UNE’s Amy Litterini publishes book on rehabilitation in life-threatening illness
While advances in technology have afforded us the opportunity to live longer lives, it has also demanded that medical interventions move toward palliative care to enhance our qualities of life.
This theme and others are explored by the University of New England’s Amy Litterini, PT, D.P.T., associate clinical professor of physical therapy, in her new book, “Physical Activity and Rehabilitation in Life-threatening Illness,” co-authored and co-edited by Christopher M. Wilson, PT, D.P.T., D.Sc.P.T., assistant professor in the Physical Therapy program in the School of Health Sciences at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
The book was published by Routledge for their Research in Physical Activity and Health series to assist clinicians and fitness professionals in developing the critical skills necessary for caring for individuals experiencing life-limiting conditions and facing challenges at the end of life. It is a comprehensive summary of the recommendations for best practices and current evidence for physical activity and rehabilitation of functional deficits in individuals with end-stage diseases.
It originated from Litterini’s and Wilson’s years of dedicated clinical and academic experience and was inspired by their professional collaborations through the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy.
The book’s topics are divided into four sections, first offering strategies for developing essential skills within palliative care models for adults and children, including patient-family centered care, communication, and interdisciplinary team collaboration. The second part offers a comprehensive review of the most common life-threatening diagnoses and conditions, followed third by a discussion of symptom presentation, outcome measures, and interventions by practice setting.
The book’s final section reviews current topics in policy, research, and education, as well as future directions in the field.
“‘Physical Activity and Rehabilitation in Life-threatening Illness’ is key reading for academics and policy makers in physical activity, international exercise, wellness and rehabilitation, and related disciplines, as well as clinicians in settings where patients with advanced illness are frequently encountered,” Litterini said.
