Influence of menopausal status on physical function and performance: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the physical function and performance in pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: A cross sectional study using convenience sampling method was conducted in 210 women categorized into premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Flexibility, muscle strength, muscle endurance, cardiovascular endurance, static balance, dynamic balance, and gait speed. RESULTS: The mean age of the premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women was 46.55 ± 1.77, 49.54 ± 3.38 and 54.85 ± 3.77 years respectively. There is significant difference observed between premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women in muscle strength, upper limb endurance, lower limb endurance, static balance, dynamic balance, gait speed, and cardiovascular endurance (p < .05) using Kruskal Wallis test. There is no significant difference observed between the groups for flexibility (p > .05). CONCLUSION: It was observed that physical function and performance was impaired in postmenopausal women when compared to pre- and perimenopausal women. Hence, these components should be included during assessment which will provide a holistic and multimodal approach toward the understanding, planning and management of postmenopausal women in community settings.

Dough kneading exposure at the kitchen workstation: Influence on handgrip strength and implications for therapy in hand rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Dough kneading is a commonly performed activity in the kitchen, which influences hand grip strength. OBJECTIVES: To study the influence of dough kneading exposure on hand grip strength and to evaluate the effect of dough kneading intervention on hand grip strength with the purpose of recommending dough kneading as a therapeutic exercise for improving hand grip strength. METHODS: One hundred and fifty healthy females with varying levels of exposure to dough kneading, stratified as occupational dough kneaders, habitual dough kneaders and non-kneaders, were studied. Hand grip strength of all participants was measured with a standard protocol using the Jamar dynamometer. Hand grip strength of occupational, habitual and non-kneaders was compared. Non-kneaders followed a 6-week intervention of dough kneading and grip strength was recorded post-intervention. RESULT: Comparison of hand grip strength between the three groups revealed significant difference (p value < 0.001). Linear contrast analysis, revealed the least hand grip strength in non-kneaders compared to habitual and occupational dough kneaders, with occupational dough kneaders presenting maximum hand grip strength (p value < 0.001). Significant improvement was demonstrated in hand grip strength post-intervention in non-kneaders (p value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that exposure to dough kneading has a positive influence on hand grip strength. Hand grip strength of non-kneaders was lowest compared to habitual and occupational kneaders. Kneading intervention improved hand grip strength and hence can be used therapeutically as a safe, low cost exercise in hand rehabilitation.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain in Dhol Players in India.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in dhol players in India. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 96 dhol players. A self-administered questionnaire comprising of demographic profile, dhol player characteristics, presence of musculoskeletal pain, and specific area of pain according to the body region was used to collect information from the dhol players. RESULTS: The mean age and duration of playing dhol experience were 22.26±3.05 and 6.08±1.27 years, respectively. Among 96 dhol players, 93 (96.9%) and 55 (57.3%) reported presence of musculoskeletal pain with respect to the 12-month prevalence and 7-day prevalence, respectively. In 12-month prevalence, the most common site of pain was the low back (67.7%), followed by shoulder (54.2%) and wrist and hand (24%). In 7-day prevalence, the most common site of pain was the low back (41.7%), followed by shoulder (24%) and upper back (15.6%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age (p=0.002) and duration of playing dhol (p<0.001) were associated with 7-day prevalence of musculoskeletal pain. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicated high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in dhol players. Low back, shoulder, wrist/hand, and upper back were common sites of pain. Identification of these factors in dhol players may assist in further research on targeted prevention, scientific recommendations, and rehabilitation.

Musculoskeletal Pain and Risk Factors Associated with Smartphone Use in University Students.

BACKGROUND: Smartphone has become a very popular necessity among students. An individual has to look at their phone's small monitor and perform repetitive movements in an awkward posture for a prolonged duration. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated risk factors in university students because of smartphone usage. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2000 university students using a semi-structured questionnaire comprising demographic profile, smartphone usage characteristics, presence of musculoskeletal pain, and specific area of pain according to the body region. RESULTS: Among the 2000 students, 44.05% reported musculoskeletal pain. The most common sites of pain were the neck (34.2%), thumb (17.45%), lower back (16.7%), and elbow (16.6%). There was an association between prevalence of musculoskeletal pain with the size of the smartphone (P = 0.005), the predominant purpose of smartphone usage (P = 0.002), position preferred while using smartphone (P = 0.000), and the level at which smartphone is held during usage (P = 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the strongest predictor of musculoskeletal pain was the size of the smartphone. CONCLUSION: The study reported that the prevalence of pain in smartphone users is high with common sites being neck, thumb, and lower back region. Also, the size of the smartphone had a significant association with musculoskeletal pain.

