Physiotherapists' awareness and use of red flags for the assessment of low back pain in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapists must identify potential red flags that may impede recovery and function in individuals with low back pain (LBP) or put them at risk. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (1) investigate physiotherapists' awareness and use of red flags for individuals with LBP in Saudi Arabia and (2) identify factors associated with their awareness and use of LBP red flags. METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected data using an anonymous online questionnaire (February-July 2023). It included physiotherapists working in private/public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire asked about the participants' characteristics, their awareness of LBP red flags, and their use of red flags for LBP assessment. RESULTS: A total of 643 participating physiotherapists (26.2 ± 3.8 years), 63.8% of whom were females, completed the survey. Most participants (94.4%) had adequate awareness of LBP red flags, and more than half (61%) had good utilization of red flags when assessing individuals with LBP. There was a positive correlation between the physiotherapists' awareness and use of LBP red flags. CONCLUSION: The majority of the participating physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia were aware of LBP red flags, and many reported to have good use of red flags in clinical practice when assessing and managing individuals with LBP.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the MedRisk instrument for measuring patient satisfaction with physical therapy care.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the MedRisk Instrument for Measuring Patient Satisfaction with Physical Therapy Care into Arabic (MRPS-Ar). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 20-Item MRPS was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Arabic following international guidelines. Patients (n = 229) with musculoskeletal conditions who received physical therapy care completed the MRPS-Ar and global rating of change scale. Of these patients, 95 completed the MRPS-Ar twice. Factor structure, floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the MRPS-Ar were evaluated. RESULTS: Principal component analysis suggested 3-factor solution: a 7-item facility experience, 6-item therapeutic experience, and 3-item positive experience. The MRPS-Ar and its factors showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.819 to 0.936) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICCs ranged from 0.965 to 0.983). The global measures of satisfaction were significantly correlated with the global rating of change (Spearman's rho = -0.678, p < 0.001 for item "overall satisfaction" and Spearman's rho = -0.690, p < 0.001 for item "would return"). CONCLUSIONS: The 18-item MRPS-Ar displayed adequate psychometric properties for measuring patients' satisfaction with physical therapy care. The MRPS-Ar is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used in medical, clinical, and research fields.

The key determinants of low back pain among lifestyle behaviors in adolescents: A cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia.

Establishing preventive measures and treatment strategies for adolescents with low back pain (LBP) may be greatly enhanced by fully grasping the complex interaction between LBP and lifestyle behaviors. The key objective of this study was to explore the possible associations between lifestyle behaviors and LBP among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among high school students from 5 major regions in Saudi Arabia. Participants were enlisted for the research project between May and November 2021. To evaluate the presence/severity of LBP, physical activity, sedentary duration, sleep quality, nutrition, health responsibility, interpersonal relationships, spiritual growth, and stress management, a well-established web-based survey was employed. A total of 2000 students participated, with 57.9% reporting LBP. Students with LBP had lower scores on overall health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and all subscales, including physical activity, compared to those without LBP. Linear regression analysis revealed significant associations between sedentary duration and global sleep quality with pain severity among students with LBP. This study highlights the association between lifestyle behaviors and LBP among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Promoting physical activity, reducing sedentary behavior, and improving sleep quality may be crucial in preventing and managing LBP in this population. Comprehensive strategies targeting lifestyle behaviors should be implemented to improve the well-being of adolescents and reduce the burden of LBP. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and develop effective preventive and treatment strategies for LBP among adolescents.

