Association between back-leg-chest muscle strength and kicking speed in soccer players: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been performed on soccer kicks and stressed the significance of strength/power and coordination between the agonist and antagonist muscles of the lower limb. Along with accuracy, speed is also an important factor in a successful kick. It is reported that trunk musculature, hip and knee extensors of the non-kicking extremity, and hip adductors of the kicking side have a role in increasing the foot velocity while kicking. Since muscles do not work in isolation while kicking and several muscle groups of the leg and trunk have been reported to have a role in high-speed kicks, therefore measuring the combined strength of the leg, trunk, and arm muscles will be an appropriate method to examine their association with the kicking speed. The aim of this study was to examine the association of the combined strength of the lower extremities, back, chest, and arm muscles with the kicking speed of soccer players. METHODS: Forty male soccer players (mean age 15.7 years) participated in the study. The back-leg-chest (BLC) dynamometer (Baseline, New York, NY, USA) and the mobile camera measured isometric muscle strength and kicking speed, respectively. The BLC dynamometer measured the isometric strength of the knee, hip, back extensors, and arm muscles. The kicking speed was measured by asking participants to kick a football in three directions - right, middle, and left - from 11 meters. RESULTS: Significant (P<0.001) negative correlations of isometric strength of the back, leg, chest, and arm muscles and kicking speeds were found in all three directions. In all three correlations, Pearson's correlation coefficient was -0.989. Simple linear regression results showed that 97.8% (adjusted R2) of the variance observed in kicking speed (KS; RT), KS (MD), and KS (LT), was explained by the movement in BLC muscle strength values. CONCLUSIONS: Kicking speeds in the right, middle, and left directions were negatively associated with the isometric strengths of the back, leg, chest, and arms muscles, measured using the BLC dynamometer, in participating soccer players.

Role of Yoga in Minimizing Stress and Anxiety in Women Experiencing Dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea is characterized by recurring, crampy lower abdominal pain occurring during menstruation in the absence of pelvic pathology. It is the most common gynaecological complaint among adolescents. According to the literature, young females with primary dysmenorrhea experience stress, anxiety, lower-back pain, and depression. Yoga is widely practiced to improve health and promote relaxation. It includes breath regulation, simple meditation, and practicing particular body postures. Regular Yoga practice can serve as an adjunct to the primary treatment of dysmenorrhea symptoms. This study focuses on the impacts and benefits of yoga in young females with dysmenorrhea and associated physiological changes.

Unleashing potential and optimizing adolescent roller skating performance through a structured exercise program - a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The intricate nature of an athlete's abilities evolves dynamically with the enhancement of motor skills. Hence the study sought to investigate the impact of a tailored four-week exercise program`encompassing exercises focused on balance, agility, and speed. The primary objective was to determine how this exercise program influences both the roller skating talent and overall physical fitness proficiency in young male roller skaters. METHODS: Thirty male participants (age 11-14 years) enrolled in the school skating team were recruited. The participants were randomized into either an experimental group [n = 15], performing a short-term exercise program, or a control group [n = 15], involved in the physical education classes for eight sessions over four weeks. The primary outcome measure, the skating performance, was measured by the linear speed test (LST). The secondary outcomes, i.e., balance, agility, and speed, were evaluated using the star excursion balance test (SEBT), agility t-test (ATT), and arrowhead change of direction speed test (ACDT). SEBT was assessed in 8 directions. The study was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry India (TRN: CTRI/2018/09/015713) before the recruitment of the participants on 14/09/2018. RESULTS: The results showed that LST, ATT, and ACDT improved significantly (p < 0.05) in both groups, however, greater (p < 0.05) improvement was observed in the experimental group (Cohen's d 0.8 to 1.3). Regarding SEBT, improvement was observed in a few directions only in both groups. However, no significant difference was observed between both groups in SEBT measurements. CONCLUSIONS: A short-term structured exercise program consisting of balance, agility, and speed exercises significantly improved the talent of skating, agility, and speed compared to physical education classes activities in young male roller skaters. The study highlights the potential of targeted training interventions to enhance athletic performance in this population.

