Volume 5 Issue 1
Authors: Harikiran Govindaraju Arkalgud; Charu Chitra Govindan; Vinodhini Krishna; Shravanthi Manyam Seshasayee
Abstract: Purpose: Oral health promotion is critical in limiting morbidity and socioeconomic costs of the Oral disease pandemic. Physiotherapists, in particular, are ideally suited to advancing common risk-factor based oral health promotion, given the nature of their clinical practice and stated professional commitment to health promotion. Since feasibility of this partnership is influenced by their Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior (KAB) towards Oral health, this study aims to assess these parameters among students of Physiotherapy in Bangalore, and determine the effectiveness of an Oral Health Intervention Module (OHIM) on the same. Methods: A quasi-experimental pilot study was conducted among 66 students of a Physiotherapy institution in Bangalore, India. Participants completed questionnaires consisting of 25 closed-ended, multiple – choice questions assessing oral health KAB, pre-post OHIM. Results: Overall knowledge regarding oral health was good, but personal oral health seeking attitudes and behaviors were infrequent. 61.9%-90.4% of respondents correctly answered most questions assessing Knowledge. 71.4% agreed treatment of oral disease was as important as other diseases. 48.7% would not visit a Dentist unless they had dental complaints. Preventive behaviors including oral prophylaxis (17.9%), and routine check-ups (26.9%) were low. Significant improvement in oral health KAB following OHIM, with maximum impact on mean scores of Knowledge (2.74), followed by Attitude (0.7) and Behaviour (0.35). Conclusions: This study highlights need to strengthen and reinforce positive oral health attitudes and behaviours among physiotherapy students. Besides motivating personal beliefs and behaviours, incorporation of practical training in professional curricula would equip Physiotherapists with competency in promoting oral health in clinical practice.
Keywords: Oral Health; Physiotherapy; Oral Health Promotion; Knowledge; Attitude; Behaviour; Allied Health
Authors: Amr Almaz Abdel-aziem; Mostafa Sayed Abdel-fattah
Abstract: Background: Decreased muscle strength and functional capacity are main problems in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and whole-body vibration (WBV) training are used to overcome this problem. Objective: To compare the effect of NMES and WBV training when added to the traditional pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on functional capacity, ventilatory functions, and quadriceps concentric torque in patients with COPD. Methods: Sixty male patients with COPD were randomly distributed into three equal groups; NMES group; received electrical stimulation (NMES) of the lower limbs in addition to traditional pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and pharmacological treatment (PT); WBV group; received WBV training in addition to PR and PT; and control group received only PR and PT. The functional capacity, ventilatory functions, and quadriceps concentric torque were obtained at baseline and after 8 weeks of the intervention. Results: The functional capacity increased significantly in NMES and WBV groups (p=0.034, 0.019) respectively, without significant change in the control group (p=0.697). The improvement of WBV group was significantly higher than NMES group (p=0.037). There was no significant difference between groups for the ventilatory functions (p> 0.05). The quadriceps concentric torque of NMES and WBV groups increased significantly (p=0.046, 0.015) respectively, without significant change in the control group (p=0.896). The improvement of WBV group was significantly higher than NMES group (p=0.002). Conclusion: The addition of NMES or WBV training to the traditional PR improved the functional capacity and muscle strength in COPD patients. The improvement was higher after WBV training than NMES.
Keywords: Whole-body Vibration; Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; COPD
Authors: E. Paul Cherniack; Heather F. Lee
Abstract: Purpose: To ascertain from the medical literature what evidence exists on the effect of nutritional interventions to alleviate the age-related loss of muscle strength and function (“dynapenia”) which is not the same as preventing loss of muscle mass. Methods: A search of relevant studies was conducted using the PubMed search engine, using search terms such as “muscle”, “strength”, and “aging”. Further manuscripts were obtained from the reference lists of the initial studies obtained. Results: Eighty-one studies were obtained for protein, whey, leucine, β-Hydroxy β-methylbutyric acid, creatine, vitamin D, and combination substances. The quality of evidence for the effect of each on dynapenia, however, is weak. Conclusions and innovation: Individually, selective provision of protein, specific amino acids (especially leucine, and its metabolite β-Hydroxy β-methylbutyric acid), creatine, and vitamin D, have consistently been shown to create small but significant gains in select parameters of muscle strength, when administered to elderly patients, often accompanied by exercise. Most studies investigated only a limited number of parameters, and for short duration. The timing and duration of nutritional interventions, including its relationship to exercise, to maximize efficacy, still needs to be clarified.
Keywords: Dynapenia; Frailty; Aging; Nutrition
Authors: Asmaa Osama Sayed
Abstract: Purpose: To identify quadriceps muscle strength and Growth Motor abilities in children with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Thirty children with diplegic CP ranged in age between six and eight participated. They were classified equally into control and study groups. A physical therapy program conducted for the control group. The same program was given to the study group while wearing the therapeutic suit. Hand Held Dynamometer was used and the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) in the two groups before and after four successive weeks of conducting of the treatment programs. Results: The post-treatment results revealed a statistically significant difference between both group regarding quadriceps strength and GMFM in favour to the study group. And the quadriceps muscle strength in diplegic CP children positively correlate with the improvement in motor ability. Conclusion: Quadriceps muscle strength can be used to improve growth motor ability.
Keywords: Cerebral Palsy; Diplegia; Quadriceps Muscle Strength; Motor Ability