Foundation University Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences

Enhancing exercise as microbial medicine: A physical therapy-led strategy to target the gut–vascular axis in metabolic hypertension

Sana Bashir — 2026-01-30

Frequency of low back pain and its association with school bag weight in school children

Hamza Ahmed — 2026-01-30

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common health concern among school-going children, often linked to carrying heavy school bags. Excessive backpain weight can contribute to musculoskeletal. Discomfort, poor posture, and long-term spinal issues. Despite growing awareness. there is limited region-specific data on this association.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency and relationship of low back pain with the weight of school bags among school-going children.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey (ethical approval number IRB-267SBBDU-20) was condu8cted between June and November 2020, involving 321 school children who met specific inclusion criteria. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic Characteristics, backpain symptoms, and student’s perception of their school bag weight. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.

Results: On 321 school age children, 93.4% (n=300) reported low back pain (LBP), with 45.2% (n=145) experiencing it once a month frequently. LBP prevalence did not differ significantly by gender (p > 0.05), though higher in boys (54.52%, n=175) than girls (38.94%, n=125). Significant associations included carrying more than six books (93.14% of those with LBP, ?²=273.6, p<0.001), walking to school with a big bag (60.12% vs 33.33%, ?²=45.1, p<0.01), while study posture showed no significance (p=0.136).

Conclusion: According to the study, children enrolled in school experience low back discomfort frequently (93.4%), with the most frequent occurrence occurring once a month. Poor study postures, walking to school with large school bags, and carrying heavy school bags were found to be significantly associated with LBP.

Knowledge and barriers regarding telerehabilitation among physical therapists

Mamoona Tasleem Afzal — 2026-01-30

Background: Using technology and communications networks to deliver rehabilitation treatments remotely is known as telerehabilitation (TR). It covers a range of patient care topics, such as evaluation, monitoring, and treatment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine physical therapists’ perceived knowledge and obstacles to tele-rehabilitation installation and utilization and the association between experience and knowledge of telerehabilitation.

Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study (Ref/IRS/REC-0002156) was conducted over six months in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, targeting physical therapists working in public and private healthcare facilities. Using non-probability convenience sampling, 146 physical therapists were recruited comprising both genders with six months of experience and those older than 24. A modified 14-item questionnaire created by Majmaah University was used to gather data, and SPSS version 25 was used for analysis.

Results: Out of 146 participants, 59 (40.4%) were male and 87 (59.6%) were female. 55.5% of participants were familiar with the notion of telerehabilitation, whereas 44.5% of participants reported that they had no knowledge about telerehabilitation. 4.8% of providers were unwilling to use telerehabilitation, 43.2% had technical problems, 23.3% had staff competence problems, 13.7% had high costs, and 4.1% identified healthcare location as a barrier. After testing for normality using the Shapiro–Wilk test, a non-parametric chi-square test was applied, which showed no significant association between physical therapists’ knowledge of tele-rehabilitation and years of experience (p = 0.185).

Conclusion: Physical therapists comprehend tele-rehabilitation at an average level, yet a significant percentage still don’t know enough about it. Financial difficulties, human incompetence, and technological problems are the primary barriers to the utilization of telerehabilitation.

Frequency of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the administrative staff of hospitals in Twin Cities

Maimoona Malik — 2026-01-30

Background: The most prevalent peripheral neuropathy is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) which is due to compression of the median nerve in the wrist. Administrative and office workers are especially susceptible to repetition of the wrist and the extensive use of computers. Although CTS is occupationally relevant, local information on CTS prevalence of hospital administrative personnel in Pakistan is scarce.

Objective: To determine the frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among hospital administrative staff in twin cities.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional survey (124/IMDC/IREB/-2023) was conducted in Islamabad from September to December 2023 at Akbar Niazi Hospital and Farooq Hospital, Islamabad. A total of 200 subjects under 55 years of age, working on computers for at least one year, were assessed using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS v21.

Results: Participants’ mean age was 30.24 ± 7.09 years, with mean working hours of 6.52 ± 2.29 (range: 2–12). Of the 200 subjects, 136 (68%) were male and 64 (32%) female. On the symptom severity scale, p=0.02, while on the functional severity scale, p=0.56. Positive Phalen’s test confirmed CTS diagnosis in line with Boston scores. The overall frequency of CTS was 159 (79.5%).

Conclusion: CTS was common among hospital administrative staff under 55 years, with higher prevalence in males than females. The study highlights prolonged computer use and wrist strain as contributing factors to CTS development, supporting existing literature on occupational risks.

Cognitive impairment among Type 2 diabetic older adults: A single-centered cross-sectional study

Natasha Tahir — 2026-01-30

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance or deficiency. Cognitive impairment in older adults with T2DM can significantly hinder daily activities and self-care.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older adults with T2DM.

Methods: A six-month descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Ghurki Trust and Teaching Hospital (April-October 2018). Using consecutive sampling, 91 older adults with T2DM were recruited from the diabetic clinic. Exclusion criteria included other major systemic diseases, cognitive impairment from a known non-diabetic cause, and type 1 diabetes. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Lahore College of Physical Therapy (LCPT/DPT/19/418). and informed consent was obtained. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), with impairment categorized as: none (?24), mild (18-23), and moderate-severe (?17). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Key limitation is the use of a single-center, non-probability sample.

Results: Among the 91 participants, 38.5% 9(n=35) exhibited no cognitive impairment, as indicated by MMSE scores between 24 and 30. Mild cognitive impairment was the most prevalent category, affecting 59.3% (n=54) of participants, while moderate cognitive impairment was identified in 2.2% (n=2). No cases of severe cognitive impairment were observed. Overall, cognitive impairment (MMSE ? 23) was present in 61.5% of the study population.

Conclusion: Mild cognitive impairment is prevalent among older adults with T2DM in this setting. The MMSE is a practical tool for early detection, enabling timely intervention.

Functional independence and physical activity levels in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Sanaullah — 2026-01-30

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Beyond the biological symptoms, COPD significantly affects patients’ daily activities and overall quality of life.

Objective: To determine the level of functional independence and physical activity level in patients with COPD.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study (DIR/KMU-AS&RB/LP/001450) conducted on patients visiting pulmonology outpatient department (OPD) with diagnosis of COPD in Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Total 207 patients (mean age= 66.52±7.825 years consisting of both male (n=131) and female (n=76) were included in the study using convenience sampling technique. Demographic information was collected from all patients. Functional independence and physical activity were assessed using the Barthel Index (BI) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form respectively, as the outcome measures.

Results: The results of this study showed that patients reported decrease in physical activity levels as (inactive =27.5%, minimally active= 44.93% and highly active=27.54%) on IPAQ and decline in activities of daily living (Slight dependence=40%, moderate dependence=36.29%, severe dependence=4%, total dependence=19%) on Barthal Index.

Conclusion: The study concludes that patients with COPD reported only a slight to moderate reduction in functional independence and exhibited moderate to high physical activity levels. Contributing factors such as body mass index and cigarette smoking were found to have a negative association with patients’ ability to perform daily functional activities.