Qualitative research in physiotherapy: A systematic mapping review of 20 years literature from sub-Saharan Africa.

STUDY AIM: To summarize the current state and quality of qualitative research conducted by physiotherapists in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS: We systematically searched multiple databases from 2000 to December 2020 and included peer-reviewed qualitative studies conducted by physiotherapists in SSA countries. Two reviewers independently screened citations, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the included studies using the 45-items checklist by Lundgren, and colleagues. Conventional content analysis was employed to create physiotherapy subject areas from the included studies. RESULTS: We included 114 studies, a majority of 84 (74%) conducted in South Africa. Included studies were categorized into five subject areas: sports (n = 2), disability (n = 16), professional practice (n = 24), education and training (n = 36), and care provision (n = 36). We rated 74 (65%), 29 (25%), and 11 (10%) of the included research as low reporting quality, moderate- and high reporting quality, respectively. There was a significant lack of reporting on researchers' team characteristics, reflexivity, and member checking. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the reporting of published qualitative studies in SSA shows variable quality, albeit mostly low, focused mainly on care provision, education, and training. Physiotherapy-researchers are encouraged to report reflexive practice and member checking when conducting qualitative research.

Control of cranial ectomesenchyme fate by Nr2f nuclear receptors.

Certain cranial neural crest cells are uniquely endowed with the ability to make skeletal cell types otherwise only derived from mesoderm. As these cells migrate into the pharyngeal arches, they downregulate neural crest specifier genes and upregulate so-called ectomesenchyme genes that are characteristic of skeletal progenitors. Although both external and intrinsic factors have been proposed as triggers of this transition, the details remain obscure. Here, we report the Nr2f nuclear receptors as intrinsic activators of the ectomesenchyme program: zebrafish nr2f5 single and nr2f2;nr2f5 double mutants show marked delays in upregulation of ectomesenchyme genes, such as dlx2a, prrx1a, prrx1b, sox9a, twist1a and fli1a, and in downregulation of sox10, which is normally restricted to early neural crest and non-ectomesenchyme lineages. Mutation of sox10 fully rescued skeletal development in nr2f5 single but not nr2f2;nr2f5 double mutants, but the initial ectomesenchyme delay persisted in both. Sox10 perdurance thus antagonizes the recovery but does not explain the impaired ectomesenchyme transition. Unraveling the mechanisms of Nr2f function will help solve the enduring puzzle of how cranial neural crest cells transition to the skeletal progenitor state.

Setting priorities for ageing research in Africa: A systematic mapping review of 512 studies from sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: In 2040, the older population's growth rate in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) will be faster than those experienced by developed nations since 1950. In preparation for this growth, the National Institute on Aging commissioned the National Academies' Committee on Population to organize a workshop on advancing aging research in Africa. This meeting provided a platform for discussing some areas requiring improvement in aging research in SSA regions. We believed that conducting a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles to set priorities for aging research in SSA is warranted. Therefore, this article is the first in a Four-Part series that summaries the types and trends of peer-reviewed studies in SSA. METHODS: This systematic mapping review followed the Search-Appraisal-Synthesis-Analysis Framework. We systematically searched multiple databases from inception till February 2021 and included peer-reviewed articles conducted with/for older adults residing in SSA. Conventional content analysis was employed to categorize studies into subject-related areas. RESULTS: We included 512 studies (quantitative = 426, qualitative = 71 and mixed-method = 15). Studies were conducted in 32 countries. Quantitative studies included were observational studies: cross-sectional (n = 250, 59%), longitudinal (n = 126, 30%), and case-control (n = 12, 3%); and experimental studies: pre-post design (n = 4, 1%), randomized control trial (RCT, n = 12, 3%); and not reported (n = 21, 5%). Fifteen qualitative studies did not state their study design; where stated, study design ranged from descriptive (n = 14, 20%), ethnography (n = 12, 17%), grounded theory (n = 7, 10%), narrative (n = 5, 7%), phenomenology (n = 10, 14%), interpretative exploratory (n = 4, 6%), case studies (n = 4, 6%). Of the 15 mixed-method studies, seven did not state their mixed-method design. Where stated, design includes concurrent (n = 1), convergent (n = 1), cross-sectional (n = 3), informative (n = 1), sequential exploratory (n = 1) and retrospective (n = 2). Studies were classified into 30 (for quantitative studies) and seven (for qualitative and mixed-method) subject-related areas. HIV/AIDs-related and non-communicable diseases-related studies were the most predominant subject-related areas. No studies explored the transdisciplinary co-production of interventions. CONCLUSIONS: There are glaring gaps in ageing research in SSA, especially mixed-methods and RCTs. A large number of studies focused on HIV/AIDs and non-communicable disease-related studies. National and international funding agencies should set up priority funding competitions for transdisciplinary collaborations in ageing research.

Lower Limb Biomechanical Variables Are Indicators of the Pattern of Presentation of Patella Tendinopathy in Elite African Basketball and Volleyball Players.

