Development and Feasibility Testing of Video Home Based Telerehabilitation for Stroke Survivors in Resource Limited Settings

Tele-physiotherapy has been shown to be valuable to improve clinical outcomes after stroke. Yet, home-based interventions for stroke survivors (SSVs) who speak indigenous African languages are sparse. This study developed a video-based home exercise programme (VHEP) for SSV speakers of Yoruba.  A qualitative descriptive pilot study was conducted in two phases: development and feasibility testing. VHEP development followed the American Stroke Association’s recommendations to include demonstrations of task-specific mobility-task and postural training; trunk exercises, and overground walking. The exercise instructions were presented in the Yoruba language. Each exercise was demonstrated for five minutes on video for a total of 30 minutes. The feasibility testing involved ten consenting chronic SSVs.  Each imitated the VHEP twice per week for two weeks and thereafter completed a feasibility questionnaire. Criteria for feasibility were: cost of using VHEP, recruitment rate, retention of participants, adherence to the exercises, and intervention delivery. The ten SSVs were recruited within one week, had prior home access to a video player at no-cost, adhered to the exercises as recorded, completed the 30 minute-duration for two weeks, and confirmed intervention delivery of VHEP. Most participants liked the novel use of Yoruba as the language of instruction on VHEP. The VHEP was feasible and acceptable among the studied sample of SSVs. Video based home telerehabilitation for SSVs therefore has the potential to meet the growing need for tele-physiotherapy in resource limited settings. 

The Knowledge and Participation of Physiotherapists From the Nigerian South-west Related to the Care and Management of Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease

Rehabilitative modalities such as incentive spirometry and physiotherapy interventions, e.g. aerobic exercises, have been shown to produce positive outcomes in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Hemispheric CVA and other complications arising from SCD are amenable to physiotherapy. There have been few studies on the effectiveness of physiotherapy in the management of individuals with SCD. The present study attempts to assess the SCD-related knowledge, attitude and level of participation of physiotherapists in the Nigerian healthcare system. It also examines a possible association between the foregoing and practice settings. The study was carried out among physiotherapists in South-West Nigeria registered on professional e-platforms. The respondents filled in an adapted electronic version of a questionnaire. The IBM SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis, and a chi-square test was used to determine an association between the levels of knowledge, practice settings, and participation among the respondents (p < 0.05). The study findings revealed that only 19% of respondents had received a specific training related to the care of SCD patients, although 65% had been involved in the treatment of at least one patient with SCD. Only 29.5% of respondents had “Good Knowledge” of SCD pathophysiology. A statistically significant association (χ2 = 75.357, p = 0.012) was found between respondents’ level of knowledge and their practice settings, i.e. a teaching hospital mostly. The physiotherapists from the Nigerian South-West,mostly those working in teaching hospitals, reported an average level of knowledge of SCD care. Since the management of sickle cell disease is of multidisciplinary character and requires an all hands-on deck approach, controlled trials should be undertaken by physiotherapy researchers regarding the effects of modalities and interventions on pro-inflammatory bio-molecules

Physiotherapists’ Knowledge, Attitude and Willingness to Care for Covid-19 Patients: a Nationwide Survey in Nigeria

Introduction: COVID-19 requires an all-inclusive task sharing/shifting approach by clinical professions in order to stem the tide of the pandemic. Physiotherapists have, therefore, potential for front line duties to COVID-19 patients as part of their traditional role in acute care for patients with respiratory complications. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and willingness of physiotherapists to care for patients with COVID-19 at the onset of the pandemic. Method: An electronic (WhatsApp) survey of 210 licenced physiotherapists was conducted from March 2020 to July 2020 using an adapted questionnaire from a previous validated tool. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The physiotherapists displayed a high level of awareness (99.0%) about COVID-19, and the social media (96.2%), especially WhatsApp (74.8%), was the main source of information on COVID-19. 28.6% of the respondents had a sufficient level of knowledge of COVID-19. The knowledge about COVID-19 was significantly influenced by educational qualifications (p = 0.00). Also, 77.1%, 74.8% and 87.1% of the respondents werewilling to provide care for patients with COVID-19, be part of front-line care team, and care for COVID-19 survivors, respectively. Conclusion: Nigerian physiotherapists displayed an appreciable level of knowledge of COVID-19 at the onset of the pandemic. The surveyed physiotherapists were also willing to provide care for COVID-19 patients and survivors, as well as to be part of the COVID-19 front-line care team for

Assessment of Nigerian physiotherapy students’ knowledge, attitudes and awareness of physiotherapy roles in the prevention and management of Covid-19: a nationwide online survey

This cross-sectional study assessed Nigerian Physiotherapy students’ knowledge, attitudes and awareness of the roles of physiotherapy in the prevention and management of COVID-19.  Four hundred (400) Nigerian physiotherapy students responded to the survey via an electronic (WhatsApp) questionnaire. The survey revealed a high degree of COVID-19 awareness (98.3%) with the social media (83.3%), especially WhatsApp (70.8%), indicated as the. main source of information. 52% of the respondents exhibited a good level of knowledge of the virus, as well as anti-COVID-19 precautions and hygiene. The level of knowledge correlated with the participants’ ages; the final year (class v) had the highest knowledge score (40). While Nigerian physiotherapy students demonstrate a high level of awareness with regard to the virus and its transmission, the level of knowledge relating to physiotherapy roles in COVID-19 appears to be low