Alternatives to routinely used physiotherapy interventions for achieving maximum patients' benefits and minimising therapists' exposure in treatment of COVID-19 – a commentary. (1st November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adhikari, Shambhu P.; Dev, Rubee; Sandborgh, Maria
• Is Part Of: European journal of physiotherapy. Volume 22:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 373
• Page End: 378
• Publication Date: 2020-11-01
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- physiotherapy -- risks and benefits -- tele-physiotherapy; Therapeutics, Physiological -- Periodicals; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; 615.8205
• DOI: 10.1080/21679169.2020.1800816
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2167-9169

Abstract

Abstract: The evidence and effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in treatment of patients with confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Routinely used interventions in physiotherapy imply a very high risk for physiotherapists because the duration of direct contact with patients is quite long. Physiotherapy may need to be administered by weighing the benefit-risk ratio. Therefore, there is a critical and urgent need to adopt alternatives or modified forms of physiotherapy interventions. As the situation for management of COVID-19 in low-resource contexts could differ from that in high resource context, interventions need to be adapted to the available resources and technology in various settings. Tele-physiotherapy could be a viable option for patients who are in acute care in the hospital, in rehabilitation unit or under quarantine at home due to confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Modification in physiotherapy interventions and adjustment in intervention parameters may serve as an alternative strategy. This article describes alternatives to and/or modification of routinely used physiotherapy interventions for achieving maximum patients' benefits and minimising therapists' exposure in treatment of individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.