El perfil neuromuscular de los músculos extensores y flexores de rodilla en jugadores de fútbol profesionales en la Arabia Premier League

Purpose: The neuromuscular system of soccer players is a key factor in their competitive performance, as it determines a player's immediate force response, reactivity and running speed during matches. The neuromuscular system has recently begun to be analyzed by tensiomyography (TMG). This study's primary aim was to generate normative data of the mechanical and neuromuscular profile for the knee extensor and flexor muscles. Method: This study used a cross-sectional study of 83 professional soccer players from three Saudi Premier League teams at the start of the preseason period. TMG was used to measure the radial muscle belly displacement in the knee extensor and flexor muscles in both legs. Results: The results suggest that the highest degree of symmetry corresponded to the vastus medialis (83.7 ± 14.3%) and the lowest to the biceps femoris (76.1 ± 10.9%). No statistical difference was found between the dominant and non-dominant muscles, or between on-field player positions across all four tested muscles. Conclusion:  The study presented normative data of a convenience sample of Saudi professional soccer players and observed that the highest asymmetry was seen in the vastus medialis and the lowest asymmetry in the biceps femoris.Propósito: El sistema neuromuscular de los jugadores de fútbol es un factor clave en su desempeño competitivo, ya que determina la respuesta de fuerza inmediata de un jugador, la reactividad y la velocidad de carrera durante los partidos. Recientemente se ha comenzado a analizar el sistema neuromuscular mediante tensiomiografía (TMG). El objetivo principal de este estudio fue generar datos normativos del perfil mecánico y neuromuscular de los músculos extensores y flexores de la rodilla. Método: Este estudio utilizó un estudio transversal de 83 futbolistas profesionales de tres equipos de la Liga Premier de Arabia Saudita al comienzo del período de pretemporada. La TMG se utilizó para medir el desplazamiento del vientre del músculo radial en los músculos extensores y flexores de la rodilla en ambas piernas. Resultados: Los resultados sugieren que el mayor grado de simetría correspondió al vasto medial (83,7 ± 14,3%) y el menor al bíceps femoral (76,1 ± 10,9%). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas entre los músculos dominantes y no dominantes, o entre las posiciones del jugador en el campo en los cuatro músculos evaluados. Conclusión: El estudio presentó datos normativos de una muestra de conveniencia de futbolistas profesionales sauditas y observó que la mayor asimetría se observó en el vasto interno y la menor asimetría en el bíceps femoral

SPINE20 A global advocacy group promoting evidence-based spine care of value

PURPOSE: The Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) Studies have estimated that low back pain is one of the costliest ailments worldwide. Subsequent to GBD publications, leadership of the four largest global spine societies agreed to form SPINE20. This article introduces the concept of SPINE20, the recommendations, and the future of this global advocacy group linked to G20 annual summits. METHODS: The founders of SPINE20 advocacy group coordinated with G20 Saudi Arabia to conduct the SPINE20 summit in 2020. The summit was intended to promote evidence-based recommendations to use the most reliable information from high-level research. Eight areas of importance to mitigate spine disorders were identified through a voting process of the participating societies. Twelve recommendations were discussed and vetted. RESULTS: The areas of immediate concern were "Aging spine," "Future of spine care," "Spinal cord injuries," "Children and adolescent spine," "Spine-related disability," "Spine Educational Standards," "Patient safety," and "Burden on economy." Twelve recommendations were created and endorsed by 31/33 spine societies and 2 journals globally during a vetted process through the SPINE20.org website and during the virtual inaugural meeting November 10-11, 2020 held from the G20 platform. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that international spine societies have joined to support actions to mitigate the burden of spine disorders across the globe. SPINE20 seeks to change awareness and treatment of spine pain by supporting local projects that implement value-based practices with healthcare policies that are culturally sensitive based on scientific evidence

SPINE20 recommendations 2021: spine care for people's health and prosperity

PURPOSE: The focus of SPINE20 is to develop evidence-based policy recommendations for the G20 countries to work with governments to reduce the burden of spine disease, and disability. METHODS: On September 17-18, 2021, SPINE20 held its annual meeting in Rome, Italy. Prior to the meeting, the SPINE20 created six proposed recommendations. These recommendations were uploaded to the SPINE20 website 10 days before the meeting and opened to the public for comments. The recommendations were discussed at the meeting allowing the participants to object and provide comments. RESULTS: In total, 27 societies endorsed the following recommendations. SPINE20 calls upon the G20 countries: (1) to expand telehealth for the access to spine care, especially in light of the current situation with COVID-19. (2) To adopt value-based interprofessional spine care as an approach to improve patient outcomes and reduce disability. (3) To facilitate access and invest in the development of a competent rehabilitation workforce to reduce the burden of disability related to spine disorders. (4) To adopt a strategy to promote daily physical activity and exercises among the elderly population to maintain an active and independent life with a healthy spine, particularly after COVID-19 pandemic. (5) To engage in capacity building with emerging countries and underserved communities for the benefit of spine patients. (6) To promote strategies to transfer evidence-based advances into patient benefit through effective implementation processes. CONCLUSIONS: SPINE20's initiatives will make governments and decision makers aware of efforts to reduce needless suffering from disabling spine pain through education that can be instituted across the globe

