Physical Therapy Journal of Indonesia

Effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in acute post-stroke: A systematic review

Gian Lisuari Adityasiwi — 2025-07-07

Introduction: The effectiveness of rehabilitation programs during the acute phase of stroke remain unclear. This study aimed to identify and analyze the forms of exercise education available for post-stroke patients based on a review of existing literature.

Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines (PRISMA). This study included research articles related to rehabilitation programs for post-acute stroke patients that were published between 2019 and 2024. Literature searches were performed using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar.

Results: Among the 10 eligible studies, effective programs involved collaboration among medical teams, caregivers, and families. Hospital-based training with early mobilization was often combined with home-based programs supported by technologies such as telehealth for remote monitoring to enhance mobility. In addition, the iron level assessments and vitamin supplementation were important to support the rehabilitation process for patients with acute stroke.

Conclusion: Acute-phase rehabilitation has proven effective in enhancing physical recovery and function in stroke patients. However, methodological variations highlight the need for further research to develop region-specific protocols based on sociodemographic factors.

The effects of overtraining protocol on markers of oxidative stress and inflammation

Amriansyah Syetiawinanda — 2025-07-16

Background: Overtraining can elevate reactive oxygen species (ROS), suppress endogenous antioxidant activity, and trigger systemic inflammation. Monitoring oxidative stress and inflammation is essential to prevent muscle damage. This study aimed to examine the effects of an overtraining protocol on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers MDA, IL-6, NO, and SOD in male Wistar rats.

Methods: The experimental was conducted over two weeks using male Wistar rats at the Bioscience Institute Laboratory, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia as a preliminary study. Three rats were examined to assess the effects of overtraining on MDA, IL-6, NO, and SOD levels. Observations were made one day after overtraining protocol for the intervention group value (KP) and six weeks after overtraining for the control group value (K1).

Results: Three male rats underwent an overtraining protocol, and blood samples were collected one day post-overtraining (KP) to assess MDA, IL-6, NO, and SOD levels. The mean values at KP were MDA: 370.3 ± 10.3, IL-6: 5.9 ± 0.7, NO: 61.0 ± 8.4, and SOD: 0.05 ± 0.03. At six weeks post-overtraining (K1), MDA (192.8 ± 10.3), IL-6 (3.3 ± 1.9), and NO (41.7 ± 21.6) levels were lower, while SOD (0.3 ± 0.2) was higher compared to KP.

Conclusion: Overtraining can elevate ROS and inflammatory responses, as indicated by increased MDA, IL-6 levels, and NO, along with reduced SOD expression.

Diagnostic performance of ultrasound in detecting early occult scaphoid fractures: A systematic review

Safrizal Rahman — 2025-07-16

Background: The diagnosis of scaphoid fractures is further confounded by the fact that up to 16% may be occult on initial plain radiographs. Clinicians have faced a diagnostic dilemma. It is essential to diagnose quickly and accurately, as delayed or missing diagnoses can result in substantial complications. High-frequency ultrasound has emerged as an option for the early detection of occult scaphoid fractures. There are numerous perks to this modality, such as the capacity to conduct dynamic examinations, the absence of ionizing radiation, the relatively low cost, and the broad availability.

Methods: The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) was followed for conducting a literature search utilizing PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, and Springer Link. The search term “acute occult scaphoid fracture” AND “ultrasound” OR “ultrasonography” was employed. Articles that contained prospective evaluations of the sensitivity and specificity of the use of ultrasonography to diagnose scaphoid fractures were considered.

Results: We have obtained 69 studies, after a full-text review, nine studies are suitable for systematic review. The total sample size was around 572 patients with an average age. of 18-41,2. Male patients were higher than female. The article’s quality ranged from moderate to high, based on the MINOR Score. Some studies repeated other imaging modalities (plain radiographs, CT Scan, MRI) to validate the ultrasound results. The mean sensitivity was 77.38% (standard deviation of 22.76) and the mean specificity was 84.74% (standard deviation of 14.71).

Conclusion: High-resolution ultrasound performed by experienced operators can achieve sensitivity and specificity comparable to advanced imaging modalities.

Battery of tests for return-to-sport assessment after knee injury in athletes

Syahmirza Indra Lesmana — 2025-07-22

Background: Knee injury is a common sports injury, and exercise therapy can be guided by functional and biological tests to assess healing and readiness to return to sport. This study aimed to develop a test battery to identify the most predictive functional test in determining the success of an exercise therapy program for sports injury.

Methods: A test construction methodology was used, incorporating 8 field test instruments and TGF-β1 as a biological marker. Statistical methods, including multiple correlation and Wherry Doolittle test selection, were applied to develop a functional test model supporting post-injury sports therapy.

Results: This study found no significant correlation between TGF-β1 and the single leg stance (p=0.160), single leg calf raise (p=0.902), vertical jump (p=0.344), shuttle run (p=0.794), and hop tests (p=0.555). However, significant correlations were found with the sit and reach test (p<0.001; r=0.471) and hexagonal agility test (p=0.019; r=-0.318). Multivariate linear regression showed that the single leg stance, sit and reach, and hexagonal agility tests were predictors of TGF-β1, with the single leg stance and sit and reach tests explaining 23% of its variance.

Conclusion: Test battery arrangement for functional tests that were considered predictive include single leg stance and sit and reach tests, with low correlation values, which two tests in the form of single leg balance and sit and reach tests have a relationship with tissue healing. Additionally, several other tests were designed to determine the ability of athletes to RTS.

A scoping review of educational methods to optimize parental self-efficacy and health literacy in improving the quality of life among children with thalassemia: Evidence from Asian studies

Yuyun Sarinengsih — 2025-07-22

Background: The success of parents in managing thalassemia in children is influenced by several important aspects, including self-efficacy and health literacy. Educational programs specifically designed for parents and children with thalassemia have been shown to improve the quality of life of children significantly. This scoping review aimed to identify and map family-centered educational interventions that enhanced parental self-efficacy and health literacy to improve the quality of life for children with thalassemia.

Methods: This research employs a scoping review method, following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A literature search was conducted across four databases: EBSCO, PubMed, Scopus, and Taylor & Francis, as well as the search engine Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria included full-text articles in English, primary studies discussing educational interventions related to self-efficacy and health literacy, and studies with a quality score ≥70% based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) assessment. Exclusion criteria consisted of secondary research such as literature reviews and editorials, as well as studies with a JBI score below 70%. The study selection strategy used the PICO (population, intervention, comparison, and outcome) approach. Total of 17 articles were finally included in the analysis.

Results: A total of 17 articles were found and included in the study. There are two types of interventions, conventional and digital-based educations. The media used in conventional education include booklets, pamphlets, posters, and PowerPoint presentations, along with methods such as lectures, group discussions, and training sessions. In addition, digital-based education in this study was a smartphone app and mobile learning.

Conclusion: Conventional and digital-based educations have the potential to be effective methods in optimizing parental self-efficacy, health literacy, and knowledge, which can improve the quality of life for children with thalassemia.