The pandemic has affected instructional and research activities for the past year. This includes internationalization programs such as outbound and inbound mobility, faculty and research visits and collaborations, and study abroad programs. Despite the limitations, international relations remain at the heart of institutions, adapting to the challenging times by incorporating virtual means of academic and professional exchange.
With online education in the previous year, the College of Rehabilitation Sciences has managed to keep updated and get connected with the international community and has been involved with the developments in the field even during the pandemic.
One successful endeavor was the International Physical Therapy Research Presentation held recently via Zoom. This was a collaborative effort between the CRS Physical Therapy Department and the Faculty of Physical Therapy of Saint Louis College (SLC), Bangkok, Thailand. This two-part presentation series featured proposals and concluded research works by students of both universities. The UST-CRS hosted the first series in March, and SLC hosted the second series in April.
The research presentations focused on various methodologies and concepts in Physical Therapy that were reviewed and tested on communities, particularly for the present situation. UST-led research proposals focused mainly on checking various methods and their scientific soundness despite the situation. In contrast, SLC-led research explained a thoroughly investigated therapeutic method through a completed research experiment.
When UST played host, students were given a quick virtual tour of the campus. This provided SLC students with a glance at the facilities and program offerings of the university. This also provided Thomasian students and advisers a quick trip down memory lane as they have not visited the historic Manila campus for the past terms.
The presentations began with “A Systematic Review on Online Well-being Interventions for the Physical and Mental Well-being of University Health-Allied Students” by a group of Physical Therapy students, namely, Mikaela Azul, Mariah Edrianca Dalusong, John Edward Dela Cruz, Ma. Kelley Mangalili, Edric Ngo, Valerie Valerio, and Niels Viacrucis, led by Terence Buico.
Another student group presentation was the proposal “Effectiveness of Exergaming in Improving Well-being of Older Adults Living in Institutionalized Centers: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Study” presented by Raj Bardonido, Janelle Catral, Stacey Evangelista, Arvin Labao, Kristine Ramos, Matthew Sabatin, and Keren Tuale, led by Kian Marcelo.
This was followed by the presentation of research by SLC titled “Sustained Effect of Self-Static Pectoralis Minor Stretching on Muscle Length in Individuals with Pectoralis Minor Tightness,” presented by Chanunchida Thaichaitum, Patthiya Jueboon, and Ponchita Makradee.
The fourth presentation was “Assessing Readiness towards Telerehabilitation among Older Adults with Hypertension In a Rural Community in Laguna, Philippines: a Cross-sectional Study by Yalena Bergonio, Michelle Sy, Carlos Crespo, Hannah Lim, Lorenzo Mallari, Crissy Santos, Fernando Sto. Domingo, and Shermarie Zabarte.
The event culminated with the presentation of the study proposal titled “Experiences and Perceptions of Filipino Physical Therapists about Rehabilitation Practices and Services during the ‘New Normal’: A Phenomenological Study” presented by Roselle Bautista, Alliah Davalos, Juan Dizon, Yvette Marquez, Josua Olaya, Ivianna Ronquillo, and Epifania Velez, led by Erico Nuguid.
The research advisers were Donald Manlapaz, Ph.D., Ms. Catherine Escuadra, Ms. Archelle Jane C. Callejo-Tiuseco, Asst. Prof. Christian Rey D. Rimando, Asst. Prof. Ken Erbvin R. Sosa, Ms. Jordan Barbra P. Nava, and Mr. Christopher G. Cruz of UST, and Ms. Varavee Temprom, and Ms. Kornkamon Cheawthamai of SLC. Paper presenters were awarded certificates of appreciation and recognition.