Effects of a program consisting of strain/counterstrain technique, phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The present study was conceptualized as a pilot study to examine the effects of a 3-week program consisting of strain/counterstrain technique (SCST), phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching exercises on pain and functions in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). METHODS: Seven participants (mean age 25.85 years) diagnosed with TMD having pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area with decreased jaw opening were recruited for the study. Treatment interventions consisting of SCST, phonophoresis (ultrasound gel mixed with diclofenac gel), heat therapy, and stretching (mouth-opening) exercises were performed 3 days a week for 3 weeks. SCST was performed on the masseter, medial, and lateral pterygoid muscles. No control group was present in the study. RESULTS: Paired samples t test revealed a significant difference in numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) (decreased by 50%, P < .001) and jaw functional limitation scale (JFLS) (reduced by 59.58%, P < .001) scores after 3 weeks of intervention. A large effect size (Cohen d = -3.00 for NPRS and -3.16 for JFLS) was observed for both variables. No correlation (R = 0) was found between the baseline values of NPRS and JFLS. CONCLUSION: A 3-week program consisting of SCST, phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching exercises was effective in reducing the pain and improving the functions related to TMJ in patients suffering from TMD. However, a randomized controlled trial is needed to reach a definite conclusion.

Role of virtual reality distraction technique to improve chest burns with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following smoke inhalation in middle-aged adults - A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Burns of the chest region constitute a common burn and develops skin contractures around the thorax region. Inhalation of toxic gases and chemical irritants during the fire leads to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Breathing exercises are painful but are needed to help counteract contractures and increase lung capacity. These patients are usually in pain and extremely anxious about chest physiotherapy. Virtual reality distraction is one such technique that is gaining immense popularity when compared to other pain distraction techniques. However, studies examining the efficacy of the virtual reality distraction technique in this population are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To find and compare the effects of the virtual reality distraction technique as a pain alleviation tool for reducing pain during chest physiotherapy in chest burns patients with ARDS in middle-aged adults. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was conducted at the physiotherapy department between 1st Sep 2020 and 30th Dec 2022. The eligible sixty subjects were randomized into two groups: The virtual reality distraction group (n = 30) received virtual reality distraction technique and the control group (n = 30) received progressive relaxation technique before chest physiotherapy as a pain distraction technique. All the participants received chest physiotherapy as a common treatment (treatment as usual). Primary (Visual Analogue Scale - VAS) and secondary (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF), residual volume (RV), functional residual capacity (FRC), total lung capacity (TLC), RV/TLC, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide of the lungs (DLCO) outcome measures were measured at baseline, after four weeks, eight weeks and at six months follow up. The effects between the two groups were analyzed using the independent t-test and chi-square test. The intra-group effect was analyzed with a repeated measure ANOVA test. RESULTS: Baseline demographic characters and study variables show homogenous distribution between the groups (p > 0.05). Four weeks following two different training protocols virtual reality distraction group shows more significant changes in pain intensity, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, RV, FRC, TLC, RV/TLC, and DLCO (p = 0.001) but not in RV (p = 0.541). The similar improvements were noted in the 8 weeks and 6 months follow up. CONCLUSION: The reports of the study concluded that virtual reality distraction is an effective and useful technique in reducing pain and increasing lung capacity in chest burn patient with ARDS following smoke inhalation in community-dwelling middle-aged adults. In the virtual reality distraction group, the patients reported significantly less pain and clinically meaningful changes in pulmonary functions as compared to the control group (physiotherapy + relaxation).

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Technique versus Static Stretching in Patients with Pronated Dominant Foot: A Comparison in Effectiveness on Flexibility, Foot Posture, Foot Function Index, and Dynamic Balance.

BACKGROUND: Pronated foot is a deformity with various degrees of physical impact. Patients with a pronated foot experience issues such as foot pain, ankle pain, heel pain, shin splints, impaired balance, plantar fasciitis, etc. Objective: The study intended to compare the effectiveness of IASTM (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization) and static stretching on ankle flexibility, foot posture, foot function, and balance in patients with a flexible pronated foot. METHODS: Seventy-two participants between the ages of 18-25 years with a flexible pronated foot were included and allocated into three groups: Control, stretching, and IASTM group using single-blinded randomization. Range of motion (ROM) measuring ankle flexibility, foot posture index (FPI), foot function index (FFI), and dynamic balance was measured at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention. Soft tissue mobilization was applied on to the IASTM group, while the stretching group was directed in static stretching of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex, tibialis anterior, and Achilles tendon in addition to the foot exercises. The control group received only foot exercises for 4 weeks. RESULTS: The result shows the significant improvement of the right dominant foot in ROM plantar flexion, (F = 3.94, p = 0.03), dorsiflexion (F = 3.15, p = 0.05), inversion (F = 8.54, p = 0.001) and eversion (F = 5.93, p = 0.005), FFI (control vs. IASTM, mean difference (MD) = 5.9, p < 0.001), FPI (right foot, control vs. IASTM MD = 0.88, p = 0.004), and in dynamic balance of the right-leg stance (anterior, pre vs. post = 88.55 ± 2.28 vs. 94.65 ± 2.28; anteromedial, pre vs. post = 80.65 ± 2.3 vs. 85.55 ± 2.93; posterior, pre vs. post = 83 ± 3.52 vs. 87 ± 2.99 and lateral, pre vs. post = 73.2 ± 5.02 vs. 78.05 ± 4.29) in the IASTM group. The FFI was increased remarkably in the stretching group as compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Myofascial release technique, i.e., IASTM with foot exercises, significantly improves flexibility, foot posture, foot function, and dynamic balance as compared to stretching, making it a choice of treatment for patients with a flexible pronated foot.

Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and diagnostic validity of a prediction score, in patients visiting orthropedic clinics in the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Introduction: In Saudi Arabia, the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not well studied and is marked by inconsistencies in clinical diagnosis. Therefore, in this study, we explored the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and diagnostic validity of a prediction score based upon disease markers in orthropedic clinics' patients in the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia. Method: The clinical data for this retrospective cross-sectional study were retrieved from the database registry of orthopedic clinics in selected hospitals of the Medinah province of Saudi Arabia. Sociodemographic features, disease markers and the clinical characteristics were collected for a period of 6 months, from December 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021. The prediction score was generated from the sum of disease markers, coded as dichotomous variables. Results: The total sample size of our study was 401. The prevalence of RA in the study subjects (n = 401) was 14.46% (n = 58). Among RA patients, the majority were females (60.3%). Painful joints (69%) and swollen joints (51.7%) were the most common clinical complaints among RA patients. RA patients suffered from arthritis (51.7%) and experienced fatigue (46.6%), weight loss (44.8%), and loss of appetite (41.4%). Diabetes (55.2%) was the most common comorbidity in the RA patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the prediction score at the criterion score of 2.5 were 67.3% and 63.0%, respectively. The area under the curve was 0.69 (95% CI [0.62-0.76]). Conclusion: There was a moderately high prevalence of RA in patients visiting the orthropedic clinics of the selected hospitals of Madinah region of Saudi Arabia. The diagnostic validity of the prediction score, though promising, was slightly lower than the acceptable range.

Incidence rate, risk factors, and management of Bell's palsy in the Qurayyat region of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Bell's palsy is an idiopathic facial nerve dysfunction causing temporary paralysis of muscles of facial expression. This study aimed to determine the incidence rate, common risk factors, and preferred treatment by the Saudi patients with Bell's palsy. Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Qurayyat region of Saudi Arabia. The retrospective medical records were searched from 2015-2020 of patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy at Qurayyat General Hospital and King Fahad hospital. A 28-item questionnaire was developed by a team of experts and pre-tested among patients with Bell's palsy before being sent to the eligible participants. The data were analyzed using summary statistics, Chi-square test, Fisher exact test and Likelihood ratio test. Results: We identified 279 cases of Bell's palsy from the medical records of the hospitals from the years 2015 to 2020, accounting for 46.5 cases per year and an incidence rate of 25.7 per 100,000 per year. Out of 279 patients with Bell's palsy, only 171 returned the questionnaire accounting for a response rate of 61.2%. Out of 171 patients with Bell's palsy, females (n = 147, 86.0%) accounted for the majority of cases. The most affected age group among participants with Bell's palsy was 21-30 years (n = 76, 44.4%). There were 153 (89.5%) cases who reported Bell's palsy for the first time. The majority of the participants experienced right-sided facial paralysis (n = 96, 56.1%). Likelihood ratio test revealed significant relationship between exposure to cold air and common cold with age groups (χ 2(6, N = 171) = 14.92, p = 0.021), χ 2(6, N = 171) = 16.35, pp = 0.012 respectively. The post hoc analyses revealed that participants in the age group of 20-31-years were mostly affected due to exposure to cold air and common cold than the other age groups. The main therapeutic approach preferred was physiotherapy (n = 149, 87.1%), followed by corticosteroids and antivirals medications (n = 61, 35.7%), acupressure (n = 35, 20.5%), traditional Saudi herb medicine (n = 32, 18.7%), cauterization by hot iron rod (n = 23, 13.5%), supplementary therapy (n = 2, 1.2%), facial cosmetic surgery (n = 1, 0.6%) and no treatment (n = 1, 0.6%). The most preferred combined therapy was physiotherapy (87.6%) with corticosteroid and antiviral drugs (35.9%), and acupressure (17.6%). Conclusion: The rate of Bell's palsy was approximately 25.7 per 100,000 per year in the Qurayyat region of Saudi Arabia. Exposure to cold air and common cold were the significant risk factors associated with Bell's palsy. Females were predominantly affected by Bell's palsy in the Qurayyat region of Saudi Arabia. Bell's palsy most commonly occurred in the age group 21-30 years. The most favored treatment was physiotherapy following Bell's palsy.

