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Objective: To determine the effectiveness of the telemedicine-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme in COVID-19 pneumonitis. Design: Prospective intervention study. Setting: Rehabilitation outpatient department, Tertiary-Care institute. Participants: Consecutive sample of patients (N = 50) in recovered COVID-19 infection. Intervention: Six weeks of telemedicine-based pulmonary rehabilitation in recovered patients of COVID-19 infection. Outcome Measures: All patients were clinically assessed by six minutes walk test (6MWT), Modified Medical Research Council Scale (mMRC), 30s-STS and SF 36 at zero week and six weeks post-intervention. Statistical Analysis: Difference in means of pre- and post-intervention was compared using paired t-test. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The 6MWT, mMRC Scale, 30 seconds sit-to-stand test, and WHO QoL scale-SF 36 were assessed and post-rehabilitation sessions, all the patients' showed improvement in the prescribed parameters. After six weeks of respiratory rehabilitation, the distance covered in the 6MWT was significantly longer than that of before the intervention. There was a significant difference between zero and six weeks during the PR intervention. mMRC and 30s-STS results showed a significant difference between zero and six weeks (2.36 ± 0.598, 4.54 ± 1.94. Quality of life improved significantly after six weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation in eight domains of the SF-36. Conclusion: Six-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme delivered through telemedicine platform improves respiratory function, QoL and anxiety in patients with post-COVID-19 pneumonia during a recovery phase.
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Background Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the painful and disabling conditions affecting the young as well as the geriatric population. There is a limited body of research to find out the impact of CLBP and functional disability on geriatric adults in the Indian region. Aim This study aims to determine the prevalence of functional disability due to CLBP in the geriatric population and to investigate the correlation between functional disability due to CLBP and other sociodemographic factors. Methodology A total of 157 geriatric adults were enrolled in the study, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Basic sociodemographic data, along with a clinical-radiological examination, was recorded. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire, and the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale were used as study tools. Summary measures (frequency, mean, median, etc.) are calculated according to the level of measurement of variables. The point prevalence of functional disability due to CLBP in the geriatric population, along with 95% confidence intervals, has been calculated. The prevalence estimates were estimated and calculated with SD variables using a t-test, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test under bivariate analysis. The linear/logistic regression analysis was used to control for the effects of covariates. A significance level of 5% was set for all analyses due to the exploratory nature of the study. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. Results According to the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire, 29% (N = 46) of the study geriatric participants had a severe disability, 45% (N = 70) had a moderate disability, and 26% (N = 41) had a mild disability. According to the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale, 34% (N = 53) had scored more than 50, and 66% (N = 104) had scored less than 50. Statistically significant correlations have been found between the level of functional disability and intensity of pain (NPRS score), gender, associated illness, current and past occupation, and clinical diagnosis of CLBP (p < 0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of functional disability due to CLBP is higher in the geriatric population. It is associated with many influencing sociodemographic factors like gender, occupation, associated musculoskeletal illness, the intensity of low back pain, and clinico-radiological diagnosis. Early identification and timely interventions to reduce functional disability due to CLBP and associated risk factors are the need of the hour. Regular back muscle exercises, ergonomic modifications, and modification of activities of daily life are recommended to prevent functional disability due to CLBP.
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BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the most common degenerative diseases and the fourth leading cause of years lived with disability at the global level. This study assessed the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in osteoarthritis of knees as to changes in cartilage thickness and clinical and functional outcomes. METHODS: Thirty participants with Kellgren-Lawrence grade two and grade three osteoarthritis knee who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in this prospective interventional study after taking written informed consent. Each participant received three doses of two ml intraarticular platelet-rich plasma at an interval of seven days. Clinical assessment was determined using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) on Day 0, Day 90, and Day 180. Cartilage thickness (femoral and trochlear cartilage) was measured pre (Day 0) and post-PRP (Day 180) under ultrasound guidance. RESULTS: The mean VAS score for pain was 7.4 before treatment which changed to 5.3 (p= <0.0001) on Day 90 and 3.37 (p= <0.0001) on Day 180 post-PRP. The mean total KOOS was 19.16 ± 10.73 before treatment which improved to 37.42 ± 9.88 (p= <0.0001) and 49.98 ± 8.82 (p= <0.0001) at 90 days, and 180 days post-injection, respectively. The mean cartilage thickness (femoral and trochlear cartilage) improved from baseline (day 0) to final follow-up on day 180, which was statistically significant and implied cartilage repair following PRP administration. CONCLUSION: This study supports the efficacy of PRP in the management of osteoarthritis knee by improvement in pain, joint stiffness, and activities of daily living, as well as aids in the repair and regeneration of articular cartilage.