Faculty of Health Sciences

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The effect of low intensity laser therapy on post needling soreness in trigger point 2 of the upper trapezius muscle
(2018) Dhai, Mishka; Docrat, Aadil; Ally, Fazila
Introduction: Myofascial pain syndrome is a condition of collective sensory, motor and autonomic symptoms caused by myofascial trigger points, which are hyper-irritable foci in a muscle and palpated as a taut, tender, ropey band. There are many types of treatment for myofascial pain syndrome; dry needling is one of the most effective forms. Dry needling involves the insertion of a needle into the myofascial trigger points in order to break up the contractile elements and any somatic components that may contribute to trigger point hyperactivity, and to stimulate sensitive nerve ending in the area. Although therapeutic, an unpleasant side effect of dry needling is the post-needling soreness. Various modalities have been utilised to decrease post-needling soreness, such as ice, heat and action potential simulation, to mention a few, however no study has been conducted to date that documents low intensity laser therapy and its effect on post-needling soreness. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the effect of low intensity laser therapy on post-needling soreness in trigger point 2 of the upper trapezius muscle. Methodology: This study was designed as a randomised, controlled pre-test and post-test experimental trial. Forty participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups of 20 participants each. Group 1 received the needling and laser therapy; Group 2 received needling and placebo laser. Algometer and Numerical Pain Rating Scale 11 (NRS 11) readings were taken immediately before the dry needling procedure; after the laser or placebo laser therapy; and again, at the follow-up visit 24 hours later. Subjects used a 24- hour pain diary which was completed at three-hour intervals, to record any post-needling soreness. The NRS 11 scale was used immediately before the needling and again at the follow-up visit 24 hours later. Results: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 24.0 to conduct inferential and deductive statistics. A significance of p=0.05 was set. Baseline demographics and outcome measurements were compared between the two groups using t-tests or ANOVA where appropriate. An inter-group analysis revealed that objectively and subjectively all groups experienced some degree of post-needling soreness, which deceased significantly over time. This decrease of pain was not significantly related to the treatment group, and there is no evidence of the differential time effect with the treatment. An inter-group analysis yielded no statistically significant results regarding the effectiveness of the treatments received by the patients. This could be because of the small sample size or because low intensity laser therapy is not a useful intervention. Conclusion: The results from this study revealed that both treatment groups responded equally in the alleviation of pain. It can thus be concluded that low intensity laser therapy had no significant beneficial effects on post-needling soreness.
The epidemiology of low back pain in radiographers working in the eThekwini Municipality
(2018) Erasmus, Mynhardt; Maharaj, Praveena; Ally, Fazila
Background Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common causes of occupational disability in healthcare professionals, including radiographers. Radiographers experience several difficulties at work, which include continuous radiation exposure, long working hours; shift work; high physical work load; inadequate staffing; heavy weight of the mobile x-ray machine; wearing a lead apron; bending and lifting patients. There is a paucity in the literature on the epidemiology of LBP in radiographers working in the public and private sectors of South Africa. To date no study has been performed which determines the risk factors for developing LBP in diagnostic radiographers within the eThekwini Municipality. Aim The aim of the study was to determine the epidemiology of LBP in diagnostic radiographers working in the public and private sectors of the eThekwini Municipality, and to identify the risk factors for LBP to which diagnostic radiographers are exposed. Research methodology The research conducted was a quantitative study with a descriptive design which targeted diagnostic radiographers working in both the public and private sectors of the eThekwini