Pain neurophysiology knowledge among physical therapy students in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Pain is a leading cause of disability and accounts for many hospital and physical therapy visits. Current pain science understanding has evolved and changed substantially in the past 20 years; however, university health science curricula may not have progressed at the same rate. This study aimed to examine knowledge about pain neurophysiology among physical therapy students in Saudi Arabia, and to compare their knowledge across different education levels and by gender. Methods A cross-sectional study conducted to examine the pain neurophysiology knowledge among college physical therapy students in Saudi Arabia. The Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (12 items) was used. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages were used to describe the sample. Analysis of variance and t-test were also used to examine the significant differences between scores. Results Physical therapy students (n = 202) from 18 different universities in Saudi Arabia participated in this study. The mean score of the participants on the questionnaire was 6.20 ± 2.07 (i.e., 52% ± 17%) and there was no significance difference between males and females. There was a statistically significant incremental increase in total score through the educational process (P < 0.05); however, this increase was very small comparing early- and final educational-level students (8% in RNPQ). Conclusion While final year physical therapy students showed higher levels of pain science knowledge than those at the beginning of their course, the magnitude of the difference was small and likely of little meaningful relevance. This may reflect the need for more emphasis on pain science in the physical therapy curriculum in Saudi Arabia

RabbitRun: An Immersive Virtual Reality Game for Promoting Physical Activities Among People with Low Back Pain

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common problems among adults. The usual physiotherapy treatment is to perform physical exercises. However, some LBP patients have false beliefs regarding their pain and they tend to avoid physical movements which might increase their pain and disability. Virtual reality (VR) has proven to be an effective intervention in improving motor functions and reducing pain perception. Existing VR interventions for LBP rehabilitation were based on a non-immersive VR, whereas to effectively reduce the pain intensity, we need an immersive VR. In this paper, we introduce the development and evaluation of a serious game called RabbitRun with an immersive experience to engage the patients in a virtual environment and distract them from the pain while performing LBP exercises. The initial usability evaluation results suggest that RabbitRun game is enjoyable and acceptable. The game is easy to play and learn and most of the participants are willing to play the game at home. This solution will enhance the rehabilitation outcome since the patients who are suffering from LBP can use the system at their home and train more for long period of time using a smartphone and low-cost virtual reality device, such as Google Cardboard

Requirements Elicitation and Prototyping of a Fully Immersive Virtual Reality Gaming System for Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia

Stroke rehabilitation plays an important role in recovering the lifestyle of stroke survivors. Although existing research proved the effectiveness and engagement of nonimmersive virtual reality- (VR-) based rehabilitation systems, limited research is available on the applicability of fully immersive VR-based rehabilitation systems. In this paper, we present the elicited requirements of a fully immersive VR-based rehabilitation system that will be designed for domestic upper limb stroke patients; we will also provide an initial conceptual prototype of the proposed system

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Back Beliefs Questionnaire to the Arabic language

Study Design. Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric testing. Objective. To translate the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) into Arabic and investigate its psychometric properties in an Arabic-speaking sample of individuals with low back pain (LBP). Summary of Background Data. Back pain beliefs are associated with pain chronicity and disability in people with LBP. The BBQ is a recognized and frequently used tool for measuring these beliefs. To date the BBQ has not been translated into Arabic. Methods. The English version of the BBQ was translated and culturally adapted into Arabic (BBQ-Ar) according to published guidelines. The BBQ-Ar was then tested in a sample of 115 Arabic-speaking individuals with LBP. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency (Cronbach α) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient), the latter in a subgroup of 25. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis and by examining the correlation between the BBQ-Ar, the Oswestry Disability Index and a Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Results. Internal consistency of the BBQ-Ar was good (Cronbach α = 0.77). Test-retest reliability was good (intraclass correlation coefficient [2,1] = 0.88). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure, explaining 46% of total variance, with the first factor alone explaining 24%. Eight of the nine scoring items were loaded on the first factor thus forming a unidimensional scale. A significant negative correlation was found between Oswestry Disability Index and BBQ-Ar scores (r = -0.307; P < 0.01), whereas no significant correlation was found between BBQ-Ar and Pain Rating Scale scores. No floor or celling effects were observed. Conclusion. The BBQ-Ar is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to assess back pain beliefs in Arabic-speaking individuals.6 page(s

Perceived Application and Barriers for Gait Assessment in Physical Therapy Practice in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Gait is a major function of independence that determines the quality of life, participation, and restriction. Gait assessment in physical therapy practice is fundamental for assessing musculoskeletal conditions. This study planned to determine the extent and barriers of using gait assessment tools by physical therapists in clinical practice in Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional design was used. A standardized survey was sent through e-mail and social media to physical therapists working in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers in different Saudi Arabian regions. Results: A total of 320 physical therapists from different regions in Saudi Arabia participated. There was a significant relationship between using gait assessment tools by physical therapists and patient groups (p = 0.002), receiving training (p = 0.001), dealing with patients who suffer from gait problems (p = 0.001), and visiting the gait laboratory (p = 0.001). Physical therapists’ use of gait assessment tools for musculoskeletal conditions in clinical practice in Saudi Arabia was limited. The primary barrier preventing physical therapists from using gait assessment methods in clinical practice was a lack of resources, including instruments, space, time, and funds

Development of a Logic Model for a Programme to Reduce the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Rate for Non-Specific Lower Back Pain in a Tertiary Care Centre

Tertiary care centres continue to experience over-utilisation of diagnostic imaging services for lower back pain cases that may not be required. Moreover, these services may require additional time and consequently delay access to services that offer conservative management, i.e., physiotherapy, and hence, increase the direct and indirect costs with no added quality of care. A logic model was developed based on qualitative and quantitative studies that explains the plan and process evaluation strategies to reduce imaging for lower back pain in tertiary hospitals. Logic models are useful tools for defining programme components. The delivery of the components is ensured by well-defined process evaluations that identify any needed modifications. The proposed logic model provides a road map for spine clinics in tertiary care hospitals to decrease the number of patient referrals for magnetic resonance imaging and waiting times for consultations and services and promote early access to physiotherapy services