While working as a travel physical therapy professional, you will generally be helping patients who are recovering from injury or illness. Most of the time, your routines will be aimed toward strengthening and rebuilding muscles, stamina and flexibility. In some cases, you might even have the opportunity to use PT and cardio routines to help prevent the effects of epilepsy. However, based on new research findings, there may soon be a need for therapy treatment of common diseases.
Study findings
Professionals from the London School of Economics, Harvard and Stanford conducted a meta-epidemiological study to compare the effectiveness of drugs and exercise on mortality outcomes for common disease. Using randomized controlled trials, which 339,274 patients participated in, the researchers collected data regarding the levels of death outcomes. Specifically, the participants were dealing with secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, rehabilitation after stroke, treatment for heart failure and diabetes prevention.
Of the common diseases included in this study, it was found that physical activity was more effective than drug intervention for stroke patients. As for heart disease and prediabetes, the two methods of treatment were equally effective. When it came to heart failure, however, researchers found that diuretics were more useful for treatment than physical activity. So, although exercise may not be more beneficial than medications in treating some diseases, it can be productive. Based on these findings, authors of the study believe there is sufficient evidence to move forward with further investigations into the matter.
"In cases where drug options provide only modest benefit, patients deserve to understand the relative impact that physical activity might have on their condition," researchers said in a statement.
Exercises used
Now the question is, what types of workouts are the most beneficial for patients suffering from common diseases? Among the study participants, exercise interventions varied based on the disease from which they were suffering. Some patients took part in more frequent, intense or lengthy periods of physical activity than others. If you've ever worked with a cardiac rehabilitation patient while on a travel therapy assignment, than it's likely that routines similar to your methods of treatment were used for those with coronary heart disease. Additionally, the doctors had patients complete both cardio and strengthening workouts throughout their investigations. Those with chronic heart failure underwent both aerobic and resistance training.
"We need a lot more research to really tease out the lifesaving benefits from exercise as well as which exercise works best for different types of individuals," Huseyin Naci, researcher from the London School of Economics, told Fox News.
Although you may not see an outburst of patients seeking out rehabilitation at your travel PT jobs, there is a chance that doctors will begin talking to more individuals about the variation of treatment options available based on this research. While the verdict may still be out on whether or not physical activity should be used in place of drug treatments, one thing is clear: Regular exercise can have life-saving benefits.