Bridging, Mapping, and Addressing Research Gaps in Health Sciences: The Naqvi-Gabr Research Gap Framework.

Innovations pertaining to the ever-evolving needs of the medical and healthcare sciences remain constant. This creates a gap between the rationalized needs of the study and the proposed research question. However, classifying, identifying, and addressing these research gaps require a systematic and precise structured map. Using the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms "Research Gaps" AND "Healthcare" AND "Framework" in MEDLINE, Scopus, and CINAHL databases with the filters yielded no relevant literature. Therefore, this review aims to fill this practical and clinical knowledge gap by developing the Naqvi-Gabr Research Gap Framework through critical synthesis based on extensive research on medical and healthcare research gaps. Fourteen research gaps are distributed for allocation as per the healthcare delivery system approach: developing new treatments or prevention strategies, improving diagnostic tools and techniques, addressing health disparities, and improving access to healthcare services. This structured framework determines the strategic mapping of research gaps corresponding to the nature of the research. The identification and classification of the appropriate research gap led to precise and concise conclusions corresponding to the research process proposed in this study. Hence, the Naqvi-Gabr Research Gap Framework is a valuable tool for determining the potential application of gaps by researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders with a productive address.

A protocol for the development of PhyCaRe: An extension of the CARE guideline for physiotherapy using the Delphi method.

Background: Case reports are one of the important forms of documentation and publication of clinical physiotherapy presenting the first line of evidence in scientific literature. In order to provide a systematic and precise structure for reporting and presenting cases, the CARE guidelines were established in 2013. However, these guidelines present limitations as while reporting require items of specific specialties following the checklist. Authors from different specialities have developed CARE extensions specifying the characteristic features of corresponding fields, however, an extension dealing with physiotherapy assessment and line of management in the CARE guidelines is proposed as PhyCaRe. Method: After consulting with the advisors, a draft will be prepared of the specific elements that should be included in the PhyCaRe using web Delphi methodology considering CARE statement as the source and SurveyMonkey will be used to undertake the web Delphi questionnaire. The web Delphi methodology will be assumed for three rounds and will be open to physiotherapists and others with substantial experience in reviewing case reports. Subsequently, an online consensus meeting, pilot testing, and submission of the CARE extension for physiotherapy will be conducted for publication. Dissemination: The 2010 "Guidance for Developers of Health Research Reporting" and instructions from the EQUATOR Network will be followed in the preparation of PhyCaRe guidelines. The guidelines will be propagated at different platforms and journals will be requested to adopt the guidelines. Registration: The reporting guideline under development is prospectively registered on the EQUATOR Network website on PhyCaRe - Reporting guideline for physiotherapy case reports.

Rehabilitation of a Patient after a Transtibial Amputation: A Case Report.

Amputation is the surgical removal of a body part or limb caused by excessive tightness, pathological conditions, or a surgical procedure on an extremity. Transtibial amputation involves removing the feet, ankle, distal part of the tibia, and fibula with the surrounding structures like connective tissues and other structures surrounding the distal part of the bone. This type of surgery has a high rate of contraindications but has adequate indications; it maintains a therapeutic technique with a high clinical price and, in general, lifesaving value. The primary objectives of rehabilitation are to improve normal and affected extremity power, patient mobility, aerobic capacity, coordination and balance, and independence in performing activities of daily living. In this case, the patient was a 50-year-old man who complained of pain in his left lower limb and had an ulcer on his left foot. Initially, it was small in size when noticed by the patient but gradually progressed to a large wound of 7x6cm over the medial side, with foul-smelling discharge, associated with blackish discoloration. Walking aggravated foot pain, which was relieved by standing still, medications, and rest. On investigation, the patient was diagnosed with gangrene in the left lower limb and referred for rehabilitation to the physiotherapy department after surgery. This case study provides information on the recovery of a patient with the help of prosthetic devices.

A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on Virtual Reality Application in Pediatric Patients.

Virtual reality is a novel approach for distracting and alleviating anxiety, pain, and other complications during medical procedures, and it can be more effective than conventional methods. In virtual reality, the patient is completely immersed in the virtual environment, which is used to make patients feel more comfortable and can provide a positive prognosis. The data were searched by using the Boolean operator "AND" between the search phrases "Virtual reality," and "Pediatrics" and the relevant literature was extracted. The inclusion criteria were the free full text, randomized controlled trials, studies between 2016 and 2022 and pediatric patients. This systematic review was conducted to compare randomized controlled trials of virtual reality applications in pediatric patients in different clinical settings. Of the included 15 randomized controlled trials, 12 studies were on pain and anxiety, two on brain injury and cerebral palsy, and one on awareness among asthmatic patients. This review concluded that virtual reality exposure has a beneficial effect on pediatric patients in reducing pain and anxiety, improving muscle strength and dexterity, and awareness among asthmatic patients.