Analysis of Postural Risk and Pain Assessment in Bharatanatyam Dancers.

BACKGROUND: Bharatanatyam dance form is an amalgamation of emotion, rhythm, expression, and sculpturesque poses that demand high levels of physical and psychological power during a performance. OBJECTIVES: To explore musculoskeletal pain and analyze risk factors in Bharatanatyam dancers. The level of injury risk for the "Natyarambham" posture adopted by dancers was also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in forty female Bharatanatyam dancers who received a minimum of 5 consecutive years of formal dance training from a recognized dance institute. A self-designed questionnaire comprising of demographic profile, dancing characteristics, presence of musculoskeletal pain, and specific area of pain according to the body region was administered. The injury risk of the "Natyarambham" posture was evaluated using a rapid entire body assessment tool (REBA). RESULTS: Among 40 female dancers, 75% dancers (n = 30/40, 75% [95% CI 0.61, 0.89] reported pain. The most common site of pain was the low back (n = 22/40, 55% [95% CI 0.39, 0.71]). Using Bonferroni correction for multiple independent comparisons, a significant difference was identified between dancers with and without pain for average performances per year (P = 0.028). As per REBA risk level scoring for Natyarambham posture, 62.5% (n = 25/40, 62.5% [95% CI 0.22, 0.53]) dancers were in the category of high-risk level. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicated that the point prevalence of pain in Bharatanatyam dancers is high. Natyarambham posture is considered high risk based on postural assessment.

Psychosocial factors, disability and quality of life in chronic shoulder pain patients with central sensitization.

Chronic shoulder pain is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon with multiple causative factors involved in its perpetuation. Alteration of central nervous system processing along with the central sensitization is a predominant feature in chronic pain. Reduction in physical function has an impact on the psychological well-being of an individual. The aim of the study was to compare pain, kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, disability and quality of life in chronic shoulder pain patients with and without central sensitization. Eighty chronic unilateral shoulder pain patients in the age group of 40 to 60 years were recruited. Of them, 38 were chronic shoulder pain with central sensitization and 42 without central sensitization, classified on the basis of central sensitization inventory. Pain catastrophizing was measured using the pain catastrophizing scale, kinesiophobia using Tampa scale of kinesiophobia, disability using Shoulder pain and disability index and quality of life using 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire was evaluated in both the groups. Increased pain catastrophizing (p=0.000), kinesiophobia (p=0.000) and disability (p=0.000) was observed in centrally sensitized chronic shoulder pain patients. Also, physical component summary (p=0.000) and mental component summary (p=0.000) of SF-36 quality of life were reduced in chronic shoulder pain with central sensitization as compared to without central sensitization. Hence, these components should be included during assessment which will provide a holistic and multimodal approach towards the understanding, planning and management of chronic shoulder pain patients.

Evaluation of learning approaches in physiotherapy students: A valuable insight.

INTRODUCTION: Every individual has different learning approaches in acquisition and processing of knowledge. Physiotherapy, an evolving allied health science profession, is developing rapidly. Exploration of learning approaches among physiotherapy students will help the academicians to enrich the quality of learning. This study aimed to analyze the learning approaches among physiotherapy students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 435 physiotherapy students. The Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students questionnaire was used to evaluate learning approaches in both preclinical and clinical students. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 21. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 435 participants, 233 (53.56%) in preclinical phase and 202 (46.44%) in clinical phase with a mean age of 19.01 ± 1.01 and 22.03 ± 1.43 years, respectively, participated in the study. Among the 435 students, 411 (94.49%) adopted the deep approach, while only 21 (4.83%) and 3 (0.69%) adopted strategic approach and surface approach, respectively. Preclinical students had significantly higher mean scores for strategic and surface approaches than clinical (P = 0.000) and (P = 0.000) using independent t-test, respectively. Out of the 435 students, 50 (11.45%) were male and 385 (88.51%) were female. Male students appeared less likely to adopt the deep learning approach than female students (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of learning approaches will assist the academicians to develop teaching and learning strategies and effective curriculum depending on the perspectives of students. Multiple methodologies focused on interactive student-centric approach should be utilized to enhance positive learning outcomes.