Trunk postural control during unstable sitting among individuals with and without low back pain: A systematic review with an individual participant data meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Sitting on an unstable surface is a common paradigm to investigate trunk postural control among individuals with low back pain (LBP), by minimizing the influence lower extremities on balance control. Outcomes of many small studies are inconsistent (e.g., some find differences between groups while others do not), potentially due to confounding factors such as age, sex, body mass index [BMI], or clinical presentations. We conducted a systematic review with an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis to investigate whether trunk postural control differs between those with and without LBP, and whether the difference between groups is impacted by vision and potential confounding factors. METHODS: We completed this review according to PRISMA-IPD guidelines. The literature was screened (up to 7th September 2023) from five electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection. Outcome measures were extracted that describe unstable seat movements, specifically centre of pressure or seat angle. Our main analyses included: 1) a two-stage IPD meta-analysis to assess the difference between groups and their interaction with age, sex, BMI, and vision on trunk postural control; 2) and a two-stage IPD meta-regression to determine the effects of LBP clinical features (pain intensity, disability, pain catastrophizing, and fear-avoidance beliefs) on trunk postural control. RESULTS: Forty studies (1,821 participants) were included for the descriptive analysis and 24 studies (1,050 participants) were included for the IPD analysis. IPD meta-analyses revealed three main findings: (a) trunk postural control was worse (higher root mean square displacement [RMSdispl], range, and long-term diffusion; lower mean power frequency) among individuals with than without LBP; (b) trunk postural control deteriorated more (higher RMSdispl, short- and long-term diffusion) among individuals with than without LBP when vision was removed; and (c) older age and higher BMI had greater adverse impacts on trunk postural control (higher short-term diffusion; longer time and distance coordinates of the critical point) among individuals with than without LBP. IPD meta-regressions indicated no associations between the limited LBP clinical features that could be considered and trunk postural control. CONCLUSION: Trunk postural control appears to be inferior among individuals with LBP, which was indicated by increased seat movements and some evidence of trunk stiffening. These findings are likely explained by delayed or less accurate corrective responses. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This review has been registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021124658).

Impact of online learning on physical activity during COVID-19 lockdown period among female undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: During early 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown, most education systems-including universities-shifted from face-to-face classes to online learning. In Saudi Arabia, this might have contributed to a decreased level of physical activity (PA) and a concurrent increase in sedentary behaviour among young adults. This study aimed to investigate the impact of online learning on PA during the COVID-19 lockdown period among female undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey administered to participants. It consisted of three sections including demographic information, participants' perception towards online learning and PA, and PA level using the self-reported active-questionnaire survey tool. The association between online learning and PA was measured using linear regression. The statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 197 female undergraduate students were included; 95.4% of them were aged 18-24 years old, and 59.9% were in the normal body mass index range (18.5-24.9 kg/m2). In terms of PA level, 55.3% were highly active, 33.5% were moderately active and 10.1% were low-active. In terms of students' perception of engaging in PA, 53.3% of students reported that engaging in PA definitely affected their psychological status. Moreover, compared with those attending <25 hours/week of online learning, those who attended >30 hours/week had lower PA (r =  - 363.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) -593.97, -132.50), followed by those attending 25-30 hours/week (r =  - 277.66; 95% CI -484.65, -70.66). Conclusion: Online learning has negatively affected the PA level of female undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 lockdown period, in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, this might affect their phycological status. Nevertheless, future studies are warranted to further investigate the relationship between PA level and psychological status.

Current Rehabilitation Practices and Return to Sports Criteria After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Survey of Physical Therapists in Saudi Arabia.

CONTEXT: With the high prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament rupture among young and active individuals, rehabilitation after the injury and surgery should meet the current evidence-based recommendations to restore knee function and reduce the risk of further injury. This study aimed to investigate the current rehabilitation practices and return to sports (RTS) criteria after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: Online cross-sectional survey-based study. METHODS: A total of 177 physical therapists in Saudi Arabia participated in this survey. The survey included questions about the preferred postoperative timing and frequency of rehabilitation, current views on the importance of preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation to the overall outcomes, the timeframe of RTS, and the decision-making process to RTS. RESULTS: Most therapists (96.6%) believed preoperative rehabilitation was essential/important to postoperative outcomes. Two-thirds encouraged patients to start rehabilitation program within 1 to 4 days immediately post-ACLR. RTS was permitted 6 to 9 months post-ACLR by 60% of therapists if satisfied with patient progress and capacity. Factors considered before RTS included knee strength (72.9%), functional capacity (86.4%), lower limb and trunk mechanics (62.7%), and psychological readiness (42.2%). Knee strength was assessed by manual muscle testing (39%), handheld dynamometry (15.3%), and isokinetic dynamometer (13.6%). While 60% of the therapists used single-limbed hop for distance for evaluating functional capacity, only 27.1% used a hop test battery. CONCLUSIONS: The surveyed physical therapists in Saudi Arabia demonstrated variations in the current rehabilitation practices and RTS criteria post-ACLR. Over half of the surveyed therapists considered preoperative rehabilitation essential to postoperative outcomes. However, the therapists should update their perspective with current evidence-based practice regarding the RTS timeframe, psychological readiness assessment for RTS, and knee strength evaluation using objective measurements.

