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| ID | Type | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOF25OWB11 | Other Grant/Funding Number | Bijzonder Onderzoekfonds (BOF) |
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The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the extent to which physiotherapy sessions in Flemish nursing homes adhere to the IAGG-GARN guidelines and to explore factors influencing clinical practice among physiotherapists.
The study targets multiple nursing homes across Flanders, with 3 to 5 centers in each of the provinces of Limburg, Antwerp, and Flemish Brabant. This selection ensures variation in geographic location and organizational context. The participants in this study are physiotherapists working in the participating nursing homes.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Researchers will observe physiotherapy sessions delivered as part of routine care and document session content and duration using structured observation diaries. Participating physiotherapists will also take part in focus groups discussing experiences with guideline implementation, barriers, facilitators, and clinical decision-making.
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mapping therapy sessions | Other | Mapping therapy sessions provided by physical therapists in Flemish nursing homes |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Guideline Adherence to IAGG-GARN Recommendations | Overall adherence of physiotherapy sessions in Flemish nursing homes to IAGG-GARN recommendations. Adherence is assessed through structured direct observation of the routine physiotherapy sessions. The secondary outcomes are operationalize adherence to the guideline (frequency, exercise intensity, exercise duration, exercise type and personalization) | 2 weeks |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Description | Narrative description of each exercise performed during a physiotherapy sessions. | 2 weeks |
| Use of Equipment, Aids or Materials | Type of equipment, aids or materials used during each exercise. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Background information physiotherapists | Age, gender, year of graduation, specialization, number of years of experience as a physiotherapist, educational level (e.g., bachelor, master…), employment regime (full-time, part-time, other appointment), number of years working within the nursing home and continuing education participation This information is pseudonymously linked to the observation data with the aim of identifying interpersonal differences in therapy approach. |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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The study population consists of licensed physiotherapists working in Flemish nursing homes who provide physiotherapy to older residents
| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxine Claes, Msc | Contact | +3211268443 | maxine.claes@uhasselt.be | |
| Joke Spildooren, Prof.dr | Contact | +3211269178 | joke.spildooren@uhasselt.be |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Joke Spildooren, Prof.dr | UHasselt | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing home | Not yet recruiting | Deurne | Antwerpen | Belgium | ||
| Nursing home |
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| 2 weeks |
| Exercise format | Whether the exercise is performed individually or in a group setting. | 2 weeks |
| Group Size | Number of participants involved in group-based exercises. | 2 weeks |
| Level of supervision | Level of supervision provided by the physiotherapist during exercises (none, intermittent, continuous) | 2 weeks |
| Exercise Start and End Time | Start and end time of each exercise performed during physiotherapy sessions | 2 weeks |
| Rest Periods During Exercises | Rest periods during physiotherapy exercises, recorded separately as (1) rest periods instructed or allowed by the physiotherapist and (2) rest periods actually taken by the resident during exercise. | 2 weeks |
| Exercise Category | Category of each exercise performed during physiotherapy sessions (strength, endurance, mobility/flexibility, balance/coordination, or other) | 2 weeks |
| Exercise Volume - Repetitions | Number of repetitions per exercise, recorded separately as (1) repetitions prescribed by the physiotherapist and (2) repetitions actually performed by the resident during the exercise. | 2 weeks |
| Exercise Intensity | Intensity of each exercise performed during physiotherapy sessions, including whether intensity was explicitly determined during the exercise, the method used to determine intensity, the recorded intensity value, and the observer's interpretation (high, medium or low intensity). | 2 weeks |
| Walking or Treadmill parameters | Parameters during walking or treadmill exercises (incline and speed). | 2 weeks |
| Cycling Parameters | Parameters recorded during cycling exercises (rounds per minute, resistance and distance) | 2 weeks |
| Speed of movement | Speed of movement during exercises, classified according to the observed execution pace (slow, controlled or fast). | 2 weeks |
| External Load (Resistance) | External load applied during exercises (kg). | 2 weeks |
| Contextual Factors | Contextual elements influencing physiotherapy sessions, such as disturbances (e.g., noise, interruptions) and other relevant observations. | 2 weeks |
| baseline |
| Background information residents | In addition, the physiotherapeutic interventions will be linked to residents' background information to determine the extent to which the physiotherapists adapt their therapy to the specific needs of the patient. The following information will be used:
| baseline |
| Focus groups with physiotherapists | Step 1: Center-specific After completion of the observations, a center-specific feedback session will be held at each nursing home. These sessions (60-90 minutes, 2-8 therapists) present and discuss the results with physiotherapists, focusing on their work context, its influence on care delivery, and the reasoning behind their choices. Step 2: Validation Following the feedback sessions, a validation focus group will be organized at a neutral location (UHasselt), including 1-2 representatives per center and additional physiotherapists (10 participants, 60-90 minutes). Results from the observations and all feedback sessions will be presented anonymously. The discussion will focus on validating and deepening findings, identifying key themes and patterns, and determining priorities for further development Digital recordings of the focus groups will be made during the session. At the end of the focus groups, the recordings will be transcribed and anonymized for analysis. | 2 days |
| Recruiting |
| Zoersel |
| Antwerpen |
| Belgium |
| Nursing home | Recruiting | Tongeren | Limburg | Belgium |