Publications by authors named "Ahmed S Alhowimel"

Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates the impact of a 12-week stretch-shortening cycle exercise program on muscle strength, bone mineral density, and upper extremity function in children aged 10-16 with obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI).
  • - Fifty-six children with confirmed upper-arm OBPI were randomly assigned to either the exercise group or a control group, focusing on improving muscle and bone metrics over 24 sessions.
  • - Results showed the exercise group had significant improvements in muscle strength and bone mineralization, indicating that the SSC exercise program may be an effective intervention for enhancing physical abilities in these children.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

To assess the feasibility of video game-based trunk exercises using the Valedo system in a chronic stroke population. Ten chronic stroke survivors (eight males and two females, mean age 63 ± 15 years) were asked to complete 18 intervention sessions, each lasting 45 min., over 6-8 weeks.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - Saudi Arabia is facing a rise in chronic diseases and disabilities, leading to a study on the prevalence of multiple long-term chronic conditions (MLTCs) and disabilities among adults aged 50 and older in Riyadh.
  • - The study found that 49.4% of participants had MLTCs, and 33.6% to 49.7% reported disabilities, with these rates significantly higher in those with MLTCs (42.5% to 58.1%).
  • - There is a strong association between MLTCs and disabilities, indicating that addressing chronic diseases could also alleviate disabilities among older Saudi adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Clinical guidelines emphasize the use of standardized outcome measures (SOMs) in post-stroke rehabilitation. However, the extent of SOM utilization among physiotherapists in this context in Saudi Arabia remains unclear.

Aim: 1) assess the current use of SOMs by physiotherapists involved in stroke rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia and 2) identify facilitators and barriers influencing the use of SOMs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Our objectives were to examine the association between balance confidence, functional mobility measures, and the presence of disability in older adults in Saudi Arabia and to identify the optimal cutoff scores for these measures that predict disability. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 324 community-dwelling older adults (65 ± 7 years, 59% women). Disability was assessed using the Arabic version of the basic activities of daily living (ADLs) scale.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cognitive impairment negatively impacts health, psychological, social, and economic domains. Cognitive impairment commonly affects physical functions in older adults, whereas these are deteriorated. However, the prevalence and associated factors of cognitive impairment among community-dwelling adults in Saudi Arabia have not been investigated yet.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study investigated the reliability of measuring the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) at the carpal tunnel inlet using a handheld ultrasound device (HUD) compared to a standard ultrasound system, focusing on intra- and inter-operator reproducibility among novice and expert operators. Employing a prospective cross-sectional design, 37 asymptomatic adults were assessed using both devices, with measurements taken by an expert with over five years of experience and a novice with less than six months. The CSA was determined using manual tracing and ellipse methods, with reproducibility evaluated through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and agreement assessed via Bland-Altman plots.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Previous studies link Multiple Long-Term Conditions (MLTC) and disabilities to an increased risk of falls among community-dwelling adults, but this study aims to clarify their independent contributions.
  • The research involved a cross-sectional study of 324 adults aged 50 and over, analyzing data on demographic factors and assessing fall risk through history and frequency of falls, as well as measures of disability and fear of falling.
  • Results showed that both MLTC and disability are significantly associated with a higher risk and frequency of falls, along with increased fear of falling, highlighting the importance of addressing these factors in older adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to validate the Arabic version of the Attitude toward Education and Advice for Low Back Pain (AxEL) Questionnaire.

Patients And Methods: This study was conducted in two phases. First, the AxEL questionnaire was translated into Arabic and cross-culturally adapted.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Establishing preventive measures and treatment strategies for adolescents with low back pain (LBP) may be greatly enhanced by fully grasping the complex interaction between LBP and lifestyle behaviors. The key objective of this study was to explore the possible associations between lifestyle behaviors and LBP among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among high school students from 5 major regions in Saudi Arabia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: This study sought to find out if a 6-week accommodating variable-resistance (AcVR) training might enhance muscle architecture, peak torque, and functional performance in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (Juv-IA).

