RESUMEN
PURPOSE: University students generally, and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students specifically, experience stress that may threaten their well-being and academic performance with implications after graduation. Universities can benefit from implementing strategies to help students develop stress management skills. An essential first step is identifying modifiable psychological variables that allow students to cope positively with stress. Psychological flexibility may represent one such variable. However, the predictive relationship between psychological flexibility and stress in DPT students is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether psychological flexibility is a predictor of lower perceived stress and which psychological flexibility dimension is the most significant predictor of lower perceived stress in DPT students. METHODS: Study participants (n = 66) included DPT students from four campuses within one university system. Participants completed an online survey that included demographic questions, the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale, and the Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes. RESULTS: Higher levels of psychological flexibility predicted lower levels of perceived stress. The openness to experience dimension of psychological flexibility was the most significant predictor of lower perceived stress. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that interventions to improve psychological flexibility, specifically openness to experience, may help programs minimize perceived stress in DPT students.
Asunto(s)
Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso , Pruebas Psicológicas , Autoinforme , Humanos , Modalidades de Fisioterapia , Estudiantes , Estrés PsicológicoRESUMEN
Background: Recent work has investigated significant force transmission between the components of myofascial chains. Misalignments in the body due to fascial thickening and shortening can therefore lead to complex compensatory patterns. For the treatment of such nonlinear cause−effect pathology, comprehensive neuromusculoskeletal therapy such as the Rolf Method of Structural Integration (SI) could be targeted. Methods: A total of 727 subjects were retrospectively screened from the medical records of an SI practice over a 23-year period. A total of 383 subjects who had completed 10 basic SI sessions met eligibility criteria and were assessed for active range of motion (AROM) of the shoulder and hip before and after SI treatment. Results: Shoulder flexion, external and internal rotation, and hip flexion improved significantly (all p < 0.0001) after 10 SI sessions. Left shoulder flexion and external rotation of both shoulders increased more in men than in women (p < 0.0001) but were not affected by age. Conclusions: An SI intervention could produce multiple changes in the components of myofascial chains that could help maintain upright posture in humans and reduce inadequate compensatory patterns. SI may also affect differently the outcome of some AROM parameters in women and men.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Misalignments in the body compromise the architectural integrity. At the tissue level, fascia shortens and thickens as the body engages in compensatory strategies to maintain itself upright; these changes are known as myofascial contractions. In physical therapy, there are several methods by which practitioners treat neck dysfunction. However, studies showing the effect of those techniques are limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rolfing structural integration (RSI) in neck motion and pain levels of 31 subjects who received RSI. RSI is a type of therapy that focuses on aligning the human body with gravity. METHODS: This retrospective study, over a period of 3 years of clinical practice, analyzes changes in motion and pain levels at the neck for 31 subjects who completed the RSI in 10 basic sessions. Participants were evaluated before and after they received RSI. The data collected included: age, sex, occupation, referral source, diagnosis, height, weight, photographs of postural views, range of motion (ROM), pain, and functional complaints. ROM was assessed with the use of an arthordial protractor. Data analysis using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tested the hypothesis at a significance of 0.5. RESULTS: The mean pain levels and active range of motion (AROM) of the neck before RSI significantly changed after the treatment (p<0.5): there was a decrease in pain and an increase in AROM. Pain levels/AROM-Age within-subject effect demonstrated significant difference only in pain at best and rotation right; the mean pain levels in the older group decreased by 67%, and the mean AROM for rotation right in the younger group increased by 34%. DISCUSSION: In this sample, pain now was reduced more than pain best and pain worst. Increased motion for lateral flexion was more than rotation, extension, and flexion. CONCLUSION: This investigation demonstrates that the basic 10 sessions of RSI, when applied by a physical therapist with advanced RSI certification, is capable of significantly decreasing pain and increasing AROM in adult subjects, male and female, with complaints of cervical spine dysfunction regardless of age.