Final answer:
Physical therapy aides must always be directly supervised by a licensed physical therapist and cannot independently provide patient treatment, though they play a supportive role in both administrative and non-clinical tasks. Knowledge of physics is important for physical therapists for effective treatment planning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question regarding the use of physical therapy aides is that aides must always be directly supervised by a licensed physical therapist. Aides have specific roles within a physical therapy setting and are restricted in the functions they can carry out independently. They are indeed an integral part of the team, but they cannot perform complex tasks that require the professional judgment and expertise of a physical therapist.
Physical therapy aides assist with administrative tasks as well as non-clinical tasks such as setting up therapy equipment, cleaning treatment areas, and transporting patients. Aides may observe sessions and help manage the workflow, but they do not have the credentials to independently provide treatment to patients. Furthermore, contrary to some misconceptions, physical therapists require knowledge of physics to understand and implement proper techniques in muscle contraction, energy release, and equipment use to aid in rehabilitation and treatment.