Self-Reported Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity: Its Association with Health-Related Quality of Life in a Large Cohort of People with Chronic Diseases.

The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-response relationship between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a large population-based sample of people with chronic disease. We analysed the data of 29,271 adults (15,315 women) who were diagnosed with chronic diseases and participated in the Welsh Health Survey (Wales, UK; data collection 2011-2015). Participants were classified, based on their weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), into four groups as follows: inactive (no MVPA), insufficiently active (<150 min/week), sufficiently active (≥150-<300), and very active (≥300). The main outcome was HRQoL measured via the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). This study found a curvilinear association between MVPA and HRQoL and a dose-response relationship for the perception of general health and vitality domains. Compared to inactive participants, those who were very active had higher HRQoL scores (coefficient = 12.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] 11.39-13.70), followed by sufficiently active (coefficient = 11.70; 95% CI 10.91-12.49) and insufficiently active (coefficient = 9.83; 95% CI 9.15-10.51) participants. The fully adjusted regression model showed curvilinear associations between MVPA and the domains of SF-36. Future research should find ways to motivate people with chronic diseases to engage in physical activity. The evidence to support regular exercise in individuals with chronic diseases in all age groups is strong and compelling, and patients should be encouraged to regularly devote more time to physical activity in order to improve their health and well-being.

Translation and Validation of the Arabic Version of the Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire.

CONTEXT: The international sports community is becoming more proactive in clinical mental health practice and research. An athlete-specific psychological distress screening tool can identify potential mental health illness. DESIGN: The Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) is a simple screening tool for detecting early signs of athlete-specific strain and related mental health concerns. METHODS: We evaluated the internal consistency and reliability of the translated and culturally adjusted Arabic version of the APSQ (APSQ-Ar) with Arabic-speaking elite athletes. The final translation underwent standard forward and backward translation, an inspection by a team of experts, and then preliminary testing. The APSQ-Ar was cross-culturally validated and then assessed for internal consistency and reliability among (n = 98) Arabic-speaking athletes. RESULTS: There were no problems with the patients' understanding or interpretation of the items on the APSQ-Ar translation. The intraclass correlation value was .93 (95% confidence interval, .89-.95), and the mean difference was 2.4 with a minimal detectable change of 5.12, demonstrating strong test-retest reliability. Moreover, Cronbach alpha showed excellent internal consistency (.76). CONCLUSIONS: The APSQ-Ar was demonstrated to be good, reliable, and internally consistent. With APSQ-Ar, sports medicine professionals in Arabic-speaking countries will be able to identify psychological distress and symptoms in athletes and, as a result, provide them with mental health support.

Corrigendum: Burden of musculoskeletal disorders in the gulf cooperation council countries, 1990-2019: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.855414.].

An Assessment of the Longitudinal Construct Validity of the Pain Behavioral Scale (PaBS) in a Saudi Population with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study.

