Final answer:
Physiotherapy activities like exercise, sensory stimulation, and the use of positioning and orthotics serve to enhance physical functioning by improving muscle strength, joint alignment, and reducing impairments. Praxis exercises are an example where patients perform tasks based on verbal instructions, refining their motor skills and sensory perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
Purposeful or Preparatory Activity in Physiotherapy
In physiotherapy, activities such as exercise, the use of facilitation and inhibition techniques, positioning, sensory stimulation, physical agent modalities (PAMS), and orthotics are designed to improve physical functioning and reduce functional impairments. These interventions help patients recover mobility and strength after injury or illness. Exercises, including praxis, promote joint mobility and increase muscle strength, potentially keeping bones in joints aligned and reducing joint stress. For instance, swimming and biking are beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) as they exert minimal stress on the joints. Praxis involves performing tasks based solely on verbal instructions, improving the patient's ability to understand, transform, and execute movements using sensory feedback.
Physiotherapists are also skilled in instructing patients on the use of mobility devices, such as canes and wheelchairs, and in designing programs to combat muscle atrophy from mechanical injury, disease, or aging. They play a vital role in assessing factors such as strength, balance, and endurance and monitoring the progress as patients engage in prescribed exercises. Reflexes, coordination, and gait exams, all under the domain of a physiotherapist, help to determine and address issues in motor function.