Comparative effects of burst mode alternating current and resisted exercise on physical function, pain intensity and quadriceps strength among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis

Background and objective: The beneficial effect of Resisted Exercise (RE) in Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) rehabilitation is often hamstrung by the presence of other comorbidities affecting exercise implementation, hence the need for comparative alternative therapies. This study compared the effect of Burst Mode Alternating Current (BMAC) and RE in the management of patients with knee OA. Methods: Forty-seven consenting patients with primary knee OA participated in this study. The participants were recruited from the outpatient physiotherapy department of a Nigerian teaching hospital. The participants were randomly assigned into either RE plus BMAC (RBMAC) or RE Only (REO) groups. The effects of intervention were assessed in terms of physical function, pain intensity and quadriceps strength at the 4th and 8th week of intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data at p0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, resisted exercise alone had significant effects on physical function, pain intensity and quadriceps strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis. However, burst mode alternating current did not show additional effects

The mediating role of sedentary behaviour in the relationship between social support and depression among individuals with diabetes

Background and objective: The underlying mechanisms for the well-established link between social support and depression remain less understood. This study examined the mediating role of sedentary behaviour (SB) in the relationship between social support (SS) and depression among individuals with diabetes. Methods: A total of 250 consenting individuals with diabetes attending endocrinology clinic in a Nigerian tertiary hospital were recruited. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were used to collect data on SB, SS and depression respectively. Mediation analysis was performed with hierarchical multiple regression and PROCESS Macro for SPSS. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of depression among diabetic patients was 30.8%. Social support had a significant negative association with depression and SB, while SB was positively associated with depression (P < 0.001). The results showed that SB was a mediator between social support and depression (a*b = -0.151; BCa 95% CI: -0.207 ~ -0.102). Conclusion: The prevalence of depression was high among Nigerian diabetic patients. In addition, SB has a mediating role in the relationship between social support and depression indicating that SB could reinforce the positive effect of social support on depression

Hearing loss, gait and balance impairments and falls among individuals with sub-acute stroke: A comparative cross-sectional study

Background: The impact of hearing loss in stroke is less explored. This study aimed to compare hearing loss in patients with sub-acute stroke with healthy controls and evaluate its association with gait and balance impairments and falls. Methods: This study involved 78 ambulant sub-acute stroke patients and 78 age-sex-matched controls. Hearing loss was assessed with pure tone average, while gait and balance impairments were assessed with the Timed Up and Go test, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Gait Assessment and 10-m walk test (gait speed). Fall occurrence was evaluated by a self-report questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of hearing loss (pure tone average of >25 dB) was higher in stroke patients than in controls (64.1% vs. 35.9%; p < 0.001). The mean pure tone average of stroke patients showed a significant positive correlation with Timed Up and Go test (r = 0.357; p = 0.001) and fall occurrence (r = 0.253; p = 0.025), and a significant negative correlation with Berg Balance Scale (r = −0.299; p = 0.008) and Functional Gait Assessment (r = −0.452; p < 0.001). There was a non-significant negative correlation with gait speed (r = −0.166; p = 0.147). Multiple regression showed that mean pure tone average was associated with Timed Up and Go test (B = 0.096; 95%CI: 0.010, 0.183) and Functional Gait Assessment (B = −0.087; 95%CI: −0.157, −0.017), but not with gait speed (B = −0.003; 95%CI: −0.007, 0.001) and Berg Balance Scale (B = −0.058; 95%CI: −0.165, 0.049). Conclusion: Hearing loss is more prevalent among patients with sub-acute stroke compared with age-sex-matched controls. Hearing loss is also associated with gait and balance impairments and falls among sub-acute stroke patients. We recommend that hearing screening and rehabilitation be incorporated into post-stroke rehabilitation programmes as part of strategies to improve balance and gait and reduce or prevent falls

Can physical activity attenuate the impact of internet addiction on anxiety in young adults? A moderation analysis

