Predicting mechanical neck pain intensity in computer professionals using machine learning: identification and correlation of key features.

Introduction: Mechanical neck pain has become prevalent among computer professionals possibly because of prolonged computer use. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between neck pain intensity, anthropometric metrics, cervical range of motion, and related disabilities using advanced machine learning techniques. Method: This study involved 75 computer professionals, comprising 27 men and 48 women, aged between 25 and 44 years, all of whom reported neck pain following extended computer sessions. The study utilized various tools, including the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain measurement, anthropometric tools for body metrics, a Universal Goniometer for cervical ROM, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). For data analysis, the study employed SPSS (v16.0) for basic statistics and a suite of machine-learning algorithms to discern feature importance. The capability of the kNN algorithm is evaluated using its confusion matrix. Results: The "NDI Score (%)" consistently emerged as the most significant feature across various algorithms, while metrics like age and computer usage hours varied in their rankings. Anthropometric results, such as BMI and body circumference, did not maintain consistent ranks across algorithms. The confusion matrix notably demonstrated its classification process for different VAS scores (mild, moderate, and severe). The findings indicated that 56% of the pain intensity, as measured by the VAS, could be accurately predicted by the dataset. Discussion: Machine learning clarifies the system dynamics of neck pain among computer professionals and highlights the need for different algorithms to gain a comprehensive understanding. Such insights pave the way for creating tailored ergonomic solutions and health campaigns for this population.

Assessing the impact of physical activity on bone density, cardiopulmonary function, and metabolic health in stroke survivors.

Stroke survivors often face motor impairments leading to decreased physical activity, which can, in turn, result in secondary health-related issues like cardiovascular and pulmonary impairment and osteoporosis. This research finds out the impact of physical activity on bone mineral density, cardiopulmonary health, and metabolic status in stroke survivors. The goal is to generate knowledge to inform rehabilitation strategies, emphasizing the significant role of regular exercise in enhancing the health of individuals recovering from stroke. This study was conducted using a cross-sectional study design, and involved 100 stroke survivors selected through stratified random sampling. Physical activity was measured using the validated Stroke-Specific Physical Activity Questionnaire. Health outcomes were assessed through various means: bone mineral density via the OSTEOKJ3000 ultrasonic bone densitometer; resting heart rate and blood pressure via an automated monitor; lipid profiles through the CardioChek PA analyzer; Hb1Ac levels via the A1CNow + System; and respiratory parameters through a spirometer. Statistical analysis revealed bone mineral density is positively correlated with physical activity (R = 0.53, P < .001). Additionally, an association was found between physical activity and improved cardiopulmonary function (resting heart rate r = -0.45, P < .001; forced expiratory volume in one second R = 0.30, P = .0023; forced vital capacity R = 0.28, P = .0041). Moreover, higher physical activity levels correlated with lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (r = -0.35, P = .0007), higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (R = 0.33, P = .0012), and better glycaemic control (HbA1c r = -0.40, P = .0002). This study highlights the significant benefits of physical activity for stroke survivors, showing positive impacts on bone density, cardiopulmonary function, and metabolic health. It underscores the need to include regular exercise in rehabilitation strategies to mitigate secondary health complications and enhance the overall health of stroke survivors. Future research should continue investigating the potential benefits of physical activity in this population.

Neck Health Metrics and Quality of Life: A Comparative Study in Bike Drivers with and without Neck Pain.