A research protocol on leap motion tracking device: A novel intervention method in distal radial fracture rehabilitation.

INTRODUCTION: Physiotherapeutic rehabilitation are used to optimize functional recovery following a distal radial fracture (DRF). Being most common upper limb fracture in all age groups, the DRF peaks in young men and in post-menopausal women with incidence ratio of 1:4. Leap motion control based rehabilitation of patients with DRF is limited. This research aims to assess the efficacy of leap motion control based rehabilitation in patients with DRF. METHODS: In an randomized parallel group trial, subjects (n = 40) with DRF will be recruited. The participants will be enrolled into either experimental or control group with 1:1 allocation ratio. Following the primary assessment and allocation, the participants in experimental group will receive both leap motion control and conventional therapy over a period of six weeks. Participants in conventional group would undergo only conventional therapy. The primary outcome measures will be Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and Universal goniometer however the grip strength and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used as secondary outcome measures. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The findings of this trial will examine the impact of leap motion control in DRF patients with conventional therapy on improving the functional activity, range of motion (ROM), grip strength and pain. EXPECTED CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: To conclude, this research seeks to examine the rapid and long term effects of leap motion control in DRF patients. The study findings would help prospective patients with DRF, which may include a newly designed approach of rehabilitation.

A Novel Method for Muscle Elongation in Myalgia with Naqvi's-Dynamic Electrical Therapy Approach (DELTA)©: The First-Ever Case Report.

Lifestyle-related neck and shoulder pain can be attributed to trapezius myalgia (TM) in a significant number of cases. Apart from pain, manifestations of TM include tightness of the trapezius muscle, especially in the upper fibres. Naqvi's-Dynamic Electrical Therapy Approach (Naqvi's-DELTA)© is a novel electrotherapeutic intervention based on the principle of myofibril elongation obtained by interference of poled vector current that is moved along the length of muscle fibres. A 22-year-old male approached the physiotherapy outpatient department (OPD) with the chief complaint of persistent neck pain and stiffness for three years that adversely affected his activities of daily living (ADLs). The pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS), restrictions in the range of motion (ROM) were determined by the cervical range of motion (CROM) device, and limitations in ADLs were assessed by neck disability index (NDI). Naqvi's-DELTA© was administered once a day for seven days, with each session lasting for 15 minutes. After the intervention, an evident beneficial effect was noted in all outcomes measures suggesting that this novel method was effective in decreasing pain, stiffness, and limitations in ADLs. Further investigation to explore this method for myalgia management is warranted.

Effectiveness of Early Physiotherapy in an Infant With a High Risk of Developmental Delay.

Premature birth is the most common cause for a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) among neonates. Premature birth leads to prematurity, which is associated with complications such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), hyperbilirubinemia, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), intraventricular hemorrhage (periventricular leukomalacia), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and so on. These secondary complications are of great concern and need to be handled with care to prevent the further deterioration of the quality of life of the baby as he grows. So, the early physiotherapeutic interventional approach comes into light and plays an important role in neonatal care.This case study demonstrates an infant boy of seven months chronological age, who had a preterm birth history with a poor APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration) score and NICU stay during the first three months of life. He approached the physiotherapy outpatient department with a complaint of delayed motor milestones like an absence of head holding, rolling, opening of hand, as well as delayed social-emotional development, Ryles tube (RT) in situ, with frequent episodes of GERD, neck rotated to the left side, high irritability, tactile defensiveness of both hands, and difficulty in regulating his sensory systems. Outcome measures used were gross motor function measure (GMFM), sensory profile, and rotating chair test. Early interventional physiotherapy was given including neurodevelopmental techniques (NDT), oromotor stimulation, sensory integration, passive stretching, and myofascial release for six days per week with each session of 45 minutes. The results demonstrated the achievement of motor milestones till sitting independently, reduced episodes of GERD, discontinued RT in situ, improved mobility of neck on both sides, reduced irritability, and started reaching, grasping along with bimanual tasks.

Effect of Smartphone on Hand Performance and Strength in the Healthy Population.

The study aimed to determine the interactive effects of smartphone use on hand grip strength as well as functional hand performance in young people. The evolution of technology smartphone has become our necessity. It has made our lifestyle more comfortable in the form of browsing the internet, important conversation, and source of entertainment. However, it has negatively impacted our lifestyle too. Smartphone consumption among the young population has become broadly popular for different purposes aside from communication including playing games as well as internet browsing. The main complications associated with the increase in the use of smartphones results in weakness of the hand as well as wrist. High levels of smartphone use diminished hand grip strengths as well as and hand function leading to decreased hand grip strength in their dominant hand.