Effectiveness of Respiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength, Pulmonary Function, and Respiratory Complications in Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Stroke is the most common leading cause of mortality and related morbidities worldwide. After stroke, the motor function of extremities and spinal muscles is significantly impairment, but not only this, it also has attributable factors leading to respiratory dysfunction. Nevertheless, to the extent of the authors' knowledge, there is a dearth of conclusive studies which examined the effectiveness of RMT on muscle strength, pulmonary function, and respiratory complications of individuals after stroke. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of respiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and respiratory complications in patients after stroke. Methods: An electronic database search of HINARI, PEDro, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google scholar was used to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of respiratory muscle training in patients with stroke. Articles published from 2010 to 2019 were included. The quality of the articles was assessed using PEDro scale. Articles with abstract only, PEDro scores less than 5, published in non-English language, not freely available articles, and quasi experimental studies were excluded from this study. Results: The literature search yielded a total of 7 articles (6 randomized controlled trials with 1 pilot randomized controlled trial) which met inclusion criteria despite their heterogeneity. The methodological quality of all studies ranged from 6 to 8 in Pedro score. Most of the articles reported a significant increase in respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle function, and reduced risk of complications with a p value <0.05. Conclusion: Respiratory muscle training could potentially improve muscle strength and pulmonary functions of subjects after stroke. Thus, it may reduce stroke-related respiratory complications in subjects after stroke. However, further study is warranted with high quality RCTs and pooled synthesis of results.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain and foot functions in subjects with chronic plantar fasciitis: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: The aim of this review was to synthesize current evidence on the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain, and foot function in subjects with plantar fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, AMED, PEDro, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were done to identify randomized controlled trials of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in subjects with plantar fasciitis. PEDro scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of included trials. Visual Analogue Scale and Foot Function Index were the primary outcome measures of this review. Due to varying of entailed trials, meta-analysis was not carried out. RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled trials with 658 patients were included. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy exhibited a moderate confirmation to better pain, and foot function of individuals with chronic plantar fasciitis. CONCLUSION: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy could be a promising rehabilitation intervention and might support to improve pain, and foot function of subjects with chronic plantar fasciitis.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONExtracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) exerted beneficial effects on pain and functional outcomes for chronic plantar fasciitis.ESWT could be effectively performed with no side effects.ESWT could be an alternative to the conventional management of chronic plantar fasciitis.

Occupational lower back pain and associated factors among taxi drivers in Mekelle city, north Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of lower back pain (LBP) among taxi drivers working in Mekelle city, Tigray, Ethiopia in 2018. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2018 on a sample of 294 male taxi drivers in Mekelle city, Tigray, Ethiopia. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to collect data. Independent variables that had a significant association were identified using logistic regression models. Results were reported using texts and frequency distribution tables. Results. From a total sample of 304 male drivers, 294 taxi drivers participated; hence, the response rate was 96.7%. Prevalence of self-reported LBP in the past 12 months among taxi drivers was 27.9%. Average daily hours of driving (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.296, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.194, 4.416]), using lumbar support while driving (AOR 2.075, 95% CI [1.130, 3.808]) and lack of ergonomic awareness (AOR 2.478, 95% CI [1.343, 4.575]) were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with LBP among taxi drivers. Conclusion. Prevalence of LBP in this study was more than a quarter. Average daily hours driving, use of lumbar support and ergonomics awareness were significant determinants of LBP among taxi drivers.

