of their shape, thickness and the materials they're made of," said lead author Gunjan Agarwal via Science Daily.

"Using soft actuators, we can come up with robots of various shapes that can move around in diverse environments. They are made of inexpensive materials, and so they could easily be produced on a large scale. This will open new doors in the field of robotics," said Jamie Paik, diirector of the RRL.

Matthew Robertson, the researcher in charge of the project, said that they are currently working with physcial therapists to create a soft actuator belt to help treat stroke victims. The said belt is made of pink rubber and transparent fishing line and is currently hookeD up to a system of external pumps.

"We are working with physical therapists from the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) who are treating stroke victims. The belt is designed to support the patient's torso and restore some of the person's motor sensitivity," Robertson said.

News Source: http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/30113/20161014/soft-robots-mimic-human-muscles-revolutionize-physical-therapy.htm

A New York University team develops a mechatronic device to help stroke patients

A jacket and a glove, complete with an array of sensors, may be the next big thing as far as treating stroke patients is concerned. The apparel’s design — still being improved upon by a team that includes Indian-origin researchers at New York University — will be tweaked to make it affordable and amenable to Indian conditions. The research team included engineers and a rehabilitation medicine specialist.

A major challenge that lies in rehabilitating stroke patients is in ensuring that they continue their prescribed set of exercises even after they return home from hospitalisation. Studies show that patients are incentivised to follow their exercises if they were able to measure their progress.

How it works

Building on this, Preeti Raghavan and Vikram Kapila, of New York University, have developed the mechatronic device. After it is worn, the jacket measures arm placement, while the glove measures the movement of the wrist, finger placement and finger joints. The device comes with a finger trainer to guide the fingers.

When a patient is assigned an exercise by the therapist, the device registers movements such as how many degrees the wrist has moved or how far the arm has risen and even the amount of pressure exerted by the fingers.

Dr. Raghavan, of New York University Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation Ambulatory Care Centre, helped build the prototype. In 2002, she started her research work on strokes when she “realised that there were so many gaps in treating patients”.

“Eighty six per cent of people might recover some ability to walk but may not recover hand function,” she says. She received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to be trained in rehab research, and the topic was “control of hand function after stroke”.

“We studied the movement of the hand in detail, the forces and the muscle activity and the patterns. We learnt that the series of information coming from the unaffected hand is shared by both sides of the brain. We learnt that the unaffected hand can teach and the two sides of the brain cooperate to aid recovery. This information could be used to improve the function of the affected hand. Because we do so many different things with the hand that we are constantly learning,” Dr. Raghavan explains.

Using the preliminary data that showed that even short periods of training by the unaffected hand led to changes in the function of the affected hand, she collaborated with Dr. Vikram Kapila, professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and students Ashwin Raj Kumar and Sai Prasanth Krishnamoorthy, to convert the idea into a product.

Programme for India

The research team studied the effects of exercise and preliminary data showed that a short period of training, where the unaffected hand “teaches” the affected hand, can lead to changes in the functioning of the affected hand. A limitation is that for the treatment to be effective, persons ought to have at least limited mobility in their hands.

“We used this information to develop a platform by which training could be provided. That led to collaboration with engineers to develop interfaces to personalise the treatment approach,” Dr. Raghavan says.

During her talk at the World Stroke Congress in Hyderabad in October-end, she will be talking about introducing low-cost devices in India. In an e-mail interview, Prof. Kapila elaborated on plans to test the device in India.

Initially, 25 devices will be deployed to gauge their acceptability by physiotherapists, hospitals, clinics and patients. After workshops and promotional training during the control phase “we will deploy 50 devices during field testing phase in India. Based on the testing results, the device will be further enhanced,” says Dr. Kapila. The team has sought additional financial support for control and field testing. To a question on affordability, he says the device would cost under $500 (approximately Rs.33,000). “We envision our device to be used well beyond established health-care channels. Our solution reduces the travel costs and burden on patients and caregivers, promoting self-dependence. It allows patients to integrate rehabilitation with activities of daily living improving their quality of life,” he says.

Terming it a “research-proven, rehabilitation device, designed exclusively for stroke patients”, it would promote stroke awareness and offer a sense of confidence to their positive feelings/notion about recovery.

In parallel, Ashwin and Sai Prasanth are developing an app that can be used by physiotherapists and physicians to assess the benefit of the prescribed therapy.

Dr. Kapila says the broader business model of the device would be to promote employment through mobile and tele-rehabilitative solutions and is expandable to rural areas where physiotherapists can use a single device as a door-to-door service facilitating increase of their earning and supporting more patients.

Thus, the device’s low price and low per-session price Rs.200 ($4), serving 5-8 patients per visit, will allow recovery of initial investment within six months. “Progressively, we will directly target stroke survivors through wholesale distribution and tele-rehabilitative specialists,” he says.

On the kind of training required to handle the device, Prof. Kapila explains that “the training will focus on fixing technical problems, interpreting data and suggesting new training protocols”.

The future of the research-programme according to Dr. Raghavan lies in providing customised therapy to all those who suffer from paralysis caused by traumatic brain injury. The therapy could also be used to engage children with cerebral palsy, epileptic patients and those with brain tumours, she says.

