Vikram Mohan

Patterns of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers in palm plantation occupation

This study investigated the patterns of ongoing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) and exposure risk to musculoskeletal injuries for various body regions among palm plantation workers. Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNMQ) was used to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders symptoms. The Quick Exposure check (QEC) was used to assess the exposure risk of farmers to WRMDs. The common pattern of WRMDs was back pain (40%), followed by shoulder pain (19%). The QEC revealed high exposure risk for neck (56%), followed by back (45.6%). The results from the SNMQ showed that 58% reported pain in 1 region, followed by 2 regions (10.7%) and 3 regions (3.6%). Back pain and shoulder pain were found to be common among workers in palm plantation occupation. Nevertheless, the neck region appeared to have the highest risk of exposure to injuries.

Effects of Multicomponent Exercise Training on Physical Functioning among Institutionalized Elderly

This quasiexperimental study aimed to measure the effects of 12-week multicomponent exercise training on physical functioning among institutionalized elderly. Forty-three participants (age = 70.88 ± 7.82 years) were self-assigned to an intervention (𝑛=23) or control (𝑛=20) group. Before and after training, cardiorespiratory endurance, arm curl strength, grip strength, lower limb strength, upper and lower limb flexibility, balance, and mobility were assessed. The training included aerobic, resistance, balance and flexibility exercises, performed 3 times per week. Significant increases (𝑃 0.05). The control group did not show any significant changes (𝑃>0.05) in any variables. The data suggested that 12-week multicomponent exercise training may improve physical functioning among institutionalized elderly.

Health-related quality of life, lung function and dyspnea rating in COPD patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM COPD is a progressive and irreversible disease, thus assessing the impact of the disease on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is important in the management of COPD. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between HRQOL, lung function and dyspnea rating in patients with stable COPD. METHODS One hundred COPD patients (mean age = 64.76 +/- 11.43 years) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Lung function test was measured using a FlowScreen portable spirometry. Dyspnea rating was measured using the baseline dyspnea index (BDI). HRQOL was assessed using the SF-36v2 which summarized two components; physical health component summary (PHCS) and mental health component summary (MHCS). THE RESULTS The mean value of lung function (Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, FEV1% predicted) was 58.19 +/- 30.24 and dyspnea rating was 6.85 +/- 2.68. The lung function was significantly correlated with MHCS (r=.294, p < 0.05) but not with the PHCS (p > 0.05). The dyspnea rating was significantly correlated with both PHCS (r=.730, p < 0.05) and MHCS (r = .324, p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that dyspnea rating emerged as the most significant predictor for PHCS and MHCS accounting for 54% and 12% of the variances respectively. CONCLUSIONS The findings show that dyspnea rating is an important factor in predicting HRQOL of patients with COPD. This indicates that dyspnea rating influences HRQOL to a greater extent than the physiological measurement of lung function. Therefore, focusing on such predictors at an early stage may provide meaningful benefits in the management of COPD.

Effect of intercostal stretch on pulmonary function parameters among healthy males

The use of manual stretching procedures has become more prevalent in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy to improve pulmonary functions. However, limited evidence exists regarding evaluation of their effectiveness. The study aimed to determine the impact of Intercostal (IC) stretch in improving the dynamic pulmonary function parameters (Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC % and respiratory rate among healthy adults. Thirty healthy male subjects were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were assigned to the experimental group and the control group through random sampling method. In the experimental group, subjects underwent IC stretch for ten breaths on the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle with breathing control exercises in semi recumbent position, while in the control group, breathing control exercises alone were performed in the semi recumbent position. The results of the study showed, FEV1/FVC % in the experimental group significantly improved with P=0.017 (p<0.05) than the control group, which means IC stretch increased lung volume and lead to improved lung function. This study suggested the IC stretching with breathing control may be more effective in improving dynamic lung parameters especially FEV1/FVC % than breathing control alone.

Letter to Editor: Application of neuroplasticity theory through the use of the Feldenkrais Method with a runner with scoliosis and lower quarter pain: Additional respiratory mechanics principle, implication of the Feldenkrais method for clinical practice in neuro-musculoskeletal rehabilitation

Please cite this article as: Mohan, V., Paungmali, A., Sitilertpisan, P., Letter to Editor: Application of neuroplasticity theory through the use of the Feldenkrais Method with a runner with scoliosis and lower quarter pain: Additional respiratory mechanic principle, implication of the Feldenkrais method for clinical practice in neuro-musculoskeletal rehabilitation, Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies (2016), doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.08.008.

Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of total faulty breathing scale using visual observation and videogrammetry methods

Faulty breathing is an aspect of alteration in the normal fundamental pattern of breathing. The available existence of scales in assessing faulty breathing has not frequently been used. Measurement errors in assessing and quantifying breathing patterns may originate from unclear directions and variation between observers. This study determined the measure reliability of the Total Faulty Breathing Scale (TFBS) for quantifying breathing patterns. Twenty seven participants were recruited comprising healthy and unhealthy subjects. Two examiners assessed their breathing patterns using the TFBS on two different occasions with visual observation and a videogrammetry method. Evaluation of the observational breathing pattern method for intra-rater and inter-rater showed agreement of 96.30% and a kappa score of greater than 0.78, which indicated substantial agreements. The videogrammetry method showed a percent agreement of (100%) with a kappa score of (1.00). This study indicates that the TFBS is a considerably reliable tool for evaluating breathing patterns with both visual observation and a videogrammetry method.