Objective The present study determined the pattern of presentation and severity of patellar tendinopathy (PT) and its relationship with selected biomechanical variables in elite athletes. Methods The study involved 98 elite Nigerian basketball and volleyball players aged between 18 and 35 years. Clinical tests and ultrasound imaging were used to divide the participants into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. Standard procedures were used to assess the quadriceps angle (Q-angle), tibial torsion, ankle dorsiflexion, hamstring flexibility, and foot posture. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Questionnaire, Patellar Tendon (VISA-P) was used to assess the severity of the symptoms. The statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and a post hoc analysis and Pearson correlation with significance level set at p < 0.05 were also performed. Results Significantly lower sit-and-reach scores ( p = 0.01), increased foot posture index score ( p = 0.01) and reduced ankle dorsiflexion range ( p = 0.03) were found in participants of both sexes with symptomatic PT. Higher Q-angles ( p = 0.02) in males and tibial torsion angles ( p = 0.001) in females were also found in the symptomatic PT groups. Symptom severity was significantly higher in the group with clinical symptoms only ( p = 0.042), and it was significantly correlated with hamstring flexibility in both males (r = -0.618) and females (r = -0.664). Conclusion Reduced hamstring flexibility, increased foot pronation and reduced ankle dorsiflexion range were significant in participants with symptomatic PT.

Lower Limb Biomechanical Variables Are Indicators of the Pattern of Presentation of Patella Tendinopathy in Elite African Basketball and Volleyball Players / Variáveis biomecânicas dos membros inferiores são indicadores do padrão de apresentação da tendinopatia patelar em atletas de elite africanos de basquetebol e voleibol

Abstract Objective The present study determined the pattern of presentation and severity of patellar tendinopathy (PT) and its relationship with selected biomechanical variables in elite athletes. Methods The study involved 98 elite Nigerian basketball and volleyball players aged between 18 and 35 years. Clinical tests and ultrasound imaging were used to divide the participants into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. Standard procedures were used to assess the quadriceps angle (Q-angle), tibial torsion, ankle dorsiflexion, hamstring flexibility, and foot posture. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Questionnaire, Patellar Tendon (VISA-P) was used to assess the severity of the symptoms. The statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and a post hoc analysis and Pearson correlation with significance level set at p < 0.05 were also performed. Results Significantly lower sit-and-reach scores (p = 0.01), increased foot posture index score (p = 0.01) and reduced ankle dorsiflexion range (p = 0.03) were found in participants of both sexes with symptomatic PT. Higher Q-angles (p = 0.02) in males and tibial torsion angles (p = 0.001) in females were also found in the symptomatic PT groups. Symptom severity was significantly higher in the group with clinical symptoms only (p = 0.042), and it was significantly correlated with hamstring flexibility in both males (r = -0.618) and females (r = -0.664). Conclusion Reduced hamstring flexibility, increased foot pronation and reduced ankle dorsiflexion range were significant in participants with symptomatic PT.

Resumo Objetivo Este estudo determinou o padrão de apresentação e gravidade da tendinopatia patelar (TP) e sua relação com variáveis biomecânicas selecionadas em atletas de elite. Métodos O estudo envolveu 98 jogadores de elite nigerianos de basquetebol e voleibol com idades entre 18 e 35 anos. Testes clínicos e ultrassonografia foram usados para separar os participantes em grupos sintomáticos e assintomáticos. Procedimentos padrão foram utilizados para avaliar o ângulo do quadríceps (ângulo Q), a torção da tíbia, a dorsiflexão do tornozelo, a flexibilidade dos isquiotibiais, e a postura do pé. Usou-se o questionário Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Questionnaire, Patellar Tendon (VISA-P) para avaliar a gravidade dos sintomas nos grupos sintomáticos. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio de análise de variância (ANOVA, na sigla em inglês), análise post hoc, e correlação de Pearson, com nível de significância estabelecido em p < 0,05. Resultados Pontuações significativamente menores de sentar e alcançar (p = 0,01), aumento da pontuação do índice de postura do pé (p = 0,01), e redução da amplitude de dorsiflexão do tornozelo (p = 0,03) foram encontrados em participantes de ambos os sexos com TP sintomática. Ângulos Q (p = 0,02) maiores nos homens e ângulos de torção tibial maiores (p = 0,001) nas mulheres também foram encontrados nos grupos de TP sintomática. A gravidade dos sintomas foi significativamente maior no grupo que tinha apenas sintomas clínicos (p = 0,042), e estava significativamente correlacionada com a flexibilidade dos isquiotibiais tanto nos homens (r = -0,618) quanto nas mulheres (r = -0,664). Conclusão A redução da flexibilidade dos isquiotibiais, o aumento da pronação do pé, e a redução da amplitude de dorsiflexão do tornozelo foram significativos em participantes com TP sintomática.