An Exploration of Stress Reactivity, Stress Recovery, Mindfulness Meditation and Prayer with the use of Heart Rate Variability

This study investigated post-stress heart rate variability (HRV) changes during mindfulness meditation (MM) and while listening to a prayer passage from the Holy Quran. HRV was measured in Muslim students (N = 114) during: (1) a resting phase; (2) a cognitive stress-induction phase; and (3) a 10-minute post-stress phase. In the post-stress phase, participants were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions: (1) guided-MM; (2) description of MM; (3) prayer passage; or (4) description of prayer. Results revealed greater mean HF-HRV for male participants in the meditation experimental (MExp) group than the meditation control (MCon) group at the 15 min and 610 min post-stress phases and greater mean HF-HRV for female participants in the MExp group than the MCon group at the 15 min phase. Further analyses of females with self-reported dysphoric mood suggested that both MM and listening to a prayer can promote relaxation following exposure to a cognitive stressor

Ergonomic risk assessment – a case study of a garment manufacturing industry

Pakistan is the eighth largest exporter of textiles, and this sector contributes 8.7% to the country's GDP. The garment industry contribution to the total textile-based exports from the country is 47%. Skilled labour is available at relatively cheap rates. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are prevalent in this sector and this research is aimed at finding the levels of risk attached to working activities and to gain knowledge of the major causes of musculoskeletal disorders. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method was used for this purpose. It was found that postures related to the wrist (0–15° or >15° flexion or extension with twist or deviation), lower arm (100° flexion) and neck (extension and flexion with twist or side flexed) are the major causes of musculoskeletal disorders. These findings will help in the design of workplaces and working strategies to minimize risk and so increase satisfaction, productivity and overall well-being at the workplace

Tele-rehabilitation versus Face To Face Rehabilitation after Knee Joint Replacement

Background: Joint substitution of lower limbs like hip and knee replacements are viewed as a high volume surgery with great achievement rates and physical restoration assumes a significant role in recovery of these patients. However, access to recovery and follow up is restricted. Post joint substitution patients living in remote territories and those with the danger of joint dislocation find difficulty to recovery benefits once they are released from emergency clinic. Access issues produce extra burden. The purpose of current study was to evaluate whether telerehabilitation performed from a health center to patient’s place after discharge from hospital among knee replacement was practically effective as alternative treatment. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 50 post total knee replacement patients for a period of 6 months at Ghurki hospital. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A received telerehabilitation. Group B received face to face rehabilitation for 2 months. Ranges, muscle strength and functional status were measured through goniometer, manual muscle testing and timed get up and go test. Assessment was done using Fischer exact test at baseline, after 2 weeks and followed up after 2 months. Results: p-value for knee flexion came out to be 0.03 where as for quadriceps it was 0.02 after 2 weeks, which was found to be statistically significant. After 2 months, p-value for knee flexion was 0.016 and 0.000 for functional status. Conclusion: Use of telerehabilitation is found to be equally effective as compared to face to face rehabilitation among knee replacement patients

Effects of Fertilizers on Copper and Nickel Accumulation and Human Health Risk Assessment of Vegetables and Food Crops

Despite the fact that fertilizers have been used for millennia for sustainable crop production, this high and considerable dependence on fertilizers heightens environmental concerns with the indirect human exposure due to accumulation of toxins in food chain via soil contamination. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of fertilizers to the soil and their effect on the accumulation of copper and nickel in spinach (Spinacia oleracea), garlic (Allium sativum), wheat (Triticum aestivum), maize (Zea mays), and barley (Hordeum vulgare); as well as potential health concerns associated with consuming vegetables cultivated on this contaminated land. Samples of available soil, food crops, and human blood were collected from three different Tehsils: Bhalwal, Sahiwal, and Silanwali and were regarded as site 1, site 2 and site 3 respectively. Urea, farmyard manure, and potassium chloride were delivered to Site 1; urea phosphate, manure, and ammonium sulphate were delivered to Site 2; and superphosphate, ammonium phosphate, and nitrate phosphate were delivered to Site 3. Data was subjected to statistical analysis for computing out ANOVA and correlation. Analysis revealed that minimum copper concentration was found in the soil of T. aestivum grown at Site-1 while the inhabitants of Site 3 had the highest concentration of Cu in their blood. The highest level of HIR was found in the human beings that ate the S. oleracea grown at Site 3. It is strongly advised that fertilizers be used sparingly, as their excessive use can cause human health risks

