Relationship between Probe Reaction Time of Physical Therapists and their Patient's Accidents

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between the probe reaction time of physical therapists and their record of patient accidents involving falling. The measurement items were the simple reaction time, the probe reaction time, and the Trail Marking Test Part-A. The probe reaction time was measured while the subjects were walking at a self-determined velocity. The subjects were divided into two groups: 11 physical therapists who had experienced patient fall accidents at least once in the previous 12 months (Fall group: 9 males, 2 females); and 26 physical therapists with no history of patient fall accidents (No-fall group: 14 males, 12 females). Using a digital audio player (for sonic stimulation) and sound recording equipment, the probe reaction time was measured. The results show that the probe reaction time of the Fall group was slower than that of the No-fall group. The simple reaction time and Trail Marking Test Part-A were not significant different between the Fall and No-fall groups. In logistic regression analysis with fall accident as the dependent variable, only the probe reaction time was significant. The cut-off value of the probe reaction time was 328 ms by evaluation of receiver-operating-characteristic curve. It was found that the probe reaction time of physical therapists is reliable and useful for predicting the falling accident risk.