Allied Health Sciences

Association of Hamstring Flexibility on Spinal Mobility and Health Related Quality of Life among Female Obese Undergraduates of Allied Health Sciences in General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Association of Hamstring Flexibility on Spinal Mobility and Health Related Quality of Life among Female Obese Undergraduates of Allied Health Sciences in General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University de Silva, SHSC; de Silva, MBTB; Sanjeewani, RAG; Perera, ADP Due to the fact of spending high seated time of undergraduates, there will be an increasing obesity risk and low health related quality of life. The objective of the current study was to assess the effect of hamstring flexibility on spinal mobility and health related quality of life (HRQOL) among obese female undergraduates of Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (FAHS) in Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). A descriptive cross sectional case-controlled study was conducted with 100 female participants (50 obese and 50 normal Body Mass Index (BMI)) aged between 18-40 years at FAHS, KDU. Hamstring flexibility, lumbar spinal flexion, both lumbar spinal extension and lateral flexion, HRQOL were measured by sit and reach test, Schober’s test (tape measurements), standard goniometer and SF-36 questionnaire respectively. Prevalence of obesity was 18.3%. The mean BMI (kgm􀀀2) of the case was (27.9 2.9) and control groups was (21.0 1.4). Mean age (years) of case and control groups were (23.5 4.2) and (23.3 3.5) respectively. Spinal mobility and hamstring flexibility did not show any significant difference between two groups (p>0.05). Hamstring muscle flexibility did not show any significant difference between two groups (p=0.42) and it was associated with right lumbar lateral flexion in the obese BMI group (p=0.04, r=0.03) and both left (p<0.05, r=0.43) and right (p < 0.05, r=0.41) lateral flexion in normal BMI group. Obese BMI group showed a significant association only for the SF 4 (p=0.02) and SF 8 (p=0.01) questions. The lumbar spinal mobility did not differ in the obese group compared to the normal BMI group. In both groups, lateral flexion has shown an association with hamstring flexibility. In the obese group, hamstring flexibility showed a significant (p<0.05), yet weak positive (r < 0.4), association with left side lumbar lateral flexion.

Relationship between Musculoskeletal Pain and Stress Level of Secondary Teachers in Selected Schools of Matara District

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Relationship between Musculoskeletal Pain and Stress Level of Secondary Teachers in Selected Schools of Matara District Dahanayake, MSW; Pathmanathan, C; Chandrathilaka, KRM Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common occupational health problem among school teachers. Stress level may contribute for MSK pain. The study aims were to determine the prevalence of MSK pain, stress level, determine the relationship between MSK pain and stress level among secondary school teachers. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 secondary school teachers who were recruited using twostage random sampling method from selected schools of Matara district. Teachers of both genders aged 25-60 years who had been teaching for one year or more were recruited. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. The Nordic MSK questionnaire was used to assess MSK pain and Perceived Stress Scale was used to assess stress level. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to analyze data. Results were the majority had MSK pain in one or more body regions both during the last 12- month period (n=155, 69.8%) and last 7-day period (n=147, 66.2%). Lower back pain was the most prevalent region of MSK pain in last 12 months (39.2%) and last 7-days (33.8%). The majority had a moderate level of stress (n=185, 83.35%) following 9.5% school teachers had low level of stress and 7.2% had high level of stress. Increasing stress level was significantly associated with increase in MSK pain in one or more body region during both last 12 months (p=0.017<0.05) and last 7 days (p=0.004<0.05). MSK pain among secondary school teachers were high while lower back region was commonly affected. Increased stress level may cause increase in MSK pain. Comprehensive occupational health approaches to minimize MSK pain, to manage stress were highly recommended

The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Discomfort among Bank O cers in Selected Banks in Colombo District

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT

The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Discomfort among Bank O cers in Selected Banks in Colombo District Oshadi, WT; Pathmanathan, C; Chandrathilaka, KRM Improper working postures associated with bending, twisting, overreaching and repetitive tasks can lead to musculoskeletal disorders in office workers. Musculoskeletal disorders due to work environment can be considered as one of the major complaints among sedentary workers such as bank employees. Hence, this study attempted to describe the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomforts in bank officers in selected banks in Colombo District. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in selected branches of nine selected private banks in the Colombo District. Thus, 212 Bank o cers of both genders aged 18 to 60 years, with working experience in o ce setups more than one month and whom the daily working period is above 5 hours were recruited using multistage random sampling method. Those who had pre-existing musculoskeletal conditions prior to starting work as a banker or, recent injuries/surgeries were excluded. Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) was used to collect data on the musculoskeletal discomfort level of the participants which was experienced at that time of data collection. In the study, the participants consisted of 136 (64.2%) males and 76 (35.8%) females. The study revealed that a significant majority of bank officers in the Colombo District were aged 18-30 (n=102, 48.1%), with a considerable portion working for 8 hours or more (n=102, 73.4%). The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort was high, with the neck (n=80, 37.7%), lower back (n=50, 23.6%), and hip/buttocks (n=30, 14.2%) being the most commonly affected areas. Moderate levels of discomfort were reported by the majority of participants in these regions based on the CMDQ score. Majority of participants (n=71, 33.4%) reported in at least one region. In conclusion, this study revealed that the neck, lower back, and hip/buttocks are the primary areas of with moderate discomfort among bank officers. To address issues, interventions focusing on ergonomic improvements are crucial for enhancing the wellbeing of officers.

Association of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Stages with Musculoskeletal Pain Sites and Mobility in Patients at Central Chest Clinic in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Association of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Stages with Musculoskeletal Pain Sites and Mobility in Patients at Central Chest Clinic in Colombo, Sri Lanka Rupasinghe, HHJ; Perera, HADS; Priyaranjana, MKI; Chellapillai, FMD; Senavirathna, SADCS Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease, that results in progressive air ow limitation and restricts the normal breathing pattern which is irreversible. Musculoskeletal pain and mobility are a ected by the severity of the disease. The general objective was to evaluate the association of COPD stages with musculoskeletal pain sites and mobility in COPD patients at Central Chest Clinic in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Speci c Objectives were to identify the most occurring musculoskeletal pain sites in COPD patients and to determine the association between mobility and COPD stages. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 135 COPD patients with age between 30-79 years. The pain site was assessed by administrating a brief pain inventory questionnaire. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was performed to assess the mobility and the reference value confounded the age. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software (version 20) and p<0.05 was considered as signi cant. The test results re ected that the association between COPD stages and musculoskeletal pain site was not statistically signi cant (p=0.354). In accordance with descriptive statistics, most responded musculoskeletal pain sites according to the COPD stages were mild stagechest, moderate stage-shoulder, severe and very severe stage-lower back. A sub-group analysis was done for age (41-50 yrs, 51-60 yrs-chest and 61-70 yrs, 71-79 yrs-lower back). The association between COPD stages and mobility was strongly positive (p=0.01). As conclusion, there was strong association between COPD stages and the mobility whereas there was no association between COPD stages and musculoskeletal pain site.