Effects of COVID-19: a paradigm shift to physical therapy profession / [author] Astudillo, Daniela Joy C., Bartolome, Pamela Jean D., Marquez, John Renbert G., Paquing, Kyle L., Parumog Prince Paul V., Tumulak, Demi Jane P., [research adviser}: Romina Ethly Figueroa-Azurin

Includes Appendix

ABSTRACT:

Introduction: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, along with the implementation of quarantine protocols to ease the steadily increasing number of COVID-19 cases, the physical therapy profession is severely affected and treatment procedures were a lot different. It has brought the profession a whole new dilemma on how to provide care while still giving the usual physical therapy interventions to the patients done in close proximity.
Objectives: The aim of the scoping review is to provide a review of current publications regarding the different effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the physical therapy professionals and students, and the changes it has done to the physical therapy practice as a whole.

Methodology: Relevant articles from January 2020 – November 2020 were identified by systematically searching the following database: PubMed, Cochrane, Oxford Academic, PEDro, and Google Scholar. The keywords that will be used in each of the databases are “coronavirus,” “COVID-19,” “SARS-CoV-2,” Healthcare”, “physical therapy,” “physiotherapy,” “impact,” and “effects.” Research articles were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools of the University of Adelaide, specifically using the checklists for systematic reviews, for cross-sectional studies, and for text and opinion. Data was extracted through most articles’ different features and contents while data from the cross-sectional studies were extracted using the JBI Data Extraction Form for Experimental/Observational Studies. Data analysis was done through narrative analysis.

Evidence Synthesis: Out of the initial 500 retrieved papers from different journal and research websites, 20 were included based on the set criterion. The papers identified, screened and included reports on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the physical therapy professionals and students, and the changes it has done to the physical therapy practice as a whole. Seven papers tackled the effects of the pandemic on the rehabilitation services, three papers addressed the effects on different age groups undergoing physical therapy, four papers focused on the effects of the pandemic on physical therapy professionals and students, and six papers highlighted the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed the impact of the COVID-19 to the physical therapy during the pandemic. Physical therapists can facilitate a beneficial role in the acute and in-patient rehabilitation of COVID patients, as well as helping non-COVID patients through patient education and promotion of a healthy lifestyle through exercise. Due to this, physical therapists are able to help prevent viral transmission, prevent cessation of treatment, and address sedentary lifestyle of the patients. However, the limitation of the patient-PT interaction needs comprehensive guidelines to be able to continue to provide quality physical therapy services. Physical therapists have made alternative options from their usual rehabilitation clinics and home care settings through telerehabilitation. Although this innovative strategy may accommodate patients who are in need of physical therapy during this pandemic, there also come the limitations with the use of this technology. Due to the demand of physical therapy during the pandemic, these continuous challenges help the profession develop effective guidelines to adapt in the shift in the practice.

School of Physical Therapy