Journal of Health and Quality of Life

Perception and Knowledge of Trunk Rehabilitation in Stroke among Physiotherapy Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Wai Hoong Chew — 2024-12-20

Stroke is an emerging public health issue and associated with substantial healthcare costs. Previous literature has provided strong evidence for supporting trunk training in improving the functional outcomes in the stroke population. Moreover, the patient’s trunk performance has been found to be a valuable prognostic indicator after stroke. This study aimed to identify the perception and knowledge of trunk rehabilitation in stroke among physiotherapy students. This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional design to describe the perception and the level of knowledge targeting Bachelor of Physiotherapy students. A self-developed questionnaire was used and a total of 161 physiotherapy students participated in this study. The questionnaire used was pre-evaluated for validity and tested for reliability in a pilot study. The data were analysed using frequency and percentage analysis. Chi-Square Test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient were used to identify the factors associated with the students’ perception and level of knowledge of trunk rehabilitation in stroke. Almost all (96.9%) of the physiotherapy students perceived that it is important to include trunk training in the rehabilitation programme for stroke patients. However, less than one-fifth (<20%) of the students perceived themselves as having sufficient background knowledge or clinical exposure to manage the trunk impairments in stroke. Overall, the majority (72%) of them were categorised as having poor level of knowledge. The factors associated with their perception included having previous working experience, having a Diploma qualification, and ever attended continuing professional development activity. Whereas the factors associated with their level of knowledge comprised having previous working experience and duration of the clinical posting. Majority of the physiotherapy students were having poor level of knowledge and perceived themselves as unable to effectively manage the trunk impairments in stroke. This urges the need to organise more continuing professional development activities and also to look into the measures to improve the physiotherapy students’ learning experience during clinical posting. These would help them to become a more competent physiotherapist once graduated in delivering rehabilitation services for the stroke population, to optimise the outcomes and reduce the associated economic burden.

The Efficacy of Pineapple Juice as a Negative Oral Contrast Agent in Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

Nik Nadia Hazwani Nek Kamal — 2024-12-20

Strong signals from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) often degrade the quality of MRCP images due to overlapping static fluids from the GIT and pancreaticobiliary system, obscuring the common bile duct (CBD) and pancreatic duct. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of pineapple juice as a negative oral contrast agent in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to improve visualization of the CBD and pancreatic duct in T2-weighted images. An analytical and observational study was conducted on 17 patients from April 2024 to June 2024. MRCP was performed before and 5 minutes after the ingestion of pineapple juice. Three independent radiologists evaluated the images using a 4-point Likert scale. Signal intensity data for the CBD and pancreatic duct were recorded by measuring the mean and standard deviation using a region of interest (ROI) circle of 20mm² for CBD and 10mm² for the pancreatic duct. A statistically significant improvement was observed in the visibility and detectability of the CBD and pancreatic duct following pineapple juice ingestion (p < 0.001). Pre-ingestion scores for visibility and detectability ranged from 1.33 to 3.33, while post-ingestion scores improved to 2.67 to 4.00. Significant differences in signal intensity for the CBD (p < 0.001) and pancreatic duct (p < 0.001) were also noted. Pineapple juice is an effective negative oral contrast agent for enhancing the visualization of the CBD and pancreatic duct in T2-weighted MRCP images.

Peripheral Arterial Disease in Diabetes Mellitus and Physiotherapy Management

Wai Hoong Chew — 2024-12-20

Diabetes Mellitus is prevalent and contributed to high mortality rate. The hyperglycemia in diabetic individual leads to low-grade inflammation, vasoconstriction, arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction and thrombotic abnormalities. These placing them at higher risk of developing peripheral arterial disease which compromised the blood perfusion, particularly the lower extremity. Despite the development of peripheral arterial disease in Diabetes Mellitus can leads to wide array of complications and leaves the individual with great disability, however, various physiotherapy interventions have been supported by previous literature to be able to improve the functional outcomes and quality of life. This first part of this review paper focused on the pathophysiology of peripheral arterial disease in Diabetes Mellitus, while the second part focused on the various physiotherapy interventions for improving the functions and outcomes in diabetic individual with peripheral arterial disease.

Squat Posture Analysis in Various Ethnic Groups in Malaysia

Jothy Yeoh Teik Senn Teik Senn — 2024-12-20

The squat posture is commonly used in an Asian population like Malaysia. Certain positions have been shown to lead to pathologies like osteoarthritis. This study compares the hip, knee, and ankle joint angles in the squat posture among the Chinese, Indian, and Malay ethnic groups. Participants (N = 31) were divided equally into three groups; Chinese, Indian, and Malay (n = 11). The hip, knee, and ankle joint angles were measured during the squat using 2-dimensional motion analysis equipment. Series one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05, was used for analysis. Significant differences in the hip angle between the Chinese and Indian groups (p = 0.020) were found. There was a significant difference in the frequency of squatting for religious purposes among the different ethnic groups (p=.000). There were moderate to high significant differences in the frequency of squatting for religious purposes among the Chinese and Malay groups (p=.049), and the Indian and Malay groups (p=.000). There were significant interethnic differences in the hip joint and the frequency of squatting for religious activities; however, further research is required to confirm these findings and expand this study's directions.

Effectiveness of Tube Potential Reduction and Scan Range in Dose Reduction in Computed Tomography (CT): A Systematic Review

Siti Aisyah Munirah Bohang — 2024-12-20

Computed Tomography (CT) is one of the most used imaging modalities. As CT continues to expand its usage, public has raised questions regarding the adverse effect due to radiation in CT. Dose reduction techniques without affecting good quality image useful for diagnosis remains a major concern in healthcare. However, limited studies that focuses on the effectiveness of reducing tube potential or adjustments of scan range on CT dose reduction can be identified in recent years. The objective of this study is to systematically review the effectiveness of reducing tube potential and scan range in dose reduction in CT. Literature search was conducted via PubMed and Google Scholar within a span of 15 years from 2008 to 2023 with the use of phrases and keywords that are specific. Studies that are duplicated or contain insufficient data are excluded. A single reviewer conducted the screening of the title, abstract, objectives methods and results of the studies. 25 studies from a total of 486 studies was included in this review after adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram. 16 of the studies achieved radiation dose reduction by decreasing the tube potential while nine other studies achieved radiation dose reduction by implementing a reduced scan range protocol. The dose reduction percentage by tube potential reduction ranges from 6.5% to 63%, whereas the dose reduction by reducing scan range ranges from 11% to 71%. The efficiency of tube potential reduction and optimised scan range in lowering radiation doses in CT has been shown by this systematic review where reduced tube potential protocol can effectively reduce patients’ radiation dose without sacrificing image quality, while decreasing scan range can also decrease radiation dose received by patient without missed diagnosis of disease. Both of these protocols are recommended to be use in future clinical practices.