ABSTRACT
Background: Poor sleep quality and depression along with physiological changes due to ageing contribute to increased incidences of falls. It has been observed that among most of the elderly residents these problems remain untreated and studies have shown almost eighty five percentage of this population rely on antidepressants and sedatives as a treatment of choice. But these medications can have deleterious side effects like day time confusion, drowsiness and falls. Physical exercises in different modes like resisted exercises or Tai Chai have shown to improve sleep quality and depression. But most of these exercises are done in standing or unaided and they can be difficult or impossible for frail elderly due to their co- morbidity and increased risk of falling. Methodology: Permission to carry out the study was taken from concerned authorities of old age homes. Written consent was taken from participants. Thirty subjects aged sixty five years and above were recruited in the study from the old age homes, Navi Mumbai. The participants were screened and pre-test score for depression and sleep quality were taken on Pittsburgh Sleep quality index and Geriatric depression scale. A structured group ,chair based exercises was undertaken and supervised by the physiotherapist, twice in a week for ten weeks .The exercises included were warm up, free mobility exercises for upper and lower limbs, breathing exercises and cool down for about forty five minutes. After completion of ten weeks post test score for outcome measures were noted and results were analysed. Results: Statistical analysis was done using Wilcoxon signed rank test for Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and Geriatric Depression Scale. The Global Score of sleep quality scale showed improvement post-test value of 9.5 from 12.5, z value 4.230, p value less than 0.001. The post test for depression improved to 12 from pre-test score of 17, z value 4.639, p value less than 0 .001. The study was single blinded to reduce bias. Conclusion: Chair based exercises can be considered as simple and effective exercises to improve poor sleep quality and depression among institutionalized elderly.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Firefighters having high risk for occupational injuries, perform many hazardous job tasks at the scene of fire. The objective of this cross sectional study is to find the prevalence of self reported musculoskeletal disorders in firefighters at various Fire brigade centres in Mumbai. Method: Total number of 70 active duty firefighters ,both male and females ,were recruited in the study from various fire brigade centres in Mumbai. A validated questionnaire was administered to them consisting information about their demographics, their job profile and self reported measures of their health and co morbidities. The participants also completed a Body Diagram to indicate the location of pain for their musculoskeletal problems. Their working postures was analysed by using REBA after doing a pilot study .The three tasks were lifting the ladder up and down ,folding the hose and lifting the dummy .The data was collected and analysed. Result: The study participants comprised both male and females active duty firefighters, 59 males, mean age (27-45 years ),SD (3.5) and 11 females ,mean age (25-30 years), SD (1.6). The prevalence of neck, shoulder, elbow ,upper back and lower back complaints was 24%, 23%, 13%, 7% and 6 % respectively. 27% participants reported no complaints related to musculoskeletal problems. REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) indicated that 40 out of 70 firefighters have medium risk of cumulative trauma disorders while 30 have high risk in the task of lifting the ladder up and down on shoulders. For folding the hose, all 70 participants had medium risk of injuries and for lifting the dummy, 29 out of 70 had high risk and 41 firefighters had very high risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Conclusion- This study reveals that there is high prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries especially in neck and shoulder among firefighters at various fire brigade centres in Mumbai .REBA assessment for the risk analysis for cumulative trauma disorders shows medium to high risk in all three tasks of lifting the ladder, folding the hose and lifting the dummy which warrants immediate preventive measures and remedial treatment among the study population.
ABSTRACT
Background: Early detection and identification of the risk factors is crucial in minimizing morbidity and mortality arising due to breast cancer. Research has proven that, physiotherapist as a part of multidisciplinary team, plays an important role in treating these patients after surgery. However, evidence suggesting the role of physiotherapist in the domain of health promotion and prevention is limited. Thus an effort is made in this study to explore the level of awareness about the risk factors and prevention and to predict the percent risk of having breast cancer in future five years.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the urban slums of Turbhe. 200 females aged 35 years and above were selected. A self structured questionnaire was formed using Gail’s model. The questionnaire was validated and a house to house survey was conducted.Results: 67.5% females thought that alcohol/tobacco consumption carried the highest risk of breast cancer. 61.5% females were aware of lack of breast feeding as the risk factor for breast cancer. 74% females did not know about breast self – examination while 78.5% had not heard about mammography as screening methods for breast cancer prevention. 14.5% females carried a high risk of getting breast cancer in the future five years.Conclusions: Awareness of study participants about breast cancer was very poor. There is a need for awareness programs to educate women about risk factors and promotion of early detection of breast cancer.