Abstract Background Falls are a leading cause of disability and loss of independence among older adults. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), and Morse Fall Scale (MFS) are commonly used to evaluate balance performance, fall-related self-efficacy (confidence in performing activities without falling), and fall risk. However, evidence regarding the longitudinal relationships among these measures remains limited. Therefore, this study examined the associations between BBS, FES, and MFS scores in older adults over time. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate at the association between balance performance, fall-related self-efficacy, and fall risk in older individuals over a 6-week period using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), and Morse Fall Scale. Methodology A prospective correlational study was conducted among 66 older adults aged 60 years and above attending the Physiotherapy Outpatient Department of Sir Sayajirao General Hospital, Vadodara. Participants were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), and Morse Fall Scale (MFS) at baseline, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks. At every evaluation point, correlations between outcome measures were examined. Results At baseline, a weak negative correlation was observed between the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Morse Fall Scale (MFS) ( r = − 0.282, p = 0.022), while no significant correlations were found between BBS and Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) or between FES and MFS. At 4 weeks, moderate correlations were observed between BBS and MFS ( r = − 0.378, p = 0.002) and between FES and MFS ( r = 0.497, p < 0.001). By 6 weeks, a moderate negative correlation was observed between BBS and FES ( r = − 0.478, p < 0.001), along with strong correlations between BBS and MFS ( r = − 0.704, p < 0.001) and between FES and MFS ( r = 0.714, p < 0.001). Conclusion The associations among the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), and Morse Fall Scale (MFS) increased over the 6-week observation period. These findings support the complementary use of these measures for assessing balance, fall-related self-efficacy, and fall risk in older adults. Because of the correlational design, causal inferences regarding physiotherapy cannot be made.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that may impair balance, mobility, and functional independence. Exercise using unstable surfaces, such as Wobble Board and Swiss Ball, may improve these functional outcomes. However, direct comparative evidence between these exercise approaches in patients with DPN remains limited. This study aimed to compare the effects of Wobble Board and Swiss Ball exercises on balance, mobility, and functional independence in patients with DPN. A total of 200 eligible patients with DPN, aged 45–70 years, were included. Participants were assigned to two groups: Group A (n = 100) received Wobble Board training and Group B (n = 100) received Swiss Ball training, both combined with conventional therapy. Balance, mobility, and functional independence were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM), respectively, before and after 8 weeks of intervention. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Both groups showed significant improvements in BBS, TUG, and FIM scores following intervention (p < 0.001). Baseline-adjusted ANCOVA demonstrated significant between-group differences for BBS, TUG, and FIM (p < 0.001), with greater improvement observed in the Swiss Ball group. Both exercise programmes improved balance, mobility, and functional independence in patients with DPN. The Swiss Ball group demonstrated statistically greater improvements; however, these findings are specific to the exercise programmes evaluated and should not be interpreted as evidence of universal superiority.
Abstract Background Upper-limb impairment after stroke can restrict hand use, activities of daily living, and functional independence. Mirror therapy (MT) and soft robotic glove (SRG)-based rehabilitation represent technology-enabled approaches to upper-limb rehabilitation. The extent and characteristics of evidence examining these approaches individually and in combination have not been mapped. Objective To map the literature on MT, SRG-based rehabilitation, and their combined use after stroke, with emphasis on study characteristics, intervention dosage, outcome measures, technological integration, safety reporting, and evidence gaps. Methods This scoping review followed Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and CENTRAL were searched in the original review. The Scopus strategy was rerun using OR between the MT and SRG concept blocks, and IEEE Xplore was searched to improve engineering-literature coverage. Eligible interventional studies involved adults with stroke receiving MT, SRG-based rehabilitation, a direct MT + SRG combination, or a direct MT-versus-SRG comparison. Data were charted using a standardized form and synthesized descriptively; study-level fields were rechecked against accessible full-text articles or primary records to resolve classification and reporting discrepancies. Results The evidence map included 84 studies reporting 2,634 stroke participants. Fifty-four studies were MT-only (64.3%), 27 were SRG-only (32.1%), two directly combined MT + SRG (2.4%), and one directly compared MT with SRG (1.2%). Randomized controlled/clinical trials accounted for 53 studies (63.1%) and pilot/feasibility studies for 16 (19.0%). Chronic stroke was explicitly represented in 31 studies (36.9%), subacute stroke in 15 (17.9%), acute stroke in five (6.0%), and mixed acute/subacute populations in two (2.4%); stage was unspecified/other in 31 (36.9%). FMA was charted in 35 studies (41.7%), ARAT in 12 (14.3%), and ADL/independence outcomes in 19 (22.6%). Safety was not reported in 52 studies (61.9%); 23 (27.4%) explicitly reported no serious/adverse safety signal. Conclusion The evidence base is substantially larger for MT or SRG studied separately than for their direct combination. Considerable heterogeneity exists in study design, stroke stage, intervention dosage, outcome selection, technology integration, and safety reporting. The review provides an evidence map and identifies areas requiring further investigation without making claims of comparative treatment superiority.
