Background Musculoskeletal pain is prevalent among older adults and is often linked to psychological distress and impaired sleep. In rapidly urbanising settings such as Lagos, factors including overcrowding, economic strain, and constrained social support may modify these relationships. However, evidence from African populations remains limited. This study examined the associations between musculoskeletal pain, psychological factors, and sleep quality among community-dwelling older adults in Lagos State. Methods A cross-sectional analytical survey was conducted among 115 adults aged ≥ 60 years living in Ikorodu LGA. Data were collected using the Brief Pain Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Spearman’s Rank-Order Correlation was used to examine associations among pain, psychological symptoms, and sleep quality. Results All participants reported musculoskeletal pain. Pain intensity showed a significant positive correlation with poor sleep quality (ρ = 0.366, p < 0.001). No significant associations were observed between pain intensity and anxiety (ρ = 0.0589, p = 0.560) or depression (ρ = − 0.0937, p = 0.354). Conclusion Musculoskeletal pain was significantly associated with poorer sleep quality, whereas no meaningful association was observed with psychological symptoms in this cohort of older adults. These findings suggest that interventions targeting pain management and sleep health may offer practical benefits for promoting healthy ageing in Lagos Nigeria and comparable urban low- and middle-income settings.

Physical inactivity is a common risk factor for morbidity and mortality, particularly among older adults, and its context-specific values and determinants are necessary for informed health policy and programmatic interventions. This study assessed levels and correlates of Physical Activity (PA) among Nigerian community-dwelling older adults. Adults who were ≥ 65 years old (n = 246) participated in the cross-sectional study. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for the Elderly (IPAQ-E) and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Correlates of PA were evaluated in terms of functional status, depression, quality of life (QoL), age, and gender. The mean age of the participants was 72.4 ± 7.14 years. Based on IPAQ-E, rates for low, moderate, and high levels of PA were 21.1

Abstract The use of improvised positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device made from latex glove and syringe is common in low-resource settings in Nigeria; however, their effectiveness in improving lung function is not known. This study determined the effect of PEP Therapy (PEPT) using Improvised Latex Glove Device (ILgD) and Acapella Device (ACaD) on some lung function parameters. This quasi-experimental study involved forty-six participants from a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Participants were allocated into either ACaD or ILgD group. Treatments were administered with dosage of ten blows per session thrice daily for ten days. Lung function parameters were assessed before surgery, six hours after recovery from anesthesia, 4, 8 and 10 day post-surgery. Repeated measure ANOVA and independent t-test were applied. The result of this study showed that in both ACaD and ILgD groups, there were significant improvement in FVC, FEV1, and PEFR across baseline, 4th, 8th, and 10th day (p = 0.001). In comparing the ACaD and ILgD group, the results showed significant differences in FVC at 4th (t = 4.110; p < 0.001) and 8th (t = 2.230; p = 0.031) day. There were also significant differences in FEV1% at 4th (t = 2.801; p = 0.008) and 10th (t = 2.573; p = 0.014) day. Furthermore, significant difference was observed in PEFR at day 4 (t = 3.409; p = 0.001). However, no significant mean changes were observed for FEV1 at 4th, 8th, and 10th day (p > 0.05). Positive expiratory pressure therapy using Acapella device is not superior to improvised latex glove device for lung function rehabilitation of patients that underwent upper abdominal surgery. Trial registration PACTR, PACTR202210515878180. Registered 3rd of October 2022 Retrospectively registered, pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx? TrialID = 24,035.

