Association Between Internet Use, Sleep, Cognition and Physical Activity Levels During COVID-19 Lockdown.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare internet usage, sleep, cognition and physical activity in college professors and collegiate students during COVID-19 lockdown and to study the association of internet overuse with sleep quality, cognition and physical activity during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: A sample of 125 participants {professors (n = 52) and collegiate students (n = 73)} was recruited from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India. Criteria for inclusion were college professors and collegiate students who uses internet. Both the groups were assessed for internet usage (Internet Addiction Test), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), cognition (Cognitive Failure Questionnaire) and physical activity (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) via google forms. Results: There was a significant difference for internet usage (p < 0.05), sleep quality (p = 0.032), cognition (distractibility, p = 0.019) and physical activity in college professors and collegiate students. It has been also reported that there was a significant association of internet usage with sleep quality and cognition and sleep quality with cognition. Conclusion: Students have more problematic internet usage, bad sleep quality, more cognitive failures and less physical activity than college professors during pandemic lockdown. It has been also observed that problematic internet usage has correlation with sleep quality, cognition and physical activity.

Association of eccentric quadriceps torque with pain, physical function, and extension lag in women with grade ≤ II knee osteoarthritis: An observational study.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent disabling disease among women and quadriceps weakness is attributed to one of the causes of knee pain (KP) and disability. The study aimed to test the correlation of eccentric quadriceps torque (EQT) with 2 subscales of the reduced WOMAC questionnaire (KP and physical function) and extension lag range of motion (ROM) at the knee joint in osteoarthritic women. A cross-sectional design was used. A total of 70 patients (mean age 41.1 years) who had grade I or II knee OA participated in the study. The pearson correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between the EQT and 2 subscales of the reduced WOMAC questionnaire and extension lag ROM. EQT presented a significant moderate negative correlation with pain (r = -0.489, P < .001) and physical function (r = -0.425, P < .001), and low positive correlation with available ROM (R = 0.349, P < .001). KP, physical function, and extension lag in the early stages of knee OA in women are associated with EQT. Therefore, designing a rehabilitation program that has eccentric quadriceps strengthening exercises may improve KP and physical activities, but more randomized controlled trials are needed to verify this.

Influence of Tensioner's Mobilization on the Centralization of Symptoms in Cervicobrachial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY DESIGN: This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to determine the impact of neural mobilization by tensioner's technique (NMTT) on the centralization of symptoms and pain in patients with cervicobrachial pain syndrome (CBPS). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: CBPS is a disabling condition of the neck that is characterized by pain and paresthesia in the upper quarter. Several techniques have successfully provided immediate and long-term relief in CBPS; however, few studies have evaluated the effect of these techniques on the centralization of symptoms. METHODS: Thirty patients aged 18-45 years with a complaint of pain in the neck that had persisted for 2-12 weeks radiating to the arm and fulfilling Elvey's criteria were randomly selected and divided into two groups. Group A received NMTT plus conventional treatment (hot pack and postural advice with cervical lateral glide), and group B received only conventional treatment 3 times a week for 2 weeks. The outcome measures were Wernicke's scale score for the centralization of symptoms and Visual Analog Scale score for pain intensity. Within- and between-group comparisons were made before initiating treatment and at the end of the 3rd and 6th sessions. Within group analyses for the centralization values were performed using Friedmann test, and between-group analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney test. A 2×3 mixed model of the analysis of variance was used for analyzing the pain levels. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (p<0.05) within and between the groups for both the measures at the end of the 3rd and 6th sessions. Thus, NMTT may be beneficial in decreasing the peripheralization of symptoms and pain intensity in patients with CBPS. CONCLUSIONS: NMTT can be used as an alternative and effective treatment option for patients with CBPS.