Sounds odd but at the University of Central Florida (UCF Media Convergence Lab) are working with California based Virtual Reality Medical Center to create a Flying Insect World to assist stroke patients in expanding their range of movement. The program will track the patient’s progress throughout the system.

The system is a fully functional virtual game that will require patients to put on goggles while sitting at a table. A few bugs would fly around nearby. The patients’ mission is to smash all of the virtual insects. Each time they succeed, they would earn a point. As patients improve their range of motion, more bugs would appear at greater distances, forcing patients to work harder and increase their range of motion.

In a recent project has been under development at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, RI in which students are creating therapeutic toys specifically for children with Cerebal Palsy. Children with Cerebal Palsy often lack the fine motor skills needed to use controllers - common effects of the disorder include spasticity, involuntary movement and occasionally abnormal muscle tone, all of which make operating a toy that relies on the wrist, forearm and ability to make small quick movements difficult. The most beneficial toys, would not only double as fun and therapeutic, but would also increase the use of the affected limb and help to strengthen the muscles.

Not only are these toys good for physical therapy, but to reshape the brain after injury to improve function.

To learn more click on the following link: http://occupational-therapy.advanceweb.com/Article/Designing-Toys-for-Rehab.aspx

The definition of Iontophoresis according to About.com  is:  A medical treatment used to deliver medication across the skin to deeper tissues by the use of electrical polarity.

Physical therapists are using this treatment as a way to deliver steroid medication to inflammation and swelling of the muscles and more recently is being used as a way to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

More info may be found here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2088372_use-iontophoresis-carpal-tunnel-syndrome.html

http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/abbreviationsandterms/g/iontophoresis.htm

The APTA recently endorsed the four-part knee bracing system to assist in the treatment of patellofemoral dysfunction which may be caused by a malaligned kneecap and insufficient muscle strength. Physical Therapists can use this bracing system as a way to eliminate knee pain under and around the kneecap, reposition the kneecap, and allow an individual to retrain and strengthen the quadriceps muscles. To learn more about this system, read the APTA’s official news release by clicking here.

If you haven’t checked out the APTAs resource section, this is a wealth of tools to use if you are a PT or PTA. These brochures and tips may be downloaded from the APTA’s site to give you patients to help them deal with everything from exercise, to heart health and diabetes to posture tips for moms. Visit here for more information.

October is the National Physical Therapy Month. This month you will find a wealth of resources, and events around the US for Physical Therapists to promote their much needed services to their communities. Check out the web for some great events, products and information.

In the wake of Hurricane Ike, the APTA’s Board of Directors approved a donation of $10,000 to the Texas Chapter’s Relief Fund to assist its members and students in recovery. Historically, APTA has reached out through the American Red Cross or state chapter to help members and others within the physical therapy community and the affected areas of natural disasters or emergencies. If you would like to help, you may make a monetary donation to the Texas Chapter’s relief effort via www.tpta.org

Physical therapists in California are facing the unexpected denial of claims after the implementation of new coverage and coding policies that are part of a nationwide shift in administration of Medicare coverage to new Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC). APTA and the California Chapter are working with officials of Palmetto GBA to resolve significant problems resulting from its takeover of Medicare enrollment, coverage, and claims processing from the previous contractor, National Heritage Insurance Corp (NHIC).

Employment of Physical Therapists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2008….over the long run, the demand for physical therapists should continue to rise as a result of:

• Increased number of individuals with disabilities
• Baby-boomers entering prime age for heart attacks and strokes
• Advanced technologies to save larger proportion of babies with birth defects
• Increased interest in health promotion

The CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid) announced last week that more than $36 million in bonus payments were made to many of the more than 56,700 health care professionals who satisfactorily reported quality information to Medicare under the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).  Physical therapists and other eligible providers should receive their payments by August. 

What’s the average amount? An individual is expected to receive $600. Group practices are expected to receive $4,700 on average.