Table 1
Examples of rehabilitation interventions
Intervention Definition Examples Acupuncture Any body-needling, moxibustion, electric acupuncture, laser acupuncture, microsystem acupuncture, and acupressure • Traditional needling
• Dry needling
• Burning of specific herbs
• Electro-acupuncture
• Photo-acupuncture
Assistive devices Any item, piece of equipment or product system, used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities • Walking aids
• Orthoses
• Braces
• Wheelchairs
Exercise A subcategory of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and purposeful; can be supervised (e.g., by a healthcare professional) or unsupervised • Stretching
• Strengthening
• Range of motion exercises
• Aerobic (e.g., swimming, cycling, walking, running)
• Anaerobic (e.g., jumping, sprinting, weight lifting)
Manual therapies - Manipulation: Techniques incorporating a high-velocity low-amplitude impulse or thrust applied at or near the end of a joint’s passive range of motion
- Mobilization: Techniques incorporating a low-velocity and small or large amplitude oscillatory movement, within a joint’s passive range of motion
- Traction: Manual or mechanically assisted application of an intermittent or continuous distractive force
- Soft tissue therapy: A mechanical form of therapy where soft-tissue structures are pressed and kneaded, using physical contact with the hand or mechanical device
• Lumbar manipulation, mobilization, or traction
• Massage
• Muscle energy technique
• Strain-counterstrain
Modifications to environment • Ergonomic interventions at school or work Passive physical modalities A form of cold, heat, or light application affecting the body at the skin level or ultrasonic or electromagnetic radiation affecting structures beneath the skin surface:
- Passive assistive devices: Device to encourage immobilization in anatomic positions or actively inhibit or prevent movement
• Heat application: heat pack, hydrotherapy
• Cryotherapy: cold pack, vapocoolant spray
• Low-level laser
• Electrical muscle stimulation
• Pulsed electromagnetic therapy
Patient or caregiver education and self-management strategies (structured or unstructured) Teaching patients skills that they can use to manage their health condition • Learning disease-specific information
• Learning general managing skills (e.g., problem-solving, finding and using community resources, working with healthcare team)
• Learning strategies to increase confidence (i.e., self-efficacy) in ability to engage in behaviours that are needed to manage their condition on a daily basis
• Adequate peer role models and support networks that facilitate the initiation and maintenance of desired behavioural changes
Pharmacological interventions A substance used in treating disease or relieving pain • Acetaminophen
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Muscle relaxants
• Antidepressants
Psychological interventions Activities used to modify behaviour, emotional state, or feelings • Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Counselling
• Social network and environment-based therapies
• Psychoeducational interventions
• Mindfulness meditation