Purpose: Neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal issue among bike drivers, often resulting from extended static postures, repetitive head movements, and exposure to vibrations. This study aims to assess the connection between cervical ROM, neck proprioception, CVA, and QOL in bike drivers with neck pain compared to those without neck pain so that the targeted interventions can be developed to enhance their well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 100 bike drivers aged 20-50 years was conducted, split into two groups: those with neck pain (n=50) and those without neck pain (n=50). Cervical ROM was measured using a smartphone, neck proprioception was assessed through a head repositioning test, and CVA was determined using lateral-view photographs with a plumb line. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire was employed to evaluate QOL. Data analysis was conducted using independent t-tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Bike drivers with neck pain exhibited significantly reduced cervical ROM (p-value=<0.001), impaired neck proprioception (p-value=<0.001), and decreased CVA (p-value=<0.001) compared to their counterparts without neck pain. A strong negative correlation was found between neck pain and QOL, with lower scores in all eight domains of the SF-36. Cervical ROM, neck proprioception, and CVA showed moderate correlations with various QOL domains (p-value=<0.05). Conclusion: Neck pain in bike drivers is linked to decrease cervical ROM, compromised neck proprioception, and reduced CVA. These factors correlate with a lower quality of life, both physical and mental domains. Interventions addressing these aspects may enhance the quality of life for bike drivers experiencing neck pain.

Clinimetric properties of a smartphone application to measure the craniovertebral angle in different age groups and positions.

Background: Craniovertebral angle (CVA) alteration is a causative factor for the neck, shoulder, and temporomandibular joints disorders. Therefore, as an outcome measure for therapeutic intervention, measuring the craniovertebral angle with the Surgimap smartphone app is a cost-effective, easily accessible, and reliable tool. This study's objective was to assess the clinimetric properties of the Surgimap smartphone application with Surgimap system software to measure the Craniovertebral Angle in different age groups and positions. Method: Ninety subjects with neck pain were randomly allocated to aged between 18 and 30 years (Group A; n = 45) and 45-60 years (Group B; n = 45). Using the Surgimap smartphone application and Surgimap system software, the craniovertebral angle was measured objectively in the sagittal plane. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to determine validity and reliability. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the curves (AUC) were determined to distinguish participants with and without forward head posture. Result: The result of this study shows that Smartphone Surgimap Application and Surgimap System Software correlate 0.95 and have p-values of 0.01 for diverse positions and ages. CVA measurement in the sitting position was significantly lower than in the standing position, regardless of methodology or age. Both positions demonstrated high intra-rater reliability, as evidenced by Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) between 0.972 and 0.991. The minimum detectable change (MDC) values ranged from 1.3 to 1.733, indicating high measurement accuracy. The smartphone application demonstrated outstanding diagnostic sensitivity (100.00% for Group A standing) and specificity (93.55% for Group B standing). Conclusion: The Surgimap smartphone application is a reliable and accurate method for craniovertebral angle measurement and is useful for measuring outcomes. Also standing posture was found to be better than sitting posture while measuring the CVA.

Unleashing potential and optimizing adolescent roller skating performance through a structured exercise program - a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The intricate nature of an athlete's abilities evolves dynamically with the enhancement of motor skills. Hence the study sought to investigate the impact of a tailored four-week exercise program`encompassing exercises focused on balance, agility, and speed. The primary objective was to determine how this exercise program influences both the roller skating talent and overall physical fitness proficiency in young male roller skaters. METHODS: Thirty male participants (age 11-14 years) enrolled in the school skating team were recruited. The participants were randomized into either an experimental group [n = 15], performing a short-term exercise program, or a control group [n = 15], involved in the physical education classes for eight sessions over four weeks. The primary outcome measure, the skating performance, was measured by the linear speed test (LST). The secondary outcomes, i.e., balance, agility, and speed, were evaluated using the star excursion balance test (SEBT), agility t-test (ATT), and arrowhead change of direction speed test (ACDT). SEBT was assessed in 8 directions. The study was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry India (TRN: CTRI/2018/09/015713) before the recruitment of the participants on 14/09/2018. RESULTS: The results showed that LST, ATT, and ACDT improved significantly (p < 0.05) in both groups, however, greater (p < 0.05) improvement was observed in the experimental group (Cohen's d 0.8 to 1.3). Regarding SEBT, improvement was observed in a few directions only in both groups. However, no significant difference was observed between both groups in SEBT measurements. CONCLUSIONS: A short-term structured exercise program consisting of balance, agility, and speed exercises significantly improved the talent of skating, agility, and speed compared to physical education classes activities in young male roller skaters. The study highlights the potential of targeted training interventions to enhance athletic performance in this population.

