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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder which primarily affects the articular cartilage of synovial joints followed by bony remodeling and overgrowth at the margins of these joints. The consequences of OA are pain, joint stiffness, decreased muscle performance, and decreased aerobic capacity, which eventually affect the quality of life (QOL) and increased risk for disability. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of two nonpharmacological treatment regimens, that is, yoga and conventional physiotherapy, on QOL in patients suffering from OA of knee joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 83 patients with bilateral OA of knee joint, between the age group of 40 and 80 years, both males and females, were assigned into two groups using computer-generated scheme: 43 in the experimental group (yoga with conventional physiotherapy program) and 40 in control group (conventional physiotherapy program). Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA index (WOMAC) and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) health survey were measured before, after 15 days, and after 30 days of treatment sessions, and the data were analyzed using paired and unpaired t-test. RESULTS: The results of the study show significant improvement in both groups with regard to WOMAC and SF-36 at the end of 15 and 30 days of treatment regimen; however, when compared to the control group, experimental group had more significant improvement (P < 0.05) in WOMAC and SF-36 at the end of 15 and 30 days of treatment. CONCLUSION: Yoga is more beneficial when added to conventional physiotherapy treatment regimen in promoting health and improving QOL in patients with OA of knee joint.
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CONTEXT: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the second leading contributor to the disease burden of India. The current COPD burden cannot be managed effectively just through a physician-based approach. In a primary care setting, community health workers (CHWs) can play an effective role in making COPD care accessible and effective. AIM: Findings of an assessment of a training program for CHWs on COPD have been reported here. Methods: 90 CHWs working as a part of a noncommunicable disease prevention and care program in a rural primary care setting were exposed to a series of five training sessions. The sessions were designed and administered jointly by a team of public health experts and physiotherapists in the year 2017-18. Topics covered were basic clinical aspects of COPD, monitoring a patient with COPD, and basic aspects of pulmonary rehabilitation. The assessment comprised 12 MCQs and short questions, 7 video exercises, 2 case vignettes, and 5 skill assessments through objectively structured clinical examination (OSCE). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Mean percentage scores were calculated for each domain of assessment to make it comparable. RESULTS: 70 CHWs with a mean age of 42.2 years completed all the training and underwent the assessment. Mean percentage score (SD) for knowledge was 62% (16.3). In OSCE assessment, scores were best in sputum clearance technique demonstration (92.1%) and the least in dyspnea relieving positions (59.2%). The CHWs had difficulties in identifying signs of respiratory distress (score - 55.1%). No statistically significant association was observed between performance scores and their sociodemographic profile. CONCLUSION: The results were encouraging and the program may be pilot tested in a government setting particularly using the health and wellness centers (HWC) platform.
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BACKGROUND: Eighty percent of women during their reproductive age experience some symptoms attributed to premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that occur during late luteal phase of menstrual cycle and are relieved after the onset of menstruation. Aerobic exercise and yoga are one of the ways to reduce these symptoms. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic exercise and yoga on PMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 participants of PMS, referred for physiotherapy treatment (mean age 28 years), were enrolled and allocated into two groups (Group A and B) by simple computerized randomization. Patients in Group A received aerobic exercise and in Group B received yoga movements for 40 min, 3 times a week for 1 month. The pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale) and PMS Scale were measured before, at the end of 15 days, and 1 month of treatment program. RESULTS: Data were analyzed by paired t-test, unpaired t-test, and one-way ANOVA; and the results showed that both aerobic exercise and yoga movements significantly reduced pain intensity and PMS symptoms. Significant reduction in PMS symptoms was found in patients treated with yoga compared to aerobic exercise; however, no significant difference was found in pain intensity between these two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that both aerobic exercise and yoga movements are effective in treating PMS; however, yoga is more effective in relieving the symptoms of PMS than aerobic exercise.
