Effectiveness of constraint induced movement therapy as compared to bimanual therapy in upper motor function outcome in child with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Objective: This study aims at determining the effectiveness of constraint induced movement therapy as compared to bimanual therapy for improving functional status in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Methods: This study was a randomized control trial, children [n = 20] with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy was randomly allocated to CIMT [constraint induced movement therapy] and BMT [bimanual therapy] group. The children with spastic hemiplegia, age between 1.5 and 12 year and having 10 degrees of wrist extension and 10 degrees of finger extension were included in study. Treatment regime was two hours of daily training six days a week for two weeks. Constraint was applied to CIMT group for six hours. The outcome tool QUEST was used for baseline and post treatment assessment

Result: CIMT had superior outcome as compared to BMT in improving functional status [p=0.007]. On QUEST tool grasp and dissociated movements results were significant [p=0.005] and [p=0.028] respectively. Weight bearing and protective extension resulted in no significant outcome [p=0.080] and [p=0.149] respectively. Dissociated movements and grasp are significantly improved but there is no difference for weight bearing and protective extension in CIMT treated group as compared to BMT treated group

Conclusion: CIMT approach is better in improving functional status of child with cerebral palsy as compared to BMT. Significant improvement in grasp and dissociated movement is noted in group of CIMT while there was no significant improvement in weight bearing and protective extension in CIMT group when compared to BMT. CIMT is considered the appropriate treatment approach for unilateral conditions while BMT for bilateral conditions

Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques as compared to traditional strength training in gait training among transtibial amputees

Objective: To determine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation [PNF] techniques as compared with the traditional prosthetic strength training [TPT], in improving ambulatory function in subjects with transtibial amputation

Study Design: Randomized control trial

Place and Duration of Study: Artificial Limb Centre of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, from July to December 2014

Methodology: Patients with lower-limb amputation was selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned into PNF group [n=31] and traditional group [n=32]. The baseline and follow-up of 04 weeks treatment session was provided and measurement was noted through the locomotor capabilities index

Results: The locomotor capabilities index abilities had significant difference in both groups. The mean index was 23.93 for PNF and 18.18 for TPT [p > 0.05], and the knee muscle strength was also significantly different [p > 0.05]. There was no significant difference in gait parameters

Conclusion: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique is better in improving the locomotor abilities and knee muscle strength as compared to traditional training. The basic gait parameters have same effect in both groups

Task oriented training improves the balance outcome and reducing fall risk in diabetic population

Objectives: The objective was to determine the balance impairments and to compare task oriented versus traditional balance training in fall reduction among diabetic patients

Methods: The randomized control trial with descriptive survey and 196 diabetic patients were recruited to assess balance impairments through purposive sampling technique

Eighteen patients were randomly allocated into two groups: task oriented balance training group TOB [n=8] and traditional balance training group TBT [n=10]

The inclusion criteria were 30-50 years age bracket and diagnosed cases of Diabetes Mellitus with neuropathy

The demographics were taken through standardized ft valid assessment tools include Berg Balance Scale and Functional Reach Test

The measurements were obtained at baseline, after 04 and 08 weeks of training

Results: The mean age of the participants was 49 +/- 6.79. The result shows that 165[84%] were at moderate risk of fall and 31[15%] were at mild risk of fall among total 196 diabetic patients

There was significant improvement [p <0.05] in task oriented balance training group for dynamic balance, anticipatory balance and reactive balance after 8 weeks of training as compare to traditional balance training

Conclusion: Task oriented balance training is effective in improving the dynamic, anticipator and reactive balance

The task oriented training reduces the risk of falling through enhancing balance outcome

Good teacher; student's perception about top qualities in health sciences

The enriched learning and effective teaching is one of necessary aspect to develop competent health professionals. In literature number of studies presents the best qualities of an effective teacher. There are different descriptive surveys depicting the rating of student and expert professional opinion. The purpose of this study was to determine the top qualities of a good teacher in health sciences. A descriptive cross sectional study. Methods: Riphah College of rehabilitation sciences. January - February 2014. 179 students were recruited in sample. A structured questionnaire was prepared and twenty qualities were selected after the detail review of literature. A scale ranging from 1 to 5 were described against each qualities from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The result showed that the top qualities ranked by the students were effective communication skills score 112, encourage students 103, sound knowledge 100 and good presentation skills 99. The lowest score qualities were constructive criticism 28 and sense of humor 53. The 49% students want to be teacher while 51% don't want to be teacher in future. A good teacher has vital role in producing a good student. According to the perception of students a good teacher must have strong and effective communication skill, ability to motivate students and must have sound knowledge of subjects. This study suggests the basic training program for teacher to enhance the student teacher relationship. Further study should be done to explore the teacher's perception of a good teacher

