Effect of diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics and conventional physiotherapy on chest expansion, pulmonary function and pain in patients with mechanical neck pain: A single group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental pilot study.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that mechanical neck pain results in respiratory dysfunction. Physiotherapy management for mechanical neck pain is well documented but the evidence regarding inclusion of breathing strategies to improve pulmonary functions in mechanical neck pain patients is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combined effect of diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory muscles stretch gymnastics (RMSG) and conventional physiotherapy on chest expansion, pulmonary function and pain in patient with mechanical neck pain. METHOD: Thirteen patients with mechanical neck pain (18-35years) with neck pain history of ≥ three months and NPRS (numeric pain rating scale) score ≥3 were recruited for this single group pre pretest-posttest quasi experimental pilot study. Informed consent was taken from all participants. After initial screening and assessment, diaphragmatic breathing, RSMG (5 patterns) and conventional physiotherapy (hot pack and TENS for 10 min) were given for one week. Chest expansion, spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEFR), NDI (neck disability index) and NPRS were assessed on baseline and after one week following the intervention. RESULTS: The normality of data was tested by using Shapiro-wilk test and the data was found to be normally distributed. Paired t-test was used to compare the baseline and post intervention values. Diaphragmatic breathing, RMSG and conventional physiotherapy had significant effect on chest expansion, FEV1, NPRS and NDI in patients with mechanical neck pain. CONCLUSION: The rehabilitation strategies should emphasize breathing exercises to improve the lung function and pain scores in addition to conventional physiotherapy in rehabilitation of mechanical neck pain patients.

Evaluation of pulmonary function in patients of non-specific low back pain / Avaliação da função pulmonar em pacientes com dor lombar inespecífica

INTRODUCTION: Diaphragm is the primary inspiratory muscle and it plays an essential role in controlling the spine during postural control. In nonspecific low back pain, the diaphragm muscle becomes weak, due to which the pulmonary functions may decrease. To the best of our knowledge there is a scarcity of literature in regard to the effect of low back pain on pulmonary parameters. Thus, the study is aimed to evaluate the pulmonary function in patients with non-specific low back pain. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen patients with non-specific low back pain and 113 BMI matched normal individuals as a comparison group aged 18-40 years of male and female genders were recruited by purposive sampling method for this prospective cross-sectional study. The non-specific back pain group included participants diagnosed with non-specific low back pain with pain intensity > 3 on VAS scale and duration > 3 months. After initial screening and assessment, anthropometric characteristics were recorded. Then, the pulmonary function test (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/ FVC, PEFR, SVC, MVV) were recorded in both groups. RESULT: Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for normality assessment and data was found to be not normally distributed. Non parametric data was represented as median and IQR (Inter Quartile Range). Between groups data analysis was performed by using MannWhitney U test and the effect size was computed for the study variables. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. There was a significant difference in pulmonary function values of FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, SVC, MVV. There was no significant difference in age and BMI of the participants of both groups. CONCLUSION: There exist significant differences in pulmonary function in patients with non-specific low back pain.

INTRODUÇÃO: O diafragma é o principal músculo inspiratório e desempenha um papel essencial no controle da coluna durante o controle postural. Na dor lombar inespecífica, o músculo diafragma torna-se fraco, podendo as funções pulmonares diminuir. Até onde sabemos, há escassez de literatura a respeito do efeito da dor lombar nos parâmetros pulmonares. Assim, o estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a função pulmonar em pacientes com dor lombar inespecífica. MÉTODOS: Cento e treze pacientes com dor lombar inespecífica e 113 indivíduos normais pareados com IMC como grupo de comparação com idades entre 18 e 40 anos, dos gêneros masculino e feminino, foram recrutados por método de amostragem proposital para este estudo transversal prospectivo. O grupo de dor nas costas inespecífica incluiu participantes com diagnóstico de dor lombar inespecífica com intensidade de dor > 3 na escala VAS e duração > 3 meses. Após triagem e avaliação inicial, as características antropométricas foram registradas. Em seguida, foram registrados os testes de função pulmonar (VEF1, CVF, VEF1/CVF, PFE, CVL, VVM) em ambos os grupos. RESULTADO: O teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov foi utilizado para avaliação da normalidade e os dados não apresentaram distribuição normal. Os dados não paramétricos foram representados como mediana e IQR (intervalo interquartil). A análise dos dados entre grupos foi realizada pelo teste U de Mann-Whitney e o tamanho do efeito foi calculado para as variáveis do estudo. < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Houve diferença significativa nos valores de função pulmonar de VEF1, VEF1/CVF, PFE, CVL, VVM. Não houve diferença significativa na idade e no IMC dos participantes de ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Existem diferenças significativas na função pulmonar em pacientes com dor lombar inespecífica.

