Handgrip Strength in Individuals with Long- Standing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A preliminary report

Adequate muscle strength is required for optimum productivity and low muscle strength is a predictor of physical limitations. Individuals with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus have been found to have an increased risk of developing functional disabilities. Handgrip strength is a reliable measurement of the disability index. This study was designed to determine the effect of type 2 diabetes on handgrip strength in adults. Twenty adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (10 males, mean age: 52.9 ± 9.01 years and 10 females, mean age: 52.6 ± 5.71 years) and 20 apparently healthy adults (10 males, mean age: 53.1 ± 8.94 years and 10 females, mean age 54.5yrs±5.56 years) who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Handgrip strength was measured with an isometric hand dynamometer and comparisons were made between diabetic and non-diabetic males as well as between diabetic and non-diabetic females. Thev independent t-test were used to analyse the significance difference in hand grip strength between the diabetic and the non- diabetic subjects (p=0.05). Results showed significant differences in the mean handgrip strength between the male diabetic and nondiabetic subjects (p<0.004), as well as between the female diabetic and non-diabetic subjects (p<0.002). Long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus seems to result in a decrease in handgrip strength in both male and female adults. This physical limitation may contribute to low productivity in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Effect of neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) on disability level of subjects with cerebral palsy receiving physiotherapy at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

Aim and Objective: Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of disorders causing activity limitation which is attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occur in the developing fetal or infant brain. The rehabilitation of children with CP has focused on increasing functionality in their daily activities. The objective of this study was to assess the disability levels of cerebral palsy patients receiving physiotherapy treatment at Physiotherapy department, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.Methods: The study is a retrospective-repeated measures design, involving the use of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the medical records of the patients. The duration and frequency of treatment were obtained from the patients’ folders. They were initially assessed on the first visit and re-assessed after 3, 6 and ≥ 12 months of physiotherapy (Neuro-developmental therapy [NDT]) exercises using GMFCS. Simple percentage (%), Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used in data analyses.Results: The highest number of disability recovery cases are in the treatment frequency group of > 2 treatment per week 17(56.68%) and the first 3-6 months of treatment duration15 (50%) of NDTPhysiotherapy. However, Disability level reduces with longer (>12 months) treatment duration. Results also showed significant frequency and duration treatment effects on disability level following NDT-Physiotherapy at p< 0.05.Conclusion: It was concluded that both duration and frequent of treatment were important factors in the management of CP using NDTPhysiotherapy.Key words: Cerebral palsy, Disability, Gross Motor Function, Neuro-developmental therapy

Effect of aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular parameters and CD4 cell count of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: Despite the significant positive effect of Highly Active  Antiretroviral Therapy on physical and psychosocial well.being of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLWHA); decreased physical activity and its associated cardiovascular risk still pose some consequences for health and general well.being. This study investigated the effect of an 8 week aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular parameters and CD4 cell (T.cells) count of PLWHA.Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial recruited 30 age matched PLWHA who were randomly assigned into exercise group (EG) (n = 15) and control group (CG) (n = 15) respectively. The PLWHA were patients receiving treatment in Presidentfs Emergency Plan for AIDS relief at the HIV clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. The EG in addition to conventional therapy received moderate intensity continuous exercise training (60.79% of the maximum heart rate [max]) of between 45 and 60 min, 3 times/week for 8 weeks, while the CG received conventional therapy involving antiretroviral therapy and counseling only. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and CD4 cell count were assessed at baseline (week 1) and week 8 respectively. Analysis of co.variance and Pearson correlation tests were used in data analysis.Results: Findings of the study revealed a significant effect (ANCOVA test) of moderate intensity continuous exercise training program on, SBP, DBP, VO2 max and CD4 cell count at P < 0.05. Changes in VO2 max significantlycorrelated (Pearson correlation test) with changes in CD4 cell count (r = 0.528) at P < 0.05.Conclusion: Moderate intensity aerobic exercise is an effective  complementary therapy in lowering blood pressure and increasing CD4 cell count in PLWHA.Key words: Aerobic exercise, cardiovascular parameters, CD4 count, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, Nigeri

Changes in serum lactate to aerobic exercise among amateur athletes and non-athletes

Lactate is an end product of glucose metabolism that is usually produced in a larger quantity during exercise. This increase in production during exercise has been understood to be the reason for fatigue. The aim of this study is to determine the responses of serum lactate to aerobic exercise among amateur athletes and non-athletes. 48 consenting males (24 amateur athletes and 24 non-athletes) participated in this comparative quasi-experimental design. Subjects cycled on a bicycle ergometer to attain moderate intensity exercise target heart rate (MIETHR) and maintained the MIETHR till exhaustion (15 on Borgs scale or volitional exertion) while the serum lactate was measured at intervals. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and inferential statistics of Analysis of variance (ANOVA). Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. The mean age of the participants was 26.08±2.28 and 28.13±1.51 for the athletes and non-athletes respectively. There was a significant difference p=0.001 Training induced adaptations include a lower serum lactate level, a point that should be noted in studying of metabolic adaptations.Keywords: Lactate, Athletes, Exercise, Response, Fitnes

Assessment of office furniture and knowledge of work ergonomics among bank workers in Enugu metropolis