Abstract Background Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a critical and escalating global health issue. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms arise when habitual drinkers abruptly discontinue or reduce alcohol intake. Ayyappa devotees observe a fasting period from November to January, during which they strictly abstain from alcohol and other forms of indulgence. This religious commitment provides a unique opportunity to study alcohol withdrawal in a natural setting. Since symptoms may go unrecognised or underreported, understanding their prevalence can help raise awareness, guide early interventions, and promote health and well-being among devotees. Materials and methods Non-experimental observational study conducted over November to January with convenient sampling. 384 samples with Male Ayyappa devotees aged 18 years and above, Individuals with a history of regular alcohol consumption before Vrischika and Devotees who have abstained from alcohol during the fasting period were included. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms were assessed using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-AR). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequency and percentage distribution, to determine the prevalence and severity of symptoms. Result Among 384 samples, the majority of participants experienced no clinically significant withdrawal symptoms during the abstinence period. Only a small proportion of participants reported mild withdrawal symptoms, most notably transient fingertip tremors observed in 0.8% of cases, which were clinically insignificant and did not result in functional impairment or require medical intervention. Other symptoms, such as anxiety and sleep disturbances, were infrequent and self-limiting. Importantly, no cases of moderate or severe alcohol withdrawal were identified. Conclusion These findings indicate that alcohol abstinence during the Vrischika month among Ayyappa devotees is generally well tolerated, with minimal and clinically insignificant withdrawal symptoms.
Abstract Background and objective Extrapolation of psychosocial health reference data across populations is constrained by several issues, of which cultural factors are important. In view of the dearth of population-specific reference data in sub-Saharan Africa, this study aimed to provide normative values and correlates of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among adults in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, based on the SF-36 Health Questionnaire. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,087 apparently healthy adults aged 18–74 years recruited from Obafemi Awolowo University and communities within Ife Central Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria, using a multistage random sampling technique. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 version 2 (SF-36v2) Health Questionnaire, while socio-demographic characteristics were obtained using a structured proforma. Mean, standard deviation, and percentile values were calculated for HRQoL. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to examine sociodemographic correlates of HRQoL. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The mean age of the respondents was 33.2 ± 15.1 years. Males had significantly higher HRQoL scores than females across most SF-36 domains ( p < 0.05). HRQoL declined significantly with increasing age ( p < 0.05), with the highest Physical Component Summary (PCS = 83.7) and Mental Component Summary (MCS = 77.7) scores observed among participants aged 18–24 years and the lowest among those aged ≥ 65 years (PCS = 51.1; MCS = 57.5). Age, sex, marital status, and education were significantly but weakly associated with most HRQoL domains and summary scores, while religion showed weak associations with general health, vitality, mental health, and the mental component summary ( p < 0.05). Age- and sex-specific normative SF-36 reference values and percentile distributions were established. Conclusion This study provides age- and sex-specific normative SF-36 reference values for adults in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Younger age, male sex, religion, and education were significant but weak correlates of HRQoL. Further studies involving nationally representative samples are needed to establish comprehensive normative HRQoL reference values for Nigeria.