Background: The Pain Behavioral Scale (PaBS) measures the presence and severity of pain behavior. We examine the longitudinal construct validity of the PaBS using convergent and known-groups approaches on a population of 23 participants with chronic lower back pain (LBP) undergoing routine physiotherapy care and pain neuroscience education. Methods: Participants who satisfied study inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited from patients who attended two testing sessions at physiotherapy clinics in Saudi Arabia. Participant pain behavior was initially measured using the PaBS scale; participants performed standardized physical tests (e.g., repeated trunk flexion) and provided baseline demographic, clinical data, and self-reported measurements using the Modified Roland and Morris disability questionnaire (MODI), fear-avoidance questionnaire (FABQ), and pain catastrophizing scale (PCS). In subsequent visits, a physiotherapist provided usual care to participants, and weekly sessions were established for online pain-neuroscience education. During week six, participants repeated the same questionnaires and physical performance tests with the PaBS. Paired t-tests are used to compare changes in health characteristics from baseline responses to those in week six. Correlations between changes in PaBS from baseline to week six, with changes in outcome measures (i.e., disability, pain intensity, fear-avoidance beliefs, catastrophizing), were determined. To assess known-group validity, we also used a general linear model. Results: A total of 23 participants completed the PNE and follow-up data collection. The mean change from baseline in the PaBS score was statistically significant, as were changes in MODI, FABQ, and PCS. Almost 70% of participants improved their PaBS scores over the six-week period, with PaBS scores of almost 40% of them improving by three units or more. The change in PaBS score correlated significantly with changes in the PCS-rumination subscale, supporting a proposed approach to estimate convergent validity (r = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.04-0.72, p = 0.035). Conclusions: The mean change from baseline in the PaBS score is statistically significant, as are changes in MODI, FABQ, and PCS, supporting its convergent validity. According to our STarT Back groups, the medium to low-risk group had a lower PaBS score, and high-risk group had a higher PaBS score, indicating that PaBS use in clinical assessment may identify people according to pain-behavior severity, or those at increased risk of developing disability.

Exchanging screen for non-screen sitting time or physical activity might attenuate depression and anxiety: A cross-sectional isotemporal analysis during early pandemics in South America.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the theoretical substitutions of screen exposure, non-screen sitting time, moderate and vigorous physical activity with depressive and anxiety symptoms in South American adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic with data from 1981 adults from Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. METHODS: Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Participants also reported physical activity, sitting time, screen exposure, sociodemographic, and tobacco use data. Isotemporal substitution models were created using multivariable linear regression methods. RESULTS: Vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity, and screen exposure were independently associated with depression and anxiety symptoms. In adjusted isotemporal substitution models, replacing 10 min/day of either screen exposure or non-screen sitting time with any intensity of physical activity was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Improvements in anxiety symptoms were found when reallocating either screen exposure or non-screen sitting time to moderate physical activity. Furthermore, replacing 10 min/day of screen exposure with non-screen sitting time was beneficially associated with anxiety (B = -0.033; 95 % CI = -0.059, -0.006) and depression (B = -0.026; 95 % CI = -0.050, -0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Replacement of screen exposure with any intensity of physical activity or non-screen sitting time could improve mental health symptoms. Strategies aiming to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms highlight physical activity promotion. However, future interventions should explore specific sedentary behaviors as some will relate positively while others negatively.

Perspectives of the Saudi medical students toward the impact of lockdowns on their physical activity level and lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Physical activity (PA) level is affected by various factors in university students. Due to the pandemic of COVID-19, the Saudi Ministry of Education announced the closure of schools and universities as a preventive measure. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on PA levels and other lifestyle aspects among the Saudi medical students and to explore their perspectives toward it. Methods: Three hundred ninety-six medical students have completed the survey, which consisted of three sections: (1) participant's demographic data; (2) five statements about the PA and the lockdown; and (3) the International PA Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Results: About 63.9% of the participants were female, and 60.4% were of normal weight. Approximately 80% of participants were classified as inactive. Regarding the perspective of the students, 52.8% reported that they were not exercising regularly in the gym before the lockdown, and 46.9% reported that the lockdown and transition to online learning affected their compliance with exercise. During the lockdown and shift to online learning, the majority of participants experienced decreased PA levels, 42.4% experienced weight gain, and 53.6% reported a negative impact on their psychological status. Conclusion: Generally, the results of this study showed that the COVID-19 had a negative influence on the PA level, as well as other lifestyle aspects (e.g., gaining weight) and psychological status of medical students. This study highlights aspects where universities and institutions delivering medical education can use resources to improve students' well-being during pandemics.

