Patient and Physiotherapist Perspectives on Positioning During Electrotherapy for Radiculopathy: A Qualitative Study

Mohamed, Esraa Zakarya; Mohamed Motawea, Nermin Shawky; Abdelazeem Shamma, Sara Khairy; Abdelkhalek Abdelnaby, Ghadeer Magdy; Abdel-Aleem El Abbady, Fayrouz Hazem; Yousef Taalab, Sara Talaat; Elsayed Zedan, Adel Motawea; Sarhan, Mohammed Ali; Abdelaziz Fathallah, Sama Khaled

doi:10.21608/ijtau.2025.371905.1007

Patient and Physiotherapist Perspectives on Positioning During Electrotherapy for Radiculopathy: A Qualitative Study

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

¹ fourth year student at Faculty of Physical Therapy, Banha university

² Fourth year student at Faculty of Physical Therapy, Banha University

³ Fifth year student at Faculty of Physical therapy, Banha University

⁴ Fifth year student at Faculty of Physical therapy, Banha University

⁵ Lecturer at department of physical therapy for musculoskeletal disorders and its surgery, faculty of physical therapy, Benha University, Qaluybia, Egypt.

⁶ Assistant professor at department of orthopedic physical therapy and Dean at faculty of physical therapy, Suez Canal University, Egypt.

10.21608/ijtau.2025.371905.1007

Abstract

Aim: Positioning of the patients with cervical (CR) and lumbosacral radiculopathy (LR) during the electrotherapy (ET) session may affect the clinical outcomes, comfort, and satisfaction. There have been no studies concerning the positioning of such patients during ET. This study aimed to investigate experiences of physiotherapists and patients- with CR and LR- regarding patient positioning during ET.

Methods: This is a qualitative study conducted in Egypt from August to September 2024 and included 10 patients with cervical or lumbosacral radiculopathy and 10 clinical and academic orthopaedic physiotherapists. Patients were interviewed face-to-face at the clinics and physiotherapists were interviewed via online using a pre-prepared semi-structured questionnaire including questions about demographic data, determinants of position, and ways of patient positioning and their impact. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and SPSS (v. 27).

Results: Regarding determinants of patient position during electrotherapy session; 3 determinants were reported including condition type (70%), patient comfort and availability of space in the clinic. Regarding proper position; 4 patient positions were reported including prone-lying (90% of physiotherapists and 40% of patients), supine-lying, sitting, and side-lying positions with/out some modifications. Electrotherapy session lasted 25-60 minutes. Symptoms reduced moderately (40-70%) in these positions.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study. Patient position during the electrotherapy session may be determined according to the patient condition with consideration to the experiences of physiotherapists. Clinical guidelines and training programs for physiotherapists should emphasize the importance of individualized patient positioning, taking into account the patient's specific condition and comfort.

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