【論文摘要】Historical Note: Physical Therapy in Taiwan Under Japanese Rule

【論文摘要】歷史初探：臺灣日治時代的物理治療

黃耀明(Yiu-Ming Wong)

《物理治療》 46卷2期 (2021/06) Pp. 134-135

https://doi.org/10.6215/FJPT.202106.P25

摘要

Background and Purpose: In most people's minds, physical therapy service in Taiwan was originally developed in the 1950s when the polio outbreak and the new presence of American physical therapists coincided. Whether or not physical therapy existed in Taiwan during Japan's era (1895-1945 AD), however, has not been fully investigated. The present historical note attempts to illustrate this not well-known portion of the history of Taiwanese medicine. Methods: This historical note aims to include documental and image materials related to physical therapy in Taiwan during Japan's era. In order to identify the materials, a search using key words that included physical therapy and electrotherapy (物理療法, 物療, 電療) was conducted using the following electronic databases: Image System for Periodicals of the Japanese ruled Period; Digital Archives of National Taiwan University Library, Archives of Tainan-Simpo, Archives of Taiwan Sinmin News; Archives of Taiwan Daily News, National Diet Library of Japan. Additionally, private collections of Taiwanese and Japanese postcards printed before 1945 that were accessible to the author. Results: The relevant materials identified from the above search were scrutinized and are listed as follows. Newspaper advertisements: Physical therapy service (10 items, 1930-1936 AD) and recruitment of physical therapist trainees and electrotherapist trainees (5 items, 1930 AD). Images: Electrotherapy clinic in Taichung, Taiwan (2 items, 1910s and 1930s AD). Book: Physical therapists listed in the Taiwan business directory (1 item, 1934 AD). Conclusion: Based on the above findings, outpatient physical therapy clinics and the use of modalities including electrical stimulation, infrared and ultraviolet light were already in Taiwan before 1945, while physical therapists and electrotherapists were regarded as paramedical personnel and their licenses were placed under the health workforce division of massage, judo therapy, and other therapy. Secondly, no documental or image materials were found related to several common forms of physical therapy, e.g. pulmonary rehabilitation, musculoskeletal strengthening, gait re-education, manual therapy, and usage of assistive devices. However, there were five military hospitals in Taiwan before 1945, and therefore post-injury and post-surgery rehabilitation for wounded soldiers likely existed at that time. Clinical Relevance: Although there is no direct clinical relevance from the present historical note, knowing the past may allow us to reflect on the present and future development of physical therapy in Taiwan or other countries.