Abstract Background Physical inactivity among stroke survivors (SSV) may result from fatigue, physical disabilities, and psychosocial factors, all of which adversely affect health-related quality of life (HRQL). Studies on combined interactions among physical activity (PA), fatigue severity (FS), and HRQL in SSV are scarce. This study was aimed to determine the relationships among PA, FS, and HRQL in community-dwelling SSV and to predict the association with selected socio-demographic and clinical variables. Methods This analytical cross-sectional correlation study involved 102 consented community-dwelling SSV. Respondents were purposively recruited from physiotherapy outpatient clinics of selected secondary and tertiary hospitals in southwest Nigeria. PA, FS, and HRQL of the SSV were assessed using the Stroke Physical Activities Questionnaire (SPAQ), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Stroke-Specific Quality-of-Life (SS-QoL) scale, respectively. Information on respondents’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics was also collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p < 0.05 significance level. Results Respondents’ mean age was 59.98 ± 11.59 years. The majority were females (52.9%), had ischemic stroke (72%), and with right-side weakness (54%) of over 6 months (80%). Respondents’ mean scores on SPAQ, FSS, and SS-QoL scales are 1867.47 ± 1817.93 MET min/week, 31.94 ± 11.29, and 156.47 ± 26.62, respectively. There were no significant associations between selected socio-demographic/clinical variables and physical activity levels except in gender (χ 2 = 6.737; p = 0.034), fatigue severity except in side of affectation (χ 2 = 5.839; p = 0.054), and HRQL except in level of education (χ 2 = 23.497; p = 0.001) and side of affectation (χ 2 = 7.389; p = 0.007). There was a moderate and significant correlation (R = 0.426; p < 0.05) among PA, FS, and HRQL. Regression analysis revealed no significant associations with the socio-demographic/clinical variable except the side of affectation for HRQL, low (R = 0.223) level of prediction of socio-demographic/clinical variables for PA (F 8, 93 = 0.607; p > 0.05), and fair (R = 0.326) level of prediction for FS (F 8, 93 = 1.386; p > 0.05). Conclusion Moderate correlations among fatigue severity, physical activity, and health-related quality of life in stroke survivors suggested that enhancing one domain can benefit others, while the limited predictive ability of socio-demographic and clinical variables highlighted the need to consider cultural and psychological factors in post-stroke outcomes.

Abstract Background Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are faced with a plethora of challenges that affect their quality of life, mood, and physical and social participation. Physical activity (PA) is known to reduce inflammatory activity and enhance psychosocial health in individuals with chronic illnesses; however, there exist controversies on the role of PA in disease severity (DS), depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in SCD. Objective This study aimed to assess the role of PA in the level of DS, depression, and HRQoL in SCD and investigate mediation models among DS, depression, HRQoL, and PA in adults with SCD. Methods A total of 385 patients with SCD (mean age 35.45 ± 12.01 years; 51.70% female) attending hematology clinics in two Nigerian tertiary hospitals participated in this cross-sectional study. Data on DS, depression, HRQoL, and PA were assessed through modified disease severity scoring protocol, patient health questionnaire-9, 12-item short-form health survey, and international physical activity questionnaire short-form, respectively. Multiple hierarchical regression and mediation analyses were applied. Results The findings show that 53.5% are physically inactive, and PA accounts for 27.50%, 18.40%, 38.80%, and 8.50% of the variance observed in DS, depression, and physical component summary (PCS-12) and mental component summary (MCS-12) of HRQoL, respectively. There was a significant mediating role of DS in the relationship between PA and depression (β = − 0.0026; LLCI − 0.0031; ULCI − 0.0022), PCS-12 (β = 0.0019; LLCI 0.0013; ULCI 0.0024), and MCS-12 (β = 0.0009; LLCI 0.0001; ULCI 0.0018). The relationship between DS and depression was mediated only through PCS-12 (β = 0.2975; LLCI 0.1825; ULCI 0.4066). Similarly, only PCS-12 significantly mediated the relationship between PA and depression (β = − 0.0021; LLCI − 0.0026; ULCI − 0.0017). Conclusion Individuals with SCD with high levels of PA have low levels of DS and symptoms of depression and reported better HRQoL. Furthermore, patients with better HRQoL, especially physical health showed low depressive symptoms in adults with SCD. Clinicians and policymakers should consider incorporating PA assessments and interventions into the care of patients with SCD. The formulation of specific PA guidelines for patients with SCD is also warranted.

