physical-activity-perceived-barriers-individuals-with-spinal-cord

Physical Activity and Perceived Barriers In Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury In Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs physical function and quality of life (QoL), and physical activity is important for health maintenance; however, ...

Qassim University

 Rehabilitation approaches have been used for people with stroke to decrease spasticity and improve functions, but little is known about the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in this population. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to establish a protocol for a double-blinded randomized clinical trial to examine using NMES on plantarflexors spasticity, dorsiflexor muscle strength, physical functions, and self-reported health outcomes in people with chronic stroke in Saudi Arabia.  This randomized clinical trial with two arms and double-blinded registered in ClinicalTrials (NCT04673045) will enroll 44 participants with chronic stroke and randomized them into either the experimental group (EG), including electrical stimulation (ES) with conventional therapy or the control sham group (NMES) including placebo electrical stimulation with conventional therapy. The frequency will be set at 80 Hz for 30 min. The intervention will be three times a week for 4 weeks for both groups. Data collection for pre- and post-intervention outcomes will include measurements for the primary outcomes including paretic limb (plantarflexor spasticity, ankle range of motion, and dorsiflexor muscles strength), and gait speed using 10-m walk test (10-MWT). The secondary outcomes including mobility function using Timed Up and Go (TUG), walking endurance using 6 Minutes Walk Test (6-MWT), activity of daily living using the Arabic version of Barthel Index (BI), and self-reported health measures such as quality of life using the Medical Outcomes Survey (Short Form 36, SF-36), physical activity using Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA), depression symptoms using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), fatigue level using Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and risk of fall using Fall Efficacy Scale International (FES-I). An independent -test will be utilized to examine the effect of the intervention on the outcome measures.  The recruitment has started and is ongoing.  Using 4 weeks of NMES will provide information about its effect in improving plantarflexor spasticity, dorsiflexor muscles strength, gait speed, mobility functions, and other self-reported health outcomes in people with chronic stroke when compared to NMES.

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Plantarflexors Spasticity, Gait Performance, and Self-Reported Health Outcomes in People With Chronic Stroke: A Study Protocol for a Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.

Lower body positive pressure (LBPP) may provide a novel intervention for gait training in neurological conditions. Nonetheless, studies investigating the safety and feasibility of LBPP in patients with stroke are insufficient.

The Safety and Feasibility of Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Training in Individuals with Chronic Stroke: An Exploratory Study.

The primary aim is to compare the effects of backward walking exercise to forward walking exercise on knee pain, knee functions, and thigh muscle strength in individuals with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis using lower body positive pressure, in addition to mobility functions, balance, and self-reported health status.

Effects of backward walking exercise using lower body positive pressure treadmill on knee symptoms and physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for RCT.

Neck pain is a widespread medical condition among office workers worldwide. This study aimed to compare physical exercises, including basic body awareness, neck-specific training exercises and ergonomic modifications, and ergonomic modifications alone in the management of chronic non-specific neck pain (NSNP) among office workers. Sixty participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group (physical exercises and ergonomic modifications) or a control group (ergonomic modifications) and received the intervention two times a week for eight weeks. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Health and Safety Stress Tool, and Short Form Health Survey-36 were used to measure pain, disability, job stress, and quality of life at baseline, and at weeks 4 and 8 of the study period. A repeated measure ANOVA was used to determine the within-group significant differences and an independent -test was utilized to compare group differences. The baseline data of the experimental and control groups showed no significant difference ( ≥ 0.05). The 2 × 3 mixed models ANOVA showed a significant difference in pain intensity ( = 0.001,  = 0.042), functional disability ( = 0.001,  = 0.052), work-related stress ( = 0.001,  = 0.036), and QoL ( = 0.012,  = 0.025). Four weeks post-intervention, the experimental group showed significant changes in primary (pain intensity and disability) (1.9; 95% confidence interval 1.65-2.14) and secondary (quality of life and work-related stress) outcomes ( < 0.001). The same gradual improvement in these variables was observed in the 8-week follow-up ( < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in clinical outcomes following the application of physical exercises with ergonomic modifications for chronic NSNP among office workers. This is significant for office workers because it suggests the importance of incorporating physical exercises into their daily routine and making ergonomic changes to their workspaces.

Effectiveness of Physical Exercise on Pain, Disability, Job Stress, and Quality of Life in Office Workers with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The prevalence of falls among mothers (18-49 years old) in Saudi Arabia has been overlooked and understudied. Therefore, the study aimed to identify the 1-year prevalence, rate of falls, and consequent injuries among mothers in Saudi Arabia.

Prevalence of falls among adult mothers in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to assess fall prevalence, identify related risk factors, and establish cut-off scores for fall risk measures among community-dwelling adults in Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia.

Prevalence and risk factors for falls among community-dwelling adults in Riyadh area.