News Source: The Hindu News paper: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/it-works-hand-in-glove/article9174502.ece

Physiotherapist Vacancies - Updated in October 2016

Physiotherapist Vacancies in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, New Delhi , Gurgaon, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Qatar and UAE.
– Updated on October 05, 2016

To apply for vacancies posted in Physiotherapy Jobs Portal and for Job search and updates ,assistance and career building, Register as an exclusive Member of Physiotherapy Jobs Portal by visitingwww.physiotherapyjobs.co.in to download the Membership Form and Registration details or send a request mail to info@physiotherapyjobs.co.in

-Physiotherapy Jobs Portal an Exclusive Registered Job Portal for Indian Physiotherapists for Job Search, Assistance and Career building since 2010
(Service Tax Code & Registration Number: DSFPS4451BSD001)
Website: www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in

Physiotherapy Salary

Dear Physiotherapy Freshers and Upcoming Physios, The demand for Fresher Physiotherapists in Hospitals, Clinics, NGO, Fitness Centre, Sports Sector, Rehabilitation Centre, Old Age homes , Home Care sector is at its peak. Freshers are in demand everywhere.

When the industry has demand for Physiotherapists ,every fresher and upcoming Physio should demand high salary in the interviews. Increase your Physiotherapy skills and negotiate better.

"Asking for more money means saying you think you're worth more". This will become a chain reaction and will also increase the pay Scales of senior too.

An useful link on "How You Negotiate a Higher Salary": http://www.inc.com/jayson-demers/how-to-negotiate-a-higher-salary.html

Issued in the best interest of Physiotherapy Profession!

Gujarat Physiotherapy Council News: 2016

Physio News: Gujarat State Council For Physiotherapy (G.S.C.P.T.) registration starts on October 01, 2016

Vision Statement: To promote enhanced well-being through excellence in Physiotherapy education and safe, effective, ethical and world class Physiotherapy treatment to the society to serve the Physiotherapy needs of national and international community.

Physiotherapy means a branch of modern medical science which includes examination, assessment, interpretation, physical diagnosis, planning and execution of treatment and advice to any person for the purpose of preventing, correcting, alleviating and limiting dysfunction, acute and chronic bodily malfunction, including life saving measures via chest physiotherapy in the intensive care units, curing physical disorders or disability, promoting physical fitness, facilitating healing and pain relief and treatment of physical and psychosomatic disorder though modulating physiological and physical response using exercises, physical agents, activities and devices including mobilization, manipulations, mechanical, electrical and thermal agents including therapeutic ultrasound and therapeutic LASER and electrotherapy including electrophysiology for diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Towards this goal, the Gujarat state assembly passed a bill for the formation of Gujarat State Physiotherapy Council in the state, on Wednesday, 30th March, 2011. The formation of this council will give an Independent status to Physiotherapy professionals at par with other Medical Communities like Medical, Dental, Ayurveda and Unani.

The council will thus play a major role to ensure high level quality Physiotherapy care and services to the society. Institute would be allowed to increase its intake capacity or start new courses with the prior approval of the state government and the council. The council will also maintain the standards of uniformity in Physiotherapy education in the state at par with National & International Standards. It will also open doors for Scientific and Research activities in the field of Physiotherapy.

By professionalizing and regularizing the system of registration, recognition, standard quality education and checking the unprofessionals, the council will give Physiotherapy its due professional status in the Medical Fraternity.

Update for public information.
Full details in the GSCPT Website: http://www.gscpt.in/

Physiotherapists to be appointed in all Sports Hostels in the new Sports Policy

Physio News: Physiotherapists to be appointed in all Sports Hostels in the new Sports Policy: 

Minister of State for Sports and Youth Services Shri.Pramod Madhwaraj has said that a Sports policy will be formulated and the government has started consultation with stakeholders for an all-inclusive sports policy.Besides appointing a Physiotherapist in the sports hostels, the government also proposes to take up sports psychology counselling regularly for sports persons attached to sports hostels.-Update by Physiotherapy Jobs Portal 

News Link: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/consultation-is-on-with-stakeholders-for-an-allinclusive-sports-policy/article9130193.ece

Physio Excellence Award

"Physio Excellence Award" from HCAP. Pleased,Honored and Humbled as every "Award" is a "Sword". Will take it as a token of appreciation to work harder for Professional betterment. Dedicated to all "Excellent Physios" who are working day in and day out to take Physiotherapy Profession Forward.

Salem Physiotherapy Conference 2016

Scope of Physiotherapy

Talk on " Scope of Physiotherapy " covering "Professional Indemnity Insurance" for Physiotherapists and the Medico-legal Aspects of Physiotherapy practice in the Theracon Conference at Salem

World Physiotherapy Day : September 08

Physiotherapists are the Movement Scientists keeping this world pain free and mobile. We are an integral part of the Medical and Sports system. If you want to be Fit and add Quality to your Life, visit your nearest Physiotherapist for a consultation. 

Happy World Physiotherapy Day.