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BACKGROUND: Adolescent age group as school going children who experience a period of accelerated growth and development of skeletal and soft tissue. Any daily physical stresses external forces such as load carrying may also influence alignment of the human body. It is assumed that daily intermittent abnormal postural adaptations could result in pain and disability. OBJECTIVES: To know the effect of backpack loading on cervical and sagittal shoulder posture (SSP) in standing and after dynamic activity in school going children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research project was conducted after getting clearance from Human Research Ethics Committee of the H M Patel Institution for Education and research center. Study was conducted on 160 school going children, and measurement were taken to know the loading over the cervical region along with their bagpacks were weighed. RESULTS: Total 160 students were enrolled in the present study. Study found that average value of the subject's body weight was 34.83 kg, and subjects backpack weight was 6.42 kg that was equivalent to 18% of the subject's body weight. The mean value of cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) without school bag was 40.62. The mean values of cranio-horizontal angle (CHA) while standing with 18% of body weight and after dynamic activities with 18% of body weight were 24.51 ± 10.3 and 28.93 ± 4.34, respectively. The mean value of SSP without school bag was 39.39 ± 4.31, whereas the mean values of SSP while standing with 18% of body weight and after dynamic activities with 18% of body weight were 54.38 ± 21.19 and 77.62 ± 17.50, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Study revealed that there is a significant reduction in the CVA (or increased forward head position), increase in CHA, and SSP were found while carrying a backpack weight 18% of body weight over both shoulders.
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BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise is helpful in reducing elevated blood pressure (BP). It was also found that yoga is useful in reducing raised BP. Thus, they both can be used in prevention and treatment of hypertension. Hence, the study aimed to observe both awareness and practice of aerobic exercise and yoga among hypertensive patients in Anand city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. A questionnaire was prepared containing 24 questions about awareness and practice of aerobic exercise and yoga among hypertensive patients. The questions were explained to all the patients, and 200 patients were recruited from Anand city through convenience sampling. RESULTS: Two-hundred patients were included in this study, of which 100% were aware of hypertension. 67.68% were aware of the role of aerobic exercise in hypertension, of which 58.29% practiced them. The awareness of the role of yoga in hypertension was noted in 33.67% of patients, of which only 13.07% practiced pranayama and 9.50% practiced asanas. CONCLUSION: There was a complete awareness of hypertension among hypertensive patients. A large number of patients were aware of the role of aerobic exercise in hypertension, but only few of the patients practiced them. However, there was less awareness of the role of yoga in hypertension and even lesser number practiced them.
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INTRODUCTION: Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms are a major health issue in many occupations all over the world. Past researches on hospital workers have mainly been focused on nurses, and not many studies have examined musculoskeletal symptoms among doctors in various specialties. The work of surgeons can involve high levels of mental concentration and very precise movements that can be categorized as mild-to-moderate physical demands. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and their related physical and psychosocial factors of surgeons who are involved in such work. METHODOLOGY: Forty-three surgeons were enrolled in this study. To evaluate the musculoskeletal disorders, the participants were assessed through Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, Quick Exposure Check for the work pattern, and Work style Short Form for screening purpose. RESULTS: Out of 43 participants, 30 were male and 13 were female. Their mean age was 42.07 ± 12.35 years, and the mean working years ± standard deviation of the group was 15.14 years ± 9.017. On an average, they worked a total of about 8.58 h ± 1.96 per day. The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms was found in 36 participants (83.70%), while only seven surgeons (16.30%) were symptom free. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in surgeons. The results also indicated that surgeons had a high sense of commitment and self-imposed pressure.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the walking ability of a stroke patient using knee gaiter and suspended walker. METHODOLOGY: Thirty participants with first acute stroke within first 3 months with the mean age of 55.73 years participated and were allocated randomly into two groups. Participants were taken from Inpatient Department of Medicine of Shree Krishna Hospital, Karamsad and Physiotherapy Department of Shree Krishna Hospital, Karamsad. Both the groups received conventional physiotherapy for 3 weeks. Group A was administered knee gaiter, and Group B was allocated suspended walker. Outcomes/scales were measured in terms of 10-meter walk test (10MWT), 3-min walk test (3MWT), and dynamic gait index (DGI). RESULTS: After the treatment, both the groups showed significant improvement (P < 0.001) in 3MWT, 10MWT, and DGI scores, but Group A shows additional beneficial effect on 3MWT (P = 0.023) and 10MWT (P = 0.754) with using t-test and no significant improvement in all the components of the DGI except step component with using the Mann-Whitney test. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the hypothesis that knee gaiter has better gait outcome as compared to suspended walker in stroke patients.