Background:Identifying how playing positions (PP) and playing years (PY) influence injury prevention strategies (IPS) and sporting behaviors (SB) of footballers may guide health professionals in developing targeted interventions to prevent sports injuries and enhance players' fitness. This study assessed the association of PP and PY with IPS and SB of male professional footballers. Methodology:A cross-sectional survey of 130 male footballers aged 18 to 35 years, from six professional teams in Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria. Data was collected on PP, PY, IPS, and SB using adapted questionnaires on IPS and SB. Data was summarised using frequencies and percentages. The Chi-square test was used to analyse the associations among variables at p < 0.05. Results:Respondents were 31.5% defenders, 32.3% midfielders, 31.5% forwards, and 4.6% goalkeepers. Among these respondents, 54.6% played for 1-5 years, 42.3% for 6-10 years, and 3.1% for 11-15 years. Injury prevention was important to 57.7%, 86.9% had used IPS, 26.9% had used FIFA 11+, and 23.8% had used general warm-up programmes. In SB, 40.0% of respondents looked forward to matches and training, and over 50% felt energetic, found sporting meaningful, behaved aggressively towards opponents, exhibited fair play, acted strong and rigorous, were oblivious of surroundings, felt inspired, and were happy when engrossed in sport. Significant associations (p<0.05) were found between SB and each of PP and PY. PP and PY were not significantly associated (p>0.05) with IPS. Conclusion:Although PP and PY influenced the SB of male professional footballers, they do not impact IPS. Usage of IPS was higher in FIFA 11+ than in other IPS. Defenders and forwards have a higher propensity of exhibiting aggressive behaviours towards opponents when liable to injury than midfielders, while the burden of a team having good results was highest among defenders and midfielders than in forwards and goalkeepers.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the most debilitating complications of breast cancer therapy. Many of the current approaches to preventing BRCL are based solely on anecdotes and insufficient evidence. This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of post-operative BCRL preventive measures. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines were used in this review. Four databases (EBSCO CINAHL, EBSCO MEDLINE, EBSCO AMED, and Cochrane) were searched from 2012 to 2021. Studies were screened following preset inclusion and exclusion criteria. Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist and the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Hierarchy of Evidence (OCEBM) were used to critically appraise and evaluate the level of evidence of eligible studies. Out of the 470 articles screened, 29 were eligible for review. The articles were classified into six categories based on risk behaviors. Venipuncture, blood pressure measurements, and air travel had no strong evidence to be correlated with remission or exacerbation of BCRL (p > 0.05). There was a strong correlation between obesity and exacerbation or onset of lymphedema (p < 0.05). Physical activity and resistance training had high-quality evidence in preventing BCRL. Most studies were of moderate evidence level. There is limited evidence for post-operative precautions — like venipuncture, air travel, blood pressure measurements, and lifting heavy loads as risk factors for BCRL in patients with breast cancer. Empirical information regarding post-operative suggestions given to patients with BCRL will help to limit potentially harmful practices and enhance psychosocial health.

Pregnant women are at risk of gestational diabetes, eclampsia, and excessive weight gain, which can adversely affect both maternal and child health. These risks are often exacerbated by insufficient physical activity [PA]. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Clinic-based Six-Minute Walk-Talk [Cb6MWT] and Mobile Phone-based Six-Minute Walk-Talk [MPb6MWT] interventions on maternal [blood sugar level, blood pressure, heart rate, body weight, caloric expenditure, and oxygen saturation [SPO2] and child [gestational birth weight, age, and mode of delivery] health outcomes among pregnant women. 95 consenting pregnant women [Cb6MWT [n=36], MPb6MWT [n=31] or Control [n=28] Group] in their second trimester participated in this randomised control trial for 12 weeks. The Cb6MWT group received a six-minute Walk-Talk PA plus the usual antenatal care [ANC]. MPb6MWT is a digital replica of the Cb6MWT, while the control group received the usual ANC only. Maternal health outcomes were assessed at the 6th and 12th weeks, while child health outcomes were obtained from case notes after delivery. There were significant within-group differences in Cb6MWT and MPb6MWT for calories [0.001 and 0.050], SPO2 [0.001 and 0.013] and blood sugar level [0.001 and 0.001] at week six; and for PA [0.001 and 0.001] and blood sugar level [0.001 and 0.001] scores at week 12, respectively. Across-group comparison [Cb6MWT vs MPb6MWT vs Control] led to higher improvements in child outcomes in terms of birth weight [0.001], gestational age [0.001], and number of spontaneous vaginal delivery [0.005]. MPb6MWT led to better maternal health outcomes vis increased step count, performance of light and moderate intensity PA, calorie expenditure and decreased diastolic blood pressure and blood glucose level than Cb6MWT but lesser outcomes on child health among the pregnant women. MPb6MWT and Cb6MWT may help improve maternal and child outcomes among pregnant women. PACTR202010667228786; Registration Date: 27th October, 2020.

