Pakistan Journal of Physical Therapy (PJPT)

HESITANCY, ATTITUDE AND SIDE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER DOSE AMONG PHYSICAL THERAPISTS IN PAKISTAN: A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY

2023-11-26T20:52:05+05:00

Many variants of COVID-19 virus demanded need for vaccines to promote and maintain immunity among healthy and immunocompromised people. Physiotherapists have close contact to the patients so they must be fully vaccinated. However, the acceptance towards vaccine and booster dose may vary among different regions.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in three months and data was collected from 511 physiotherapists through the online survey. A structured questionnaire was used to find out the hesitancy, attitude and the side effects of booster dose.

Results: Around 232 (45%) of the participants were of age 31-35 years, 264 (53%) were females, 323 (63%) were married, and 408 (80%) were having master degree. Majority were not hesitant towards vaccination with total 404 (79%) had been offered vaccination, and 383 (75%) had taken both first and second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, a total 341 (67%) showed willingness to take vaccine every year and 301 (59%) agreed for requirement of booster dose. While malaise and fatigue were most commonly reported side effects of booster dose.

Conclusion: Majority of the physical therapists in Pakistan are less hesitant, and are more agreeable on need of booster dose and experienced minimal side effects after booster dose administration.

Key words: Attitude, Booster Dose, Covid-19 vaccine, Hesitancy, Side Effects, Physical therapist

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HAND DIMENSIONS AND HAND GRIP STRENGTH AMONG UNIVERSITY TENNIS PLAYERS A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2023-12-18T10:01:26+05:00

Handgrip strength is a measurement of upper extremity functionality and an indicator of overall physical ability. Usually, the evaluation of the handgrip strength (HGS) is utilized in the clinic and occupational practice, performing an important role in the determination of the clinical effects. Hand-grip strength has been identified as a biomarker of other systems, such as the endocrine system.

Objective: The objective is to assess the relationship between hand grip strength and hand dimensions in university tennis players.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 153 university students using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. The data was collected from the University of Lahore, Punjab University, and the University of Central Punjab. The questionnaire contains demographic data age, height, weight, BMI, lifestyle, hand dimensions by anthropometric measurements, and grip strength by dynamometer will be used to collect data.

Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 21.73±1.97 years. The minimum age was 19 years, and the maximum age was 25 years. Out of 153 university tennis players (52.9%) were male and (47.1%) were females The result shows that 13.2% of students were underweight and 70.6% were normal weight according to their BMI. 51.5% of females performed exercise twice a week and 25.0% performed more than three times a week with a value of r (r=0.27-r=0.86)

Conclusion: There is a strong significant association between hand dimensions (finger span, finger length, and hand perimeter) and hand grip strength. As the value of hand dimensions increases the hand grip strength also increases.

Key Words: Hand grip strength, hand dimensions, dynamometer, Body mass index, little finger length, Thumb length

EFFECTS OF AEROBIC EXCERCISES ON BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG ISCHEMIC HEART FAILURE PATIENTS

2023-11-26T20:58:41+05:00

Heart failure results from myocardial deficiencies, which prevent the heart from adequately supplying the body with oxygen. The severity is further divided into groups, with ischemic cardiomyopathy as a major contributor. The effectiveness of conventional treatments like beta-blockers and CPAP is still constrained as the prevalence of heart failure rises, especially in areas with high rates of ischemic heart disease. Recent research, however hints that individuals may benefit from cardiovascular advantages and symptom reduction from aerobic activity. This study compares the effects of several exercise regimens on people with heart failure while also considering potential alternative therapy approaches.

Objectives: Patients of heart failure report difficulty in performing daily activity due to physical disability and higher level of depression and anxiety among them. Thus, we measured blood pressure and peak Vo2.Although exercise has well documented benefits related to health of heart failure patients. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of aerobic exercise on heart failure patients.

Materials and Methods: It was interventional study conducted on heart failure patients. 30 participants were diagnosed with chronic heart failure and allocated to aerobic training. At baseline and 4 weeks of aerobic exercise and patients performed 6-minute walk test

Results: Outcome of aerobic training demonstrate significant improvement of peak V02 max, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure within the groups results which was analyzed by friedmen test and statistical value is <0.05.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the effects of aerobics exercises will improve systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 4 weeks of rehabilitation program among heart failure patients.

EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING WITH OR WITHOUT WHOLE BODY VIBRATION TRAINING ON PAIN AND FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

2023-11-26T17:41:31+05:00

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a devastating ailment that affects a significant number of elderly people all over the world.⁴ People who have osteoarthritis of the knee experience discomfort and have difficulty carrying out routine daily tasks. The increased load that is passed over the medial compartment of the knee joint has been linked to the considerable occurrence of osteoarthritis (OA) in this area.⁵ Even though a number of factors have been linked to the onset and advancement of osteoarthritis, especially OA of the medial compartment of the knee, the exact cause of knee osteoarthritis is still unknown. Recent research has focused on the biomechanical parameters associated with joint loading as a a possible major factor in the cause of knee osteoarthritis (OA).⁶

EFFECT OF KEGEL EXERCISES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PAIN AND URINARY INCONTINENCE IN UTERINE PROLAPSE; A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

2023-12-25T10:45:47+05:00

Uterine Prolapse is a common condition, one in three women is affected worldwide. Kegel exercises plays vital role in reducing symptoms of uterine prolapse. Objective: To determine effects of Kegel exercises in management of pain and urinary incontinence in women with Uterine prolapse. Materials and Methods: A Quasi-experimental study with non-probability convenience sampling was carried out at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital Karachi from June to December 2022. Inclusion criteria was Females with age of 40-60 years; diagnosed 1^st and 2^nd-degree Uterine Prolapse with complaints of pain and urinary incontinence. The application of the hot pack was done before exercise for 15 minutes. Four Kegel exercises performed in every session of the participants with 10 repetitions, 6 days a week for one month. SPSS 25was used to analyze data. Results: A total of 56 participants with mean age 45.21±5.33 years. Before treatment data indicated that there were 13 respondents in the very severe category, 22 in the severe category, 16 in moderate pain, and 5 in mild pain. However, after given exercises post-treatment pain was reduced. No participants were seen in the severe and very severe pain category, while 10 were found with moderate, 34 with mild, and 12 were found with no pain. Conclusion: Kegel exercises have a significant effect in relieving pain and decreasing symptoms of urinary incontinence in females with uterine prolapse after one month of intervention.

EFFECTS OF CORE STRENGTHENING VERSUS LOWER LIMB PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION TECHNIQUES ON TRUNK FUNCTION AND BALANCE IN CHRONIC STROKE PATIENTS

2023-12-18T09:46:06+05:00

Stroke, a significant contributor to disability, primarily affects the trunk's ability to produce movement and function. Patients with stroke experience falls frequently and have more post-fall activity limitations because of severe postural instability. The incidence of stroke steadily increases, further endangering the body's physical, mechanical and musculoskeletal functions.

Objective: To compare the effects of core strengthening versus lower limb Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Techniques on trunk function and balance in chronic stroke patients.

Materials and Methods: The randomised control trial (RCT) was conducted at Itiefaq Hospital & Riphah Rehabilitation Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, from June to December 2022. The subject includes either gender aged 40-70 with chronic stroke patients. They were randomised into two groups. Group A was treated with Core Strengthening exercises and conventional treatment, and Group B was treated with PNF and traditional therapy. The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to assess outcome measures. Data was analysed by using SPSS-21.

Rsults: Out of 42 patients, there were 21 patients in the two groups. Scores for the Berg Balance and Trunk Impairment Scale showed significant results within a group as indicated by p-value (<0.05). The within-group analysis revealed essential findings in all parameters. The between-group comparison showed insignificant results in the case of the Trunk Impairment scale, as the p-value was not less than 0.05. Between-group results were significant in the case of the Berg Balance Scale (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study concluded that applying core strengthening exercises and lower limb proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques improved the balance and function of the trunk in chronic stroke patients.

EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN PAKISTAN

2023-11-26T17:57:10+05:00

Confusion, fear, and anarchy were widely felt around the world during the pivotal years of the worldwide pandemic COVID-19. As this respiratory disease—which mostly affects the lungs but may also affect many other bodily organs in the event of complications—proliferated quickly over the globe, scientists and biologists hurriedly set about creating methods for its treatment and prevention. The greatest method to protect mankind from this continuing epidemic, like with all other viral infections, is vaccination. Similar to how the respiratory system was affected, other biological systems were as well, notably the musculoskeletal system, which had poor muscular endurance during performance. The treatment of post-covid musculoskeletal issues depends heavily on physical therapy.