The FIFA 11+ Kids Injury Prevention Program Reduces Injury Rates Among Male Children Soccer Players: A Clustered Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 11+ Kids is an exercise-based injury prevention program developed by an international group of experts to prevent injuries among child soccer players. HYPOTHESIS: It was hypothesized that the FIFA 11+ Kids program would be more effective than performing a typical warm-up regimen in reducing overall injuries among soccer players aged 7 to 13 years. STUDY DESIGN: A clustered randomized controlled trial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1. METHODS: A total of 94 boys' soccer teams, including 780 players, were randomly allocated into an experimental or control group. Complete datasets were collected from 45 teams (377 players) and 43 teams (363 players) in the experimental and control groups, respectively. The experimental group underwent the FIFA 11+ Kids program as a warm-up during training sessions and matches at least twice a week, and the control group continued performing their usual warm-ups. Participants were prospectively followed during 1 season (6 months). The primary outcomes included the incidence of overall and recurrent injuries and their mechanism and severity. The secondary outcome was the rate of compliance with the intervention program. RESULTS: A total of 43 injuries were reported in the experimental group in 50,120 hours of exposure (0.85 injuries/1000 exposure hours). A total of 86 injuries were reported in the control group in 42,616 hours of exposure (2.01 injuries/1000 exposure hours). The injury risk ratio was 0.43 (0.29-0.61), suggesting that the experimental group experienced 57% fewer injuries than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The FIFA 11+ Kids program reduced overall injury rates in children playing soccer more than the usual warm-ups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study provide evidence for children's coaches to consider including the FIFA 11+ Kids program in their warm-up regimen. Such a program may prevent injury risk and decrease absenteeism and injury-related financial burdens.

Burden of musculoskeletal disorders in the gulf cooperation council countries, 1990-2019: Findings from the global burden of disease study 2019.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) health conditions in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data. Methods: The data for GCC countries were obtained from the 2019 GBD study to evaluate the burden of MSK disorders which include the following countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The main outcome measures were age-standardized prevalence and years of life lived with disability (YLDs) associated with MSK disorders. The burden of MSK disorders attributable to the category of behavioral, metabolic, or environmental/occupational was reported to estimate the risk-attributable fractions of disease. Results: MSK disorders prevalence ranked fifth in Kuwait, sixth in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and UAE, and seventh in Saudi Arabia among all the diseases in 2019. For all GCC countries, MSK disorders were ranked the second leading cause of disability as measured by YLDs for the years 1990 and 2019. The age-standardized prevalence of MSK disorders in 2019 for Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE was 18.56% (95% UI: 17.51­19.66), 19.35% (18.25­20.52), 18.23% (17.14­19.36), 18.93% (17.81­20.06), 19.05% (17.96­20.22), and 18.26% (17.18­19.38), respectively. The age-standardized YLDs per 100,000 individuals of MSK disorders in 2019 for Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE were 1,734 (1,250­2,285), 1,764 (1,272­2,322), 1,710 (1,224­2,256), 1,721 (1,246­2,274), 1,715 (1,230­2,274), and 1,681 (1,207­2,235), respectively. For risk factors, high body mass index (BMI) had the highest contribution to MSK disorders YLDs in most GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia), followed by the exposure to occupational ergonomic factors which had the highest contribution to MSK disorders YLDs in Qatar and UAE. Conclusion: There was an increase in both age-standardized prevalence of MSK disorders and YLDs between 1990 and 2019 that was observed for all GCC countries. Some risk factors such as higher BMI and exposure to occupational ergonomic factors were highly associated with YLDs due to MSK disorders. The results of this study provide guidance for the potential nature of preventative and management programs to optimize the individual's health.