Effects of mental imagery technique in addition to conventional physical therapy to improve hand functions in chronic stroke patient

Objective: To find the effect of mental imagery and conventional physical therapy for the treatment of hand function in chronic stroke patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Rana and Alvi welfare society. A sample of 50 stroke patients was selected and divided in two groups; group A (experimental) and group B (control).  Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established and patients meeting inclusion criteria were included in the study. P value was set as 0.05. Group A was treated with conventional physical therapy combined with mental imagery whereas Group B was treated with conventional physical therapy alone. Wolf motor function test and action research arm test was used as outcome measures. Results: Group A consisted of 68% of females and 32% of males and group B comprised of 44% females and 32% males. Mean age of group A and B were 59.68 + 2.37 and 58.52 + 2.46 respectively. Mean duration (in months) of stroke for group A was 16.32+3.77 (minimum and maximum duration 13 and 23 months respectively). The stroke mean duration of group B was 16.00 +2.34 (minimum and maximum duration 13 and 20 months respectively). Both groups did not show significant difference at 5th week (P=0.721) whereas a significant difference was observed at 10th week (P=0.000) Conclusion: It was concluded that mental imagery technique in combination with conventional physical therapy is significantly effective to improve hand function among chronic stroke patients in comparison to conventional physical therapy alone. Continuous..

Effects of dry needling in lower extremity myofascial trigger points: systematic review

Objective: This systematic review was conducted to explore the current evidences on effects of trigger point dry needling as a treatment strategy on pain and range of motion among the subjects with lower extremity myofascial trigger areas. Methods: A systematic review was performed and searched databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and PEDro. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Inclusion and exclusion of studies were made according to PICOS format. Ten studies were recruited for assessment based on eligibility. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the Randomized and Non-Randomized controlled trials and the methodological assessment was also performed using PEDro 10-point scale. Data synthesis was performed by Vote Counting Method as a descriptive tool. Results: Seven of the total ten studies deemed High score on PEDro and three were scored Fair on the scale. Each of the ten studies documented improvement in the pain over time with the dry needling strategy. None of the studies targeted the other outcomes like anxiety and sleep disturbances related with myofascial trigger points. Conclusion: On basis of the best evidences available dry needling seems to be effective in pain reduction related to lower extremity myofascial trigger points. Evidence also suggests that there is not much positive effect of myofascial trigger point dry needling on depression, anxiety, muscular strength and quality of life. Keywords: Acupuncture therapy, Dry Needling, Lower extremity, Myofascial trigger points Continuous...

Role of tele-rehabilitation in patients following total hip replacement: systematic review of clinical trials

Objective: Rehabilitation is considered vital aspect of treatment strategy post total hip replacement and results in improvement in functional activities as well as reduction in pain. Telerehabilitation is emerging as alternative to traditional face to face rehabilitation in home care. To explore the current evidence on effectiveness of telerehabilitation as compared to face to face rehabilitation for patients after total hip replacement. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted. Data bases were searched including Cochrane, Medline, Embase and PEDro from 2000 to latest. A thorough search was performed to retrieve articles missed through databases as well as unpublished grey literature. Methodological quality assessment was performed using Cochrane risk of bias tool and included studies were critically appraised using PEDro scale. Results: 13 articles finally met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review based on eligibility.  However data was not extractable from 1 study due to which 12 studies were finally reviewed. There were 4 Randomized trials, 3 randomized controlled protocols, 3 randomized pilot studies and 1 prospective cohort study. The summary of critical appraisal of included studies through Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale was done which showed that majority of studies had high quality and few studies fall under the category of fair. Conclusion: Telerehabilitation group reported similar improvement in terms of activities of daily living and quality of life as compared to traditional rehabilitation. This systematic review has established that home based telerehabilitation mode of health care services delivery is an acceptable practical alternative among patients who underwent Continuous..