Assessment of Risk Factors and the Relationship between Hypothyroidism with Hypertension in Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study.

(1) Background: hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) represent two widely noncommunicable diseases that are prevalent globally, and they often correlate with chronic health issues. There has been an acknowledged connection between diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism for quite some time. However, the extent of thyroid dysfunction among the diabetic population is not uniform and significantly differs across different research studies. This study was conducted with the objective of identifying the risk factors associated with hypothyroidism as well as assessing the relationship between hypothyroidism and hypertension in patients with diabetes. (2) Materials and Methods: Participants aged 18 years and above were included in this study, while pregnant women were excluded. Trained health professionals measured sociodemographic, behavioural, food practices, and anthropometric information about the participants. Each respondent sought medical advice regarding their health, and a face-to-face interview enabled them to express concern about the likelihood of being diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. (3) Results: The study encompassed 640 participants, with an average age of 49.20 ± 13.0 years. Among these participants, 65.5% were female, and 34.5% were male. Of the total, 31.25% were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and 18.75% had hypertension. Interestingly, co-occurrence of both conditions was observed in 9.68% of the population. A comparison of thyroid function and indicators of blood sugar levels yielded consistent results across the different patient groups. Specifically, for diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, the average levels were 3.4 ± 9.8 pg/mL for fT3, 0.9 ± 0.7 ng/dL for fT4, 3.3 ± 6.2 µiU/mL for TSH, 153.1 ± 68.0 mg/dL for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 213.2 ± 97.2 mg/dL for postprandial glucose (PPG), and 8.3 ± 3.2% for HbA1c. (4) Conclusion: It is concluded that patients with hypertension had a significant prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Subclinical hypothyroid subjects must be frequently screened for hypertension. Of 120 individuals with hypertension, 45 (37.5%) were also diagnosed with diabetes. This co-occurrence was significantly higher in subjects aged over 50 years (26.7%), in the lower socio-economic class (18.5%), and among those who were married (14.7%). Additionally, patients with hypertension exhibited a high prevalence of diabetes across different educational backgrounds and occupations, with the highest prevalence among postgraduates (37.5%) and professionals (24.0%), respectively. These findings highlight the need for an integrated approach to the management of hypertension and diabetes, particularly in high-risk demographics.

Effects of a program consisting of strain/counterstrain technique, phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The present study was conceptualized as a pilot study to examine the effects of a 3-week program consisting of strain/counterstrain technique (SCST), phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching exercises on pain and functions in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). METHODS: Seven participants (mean age 25.85 years) diagnosed with TMD having pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area with decreased jaw opening were recruited for the study. Treatment interventions consisting of SCST, phonophoresis (ultrasound gel mixed with diclofenac gel), heat therapy, and stretching (mouth-opening) exercises were performed 3 days a week for 3 weeks. SCST was performed on the masseter, medial, and lateral pterygoid muscles. No control group was present in the study. RESULTS: Paired samples t test revealed a significant difference in numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) (decreased by 50%, P < .001) and jaw functional limitation scale (JFLS) (reduced by 59.58%, P < .001) scores after 3 weeks of intervention. A large effect size (Cohen d = -3.00 for NPRS and -3.16 for JFLS) was observed for both variables. No correlation (R = 0) was found between the baseline values of NPRS and JFLS. CONCLUSION: A 3-week program consisting of SCST, phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching exercises was effective in reducing the pain and improving the functions related to TMJ in patients suffering from TMD. However, a randomized controlled trial is needed to reach a definite conclusion.