Dose-Response Association between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in General Population: A Population-Based Pooled Study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the dose−response association between moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) within the context of a large representative national survey from Wales, in the UK. Methods: Data for adults aged 16 years and older, living in Wales, UK, and participating in the Welsh Health Survey (WHS; 2011−2015) were employed. HRQoL was assessed using the 36-item short form (SF-36). Participants were categorized into six groups based on weekly minutes (min/week) of MVPA variable: none (no MVPA); very low (>0 to <90); low (≥90 to <150); sufficient (150 to <300); high (≥300 to <390); and very high (≥390). The association between MVPA and HRQoL was explored using multiple linear regression and generalized linear models. Results: Of the 74,578 adults in the survey cohort, 67,770 adults were included in the analyses. The results showed consistent direct curvilinear associations between MVPA and HRQoL for all SF-36 domains (p < 0.001), in both the minimally and maximally adjusted models; with the highest scores observed for those meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines (sufficient, high, and very high). The scores of the overall HRQoL and SF-36 domains demonstrated a consistent positive gradient from the very low level to the sufficient level, suggesting a dose−response relationship. Conclusions: The results showed a direct curvilinear association between MVPA and the overall HRQoL and SF-36 domains, with better scores observed for those meeting the recommended guidelines.

Receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 from Wuhan strain to Omicron B.1.1.529 attributes increased affinity to variable structures of human ACE2.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an infectious disease declared as a global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. Genomic changes in the receptor binding domain (RBD) region of SARS-CoV-2 led to an increased, infectivity in humans through interaction with the angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2) receptor. Simultaneously, the genetic variants in ACE2 provide an opportunity for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity. We demonstrate the binding efficiencies of RBDs of SARS-CoV-2 strain with ACE2 variants of the human host. METHODOLOGY: A Total of 615 SARS-CoV-2 genomes were retrieved from repository. Eighteen variations were identified contributing to structural changes in RBD that are distributed in 615 isolates. An analyses of 285 single nucleotide variances at the coding region of the ACE2 receptor showed 34 to be pathogenic. Homology models of 34 ACE2 and 18 RBD structures were constructed with 34 and 18 structural variants, respectively. Protein docking of 612 (34 *18) ACE2-RBD complexes showed variable affinities compared to wildtype Wuhan's and other SARS-CoV-2 RBDs, including Omicron B.1.1.529. Finally, molecular dynamic simulation was performed to determine the stability of the complexes. RESULTS: Among 612, the top 3 complexes showing least binding energy were selected. The ACE2 with rs961360700 variant showed the least binding energy (-895.2 Kcal/mol) on binding with the RBD of Phe160Ser variant compared to Wuhan's RBD complex. Interestingly, the binding energy of RBD of Omicron B.1.1.529 with ACE2 (rs961360700) structure showed least binding energy of -1010 Kcal/mol. Additionally, molecular dynamics showed structure stability for all the analysed complexes with the RMSD (0.22-0.26 nm), RMSF (0.11-0.13 nm), and Rg (2.53-2.56 nm). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our investigation highlights the clinical variants contributing to structural variants in ACE2 receptors that lead to efficient binding of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, screening of these ACE2 polymorphisms will help detect COVID-19 risk population so as to provide additional care and for safe management.

The association between sedentary behavior and low back pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal problem globally. While spending a longer time in sedentary behaviors is linked to several health problems; the quantitative association between different amounts of sedentary time and LBP is still unknown. This study aims to systematically review studies that examined the association between sedentary behavior and LBP development and LBP-related outcomes. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis retrieved journal articles published from inception to March 2020 and were obtained by searching bibliographical databases. We included longitudinal study designs, including adult (aged ≥18) individuals with nonspecific LBP, and reporting estimates of the association between sedentary behavior and LBP development and LBP-related outcomes (i.e., pain intensity and disability). Results: Sixteen longitudinal studies with 100,002 participants were included in this review (eight studies included in quantitative syntheses with 83,111 participants). The results of meta-analyses showed that a sedentary time of 3-<6 (Odds ratio (OR) 0.95, 95% CI [0.85-1.07]), 6-8 (OR 0.95, 95% CI [0.88-1.02]), and >8 (OR 0.92, 95% CI [0.85-1.00]) hours per day (h/d) was not associated with LBP development. A sedentary time of ≥3 h/d was associated with poor LBP-related disability (OR 1.24, 95% CI [1.02-1.51]), but not with pain intensity. Conclusion: A meta-analyses of longitudinal studies indicated that sedentary behavior of different durations was not associated with LBP development. However, the results showed that sedentary behavior ≥3 h/d was associated with worse LBP-related disability. These conclusions are tentative as the evidence was derived from mostly fair-quality studies using subjective measures of sedentary behavior. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO (registration number CRD42018107078).

