South African Journal of Physiotherapy最新文献

Background: Low physical activity (PA) participation levels and increasing non-communicable diseases in children are concerning in South Africa and globally.

Objectives: We sought to assess the mediating role of perceived social support factors on the relationship between PA enjoyment and PA levels among rural, peri-urban and urban school children.

Method: A cross-sectional study was adopted to assess peer, family and teacher encouragement as mediators on the relationship between perceived PA enjoyment and perceived physical activity participation among children, using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). The sample comprised a random sample of primary school learners aged 9-14 years.

Results: The sample consisted of 870 primary school learners with a mean age of 11.0 ± 1.49 years. Most participants were girls (n = 519; 59.7%). The findings suggest low levels of perceived PA participation (mean = 2.33, standard deviation [s.d.]: 0.43). Peer (β = 0.0187, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0088, 0.0307), family (β = 0.0280, 95% CI: 0.0155, 0.0425) and teacher (β = 0.0242, 95% CI: 0.0127, 0.0378) encouragement partially mediates the relationship between perceived PA enjoyment and perceived PA participation. Family encouragement (β = 0.0158, 95% CI: 0.0017, 0.0311) has the most considerable mediating effect, followed by teacher encouragement (β = 0.0125, 95% CI: 0.0010, 0.0269).

Conclusion: The findings demonstrated low levels of perceived PA participation in school learners. Therefore, we recommends including social factors as mediators in PA intervention programmes in primary schools.

Clinical implications: Social support factors as mediators on the relationship between PA enjoyment and PA participation among children may improve children's PA participation levels and help prevent non-communicable diseases in future.

Background: Soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in South Africa and the number of physiotherapists working with soccer teams has increased significantly. Despite increased appointments, very little is known regarding the demographic, education and work profiles of these physiotherapists.

Objective: To determine the profiles of physiotherapists working with soccer teams in South Africa.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was used to collect data from physiotherapists employed with soccer teams. Physiotherapists who were employed on a part-time basis and not registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and who did not give consent were excluded. A total of 38 physiotherapists working with soccer teams participated in our study. A questionnaire was circulated, and participants were given 4 months to complete and submit it.

Results: Results showed that participants had a mean age of 31.35 years and were employed for a mean time of 3.41 years. Most participants were African (89.48%) and worked with amateur soccer teams (52.63%). The education results indicated that 66.67% of participants held bachelor's degrees. Postgraduate- and undergraduate education were used most frequently by participants to guide clinical decision-making. Job satisfaction was satisfactory, but they were not satisfied with their salaries.

Conclusion: Our study is the first to investigate the profiles of physiotherapists working with soccer teams in South Africa. Demographic, education and work profiles for physiotherapists working with soccer teams were compiled, and the lack of information regarding the profiles of these physiotherapists was identified.

Clinical implications: Extensive future research is needed to inform and train physiotherapists regarding the management of soccer teams.

Background: Recently, there has been a marked increase in the incidence of cancer, HIV, and other noncommunicable diseases globally. Thus, the demand for palliative care (PC), including end-of-life care, continues to grow worldwide. Physiotherapy has an important role in PC as it aims to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life by optimising independent levels of function.

Objective: To assess the level of knowledge, awareness and current practice of PC amongst Nigerian physiotherapists in clinical practice.

Method: Our study used a cross-sectional descriptive census-based method and recruited practising physiotherapists in Nigeria. An electronic questionnaire was used to collect data over 12 weeks, comprising 36 semistructured questions in four domains: personal information, knowledge, awareness and current practices regarding PC. Data were analysed using a pragmatist paradigm.

Results: Of the 426 physiotherapists who participated, 50% (n = 213) had a postgraduate degree, 49.5% (n = 211) had a bachelor's degree and 0.5% (n = 2) had a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The results also indicate that 73.9% (n = 315) of the participants had sufficient knowledge about PC, 80.5% (n = 343) had a sufficient level of awareness about PC and 66.7% (n = 284) were using current clinical practices in the rehabilitation of critically ill patients or those with chronic conditions.

Conclusion: It was concluded that most Nigerian physiotherapists had sufficient knowledge and awareness about PC and were involved in the management of patients requiring PC physiotherapy.

Clinical implication: It can be understood that a large proportion of Nigerian physiotherapists have clinical experience managing patients requiring PC, despite inadequate formal training in this field.

Background: As patients with hemiplegia have a high risk of falling, it is important to develop a fall rehabilitation plan and/or apply personalised treatment when necessary.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effects of individualised treatment with Computerised Dynamic Posturography (CDP) on balance in patients with and without a history of chronic hemiplegic falls.

Method: Forty patients with hemiplegia (time post-stroke: 8-18 months) between 40 and 70 years of age in the Istanbul Yeniyüzyıl University, Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital participated in our study. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, falling history (n = 20) and Group 2, no falling history (n = 20). The patients in both groups were included in a traditional rehabilitation programme for 5 weeks, 5 days a week, for 1 h. The group with a history of falls also received individualised CDP treatment for 20 min, 3 days a week, for 5 weeks. Patients were evaluated with a Sensory Organisation Test (SOT) and a Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

Results: In Group 1, a significant improvement was determined in the after-treatment SOT 5 values compared with the before treatment SOT 5 values (p = 0.022). Significant improvement was found in BBS (p = 0.003) and SOT 6 (p = 0.022) values in Group 2. There was no statistically significant difference in improvement between the two groups (p ≥ 0.05).

Conclusion: Larger samples and longer duration of individualised CDP therapy studies may be required to improve balance with chronic hemiplegia and a history of falls.

Clinical implications: In addition to traditional therapy, individualised CDP treatment may be beneficial for patients with a history of post-stroke falls.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a major health issue for low-income countries because of their high prevalence among workers and on account of the scarcity of ergonomic preventative measures in the workplace.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of WRMSDs among weavers, assess their consequences, and analyse the associated occupational risk factors.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 257 handloom weavers using the Nordic questionnaireand the working conditions were assessed through a descriptive analysis using the key indicator method.

Results: The WRMSDs annual prevalence was 85% in all parts of the body, 71% for the low back region, 41% for the shoulders, and 37% for the knees. One quarter of the weavers indicated having stopped work for 1-30 days because of their low back pain (LBP). The prevalence of WRMSDs was associated with the number of hours worked per day, the years of experience, and age. Long working hours, load carrying (> 20 kg - 25 kg), awkward postures, repetitive limb movements, and unfavourable environmental conditions were identified as occupational risk factors.

Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among weavers and LBP is the most frequently cited disorder and the primary reason for work interruptions and a decrease of activities. The prevalence of WRMSDs is associated with professional and personal factors. Actions based on ergonomic rules are necessary to prevent WRMSDs.

Clinical implications: Our study highlights the issue of WRMSDs and the need for prevention in the informal sector, which constitutes the major part of economic activity in low-income countries.