Adel A. Alhusaini

Effect of complete decongestive therapy and a home program for patients with post mastectomy lymphedema.

[Purpose] Post mastectomy lymphedema is common among breast cancer survivors. It leads to physical discomfort and functional impairment. Rehabilitation forms the mainstay of treatment and is multidisciplinary. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty post mastectomy patients were allocated randomly and assigned to either a conventional treatment group (n=30) or a complete decongestive therapy (CDT) group (n=30). The conventional treatment group received manual lymphatic drainage, wore a low elastic compression garment, received glenohumeral mobilization, and performed deep breathing exercises, and the complete decongestive therapy group received CDT from a trained physiotherapist and a daily home program along with the conventional treatment, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. [Results] Arm circumference measurements were taken at five levels: the wrist, mid forearm, elbow, mid-upper arm, and axilla. The upper extremity function was evaluated using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale. Measurements were taken at baseline, and at 4th and 6th weeks after the start of intervention. Within and between group comparisons showed significant improvements in the CDT group. [Conclusion] Complete decongestive therapy and a home program assists breast cancer related lymphedema survivors in regaining their lost functions. It also helps to improve their independence in daily activities, reduce their need for caregivers, and thereby improving their quality of life. Therefore, the results of this study showed that the CDT with a home program is an effective treatment for reducing post mastectomy lymphedema.

Effect of Different Positions on FVC and FEV1 Measurements of Asthmatic Patients

[Purpose] The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of different positions on pulmonary function test (PFT) values such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of asthmatic patients .[Subjects and Methods] Thirty subjects with severe asthma aged between 20–39 years were enrolled after they had signed a written consent. Subjects were selected using the inclusion criteria, and PFT were randomly administered. Spirometer measurements (FVC, FEV1) were taken in the supine, side lying on right, side lying on left, sitting and standing positions. Each measurement was taken three times, and the average values were analyzed. [Results] One- way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Test (post hoc) for pair- wise comparison indicated that there was a significant difference in the FEV1 values of the asthmatic patients however a significant difference was obtained between standing and supine positions. There was also a significant difference in the FVC values between the standing and supine lying position in the pair -wise comparison. [Conclusion] This study showed standing is the best position for measuring FEV1 and FVC of asthmatic subjects. The more upright the position, the higher the FEV1 and FVC will be.

Association of Postural Balance and Isometric Muscle Strength in Early- and Middle-School-Age Boys

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the isometric muscle strength (IMS) and dynamic balance in early- and middle-school-age boys and to assess the strength of association between the dynamic balance scores and 6 different IMS indexes. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 94 boys who were 6 to 10 years of age and classified into an early school age (6-8 years) group (n = 50) and a middle school age (8-10 years) group (n = 44). Balance was tested using a Biodex Balance System. Anteroposterior Stability Index, Mediolateral Stability Index, and Overall Stability Index were recorded. IMS of 11 muscle groups was measured with a handheld dynamometer and categorized into 6 different muscle strength indices. RESULTS The mean (SD) values of anteroposterior, mediolateral, and overall stability indexes observed for all study boys were 1.9 ± 1.0, 1.2 ± 0.7, and 2.5 ± 1.2 respectively. In the middle school age group, strong positive relationships were detected between the overall stability index and trunk, lower limb, anti-gravity, pro-gravity, and total strength indexes (r = -0.86/P < .001, r = -0.91/P < .001, r = -0.88/P < .001, r = -0.83/P < .001, and r = -0.84/P < .001 respectively), while no significant relationship was detected with the upper limb strength index (r = 0.159/P = .303). In the early school age group, moderate positive relationships were detected between the overall stability index and anti-gravity, lower limb, and total strength indexes (r = -0.404/P = .004, r = -0.356/P = .011, and r = -0.350/P = .013 respectively). CONCLUSION Dynamic balance did not appear to be mature by the age of 10 years. Better balance skills were recorded in the mediolateral direction than in the anteroposterior direction. In the middle school age group, the overall stability index had positive relationships with almost all examined muscle strength indexes excepting the upper limb strength index.

Short‐term sensorimotor‐based intervention for handwriting performance in elementary school children

Handwriting problems in childhood can have lifelong repercussions, affecting learning and career. Sensorimotor intervention therefore helps to alleviate these problems.

Impact of brisk walking and aerobics in overweight women

[Purpose] Lack of physical activity and an uncontrolled diet cause excessive weight gain, which leads to obesity and other metabolic disorders. Studies have indicated that brisk walking and aerobics are the best methods for controlling and reducing weight and body mass composition. [Subjects and Methods] In this study, 45 overweight women were enrolled and divided into 3 groups. Women not involved in brisk walking or aerobics were included in group A (n = 15) as control subjects; women involved in brisk walking were in group B (n = 15); and those involved in aerobics were in group C (n = 15). [Results] This program was carried out 5 days/week for 10 weeks. Pre- and post-measurements of body mass index, waist and hip circumference, and skinfold thickness of the abdomen, subscapular area, biceps, and triceps were recorded for the women in all 3 groups. All values decreased in women who participated in brisk walking and aerobics for 10 weeks. [Conclusion] These results indicate that aerobics with diet therapy is a more effective intervention program for controlling and reducing body mass index and skinfold thickness than brisk walking with diet therapy in North Indian women.

