Current Physiotherapy Practice in Intensive Care Units Needs Cultural and Organizational Changes: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study in Two Albanian University Hospitals.

Introduction: Although physiotherapy is beneficial to intensive care unit (ICU) patients and recommended by guidelines, the role of physiotherapy in ICU settings is not fully explored in Albania.

Purpose: To provide an overview of the current physiotherapy practice in Albanian ICUs and explore the involvement of physiotherapists and intensive care nurses regarding respiratory therapy and early mobility in the ICU.

Patients And Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study, which included all ICU nurses working in six ICUs of University Hospital Center "Mother Theresa" and University Hospital of Trauma and all physiotherapists working in these hospitals.

Rehabilitation Service Assessment and Workforce Capacity Building in Albania-A Civil Society Approach.

Background: Rehabilitation is an important health strategy. Due to the lack of rehabilitation professionals (e.g.

Role of Rehabilitation in Neural Plasticity.

Aim: Verifying if physical therapy, neurostimulation techniques, aerobic fitness and video games can induce neural plasticity making it possible for cortical reorganisation, motor recovery in patients, improvement of cognitive functions and transfer of spatial knowledge in the everyday living environment.

Methods: There have been revised scientific articles respectively focused on the role of pain, the role of physical therapy, neurostimulation techniques and video games in cortical reorganisation. Articles related to the role of pain have taken in the study subjects with pain, to observe its role in cortical reorganisation.

Evaluation of Gait Speed after Applying Kinesio Tape on Quadriceps Femoris Muscle in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease, known as the most common cause of difficulty walking in older adults and subsequently is associated with slow walking. Functional decline, increased risk of falls and the presence of pain are, in many studies, related to the muscle weakness caused by osteoarthritis especially weakness of the quadriceps muscles. Many studies have shown that the strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle can affect gait, by improving or weakening it.

Physiotherapy Effects in Gait Speed in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease, known as the most common cause of difficulty walking in older adults and subsequently is associated with slow walking. Also one of the main symptoms is a degenerative and mechanics type of pain. Pain is very noticeable while walking in rugged terrain, during ascent and descent of stairs, when changing from sitting to standing position as well as staying in one position for a long time.