Amitesh Narayan

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among doctors in Mangalore: A cross-sectional survey

Context: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant concern for health care professionals due to the nature of work that exposes them to injuries. Aims: The aim was to assess the prevalence of MSDs among doctors. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional survey among doctors working in Mangalore. Materials and Methods: Self-administered questionnaires distributed among medical specialties professionals of two major hospitals (Government Wenlock Hospital and Kasturba Medical College Hospital) of Mangalore. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive analysis and Chi-square test ( P Results: Lower back (25%), neck (20.21%), and knees (14.36%) were the common MSDs among doctors in different specialties. MSDs association with respect to age, gender, and work experiences were nonsignificant, except physical activity ( P = 0.042). Conclusions: About 58.5% doctors reported MSDs and lower back disorders were most common.

Efficacy of Balance and Mobility Exercises on Gait Speed and Energy Expenditure in Ageing Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Interventional Clinical Trial

Objective: To determine the effects of balance and mobility exercises on gait speed and energy expenditure (Physiological Cost Index) during walking in aging adults 65 years and older). Design: A quasi-experimental interventional clinical trial, using pretest-posttest design to test the effect of the intervention on gait-speed and energy expenditure. Participants: 35 subjects (14 male and 21 female) were recruited using Convenience sampling from a day care centre. The mean age of subjects was 70.03 (S.D=4.71) years; range 65 to 87 years. Intervention: Subjects participated in a program of structured balance and mobility exercises, sixty minutes per day, five days a week, for six weeks. This was a group based program supervised by a physiotherapist. Main outcome measures: Gait speed (in meters per minute) and Physiological Cost Index (in beats per meter) during walking on 20 meter walkway. Results: When the subjects were compared for improvement in gait speed between pre-exercise (46.79±09.96) to post-exercise (51.09±11.16) and Physiological Cost Index (PCI) between pre-exercise (0.36±0.10) to post-exercise (0.27±0.09), a significant difference obtained (p=.001). Conclusion: The balance and mobility exercise intervention resulted in a significant improvement in gait-speed and reduction in the energy expenditure during walking in healthy ageing adults.

Provocative Poliomyelitis Causing Postpolio Residual Paralysis among Select Communities of Two Remote Villages of North Karnataka in India: A Community Survey

Intramuscular injections can provoke muscular paralysis especially, if the child has had exposure to polio virus. The purpose of the study was to determine the association with known risk factors for motor disabilities in two remote villages of North Karnataka (India), where an increased number of disabled people among select communities had been reported. A community based survey was conducted. The selection of study subjects was done through screening, history related with occurrence of musculoskeletal disability, screening and general examination of the affected joints and muscles. Data analysis was done by estimation of percentages. Among the physical disabilities identified, the most common was post-polio residual paralysis. 35.65% (n = 41) subjects had developed paralysis following the administration of an intramuscular injection when they had acute viremia in childhood, indicating that (probably) muscle paralysis would have been provoked by intramuscular injections, resulting in provocative poliomyelitis. Unnecessary injection must be avoided in children during acute viremia state and use of oral polio vaccine should be encouraged.