Knowledge of safe handling, administration, and waste management of chemotherapeutic drugs among oncology nurses working at Khartoum Oncology Hospital, Sudan.

Introduction: Knowledge of chemotherapeutic drug (CD) handling, administration, and waste disposal are important among nurses involved in cancer therapy. Inadequate knowledge of the management of CD could cause environmental contamination and potential harm to patients and nurses. To assess the knowledge of safe handling, administration, and waste management of CD among oncology nurses working at Khartoum Oncology Hospital, Sudan. Methods: A questionnaire was developed by a team of experts to assess the knowledge in three domains of oncology nursing practice (handling, administration, and disposal). The study involved 78 oncology nurses working in Khartoum Oncology Hospital in Sudan from April 2020. Results: The mean CD knowledge score of nurses was 12.7 ± 3.9 out of 26 items in the questionnaire. For each domain, their knowledge showed poor scores related to safe handling (mean = 2.0 ± 1.5 out of eight knowledge items) and good scores for administration (mean = 6.2 ± 1.7 out of 10) and poor scores for waste disposal (mean = 4.4 ± 1.5 out of eight). Simple linear regression indicated that education level (ß = 3.715, p = .008) and training (ß = 0.969, p = .004) significantly predicted knowledge among nurses. Conclusion: There is a significant need to enhance the knowledge and safe handling skills of CD among oncology nurses in Sudan. Implementation of strict guidelines to manage cytotoxic waste to reduce health risks and hospital contamination.

Effect of circuit training with low-carbohydrate diet on body composition, cardiometabolic indices, and exercise capacity in adults with mild to moderate obesity in Saudi Arabia: A randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Circuit training that combines aerobic and resisted training is reported to reduce body fat, weight, and improve exercise capacity than performing either type of exercise independently. There is no study evaluating the combined effect of circuit training exercise (CTE) and dietary intervention (low-carbohydrate [LC] diet) among young males with obesity. METHODS: A randomized control trial was conducted to explore the effects of a combined program of CTE and a LC diet for adults with mild or moderate obesity. Seventy adults with obesity were allocated randomly into 2 groups. The experimental group (group 1) received circuit training with LC diet intervention, whereas the control (group 2) received only circuit training. The study variables such as exercise capacity, body composition, and cardiometabolic indices were measured at the baseline and the end of 60 days of intervention. RESULTS: The participants of group 1 showed significant improvements in body composition (body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist hip circumference, and body fat percentage), exercise capacity (maximal oxygen consumption), and cardiometabolic indices (high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and total cholesterol) with a P < .05 for all the variables, when compared with group 2. CONCLUSIONS: The combined structured CTE with controlled LC diet intervention in obese adults caused significant reduction in body composition and cardiometabolic indices variables and an increase in exercise capacity.

Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Joint Manipulation on Pulmonary Functions, Mobility, Disease Exacerbations, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Quasiexperimental Study.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is primarily a disease of the lungs; however, extrapulmonary comorbidities like rib cage stiffness, decreased thoracic spine mobility, postural changes, and skeletal muscle dysfunctions also coexist. Muscle energy technique (MET) and joint manipulation (JM) may help alleviate these musculoskeletal problems. This study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of MET and JM on pulmonary functions, dyspnea, chest wall mobility, disease exacerbations, and health-related quality of life in COPD patients. A total of 16 patients (7 women and 9 men) suffering from COPD between the ages of 35 and 65 years participated in the study. Pretest-posttest quasiexperimental design was used. MET was applied to the sternocleidomastoid, anterior scalene, pectoralis major muscles, and at the C4-C6 level of the cervical spine. Maitland JM was performed in the thoracic region at the intervertebral, costovertebral, and costotransverse joints. The treatment intervention lasted for 3 weeks. FEV1/FVC, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), SpO2, modified Borg dyspnea scale (MBDS), COPD assessment test (CAT), mMRC dyspnea scale, BODE index, right and left hemidiaphragm excursion, and chest wall expansion at T4 and T10 levels were the outcome measures. Significant improvement (p < 0.05) was observed in FEV1/FVC, MIP, SpO2, MBDS, CAT, mMRC dyspnea scale, BODE index, and chest expansion at T4 and T10 levels. Only for the hemidiaphragm excursion, no significant (p > 0.05) improvement was observed. Combined application of MET to accessory respiratory muscles and cervical spine and JM to thoracic spine improved pulmonary functions, chest wall mobility, and health-related quality of life and reduced dyspnea and disease exacerbations in patients with mild to moderate COPD.

