Blood pressure and heart rate adjustment following acute Frenkel’s ambulatory exercise in chronic hemiparetics stroke survivors: a comparative study

Background: Frenkel’s ambulatory activity has been routinely employed by physiotherapists for rehabilitation of gait coordination, however, its immediate influence on blood pressure and heart rate has not been investigated.Objective: To investigate the acute effect of Frenkel’s ambulatory activity on blood pressure and heart rate of chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors.Method: Using a comparative study design, 60 chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors of varying onset of stroke, ≤6, >6-11 and ≥12 months were subjected to a 2-minute Frenkel’s ambulatory activity on marked footsteps (from standard adult described footsteps). Participants were assessed for both blood pressure and heart rate before and after the Frenkel’s ambulatory activity.Results: Blood pressure and heart rate significantly increased (p<0.05) following Frenkel’s ambulatory activity in all the 3 categories of stroke onset above baseline. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) across the onsets in both blood pressure and heart rate responses.Conclusion: The outcome of this study indicated that Frenkel’s ambulatory activity has the propensity to increase blood pressure and heart rate of hemiparetic stroke survivors irrespective of the onset of stroke. We recommend a pre, within and post-activity monitoring of stroke survivors while subjecting them to Frenkel’s ambulatory activity.Keys words: cardiovascular, ambulatory activity, strok

Visual Aesthetic of Petta Puang Theater Group Performance in South Sulawesi

This study aims to provide a description of the visual aesthetics contained in the show Puppet Theater Petta Puang in South Sulawesi in connection with the network of symbolic meaning inherent in it. The method used is descriptive-interpretivime method symbolic, with data collection techniques through direct observation, interviews, and documentation. The result of the research shows that in the performance of Petta Puang Puppet Theater there is a visual aesthetic that characterizes the main character «Petta Puang» in every appearance that is jas tutup, songkok guru (songkok to Bone), and lipa ‘sabbe\u27. Some visual aesthetics have symbolic meaning directly related to the socio-cultural values of the people of South Sulawesi. Lipa ‘sabbe (silk sarong) is a Bugis sarong which has a fine texture as a representation of the tenderness and social politeness of Bugis tribe, while vertical and horizontal lines are markers of human relationship with God and human relationships in the social system. Jas Tutup originally consists of two colors, namely black and white. Two elements of color is a neutral color that confirms the impression of depth and sanctity that became the patron of Bugis tribe values

Knowledge, attitude, and perception of low back pain and activities that may prevent it among adolescents in Nigeria

Background: Awareness of activities that may result in low back pain (LBP) among adolescents is fundamental in preventing adulthood LBP. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate adolescents' knowledge, attitude, and perception of LBP and activities that may prevent LBP in Kano, North-western, Nigeria.Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 400 school-going adolescents recruited using a multistage random sampling technique. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test with 0.05 set as level of significance. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 16.0±1.50 years. LBP annual prevalence was 34.2%, with more girls (31.1%) reporting having LBP compared to boys (28.4%). More than half (59.3%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of LBP and activities that may prevent it. However, they had a good attitude (63%) and perception (74%) of LBP and activities that may prevent it. There was no significant association of levels of knowledge, attitude, and perception of LBP and activities that may prevent LBP with gender, age, and class of study (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Adolescents in Kano, North-western Nigeria had poor knowledge of LBP and activities that may prevent it. Therefore, there is a need to embark on an LBP prevention program among adolescents in Kano, North-western Nigeria. Keywords: Low back pain; prevention; adolescents; knowledge; attitude; perception

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Hausa version of the Oswestry Disability Index 2.1a for patients with low back pain

Study Design: Validation of a translated, culturally adapted questionnaire. Objective: To translate the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) version 2.1a into Hausa Language and to validate its use in a cohort of patients with low back pain (LBP). Summary of Background Data: The ODI is one of the most commonly used condition-specific questionnaires for assessing functional disability in patients with LBP, yet, no formal cross-culturally adapted and validated Hausa version exists. Methods: The Hausa version of the ODI 2.1a (ODI-H) was developed according to established guidelines. Validation was performed among 200 patients with LBP recruited from both rural and urban Nigeria. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency (Cronbach alpha), test-retest reliability by computing intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change. Convergent validity was assessed by correlating the ODI-H with Visual Analogue Scale for pain, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, and finger-floor distance test. Divergent validity was assessed by correlating the ODI-H with age, educational level, and occupational status. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis were also performed. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed with three models: 1) one-factor theory-driven model, 2) two-factor theory-driven model (dynamic and static factors), and 3) a model based on our EFA. Results: The ODI-H had high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.87) and excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.937) with standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change being 3.69 and 10.2 respectively. The construct validity (convergent and divergent validity) is supported as all (6:6, 100%) the a priori hypotheses were confirmed. The EFA yielded a two-factor model explaining 54.3% of the total variance but demonstrated poor fit. The one-factor and two-factor theory-driven model had acceptable fit but the one-factor theory-driven model was better. Conclusion: The ODI-H version 2.1a was transculturally equivalent, reliable, and valid tool for assessing functional disability among Hausa-speaking patients with LBP. The use of this tool can be recommended for future clinical and research purposes

Assessment of functional capacity and sleep quality of patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Adequate sleep improves physical and mental alertness. However, there is a dearth of empirical data on functional capacity (FC) and sleep quality (SpQ) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Objective: This study investigated the relationship between FC and SpQ of patients with CHF and apparently healthy controls (HCs). Methods: This case-control study recruited 50 patients with CHF whose left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was <40%, attending cardiac clinics of selected government hospitals in Osun State. Furthermore, 50 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited as controls. Socio-demographic characteristics and cardiovascular parameters were assessed. The FC (VO2 max) and SpQ were assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Patients had a significantly lower FC and poorer SpQ than HCs, 4.6 ± 0.5 versus 11.3 ± 1.6 mL/kg/min (t = −3.452; p = 0.001) and 8.74 ± 1.6 versus 3.8 ± 1.3 (t = −5.371; p = 0.001), respectively. HCs were about five times more likely to walk longer distance [odds ratio (OR), 4.8; confidence interval (CI), 2.0–11.1] and had a better heart rate (OR, 2.8; CI, 1.4–5.3) than patients. SpQ had a significant negative correlation with FC of patients (r = −0.362; p = 0.001) but a significant positive correlation with HCs (r = 0.481; p = 0.041). Furthermore, there were significant correlations between FC and body mass index in both groups (CHF: r = 0.247, p = 0.022; HCs: r = 0.321, p = 0.040). Conclusion: Patients with heart failure demonstrated lower functional capacity and poorer sleep quality