Knowledge, awareness and use of current practice of palliative care amongst physiotherapists.

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.

Prevalence of psychological symptoms and their correlates among physiotherapy clinical students: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Mental health in medical students is well researched, with physiotherapy students receiving less attention even though psychiatry is a recognised specialty within physiotherapy.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety and stress among physiotherapy clinical students.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed on 402 physiotherapy clinical students aged 17-40 years using a convenience sampling method.

Effect of treadmill walking for anxiety, depression, and social well-being in women with diabetes type 2: A randomized controlled trial.

Anxiety and depression are higher in persons with diabetes leading to poor glycaemic control and diabetes-related emotional distress. Some diabetic women do not engage in exercises perceiving it to make their diabetes worse. The researchers' objective of this treadmill walking program was to determine its effect on anxiety, depression and social well-being in women with diabetes type 2 (DT2).

Effects of dynamic stabilization exercises and muscle energy technique on selected biopsychosocial outcomes for patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Low back pain is the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition, and causes activity limitations which result in reduced work productivity and high medical expenditure. The management of this condition has been challenging to both clinicians and researchers. While the use of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) as a potentially effective treatment strategy seems promising, studies examining MET combined with exercise therapy are scarce and studies with strong methodology are lacking.

The effect of muscles energy technique in the management of chronic mechanical low back pain: A scoping review.

Background: The Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is one of the treatments of choice for the management of chronic mechanical low back pain (MLBP); however, there is a paucity of evidence to justify its effectiveness.

Objectives: The objectives of this review are to explore, analyze and summarize the available evidence related to the effectiveness of MET in the management of chronic MLBP.

Method: The scoping review methodology was adopted based on a recommendation from the work of Arksey and O'Malley, to systematically appraise literature and map the existing evidence on the effectiveness of MET in the management of chronic MLBP.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the Hausa version of Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire in patients with non-specific low back pain.

Objectives: Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (OMPSQ) is widely used in clinical practice and for research purpose to screen the risk of chronicity in patients with Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). The questionnaire has been cross-culturally adapted into different languages, but to date, there has not been Hausa version of the questionnaire. This study is important as the Hausa language is widely spoken across sub-Saharan Africa.

Does exercise program of endurance and strength improve health-related quality of life in persons living with HIV-related distal symmetrical polyneuropathy? A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The most common HIV neurological comorbidity, Distal Symmetrical Peripheral Neuropathy (DSPN), is characterized by severe symptoms and reduced quality of life. Exercise has consistently been mentioned as one of the non-pharmacological therapies for the rehabilitation of individuals with HIV, but little is known about an exercise program to recommend to people living with HIV (PLWHIV)-related DSPN. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of aerobic (AE) or progressive resisted exercise (PRE) on quality of life (QOL) in a person living with HIV-related DSPN.

Effects of combination therapy and infrared radiation on pain, physical function, and quality of life in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled study.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative articular disease that causes disability and poor quality of life (QoL) of the individuals. Electrotherapeutic agents such as therapeutic ultrasound (US), interferential current (IFC), and infrared radiation are used in the treatment. It is not clear which of these agents is the best in improving these variables.

How are children with cerebral palsy managed in public hospitals of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa?

: Medical advances have resulted in the survival of infants who are born prematurely. This makes them at risk of developing neurological manifestations and increases the incidence of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). Physiotherapy plays an important role in the management of children with CP.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and is often not clinically diagnosed and managed. There are also no systematic reviews of literature relating to the prevalence of MSDs among people with diabetes.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and areas of the body affected by MSDs in diabetic patients.

Effectiveness of neck stabilisation and dynamic exercises on pain intensity, depression and anxiety among patients with non-specific neck pain: a randomised controlled trial.

Background And Aims: Non-specific neck pain (NsNP) constitutes a burden to the bearers and a management challenge to physiotherapists globally. Effectiveness of neck stabilisation and dynamic exercises in the management of NsNP has been documented, but it is not clear which exercise regimen is more effective in alleviating its associated pain, depression and anxiety. This study was carried out to compare the effectiveness of neck stabilisation and/or dynamic exercises on pain intensity, depression and anxiety among patients with NsNP.

Effect of Rebound Exercises and Circuit Training on Complications Associated with Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a chronic lifestyle disease, and its complications are on the rise. Exercise has been documented as being effective in the management of musculoskeletal pain, depression, and reduction of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. However, there is no consensus regarding the types of exercise that reduce musculoskeletal pain and depression and improve quality of life as well as respiratory function among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Does a Rehabilitation Program of Aerobic and Progressive Resisted Exercises Influence HIV-Induced Distal Neuropathic Pain?

Objective: Distal symmetrical polyneuropathy is a common neurological sequela after HIV, which leads to neuropathic pain and functional limitations. Rehabilitation programs with exercises are used to augment pharmacological therapy to relieve pain but appropriate and effective exercises are unknown. This study explored the safety and effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercises and progressive resisted exercises for HIV-induced distal symmetrical polyneuropathy neuropathic pain.

Influence of a mini-trampoline rebound exercise program on insulin resistance, lipid profile and central obesity in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Exercises are important as an adjuvant for managing diabetes but due to fatigue and time constraints, individuals with diabetes may not engage in them. Jumping on a mini-trampoline referred to as rebound exercise is an aerobic activity used for exercise training benefits but only little research is available on its effects in diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mini-trampoline rebound exercise on insulin resistance, lipid profile and central obesity in type 2 diabetics.

Does a physiotherapy programme of gross motor training influence motor function and activities of daily living in children presenting with developmental coordination disorder?

Background: Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) lack motor coordination and have difficulty performing motor skills and activities of daily living. Research shows these children do not outgrow their motor difficulties and without intervention do not improve. Physiotherapy is relevant for these children, but due to limited clinical protocols for DCD the aim of this study was to determine the effect of a gross motor training programme for 6-12-year-old children with DCD.

Rebound exercise: A beneficial adjuvant for sedentary non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic individuals in a rural environment.

Objective: Although physical activity and exercises are recommended for diabetes, fear of fatigue and resources are often constraints. Rebound exercise on a mini trampoline is a relatively new aerobic exercise and this study evaluated its impact on glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c ), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and body mass index (BMI) for sedentary type 2 diabetic (T2D) individuals from a rural environment.

Design/setting: A randomised controlled single-blind, pre- and post-test study in an outreach rural rehabilitation gymnasium.

Rehabilitation program for the quality of life for individuals on highly active antiretroviral therapy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a short report.

Patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) spend less time on vigorous activities due to lower aerobic capacity with functional limitations that can be attributed to a detraining effect, resulting in a poor quality of life (QoL). The overall aims of rehabilitation are to restore, to maintain, and to enhance the QoL and this detraining effect could possibly be reversed by a rehabilitation program. This randomized controlled prospective longitudinal descriptive study evaluated the impact of a rehabilitation program of moderate-intensity cycling and treadmill walking exercises with a home program on the QoL for individuals on HAART.