Kinesiophobia, self-efficacy and pain-related disability in patients with non-specific low back pain

Psychological factors like kinesiophobia and self-efficacy have been shown to be associated with pain and disability perception in patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). The association among extent of kinesiophobia, self efficacy, pain intensity and disability in patients presenting with NSLBP and the predictor of disability among pain intensity, self-efficacy and kinesiophobia in these patients were investigated in this study.The research design was an analytical cross sectional survey involving 275 consecutively selected individuals diagnosed with NSLBP at a tertiary hospital in southwestern Nigeria. The main outcome measures used were: Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Revised Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (RODQ) and Self-Efficacy in Rehabilitation Scale (SER).The mean age of the participants was 51.62±13.4 years. The extent of kinesiophobia and measure of selfefficacy were high and above average as seen in 71.7% and 94.3% of the participants respectively. The mean scores on TSK, RODQ, SER and pain intensity were 39.45±5.91, 36.98±15.97, 98.68±21.4 and 7.35±1.94 respectively. Participants with high scores on TSK had significantly high scores on RODQ and low scores on SER. There was a significant positive association between extent of kinesiophobia, disability and selfefficacy (p<0.05). Self-efficacy, pain intensity and kinesiophobia significantly predicted extent of disability (p<0.05).Patients with NSLBP exhibited fear of re-injury (kinesiophobia). Patients with high level of kinesiophobia had increased pain intensity and reduced self-efficacy. High levels of kinesiophobia accompanied by increased pain intensity and decreased self-efficacy were significant predictors of pain related disability in patients with NSLBP.Keywords: Non-specific low back pain, self-efficacy, kinesiophobia, perceived disabilit

Characterization of titanium alloy and boron carbide metal matrix composites (MMCS) for surface engineering applications

Abstract: Surface engineering applications has brought titanium and its alloys into limelight in the manufacturing industries such as the aerospace, automobile, marine, food processing and chemical processing industry. Despite the growths experienced in the use of this material, Ti and its alloys are plagued with poor wear behaviour especially when in contact with other materials during application. This limitation of Ti-based components has led to a search for techniques and processes to modify, restructure and re-engineer such materials for extended lifespan and for reuse. Among various techniques for restoring and protecting the material is by the use of the laser metal deposition (LMD) technique otherwise called the laser cladding process. The LMD is a technique used to achieve a coating on components which allow the addition of reinforcing particles to improve the surface properties of titanium-based materials. These properties include hardness, wear amongst others. This research study involves the use of the LMD process to deposit composites coatings on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) substrate using Rofin Sinar 3.0 KW Ytterbium fibre laser system. The reinforcement titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) and boron carbide (B4C) ceramic powder were employed to deposit Ti6Al4V-B4C composites coatings on Ti6Al4V substrate. The microstructural evaluation, geometrical analysis, porosity analysis, microhardness profiling and the wear characteristics of laser cladded composites were investigated. Samples from the as-deposited laser cladded composites were characterized using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Both geometrical and porosity analyses were carried out to investigate the rate of dilution and defects such as porosity and cracks on the deposited composites coatings. Furthermore, performance characteristics were investigated using microhardness tester and CETRUMT-2 tribometer for the wear test analysis of the laser clad coatings of Ti6Al4V-B4C composites. This research work is also aimed to establish process parameters that will result in defect-free composite coatings. The microstructure of the Ti6Al4V-B4C composites revealed a pore and crack free clad when observed at laser power of 2200 W. The SEM analysis revealed that there is uniform distribution of the ceramic particles in the titanium matrix at higher laser power. The geometrical analysis of the samples revealed that the aspect ratio (AR) and the dilution (D) increases with an increase in the laser power. The results obtained further revealed the dilution of approximately between 34% and 46% with aspect ratio between 2.16 and 3.58 were the best in terms of defectology for the combined with acceptable geometrical characteristics. The EDS and the XRD results revealed that there is a relationship between intermetallic phase of α+β titanium alloy and boron carbide in which certain amount of peaks...M.Eng. (Mechanical Engineering