Effectiveness of Epley-Canalith Repositioning Procedure versus Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy in Diabetic Patients with Posterior Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Randomized Trial.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common inner ear disorder, characterized by brief episodes of vertigo caused by changes in head position. The condition can cause significant functional impairment and reduced quality of life. BPPV is especially common among diabetic patients. The Epley-canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) and vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) are two commonly used interventions for the treatment of BPPV. The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Epley-canalith repositioning procedure (ECRP) and Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) therapy in the management of vertigo among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. A total of 30 subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged between 40 and 65 years, were randomly allocated to either the ECRP or VR therapy groups using a lottery method, and then underwent Epley-canalith repositioning procedure or vestibular rehabilitation therapy, respectively. The outcomes measured by the study were Vertigo Symptom Scale-Short Form (VSS-sf) score and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score, assessed pre-treatment (pre) and 4 weeks post-treatment (post). The results demonstrated that both ECRP and VR therapy led to improvements in VSS-sf and BBS scores. However, VR therapy was found to be more effective, resulting in a 13.6% higher improvement in VSS-sf scores (p = 0.03) and a 5.1% higher improvement in BBS scores (p = 0.51) compared to ECRP. Both Epley-canalith repositioning procedure and vestibular rehabilitation therapy are effective in managing BPPV in diabetic patients. Although the differences in BBS scores are not statistically significant, VRT demonstrated a trend towards greater improvement. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy can be used by clinicians as another rehabilitation technique for improving vertigo, postural stability, and activity of daily living in diabetic patients with BPPV.

Utility of Opportunistic Infections, Joints' Involvement and Accuracy of Various Screening Tests to Diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an auto-immune disease in which the body mistakenly considers some parts of its own system as pathogens and attacks them. Prevalence is approximately 0.75% in India. About 40% of the diseased become work disabled within 5 years from the onset of symptoms. The objective of this paper is to assess the sign/symptoms, joints' involvement, difficulties in daily activities and screening accuracy of serology tests of clinically suspected RA patients. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study design was conducted on two hundred ninety clinically suspected subjects who were referred by different OPDs of hospitals for screening. The profiles of study subjects were carried through a semi-structured, pre-tested schedule method. About 2 mL of blood samples were collected in a plain vial from each patient and tested for diagnostic tests RF, CRP and AntiCCP by using RF-Latex, CRP Latex and ELISA method, respectively, by the laboratory persons. Results: Joint pain shows to be a leading problem in RA as compared to other signs and symptoms. The majority of the study subjects suffer from knee problems (62%). Approximately equal numbers of RA-positive cases were screened by RF and AntiCCP tests. The CRP test screened about one-third of cases. CRP+ AntiCCP, RF+ AntiCCP and RF + CRP all have good sensitivity, and RF+ AntiCCP + CRP has a very high sensitivity for diagnosing RA. Conclusions: This study found that a substantiation of a major proportion of clinically suspected RA patients were suffering from knee pain. Predication of AntiCCP increased the possibility for the diagnosis of RA. However, RF was also moderately related to the diagnosis of RA, and the combination of both tests was more valuable.

Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Augmented with Motor Imagery and Upper-Limb Functional Training for Upper-Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with other therapies is reported to produce promising results in patients with stroke. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of combining tDCS with motor imagery (MI) and upper-limb functional training for upper-limb rehabilitation among patients with chronic stroke. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted among 64 patients with chronic stroke. The control group received sham tDCS with MI, while the experimental group received real tDCS with MI. Both groups performed five different upper-limb functional training exercises coupled with tDCS for 30 min, five times per week for two weeks. Fugl-Meyer's scale (FMA) and the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) were used to measure the outcome measures at baseline and after the completion of the 10th session. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance showed significant improvements in the post-test mean scores for FMA (F (414.4) = 35.79, p < 0.001; η2 = 0.37) and ARAT (F (440.09) = 37.46, p < 0.001; η2 = 0.38) in the experimental group compared to the control group while controlling for baseline scores. CONCLUSIONS: Anodal tDCS stimulation over the affected primary motor cortex coupled with MI and upper-limb functional training reduces impairment and disability of the upper limbs among patients with chronic stroke.

Knowledge of safe handling, administration, and waste management of chemotherapeutic drugs among oncology nurses working at Khartoum Oncology Hospital, Sudan.