Effectiveness of strength training program with and without hamstring stretching in patients with knee osteoarthritis

To determine the outcome of strength training programme; with and without hamstring stretching in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. A Comparative experimental study. This research study was conducted in department of physical therapy at National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine [NIRM] Islamabad from 1st January to 31st July 2014. A total of 40 patients were randomly selected and placed into two groups. The inclusion criteria were radiologically diagnosed patients of both genders for knee Osteoarthritis of age ranges from 40 to 75 years. The isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise, hamstring stretching exercises and NSAIDS were applied in group A, while group B was treated with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise and NSAIDS. Both the groups were treated for 6 weeks at 3 days per week and Visual Analog Scale [VAS], Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC], and knee range of motion were used as assessment tools to assess pain, function, and mobility. The measurements were made at the baseline and at the completion of 6 weeks treatment program to obtain numbered data. The data was analyzed through SPSS-20 and paired t test was applied to assess the statistical significance outcomes at 95% level of significance. The results showed that the patients treated with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercises and hamstring stretching exercises combined with NSAIDS managed pain, function and mobility clinically and statistically more [p=0.011, p=0.021, p=0.001], as compared with group B treated with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise and NSAIDs [p=0.931, p=0.814, p=0.742], in patients with knee Osteoarthritis, as assessed by visual analog scale [VAS], WOMAC index andgoniometry. It is concluded that isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise, hamstring stretching exercises and NSAIDS will managed pain, function, and mobility more effectively as compared with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise and NSAIDS in patients with Osteoarthritis

Physical therapy; level of awareness of medical professionals

The purpose of study: Physical therapy is a renowned developing profession and improves not only the functional status but also enhance the quality of life in movement disorder population. The main purpose of this study was to find out the level of awareness about physical therapy in medical professionals. A descriptive Cross sectional Survey was done with a sample of 100. A structured questionnaire was developed for data collection from hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The data was collected from July 2010 to December 2010. The response was analyzed through SPSS-17. The results show that 90% of medical community knows about physical therapy as a specialty in medical sciences, refer their patients to the physical therapist, physical therapy is beneficial for their patients, and physical therapy has an essential role in health care system. The medical community refers their patients to the physical therapy for the management of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and cardiopulmonary conditions more commonly. Physical therapy is an emerging specialty of medical sciences in Pakistan. Physical Therapists are not only rehabilitating patients with movement dysfunction but are also working as active team members of medical community in Pakistan

Identifying and Comparing the Different Learning Styles of Health Professional Students

To compare the learning styles of first year MBBS, BDS and DPT students. This study was carried out at Islamic International Medical College Rawalpindi [IIMC], Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences [RCRS], Islamic International Dental College Islamabad [IDC], Pakistan between February 2013 and June 2013. It was a descriptive cross sectional study. A sample of 83 first year MBBS, 81 first year DPT and 36 BDS were recruited. Kolb's inventory [1985] was used for collection of data. It was analyzed by using SPSS 20.p value of <0.05 was considered significant. A confidence interval of 95 was maintained. Frequency of learning style showed that 38.2% of MBBS students are assimilators, 59.7% of DPT students are Accommodators and 15.2% of BDS are Converger. It is concluded that the majority of students of the different disciplines have different learning style. So teacher must be aware of this fact and plan according to the learning styles of the students

Measuring students' perceptions about educational environment of an under graduate rehabilitation sciences curriculum in Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences- Pakistan by means of DREEM's inventory

The objective of the study was to establish the perceived strength of educational environment of Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences Islamabad Campus. A Descriptive Study. Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences, during May and June 2013. The descriptive study was conducted in the Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences, during the month of May, June 2013.The 50 items inventory was selected for analyzing and assessing the educational climate and a sample of 142 students from first and final year of Doctor of Physical Therapy were recruited. A total of 142 questionnaires were completed, 85 from first year, 57 from final semester. The mean score of inventory was 130/200 and overall mean was 2.60. The mean score for [perception of learning] was 2.70; [Perception of course organizers] was 2.58, [Self perception about Academic] was 2.76, [Perception of atmosphere] was 2.58 and [Social self perception] was 2.36. It is concluded that overall environment of Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences is more positive. There is span for improvement and augmentation of existing educational environment to provide a sound platform for proper learning