Stroke and its associated complications are a major cause of long-term disability worldwide, with spasticity being a common and severe issue. Physical therapy, involving stretching exercises and electrical stimulation, is crucial for managing spasticity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with a conventional rehabilitation program (CRP) on plantarflexor muscle spasticity and walking performance among individuals with chronic stroke.

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Spasticity and Walking Performance among Individuals with Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

This study examined the association of single and multiple-site osteoarthritis (OA) at baseline with physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL) over an 8-year follow-up period in the US adults compared to those at high risk of knee OA. This study is a prospective longitudinal design over 8 years of follow-up. Data from 4796 participants aged between 45 and 79 years were acquired from the osteoarthritis initiative. Based on self-reported physician-diagnosed OA and grade ≥ 2 in either knee using Kellgren and Lawrence grade at baseline, participants were categorized into high risk of knee OA (n = 1560), 1-site OA (n = 1233), 2-site OA (n = 1272), and ≥ 3-site OA (n = 721) groups. Physical and mental components of HRQOL were assessed over an 8-year follow-up period using the 12-item Short Form Health Survey. Two separate generalized estimating equations were used. A total of 4786 participants were included in the final model. Results from the generalized estimating equation showed that participants with 1-site OA (Beta [B] = -1.04, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: (-1.5, -.6), P < .001), 2-site OA (B = -2.17, 95% CI: (-2.6, -1.7), P < .001), and ≥ 3-site OA (B = -4.98, 95% CI: (-5.7, -4.3), P < .001) had significantly declined physical composite score of HRQOL over time than those without OA at baseline after adjustments for covariates, such as age, sex, race, educational status, body mass index, number of comorbidities, physical activity level, and depressive symptoms. Mental composite score of HRQOL had significantly increased across 2-site OA (B = 0.46, 95% CI: (.2,.7), P = .001), and ≥ 3-site OA (B = 0.86, 95% CI: (.5, 1.2), P < .001) after adjustments for covariates. US adults with single and multiple joint OA at baseline were associated with a decline in physical and an increase in mental HRQOL than those at higher risk of knee OA at baseline.

Association of single and multiple-site osteoarthritis with physical and mental health-related quality of life over an 8-year period in US adults: Findings from the osteoarthritis initiative.

To examine the impact of baseline diabetes mellitus (DM) on longitudinal knee symptoms and disability in participants with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Linking diabetes to worsening knee osteoarthritis symptoms and disability: evidence from the osteoarthritis initiative.

Exercise is increasingly recognized as a critical component of cancer care, reducing treatment-related side effects, and enhancing quality of life. Despite these benefits, exercise promotion remains underutilized in oncology settings. This study aims to assess oncology physicians' knowledge, current practices, perceived barriers, and facilitators related to exercise promotion among people with cancer in Saudi Arabia.

Exercise promotion in cancer care in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional survey of oncology physicians' knowledge, practices, barriers, and facilitators.

Family-centered services (FCS) are essential in pediatric rehabilitation to improve outcomes for children with disabilities. Despite global recognition, parents' perceptions of FCS in Saudi Arabia remain underexplored. This study aimed to examine parents' perceptions of FCS in pediatric rehabilitation and the relationships between parental perceptions and demographic and clinical factors.

Article	Year
Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Plantarflexors Spasticity, Gait Performance, and Self-Reported Health Outcomes in People With Chronic Stroke: A Study Protocol for a Double... Frontiers in neurology\| PubMed ID: 34925217	2021
The Safety and Feasibility of Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Training in Individuals with Chronic Stroke: An Exploratory Study. Brain sciences\| PubMed ID: 36831709	2023
Effects of backward walking exercise using lower body positive pressure treadmill on knee symptoms and physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for RCT. Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research\| PubMed ID: 37005596	2023
Effectiveness of Physical Exercise on Pain, Disability, Job Stress, and Quality of Life in Office Workers with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)\| PubMed ID: 37628484	2023
Prevalence of falls among adult mothers in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. BMC women's health\| PubMed ID: 37946121	2023
Prevalence and risk factors for falls among community-dwelling adults in Riyadh area. PeerJ\| PubMed ID: 38077414	2023
Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Spasticity and Walking Performance among Individuals with Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)\| PubMed ID: 38132027	2023
Association of single and multiple-site osteoarthritis with physical and mental health-related quality of life over an 8-year period in US adults: Findings from the osteoarthritis initiative... Medicine\| PubMed ID: 40324219	2025
Linking diabetes to worsening knee osteoarthritis symptoms and disability: evidence from the osteoarthritis initiative. Frontiers in medicine\| PubMed ID: 41788697	2026
Exercise promotion in cancer care in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional survey of oncology physicians' knowledge, practices, barriers, and facilitators. Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice\| PubMed ID: 42068492	2026
Exploring the Family-Centeredness of Pediatric Rehabilitation Services in Saudi Arabia. Physical & occupational therapy in pediatrics\| PubMed ID: 42216569	2026

Sattam M. Almutairi

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