Introduction: Knowledge of chemotherapeutic drug (CD) handling, administration, and waste disposal are important among nurses involved in cancer therapy. Inadequate knowledge of the management of CD could cause environmental contamination and potential harm to patients and nurses. To assess the knowledge of safe handling, administration, and waste management of CD among oncology nurses working at Khartoum Oncology Hospital, Sudan. Methods: A questionnaire was developed by a team of experts to assess the knowledge in three domains of oncology nursing practice (handling, administration, and disposal). The study involved 78 oncology nurses working in Khartoum Oncology Hospital in Sudan from April 2020. Results: The mean CD knowledge score of nurses was 12.7 ± 3.9 out of 26 items in the questionnaire. For each domain, their knowledge showed poor scores related to safe handling (mean = 2.0 ± 1.5 out of eight knowledge items) and good scores for administration (mean = 6.2 ± 1.7 out of 10) and poor scores for waste disposal (mean = 4.4 ± 1.5 out of eight). Simple linear regression indicated that education level (ß = 3.715, p = .008) and training (ß = 0.969, p = .004) significantly predicted knowledge among nurses. Conclusion: There is a significant need to enhance the knowledge and safe handling skills of CD among oncology nurses in Sudan. Implementation of strict guidelines to manage cytotoxic waste to reduce health risks and hospital contamination.

Impacts of Adiposity on the Attentional Cost of Sensory-Motor Performance Associated with Mobility in a Dual-Task Paradigm.

(1) Background: Obesity is one of the most prevalent health problems worldwide. Studies have evidenced that the increase in body weight affects the normal neuromusculoskeletal function, which leads to abnormal gait patterns and impaired balance. (2) Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of dual-task activity (cognitive-motor task) on gait parameters and balance among obese students. (3) Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students (18-28 years old), including 120 obese and 120 age-matched normal-weight control subjects, selected at random using simple random sampling, from the Majmaah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Jizan regions of Saudi Arabia. The gait speed was measured in seconds while the controls and the obese subjects performed a dual-task activity of walking down a level, well-lit, narrow lane at their own speed, counting backwards from 100 by 4 s. (4) Results: The results of our study suggest a significant difference in the effect of the dual-task paradigm on the gait speed (t = 21.05, p = 000) of obese participants when compared to their age-matched counterparts. A significant correlation was found between BMI and gait speed and balance, irrespective of the gender of the obese student. A high degree of positive correlation (r = 0.705, p < 0.001) was found between BMI and gait speed, and a high degree of inverse correlation (r = -0.648, p < 0.001) was found between BMI and balance among obese students A multiple regression model explained 60% of the variance in gait speed and was statistically significant (R2 = 0.60, F (4, 235) = 90.65, p = 0.000) with BMI (ß = 0.018, p = 0.000) and balance (ß = 0.015, p = 0.000) significantly predicting gait speed. (5) Conclusion: The results of the current study provide evidence that obesity significantly influences gait speed and balance due to the inclusion of a contemporaneous cognitive task. The results also suggest that the dual-task paradigm affects both genders equally.

The Time-Based Effects of Kinesio Taping on Acute-Onset Muscle Soreness and Calf Muscle Extensibility among Endurance Athletes: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the effects of kinesio tape (KT) application on acute-onset muscle soreness and the extensibility of the calf muscles in endurance athletes. METHODS: A one-arm repeated-measures randomized cross-over controlled study design investigated 55 endurance athletes, including 10 cyclists, 30 badminton players, and 15 long-distance runners (mean age 16.40 ± 2.69) from different stadia in Delhi NCR, India. KT and sham tapes (ST) were applied randomly to right and left legs (prone position) in a cross-over manner with a gap of 72 h. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADFROM) and pain due to acute-onset muscle soreness were assessed immediately and 10 min and 30 min after treadmill running, using a universal goniometer and numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), respectively, along with the time to fatigue. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed for the NPRS when the mean scores obtained for the KT and ST groups were compared immediately after cessation of running; however, the difference was not statistically significant in the NPRS score that was recorded ten or thirty minutes after. The range of motion increased significantly after the application of both the KT and the ST. After running on a treadmill, the range of motion decreased significantly with both the KT and ST, and the decrease was similar. CONCLUSION: KT was more effective in reducing the pain intensity immediately after running and increased the time spent running on the treadmill before fatigue set in among endurance athletes. In addition, the two taping methods (KT or ST) were equally effective in enhancing calf muscle extensibility (for both right and left legs) immediately after application. However, both taping methods failed in limiting the decrease in ankle ADFROM after treadmill running.

Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Joint Manipulation on Pulmonary Functions, Mobility, Disease Exacerbations, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Quasiexperimental Study.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is primarily a disease of the lungs; however, extrapulmonary comorbidities like rib cage stiffness, decreased thoracic spine mobility, postural changes, and skeletal muscle dysfunctions also coexist. Muscle energy technique (MET) and joint manipulation (JM) may help alleviate these musculoskeletal problems. This study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of MET and JM on pulmonary functions, dyspnea, chest wall mobility, disease exacerbations, and health-related quality of life in COPD patients. A total of 16 patients (7 women and 9 men) suffering from COPD between the ages of 35 and 65 years participated in the study. Pretest-posttest quasiexperimental design was used. MET was applied to the sternocleidomastoid, anterior scalene, pectoralis major muscles, and at the C4-C6 level of the cervical spine. Maitland JM was performed in the thoracic region at the intervertebral, costovertebral, and costotransverse joints. The treatment intervention lasted for 3 weeks. FEV1/FVC, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), SpO2, modified Borg dyspnea scale (MBDS), COPD assessment test (CAT), mMRC dyspnea scale, BODE index, right and left hemidiaphragm excursion, and chest wall expansion at T4 and T10 levels were the outcome measures. Significant improvement (p < 0.05) was observed in FEV1/FVC, MIP, SpO2, MBDS, CAT, mMRC dyspnea scale, BODE index, and chest expansion at T4 and T10 levels. Only for the hemidiaphragm excursion, no significant (p > 0.05) improvement was observed. Combined application of MET to accessory respiratory muscles and cervical spine and JM to thoracic spine improved pulmonary functions, chest wall mobility, and health-related quality of life and reduced dyspnea and disease exacerbations in patients with mild to moderate COPD.

Comparison of Two Manual Therapy Programs, including Tendon Gliding Exercises as a Common Adjunct, While Managing the Participants with Chronic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the symptomatic compression neuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist level that may become a reason for upper limb disability, in the women and men population. Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of the neurodynamic technique (NT) and carpal bone mobilization technique (CBMT) incorporated with tendon gliding exercises (TGE) as an effect-enhancing adjunct while managing the participants with chronic CTS. Methods: The study followed a two-arm parallel-group randomized comparative design. Thirty participants (aged 30-59 years) with chronic CTS were recruited randomly to both the NT and CBMT groups. In addition to the TGE (a common adjunct), NT and CBMT were performed in the NT and CBMT groups, respectively, for three weeks. The primary outcome measures including pain intensity, functional status, grip strength, and motor nerve conduction study were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), hand-held dynamometer, and electromyograph, respectively, at baseline, 3 weeks postintervention, and follow-up at one week post end of the intervention. Paired and unpaired t-test were used to calculate the differences in intervention effects within and between the groups with keeping the level of significance α at 0.05. Results: The data analysis revealed a significant (95% CI, p < 0.05) difference for all outcomes within each group compared across different time intervals. Similarly, a significant difference was found for all outcomes except pain and grip strength compared between groups at 3 weeks postintervention and follow-up at one week post end of the intervention. Conclusions: The NT revealed more effectiveness than the CBMT when incorporated with TGE to improve nerve conduction velocity and functional status of the hand. However, both NT and CBMT were equally effective in improving pain and grip strength while managing the participants with chronic CTS. In addition, the TGE contributed as a beneficial, effect-enhancing adjunct to the NT and CBMT differently. Significance. The study will guide the physiotherapist in applying either of the combination techniques suitable for achieving treatment objectives while managing the participants with chronic CTS.

