Zpráva z WCPT konference, Tokio, 29.-31.5.2025

World Physiotherapy Congress 2025, jež probíhal v Japonském Tokiu 29. -31.5.2025 byl opravdu jedinečným setkáním fyzioterapeutů z celého světa. Nabídl fyzioterapeutům z celého světa velice bohatý program v celkově 11 sekcích.

Za obzvláště přínosné jsem vnímala workshopy zaměřené na pregraduální vzdělávání budoucích fyzioterapeutů, kde bylo možné diskutovat příklady dobré praxe v oblasti Evropy ale i celosvětových standardů ve vzdělávání. Bylo zajímavé slyšet, jak se v ostatních zemích světa potýkají s velmi podobnými problémy v oblasti pregraduálního vzdělávání a jaká řešení u nich fungují a lze je realizovat v praxi. V rámci klinických seminářů bylo možné vnímat velice aktuální otázku stárnutí populace a jak se k tomuto nyní již velmi pálčivému tématu staví různé země světa. Velice motivační byly právě země, které propojují velice efektivně veřejnou správu a fyzioterapii a rehabilitaci obecně a mají výborné výsledky. Austrálie byla v mnoha aspektech prezentována jako lídr v mnoha odvětvích.  V posledních letech pořád více se otevírajícím tématem, které na kongresu velice rezonovalo byla Fyzioterapie v onkologii a také Fyzioterapie a wellbeing a mentální zdraví.

The conference programme was extensive and designed to appeal to a wide range of more than 4,500 attendees. At least on paper, everything looked very interesting. In reality, however, it was only possible to attend around four one-hour sessions in the morning and three or four in the afternoon. I’m including a photo to illustrate the programme.

I was intrigued by the lecture on systematic reviews. Based on repeated experience with reviews where authors include only studies that support their pre-formulated conclusions, I was pleased by a suggestion from researchers involved in the PEDro database: to share up-to-date reviews via email distribution. I find this very helpful, as it makes it easier to stay oriented in the overwhelming flood of new research. Still, common sense is required – for instance, it's important to check whether the review board was truly independent. If a systematic review omits relevant RCTs you’re familiar with, it’s worth asking why they were excluded. The McKenzie community can now look forward to curated abstracts from various journals, as well as summaries of studies selected by the PEDro group ((Physiotherapy Database www.PEDro.org.au, od Marka Elkinse, a Clinical Associate Professor in the Faculty of the Medicine and Health at the University Sydney, Australia).

I also attended an “Idobata” with George – a casual meet-and-greet with members of WCPT leadership, where we discussed both their roles and moments of failure in their professional lives.

A talk on the use of artificial intelligence to analyze patient narratives (e.g., in chronic pain syndrome) was a disappointment. About five speakers presented, but beyond the general recommendation “use AI,” they didn’t share any specific tools or approaches.

The e-poster sessions took up a large space in the programme. Mostly presented by the younger generation, the 15-minute sessions often featured insights we already know – for example, that stair training is important after knee arthroscopy. Overall, it felt like research questions and outcomes are similar across the world: movement heals.

This theme echoed across printed posters as well – regardless of diagnosis (dysfunctions, CP, oncology, neurology, orthopaedics…), both small sample studies and well-conducted RCTs almost always showed improvement through movement.

PPP (PowerPoint Presentations) were limited to 10 minutes and conveyed similar messages. For instance, studies involving post-stroke patients showed improvements with standard care supplemented by virtual reality. One study focused on intense strengthening of upper limb flexors in the early post-stroke phase. However, none of these presentations mentioned the Gracies system or spasticity management. It’s possible I missed something, as many sessions ran in parallel, but I didn't see spasticity featured even in presentation titles. Similarly, in the context of cerebral palsy, I didn’t come across any reference to Vojta’s approach in diagnosis or therapy.

Lectures on pelvic floor therapy focused mainly on incontinence, muscle strength assessment via ultrasound, and strengthening – with little attention paid to coordination or muscle synergy.

The “industry” workshops were disappointing. Out of 4,500 attendees, there were only four such sessions, mostly promoting devices. One focused on Fascial Manipulation (FM), but it was lecture-style only, for about 80 participants, with no interaction or practical demonstration.

Fortunately, there were short physical activity sessions available – e.g., yoga for about 30 people, in 30-minute blocks throughout the three days. There were also company-sponsored sessions.

What stood out the most:

• A) Physiotherapy as a business – ethical issues and differences between continents. In Africa, patients may afford physiotherapy only after selling property. In Belgium, insurance covers 18 sessions regardless of diagnosis.
• B) Guidelines – although they are being developed, in practice they are rarely read, and hospital management doesn’t demand their use.
• C) Pain – round-table sharing of experiences, discussions on pain measurement, psychological overlap, and potential AI tools (e.g., recording patient interviews and summarizing them with AI).

If you're looking to invest in an international conference that offers networking with colleagues from around the world and a general overview of physiotherapy across countries, then WCPT can be a pleasant and worthwhile experience. For me personally, it didn’t bring much that was new – it stayed mostly at the level of general theory, with little practical demonstration or concrete tools.

In contrast, I’ve had over 20 years of experience with McKenzie conferences (USA, Brazil, Europe, New Zealand, Canada), and I’ve always come away with something new, specific, and applicable. McKenzie conferences typically offer live patient demonstrations, interactive workshops, engaging discussions, and tangible skills. Boring or irrelevant presentations are rare exceptions.

At WCPT, we also participated in “Idobata”-style discussions (a Japanese term for informal community sharing, like chatting over spinning wool). Some of the questions raised were:

1. Why are the registration fees so high? – organizers said they would reflect on that.
2. Why are there no hands-on workshops with specific clinical themes? – the explanation was that post-Covid, it’s hard to guarantee presenters’ attendance.

