International Journal of Physical Therapy Research & Practice

Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping Compared to Other Interventions in Children and Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abdulmalik Khalid Arab, Hanan Demyati, Hosam Alzahrani — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Kinesio taping (KT) is used to treat people with scoliosis. However, there is limited evidence to to clarify its mechanism and effectiveness in treating idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of KT for idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents. Methods: The search was conducted in the following databases from inception to November 2022: Scopus, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, and PubMed. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was assessed for subjects diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents. Primary outcomes included pain intensity, Cobb angle, and back muscle endurance. Meta-analysis was conducted to pool the results using standardised mean difference (SMD). Results: Four RCTs (160 participants) were included. The effect of KT with exercises group had better improvement on Cobb angle than other exercise only (SMD = -0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.89° to -0.09°; p = 0.02; I² = 25%); but there was no difference between groups on back muscle endurance (SMD = 0.63, 95% CI -0.50 to 1.39 seconds; p = 0.36; I² = 65%). Data on pain outcomes were insufficient for meta-analysis due to heterogeneity in reporting methods However, two studies showed that KT combined with exercises effectively minimised pain for patients with scoliosis. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that adding KT to other interventions improves the Cobb angle and may reduce pain in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. However, due to the limited number of included studies and participants, further high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.

Assessing Flat Foot Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Jazan Region: Demographic and Lifestyle Considerations

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: The primary goal of this research was to determine the prevalence of flatfoot among adult residents of the Jazan region in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the study sought to identify significant risk factors associated with flatfoot by analyzing demographic variables, clinical conditions, and lifestyle characteristics. Methods: This study employed a descriptive observational approach, enrolling 317 adults aged between 18 and 60 years residing in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect data, yielding 210 valid responses suitable for analysis. The questionnaire was specifically designed to capture information related to the prevalence of flatfoot, associated symptoms, and various potential risk factors, including demographic data, clinical history, lifestyle behaviors, and footwear choices. Data analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel, with statistical measures used to establish associations between flatfoot prevalence and the evaluated variables. Results: The findings revealed that the overall prevalence of flatfoot differed significantly by gender, with females displaying a higher prevalence rate (8%) compared to males (3%). Key risk factors identified included elevated body mass index (BMI), with higher prevalence observed among individuals classified as overweight or obese—specifically, 12% of females and 5% of males in these categories were affected by flatfoot. Additionally, lifestyle factors, particularly the use of unsupportive or improper footwear, were strongly linked to increased flatfoot risk. Clinical comorbidities, notably diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis, also emerged as significant risk factors associated with flatfoot in the studied population. Conclusion: The prevalence of flatfoot in Jazan underscores the need for targeted interventions that focus on modifiable risk factors, including weight management and proper footwear. Public health initiatives should prioritize awareness and prevention strategies to mitigate flatfoot-related complications.

Accreditation and Its Impact on Physiotherapy Outcomes in Saudi Arabia Advancing Quality and Patient Care: A Narrative Review

Abdullah Al Shami — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This literature review examines the role of healthcare accreditation frameworks—specifically CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), CBAHI (Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions), Planetree, and JCI (Joint Commission International)—in enhancing physiotherapy services in Saudi Arabia. A systematic search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases, focusing on peer-reviewed studies published in English between January 2000 and December 2024 that assessed accreditation’s influence on physiotherapy care quality. The review identified significant improvements attributable to accreditation, notably enhanced patient safety through reduced clinical errors, strengthened adherence to standardized clinical guidelines, and effective risk management. Accreditation also facilitated staff professional development, leading to increased competency, better clinical decision-making, and improved service delivery. Furthermore, standardizing physiotherapy practices through accreditation frameworks positively influenced patient outcomes, including better functional recovery, increased patient satisfaction, and higher overall service quality. The findings underscore accreditation as a critical strategy for advancing physiotherapy care standards in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for continued implementation and support. The review advocates for widespread adoption and sustained integration of accreditation frameworks to achieve ongoing improvement in rehabilitation service quality and patient experiences within the Saudi healthcare system.