In a multicenter study, MRI and hydrogen 1 MR spectroscopy demonstrated early and progressive muscle involvement of the upper extremities in participants with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Background Upper extremity MRI and proton MR spectroscopy are increasingly considered to be outcome measures in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) clinical trials. Purpose To demonstrate the feasibi...

Background: Low back pain as a symptom affects many individuals around the globe regardless of their economic status or sociodemographic characteristics. During the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, students found themselves obligated to sit down for long periods of time. The aim of this current study is to investigate the impact of these prolonged periods of sitting down in front of computers on developing a new episode of low back pain. Methods and Materials: This research adopted an observational cross-section study design. Students who are currently enrolled or had experienced distance learning classes in the last 6 months were eligible to participate. An online-based questionnaire was developed by the investigators through reviewing the literature with relevant objectives. McNemar’s test was used to compare certain variables between two periods before and during online distance learning. We used paired t-tests to compare pain intensity before, during, and after online learning, while a chi-square test was used to investigate correlations between factors influencing low back pain. Results: A total of 84 students participated in the study—46 (54.8%) females and 38 (45.2%) males. Before online distance learning, only 42.9% of participants reported low back pain, while only 20% had a back injury. The mean pain scores before, during, and after online distance learning were (2.85 ± 2.16, 4.79 ± 2.6, and 4.76 ± 2.7), respectively. The pain scores before online learning were significantly lower than pain scores during and after online distance learning (p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The study findings suggested that low back pain prevalence increased among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should study participants’ behavior during the online learning and assess the long-run impact of distance learning among high-school and undergraduate students.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant occupational health concern worldwide, particularly among healthcare professionals such as laboratory technicians. MSDs lead to chronic pain, decreased productivity, and reduced quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MSDs and associated ergonomics risk factors among Saudi clinical laboratory technicians. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 167 clinical laboratory technicians in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire, distributed via Google Forms. The questionnaire collected demographics information, assessed the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and evaluated ergonomics risk factors using the Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (DMQ). Results: In total, 77.3% of the sample exhibited musculoskeletal issues in the last 12 months, with lower back (52.1%), neck (48.5%), and shoulders (40.7%) being the most frequent muscular complaints among laboratory technicians. Experience and nationality showed significant associations with MSDs (p ≤ 0.05). Lower back and neck complaints were commonly recorded with multiple laboratory tasks, including sustained sitting and standing and repetitive movement, whereas lower back and shoulder pain were notably prevalent with pipetting work. Conclusions: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders were highly apparent in laboratory practice. Periodic ergonomic training is mandated among laboratory personnel to limit occupational disability.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a major cause of disability globally, and the diagnosis of LBP is challenging for clinicians. Objective: Using new software called Therapha, this study aimed to assess the accuracy level of artificial intelligence as a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) compared to MRI in predicting lumbar disc herniated patients. Methods: One hundred low back pain patients aged ≥18 years old were included in the study. The study was conducted in three stages. Firstly, a case series was conducted by matching MRI and Therapha diagnosis for 10 patients. Subsequently, Delphi methodology was employed to establish a clinical consensus. Finally, to determine the accuracy of the newly developed software, a cross-sectional study was undertaken involving 100 patients. Results: The software showed a significant diagnostic accuracy with the area under the curve in the ROC analysis determined as 0.84 with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 80%. Conclusions: The study’s findings revealed that CDSS using Therapha has a reasonable level of efficacy, and this can be utilized clinically to acquire a faster and more accurate screening of patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Background: The physical therapy profession has grown rapidly in less than a century, increasing its importance, techniques, settings, and the responsibilities provided to its practitioners. Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore how undergraduate physiotherapy students view physiotherapy as their future career and their perception of the educational physiotherapy programs in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A questionnaire designed to collect data on students’ perceptions of their profession was delivered to 222 undergraduate physiotherapy students at Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan. The response rate was 157 (70.72%). Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used to analyse the data. Results: Among 157 physiotherapy students, results were collected. Although students were satisfied with being physiotherapy students (p < 0.001), most of the study participants knew about physical therapy from their families, and they were not satisfied with the job opportunities in Jordan. Conclusions: Physiotherapy education in Jordan is rising rapidly. The public, patients, parents, and clinical preceptors in physiotherapy settings must recognize this educational and professional practice. It is noted that some levels of occupational awareness are intermediate. However, it would be beneficial to organize activities such as seminars and interviews in order to increase the level of professional awareness.

Background: Most Hemiplegic patients achieve ambulatory function during the sub-acute stage of stroke. Though ambulatory, they still perform an unpleasant awkward gait with remarkable compensations requiring more energy expenditure. Fatigue arises at an early duration as a result of increased energy expenditure. The walking pattern becomes circumduction, featured by asymmetry with an extensor synergy of the lower limb. Each step is rotated away from the body then towards the body, forming a semicircle. This leads to changes in various parameters of gait (spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic) in hemiparetic patients. Purpose: Many studies reveal the effectiveness of various therapeutic techniques in managing hemiplegic circumduction gait. Pelvic clock exercises aid in improving pelvic rotation components and cause dissociation in impaired pelvic mobility due to spasticity. A static bicycle helps in enhancing proper control between the hamstrings and quadriceps. It also helps in improving knee flexion range. As the patient places the foot in the cycle’s petals, it helps to enhance dorsiflexion and eversion functions as well. As the lower body is exercised, there could be relative changes in the upper body, i.e., the trunk. Thus, this study aimed to determine the changes in gait functions and trunk performance of chronic ambulatory hemiplegic patients in response to the above therapies for four weeks. Method: Twenty-five subjects (post-stroke duration (2.8 ± 0.6) years) who could walk 10 m independently without assistance or support of aid participated in a pelvic clock and static bicycle exercise intervention. The session duration was 30 min a day, and therapy was delivered six days a week and continued for four weeks. The entire program was carried out in an outpatient neurorehabilitation center. Results: After the intervention with pelvic clock and static bicycle exercises, there was a remarkable change in gait and trunk functions in chronic hemiplegic patients. Conclusion: The exercises comprising pelvic clock and static bicycle showed positive differences in gait and trunk functions in chronic stage hemiplegic patients. Later, randomized controlled studies involving larger sample sizes, advanced activation techniques, and increased intervention duration will explore in-depth information on their effectiveness and clinical significance.