National Physiotherapy Congress at Salem on September 10. Free Registration

Physiotherapist / Physiotherapy Jobs in August 2016

Physiotherapist Vacancies in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ernakulam , Thrissur, Goa, Chandigarh, Kuwait and UAE.
– Updated on August 22, 2016

To apply for vacancies posted in Physiotherapy Jobs Portal and for Job updates ,assistance and career building, Register as an exclusive Member of Physiotherapy Jobs Portal by visiting www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in to download the Membership Form and Registration details or send a request mail to info@physiotherapyjobs.co.in

-Physiotherapy Jobs Portal an Exclusive Registered Job Portal for Indian Physiotherapists for Job Search, Assistance and Career building since 2010
(Service Tax Code & Registration Number: DSFPS4451BSD001)
Website: www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in

Role of Physiotherapy in India’s First Olympic medal at Rio: India’s Sakshi Malik wins a bronze medal in the wrestling 58kg category

Role of Physiotherapy in India’s First Olympic medal at Rio:

India’s Sakshi Malik wins a bronze medal in the wrestling 58kg category after the Indian beat Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan 8-5 in the bronze medal bout. In a thrilling contest, Sakshi fought back from 0-5 down to seal the bout 8-5 in her favour. With seconds left on the clock, she produced a three-point move to seal the bout and India’s first medal at Rio 2016 Olympics.

Vinesh, who won the gold medal in the World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul (Turkey) recently,said” The current Physiotherapist - Rucha - has been with us for a significant period of time and the best part is that she devotes all her time to the women wrestlers. In a tournament of the stature of Olympics, it's important that the women wrestlers have a dedicated Physio for them," Vinesh said.

Kuldeep Malik, the national women's wrestling coach, also endorsed Vinesh's point of view. "A separate physio is always dedicated to the women's wrestling team for various other tournaments we go to. Considering the significance of Olympics, the women's team having its own Physio is essential," he said.

Physiotherapist Rucha Kashalkar, who has already been working with women wrestlers, has accompanied the Rio-bound team. Kashalkar had accompanied the wrestlers to Madrid recently where they competed in the Spanish Grand Prix Wrestling Championship.

hThis is the first time that India will be represented by three women wrestlers at the Olympics. Vinesh Phogat will fight it out in the 48kg freestyle category; Vinesh's cousin Babita will wrestle in the 53kg freestyle category while Sakshi Malik will grapple in the 58kg freestyle category.

News Compiled by Physiotherapy Jobs Portal www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in , India's first and exclusive registered Job Portal for Physiotherapists since 2010

News Sources:

http://indianexpress.com/sports/rio-2016-olympics/live-india-wrestling-vinesh-phogat-sakshi-malik-women-freestyle-score-result-video-streaming-day-12-2980917/

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indiario/wrestling/No-female-physiotherapist-for-Rio-bound-women-wrestlers/articleshow/53202610.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indiario/wrestling/No-female-physiotherapist-for-Rio-bound-women-wrestlers/articleshow/53202610.cms

Robotic legs could power up Physical therapy for kids with Cerebral Palsy :

Kids suffering from Cerebral palsy may soon have a powerful new Physical therapy technique in the form of robotic assistance for their legs. A study is being conducted on the potential benefits of the system, newly adapted for the use of children.

Lokomat is a “robotic gait training program” that’s been around for a couple of years, but mainly used by adults. As any doctor will surely tell you, treating kids is a whole different process — and not just because they’re smaller. Just like in school, motivation and attitude need to be considered more closely.

“Robotic gait training interventions are becoming more and more popular, especially for parents who are seeking out the newest technologies and interventions,” explained Shanon Phelan, who’s helping run the study at the University of Alberta. “We tend to assume all children want to walk or use a robot because it’s cool, but that’s not always the case and it’s important to listen to the child’s perspective on this.”

At  the university, the researchers conducted a little photo op and press event to show off the device. 12-year-old Maggie Slessor, who suffers from a form of cerebral palsy, demonstrated the Lokomat with the help of her physical trainer.

In the press release announcing the study, Slessor is enthusiastic: “It’s great to be able to walk without having to hold on to anything. My friends think it’s really cool when I show them the pictures. They think I’m a robot!”

The legs support the user’s body weight while guiding them through the ordinary motions of walking; this reduces or eliminates the need for the person to hold onto something while they walk — potentially providing a big morale boost. That’s especially important with children.

“We are interested in how the treatment affects walking,” explains the study’s leader, UA’s Lesley Wiart, “but also how it affects the child’s confidence to participate in physical activities and their participation in other activities in their homes and communities.”

The study will be the largest randomized, controlled trial yet to evaluate the effectiveness of robotic gait assist, but the “qualitative” aspect of it is also new. Even if it were to only have a minimal effect on the physical side, it could still be a major success on the psychological front.

Work has just begun, and the study is expected to last five years and involve at least 140 kids. Good science takes time, after all.

News Source: https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/09/robotic-legs-could-power-up-physical-therapy-for-kids-with-cerebral-palsy/

News Compiled by Physiotherapy Jobs Portal www.physiotherapyjobs.co.in , India's first and exclusive registered Job Portal for Physiotherapists since 2010.