The knowledge and attitude concerning sport-related concussion among coaches: A survey study

Background: There are no studies investigating the level of knowledge about and attitude towards sports-related concussions (SRC) among sports coaches in Jordan. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the knowledge about and attitude towards SRC among Jordanian sports coaches. Method: Our study was based on a cross-sectional survey. An Arabic version of the questionnaire from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was used to collect data. The survey identified participants’ demographics and knowledge about (0–10 points with higher scores indicating a higher knowledge) and attitude towards (8–40 with lower scores indicating favourable attitudes) SRC. Descriptive statistics and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used to examine knowledge and attitude differences by demographic factors. Spearman’s correlation examined the correlation between the total knowledge and attitude scores. Results: Participants included 193 coaches (62 basketball, 66 martial arts, 30 soccer, and 35 swimming). The median total knowledge and attitude scores were 4 and 30, respectively. The total knowledge score was the highest in martial arts coaches (median = 4) and those with graduate degrees (median = 5). The total attitude score was the lowest among basketball coaches (median = 28) and those who were 40–50 years old (median = 28). No significant correlation between knowledge and attitude scores was observed. Conclusion: Jordanian coaches have a deficiency in knowledge about SRC and hold attitudes that are not consistent with current practice recommendations. Clinical implications: Knowledge and attitude about SRC can be improved through education, access to healthcare providers, and adherence to SRC management guidelines

The optimal therapeutic irisin dose intervention in animal model: A systematic review

Background and Aim: Irisin, a novel myocyte-secreted hormone, was proposed to mediate some of the beneficial effects of exercise such as browning of adipocytes, thermogenesis, and metabolic homeostasis. Recently, several animals' models' studies have been performed to investigate the therapeutic impact of irisin in several disorders. Several interventional trials used different doses. However, optimum dose was not determined. This systematic review aims to identify the optimal dose of interventional irisin in mice and rat animal models. Materials and Methods: Online databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Springer were systematically searched from 2012 to 2019. The words searched were irisin, irisin and animal model, physical activity, and irisin and irisin dosage. Non-irisin doses, in vitro studies, and factors influencing irisin levels were excluded. Results: Eleven of the total 391 qualifying studies were included. A daily injection of 500 μg/kg irisin may be the optimum dose of effect in mice and rats. Conclusion: More studies are required to determine the optimum dose of irisin to be used as a therapeutic intervention based on animal model

JUST-CRS master programme: an interdisciplinary curriculum for occupation and physical therapy

JUST-CRS is a capacity building Project in higher education funded by the EU Erasmus+ aims to establish an interdisciplinary master program in rehabilitation sciences at JUST for both occupational and physical therapy. Consortium partners, led by the grant holder (JUST) and universities from Portugal, England, Turkey and Jordan have worked collaboratively to build an international curriculum with structure that provides innovative solutions to Jordanian rehabilitation gaps and ts Jordanian Higher Education standards and the European standards set in the European Qualification Framework. This presentation intends to shed light on the process, steps, outcomes and insights of developing this master’s degree program in rehabilitation sciences. The process highlights the steps starting from needs assessment, setting up program graduate competencies, setting up core and elective courses’ skeletal structure and descriptions, establishing courses learning outcomes, courses’ contents and topics as well as establishing the courses’ evaluation methods. Each step was collaboratively crafted to t multiple international culturally-different partners, multi-disciplines, multiple views and perspective of educational and professional systems. Ultimately, the program has been a success. The recipe for this success as well as better suggestions for future international collaborations in the eld of higher education for rehabilitation sciences will be disseminated.N/

Low Back Pain Prevalence among Distance Learning Students

Background: Low back pain as a symptom affects many individuals around the globe regardless of their economic status or sociodemographic characteristics. During the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, students found themselves obligated to sit down for long periods of time. The aim of this current study is to investigate the impact of these prolonged periods of sitting down in front of computers on developing a new episode of low back pain. Methods and Materials: This research adopted an observational cross-section study design. Students who are currently enrolled or had experienced distance learning classes in the last 6 months were eligible to participate. An online-based questionnaire was developed by the investigators through reviewing the literature with relevant objectives. McNemar’s test was used to compare certain variables between two periods before and during online distance learning. We used paired t-tests to compare pain intensity before, during, and after online learning, while a chi-square test was used to investigate correlations between factors influencing low back pain. Results: A total of 84 students participated in the study—46 (54.8%) females and 38 (45.2%) males. Before online distance learning, only 42.9% of participants reported low back pain, while only 20% had a back injury. The mean pain scores before, during, and after online distance learning were (2.85 ± 2.16, 4.79 ± 2.6, and 4.76 ± 2.7), respectively. The pain scores before online learning were significantly lower than pain scores during and after online distance learning (p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The study findings suggested that low back pain prevalence increased among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should study participants’ behavior during the online learning and assess the long-run impact of distance learning among high-school and undergraduate students