Effect of clinic-based and telemonitored home-based intervention on pain intensity, functioning and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Introduction and aim. The study assessed and compared the effects of clinic-based and telemonitored home-based interventions on pain intensity, functioning and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Material and methods. Forty-two patients were recruited purposely and randomly allocated into clinic-based (CBG) and telemonitored home-based group (THG) equally. The CBG and THG received isometric exercises to strengthen the quadriceps and hamstring muscles using theraband. THG received the exercise at home they were monitored on phone thrice in a week, while the CBG did the exercise in the hospital. The subjects performed four sets of eight repetitions three days in a week for eight weeks. Pain intensity, functioning and health related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed at pretreatment, 6th and 8th week of intervention. Data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05. Results. There was a significant reduction (p<0.001) among pre-treatment, 6th and 8th week intervention in pain intensity, functional pain intensity and quality of life of CBG and THG. CBG showed significant reduction (p<0.001) in pain intensity, function and increase in HRQoL than THG at 8th week. Conclusion. Clinic-based and telemonitored home-based interventions were both effective in the management of KOA but clinic-based intervention was better than telemonitored home-based intervention

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Health Care Service Utilization for Low-Back Pain among Nigerian Automobile Technicians

Background: Automobile technicians in resource-limited countries depend more on manual than mechanized approach in their work, and as such, may be at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain (LBP). This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and health care service utilization for LBP among Nigerian automobile technicians. Methods: A total of 240 members of the National Association of Automobile Technicians responded in this survey. A previously validated instrument on prevalence, risk factors and health-care-service utilization for LBP was adapted in this study. Data was analysed using descriptive and interferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Twelve-month and point prevalence of LBP were 79.2% and 75%. On-going LBP was associated with work-related poor posture (46.7%), trauma (13.9%) and lifting of loads (11.7%). LBP mostly led to absenteeism from work (46.8%) and consultation with health practitioners (73.7%). 40% of respondents agreed to have incurred about N1000-N5000 as treatment cost, and 38.7% of the respondents lost about N5000-N10000 as estimated cost in terms of lost hours. Type of automobile activity engaged in (p = 0.483), frequent bending (p = 0.217), lifting objects weighing up to 5 kg (p = 0.071) or up to 25 kg (p = 0.719) and sustained sitting (p = 0.349) or standing (p = 0.996) were not significantly associated with prevalence of LBP. In the bivariate analysis, age (χ2 = 3.298, P = 0.192), marital status (χ2 = 0.098, P = 0.754), type of automobile repairs engaged in (χ2 = 0.493, P = 0.483), lifting objects up to 5 kg (χ2 = 3.269, p = 0.071), lifting objects up to 25 kg (χ2 = 0.130, p = 0.719), sustained sitting (χ2 = 0.840, p = 0.349), and sustained standing (χ2 = 0.002, p = 0.996) were not significantly associated with prevalence of LBP. Level of education (χ2 = 6.121, p = 0.047) was, however, associated with LBP prevalence, although this association was not sustained following logistic regression. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of LBP among Nigerian automobile technicians, and it results in work absenteeism, economic burden and increased need to seek health care

Comparative effectiveness of transverse oscillatory pressure and cervical traction in the management of cervical radiculopathy: A randomized controlled study

Background: Radiating neck pain is one of the major symptoms of cervical radiculopathy (CR). Objective: This study compared the effects of cervical traction (CT) and transverse oscillatory pressure (TOP) in management of CR. Methods: Seventy-five participants with unilateral radiating neck pain were randomly allocated into three groups, 25 (14 males, 11 females) for CT, 25 (15 males and 10 females) for TOP and 25 (11 males and 14 females) control (Cnt) group. All participants received massage, cryotherapy and active exercises three times in a week for six weeks. CT was administered to CT group, TOP to TOP group while the third group served as control. Pain intensity (PI) and neck functional disability (NFD) were assessed pretreatment, 3rd and 6th week of intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: There was a significant reduction in PI and NFD between pretreatment and 6th week in all the groups (p<0.05). The effect size of PI (F=7.533, p<0.001) and disability index (F=37.888, p<0.001) in CT group were significantly lower than that of TOP group at 3rd week. PI of TOP was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of CT and Cnt groups at the 6th week. Conclusion: TOP reduces the PI and disability of patients with CR faster compared to CT

Muscle energy technique and static stretching in patients with mechanical neck pain – a randomized study

