Perceptions regarding team-based learning among undergraduate physical therapy students.

Team-based learning (TBL) is a strategy where teams work together to develop concepts and apply them towards problem-solving. This latest learning approach has not been tried in the educational environment of Rehabilitation Sciences. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices regarding TBL among undergraduate physical therapy students. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted involving 222 undergraduate physical therapy students who were selected via non-probability convenience sampling from Foundation University Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences over a period of three months (May 2018 - July 2018). Data was collected using questionnaire in the light of literature review, developed by Wright States University's Department of Communication based on the Minnesota satisfaction questionnaire. It contained questions regarding knowledge, practices and satisfaction with team-based learning, assessed via 19 statements on 5-point Likert scale. The sample consisted of 208 (93.7%) females and 14 (6.3%) males with mean age of 20.07±1.18 years. Regarding familiarity with TBL, 189 (85.1 %) students had understanding of TBL. 182 (82%) participants had practiced team-based learning whereas 40 (18%) had never practiced TBL in their lives. Majority of the students agreed on the positive effects of TBL on quality of learning, clinical reasoning abilities and professional development (median=4.00). TBL could be a highly useful, active learning strategy inculcating multiple skills among undergraduate students and should be introduced as supplementary to traditional lecture-based teaching.

Comparison between effectiveness of Mechanical and Manual Traction combined with mobilization and exercise therapy in Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cervical radiculopathy is a common neuro-musculo-skeletal disorder causing pain and disability. Traction is part of the evidence based manual physical therapy management due to its mechanical nature, type of traction and parameters related to its applicability and are still to be explored more through research. Our objective was to determine the Effects of Mechanical versus Manual Traction in Manual Physical Therapy combined with segmental mobilization and exercise therapy in the physical therapy management of Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy. METHODS: This randomized control trial was conducted at department of physical therapy and rehabilitation, Rathore Hospital Faisalabad, from February to July 2015. Inclusion criteria were both male and female patients with evident symptoms of cervical spine radiculopathy and age ranged between 20-70 years. The exclusion criteria were Patients with history of trauma, neck pain without radiculopathy, aged less than 20 and more than 70. A total of 72 patients with cervical radiculopathy were screened out as per the inclusion criteria, 42 patients were randomly selected and placed into two groups by toss and trial method, and only 36 patients completed the study, while 6 dropped out. The mechanical traction was applied in group A and manual traction in group B along with common intervention of segmental mobilization and exercise therapy in both groups for 6 weeks. The patient's outcomes were assessed by self reported NPRS and NDI at the baseline and after completion of 06 weeks exercise program at 3 days per week. The data was analyzed through SPSS version-21, and paired T test was applied at 95% level significance to determine the statistical deference between two groups. RESULTS: Clinically the group of patients treated with mechanical traction managed pain (mean pre 6.26, mean post 1.43), and disability (mean pre 24.43 and mean post 7.26) more effectively as compared with the group of patients treated with manual traction (Pain mean pre 6.80, mean post 3.85 and disability mean pre 21.92 and post 12.19). Statistically the results of both mechanical and manual traction techniques are equally significant in group A and B for pain and disability (p-value less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: If patients of cervical radiculopathy treated with mechanical traction, segmental mobilization, and exercise therapy will manage pain and disability more effectively than treated with manual traction, segmental mobilization, and exercise therapy.