Background: The potential moderators of the nexus between internet addiction (IA) and symptoms of anxiety are less understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the moderating roles of physical activity (PA) and gender in the association between IA and anxiety. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 510 Nigerian undergraduate students was carried out. IA, anxiety, and PA levels (low, moderate, and high) were assessed using Internet Addiction Test, anxiety sub-scale of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and Patient-Centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise Plus Nutrition, respectively. Moderation analysis was applied while controlling for important covariates. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.33 ± 2.63 years. The prevalence of IA and anxiety was 57.6 % and 52.6 %. IA was positively associated with anxiety (b=0.307, 95 % CI: 0.2168-0.3982, t (498) =6.660, p < 0.001). PA level, but not gender seem to moderate the association between IA and anxiety (F (2, 498) =3.561, p=0.029, R2 change =0.011). Moreover, interaction between PA and gender indicated that the moderating effect of PA was less pronounced among females compared with males (F (3, 498) =2.895, p=0.035, R2 change =0.014). Conclusions: PA can attenuate the deleterious nexus between IA and anxiety in young adults. The attenuation of PA in IA-anxiety nexus is weaker among female young adults compared with male counterparts. PA is a viable low-cost intervention strategy in combating the effect of IA on symptoms of anxiety among young adults. Further longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms among IA, anxiety symptoms, PA, and gender

Pain and Sleep Disturbances are Associated with Post-stroke Anger Proneness and Emotional Incontinence

Background: Emotional disorders are common findings after a stroke episode. Despite evidence linking pain and sleep disorders to various post-stroke emotional conditions, their roles in the prevalence of post-stroke anger proneness (PSAP) and post-stroke emotional incontinence (PSEI) remain unclear. We investigated the influence of composite and different components of post-stroke pain (PSP) as well as post-stroke sleep disorders (PSSD) on PSAP and PSEI. Methods: Cross-sectional data on PSAP, PSEI, PSP and PSSD were evaluated through validated instruments and structured interviews for a total of 185 community-dwelling stroke survivors attending two Nigerian tertiary health facilities. Data on potential confounding variables were also assessed. Results: The rates of PSSD, PSP, PSAP and PSEI among Nigerian stroke survivors were 36.8%, 63.3%, 23.2% and 44.9%, respectively. The results of logistic regression models showed that composite PSP was associated with PSEI (adjusted odd ratio (aOR): 0.492; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.251-0.965). While assessing the different components of PSSD and PSP, the results showed that sleep disturbances (aOR: 1.855; 95% CI: 1.096-3.140) and post-stroke headache (aOR: 0.364; 95% CI: 0.153-0.864) were associated with PSEI. In addition, being a domain of PSP, post-stroke headache was associated with PSAP (aOR: 0.052; 95% CI: 0.011-0.238). Conclusion: There is high prevalence of PSSD, PSP, PSAP and PSEI among Nigerian stroke survivors. Post-stroke headache is associated with both PSAP and PSEI, while sleep disturbances are associated with PSEI. Post-stroke headache and sleep disturbances are potential targets for interventions in patients with stroke to lessen the burden of PSAP and PSEI

Differences in back extensor muscles fatigability for smoking and non-smoking athletes

Background and objective: Empirical research on the influence of smoking on musculoskeletal health in athletes is sparse. The objective of this study was to compare back extensor muscles' strength (BEMS) before and after a fatigue induction protocol among smoking and non smoking male athletes. A pretest-posttest design was used to determine the difference in BEMS between smoking (N=52) and non smoking (N=52) athletes aged 18 and 30. A back and leg dynamometer was used to quantify BEMS while repetitive prone chest raise test was used to induce fatigue of the back extensor muscles. The smoking (23.1 ± 2.9 years) and non-smoking athletes (23.2 ± 2.37 years) were comparable in age (p= 0.855). Smoking athletes exhibited a significantly higher rating of perceived exertion (p=0.007) and fatigue index (10.76% vs. 5.07%); and significant reduction in BEMS following fatigue induction (p < 0.05) compared with their non smoking counterparts. Smoking athletes have higher rates of muscular fatiguability and decreased back strength following back extensors tasks. Smoking is associated with increased muscle fatiguability and impairment of back strength in athletes