Influence of parity on six-minute walk test in Indian females.

Six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a simple test measuring submaximal functional capacity. Various factors such as anthropometric, demographic, and physiological characteristics, are associated with functional decline. However, few authors have dealt with the link between functional decline and parity. Thus, the researchers aimed to measure the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in healthy Indian women and to determine the factors influencing 6MWD in Indian females, with particular attention to parity. Two hundred asymptomatic females aged 45-60 years were recruited for this cross-sectional study based on selection criteria. A single 6MWT was performed and a 6MWD was recorded. Mean ± SD 6MWD was 483.03 ± 50.22 m. Parity significantly affected the 6MWD among Indian females (r = 0.418, p = 0.0001). Parity is an important factor influencing female functional capacity and should be considered when assessing and prescribing rehabilitation in female participants.

Effect of Strengthening Exercises on Sleep Quality among Females Suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Sleep problems also occur in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) of normal weight. Furthermore, PCOS and sleep disturbances are linked with worsening of cardiometabolic health in the long term. Objective: The study aimed to determine the effect of strengthening exercises on sleep quality among females suffering from PCOS. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four female participants aged 20-45 years suffering from PCOS from at least 1 year with body mass index of 18.5-29.9 kg/m2 and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score ≥5 were randomized into experimental (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups; allocation (1:1). The participants were blinded. Experimental group received strengthening exercises thrice per week for 4 weeks, and no intervention was given in control group. Sleep quality was assessed using PSQI. Results: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed significant improvements (P < 0.05) in sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, and global score with strengthening exercises. Mann-Whitney U-test revealed significant improvements (P < 0.05) in use of medication (P = 0.016) and global score (P = 0.045). Conclusion: Four weeks of strengthening exercises has significant benefits in improving the sleep quality among females with PCOS.

Prevalência de distúrbios musculoesqueléticos relacionados ao trabalho em mulheres agricultoras / Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in women cultivators

INTRODUÇÃO: O distúrbio musculoesquelético é um dos principais agravos à saúde dos trabalhadores agrícolas. As mulheres rurais fazem contribuições essenciais para o desenvolvimento agrícola, atividades domésticas e buscam múltiplas estratégias de subsistência. Os estudos sobre distúrbios musculoesqueléticos relacionados ao trabalho (DORT) em cultivadoras são limitados. OBJETIVOS: Verificar a prevalência de distúrbios musculoesqueléticos relacionados ao trabalho em cultivadoras de Ambala, Haryana, Índia. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: 200 cultivadoras com idades entre 20-50 anos, com capacidade de ler e entender Hindi e com experiência de cultivo de mais de dois anos, foram recrutadas por amostragem não probabilística para este estudo transversal. A versão em hindi Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire foi usada para estudar a prevalência de DORT em cultivadoras. As características demográficas foram apresentadas como média ± desvio padrão. A prevalência de distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho foi apresentada como frequência e porcentagem. Intervalo de confiança também foi relatado. RESULTADOS: A prevalência anual de distúrbios musculoesqueléticos em cultivadoras foi maior na região lombar (57,0%) seguida pela articulação do joelho (30,5%), ombro (16,5%), punho / mão (9,5%), pescoço (9,0%), cotovelo (6,5%), tornozelo / pé (2,5%), coxas / pelve (2,5%) e parte superior das costas (2,0%). CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de WRMSDs em cultivadoras de Ambala, Haryana, Índia é alta. Lombar, joelho e ombro foram as regiões mais afetadas nessa população.