Municipality. The research tool was an online survey administered through ‘SurveyMonkey’ which included questions and statements relating to the epidemiology of LBP in order to meet the study objectives. Results and discussion One hundred and thirty-one radiographers (55,0%) participated in this study, of which 43 had to be excluded as per the exclusion criteria. The final response rate was 37,0% (n=88), with 43,2% of the respondents from the public sector and 56,8% from the private sector. The point prevalence of LBP was found to be 42,1% and 36,0% in the private sector. The period prevalence rates of LBP in the public sector were i) 0-3 months 10,5%; ii) 3-6 months 2,6%; iii) 4-9 months 15,8%; and iv) 9-12 months 23,7%. The private sector LBP period prevalence rates were i) 0-3 months 6,0%; ii) 3- 6 months 0%; iii) 4-9 months 4,0%; and iv) 9-12 months 34,0%. The cumulative annual LBP prevalence rate was 52,6% in the public sector and 44,0% in the private sector. Lifetime prevalence for LBP in the public sector and private sector radiographers was 89,5% and 90,0% respectively. The participants were characterised with bilateral, intermittent LBP that was moderate in nature, described as stiffness, a dull ache or sharp/shooting pain that was worse at work, reduced on days off work and affecting their daily and leisure activities. Work-related LBP activities reported by radiographers included sitting for long periods; lifting heavy objects and patients; twisting; working at a computer; bending; continuous pulling; and working with forward positioned arms. Other activities included wearing a lead apron; transferring patients to a bed/chair; positioning of the overhead x-ray tube; sitting and standing for >3 hours; pushing hospital bed patients; carrying imaging cassettes; and working fast due to radiation exposure. Radiographers involved in these activities had an 80,0-100,0% risk of experiencing LBP. The were 45% of the participants who reported previously injuring their lower back at work. Female radiographers were more prone to LBP compared with male radiographers. High stress levels and smoking were associated with an increased incidence of LBP, and exercise was found to reduce the incidence of LBP
An injury profile of high school soccer players on a synthetic surface at a private school in the eThekwini municipality
(2024) Timul, Asthiq; Ally, Fazila
Background In South Africa, sport is a compulsory activity in the majority of schools and most of the population that play soccer at schools are amateur players. Many schools in Durban have astroturf courts on which the scholars play soccer. Astroturf is a synthetic surface that has gained much popularity due to it being cost effective and easy to maintain. Despite the benefits associated with playing on astroturf, one of the concerns is increased risk if injury to the players. Over the last decade, soccer injuries have become commonplace amongst scholars, with the most affected age group being between 13–15 years of age. The aim of this study is to determine the injury profile of amateur scholar soccer players playing on a synthetic surface at a private school in the eThekwini municipality. Methodology The research study is a quantitative study with a descriptive design. An organised, quantitative questionnaire was handed out to 108 registered learners at Al-Falaah College. The responses of the questionnaire were used to establish the demographic and injury profile of the soccer players in this study. Results A 100% response rate was recorded. The majority (n=24; 22.2%) of the learners were in the 14 year age group of Indian (n=98; 90.7%) ethnicity. The most common site of injury was recorded as the knee joint (n=54; 50%), followed by the ankle joint (n=36; 33.3%), wrist (n=29; 26.9%) and foot (n=28; 25.9%). The most common mechanism of injury reportedly occurred during tackling (n=61; 56.5%) and the least number of injuries were reported as occurring during heading (n=4; 3.7%). Most of the participants were found to be using incorrect footwear when playing on a synthetic surface, such as, studded boots (n=63; 58.3%) and sneakers (n=39; 36.1%). Conclusion The majority (79.6%) of the injuries reported were characterised as mild to moderate. The lower extremity was the most frequently injured, specifically the knee and ankle joint. Ligament and muscular injuries were the most common injury affecting the lower extremity. Younger individuals are more likely to face injury when playing soccer on a synthetic surface.