Practice and pattern of antenatal and postnatal exercise among Nigerian women: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: The African culture seems to play a major prohibiting role in physical exercise during pregnancy and immediate postpartum. This study was designed to assess practice and pattern of antenatal and postnatal exercise among Nigerian women. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and sixty-five women (189 pregnant women and 179 nursing mothers) from six selected hospitals in south-west Nigeria participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were obtained on socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, and practice of antenatal and postnatal exercise. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data at P<0.05 alpha level. Results: The mean age of all the respondents was 28.9± 4.63 years. A majority of the pregnant women responders were nulliparous (39.2%) while the nursing mother responders were mostly multiparous (54.5%). Prevalence for engagement in physical exercise was 81.9% and mostly based on self-prescription (35.5%) and prescription by nurses (28.8%). Antenatal and postnatal ex ercise practice was 84.7% (160/189) and 79.0% (139/176), respectively. Aerobic (43.5%) and stretching (33.4%) were the most common type of physical exercises. Exercise frequency was mostly 1-2 times per week (40.8%). There was significant association between exercise practice and education level (χ2=18.795; P=0.001). Conclusion: Engagement in antenatal and postnatal exercise among Nigerian pregnant and nursing women was high and mostly based on self-prescription. Education level significantly influence physical exercise practice among Nigerian women with aerobic and stretching as the predominant exercises in pregnancy and postpartum

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of yoruba version of the short-form 36 health survey

Background and objective: The Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a valid quality of life tool often employed to determine the impact of medical intervention and the outcome of health care services. However, the SF-36 is culturally sensitive which necessitates its adaptation and translation into different languages. This study was conducted to cross-culturally adapt the SF-36 into Yoruba language and determine its reliability and validity. Methods: Based on the International Quality of Life Assessment project guidelines, a sequence of translation, test of item-scale correlation, and validation was implemented for the translation of the Yoruba version of the SF-36. Following pilot testing, the English and the Yoruba versions of the SF-36 were administered to a random sample of 1087 apparently healthy individuals to test validity and 249 respondents completed the Yoruba SF-36 again after two weeks to test reliability. Data was analyzed using Pearson's product moment correlation analysis, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, multi trait scaling analysis and Intra-Class Correlation (ICC) at p < 0.05. Results: The concurrent validity scores for scales and domains ranges between 0.749 and 0.902 with the highest and lowest scores in the General Health (0.902) and Bodily Pain (0.749) scale. Scale-level descriptive result showed that all scale and domain scores had negative skewness ranging from -2.08 to -0.98. The mean scores for each scales ranges between 83.2 and 88.8. The domain scores for Physical Health Component and Mental Health Component were 85.6 ± 13.7 and 85.9 ± 15.4 respectively. The convergent validity was satisfactory, ranging from 0.421 to 0.907. Discriminant validity was also satisfactory except for item '1'. The ICC for the test-retest reliability of the Yoruba SF-36 ranges between 0.636 and 0.843 for scales; and 0.783 and 0.851 for domains. Conclusion: The data quality, concurrent and discriminant validity, reliability and internal consistency of the Yoruba version of the SF-36 are adequate and it is recommended for measuring health-related quality of life among Yoruba population

Incidence and pattern of injuries among adolescent basketball players in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Basketball is the second most popular sport in Nigeria after football and is commonly played by adolescents. Prospective studies on adolescent basketball players in Nigeria are lacking. Such studies will help to develop injury counter-measures. Hence, this study aimed at determining the incidence and pattern of injuries among adolescent basketball players in Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prospective observational study involving 141 adolescent basketball players (75 boys and 66 girls; with age range 15 – 18 years) who participated in the 2010 National Finals of the Nigeria Nestlé Milo Basketball Competition. Basketball-related injury data were collected by an assessor during the competition using a standardized basketball injury report form. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 32 injuries were recorded with an incidence of 22.7 injuries per 100 participants same for boys and girls. This is equivalent to 1.1 injury per match for boys and 0.9 injuries per match for girls. Jumping/landing was the most common cause of injury (28.1%, N = 9). Most of the injuries were at the lower extremities (75%, N = 24); with majority at the knee joint (40.6%, N = 13). Ligament sprain was the most common types of injury. The pattern of injuries among boys did not significantly differ from that of girls (P > 0.05). Most injuries (N = 13, 41%) occurred in the offensive half of the court and cryotherapy was the most frequently used treatment modality.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The overall incidence of match injury among adolescent amateur basketball players during a national competition in Nigeria was 22.7 injuries per 100 participants; equivalence of 1.0 injury per match. The pattern of injuries was similar in both genders and consistent with what has been previously reported in literature for adolescent basketball players. Exercise-based injury prevention programmes aimed at improving core strength and neuromuscular control at the lower limbs may help reduce the incidence of injuries.</p