Physical therapy and health outcomes in patients with spinal impairments.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known concerning the effects of physical therapy on health outcomes in patients with spinal impairments. This research examined the pattern of health outcomes in patients with spinal impairments and the relationship of outcomes to the physical therapy provided.


METHODS
Data were obtained from 1,097 patients with spinal impairments who completed an episode of care in any of 68 physical therapy practices across the United States.


METHODS
Data were derived from the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes database during 1993 and 1994. Multivariate analyses were used to determine which of the treatment variables, controlled for baseline health status and relevant patient characteristics, were related to outcomes.


RESULTS
Improvement occurred in nearly all health scales. Inclusion of endurance exercise was most consistently associated with better outcomes. Inclusion of heat or cold modalities was associated with poorer outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that physical therapists take a broader view of patient-related goals and documentation of outcomes. It also provides evidence that the type of intervention is related to outcomes.
Jette
D U
DU
Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, Graduate School for Health Studies, Simmons College, Boston, MA 02115, USA. djette@vmsvax.simmons.edu
Jette
A M
AM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome