IS MULLIGAN'S SUSTAINED NATURAL APOPHYSEAL GLIDES (SNAGS) OR MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE IS EFFECTIVE IN THE NON-SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE? A TWO-GROUP PRETEST-POSTTEST RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of Mulligan's Glides like sustained natural apophyseal glides and muscle energy technique (MET) in the management of individual with cervicogenic headache (ICH).Methods: A total of 30 ICH were recruited by the simple random sampling to participate in this two-group pretest-posttest, single-blinded randomized clinical study. Recruited ICH was randomly allocated into two groups, Group A and Group B. ICH in Group A was provided with Mulligan's SNAGs of 3 glides/session/day×5 days/week×4-week duration, while in Group B, ICH received MET for suboccipital muscles for 6 times/session/day×5 days/ week×4 weeks. Both the groups received the common intervention of stretching and strengthening for cervical muscles for 4 weeks. Pain scores (visual analog score [VAS]), disability (headache disability index [HD]), and cervical extension range of motion (ROM) were documented at baseline and 4th week after intervention and analyzed.Results: Group B demonstrated significance difference (p<0.05) in HDI, VAS, and cervical extension ROM when compared to Group A.Conclusion: 4 week MET has the sufficient potential to decrease neck pain, disability, and increase cervical mobility among ICH as a non-surgical management

Potential pathway for recycling of the paper mill sludge compost for brick making

This study's focus was to develop a potential pathway for recycling of the paper mill sludge compost (PMSC) in brick making. Composting reduces the paper mill sludge (PMS) moisture content considerably and shredding becomes easier. The addition of PMSC leads to an increase of porosities in bricks and makes them lighter, besides delivering energy to the firing process from burning organics. Lighter construction materials help minimize construction outlay by reducing labour and transportation costs and lesser expense on foundation construction. The variability in the experimental data and the brick properties were investigated for two types of soils, typical in the brick industry of India (alluvial and laterite soil), blended with PMSC in five mix ratios (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). The samples of oven-dried bricks were fired at two different temperatures (850 and 900 ˚C) in an electrically operated muffle furnace representing typical conditions of a brick kiln. Various properties of bricks were analyzed which included linear shrinkage, bulk density, water absorption and compressive strength. Conclusions were drawn based on these properties. It was found that the addition of PMSC to the alluvial and laterite soil by up to 10% weight yield mechanical properties of fired bricks compliant with the relevant Indian and ASTM codes. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) tests showed that PMSC incorporated fired bricks are safe to use in regular applications as non-load-bearing and infill walls. This study is timely in light of the European Green Deal putting focus on circular economy. Besides, it fulfils the objective of UN sustainable development goals (SDG)

Efficacy of progressive relaxation technique and yoga in patients with stress-induced asthma: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway. In susceptible individuals, this inflammation causes recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing. Various physiotherapy techniques help in the reduction of symptoms associated with asthma which includes deep breathing exercises and relaxation postures. Progressive relaxation technique (PRT) is useful in reducing the respiratory symptoms and stress in asthma. Yoga techniques have shown clinically relevant improvements in their quality of life and effective reduction in the frequency of attacks and degree of stress. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the effect of PRT and yoga in patients with stress-induced asthma (SIA) so that better treatment program can be adopted in the reduction of symptoms in participants with SIA. Methodology: Thirty participants with asthma were recruited for the study and were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 15) was treated with PRT and Group B (n = 15) was treated with yoga technique for a duration of 3 months. Outcome Measures: Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQOL) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) were used. Results: Group B (yoga group) showed a significant difference, P 0.05). Postyoga intervention, the patients with SIA demonstrated decrease in the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, and increased quality of life. Conclusion: Three-month duration of yoga is more effective than PRT in patients with SIA in reducing asthmatic symptoms and improving quality of life

Efficacy of Yoga Asana and Gym Ball Exercises in the management of primary dysmenorrhea: A single-blind, two group, pretest-posttest, randomized controlled trial

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is characterized by cramping lower abdomen pain that may radiate to the lower back and upper thigh and commonly associated with stress, headache, and diarrhea, and thereby decreases the quality of life. It occupies 20%–90% of the female population in reproductive age. Many conservative treatment methods such as yoga asana, physiotherapy through gym ball/therapy ball/Swiss ball exercises, etc., are available to treat them. More efficient among them is not known. Purpose: The aim is to compare the efficacy of yoga asana and gym ball/therapy ball/Swiss ball exercises in the management of female with PD. Methodology: A total of 30 female with PD were recruited by the simple random sampling to participate in this two group pretest-posttest, single-blinded randomized clinical study. Recruited female with PD were randomly allocated into two groups, Group A and Group B. Group A were provided with yoga asana for 60 s duration × 5 repetition/session/day × 3 days/week × 12 weeks. While Group B received set of gym ball exercises for 10 s hold ×12 times/set × 3 sets/day × 3 days/week × 12 weeks. Level of menstrual distress (MOOS Menstrual Distress Questionnaire [MDQ]) and pain scores (visual analog score ([VAS]) were documented at baseline and 12th week after intervention and analyzed. Results: Group B demonstrated significance difference (P < 0.05) in MDQ and VAS when compared to Group A. Conclusion: Twelve-week gym ball exercises have the sufficient potential to decrease level of menstrual distress and related pain among female with PD when compared to yoga asanas

Reliability of Alberta Infant Motor Scale Using Recorded Video Observations Among the Preterm Infants in India: A Reliability Study

Background: Assessment of motor function is a vital characteristic of infant development. Alberta Infant Motor scale (AIMS) is considered to be one of the tool available for screening the developmental delays, but this scale was formulated by using western samples. Every country has its own ethnic and cultural background and various differences are observed in the culture and ethnicity. Therefore, there is a need to obtain reliability for the use of AIMS in south Indian population. Purpose: To find the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) on pre-term infants using the recorded video observations in Indian population. Method: 30 preterm infants in three age groups, 0-3 months (10 infants), 4-7 months (10 infants), 8-18 months (10 infants) were recruited for this reliability study. The AIMS was administered to the preterm infants and the performance was videotaped. The performance was then rescored by the same therapist, immediately from the video and on another two consecutive months to estimate intra-rater reliability using ICC (3,1), two-way mixed effects model. For reporting inter-rater reliability, AIMS was scored by three different raters, using ICC (2,k) two-way random effects model and by two other therapists to examine the inter and intra-rater reliability. Results: The two-way mixed effects model for intra-rater reliability of AIMS, ICC (3,1) = 0.99 and for reporting inter-rater reliability of AIMS by two-way random effects model, ICC (2,k) = 0.96. Conclusion: AIMS has excellent intra and inter-rater reliability using recorded video observations among the preterm infants in Indi