Respiratory characteristics of individuals with non-specific low back pain: A cross-sectional study: respiratory characteristics in low back pain

Non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP) is known to cause respiratory dysfunction. In this study, we investigated alterations in breathing, respiratory strength and endurance, core stability, diaphragm mobility, and chest expansion among patients with NS-LBP and healthy individuals. The specific aim of the study was to correlate between respiratory function and other variables among NS-LBP patients. Thirty four patients with NS-LBP were matched with 34 healthy participants before undergoing total faulty breathing scale, spirometer, respiratory pressure meter, chest expansion, ultrasound, and pressure biofeedback measurements. There were signs of faulty breathing in the NS-LBP patients when compared to the healthy participants. Diaphragmatic mobility and respiratory muscle endurance were lower in the NS-LBP group. Chest expansion exhibited a significant decrease at the level of the fourth intercostal space in the NS-LBP group, but respiratory muscle strength and core stability were not significant between the two groups. Positive correlations were found to be fairly significant regarding respiratory muscle strength. The findings of this study indicated altered respiratory characteristics in the NS-LBP patients, and suggested that they would improve through respiratory exercises.

Effect of Indoor Rowing Exercise on Body Composition, Blood Glucose, and Lipid Profile Among Obesity: A Pilot Study

Rowing exercise involves aerobic and resistance exercise which is considered as one of the safest forms of exercise among obese subjects. To date, the effect of rowing exercise on body composition, blood glucose, and lipid profile among obesity is not known clearly. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of indoor rowing exercise on body composition, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile among obese subjects. A pilot study was carried out using 11 obese subjects. Participants were divided randomly into either exercise group (n = 6) in which they received indoor rowing exercise or a control group (n = 5) where they are requested to continue routine daily physical activities. Subjects in the exercise group were subjected to perform three times/week indoor rowing exercise with moderate- to high-intensity exercise. The outcome measures such as body composition, blood glucose, and lipid profiles were measured before and after 12 weeks in both groups. The results showed that body mass index (BMI) in experimental group altered with p <.05, whereas for the other variable there are no significant changes. This pilot study indicated there are changes in BMI following indoor rowing exercises among obese subjects.

Investigation of Total Faulty Breathing Scale (TFBS) Using Visual Observation and Videogrammetry Methods

Background: Breathing pattern is one parameter that is currently proposed to be affected even in healthy subjects. However, most of the assessment techniques available for assessing breathing pattern have not been systematically evaluated. In this context, Total Faulty Breathing Scale (TFBS) is one of the assessment tools which can be used simply to assess breathing pattern. However, clinical applicability has not yet been established. The objective of this study was to investigate breathing pattern using TFBS on visual observation and video recording methods. Method: This was a cross-sectional study which was carried out on 24 healthy male subjects. The assessment of scoring system was carried out by an experienced physiotherapist using TFBS for both visual and videogrammetry methods. Results: The results of the study showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the score between visual and videogrammetry methods (p > 0.05). This signifies that TFBS of scoring can be used to assess the breathing pattern. Conclusions: Both visual and video recording methods can be used interchangeably for assessing breathing pattern using TFBS. This breathing scale is a potential tool for assessment of faulty breathing patterns in clinical practice.

Effectiveness of virtual reality in the treatment of hand function in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review

STUDY DESIGN Systematic review. INTRODUCTION Children with cerebral palsy (CP) may have limited use of their hands for functional activities and for fine motor skills. Virtual reality (VR) is a relatively new and innovative approach to facilitate hand function in children with CP. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of VR as an intervention to improve hand function in children with CP compared to either conventional physiotherapy or other therapeutic interventions. The secondary purpose was to classify the outcomes evaluated according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) dimensions. METHODS A International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO)-registered literature search was carried out in August 2015 in MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, HealthSTAR, AMED, BNI, Embase, PsycINFO, PEDro, Cochrane Central Register, DARE, OTSeeker, REHABDATA, HaPI, CIRRIE, and Scopus. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, and their methodological qualities were examined using the Cochrane collaborations risk of bias (RoB) tool. A narrative synthesis was performed. RESULTS The 6 RCTs published on this topic provide conflicting results. Four studies reported improved hand function (2 low RoB, 1 high RoB, and 1 unclear RoB), whereas 2 studies reported no improvement. All of the RCTs reported the activity element of ICF, but no study explicitly described the effect of VR intervention based on the ICF model. CONCLUSION The role of VR ti imrpove hand fucntion in children with CP is unclear due to limited evidence; use as an adjunct has some support.