Background: Poor posture when maintained for a long period can result in musculoskeletal injuries and deformities.Aims: This study aimed at investigating the knowledge of work ergonomics among bank workers, and the ergonomic compliance of office furniture used in some banks, in Enugu metropolis.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. 160 tables and computer tables and 180 low back chairs were assesses for their compliance with ergonomic standard while, 300 bank workers were interviewed on their knowledge of work ergonomics using an ergonomic measurement guide. Only low back chairs with arm rest were assessed. The measurements taken include monitor height, keyboard height, seat height (using tape rule) and seat back angle (using goniometer).The seats were also assessed for availability of back support at the lumber region. The data was analyzed descriptively.Results: The results showed that 35% of the monitor heights were normal, all the keyboard heights (100%) normal, all seat heights (low back chair) (100%) normal, 70% of seatback angle normal while, only 18.9% of seats had lumbar support. The knowledge of the bank workers on the work ergonomics showed that none (0%) of the workers knew about the ideal heights of monitor, keyboard, seat, seat back angle, need for lumbar support on seat, the eye distance from monitor and arm angle while operating computer. Only 5% of the workers knew the ideal ergonomic posture.                                                                                                Conclusion: The ergonomic compliance of the office furniture was not optimal while, the ergonomic knowledge of the bank workers was very poor.Key words: Ergonomics, bank workers, office furniture, computer

Participation in blood glucose test, knowledge and prevalence of hyperglycemia among traders at New Market, Enugu.

Background: Diabetes mellitus causes great health complications which include cardiovascular diseases and nerve damage.Aim: To ascertain the participation in blood glucose test, knowledge of diabetes mellitus (DM) and prevalence of hyperglycemia among traders at New market, Enugu State.Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey involving measurement of random plasma glucose level of the participants using Accu-check glucometer, and collection of data on the knowledge and participation of subjects in blood glucose test using structured questionnaire. The informed consent of the participants was duly obtained after detailed explanation of the objectives and procedures of the study. All the participants had a minimum of senior secondary school education. They were 130 (50 males and 80 females) from the age of 40 years and above. The data collected include participation in blood glucose test, knowledge of diabetes and prevalence of hyperglycemia. The data was analyzed descriptively.Results: The results showed that 53.08% was aware of DM while, 46.92% was unaware; 11.54% of the people have checked their plasma blood glucose level within four years while 88.46% had not; 91.53% had normal plasma blood sugar level while, 8.46% had hyperglycemia; 36.36% of participants with hyperglycemia was aware of their diabetes status while, 63.64% was unaware.Conclusion: There is high percentage of participants who were aware of diabetes mellitus; high percentage of those who have not checked their plasma glucose level within 4 years, low prevalence of hyperglycemia and high percentage of those who were not aware of their diabetes status.Key words: Diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, awareness, prevalence

Cardiovascular response to resistive and non-resistive reciprocal pulley exercise among apparently healthy subjects.

Background: Reciprocal pulley exercise is usually recommended for physiotherapy patients undergoing rehabilitation for muscle strengthening exercises or improvement in joint range of motion but, very little is known of its effects on the cardiovascular system.Aims: This study aimed at investigating the blood pressure and pulse rate response to resistive and non-resistive pulley exercises among apparently healthy subjects.Methods: This is an experimental study involving a pretest-posttest randomized groups design. Eighty apparently healthy subjects from the age of 18 to 25 participated in the study. Their informed consent and the hospital ethical approval were duly obtained. They were grouped into two: group A carried out resisted reciprocal pulley exercise while group B carried out free reciprocal pulley exercise, for 50 repetitions while sustaining each stretching for 5 seconds. Their blood pressure and pulse rate was measured before and immediately after the exercises. The data was analysed using t-test.Results: The results showed that the group A subjects recorded a significant increase in systolic BP (p =0.015) and pulse rate (p =0.0034) but no significant increase in diastolic BP (p= 0.204). The group B subjects recorded significant increase in pulse rate (p=0.005), systolic (p=0.035) and diastolic BP (p=0.003).Conclusion: It is concluded that reciprocal pulley exercise may have significant changes in blood pressure and pulse rate.Key words: Reciprocal pulley, exercise, blood pressure, pulse rate

Efficacy of Six Weeks Skin Traction in the Management of Chronic Pain from Lumber Spondylosis

Background: Traction is widely used for the treatment of lumbar spine conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of 6-weeks skin traction in the management of pain in patients presenting with lumbar spondylosis.Materials and Methods: The study was a repeated measures (pretest-posttest) design. A total of 27 (21 male and 6 female) subjects clinically diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis were recruited for the study. Subjects received skin traction (10% total body weight) on each lower limb with the 'head' of the bed lowered by five degree and isometric exercise for a period of 6 weeks. Subjects' pre and post treatment pain level was assessed using 10 point numerical rating pain scale. The collected data was analysed using students' t-test.Results: Findings of the study revealed significant decrease in lumber spondylosis by 77% at p<0.05.Conclusion: 6-weeks skin traction is effective in reducing pain in patients with chronic lumbar spondylosis.Keywords: Skin traction, isometric exercise, lumbar spondylosis, pain