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Physical Therapy Modalities for Older Persons

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Rehabilitation Medicine for Elderly Patients

Part of the book series: Practical Issues in Geriatrics ((PIG))

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  • 3 Citations

Abstract

Physical therapy modalities are commonly prescribed to relieve pain and to restore full function of older adults suffering from musculoskeletal diseases. The choice of a specific physical modality depends on patient’s specific disease, his health conditions, and comorbidities.

In this chapter we provide a basic review of the most common physical modalities used for older patients (thermotherapy, laser, magnetotherapy, ultrasound, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, whole body vibration, and electrotherapy), mechanism of action, and indications and contraindications for their use.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurorehabilitation Unit, Padua General Hospital, Padua, Italy

    A. Musumeci, L. Gobbo & S. Masiero

  2. Department of Kinesitherapy, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria

    J. V. Papathanasiou

  3. Department of Medical Imaging, Allergology and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

    J. V. Papathanasiou

  4. Clinical Medicine and Translational Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy

    E. Lena, C. Assenza, C. Giordani & C. Foti

Authors
  1. A. Musumeci
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  2. J. V. Papathanasiou
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  3. E. Lena
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  4. C. Assenza
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  5. C. Giordani
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  6. C. Foti
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  7. L. Gobbo
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  8. S. Masiero
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Musumeci .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    Stefano Masiero

  2. IRRCS, Fondazione Ospedale San Camillo, Venezia, Italy

    Ugo Carraro

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Musumeci, A. et al. (2018). Physical Therapy Modalities for Older Persons. In: Masiero, S., Carraro, U. (eds) Rehabilitation Medicine for Elderly Patients. Practical Issues in Geriatrics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57406-6_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57406-6_10

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