Factors Influencing Number of Physiotherapy Treatment Sessions for Patients with Low Back Pain

Little is known about the influence of physiotherapists’ characteristics and treatment modalities on the number of treatment sessions in Nigeria. This study was designed to evaluate the factors influencing the number of treatment sessions for patients with low back pain (LBP). Three hundred and eleven practising physiotherapists based in Nigeria participated in this study (77.8% response rate). They were required to complete a 31-item closed-ended questionnaire, which collected information on demographic data, work experience and treatment activities. Data was represented using bar charts, frequency and percentage. Chi-square was used to determine significant difference at p = 0.05. About 114 (38.10%) of the respondents employed 10 treatment sessions in the treatment of patients with LBP. Gender, age, areas of interest and educational attainment influenced the number of treatment sessions (p<0.05). Older male respondents, with higher educational attainment, especially those who are specialized in orthopaedics had fewer treatment sessions with their patients. However, working experience, acquisition of additional training (through continuous professional education) and types of treatment modalities did not have any significant relationship with number of treatment sessions (p>0.05). The average number of treatment sessions administered to patients with LBP before they are discharged in Nigeria is ten sessions. This was influenced by gender, age, areas of interest and educational attainment. There was a general consensus that a treatment guideline is needed for proper management of patients with LBP

A comparative study of the effects of aerobic and resisted exercises on selected cardiopulmonary parameters in patients with asthma

Asthma is a multi-factorial disease associated with genetic, allergic, environmental, infectious, emotional, and nutritional issues. Globally, asthma affects about 300 million people and about 250,000 people die from it every year. These deaths are related to lack of proper treatment. Treatment involves controlling trigger factors, drug therapy, and other non-pharmacological methods. Although a few studies have evaluated the effects of exercises on asthma control, there is the need for well-designed outcome studies that will differentiate efficacious exercise management for asthma from those that hold little therapeutic value. This study compared the effects of aerobic and resisted exercises on selected cardiopulmonary parameters in patients with asthma.Forty-five patients with asthma were recruited from the Respiratory Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos and were randomly assigned to 3 different groups. Group A underwent aerobic exercise and counselling sessions; Group B, resisted exercise and counselling sessions; and Group C had counselling sessions only. Groups A and B had exercise intervention that lasted 10-15 minutes, twice weekly for 6 weeks. Cardiopulmonary parameters were assessed at baseline and at the end of 6 weeks.Only Group B showed significant improvements in all the cardiovascular variables (SBP: p=0.01, DBP: p=0.03, HR: p=0.02 and RPP: p=0.01). There were also significant improvements in most of the pulmonary 1 1 variables of Group A (RR: p=0.01, FEV : p=0.01, FVC: p=0.01 and FEV %: p=0.02), however, there was none in Groups B and C. Comparison of the mean changes in selected variables between the two therapeutic exercise 1 groups showed significant differences in SBP (p=0.01), DBP (p=0.04), RPP (p=0.02), RR (p=0.01), FEV 1 (p=0.01), FVC (p=0.05), FEV % (p=0.01) and IC (p=0.05).Aerobic exercise was more effective in improving pulmonary parameters while resisted exercise was more effective in improving cardiovascular parameters in patients with asthma.Keywords: aerobic exercise, asthma, cardiopulmonary, resisted exercis

Physiotherapy for people with mental health problems in Sub-Saharan African countries: a systematic review

Abstract Background There is a need for psychosocial interventions to address the escalating mental health burden in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Physiotherapists could have a central role in reducing the burden and facilitating recovery within the multidisciplinary care of people with mental health problems. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the role of physiotherapists within the current mental health policies of SSA countries and to explore the current research evidence for physiotherapy to improve functional outcomes in people with mental health problems in SSA. Methods The Mental Health Atlas and MiNDbank of the World Health Organization were screened for the role of physiotherapy in mental health plans. Next, we systematically searched PubMed from inception until August 1st, 2017 for relevant studies on physiotherapy interventions in people with mental health problems in SSA. The following search strategy was used: “physiotherapy” OR “physical therapy” OR “rehabilitation” AND “mental” OR “depression” OR “psychosis” OR “schizophrenia” OR “bipolar” AND the name of the country. Results The current systematic review shows that in 22 screened plans only 2 made reference to the importance of considering physiotherapy within the multidisciplinary treatment. The current evidence (N studies = 3; n participants = 94) shows that aerobic exercise might reduce depression and improve psychological quality of life, self-esteem, body image and emotional stress in people with HIV having mental health problems. In people with depression moderate to high but not light intensity aerobic exercise results in significantly less depressive symptoms (N = 1, n = 30). Finally, there is evidence for reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms (avoidance and arousal), anxiety and depression following body awareness related exercises (N = 1, n = 26). Conclusions Our review demonstrated that physiotherapy is still largely neglected in the mental health care systems of SSA. This is probably due to poor knowledge of the benefits of physiotherapy within mental health care by policymakers, training institutes, and other mental health care professionals in SSA. Based on the current scientific evidence, this paper recommends the adoption of physiotherapy within mental health care services and investment in research and in training of professionals in SSA