Background Garment workers are at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to repetitive physical tasks, long working hours and varying workstations. As there is no existing epidemiological overview of MSDs among garment workers, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the global evidence on prevalence of MSDs in this population.Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases were searched to identify studies published in English up to November 2022. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled prevalence.Results The search yielded 258 published studies, of which 14 were deemed relevant and were included in this review. The included studies reported prevalence from India (n=3), Bangladesh (n=2), Ethiopia (n=2), Thailand (n=2), Botswana (n=1), Iran (n=1), Sri Lanka (n=1), Cambodia (n=1) and Denmark (n=1) and involved 15 029 garment workers. Most of the included studies (79%) were assessed to be methodologically sound (low risk of bias). The mean age of participants ranged from 24.2 to 40 years. The prevalence of MSDs ranged from 15.5% to 92%. The pooled prevalence of MSDs from nine studies was 65.6% (95% CI 44.5% to 51.9%). Low back pain and neck pain were reported as the common MSDs in the included studies.Conclusions The findings highlight the considerable risk of MSDs, especially low back and neck pain, linked to repetitive tasks, extended hours and inconsistent workstations. Given the heavy toll of MSDs on this workforce, targeted interventions and ergonomic improvements are crucial to mitigate the risks and improve garment workers’ well-being.

Background: The economic burden of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is significant and will grow with increasing aging population. Objectives: To assess willingness-to-pay (WTP) and its determinants for patients with MSDs with a view to ascertaining true demand for healthcare and its correlates. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of consenting physiotherapy outpatients was carried out. Sixty-eight (female = 52.9%) consecutive adult patients with MSDs receiving physiotherapy. Health-related quality of life (QoL), patients' satisfaction and WTP were assessed using the general health status SF-12 questionnaire, physical therapy patient satisfaction survey (PTPS) and WTP questionnaire, respectively. Results: The mean age of the patients was 51.6 +/- 19.4 years. The highest and lowest WTP were found in manual therapy (91.2%) and electrical muscle stimulation (0%), respectively. The highest "no WTP" was found among females and middle socioeconomic status across all physiotherapy modalities. Ethnicity and previous exposure to physiotherapy modality significantly predicted WTP (p < 0.05). Those of "Yoruba" ethnicity compared with others were 98.3% less likely to have WTP for cryotherapy (OR = 0.017; CI = 0.001-0.347; p = 0.008). Those who had previous experience of exercise treatment were 329 times more likely to have WTP for exercise than those who had not (OR = 329.02; CI = 23.60-4586.89; p = 0.001). Those who had previous treatment with electrical muscle stimulation were 11 times more likely to have WTP for cryotherapy (OR = 11.50; CI = 1.12-117.89; p = 0.04). Conclusion: WTP for physiotherapy among patients with MSDs varies according to treatment modality, prior exposure, and sociodemographic characteristics, with manual therapy most valued and electrical stimulation least preferred. These findings provide insight into patient preferences that may inform the design and delivery of more equitable and contextually relevant rehabilitation services.

Background: Clinicians' fear-avoidance beliefs (FABs) can significantly impact their clinical decisions and the advice they give to patients, but it is less investigated. This study aimed to examine the FABs of physiotherapists about chronic low-back pain (LBP). Methods: A cross-sectional study of 149 Nigerian physiotherapists in musculoskeletal practice from eight public hospitals was conducted. FABs about chronic LBP were assessed using the Health Care Providers' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS). Multiple regression analysis was applied. Results: About 84.60% of the respondents had moderate FABs. The mean total HC-PAIRS score was 30.06 +/- 18.11. The highest and lowest mean scores were observed in factors 1 (19.52 +/- 11.76) and 4 (4.54 +/- 2.73) of the HC-PAIRS. With an explained variance of 3%, the model showed that age, sex and marital status are not associated with the total HC-PAIRS score. Conclusions: FABs about chronic LBP are prevalent among Nigerian Physiotherapists but are not influenced by socio-demographic factors.

Eating ability is central to human existence and survival, societal acceptance, life satisfaction, and social participation. Although eating difficulties (EDs) are common after stroke, few studies are reporting their impact on the quality of life (QoL) of stroke survivors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, correlates, and association of EDs with QoL among stroke survivors. A cross-sectional study on 233 (Mean age: 59.6 ± 10.9 years; 52.8