Practice of passive movement and stretching exercise of the limbs by the rehabilitation professionals for spinal cord injury patients at CRP

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the practice of passive movement and static stretching exercises as interventions practiced by rehabilitation professionals for spinal cord injury patients at CRP. Methodology: This study was conducted through a cross-sectional design. A total of 19 participants were selected conveniently for this study from the spinal cord injury unit, Center for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP), Savar, Dhaka. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The study was conducted using quantitative descriptive analysis (Chi-square test & Pearson correlation test) through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software 20.0 version. Results: Out of 19 participants 73.68% (n=14) were physiotherapists and 26.32% (n=5) were occupational therapists. Among them 52.6% were male (n=10) and 47.37% (n=9) were female. The majority 57.89% (n=11) aged between 31-40 years. Out of 14 physiotherapists, the majority 42.86% (n=6) were assistant physiotherapists. 60% (n=3) were clinical occupational therapists, among 5 occupational therapists. The majority of participants 21.05% (n=4) worked for 11 years and 1 set of 14.44 to 15.25 repetitions in 4 to 5 minutes of passive movement and 1 set of 13.52 to 14.18 repetitions in 6.62 to 7.15 minutes of static stretching was given by the rehabilitation professionals. 31.58% (n=6) participants practiced passive movement to increase blood circulation and 42.1% (n=8) practiced static stretching to maintain joint range of motion. Participants' practice of passive movement and static stretching exercises (repetition, set, or timing) didn't vary based on their age and job experience. But the reasoning to perform those interventions varied only with the physiotherapist's designation. The purpose of interventions is usually not related to participants' gender but related to their age group only for passive movement. Conclusion: Spinal cord injury is a traumatic or nontraumatic event and requires multidisciplinary treatment. Rehabilitation professionals try to minimize their disability by maximizing their functional levels by using various physical interventions, such as passive movement and static stretching exercises. And they apply those for specific purposes by maintaining a standard pattern. Keywords: Spinal cord injury, repetition number, set number, required time, physiotherapist, occupational therapist.