Cultura

Physical Therapy In The Age Of Technology: Challenges And Opportunities In Clinical Practice

VOLUME 21, 2024

The Role of Targeted Infra-popliteal Endovascular Angioplasty to Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using the Angiosome Model: A Systematic Review

VOLUME 6, 2023

Samar Mohammed Alansari, Rawa Yahya Jamal, Amani Fouad Alwassia, Wejdan Mushrif Alzahrani, Hassan Hamad Hussein Farsi, Yahya Mousa Ahmed Naji
Fawziah Ali Kharash Al Asiri, Maryam Yahya Abu Shalah Daily, Wadiaa Alwi Alsadah, Rami Abdullah Althubaiti, Sultan Hassan Sultan Hamzi

Abstract

The rapid integration of technology into physical therapy practice has fundamentally transformed rehabilitation assessment, intervention, and service delivery. This review examines the evidence-based and collaborative foundations underpinning technology-enhanced physical therapy, highlighting both its clinical benefits and implementation challenges. Drawing on principles of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), the review explores how digital tools, clinical decision support systems, tele-rehabilitation, and data-driven platforms support improved assessment accuracy, personalized treatment planning, patient engagement, and continuity of care. Interdisciplinary collaboration is emphasized as a critical enabler for effective technology adoption, ensuring alignment between rehabilitation goals and broader healthcare objectives.

The review also addresses future directions in physical therapy, including the growing role of artificial intelligence, precision rehabilitation, and integrated health information systems, alongside persistent barriers such as time constraints, resource limitations, data overload, and resistance to change. By synthesizing current evidence, this work underscores the importance of thoughtful, evidence-informed technology integration that preserves patient-centered care while enhancing clinical efficiency and outcomes. Ultimately, advancing physical therapy in the digital era requires sustained investment in education, leadership, collaboration, and organizational culture to ensure equitable, safe, and effective rehabilitation services

Keywords : Physical Therapy; Evidence-Based Practice; Rehabilitation Technology; Interdisciplinary Collaboration; Tele-rehabilitation; Clinical Decision Support Systems; Patient-Centered Care; Digital Health; Artificial Intelligence in Rehabilitation.
Erin Saricilar
Lecture in accounting. University of Basrah, College of Administration and Economics, Department of Accounting.

Abstract

Atherosclerotic disease significantly impacts patients with type 2 diabetes, who often present with recalcitrant peripheral ulcers. The angiosome model of the foot presents an opportunity to perform direct angiosome-targeted endovascular interventions to maximise both wound healing and limb salvage. A systematic review was performed, with 17 studies included in the final review. Below-the-knee endovascular interventions present significant technical challenges, with technical success depending on the length of lesion being treated and the number of angiosomes that require treatment. Wound healing was significantly improved with direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty, as was limb salvage, with a significant increase in survival without major amputation. Indirect angioplasty, where the intervention is applied to collateral vessels to the angiosomes, yielded similar results to direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty. Applying the angiosome model of the foot in direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty improves outcomes for patients with recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers in terms of primary wound healing, mean time for complete wound healing and major amputation-free survival.
Keywords : Diabetic foot ulcer, angiosome, angioplasty