Physical Agent Modalities: Theory and Application for the Occupational Therapist

The successful Physical Agent Modalities: Theory and Application for the Occupational Therapist has been updated and revised into a comprehensive Second Edition that logically provides a foundation for understanding the bio-physiological effects of physical agents and their impact on an individual’s occupational performance and functioning.

Recognized as an expert in physical agent modalities, Dr. Alfred Bracciano clearly and effectively explains difficult concepts in an easy-to-understand format and presents information that can be readily applied in the clinical setting.

Physical Agent Modalities, Second Edition provides the occupational therapist and student with a user-friendly and organized reference on the application of physical agent modalities, commonly used by occupational therapists, as well as emerging technologies and interventions such as lasers and electromyographic biofeedback.

This Second Edition outlines the application procedures for each modality, indications for their use, and the precautions and contraindications of the modality. New graphics and pictures enhance the reader’s understanding of the physical agents, while case studies facilitate clinical reasoning and provide a practical resource to safely and effectively understand and use physical agents.

New to the Second Edition:

• A chapter outlining a theoretical framework for physical agent modalities used by occupational therapists based on the AOTA Occupational Therapy Practice Framework
• Extensive coverage of the changes in state regulatory issues and guidelines impacting the use of physical agents by occupational therapists
• A discussion on the impact of the revised AOTA PAM Position Paper, NBCOT Practice Analysis, and the ACOTE requirements on the education and training of occupational therapists in physical agent modalities
• A chapter reviewing laser and light therapy, clinical applications, precautions, and indications for use

Each Chapter Contains:

• Objectives
• Glossary of Key Terms
• Case Studies
• References

With a user-friendly format, updated chapters, and volumes of new information, Physical Agent Modalities: Theory and Application for the Occupational Therapist, Second Edition provides clinicians, educators, and students with a common language to facilitate the incorporation of physical agents into clinical practice grounded in evidence-based practice.

Alfred G. Bracciano, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA received his undergraduate degree in occupational therapy from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan; his Master of Science in Hospital and Health Administration from Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; and his Doctorate in Education from Western Michigan University. Dr. Bracciano holds an academic appointment as an Associate Professor at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska; Clinical Associate Professor, Stony Brook University, New York; and Visiting Professor at Jinan University, in Guangzhou, China. Dr. Bracciano was the Founding Chair and Professor of the Occupational Therapy Program at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan. Dr. Bracciano has always had an active private practice specializing in orthopedics and upper extremity injuries in addition to his academic appointments. He was inducted into the Roster of Fellows in the AOTA for his work in education and international occupational therapy. He has published and lectured extensively on physical agent modalities and orthopedic conditions throughout the United States and in China and Asia.

Dr. Bracciano serves on a number of editorial boards including American Journal of Occupational Therapy and the Chinese Journal of Clinical Rehabilitative Tissue Engineering Research. Dr. Bracciano also serves on a variety of medical advisory boards. Dr Bracciano has served as a content expert for the Department of Defense, and developed a series of training modules on physical agents for the US Army, Navy and Air Force occupational therapists. He coauthored the AOTA’s Position Statement on Physical Agent Modalities and has consulted for a number of state licensing and regulatory boards relative to physical agent licensing laws.