This research aims to investigate the learning experiences and anxiety levels of students attending the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (CHRS) at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), Saudi Arabia, during the sudden shift to virtual learning in response to COVID-19. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among CHRS students ( N = 254). Data was collected using an online questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationships between student perceptions of responsibility and independence in their learning during emergency remote teaching (ERT), the impact of ERT on learning goal achievement, and student anxiety levels. Results showed that 66.5% of participants scored moderate in their perceptions of independence and responsibility in their learning experiences. In addition, 54.3% of the students achieved their learning goals. Moreover, 20.9% of students reported that they had not experienced anxiety, while 24.4% had experienced severe anxiety. There was a significant negative correlation between student anxiety levels during ERT and their perceptions of responsibility and independence in learning ( r = -0.30, p < 0.001). In conclusion, student anxiety levels during the sudden shift to ERT moderately influenced student perceptions of independence and responsibility in their learning as well as learning goal achievement. Further studies are needed to explore the types of assistance to provide to students to improve the learning process during the current COVID-19 pandemic and similar circumstances where ERT is imposed. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.19.8.17

This is a cross-sectional study which assessed the readiness to shift to e-learning in correlation with perceived effectiveness and satisfaction following the sudden shift caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among students and instructors. The study compared perspectives between instructors (n = 47) and students (n = 254) at the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (CHRS) at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU; Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Data were collected using an online questionnaire using convenient sampling method. The results showed a high level of readiness to shift to e-learning among instructors and students, as well as a positive correlation between perceived effectiveness and satisfaction. However, instructors showed a higher satisfaction level and perceived this shift to be effective more than students. This experience offers a reasonable foundation for any future plans to implement e-learning in health professions education and maximise its benefits without compromising the practical and clinical training provided via face-to-face learning. Further studies are needed to explore e-learning experiences a year after this shift, when educational institutions are expected to have clearer plans and have better prepared for e-learning. In addition, effect of e-learning shift on clinical training outcomes for different health professions is also recommended.

BACKGROUND: Poststroke fatigue affects half of global patients with stroke, causing early exhaustion, weariness, and dependence. Physiotherapy interventions like exercise and aerobic training are recommended to alleviate symptoms, but their effectiveness is not well supported. This review evaluates physiotherapy’s effectiveness in treating poststroke fatigue in adults. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review using a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, PEDro, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and WHO ICTRP. We searched for English-language articles using various keywords, without any restrictions on date, document type, or publication status, and included only randomized controlled trials. After removing duplicates through EndNote X7, 2 independent reviewers screened and reviewed the remaining articles. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was applied to assess the quality of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 712 articles were reviewed, and after removing duplicates, 450 articles were left, then only 34 articles passed the title screening and 29 were excluded due to various reasons. Therefore, only 4 randomized controlled trials were found relevant after screening out 416 irrelevant ones. The average percentage of participants across all 4 randomized controlled trials was 44.65% men and 55.35% women, with an average age of 59.1 years. The review assessed a range of physiotherapy treatments, such as caregiver-mediated exercise with e-health support, graded activity training with cognitive therapy, and circuit training exercises. Graded activity training with cognitive therapy approach has effectively reduced poststroke fatigue ( P <0.001) and improved endurance levels (η _p ² =0.20; P <0.001). On the contrary, circuit training is not effective. Caregiver-mediated exercises and e-health supported exercises have been shown to impact functional recovery positively. CONCLUSIONS: Among all the studies evaluated, only 1 intervention, the graded activity training with cognitive therapy, significantly reduced fatigue after stroke. However, more research is needed to study the effect of physiotherapy interventions. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ ; Unique identifier: CRD42017075196.

Purpose: As the number of mental illnesses increases, there is a need to manage it holistically within a multidisciplinary team. The majority of patients with physical disabilities suffer from mental health problems, and physiotherapy can play a role in improving their lifestyle. This study aimed to determine physiotherapists’ self-reported knowledge and attitudes regarding their role in treating patients with mental health disorders. Methods: This study adopted a descriptive, cross-sectional, and prospective observational survey design. The sample consisted of 208 physical therapists. Results: The majority of the participants, (48%) had a positive attitude score, with (40%) having a neutral attitude and (12%) having a negative attitude toward treating patients with mental health issues. Most respondents (86%) reported that they need more information regarding patients with mental health disorders and physiotherapists’ management of their physical health issues. Conclusion: Many physiotherapists lack knowledge and hold a neutral to negative attitude towards treating patients with mental disorders. This highlights the need for more training to fill the gap in knowledge and guide physiotherapists to build upon their positive attitude towards treating patients with mental disorders.

Background: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint among postpartum women due to physical changes that occur during pregnancy and delivery, which can lead to different disability levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the disability levels and associated factors of postpartum women within the first year after childbirth. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to gather data from post-partum women between 6 weeks and 12 months after childbirth using an online self-administered questionnaire. This questionnaire included demographic variables, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Symptoms Questionnaire, the Pain Intensity Numeric Rating Scale, and a back disability questionnaire. Results: Among 400 postpartum mothers, 71% reported low back pain, with 51.1% experiencing mild disability. Logistic regression showed significant predictors of disability, including cesarean delivery (6.49 times higher likelihood), having 4–5 children (1.98 times), and more than six children (3.45 times). Breastfeeding increased disability risk (2.44 times), while mixed feeding reduced it (0.52 times). The model explained 49.8% of disability variance (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Disability is a common problem among postpartum women, highlighting the importance of healthcare providers addressing these challenges.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic imaging (DI) studies are useful resources for examining musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. When DI is used appropriately, it is an important tool for physical therapists (PTs). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes, beliefs, and barriers to PTs’ practices in referring to DI in Saudi Arabia (SA). METHODS: For this quantitative cross-sectional study, an online self-reported questionnaire was designed and distributed. A total of 138 PTs participated in the study. RESULTS: Although most PTs had access to DI, few reported being able to order DI. The PTs demonstrated positive attitudes regarding their ability to refer patients for DI. Nevertheless, some PTs have adopted several beliefs and awareness of PTs regarding the clinical appropriateness of referring to DI, which may increase the unnecessary utilisation of DI requests. More than half of the PTs in this study reported that they were unfamiliar with the clinical rules used for prescribing imaging. CONCLUSION: This study highlights recommendations to improve PTs’ practices towards DI in SA, such as providing more DI courses targeting PTs and including clinical rules within DI education in undergraduate studies. Furthermore, a clear governmental policy is needed to permit PTs to refer to DI when specific criteria are met.