Preserving cognitive vitality: Value of cognitive rehabilitation in addressing cognitive deficits in the elderly.

The recent advancements in medical sciences has resulted in not only increasing life expectancy of the elderly but has also improved survival rate in elderly with neurological disorders including those with head trauma . This has resulted in an increasing number of persons with cognitive deficits. Cognitive functions such as executive functioning and memory play an important role in success of a rehabilitation programme and therefore can positively contribute to public health goals. Considering cognitive decline at present has no cure and pharmacological therapies have a limited role, efforts are usually made to delay the onset and progression of cognitive decline and improve quality of life. Literature suggests that active life style, regular exercise, actively performing activities of daily living can have a significant impact on cognitive skills. In addition different models of cognitive rehabilitation and approaches can be integrated into practice to improve cognitive reserve and cause neuroplastic changes to facilitate cognitive function by providing cognitive stimulus and training. Moreover with technological advancements, the computerized cognitive intervention field is growing. This usually integrates conventional cognitive intervention with digital smart devices to provide an engaging and cost effective alternate approach. This review aims to highlight the importance of cognitive rehabilitation and suggest a few evidence based approaches that may be considered by rehabilitation professionals to promote and improve cognitive rehabilitation in Pakistan.

An overview of injury prevention for soccer players in Pakistan: A sports rehab perspective.

Soccer (football) is one of the most popular weight-bearing sports in the world, which involves activities such as jumping, running and turning. Soccer related injuries have the highest incidence in all sports and are more common in young amateur players. The most important modifiable risk factors include neuromuscular control, postural stability, hamstring strength and core dysfunction. The International Federation of Football Association introduced FIFA 11+; an injury prevention programme for reduction in the rate of injuries in amateur and young soccer players. It focusses on the training of dynamic, static and reactive neuromuscular control, proper posture, balance, agility and control of the body. This training protocol is not being used in Pakistan at amateur level who neither possess the resources, nor the knowledge or proper guidance in risk factor assessment, prevention, and subsequent sport injury management. In addition, the physicians and rehabilitation community are not much familiar with it except for those directly involved in sports rehabilitation. This review highlights the importance of including FIFA 11+ training programme in the curriculum and faculty training.

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.