INTRODUCTION: Musculoskeletal disorder is one of the major health hazards among agricultural workers. Rural women contribute to agricultural development and household activities and pursue multiple livelihood strategies. Female cultivators' studies on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are limited. OBJECTIVES: To verify the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in female cultivators from Ambala, Haryana, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 200 female cultivators aged 20-50 years with the ability to read and understand Hindi and having cultivation experience of more than two-year were recruited by non-probabilistic sampling for this cross-sectional study. Hindi version of the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to study the prevalence of WRMSDs in female cultivators. Demographic characteristics were presented as mean ± standard deviation. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders was presented as frequency and percentage. A confidence interval was also reported. RESULTS: The yearly prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder in the female cultivators was highest in low back region (57.0%) followed by knee joint (30.5%), shoulder joint (16.5%), wrist/hand (9.5%), neck (9.0%), elbow (6.5%), ankle/foot (2.5%), thighs/pelvis (2.5%) and upper back (2.0%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of WRMSDs in female cultivators of Ambala, Haryana, India, is high. Low back, knee and shoulder were the most affected regions among this population.

Desempenho do teste de sentar e levantar de trinta segundos na população geriátrica da comunidade: um estudo transversal / Thirty second sit to stand test performance in community dwelling geriatric population: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUÇÃO: Encontrar os valores de referência para o teste de sentar e levantar de 30 segundos e estudar a correlação das medidas antropométricas com o teste na população indiana geriátrica residente na comunidade. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: 136 indivíduos com idade >60 anos foram recrutados neste estudo transversal e observacional. O estudo foi realizado na Índia. Após a triagem inicial, as medidas antropométricas foram registradas. Em seguida, foi realizado o teste de sentar e levantar de 30 segundos. RESULTADOS: Os valores normais da década para o teste foram relatados como (média±DP): 60-70 anos (10,2±3,6), 71- 80 anos (9,5±3,4) e 81-90 anos (8,5±5,2). Idade, altura, circunferência da cintura e circunferência do quadril foram significativamente associadas aos valores do teste. CONCLUSÃO: Os valores normais para o teste de sentar e levantar de 30 segundos para a população geriátrica da comunidade foram relatados como média ± DP 10,0 ± 3,7. Os fatores antropométricos devem ser levados em consideração ao realizar o teste de sentar e levantar de 30 segundos em ambientes clínicos.

INTRODUCTION: To find the reference values for the 30-second sit-to-stand test and study the correlation of anthropometric measures with the test in the communitydwelling geriatric Indian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 136 individuals aged >60 years were recruited in this cross-sectional observational study. The study was conducted in India. After the initial screening, anthropometric measurements were recorded. Then, the 30-second sit-tostand test was conducted. RESULTS: Normal decade-wise values for the test were reported to be (mean ± SD): 60-70 years (10.2±3.6), 71-80 years (9.5±3.4), and 81-90 years (8.5±5.2). Age, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference were significantly associated with the 30-second sit-to-stand test values. CONCLUSION: Normal values for the test in the community-dwelling geriatric population were reported to be mean ± SD 10.0±3.7. Anthropometric factors should be taken into consideration when performing the 30-second sitto-stand test in clinical settings.

Impact of COVID - 19 on mental health and physical load on women professionals: an online cross-sectional survey.

In December, 2019, a pathogen was identified and named as 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). To prevent its spread, lockdowns were announced and working women had to perform dual roles: work from home and work for home. In the present study researchers aimed to assess mental and physical load on Indian women professionals during lockdown due to COVID-19. An online cross-sectional survey was carried out using a Google form. The questionnaire consisted of queries based on following domains: demographic details, awareness of COVID-19 pandemic, analysis of mental health of participants during lockdown, estimate of physical load for work from home, physical load due to house hold chores and overall effect on health. The sample was collected from 28th April to 12th May 2020 and 537 responses were recorded from women working from home as well as working for home through snowball sampling technique. Mental health was moderately and severely affected in 27.5% and 27% of participants respectively. 34.3% experienced great increase in physical load due to house hold chores during lockdown. 45.81% reported pain in neck and back region with 36.31% participants reported strain in their eyes sometimes. 15.08% and 8.37% had a tendency to over react in the present situation often and always respectively. The women performing work from home and work for home during the lock down are going through moderately increased physical and mental load. Their health is also affected by development of musculoskeletal problems.