Efficacy of Knee Taping in addition to a Supervised Exercise Protocol to Manage Pain and Functional Status in Individuals with Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of knee taping in addition to a supervised exercise protocol on the pain intensity and functional status of individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PF OA). Methods: The study was based on a randomized, controlled pretest-posttest experimental group design. Following an initial screening, forty people with PF OA (mean age 55, range 40-60) were randomly assigned to one of two groups, Group A or Group B (n = 20 each). Group A underwent knee taping and participated in a supervised exercise program, whereas Group B only participated in a supervised exercise program. For four weeks, both groups received their prescribed treatment five consecutive days each week. At baseline (day 1 preintervention) and 4 weeks postintervention, the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were obtained. To compare the effect of stipulated interventions within and between groups, paired and unpaired t tests were performed, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: When comparing the outcome scores at 4 weeks postintervention with baseline scores, the within-group analysis revealed significant mean differences for the outcomes within groups A (VAS: MD = -3.08-0.76; T = 9.70; p < 0.05 and WOMAC: MD = -7.05-0.81; T = 11.11; p < 0.05) and B (WOMAC: MD = -1.6-0.17; T = 2.35; p < 0.05), but a nonsignificant mean difference for the outcomes of VAS within group B (∆MD = 0.08 ± 0.03; T = -0.56; p > 0.05). Similarly, when the score of VAS (MD = -2.73-1.29; T = -9.17; p < 0.05) and WOMAC (MD = -5.95-1.63; T = -5.86; p < 0.05) were compared at 4 weeks postintervention, there was a significant mean difference between groups A and B. Conclusions: In people with patellofemoral osteoarthritis, combining knee taping with a supervised exercise protocol was more effective than the supervised exercise protocol alone in relieving pain and enhancing functional status.

Effect of Resistance Training on Body Composition, Hemodynamic Parameters and Exercise Tolerance among Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Effectiveness and safety of Resistance Training in treating various Cerebrovascular Disease diagnoses have drawn attention in recent years. Patients suffering with coronary artery disease should be offered individually tailored Resistance Training in their exercise regimen. Resistance Training was developed to help individuals with their functional status, mobility, physical performance, and muscle strength. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to collect, summarize and present information on the state of science focusing on usefulness, viability, safety and efficacy of Resistance Training in treating coronary artery disease and enhancing the aerobic capacity and improving overall health-related quality of life. METHODS: The review is prepared in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Searches were conducted in Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, PEDro and Scopus database. PEDro scale was used for methodological quality assessment of included studies. Two independent reviewers determined the inclusion criteria of studies by classifying interventions based on core components, outcome measures, diagnostic population and rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using GRADE criteria. RESULTS: Total 13 studies with 1025 patients were included for the detailed analysis. Findings emphasize the importance of assessing effectiveness and safety of Resistance Training in individuals with coronary artery disease. Patient specific designed exercise programs as Resistance Training targets at enhancing patients' exercise tolerance, improves hemodynamic response and muscular strength with reduction in body fat composition. CONCLUSION: Resistance Training is an effective exercise that should be incorporated to counteract the loss of muscle strength, muscle mass, and physiological vulnerability, as well as to combat the associated debilitating effects on physical functioning, mobility and overall independence and Quality of Life during rehabilitation of patients with coronary artery disease.

Effectiveness of Nintendo Wii on Balance in People with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.

The use of exergaming exercises is increasingly becoming accepted as an alternative to surgical and medical therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the area has attracted some results, there is still no conclusive evidence on the benefit of exergaming exercises in improving PD patients' body balance. The current study is a systematic review aiming at examining the effectiveness of the Nintendo Wii Fit ("Wii Fit") game on improving the balance in people with Parkinson's disease. A total of 200 articles were selected online after conducting an extensive search on PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, CAPES Periodic, ResearchGate, Web of Science, and ProQuest. Upon reviewing the identified sources, ten articles were included, of which four were randomized control trials. The results show that at least five weeks of Wii Fit exercises effectively enhance PD patients' body balance and life outcomes. However, better results occur when patients combine Wii Fit with other conventional exercises.