Effectiveness of High Power Laser Therapy on Pain and Isokinetic Peak Torque in Athletes with Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Randomized Trial.

Athletes such as long-distance runners, sprinters, hockey, and/or football players may have proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT). Laser therapy has been shown to be effective in tendinopathies. High power laser therapy (HPLT) is used for the treatment of several musculoskeletal conditions; however, its efficacy on PHT has not been investigated. This study is aimed at examining the effects of HPLT on pain and isokinetic peak torque (IPT) in athletes with PHT. The two-arm comparative pretest-posttest experimental design was used with random allocation of 36 athletes aged 18-35 years into two groups (experimental and conventional group). The experimental group included the application of HPLT for 3 weeks. The conventional group included treatment with a conventional physiotherapy program including ultrasound therapy, moist heat pack, and home exercises for a total of 3 weeks. Pain and IPT of the hamstring muscle were measured before and after the application of the intervention. Pain score decreased, and IPT increased significantly (p < 0.05) after application of HPLT, by 61.26% and 13.18%, respectively. In the conventional group, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in pain scores only, which decreased by 41.14%. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in IPT in the conventional group. When HPLT was compared with conventional physiotherapy, a significant difference was found in pain scores only. HPLT for 3 weeks was found to be effective in improving pain in athletes with PHT. However, no significant difference was found between HPLT and conventional physiotherapy (US, moist heat, and home exercises) in improving the IPT of the hamstring muscle.

Perception, knowledge, and attitude of medical doctors in Saudi Arabia about the role of physiotherapists in vestibular rehabilitation: a cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: There is compelling scientific evidence about the role of physiotherapists in vestibular rehabilitation. However, patients with vestibular-associated dizziness and balance disturbances are seldom referred to physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aims to achieve insight into perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and referral practices among Saudi Arabian medical doctors relating to the role of physiotherapists in vestibular rehabilitation. Methods: A sample of 381 medical doctors practicing in Saudi Arabia participated in this nationwide cross-sectional study. The sample was obtained from 226 hospitals across 13 provinces of Saudi Arabia by stratified sampling method. The 23-item questionnaire developed by a team of experts was emailed to medical doctors practicing in various hospitals across Saudi Arabia. Results: Out of 1,231 medical doctors invited, 381 medical doctors responded, giving a response rate of 30.9%. One hundred ninety-three (50.6%) medical doctors reported managing patients with vestibular rehabilitation. The most preferred specialist for managing patients with vestibular disorders was an Ear Nose Throat (ENT) specialist (n = 173, 89.6%). Related Sample Cochran's Q test showed statistically significant difference between preferred specialist for managing patients with vestibular disorders (ENT specialists, physiotherapists, nurses, occupational therapists and audiologists) (χ2(4) = 482.476, p = 0.001). Out of 193 medical doctors, 153 (79.2%) reported no role of the physiotherapist in vestibular rehabilitation. One hundred forty-five (75.1%) of medical doctors reported that they were not aware of the role of physiotherapists in vestibular rehabilitation. Only 27 (15.5%) medical doctors reported referring patients with vestibular disorders to physiotherapists. Conclusion: The study reports that physiotherapy services are underutilized in vestibular rehabilitation due to limited referral from Saudi Arabian medical doctors. Therefore, there is a need to increase the awareness among Saudi Arabian doctors about the physiotherapist's role in vestibular rehabilitation.