Burden of neck pain and associated factors among smart phone user students in University of Gondar, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Mobile technology has spread rapidly around the globe. In 2018 the numbers of mobile subscribers in Ethiopia hit 66.2 million. Musculoskeletal complaints related to smartphone use in different body parts have been reported ranging from 8.2% to 89.9%. Neck pain has the highest prevalence rate, which ranges from 17.3% to 67.8%. However, there is limited evidence on the burden of neck pain related to Smartphone usage and no research is done in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the burden of neck pain and factors associated with smartphone use in Ethiopia. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with neck pain among smartphone users at University of Gondar. METHODS: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2019 to determine the prevalence and associated factors of neck pain, with a sample of 845 university student smartphone users at University of Gondar, Ethiopia. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to collect data. Independent variables which had a significant association were identified using logistic regression models. Results were reported by using texts and frequency distribution tables. RESULTS: Out of 845 questionnaires distributed, 808 students responded; hence, the response rate was 95.6%. The overall prevalence of neck pain among smart phone users in the past 12 months was 47.4% (95% CI, 44.1-50.9%). Attending 5th year (AOR: 3.907, 95% CI: 1. 952-7.82) and 6th year (AOR: 2.93,95% CI: 1,304-6.59), regular physical exercise (AOR: 2.405, 95% CI: 1.549-3.734), cigarette smoking (AOR: 5.415, 95% CI: 2.685-10.919), residency (AOR: 1.681, 95% CI: 1.181-2.391), break while using smartphone (AOR: 3.253 95% CI: 2.252-4.699), used smartphone > 6 hour per day (AOR: 2.782 (1.528 95% CI: 1.528-5.063), used other devises (AOR: 3.158 95% CI: 2.128-4.689), number of social media used daily (AOR: 2.007 95% CI: 1.228-3.2788), used devise for playing game (AOR: 1.484 95% CI: 1.024-2.15) were factors significantly associated with neck pain. CONCLUSION: The current study depicted that nearly half of the study participants reported neck pain in the past 12 months. Attending last year of university, personal characteristics, use of smart phone for longer period, playing game, not taking break, other electronic device use, increased number of social media use were associated with neck pain among smartphone users.

Effect of Ankle Joint Mobilization with Movement on Range of Motion, Balance and Gait Function in Chronic Stroke Survivors: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Ankle joint mobilization with movement has been speculated to be an important intervention for enhancing range of motion, balance, and gait functions in chronic stroke survivors. Nonetheless, there is a scarcity of recent conclusive evidence that evaluates its efficacy in chronic stroke patients. The purpose of this review was to synthesize existing evidence on the efficacy of mobilization with movement therapy on range of motion, balance, and gait performance in subjects after stroke. METHODS: A comprehensive systematic search of literature was performed using the following databases: PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, AMED, PEDro, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of included trials. The primary outcome measures of this review were dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM), and Berg balance scale (BBS). This review was reported in accordance with PRISMA statement guidelines. Due to variations in relevant trials, meta-analysis was not carried out. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Seven randomized controlled trials with a total of 224 subjects were analyzed. Evidence of overall quality was graded from moderate to high. This review found that mobilization with movement therapy could be an alternative rehabilitative intervention for subjects with chronic stroke to increase range of motion, balance, and gait ability. However, the evidence remains preliminary due to the small number of participants. Large-scale RCTs in the future are warranted to investigate the efficacy of mobilization with movement in subgroups of chronic stroke subjects.

Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors Among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Attending at Saint Paul Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders contributed from chronic kidney disease are increasing worldwide. Musculoskeletal disorders had a significant health burden and are leading causes of co-morbidities, disability and low productivity, which potentially affect individual's functional status and quality of life. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its associated factors among patients with chronic kidney attending in Saint Paul Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 302 enrolled study participants through systematic random sampling techniques. Face-to-face interview, physical examination and chart reviews were used to collect data using semi-structured questionnaire adapted from a standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and other literatures. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was employed with a p-value less than 0.25. Finally, those variables having a p-value less than 0.05 with 95% CI in multivariate analysis were taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among CKD individuals was found to be 58.6% (95% CI; 53.0, 64.1). Being female (AOR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.26, 0.94), age between 40 and 49 (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI 1.07, 10.44), stage III (AOR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.06, 0.89) and stage IV (AOR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.06, 0.89) chronic kidney disease, having HTN (AOR = 7.47; 95% CI 3.47, 16.06), parathyroid hormone level ≥100 pg/mL (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI 0.21, 0.87), calcium level <8.4 mg/dl (AOR = 5.89; 95% CI 2.66, 13.56) and serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D level <20 ng/mL (AOR = 3.91; 95% CI 1.32, 11.56) were significantly associated with musculoskeletal disorders. CONCLUSION: MSDs were shown to be moderately common in CKD patients. Female gender, age between 40 and 49 yrs, stage III and stage IV CKD, hypertension, higher PTH level, lower calcium level and lower vitamin D level were statistically significant in their association with musculoskeletal disorders.