The Arabic Version of the Tegner Activity Scale in Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Translation, Validation, and Cross-Cultural Adaptation.

BACKGROUND: The Tegner activity scale is a patient-reported questionnaire that is frequently used to measure activity levels in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Tegner activity scale into Arabic. METHODS: The Tegner activity scale-Arabic version (TAS-Ar) was forward and backward translated, cross-culturally adapted, and validated according to established guidelines. Seventy-five patients who underwent ACLR were instructed to complete the TAS-Ar, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation form, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scale. The test-retest reliability of the TAS-Ar was assessed in 39 patients. Statistical tests were conducted to test the reliability and construct validity of the TAS-Ar. RESULTS: The TAS-Ar showed excellent test-retest reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.836 (p < 0.001). The TAS-Ar was significantly correlated with the IKDC (Spearman's rho = 0.476, p < 0.001), all KOOS subscales (Spearman's rho = 0.195-0.497, p < 0.05), and the KOOS total score (Spearman's rho = 0.469, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Arabic version of the Tegner activity scale is a reliable and valid measure that can be used to evaluate the activity level of Arabic-speaking patients following ACLR.

Cost of healthcare rehabilitation services following road traffic injuries: Results from a Level-I trauma center in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the second leading cause of mortality in Saudi Arabia. The high rate of RTIs puts a strain on rehabilitation services. Yet, little is known of the economic burden of nonfatal RTIs and rehabilitation services. This study, therefore, aims to describe the annual rehabilitation costs associated with RTIs at a local trauma center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted among all the 17 years or older patients hospitalized at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh following RTIs and required rehabilitation care. We included 299 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were followed for one year after discharge from the index hospital. The data was abstracted through retrospective review of patients' medical records. All rehabilitative services utilized by the healthcare system were recorded. To describe the economic burden, the mean, median, standard deviation, and interquartile range (IQR) were calculated. Total costs were aggregated for all patients to estimate overall costs. RESULTS: The study population was relatively young (31 years ± 14.4). The total annual rehabilitation cost of patients was Saudi Riyals (SAR) 6,113,781 (IQR: 20,589.3 - 3,125 = 17,464.3), and the average for each patient was SAR 20,447 (median = 7875). Patients aged 40-59 years and ≥60 years accounted for the highest average rehabilitation cost of SAR 31,563.99 and 32,639.21, respectively. Rehabilitation visits incurred the highest cost (mean SAR 1,494,124), followed by bed utilization which cost SAR 1,311,972 and radiology examination at SAR 1,032,261. The cost of motorcycle injuries was relatively higher (SAR 44,441.0) than other injury mechanisms. CONCLUSION: This study underlines the economic burden of rehabilitation services resulting from RTIs. Public health interventions are needed to reduce the burden of RTIs by dealing with their preventable causes and improving road safety measures. These findings may be useful to policymakers and researchers to support and improve rehabilitation services in Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Physical Therapists toward COVID-19 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-A Cross-Sectional Study.

To curb the COVID-19 pandemic, the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of preventive measures play an essential role, and healthcare workers have had to endure a burden to care for COVID-19 patients. Thus, this study aimed to assess the weight of the KAP of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional study, where we circulated an online KAP questionnaire to 1179 physical therapists, and among those, 287 participated and completed the questionnaire. The collected responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses, and p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Both males and females participated in almost equal numbers; most of the participants were <40 years, had a bachelor's level of education, and were from the central region of Saudi Arabia. Social media and the internet were the primary sources of COVID-19-related information (74.6%). Knowledge components A (92%) and B (73.9%) were excellent among most participants. Approximately half of the participants (50.5%) had a moderate attitude toward COVID-19, and regarding the practice component, most participants (74.6%) scored moderately. Correlation analysis showed a low positive relationship between knowledge A, attitude, and practice components. Still, there was a very low positive relationship between knowledge B, attitude, and practice components, but both were statistically significant. Our study showed that physical therapists in Saudi Arabia exhibit good knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19.