Prevalence of non-specific chronic low-back pain and risk factors among male soldiers in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is the most common musculoskeletal disorder affecting health and work among the military population. NSCLBP is a complex disorder with several risk factors contributing to its occurrence. Therefore, the objective of our study was to estimate the prevalence and contribution of risk factors towards NSCLBP among male soldiers in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2020 to January 2021 among the military personnel at Hafar Al-Batin military base, Saudi Arabia. The entire population (n = 62, 000) at the military base were invited to participate in the study. The participants were invited to participate in the study either through direct referral from in-patient and out-patient departments of the military hospital or by invitation through pamphlets, email, and advertisement across the offices and residential areas. Soldiers reporting lower back pain for at least 12 weeks were screened for inclusion criteria at the physical therapy department of the military hospital. Inclusion criteria included pain or discomfort originating from the lower back without any known spinal diseases. Participants with a systemic inflammatory disorder, trauma, neurological symptoms, and recent spinal surgery were excluded. All eligible participants were assessed for demographic variables and risk factors and complete the Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaire and WHO-Five Well-Being Index. RESULTS: This study identified a 46.3% prevalence of pain originating from the spine with a 2.7% prevalence of NSCLBP. Spearman's rho correlation between the severity of disability due to NSCLBP was strongly associated with age (rs = 0.834, p < 0.01), quality of sleep (rs = 0.790, p < 0.01), body mass index (BMI) (rs = 0.617, p < 0.01), smoking (rs = 0.520, p < 0.01), co-morbidity (rs = 0.357, p < 0.01), but not with the level of physical activity (rs = 0.044, p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of pain originating from the spine among male Saudi soldiers with a relatively low prevalence of NSCLBP. However, the prevalence of disability due to NSCLBP was strongly associated with age, sleep quality, BMI, smoking habit, and co-morbidity.

Evaluation of Sleep Habits, Generalized Anxiety, Perceived Stress, and Research Outputs Among Postgraduate Research Students in Hong Kong During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.

PURPOSE: The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on sleep hygiene, anxiety levels, perceived stress, and research output among postgraduate research students in Hong Kong. METHODS: An online survey was developed and distributed to Hong Kong postgraduate research students. The sleep hygiene, anxiety levels, and perceived stress during the outbreak of COVID-19 were assessed. Questions about COVID-19's impact on research outputs were asked. RESULTS: A total of 108 (response rate, 72%) full-time postgraduate students (PhD, 64%; M Phil, 8%; and Masters, 28%) participated. Approximately 83% of students reported poor sleep hygiene. Similarly, nearly 76% of students reported mild to severe levels of self-perceived anxiety levels. Most of the respondents (89%) expressed a moderate level of perceived stress. Sleep hygiene scores were moderately associated with anxiety levels (r = 0.384, p < 0.01) and perceived stress scores (r = 0.423, p < 0.01). Perceived stress was strongly correlated with anxiety levels (r = 0.601, p < 0.01). A hierarchical regression analysis revealed a significant association between respondents' ethnicity (B = -0.923, p = 0.003), past medical history (such as hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders) (B = 1.112, p = 0.005), or poor sleep hygiene (B = 0.259, p = 0.000) and high levels of perceived stress. Additionally, prior medical history (such as hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders) (B = 1.957, p = 0.001) and poor sleep hygiene (B = 0.312, p = 0.000) were found to be strongly related to anxiety levels among postgraduate research students. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that highlights poor sleep hygiene, moderate-to-severe levels of anxiety, and perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in postgraduate research students in Hong Kong. These findings will help educators to prepare strategies to alleviate the stress and psychological problems in postgraduate students.