Perception of tertiary care clients toward the availability of physical therapy service at primary health care centers in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional survey.

[Purpose] To explore the views of clients referred for physical therapy in a tertiary care setting regarding the integration of physical therapy service at primary health care centers. [Participants and Methods] A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to eligible Saudi clients. The questionnaire consisted of three sections including demographic information section; closed-ended section with 6 Likert scale items on the perceptions of potential advantages of physical therapy service at the primary health care level; and open-ended section on potential disadvantages and barriers of implementing physical therapy service. The surveys were described and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. [Results] A total of 412 participants were included in the analysis (56.8% females). Participants' mean age was 35.7 ± 21.9 years; 67.2% were Riyadh city residents; and 38.1% had musculoskeletal conditions. Seventy-five percent responded in support for the availability of physical therapy service at the primary health care level. Demographic characteristics had no effect on the level of support to the service availability. [Conclusion] The results of this survey demonstrated high positive support for the integration of physical therapy service at primary health care centers in Saudi Arabia. However, challenges and barriers identified by the study results require attention when physical therapy services are to be established.

Evidence-based exercises intervention in adults diagnosed with Lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of physical therapy or exercise intervention on quality of life (QOL), fatigue, sleep, and psychological and physical functioning in adults diagnosed with Lymphoma. METHODS: A systematic literature search of the PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PEDro databases was carried out to identify articles published from March 2010 until December 2020. The risk of bias, methodological quality, and level of evidence was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) checklist. RESULTS: Out of the 577 articles identified from the initial search, a total of 12 randomised control trials were shortlistd for this systematic review. From the 12 articles, 9 studies included participants with Lymphoma who were at various stages of chemotherapy or had completed treatment and 3 studies included participants with various haematological malignancies and had stem cell transplantation. The quality of each study was assessed using the PEDro scale with the a mean score of 6.3±0.89. The PEDro scores regarding the quality of studies ranged from 5-8 (fair to good). CONCLUSION: There is moderate evidence strength suggesting that exercises therapy for persons diagnosed with Lymphoma can include aerobic or cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and mind-body exercise has beneficial effects on fatigue, physical performance, and QOL in persons diagnosed with Lymphoma patients.PROSPERO No.: CRD42021227418.

Association Between Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Services and Children's Functional Outcomes: King Fahad Medical City Experience.

BACKGROUND: Disability may affect children's performance of functional activities. This may translate to difficulties in returning to home and/or school. It has been documented that intensive rehabilitation programs for children with disabilities lead to an improvement in their functional abilities. Wee-FIM is a valid and reliable outcome measure that is used commonly with children undergoing rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: To study changes in the functional status of children admitted to a specialized pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: King Fahad Medical City-Rehabilitation Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Investigators reviewed records of children admitted to a pediatric rehabilitation unit between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017. The outcome measures used were rehabilitation length of stay (LOS), Wee-FIM gain, and Wee-FIM efficiency. RESULTS: The total number of records included in this study was 361 records. Sixty percent of the children were boys. The mean age was 8.7 ± 3.8 years (range, 3-17 years). Children with cerebral palsy accounted for 45.2% of the children. The mean LOS was 43 days. Children with brain tumors had the shortest LOS compared with children with other diagnoses. Mean (SD) Wee-FIM efficiency was 0.58 (±0.6). Highest Wee-FIM efficiency was observed in children with brain tumors. Average Wee-FIM gain was 20 (±15). The highest functional gain was 27 in children with brain tumors while the lowest was 16 in children with cerebral palsy. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive inpatient rehabilitation program is associated with improvement in functional performance in children with a variety of impairments and disabilities.

The Perception of Disability Among Mothers Living With a Child With Cerebral Palsy in Saudi Arabia.

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of disability among Saudi mothers and to understand the implication of the meaning for the mothers of children with disability. A critical ethnographic approach was employed using focus groups and follow-up interviews with the mothers. Three primary themes were identified that specifically influenced and affected the mothers' experiences: (a) culture and religion, (b) motherhood and disability, and (c) community stigma and discrimination. The study reveals much-needed knowledge and sheds light on a topic, the details of which are rarely available in research literature from the Middle East. The findings further endorse the need for clinicians to listen to the mothers to consider their beliefs and the impact of these beliefs on their experiences. This, in turn, may provide a valuable conceptual lens for health care practitioners to use the family-centered model when working with cerebral palsy children.

The Arabic version of childhood health assessment questionnaire modified for Arabic children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility, reliability and validity of the childhood health assessment questionnaire--modified for Arab children (CHAQ--MAC). METHODS: One hundred and eighteen modified questionnaires were completed by 75 juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) patients and their parents attending the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over an 18 month period (January 1996 to May 1997). RESULTS: The modified questionnaire was self-administered by 82% of the parents. The median time to complete the questionnaire was 10 minutes. The main difficulty in comprehension was discomfort dimension (visual analogue scale [VAS] and morning stiffness). Test retest reliability was good (r=0.79). Validity of the CHAQ-MAC was confirmed by the strong correlation between disability index and VAS score (r=0.58). Functional activities that caused the most difficulties were cross sitting, assuming the prayer position, and using the Arabic style toilet. CONCLUSION: The modified CHAQ is a suitable assessment tool for Arab children suffering from JRA.