Background Final-year students studying in various health science institutes are usually very stressed about their studies so that they can complete their studies without any hurdles. This stress can lead to poor academic and professional results because psychological issues such as anxiety and depression are frequently overlooked and not treated. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of stress and also assess the level of stress symptoms among the final year students of health science institute in Bangladesh. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study involving 134 final-year students of Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI), which is a well-known health science institute in Bangladesh measured the prevalence of stress and assessed the level of stress symptoms using the Academic Stress Scale (ASS-40). Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and analysed using SPSS software 25.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data retrieved from the students. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to find any deep relation between the levels of stress symptoms of the students with their age. Results The prevalence of stress symptoms among the 134 students was 68.60%. The scenario of having stress symptoms was higher among male students and factors like fear of failure (29.20%), followed by teacher-student relationship/teaching method (28.80%) with addressable factors including personal inadequacy (25.50%) working as a stressor for this students. A negligible association (p > 0.05) was found between the age and the level of stress of the students. Conclusion More than two-thirds of the students experienced stress symptoms during the final days in their institutions. This implies that the educational system, means of teaching, teaching materials, teachers as well as the services provided by the institutions cannot provide a conducive environment for effective learning as well as creating a secure future for the students as long as they can cope with the academic pressure. A student's educational career is being nipped in the bud due to the weak system of our education and institutional system.

Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a progressive inflammatory condition of the shoulder that causes functional limitations and leads to long-term disability. The study aimed to elicit the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) compared to standard physiotherapy approaches on AC. An assessor-blinded single-centre randomised control trial (RCT) was carried out on 80 AC patients between May 2022 and December 2023 in Bangladesh. Random assigned and concealed allocated patients were recruited equally (n = 40) to each PNF and conventional capsular stretching group. The experimental group received a PNF approach, and the control group received capsular stretching to the affected shoulder for 24 sessions in 6 weeks. Both groups received electrical modalities as standard treatment. The primary outcome was pain measured by the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and range of motion in a universal goniometer. The secondary outcome was functional limitation measured by the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). As per the distribution of data, non-parametric tests were employed to analyse the superiority between and within groups with intention-to-treat analysis. Baseline compatibility was noted in all the key variables (p > 0.05). Both PNF and capsular stretching had a decrease in pain compared to baseline in all capsular pattern positions (p < 0.001), and PNF had more significant improvement compared to control (p < 0.001). Both groups had equal improvement in shoulder ROM (p < 0.001) except abduction (p < 0.05). Both groups had improvements in disability (p < 0.05), and PNF had statistical superiority of improvement (p < 0.001). The findings of this study support the potential of PNF intervention for 6 weeks as a treatment for shoulder adhesive capsulitis, showing improvements in pain, ROM and functional disability. However, further multicentre trials with a follow-up design are needed to fully understand the superiority of PNF on shoulder AC, encouraging continued engagement in this area of research. The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12621001299897). Registered on 27 September 2021, prospectively registered.

Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability and death worldwide. With the rapidly growing stroke survivor population, it is crucial to identify an effective method for their healthcare. Recovery from stroke is followed by physiotherapy to promote rehabilitation. Task-oriented circuit training is designed to improve stroke patients’ overall functioning during rehabilitation. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of task-oriented circuit training compared with conventional physiotherapy. The investigators have planned an 8-week parallel, two-arm, prospective, randomised clinical study. Participants will be enrolled from eight branches of the centre for the rehabilitation of the paralysed (CRP). We have planned to recruit 506 stroke survivors via a 1:1 random assignment procedure for 24 months. As a main objective, the Action Arm Research Test and the Timed Up and Go will be used to test upper and lower limb motor function. The secondary objectives will include daily living and balance activities, which will be evaluated using the Barthel Index and the Berg Balance Scale. The post-test and follow-up data will be collected after 8 and 12 weeks. The final analysis will include dropouts and treatment side effects. This study has been granted ethical approval by the Ethics Review Committee of the CRP (CRP-R&E-0401-357)). All activities and interventions will be carried out following the Helsinki Declaration of 2020. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at international conferences. Trial registration number: CTRI/2023/09/057907 (21 September 2023) (Prospectively registered).

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. While exercise is crucial for managing OA, the effectiveness of a well-structured and efficient home-based, self-management exercise programme remains unclear. Therefore, this two-phase randomised controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a structured home-based exercise programme (HEP) and concentric-based stair training programme versus eccentric-based stair training programme (CSTP vs ESTP) to develop an evidence-based approach for knee OA. Methods and analysis: This study will be a participant and assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial that will enrol 247 knee OA participants. In Phase I, there will be a 1:1 split of participants into: an HEP and a control group P_I for 8 weeks. In Phase II, eligible participants from Phase I will be a 1:1:1 split into: a CSTP, an ESTP and a control group P_II for another 8 weeks. The number of exercise programmes will last for 16 weeks, including a 24-week follow-up. The primary outcomes of pain intensity, pressure pain threshold and functional ability will be measured using a numeric pain rating scale, pressure algometer and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). The secondary outcomes of muscle strength, range of motion, aerobic capacity and quality of life will be measured using a modified sphygmomanometer, universal goniometer, 6-minute walk test and 36-item short-form survey. All outcomes will be measured at pretest (T₁), post-test (T₂ and T₃) and follow-up (T₄). Ethics and dissemination: All activities and exercise programmes will follow the Helsinki Declaration of 2020. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at international conferences. Trial registration number: CTRI/2025/03/081574.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by physical, communication, and behavioral challenges that often require comprehensive interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the combined efficacy of physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapies in improving physical and behavioral outcomes among children with ASD. This assessor-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted at Proyash (Institute of Special Education), Jashore, Bangladesh, involving seventy children with ASD. Outcomes were assessed using the modified SF-36 for physical status and GARS-3 for behavioral status at baseline and after six weeks of intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with descriptive statistics (median and IQR) and inferential tests (Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank), maintaining a 95% confidence level. The average age of participants was 10.66 ± 3.28 years in Group A and 9.17 ± 2.83 years in Group B. Group A had a higher BMI of 21.86 ± 7.96 kg/m² compared to 19.53 ± 4.85 kg/m² in Group B. Post-intervention analysis revealed significant improvements in both physical and behavioral outcomes. Between-group comparisons yielded p-values < 0.01 for both measures. Within-group analysis showed significant improvements in Group A (p < 0.01), whereas changes in Group B were not statistically significant. The combined rehabilitation program demonstrated significant improvements in physical and behavioral outcomes and showing greater effectiveness overall. These findings emphasize the importance of customized rehabilitation approaches in enhancing both physical and behavioral health, particularly when tailored to specific participant profiles. CTRI/2024/07/070209 (Prospectively Registered).