Repository logo
 

Theses and dissertations (Health Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/12

Browse

End date: 2009Has files: No

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A comparative study of the 14C-Urea Breath Test and histology for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in terms of cost effectiveness and patient acceptability
    (2001) Peer, Fawzia Ismail; Simjee, A. E.
    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Carbon-14 Urea Breath Test e4C-UBT) and histology for the detection of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) in terms of cost-effectiveness and patient perceptions. It was hypothesized that the 14C_UBTwas more cost-effective and more easily tolerated than a histological analysis of a biopsy specimen obtained on endoscopy for H pylori detection
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The efficacy of genesen acutouch pointers in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
    (2001) Robertson, Brendon Ian; White, Horace Lindsay
    The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of Genesen Acutouch pointers in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. This was a prospective, randomized clinical trial consisting of sixty patients who volunteered from the general population of Durban. The patients, diagnosed as having osteoarthritis of the knee, were randomly divided into two different treatment groups. Each group consisted of thirty patients between the ages of eighteen and eighty five years. One group received active Genesen Acutouch Therapy, while the second group received placebo Genesen Acutouch Therapy. Data capturing took place for both groups on the first, fifth and ninth consultations. Subjective data was collected using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale-l Ol, the Visual Analogue Scale and the Patient Specific Functional Scale. Objective data was gathered from goniometer and algometer readings. For statistical analysis, only parametric tests were used in all hypothesis tests due to the large sample size. All readings were considered to be continuous variables. The twosample (unpaired) two-tailed t-test was used to compare two independent samples. The two-sample paired t-test was used to compare results from related samples. All tests were conducted at a = 0.05 level of significance
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The efficacy of patella mobilization in patients suffering from patellofemoral pain syndrome
    (1999) Rowlands, Brett; Brantingham, James W.
    The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of patella mobilization in patients suffering from patellofemoral pain syndrome, This was a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled, pilot study, Group A received patella mobilization, while Group B, the placebo group, received detuned ultrasound, The study involved 30 subjects, 15 in each group selected from the general population, Each subject was treated eight times within a four week period, however if they became asymptomatic prior to their eighth treatment the subjective and objective data normally collected on the eighth treatment was collected on their last consultation, patients were required to return for a one month follow-up from the date of their last consultation, Each subject was assessed by means of the short-form Mc Gill Pain Questionnaire, Numerical Pain Questionnaire and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale, Objectively their pressure-pain threshold and tolerance was assessed by means of an algometer, Assessments were taken at the first, eighth, and follow-up consultation for all the subjective and objective measurements, Algometer readings were also obtained at the fourth consultation, the pressure was applied at approximately one kilogram per centimeter squared per second, Excessively high or low readings were retaken, Statistical analysis was completed under the guidance of the statistician at Technikon, Natal, using the non-parametric Wilcoxon sign-rank test and the Mann- Whitney unpaired test comparing intra-group and inter-group data respectfully,
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The relative effectiveness of a single dry needle insertion compared to multiple fanning dry needle insertions in the treatment of myofasciitis in the cervical and upper thoracic spine
    (2001) Rowley, Neil Charles; Mathews, Robert
    Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a clinical syndrome of soft tissue pain arising from skeletal muscle. It is manifested by characteristic trigger points (TrPs) in palpable taut bands of muscle fibres with typical referred pain patterns, restricted range of motion and local twitch responses. Treatment of MPS appears to be aimed at disrupting the reverberating neural circuits responsible for the self-perpetuation of the pain-spasm pain cycle. This occurs through inactivating the active TrP through releasing the taut bands with various techniques including massage, ischaemie compression, spray and stretch, ultrasound, hydrocollator moist heat, trigger point injection, dry needling, and TENS. There are many treatments available yet little research substantiating efficiency of one specific therapy over another, with the result that choice of treatment often becomes based on personal preferences rather than clinical evidence. Among many authors, dry needling has been shown to be an effective form of treatment. The therapeutic effect of dry needling relies on the mechanical disruption or direct stimulation of the TrP and that the strongest analgesic effect is achieved when the most painful spot is precisely reached with a fme needle, normally an acupuncture needle. This immediate analgesia produced by needle puncture of a TrP has been termed the
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The efficacy of homoeopathic simillimum treatment in menorrhagia
    (1996) Bland, Colleen M.; Burger, F. J.
    The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathic simillimum treatment in menorrhagia, with reference to the patient's perception to the treatment as well as the amount and duration of uterine bleeding in order to determine the role of homoeopathic simillimum treatment in menorrhagia. Thirty patients were selected by convenience sampling from the greater Durban area in response to various advertisements. The patients were selected according to certain criteria including the confirmation of the diagnosis and exclusion of organic pelvic disease, infections and any complications of pregnancy as the cause of the heavy uterine bleeding by a registered gynaecologist. Once the patient was accepted as part of the study and a consent form signed, a complete homoeopathic case history and physical examination was done by the researcher. The patient then completed the first questionnaire with the researcher during the initial consultation so as to establish a baseline before treatment commenced. A menstrual chart/calender was given to the patient to record the duration and pattern of the menstrual cycle. The patient completed a new questionnaire at each follow-up for a period of three months. The study followed a double-blind protocol with a neutral member randomly dividing the sample into a control and treatment group by using a table of random numbers. The control group received placebo treatment. The patient was reassessed monthly and the questionnaire was collected by the researcher.