Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of yoruba version of the short-form 12 health survey.

Conclusion: This is the first study to assess the psychometric properties of the Y-SF-12. It appears to be valid and may be an appropriate tool for assessing health-related quality of life among Yoruba population. The tool may help to improve the health outcomes of individuals, and redress health inequalities in low and middle-income countries. Background: Short Form 12 (SF-12) health survey has found its utility in clinical and research settings because of its short length that spares time. Though several translations into other languages do exist there is none available in Yoruba language. Hence, this study's objective was to culturally adapt and determine the reliability and validity of the Yoruba translated version of the SF-12. Methods: Forward and backward translations of SF-12 into Yoruba version of SF-12 (Y-SF-12) were done using the International Quality of Life Assessment Project Guidelines. Healthy participants were assessed using both English and Yoruba versions of SF-12 for the validation phase, and two weeks later were reassessed with the Y-SF-12 for the reliability phase. Results: Participants were 225 males and 171 females. The mean scores for each scale range from 73.4 to 86.1, with no gender difference. All scale and domain scores evidenced a negative skew and ranges from -1.79 to -0.62. Concurrent validity (0.879 - 0.938) and convergent validity (0.786 - 0.907) appeared to be good as reflected by their correlation values. The internal consistency of Y-SF-12 was good as Cronbach's Alpha ranged between 0.899 and 0.968, while the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) ranged between 0.775 and 0.949.

Relationships between respiratory parameters, exercise capacity and psychosocial factors in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects respiratory functioning and psychosocial factors. However, little is known about perceived ability of people with COPD to engage in a regular exercise program. This study assessed respiratory parameters, exercise capacity, psychosocial factors and their relations in people with COPD. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved patients with COPD recruited from a Nigerian university teaching hospital. Respiratory parameters including forced expiratory volume in 1sec (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were assessed by using a spirometer and FEV1/FVC ratio was calculated. Participants were sitting upright in a comfortable chair and wearing a nose clip for measurements. The procedure was performed in accordance with the American Thoracic Society criteria. Exercise capacity was assessed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT). Gait speed was assessed by the distance covered in 6min. Perceived exercise self-efficacy (PESE) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed by exercise self-efficacy and Borg scales, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the 125 participants was 62.0±7.1years (60% male). The mean values for FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC were 1.8±0.6L, 2.4±0.5L and 58.0±8.8%, respectively, and the mean 6MWT and PESE values were 291.1±41.6m 63.1±11.2%. Exercise capacity was correlated with mean values for the respiratory parameters FEV1 (r=0.29; P=0.035), FVC (r=0.32; P=0.045) and FEV1/FVC ratio (r=0.37; P=0.007), and both exercise capacity and PESE were correlated with gait speed (r=0.96, P=0.001 and r=0.57; P=0.042) and RPE (r=0.42, P=0.050 and r=-0.44; P=0.032), but PESE was not correlated with respiratory parameter values (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Participants with COPD demonstrated reduced respiratory parameter values and low exercise capacity but moderate PESE. We found significant correlations between exercise capacity and respiratory parameter values, but PESE was correlated with only gait speed and RPE. The study has implications for respiratory health promotion and exercise adherence.

Evaluation of the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic therapy in the treatment of back pain: a randomized controlled trial in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Musculoskeletal system disorders (MSDs) are amongst the most commonly encountered problems in orthopaedics and physiotherapy practice all over the world and back pain is amongst the most prevalent of musculoskeletal presentations encountered in clinical practice. The attendant deformities, huge economic loss among many other sequelae on the affected individuals have always informed the search for cost-effective treatment modalities that are non-invasive and are devoid of or at least have minimal side effects. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the therapeutic efficacy of the use of a non-pharmacological device [pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF)] modality in the treatment of back pain. A total of 16 patients (mean age: 42.82 +/- 8.63 years) with back pain without radiculopathy who met the inclusion criteria were purposively enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A had eight patients treated with PEMF plus medications (analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory - diclofenac sodium) while the eight patients in group B were treated with only standard medications. The PEMF device was applied in group A four times a day for the period the patients were admitted (maximum of nine days). Measured outcome parameters were reduction in pain as assessed with numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and improvement in functional ability status as assessed with functional activity scale (FAS). Obtained data were analysed with paired and independent t-test to test the significant efficacy of the treatment outcomes in the two groups. There was a statistically significant faster pain relief and resumption of active functions in patients treated with PEMF plus analgesic compared with the rates exhibited by patients treated with standard analgesics alone. These results suggest that PEMF therapy is beneficial in reducing pain and disability in patients with back pain and should be made part of holistic cape for back pain. Further studies using PEMF on larger patient populations are advocated to further confirm the efficacy of PEMF therapy in back pain management.