Marta Aguilar-Rodríguez

Characterization of postural control impairment in women with fibromyalgia

The main goal of this cross-sectional study was to detect whether women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) have altered postural control and to study the sensory contribution to postural control. We also explored the possibility that self-induced anxiety and lower limb strength may be related to postural control. For this purpose, 129 women within an age range of 40 to 70 years were enrolled. Eighty of the enrolled women had FMS. Postural control variables, such as Ellipse, Root mean square (RMS) and Sample entropy (SampEn), in both directions (i.e. mediolateral and anteroposterior), were calculated under five different conditions. A force plate was used to register the center of pressure shifts. Furthermore, isometric lower limb strength was recorded with a portable dynamometer and normalized by lean body mass. The results showed that women with FMS have impaired postural control compared with healthy people, as they presented a significant increase in Ellipse and RMS values (p<0.05) and a significant decrease in SampEn in both directions (p<0.05). Postural control also worsens with the gradual alteration of sensory inputs in this population (p<0.05). Performing a stressor dual task only impacts Ellipse in women with FMS (p>0.05). There were no significant correlations between postural control and lower limb strength (p>0.05). Therefore, women with FMS have impaired postural control that is worse when sensory inputs are altered but is not correlated with their lower limb strength.

A blended-learning programme regarding professional ethics in physiotherapy students:

Background: In the university context, assessing students’ attitude, knowledge and opinions when applying an innovative methodological approach to teach professional ethics becomes fundamental to know if the used approach is enough motivating for students. Research objective: To assess the effect of a blended-learning model, based on professional ethics and related to clinical practices, on physiotherapy students’ attitude, knowledge and opinions towards learning professional ethics. Research design and participants: A simple-blind clinical trial was performed (NLM identifier NCT03241693) (control group, n = 64; experimental group, n = 65). Both groups followed clinical practices for 8 months. Control group performed a public exposition of a clinical case about professional ethics. By contrast, an 8-month blended-learning programme regarding professional ethics was worked out for experimental group. An online syllabus and online activities were elaborated, while face-to-face active participation techniques were performed to discuss ethical issues. Students’ attitudes, knowledge and opinions towards learning professional ethics were assessed. Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the University Ethic Committee of Human Research and followed the ethical principles according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Findings: After the programme, attitudes and knowledge towards learning professional ethics of experimental group students significantly improved, while no differences were observed in control group. Moreover, opinions reported an adequate extension of themes and temporization, importance of clinical practices and interest of topics. Case study method and role playing were considered as the most helpful techniques. Conclusion: The blended-learning programme proposed, based on professional ethics and related to clinical practices, improves physiotherapy students’ attitudes, knowledge and opinions towards learning professional ethics.

ENHANCING ONLINE LEARNING: THE USE OF OPEN COURSE WARE AS A TECHNOLOGICAL PLATFORM FOR THE STUDY OF COMMUNITY PHYSIOTHERAPY

Introduction: In the field of Higher Education, the modification of teaching-learning processes through the use of new teaching methodologies, is needed. To publish multimedia teaching materials (MTM) on technology platforms such as Open Course Ware (OCW) is currently possible. The aim of this study is to create on-line MTM for the subject Community Physiotherapy (CP) (University of Valencia, Spain) and present these materials in the OCW repository. Methodology: Eight presentations were created, reviewed and presented in the online repository OCW. These MTM included different types of resources, such as presentations, images, graphics, texts, tables and concept maps. In addition, we designed a hypertext structure, in which texts, images or videos referred to other web pages, as well as to additional information related to Community Physiotherapy. Results: This work presents the MTM that have been designed for the subject CP and are available in OCW. MTM have been differentiated by the type of teaching material. Thus, asynchronous study of the material is allowed. We expect students to improve their skills, increase their interest and have direct access to information. Educational Innovation Project funded by the University of Valencia. Conclusion: The proposed MTM can be considered a valid and useful resource for students, with the aim of achieving the learning objectives of the subject CP.