Challenges and solutions in managing acquired joint contracture (AJC) in older adults: Insights from healthcare professionals
Background: Acquired Joint Contracture (AJC) is a complex neuromuscular disorder marked by muscle stiffness and contractions, impacting patients' quality of life. It presents a spectrum of clinical manifestations and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. While genetic and neurophysiological fa...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307825000141 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850141684839481344 |
|---|---|
| author | Anne Laure Roy Patrice Piette Marie Dandois Bastien Fraudet Emilie Leblong Anne Le Gagne Philippe Gallien |
| author_facet | Anne Laure Roy Patrice Piette Marie Dandois Bastien Fraudet Emilie Leblong Anne Le Gagne Philippe Gallien |
| author_sort | Anne Laure Roy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Acquired Joint Contracture (AJC) is a complex neuromuscular disorder marked by muscle stiffness and contractions, impacting patients' quality of life. It presents a spectrum of clinical manifestations and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. While genetic and neurophysiological factors are suspected, further research is needed to develop targeted therapies and enhance patient care, particularly in cases leading to wheelchair dependency. Design: This study comprises two phases: exploratory interviews with 12 healthcare professionals and a quantitative assessment involving 187 participants. Method: In Phase 1, expert healthcare professionals were interviewed to gather their extensive knowledge and insights on acquired deforming hypertonia and wheelchair positioning challenges. Phase 2 involved developing a structured questionnaire based on the Phase 1 findings, which comprehensively assessed the frequency, difficulty, impact, solutions, and satisfaction levels related to hypertonia and wheelchair positioning among healthcare professionals, enabling a quantitative analysis of responses. Result: Results highlight challenges associated with various forms of hypertonia, including anterocollis and hip flexion, impacting both patients and caregivers. Despite healthcare professionals' expertise, certain scenarios remain consistently challenging, emphasizing the need for enhanced awareness and education. Further research is warranted to address gaps in understanding and improve care strategies for AJC patients. Conclusion: The study underscores the complexities healthcare professionals face in managing AJC and emphasizes the imperative for continued research to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5084b9dc4d4e49e4a6aceeb1190bdd0d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2950-3078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus |
| spelling | doaj-art-5084b9dc4d4e49e4a6aceeb1190bdd0d2025-08-20T02:29:20ZengElsevierArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus2950-30782025-06-012210013210.1016/j.aggp.2025.100132Challenges and solutions in managing acquired joint contracture (AJC) in older adults: Insights from healthcare professionalsAnne Laure Roy0Patrice Piette1Marie Dandois2Bastien Fraudet3Emilie Leblong4Anne Le Gagne5Philippe Gallien6Pôle St Helier, Rehabilitation Center, FranceCorresponding author.; Pôle St Helier, Rehabilitation Center, FrancePôle St Helier, Rehabilitation Center, FrancePôle St Helier, Rehabilitation Center, FrancePôle St Helier, Rehabilitation Center, FrancePôle St Helier, Rehabilitation Center, FrancePôle St Helier, Rehabilitation Center, FranceBackground: Acquired Joint Contracture (AJC) is a complex neuromuscular disorder marked by muscle stiffness and contractions, impacting patients' quality of life. It presents a spectrum of clinical manifestations and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. While genetic and neurophysiological factors are suspected, further research is needed to develop targeted therapies and enhance patient care, particularly in cases leading to wheelchair dependency. Design: This study comprises two phases: exploratory interviews with 12 healthcare professionals and a quantitative assessment involving 187 participants. Method: In Phase 1, expert healthcare professionals were interviewed to gather their extensive knowledge and insights on acquired deforming hypertonia and wheelchair positioning challenges. Phase 2 involved developing a structured questionnaire based on the Phase 1 findings, which comprehensively assessed the frequency, difficulty, impact, solutions, and satisfaction levels related to hypertonia and wheelchair positioning among healthcare professionals, enabling a quantitative analysis of responses. Result: Results highlight challenges associated with various forms of hypertonia, including anterocollis and hip flexion, impacting both patients and caregivers. Despite healthcare professionals' expertise, certain scenarios remain consistently challenging, emphasizing the need for enhanced awareness and education. Further research is warranted to address gaps in understanding and improve care strategies for AJC patients. Conclusion: The study underscores the complexities healthcare professionals face in managing AJC and emphasizes the imperative for continued research to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307825000141Older adultJoint contracturePrevention |
| spellingShingle | Anne Laure Roy Patrice Piette Marie Dandois Bastien Fraudet Emilie Leblong Anne Le Gagne Philippe Gallien Challenges and solutions in managing acquired joint contracture (AJC) in older adults: Insights from healthcare professionals Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus Older adult Joint contracture Prevention |
| title | Challenges and solutions in managing acquired joint contracture (AJC) in older adults: Insights from healthcare professionals |
| title_full | Challenges and solutions in managing acquired joint contracture (AJC) in older adults: Insights from healthcare professionals |
| title_fullStr | Challenges and solutions in managing acquired joint contracture (AJC) in older adults: Insights from healthcare professionals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges and solutions in managing acquired joint contracture (AJC) in older adults: Insights from healthcare professionals |
| title_short | Challenges and solutions in managing acquired joint contracture (AJC) in older adults: Insights from healthcare professionals |
| title_sort | challenges and solutions in managing acquired joint contracture ajc in older adults insights from healthcare professionals |
| topic | Older adult Joint contracture Prevention |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307825000141 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT annelaureroy challengesandsolutionsinmanagingacquiredjointcontractureajcinolderadultsinsightsfromhealthcareprofessionals AT patricepiette challengesandsolutionsinmanagingacquiredjointcontractureajcinolderadultsinsightsfromhealthcareprofessionals AT mariedandois challengesandsolutionsinmanagingacquiredjointcontractureajcinolderadultsinsightsfromhealthcareprofessionals AT bastienfraudet challengesandsolutionsinmanagingacquiredjointcontractureajcinolderadultsinsightsfromhealthcareprofessionals AT emilieleblong challengesandsolutionsinmanagingacquiredjointcontractureajcinolderadultsinsightsfromhealthcareprofessionals AT annelegagne challengesandsolutionsinmanagingacquiredjointcontractureajcinolderadultsinsightsfromhealthcareprofessionals AT philippegallien challengesandsolutionsinmanagingacquiredjointcontractureajcinolderadultsinsightsfromhealthcareprofessionals |