Effect of Resistance Training on Body Composition, Hemodynamic Parameters and Exercise Tolerance among Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Effectiveness and safety of Resistance Training in treating various Cerebrovascular Disease diagnoses have drawn attention in recent years. Patients suffering with coronary artery disease should be offered individually tailored Resistance Training in their exercise regimen. Resistance Training was developed to help individuals with their functional status, mobility, physical performance, and muscle strength. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to collect, summarize and present information on the state of science focusing on usefulness, viability, safety and efficacy of Resistance Training in treating coronary artery disease and enhancing the aerobic capacity and improving overall health-related quality of life. METHODS: The review is prepared in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Searches were conducted in Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, PEDro and Scopus database. PEDro scale was used for methodological quality assessment of included studies. Two independent reviewers determined the inclusion criteria of studies by classifying interventions based on core components, outcome measures, diagnostic population and rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using GRADE criteria. RESULTS: Total 13 studies with 1025 patients were included for the detailed analysis. Findings emphasize the importance of assessing effectiveness and safety of Resistance Training in individuals with coronary artery disease. Patient specific designed exercise programs as Resistance Training targets at enhancing patients' exercise tolerance, improves hemodynamic response and muscular strength with reduction in body fat composition. CONCLUSION: Resistance Training is an effective exercise that should be incorporated to counteract the loss of muscle strength, muscle mass, and physiological vulnerability, as well as to combat the associated debilitating effects on physical functioning, mobility and overall independence and Quality of Life during rehabilitation of patients with coronary artery disease.

Prevalence of non-specific chronic low-back pain and risk factors among male soldiers in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is the most common musculoskeletal disorder affecting health and work among the military population. NSCLBP is a complex disorder with several risk factors contributing to its occurrence. Therefore, the objective of our study was to estimate the prevalence and contribution of risk factors towards NSCLBP among male soldiers in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2020 to January 2021 among the military personnel at Hafar Al-Batin military base, Saudi Arabia. The entire population (n = 62, 000) at the military base were invited to participate in the study. The participants were invited to participate in the study either through direct referral from in-patient and out-patient departments of the military hospital or by invitation through pamphlets, email, and advertisement across the offices and residential areas. Soldiers reporting lower back pain for at least 12 weeks were screened for inclusion criteria at the physical therapy department of the military hospital. Inclusion criteria included pain or discomfort originating from the lower back without any known spinal diseases. Participants with a systemic inflammatory disorder, trauma, neurological symptoms, and recent spinal surgery were excluded. All eligible participants were assessed for demographic variables and risk factors and complete the Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaire and WHO-Five Well-Being Index. RESULTS: This study identified a 46.3% prevalence of pain originating from the spine with a 2.7% prevalence of NSCLBP. Spearman's rho correlation between the severity of disability due to NSCLBP was strongly associated with age (rs = 0.834, p < 0.01), quality of sleep (rs = 0.790, p < 0.01), body mass index (BMI) (rs = 0.617, p < 0.01), smoking (rs = 0.520, p < 0.01), co-morbidity (rs = 0.357, p < 0.01), but not with the level of physical activity (rs = 0.044, p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of pain originating from the spine among male Saudi soldiers with a relatively low prevalence of NSCLBP. However, the prevalence of disability due to NSCLBP was strongly associated with age, sleep quality, BMI, smoking habit, and co-morbidity.

Assessment of hand function in women with lymphadenopathy after radical mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer related upper limb lymphedema (BCRL) is a common complication in post-mastectomy patients. It is known to cause upper limb disability, which subsequently may affect the grip strength and hand function. There is little evidence on the objective assessment of functional activities particularly hand function in women with BCRL. Therefore, this study objectively assesses the handgrip strength and hand functions in women with BCRL. METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was conducted on a sample of women with (n = 31) and without (n = 31) BCRL. The Handgrip strength and hand functions were measured using a dynamometer and Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, respectively. RESULTS: The results showed a significantly reduced handgrip strength in women with BCRL as compared to age-matched healthy adult women for both right and left hands (p < 0.05). Similarly, hand functions were significantly impaired in women with BCRL as compared to healthy adult women (p < 0.05). Reduction in handgrip strength and hand function in women with BCRL were clinically meaningful as indicated by moderate to large effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.61 to 0.99 and 0.54 to 3.02, respectively) in all outcomes except power handgrip strength in left hand (Cohen's d = 0.38). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate a significant reduction of hand grip strength and hand function in women with BCRL. Our findings suggest that objective measures of grip strength and function be included in the assessment of women with BCRL to better guide clinical decision making and patient care, which may include management of impairment associated with hand strength and function. Future studies that evaluate hand grip strength and function in a larger sample which includes a more diverse age group of women with BCRL are warranted to confirm the current findings.

Comment on: The association between the timing of energy intake and the risk of overweight and obesity among Saudi female university students.

[No Abstract Available].