Effects of Dance Movement Therapy on Selected Cardiovascular Parameters and Estimated Maximum Oxygen Consumption in Hypertensive Patients.

Background: Objective:Arterial hypertension is a medical condition associated with increased risks of of death, cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular morbidity including stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation and renal insufficiency. Regular physical exercise is considered to be an important part of the nonpharmacologic treatment of hypertension.Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dance movement therapy (DMT) on selected cardiovascular parameters and estimated maximum oxygen consumption in hypertensive patients.Methods: Fifty (50) subjects with hypertension participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to 2 equal groups; A (DMT group) and B (Control group). Group A carried out dance movement therapy 2 times a week for 4 weeks while group B underwent some educationa lsessions 2 times a week for the same duration. All the subjects were on anti-hypertensive drugs. 38 subjects completed the study with the DMT group having a total of 23 subjects (10 males and 13 females) and the control group 15 subjects (6 males and 9 females). Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics of paired and independent t-test were used for data analysis.Results: Following four weeks of dance movement therapy, paired t-test analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the Resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP) (p < 0.001*), Resting diastolic blood pressure (RDBP) (p < 0.001*), Resting heart rate (RHR) (p = 0.024*), Maximum heart rate (MHR) (p = 0.002*) and Estimated oxygen consumption (VO2 max) (p = 0.023*)in subjects in group A (p < 0.05) while there was no significant difference observed in outcome variables of subjects in group B (p > 0.05). Independent t-test analysis between the differences in the pre and post intervention scores of groups A and B also showed statistically significant differences in all the outcome variables (p <0.05).Conclusion: DMT was effective in improving cardiovascular parameters and estimated maximum oxygen consumption in hypertensive patients.Keywords: Hypertension, Cardiovascular parameters, Estimated maximum oxygen consumption, Dance Movement Therapy

Are we missing opportunities? Physiotherapy and physical activity promotion: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) promotion in healthcare is an important strategy for increasing PA levels. Physiotherapists are well-positioned to promote PA, however no studies have investigated PA promotion by physiotherapists Australia-wide. Methods An online survey of practicing Australian physiotherapists was conducted to investigate knowledge of the Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour (PASB) guidelines and factors associated with increased promotion frequency. Participants were asked to state the PASB guidelines and a 4-component scoring system was used to measure knowledge. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess factors associated with frequency of promotion. Results 257 Australian physiotherapists completed the survey. Only 10% were able to accurately state the PASB guidelines and 54% reported promoting PA to 10 or more patients per month. Males were nearly three times more likely than females to promote PA to 10 or more patients per month (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.25–5.74). Those who lacked counselling skills and felt PA promotion wouldn’t change their patients’ behaviour were much less likely to promote PA. Conclusion Australian physiotherapists have poor knowledge of the Australian PASB guidelines and infrequently promote PA. Education and training in PA counselling and behaviour change strategies is indicated to enhance PA promotion by Australian physiotherapists

Promoting physical activity and exercise in daily practice: current practices, barriers, and training needs of physiotherapists in Eastern Nigeria

Purpose: To investigate current practices, barriers, and training needs for the promotion of physical activity (PA) in physiotherapy practices in eastern Nigeria. Methods: A total of 141 fully licensed physiotherapists in southeast Nigeria were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey consisting of 23 questions in five key sections, focusing mainly on risk-factor management practices of physiotherapists. Results: A total of 103 questionnaires were returned. Respondents ranged in age from 25 to 54 years and reported a mean of 11 (SD 10) years of clinical experience. Respondents reported that they regularly assess and advise their clients on PA but rarely give written prescriptions. Although they are confident in assessing and advising their clients on PA and consider including PA intervention as a priority in daily practice, lack of time and lack of access to materials were reported as barriers to effective PA intervention. Conclusion: Findings showed the potential for physiotherapists to address physical inactivity and highlighted several barriers. Strategies are needed to improve contact time with clients and make material promoting PA available to practising physiotherapists