Introduction: Current clinical practice lacks a user-friendly quantitative method of measuring head posture in individuals with neck-related musculoskeletal disorders. Literature reveals that photogrammetry is a valid and reliable method to evaluate forward head posture (FHP) based on the angles and distance measured on a digital image. However, the adoption of the photogrammetry-based FHP assessment is not common clinical practice. This may be due to technical difficulties, high cost, and complexity of posture assessment software. Advancements in and access to information technology have allowed wide numbers of open resource software applications to be available for measurement of FHP in patients with neck pain in the clinical setting. Aim: To determine the technical feasibility of quantitative forward head posture assessment in clinical settings. Methods: A total of 15 subjects without history of neck pain and 16 subjects with neck pain were recruited for the study. Sagittal head tilt angle (SHA), craniocervical angle (CCA), and shoulder angle (SA) were measured using photogrammetry method. Angles on digital images taken were then analysed using a multi-professional open resource, the Web Plot Digitizer (WPD). Results: The CCA and SA were lower (CCA = 43.54°, SA = 49.39°) in subjects with neck pain than normal subjects (CCA = 47.43°, SA = 52.28°) indicating FHP and protracted shoulder. Subjects with neck pain demonstrated high sagittal head tilt angle (SHA = 19.89°) indicating greater upper cervical extension. Conclusion: Quantitative FHP assessment in the clinical setup using photogrammetry is technically feasible with a basic computer setup and WPD to measure the angles on a digital image.

BACKGROUND: The growing use of telerehabilitation within the healthcare community has garnered substantial attention. In congruence with other healthcare fields, examining perceptions, barriers, and facilitators assumed paramount significance in the continuation and fortification of telerehabilitation practices among physiotherapists. OBJECTIVE: In this scoping review, we aimed to systematically map the literature on the perceptions of physiotherapists as well as the barriers and enablers of telerehabilitation in their daily practice. METHODS: The five-stage methodological framework recommended by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) was used for this scoping review. In the framework, eight databases were searched using key search terms such as “telerehabilitation”, “physiotherapists”, “readiness”, “enablers” and “barriers” All findings were organised into perceptions and readiness, enablers, and barriers. RESULTS: Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were categorized as: (1) perception and readiness, (2) enablers, and (3) barriers. In the perception and readiness category, new trends in healthcare, advancement in physiotherapy practices and the benefits to clients were identified. The enablers identified included prior training, personal experience, familiarity with technology, functional equipment and space, and client selection. The barriers to the adoption of telerehabilitation in physiotherapy practice are pinpointed to poor technology, communication hurdles, limited availability, lack of familiarity, and client-related concerns. CONCLUSION: While initial evidence suggests a generally positive perceptions it is important to consider both facilitators and barriers when understanding adoption. This review’s findings revealed a wide research gap, with unequal weightage towards barriers compared to enablers, and highlights the need for further research. Developing telerehabilitation guidelines that cater to both physiotherapists and clients is necessary.

This cross-sectional study explores caregivers’ perceptions of feeding/eating difficulties in persons living with dementia, their support provisions, and the associated burdens. Cognitive decline, behavioral symptoms, and physical issues contribute to the deterioration of feeding/eating activities in people with dementia. Inadequate support during mealtimes has adverse consequences. This study includes 31 caregivers who completed an online questionnaire with three sections: sociodemographic information, feeding/eating problems and required support for individuals with dementia, and caregiver burden and distress. The questions on feeding and eating problems were adapted from the Appetite and Eating Habits Questionnaire (APEHQ). The results show that nearly all persons living with dementia had symptoms of feeding/eating problems, requiring caregiver support, ranging from verbal assistance to full physical assistance. The caregivers reported high distress, which was positively correlated with dementia severity. The findings emphasize the importance of raising caregiver awareness about dementia’s impact on eating behavior, identifying effective mealtime care strategies, meeting nutritional needs, and emphasizing personal self-care. This research provides insights for healthcare professionals to develop targeted interventions, alleviate caregiver burden, improve mealtime experiences, and ensure adequate nutrition for persons living with dementia.

Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) frequently present with multiple feeding problems, which may require food texture modification to ensure safe feeding. This review aims to explore the challenges individuals with CP and their caregiver’s face and recommend modified food textures to ensure safety and improve the quality of life and nutritional status. A systematic search was carried out through four databases (i.e., EBSCO (Medline), PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science) between January 2011 and May 2022. Out of 86 articles retrieved, seven were selected based on keywords and seven other studies through manual search-five cross-sectional studies, two qualitative studies, one correlational study, one mixed method study, one case-control study, two sections of books, and two educational materials. The findings suggest that preparation and intake of food with modified texture play a necessary role in the safety of swallowing in addition to physical, social, and environmental aspects. Safety was found to be the crucial part of the food texture modification provision besides considering the stress of the caregivers and the nutritional status of individuals with CP. Currently, there are no standard guidelines available pertaining to food texture modification. This led to uncertainties in the dietary provision among caregivers, which may lead to undernourishment. Hence, standard guidelines relating to food texture modification that focuses on food preparation and menus with calorie and nutrient information are timely to be developed.

Objective : The aim of this study was to examine the use of WPD software to evaluate FHP using digital photogrammetry method.Method: A total of 15 adults with no history of neck pain for the past 6 months were recruited for the study. Using digital photogrammetry and sagittal head tilt, craniocervical and shoulder angles (SAs) were measured using a WPD, which is an open resource of web or Windows-based software.Result: Fifteen participants aged 17–40 years (mean 24.7±6.3 years) were examined. Sagittal head tilt and craniocervical angles were 16.35°±8.33° and 47.43°±7.97°, respectively. SA was 52.28°±12.46°.Conclusion: WPD may be used to evaluate FHP in the clinical settings. However, future research is required to determine the validity and reliability of WPD among patients with neck-related musculoskeletal disorders with a larger sample.

The Life Story Book has been commonly used in promoting person-centred care in older adults, especially for persons with dementia. This involves collecting the life stories and memories of the person living with dementia and compiling them into a book or folder, which is used by staff or family to assist the person recall these memories. Evidence on the use, benefits and influences of the Life Story Book in dementia care is limited. This systematic literature review aimed to collect past reviews and provide a thorough overview of the use, benefits, and impact of the Life Story Book for the person with dementia, the relatives, family, and caregivers. The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science as well as grey literature through Google Scholar were searched to select the relevant studies. Seven studies that meet the inclusion criteria were selected and data synthesised. Findings revealed that the use of the Life Story Book has no specific guidelines and has been described with numerous characteristics and varied implementation methods. The Life Story Book intervention is found to provide positive outcomes for the person with dementia and the carers involved. Six out of the seven studies reported that Life Story Book enhanced communication between persons with dementia, relatives, care staff, and residents. The review extends the current evidence on the usage of the Life Story Book in dementia care and confirms that the use of life stories leads to better care in various settings. However, more research is needed to reveal the potential of the Life Story Book in enhancing communication. Guidelines and training are also required to make the best use of the Life Story Book.