Introduction and aim. Neck pain is becoming increasingly common throughout the world with a considerable impact on individuals. This study compared the effects of muscle energy techniques (MET) and static stretching (SS) on pain intensity and functional disability of patient with mechanical neck pain. Material and methods. Fifty subjects with mechanical neck pain recruited were randomly allocated into MET and SS groups equally. Subjects in MET received MET protocol, and SS groups were treated with SS; both groups had treatment twice a week for six weeks. Pain intensity and functional disability at baseline, 3rd and 6th week of treatment were measured. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Alpha level was set at <0.05. Results. There were 12 males and 13 females for MET with age ranged between 31–53 years mean was 42.41± 7.35 years and 11 males and 14 females in SS group with age range 22–60 years and mean age of 42.91±10.44 years. There was a significant reduction in pain intensity and disability in MET’s and SS group (p<0.05) when pre-treatment, 3rd week and 6th week treatment were compared. Pain intensity was lower at SS than MET while functional disability was lower in MET than SS p<0.05 at 6th week. Conclusion. MET reduces ND more than SS and SS reduces pain intensity better MET

A qualitative study on coping strategies among patients with non-specific low-back pain

Background: Non-specific low-back pain (NSLBP) is a common health problem worldwide, but the perception and coping strategies used by patients are underreported. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the perception of patients with NSLBP, the ways the pain interrfered with their basic life, and coping strategies employed by them. Methods: Twenty patients consisting of 10 males (50%) and 10 females (50%) participated in this study. A qualitative interview was conducted using a three-section modified structured interview guide by Gwenda. Section A contained sociodemographic infor-mation, section B was the numerical pain rating scale, and section C asked questions about the pain duration, the ways of pain interference with the patient’s life, and strategies used to cope with pain. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: The results showed that 50% of the patients were within the age range of 58 years or above. Ten (50%) patients perceived that NSLBP was caused by work-related activities and 10% perceived that NSLBP was a spiritual problem. Fifty percent reported that the pain interfered with their activities of daily living, and four (20%) mentioned that NSLBP interfered with their sexual function and religious activities. Concerning the coping strategy, 40% used prayer, 15% usually ignored the pain, and 35% used the conventional approach. Conclusions: It can be concluded that half of the patients with NSLBP perceived NSLBP to be caused by work-related activities. Be-sides, NSLBP interfered with basic activities of daily living, and about 40% were coping with NSLBP with prayer and spiritual means

Assessment of Range of Motion in Selected Upper Limb Joints of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Control

Limitation in joint mobility was recognized as the most common and earliest long-term complication of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study assessed the range of motion in selected joints of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and compared it with aged matched apparently healthy individuals Fifty subjects volunteered to participate in the study this comprised of 25 patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus and 25 age matched apparently healthy individuals. The range of motion of the joints of shoulder, wrist thumb, index and the middle fingers of diabetics and normal subjects were measured with a full circle universal goniometer using standard protocol. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05 The result showed that there was significant difference between the range of motion of the measured joints; shoulder (t=-23, p=0.000), metacarpophalangeal joints of the index finger in flexion (t=7.056, p=0.000) and in extension (t=-13.548, p=0.000) in diabetics and non-diabetic subjects (p<0.005). In conclusion, limited joint mobility occurs in subjects with type 2 diabetics as one of the complications of the disease

Assessment of Range of Motion in Selected Upper Limb Joints of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Control

Limitation in joint mobility was recognized as the most common and earliest long-term complication of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study assessed the range of motion in selected joints of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and compared it with aged matched apparently healthy individuals Fifty subjects volunteered to participate in the study this comprised of 25 patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus and 25 age matched apparently healthy individuals. The range of motion of the joints of shoulder, wrist thumb, index and the middle fingers of diabetics and normal subjects were measured with a full circle universal goniometer using standard protocol. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05 The result showed that there was significant difference between the range of motion of the measured joints; shoulder (t=-23, p=0.000), metacarpophalangeal joints of the index finger in flexion (t=7.056, p=0.000) and in extension (t=-13.548, p=0.000) in diabetics and non-diabetic subjects (p<0.005). In conclusion, limited joint mobility occurs in subjects with type 2 diabetics as one of the complications of the diseas

Comparative effectiveness of two stabilization exercise positions on pain and functional disability of patients with low back pain

The study investigated the effects of two stabilization exercise positions (prone and supine) on pain intensity (PI) and functional disability (FD) of patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). The 56 sub-jects that completed the study were randomly assigned into stabiliza-tion in prone (SIP) (n=19), stabilization in supine (SIS) (n=20), and prone and supine (SIPS) position (n=17) groups. Subjects in all the groups re-ceived infrared radiation for 15 min and kneading massage at the low back region. Subjects in SIP, SIS, and SIPS groups received stabilization exercise in prone lying, supine lying and combination of both positions respectively. Treatment was applied twice weekly for eight weeks. PI and FD level of each subject were measured at baseline, 4th and 8th week of the treatment sessions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The alpha level was set at P 0.05) of the treat-ment sessions across the three groups when compared. It can be con-cluded that stabilization exercises carried out in prone, supine and combination of the two positions were equally effective in managing pain and disability of patients with NSCLBP. However, no position was superior to the other