The venue was beautiful and representative (see photo). As for catering, water was available for free. On the first day, we joined a paid welcome party; on the second day, there was a standing buffet-style gala dinner.

In summary, WCPT was a nice gathering with colleagues from around the world. If you’re willing to invest more for broad professional exchange and less for hands-on content, it may be worth your while. However, if you’re looking for targeted professional development and practical inspiration — including opportunities to connect with international experts — in my experience, McKenzie conferences still offer more.

P.S.: Because I’m someone who pays attention to detail and doesn’t like just scratching the surface. This message below is from a colleague of mine in Belgium.

Overview of Insurance-Covered Physiotherapy Based on Type of Condition

1. Acute and Common Conditions

This includes acute back and neck pain, tendinitis, sprains, and other common orthopedic conditions.
The insurance covers a maximum of 2×9 physiotherapy sessions per calendar year per patient, regardless of the number of diagnoses or types of conditions.
For example, if a patient visits a physiotherapist for shoulder pain and later for knee issues in the same year, the total covered sessions remain 2×9.
Any additional sessions must be paid by the patient.

1. Functional Conditions Requiring More Extensive Care

This category includes post-operative orthopedic cases, selected neurological conditions, fibromyalgia, and cerebral palsy (CP).
Based on a medical prescription, the insurance may cover up to 60 physiotherapy sessions per year.
For these conditions, a detailed progress report must be submitted to the insurance provider, especially in cases such as fibromyalgia, where thorough documentation of therapeutic outcomes is essential.

1. Chronic Conditions

This includes long-term, functionally limiting conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, chronic inflammatory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD – in selected stages), and post-stroke (CVA) conditions.
The insurance also covers up to 60 sessions per year, with the possibility of annual renewal.
A physician’s recommendation and a comprehensive follow-up report must be submitted to the insurance provider, including an evaluation of the therapeutic benefit. These results may serve as a basis for granting further benefits, such as continued rehabilitation treatment.

P.S.: After completing this report, we received access to high-quality recordings of the congress lectures. So far, I have watched a few of them randomly, and my overall impression remains the same. I deeply appreciate all presenters for the effort they put into their lectures and posters, and I also thank the WCPT organizers for their work.

However, it is unfortunate that only one study related to the McKenzie approach was presented during the entire congress—and that only as a poster focused solely on extension. This reflects a common misconception: reducing the McKenzie concept to extension alone shows a lack of understanding of its true foundations. To be fair, it is also partly our own responsibility that no one presented the full diagnostic framework and clinical application of this method across the entire musculoskeletal system.

Report from Mgr. Petra Gaul Alacova, Ph.D.

World Physiotherapy Congress 2025, held in Tokyo, Japan, from May 29 to 31, 2025, was truly a unique gathering of physiotherapists from around the world. It offered an exceptionally rich program across a total of 11 sections.

I found the workshops focused on undergraduate education of future physiotherapists particularly beneficial. They provided an opportunity to discuss examples of good practice not only within Europe but also in relation to global education standards. It was interesting to hear how various countries face very similar challenges in undergraduate physiotherapy education and to learn about practical solutions that have proven effective elsewhere.

The clinical seminars also addressed the highly relevant issue of population aging, exploring how different countries are responding to this growing concern. Especially inspiring were countries that have effectively integrated public administration with physiotherapy and rehabilitation services, achieving excellent results. In many aspects, Australia was presented as a global leader across several fields.

A steadily growing area of focus that resonated strongly throughout the congress was Physiotherapy in Oncology, as well as Physiotherapy in relation to wellbeing and mental health.

The Czech Republic was represented in the poster section, where Petra Gaul Aláčová from Palacký University in Olomouc and Pavlína Bazalová from Masaryk University presented the results of their research.

1. Akutní a běžná onemocnění

Jedná se především o akutní bolesti zad a krční páteře, tendinitidy, výrony (podvrtnutí), či jiné běžné ortopedické stavy.
Pojišťovna hradí maximálně 2×9 fyzioterapeutických sezení ročně na jednoho pacienta, bez ohledu na počet diagnóz či typ onemocnění.
Pokud tedy pacient v průběhu téhož kalendářního roku navštíví fyzioterapeuta např. s potížemi ramene a později s kolenem, nárok na hrazenou péči zůstává stále pouze ve výši 2×9 sezení.
V případě potřeby další péče si pacient hradí zbylá sezení sám.

1. Funkční onemocnění vyžadující rozsáhlejší péči

Sem patří například pooperační ortopedické stavy, vybraná neurologická onemocnění, fibromyalgie či dětská mozková obrna (DMO).
Pojišťovna může na základě lékařského předpisu uhradit až 60 fyzioterapeutických sezení ročně.
U těchto stavů je nezbytné zpracovat podrobnou zpětnou zprávu pojišťovně, která hodnotí průběh a efekt terapie. Zvláštní důraz je kladen např. u diagnózy fibromyalgie.

1. Chronická onemocnění

Tato skupina zahrnuje dlouhodobé a funkčně omezující stavy, jako jsou roztroušená skleróza (RS), Parkinsonova nemoc, chronická zánětlivá onemocnění, chronická obstrukční plicní nemoc (COPD – ve vybraných stádiích), nebo stavy po cévní mozkové příhodě (CMP).
I zde pojišťovna hradí až 60 sezení ročně, přičemž péče může být každoročně obnovována.
Podmínkou je opět lékařské doporučení a podrobná zpráva zpět pojišťovně, včetně vyhodnocení přínosu terapie. Tyto výstupy mohou následně sloužit jako podklad pro přiznání dalších benefitů (např. pokračování rehabilitace, lázeňská léčba apod.).