The role of breathing techniques in the management of asthma: A systematic review.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of breathing techniques in the management of asthma. METHODS: The systematic review was conducted from July 2021 to August 2022, and comprised search on PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE databases using the population-intervention-control-outcomes format and Boolean operators. Relevant randomised controlled trials published in the English language in the preceding 10 years were included. The last literature search was done on January 15, 2022. To evaluate the bias in studies, the Cochrane risk of bias tool was used. PEDro scale was used to assess the quality of the trials analysed. RESULTS: Of the 250 studies initially identified, 11(4.4%) random controlled trials were analysed in detail. The quality of methodology was high, and the studies reported significant improvement with the use of breathing techniques in symptoms of asthma and quality of life along with a decrease in the use of bronchodilators. Conclusion: Literature supported the use of breathing techniques in the management of asthma.

Prevalence of De Quervain disease in infant caregivers and its association with risk factors.

De Quervain's disease (DQD) is commonly reported in mothers during pregnancy up to delayed postpartum period. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess infant caregivers who visited the paediatric outpatient department or vaccination centre in two hospitals of Lahore, during the months of May and June, 2021. A total of 190 subjects were interviewed directly and assessed by applying Finkelstein's test on both hands. Data was collected using Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) from positive subjects. They were asked to report their pain and difficulty level of the affected hand with worsened symptoms. The results exhibited 26.8% prevalence of DQD in a sample size of 190. Infant's age, lifting frequency and hand dominance were proved significant risk factors. However, caregiver's age, history of wrist pain, infant weight and relationship with infant were proved insignificant. Mean PRWE pain and functional scores were 23.14±7.72 and 18.53±6.09, respectively.

Effects of core muscles strengthening exercises with routine physical therapy on trunk balance in stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of core muscle strengthening exercises with and without routine physical therapy on trunk balance in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: The randomised controlled trial was conducted at Mubarak Medical Complex, Sargodha, Pakistan, from October 28, 2021, to April 28, 2022, and comprised patients of either gender with chronic stroke aged 40-60 years. The subjects were randomised using the lottery method into group A that was managed with routine physical therapy, and group B which was further managed with core strengthening exercises. The intervention comprised 4 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Outcome was measured using Trunk Impairment Scale and Time Up and Go test. Data was collected at baseline, week 4 and post-intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 80 individuals screened, 74(92.5%) were included. There were 37(50%) patients in group A; 30(81%) males and 7(19%) females with mean age 56.73±2.37 years. The remaining 37(50%) patients were in group B; 27(73%) males and 10(27%) females with mean age 55.65±2.88 years. Trunk balance and functional mobility improved significantly post-intervention in both groups (p<0.05), but group B values were significantly better compared to group A values (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Core muscle strengthening exercises combined with routine physical therapy were found to be more effective compared to routine physical therapy alone in chronic stroke patients for improving trunk balance and functional mobility. Registration Number: IRCT20211116053070N1.