Learning style preferences of chiropractic students at a university of technology and their effect on academic performance
(2022-05-13) Dinkelmann, Kate Lynn; Ally, Fazila; Prince, Fazila
Background South Africa’s higher education institutions have been described as systems of low participation and high attrition (Cloete 2014:1358). Despite the government’s investments into its education sector, graduation rates, especially those at the undergraduate level, remain very low. A diversified student body makes up the tertiary education institutions. These students vary in age, gender, race and socioeconomic backgrounds, which have fuelled the need to investigate strategies to improve the learning experience so students may achieve their full potential. There is a paucity of research specific to learning style preferences and chiropractic education with many of those studies done not being applicable to a university of technology in South Africa. Aim The aim of the study was to determine the learning style preferences of registered chiropractic students at the Durban University of Technology, In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and to determine the relationship of these preferences to their demographics and academic performance. Research methodology Using a quantitative research approach, 142 chiropractic students registered in years one to five of the chiropractic programme in 2019 were asked to complete a cross-sectional survey comprised of basic demographical information and a Visual, Aural, Read/write and Kinaesthetic (VARK) questionnaire. The research tool was administered through QuestionPro, and later hard copies of the questionnaire were offered if the respondents were unable to initially complete the online questionnaire. Results and discussion There were 101 chiropractic students who participated in this study resulting in a 76.5% response rate. The majority of the students were found to be unimodal learners (61.4%) and the most selected unimodal preference was the kinaesthetic mode (36.6%). No significant difference in the distribution of learning style preferences were found by year of study, gender or age (p=0.893, p=0.228 and p=0.153, respectively), although a slight trend was observed, where read/write learning was the more popular preference amongst the youngest and visual learning was preferred amongst the oldest students. This research study also found there to be no significant relationship between learning style preferences and academic performance in theory and practical examinations (p=0.161 and p=0.083, respectively). Conclusion and recommendations Although many of the chiropractic students were found to have unimodal preferences, this study highlighted the diversity of learning style preferences amongst the students. No specific learning styles were found to predict a better examination outcome but allowing students to explore their learning preferences and utilize techniques that are best suited to them may enhance their education. Future studies should examine the learning style preferences of the chiropractic lecturers and clinicians, and compare these with the preferences of the students, who typically adapt their learning preferences to suit their learning environment (Almigbal 2015:349).
Postgraduate education : personal, organisational and higher educational barriers experienced by radiographers in KwaZulu-Natal
(2020-11-30) Moonsamy, Angela; Swindon, Lynda Dawn; Ally, Fazila
INTRODUCTION Radiography is a profession of rapidly advancing technology, changing scope of profession and practice and intolerance for anything but quality service delivery. The profession demands competent and relevant radiographers who are engaged in Postgraduate Education (PGE) which will facilitate consistence, relevance, competence and excellence. Participation in PGE is critical therefore barriers need to be eliminated. PURPOSE This study sought to investigate the barriers to PGE that radiographers in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) experienced at personal, organisational and higher educational levels. In addressing these, participation in PGE should increase and an improvement in the quality of radiographic services will then result to the end users, in this case the people of South Africa. METHOD A quantitative, descriptive research approach using surveys, was used to collect primary data from a randomly selected sample of 283 radiographers across all categories of radiography in the public and private sectors within KwaZulu-Natal. A questionnaire comprising of closed questions with a five-point Likert scale, and open-ended questions was utilised. SPSS and inferential statistics were used to identify relationships and associations between the variables. A p-value ˂0.05 was considered to indicate a significant result. The return of 121 responses yielded a response rate was 42.8%. RESULTS Significant differences were identified between variables in the personal, organisational and higher educational barriers. Personal barriers such as nonrecognition for PGE and non-remuneration that would elevate personal status and self-esteem were identified as the main barriers to PGE. Lack of time, lack of motivation, and lack of funding were also noted. PGE was found to be a lower personal priority for males than for females (p<0.05). Personal health was not a hindering factor for females (p<0.05). The lack of financial support by the employer (p<0.05) and heavy workloads created organisational barriers. No time off to study, staff shortages as well as lack of incentives or rewards for PGE were also identified at the organisational level. A significant difference was found for employee development and remuneration for additional training between the public and private sector (p<0.05). Higher educational barriers included a lack of quality local courses, inequalities in the admission criteria and quota system and instability such as protest action and untimely disruptions. CONCLUSION To effectively address the barriers to PGE, recommendations were made to radiographers to take responsibility for their professional development by adopting a culture of life-long learning to remain competent. Return on investment is guaranteed for organisations that support employee development. HEIs need to ensure quality supervision and support for appropriate PGE in order to meet industry demands for high quality, standardised courses. Barriers to PGE have no place in radiography where participation in PGE is critical.