Reaction and Movement Time in Down syndrome Children under Different Visual Feedback Conditions

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT) in Down syndrome children under two different visual feedback conditions. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in which 30 mild to moderate Down syndrome children were allocated randomly into two groups. The full visual feedback group comprised 15 participants with an average age of 12(± 1.4) years, and the no visual feedback group comprised 15 participants with an average age of 12(± 1.7) years. All the participants repeated the same activity 20 times with the order of conditions randomized across individuals. Results: RT and MT were analyzed while participants performed the movement sequence. After 20 trials, both groups showed significant differences in their MT but no significant differences in RT. Intergroup analysis also showed that there was no statistically significant difference in either RT or MT. Conclusion: Down syndrome children exhibited longer movement and RTs than normal children regardless of vision condition. Knowledge of their performance at regular intervals and encouragement helped to improve their MT. Down syndrome children were less affected by the elimination of visual feedback and showed no significant variation in RTs.

Quality of Life and Socioeconomic Status: A Comparative Study among Mothers of Children with and without Disabilities in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT A childs disability affects not only that child but also their caregivers. This study compares the quality of life (QoL) of Saudi mothers (primary caregivers) of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Down Syndrome (DS) and mothers whose children do not have a disability, and explores its relationship with socioeconomic status. Two hundred mothers of children with disabilities and 99 mothers of children without disabilities were recruited from rehabilitation centers and regular schools, respectively. Information on their sociodemographic, social support, and QoL information was collected using the Quality of Life Index (QLI) – Generic Version III. The independent-samples t-test and Welchs test for QoL indicate that the mothers of children with disabilities have less satisfaction (QLI Part 1) in the social and economic subscale compared to the mothers of children without disabilities (p = 0.0068) but no differences were found in the other domains. For QLI Part 2 (Importance), the mothers of children with disabilities were found to attribute more importance to health and functioning than mothers of children without disabilities (p = 0.003). The former were also found to attribute less importance to their psychological/spiritual status than the latter (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in total score or in the family or socioeconomic domains. It is concluded that Saudi mothers of children with disabilities need more social support and professional help to improve their quality of life.

Instruction prioritization in task-based balance training for individuals with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease

Abstract The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of prioritization of instruction in balance training for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Thirty-six participants were evaluated before and after the training using the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Results show that dual task training with variable priority instruction is as effective as single task training in improving the balance performance of individuals with idiopathic PD.

Pedometer-determined physical activity levels of healthy children and children with Down’s syndrome

Abstract Purpose: Children with Down’s syndrome (DS) are considered sedentary and less engaged in recommended physical activity (PA) levels. This study compared the PA levels between children with DS and healthy children in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study included 85 children divided into two groups. The DS group comprised 37 children with DS aged 8–12 years recruited from the Down Syndrome Charitable Association and Al-Nahda Schools for DS. The healthy group comprised 41 healthy children aged 8–12 years recruited from regular schools in the same region. PA levels were measured over 7 days using a pedometer. Results: The healthy group was more active than the DS group (p < 0.05). The total PA steps per minute had significant differences between the DS (M = 7.979, SD = 2.21) and healthy groups (M = 17.512, SD = 3.08; p < 0.05). The daily step count differed significantly on weekdays and weekends between the groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The DS group had a high body mass index and physical inactivity compared with the second group. Obesity and physical inactivity among Saudi Arabian children with and without DS are major health concerns. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to combat childhood obesity, promote PA, improve patient quality of life, and reduce the sedentary lifestyle among Saudi children and adolescents.

Comparison of static and dynamic balance between football and basketball players with chronic ankle instability

Background: Athletic injuries such as ankle sprain are most common in football and basketball games. Chronic ankle injuries affect the balance performance of these players and influence their future sports′ performances. Objective: Purpose of this study was to compare static and dynamic balance in ankle instability among university level football and basketball players. Methods: This study cross-sectional observational design included 24 collegiate level players (12 footballers and 12 basketballers) with chronic ankle instability and were inactive from sports for more than 3 months with a score of 85% or less on the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Sports scale. Static balance was tested by stork standing test, and dynamic balance was assessed using the Star Excursion Balance Test. Results: Significant differences were observed in the static and dynamic balance between the injured and noninjured limbs for both the football and basketball groups (P < 0.05). Further analysis showed that the difference in the dynamic balance between football players and basketball players was not significantly different (P > 0.05), whereas the static balance was better in football players than the basketball players. Conclusion: This record of differences in the balance due to injury supports the need for sports-specific rehabilitation program for injured players to improve their balance which is essential for playing their sports efficiently.