Short Circuit Stress Analysis Using FEM in Power Transformer on H-V Winding Displaced Vertically & Horizontally

The aim of this work was to work out the mechanical stresses within transformer resulting from the extreme short-circuit currents. The forces and stresses set up in transformer windings as the result of exterior or interior short-circuits or of switching operations, are measured in detail. A variety of arrangements of windings in large power transformers are described. Points at which mostly high mechanical stresses take place in concentric windings are discussed in detail. Analytical and FEM calculations for individual short circuit forces, axial and radial have been discussed. The result was then compared with actual measurements on a prototype 20 MVA 132/11.5 kV power transformer [15]. Various failure mechanisms due to these forces have been discussed. Design parameters are also discussed, whose values determine the maximum stresses which may occur in any part of the transformer. Effects of irregularity in various parts and various properties of materials have been studied and the usage of appropriate material for withstanding the dynamic effects of SC is discussed. Effect of workmanship errors on short circuit withstand capability has also elucidated. Finally, a complete model is developed. Keywords: Finite element method, Power transformer, Short circuit stress, Mechanical stresses, Axial and radial stresses, High voltage windin

Engaging a person with lived experience of mental illness in a collaborative care model feasibility study

Plain English summary Researchers have explored different types of treatment to help people with a mental illness with other problems they might be experiencing, such as their health condition and quality of life. Care models that involve many different health care providers working together to provide complete physical and mental health care are becoming popular. There has been a push from the research community to understand the value of including people with lived experience in such programs. While research suggests that people with lived experience may help a patient’s treatment, there is little evidence on including them in a team based program. This paper describes how our research team included a person with lived experience of psychosis in both the research and care process. We list some guiding principles we used to work through some of the common challenges that are mentioned in research. Lastly, experiences from the research team, lessons learned, and a personal statement from the person with lived experience (AA) are provided to help future researchers and people with lived experience collaborate in research and healthcare. Abstract Background In our current healthcare system, people with a mental illness experience poorer physical health and early mortality in part due to the inconsistent collaboration between primary care and specialized mental health care. In efforts to bridge this gap, hospitals and primary care settings have begun to take an integrated approach to care by implementing collaborative care models to treat a variety of conditions in the past decade. The collaborative care model addresses common barriers to treatment, such as geographical distance and lack of individualized, evidence-based, measurement-based treatment. Person(s) with lived experience (PWLE) are regarded as ‘experts by experience’ in the scope of their first-hand experience with a diagnosis or health condition. Research suggests that including PWLE in a patient’s care and treatment has significant contributions to the patient’s treatment and overall outcome. However, there is minimal evidence of including PWLE in collaborative care models. This paper describes the inclusion of a PWLE in a research study and collaborative care team for youth with early psychosis. Aims To discuss the active involvement of a PWLE on the research and collaborative care team and to describe the research team’s experiences and perspectives to facilitate future collaborations. Method This paper describes the inclusion of a PWLE on our research team. We provide a selective review of the literature on several global initiatives of including PWLE in different facets of the healthcare system. Additionally, we outline multiple challenges of involving PWLE in research and service delivery. Examples are provided on how recruitment and involvement was facilitated, with the guidance of several principles. Lastly, we have included a narrative note from the PWLE included in our study, who is also a contributing author to this paper (AA), where she comments on her experience in the research study. Conclusion Including PWLE in active roles in research studies and collaborative care teams can enhance the experience of the researchers, collaborative care team members, and PWLE. We showcase our method to empower other researchers and service providers to continue to seek guidance from PWLE to provide more comprehensive, collaborative care with better health outcomes for the patient, and a more satisfying care experience for the provider