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with polyarticular Juv-IA (aged 12-18 years) were involved in a randomized controlled trial. They were allocated into two groups: the AcVR group ( = 29; underwent AcVR training, and the control group ( = 29; received the usual exercise regimen).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: To explore how plyometric-based hydro-kinesiotherapy (Plyo-HKT) would affect pain, muscle strength, postural stability, and functional performance in a convenience sample of children with hemophilic knee arthropathy (HKA).

Methods: Forty-eight children with HKA (age: 8-16 years) were randomly allocated to the Plyo-HKT group ( = 24; underwent the Plyo-HKT for 45 min, twice/week over 12 wk in succession) or the comparison group ( = 24; performed the standard exercise rehabilitation at an equivalent frequency and duration). Pain, peak concentric torque of quadriceps and hamstring (produced at two angular velocities: 120 and 180 /sec), dynamic limits of postural stability (DLPS), and functional performance [Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH) and 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT)] were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The paradigm of comprehensive treatment approaches for children with cerebral palsy has gained traction, prompting clinicians to deliberate between independent and integrated treatment delivery. However, this decision-making process is often hindered by the dearth of empirical evidence available to inform optimal therapeutic strategies. This study, therefore, sought to compare the effects of Pilates-based core strengthening (PsCS), plyometric-based muscle loading (PlyoML), and their combination on postural control, balance, and mobility in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (ULCP).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: Post-Stroke Fatigue (PSF) is a complex, multidimensional, debilitating condition that affects almost half of all stroke survivors. This study explored the perceptions of physiatrists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists about PSF and their experiences in managing patients with PSF in Saudi Arabia. : Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from three different groups: eight physiotherapists (PTs), eight occupational therapists (OTs), and eight physiatrists (DRs).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • This study looked at how common falls are among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and aimed to find risk factors and establish thresholds for fall risk assessments.
  • A total of 276 Arabic-speaking Saudi citizens aged 40 and above shared their fall histories and health information, revealing that 10.14% were classified as fallers.
  • Findings showed that those who fell were more likely to have conditions like arthritis and back pain, and higher depressive symptoms; specific cut-off scores for predicting falls were also identified for these factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a debilitating condition that negatively impacts the quality of life of stroke survivors. The rehabilitation of stroke survivors is important for their quality of life, and rehabilitation programs that cater to the needs of these patients are required. However, there is very little published information on their needs, especially in the Middle East.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: This study explores physical therapists' current knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward the management and prevention of diabetes in Saudi Arabia.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire included several sections concerning their knowledge, attitude, and current practice toward diabetic management.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: To systematically review measurement properties of Arabic patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that assess activity and participation in children with and without health conditions.

Method: Four databases were searched. Arabic PROMs with focus on activity and/or participation constructs were selected.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Shared decision-making (SDM) may be interpreted as a set of core values rather than as a consensus definition. This study aimed to explore how SDM between patients and physiotherapists may lead to patient satisfaction.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between SDM and patient satisfaction.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Lower back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that may affect students' daily lives. Recent psychological research showed a relevant connection between LBP and multidimensional health. However, the association between LBP and lifestyle behavior has not been established, and improving knowledge in this area may help develop preventive strategies and optimize college students' quality of life.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Context: The international sports community is becoming more proactive in clinical mental health practice and research. An athlete-specific psychological distress screening tool can identify potential mental health illness.

Design: The Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) is a simple screening tool for detecting early signs of athlete-specific strain and related mental health concerns.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Medical students are expected to excel in their academics. Hence exposing them to a certain amount of strain may sometimes cause sleep disruptions. The purpose of this study was to determine the sleep quality among Saudi Applied Medical Sciences students and its potential connections with their academic performance and mental health.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sleep improves the cognitive and physical performance of athletes. A detailed questionnaire that detects sleep disruptions is required to identify sleep-deprived athletes. This study evaluates the translated Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ), a tool suggested by the International Olympic Committee, among Arabic-speaking athletes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and osteoarthritis (OA) are chronic noncommunicable diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. OA and DM are prevalent worldwide and associated with chronic pain and disability. Evidence suggests that DM and OA coexist within the same population.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of children with limb loss in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This is a retrospective study on children attending a limb loss clinic in a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between July 2012 and June 2020. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe the sample characteristics.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF