Research into the therapeutic potential of aerobic exercise has proven fruitful over the past few years; however, no true experimental research undertakings have investigated the psychological benefits of aerobic exercise with schizophrenic semi-acute in-patients. The main objective of this thesis was to seek out evidence for the possibility that aerobic (submaximal long duration) exercise could be considered an adjunct treatment for hospitalised schizophrenic in-patients. In order to accomplish this objective the effects of a 45-minute walking programme, completed three days a week, for five weeks, was investigated. Various areas of mental health were explored in search of evidence of the therapeutic potential of aerobic exercise. These areas included, amongst other things: transfer and discharge rates, improvements in mood levels - Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; Beck, Steer, and Brown, 1996) Xhosa version; decreasing of anxiety levels (Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI; Beck and Steer, 1993), Xhosa version); improved Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF; DSM-IV), Scale Scores; and decreases in the number of symptoms patients exhibited. 22 schizophrenic inpatients were randomly selected for this study and randomly assigned to either an aerobic (long duration submaximal) treatment group or (primarily anaerobic) control group. Results revealed that statistical significance could not be found in any of the treatment group's t-test results; despite the treatment group generally bordering on significance more so than the control group. Out of the five variables studied (Positive Symptoms, Negative Symptoms, BAI, BDI-II, and GAF Scale) three variables (Negative Symptoms, BDI-II, and GAF Scale) in the treatment group bordered more on significance than did the control group. Thus three (60 %) out of the five areas studied revealed that the treatment group had more significant results. This suggests an overall impression that the treatment group responded slightly better. The Researcher recommended that aerobic exercise therapy be considered a treatment protocol in psychiatric institutions and offered further suggestions pertaining to the effective implementation of these programmes. Included in these recommendations were motivational strategies and warnings about the possible negative effects of exercise therapy. A supplemental goal of this thesis was to explore all of the previously offered theoretical psychological mechanisms of positive mental change; and to seek out evidence, for or against these forces. Participants were given pre- and post- treatment quantitative interviews; as well as, qualitative posttreatment interviews where their phenomenological responses were analysed to seek out evidence of these mechanisms. Evidence of various causative factors was found and a new theoretical mechanism was proposed in this thesis.

Many learners start school at a disadvantage and stay disadvantaged. This results in an increasing number of learners needing extra support in order to benefit from schooling, obtain a qualification and become independent and part of an agile workforce. Failure to learn at school results in dependent adults with low self-esteem and low employability. Reasons for learning failure can mostly be ascribed to diversity in: socioeconomic milieu, levels of sensory stimulation and sensory integration, thinking language and learning styles. Diversity in learner needs, necessitates identifying a common denominator amongst all learners, which when stimulated results in greater learning effectiveness for all learners. Whole brain learning is a common denominator and can be defined as receiving input equally through sight, hearing and active participation, processing the sensory input simultaneously with the left and right brain while filtering perceptions through emotions for appropriate and accurate verbal or active output. Brain Gym® is claimed to be a simple and cost effective technique that stimulates whole brain learning. The aim of this research study was to scrutinise Brain Gym as a technique that promotes whole brain learning and contributes to learner success and independence. This scrutiny was approached from a Personal and Professional Leadership perspective, whose domain is (amongst others) the value of selfmastery through mental- and emotional-state management resulting in selfactualisation. A multi-layered action research strategy was followed incorporating concept analysis, a descriptive and analytical literature study, qualitative and quantitative research methods and programme development. The literature study indicated that the prevalent learning difficulties could be categorised in the following themes: language and literacy difficulties, math difficulties and difficulties in concentration and motivation. The list of difficulties Brain Gym claimed to address were narrowed down according to the themes and the following criteria: the concepts had to easily and accurately be evaluated in groups pre and post a Brain Gym intervention within a six-week time frame. Only the following concepts were evaluated: 1 Logic and gestalt brain integration 2 Crossing of the visual midline 3 Eye-hand co-ordination 4 Self image 5 Mathematical computation 6 Concentration. Developing and implementing a Brain Gym programme for a period of six weeks and evaluating the resultant changes examined causality. Quantitative data was collected by means of the Aptitude test for School Beginners and qualitative data through focus group interviews and artefacts. The qualitative data was analysed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics regarding group distribution and tests indicated that the design was scientifically sound and presented a comparative basis for analysing the test results in terms of inferential statistics. The inferential yielded no significant results, which indicate that the Brain Gym intervention did not have a measurable effect on their ASB test scores. The quantative data was analysed by means of a descriptive narrative and presented in terms of the six concepts. Feedback from the principal educators, facilitators and the researcher indicated a noticeable improvement in all six concepts. The findings indicated that the learners have improved on a physical, emotional and social level in terms of sensory-integration, confidence, attitude, concentration and motivation. As indicated in the literature study physical, emotional and social development occurs prior to cognitive development. Due to the research period only being six weeks and thus an inadequate for measurable cognitive development, it may account for the lack of improvement on a cognitive level. It can be concluded that a Brain Gym is a technique that can stimulate the whole brain state and as such address the vast array of learning difficulties effectively in the classroom conditional to regular implementation and for a period longer than 6 weeks. Stimulating the whole brain state is the first step towards learning receptiveness and higher levels of literacy and numeracy resulting in an agile and competent workforce in South Africa. / Prof. D.P.J. Smith

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Patient satisfaction is one of the indicators of the quality of care being given to the users of a service. It can also be used as benchmarks for ensuring the delivery of quality physiotherapy services in health facilities. Physiotherapists have been involved in treatment of persons suffering from low back pain for decades. Treatment approaches are varied, but all have the common goals of pain relief, rehabilitation, and prevention of recurrence of low back pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the satisfaction of low back pain sufferers with the physiotherapy services they receive. The study was carried out in selected public hospitals in Nairobi and the Central Province in Kenya. / South Africa

Magister Scientiae - MSc / Neck pain is a common health problem affecting the general population and it can be associated with significant activity limitation, It contributes to a number of lost work days and high costs in its management. The purpose of this study was to identify the trends in the physiotherapy management of patients suffering from episodes of neck pain at the physiotherapy department of the Muhimbiki Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. / South Africa

The aim of the study was to determine and document evidence of the comparative effect of a 12- week whole body vibration training programme, exercise training programme and sedentary control group on the anthropometric profile, aerobic capacity, lung volumes and hence, the pulmonary capacity in people with asthma. The study used a descriptive, exploratory, quasi-experimental research approach employing randomised pairing to classify participants into either the whole body vibration therapy or exercise training group. Accidental and snowball sampling was used to identify and obtain a base of volunteers. A three-group pre-test/post-test design was employed to gain insight into statistical differences that might be apparent between the whole body vibration therapy group, the exercise group and the control group, and which could potentially be attributed to participation in the whole body vibration exercise programme. Randomised pairing for participant selection was selected because of the potential effects varying pulmonary variables might have had on the reliability of the study. A Physical Activity Selection Criteria Questionnaire was completed by participants to ascertain baseline physical activity readiness and as a means of determining selection criteria for their allocation to the whole body vibration training group, the experimental exercise group or the true control group. The pre-test/post-test assessment made use of a combination evaluation that incorporated an anthropometric profile assessment of height, weight, biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailliac skinfolds, waist and hip circumference and posture, an aerobic capacity evaluation that incorporated aspects of both the YMCA and Astrand and Rhyming Physical Work Capacity (PWC) evaluation on a cycle ergometer and, lastly, a pulmonary variable assessment that made use of both the Datospir Peak-10 peak flow meter and the Spirovit SP-100AT spirometry unit integrated into the Cardiovit AT-6 model for all spirometry measurements. Participants were required to complete either the whole-body vibration or the exercise training programme a minimum of twice a week and a maximum of four times over the same period. The duration of the intervention programmes was approximately 30 minutes and consisted of three sections including a warm-up comprising flexibility exercises, whole body strength training exercises, and a cool-down which, in turn, consisted of massage exercises or replicated flexibility exercises. The main difference between the whole body vibration and exercise training group thus lay in the exclusion of the use of vibration for those participants assigned to the exercise training programme. Analysis of data was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of a qualified statistician. The identified variables were tested at a 95 percent level of probability (p<0.05) as recommended by Thomas and Nelson (1996:117). Descriptive data, in the form of a statistical mean, standard deviation, minimum, median and maximum values, obtained during this study were reported in the form of a t-score for selected anthropometric and pulmonary variables. The 12-week intervention programme, on analysis of the results, produced statistically insignificant improvements in the variables of anthropometric profile, aerobic capacity and lung volumes identified as determinants of, and factors influencing, the cardiorespiratory fitness level of participants with asthma and hence, the subsequent severity of this chronic condition. However, slight mean increases for the whole body vibration training group were evident for certain variables identified in this study. Based on the results, the inference could be made that whole body vibration therapy and exercise were both effective modes of training to improve the cardiorespiratory fitness level of people with asthma, but the results of the study did not show sufficient practical or statistical significance to verify the assumption that whole body vibration training was a method superior to conventional exercise training. Hence, the significance of whole body vibration training on the pulmonary variables of people with asthma could not be determined. The researcher recommends that future studies be undertaken to verify whether whole body vibration training incorporating larger participant groups could produce significant improvements in pulmonary variables in people with asthma.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between training heart rate (THR) and the HR occurring at the Aerobic Threshold (AerTHR), and to examine the AerT as an index of training intensity in selected coronary artery disease (CAD), post-myocardial infarction (MI), and post-coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) patients. Twenty male subjects (age=54.9; wt=73.7 kg; %body fat=25.8) were recruited on the basis of regular participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) (3/week at 70 - 85% HRmax) for 6 months; no beta-adrenergic medication; and symptom-free during exercise. Field measurements of THR during the aerobic phase at CRP was carried out by computer-assisted portable telemetry with mean THR computed from each 30 minute value per subject. A maximal treadmill test starting at 2.5 mph at 0% grade with speed increasing 0.5 mph each minute was carried out using a Beckman MMC for 30 second determinations of respiratory gas values. The AerT was determined by visual inspection of the first departure from linearity of Ve and excess CO₂. VO₂max was 35.6 ±5.6 ml/kg/min⁻¹, with HRmax 166.2 ±11.8 bpm. Paired t-tests were performed; AerTHR was 124.8 ±15.3 bpm with THR 133.7 ±13.4 bpm (p < .03). Percent HRmaxAerT was 75.1 ±8.05 and %HRmaxTHR was 80.6 ±8.3 (p < .03). Mean %VO₂maxAerT (54.4 ±6.7) is consistent with other reported data showing .lower values in less trained individuals. Stepwise correlations were performed, and a regression equation was produced to predict AerT grom HRmax, height, and weight with a multiple r = .74 (p < .01). These data suggest that in this population, THR, as calculated by the relative percentage of maximum method, produces training intensities above the AerT expressed as absolute or relative percents of HRmax. This finding may have implications for optimal body fat reductions, patient compliance to the exercise program, and safety in CRP's. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

Two studies were conducted. A longitudinal study (12 months) was designed to describe the physiological and psychological recovery patterns in a group of pediatric patients who were recently treated for a malignancy. An intervention program (12 week rehabilitation exercise program), was used to separate the effects of deconditioning from the disease and/or its treatment in children who had been out of treatment for a malignancy for at least one year. In the twelve month study, 10 pediatric patients recently out of treatment and 10 healthy controls were tested at 0, 6, 12 weeks and 6 and 12 months. In the twelve week study, 18 patients and 52 healthy controls were assigned to an exercise or no exercise group and were tested at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. At each test session, all subjects were tested for measures of height, weight, sum of skin folds, blood pressure, and pulmonary function. Each subject completed a 30s Wingate test on a cycle ergometer, for measures of anaerobic capacity, and a maximal oxygen consumption test (15 or 20 W/min, ramp protocol) to volitional fatigue for measures of aerobic fitness. A measurement of self-esteem and self-confidence were tested using the Harter scale Self-Perception Profile for Children and Adolescents. All subjects were also evaluated at 0 and 12 weeks (again at 6 and 12 months in the 12 month study) using Doppler and M-mode echocardiography to note cardiovascular changes during semi-supine exercise. Results of both studies show no significant differences between the patients and the healthy controls in any of the physiology, psychology, or cardiology measures. The patients did demonstrate a similar response to exercise in many measures but their values were reduced in magnitude. The patients consistently performed below both the healthy controls in all physiological and cardiology measures but these trends were not statistically significant. It would appear that the majority of children and adolescent patients who were followed in this study are functioning remarkably well both physically and psychologically compared to their healthy controls. / Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies / Graduate

BACKGROUND: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most prevalent childhood rheumatic disease and significantly impacts a child’s well-being by potentially leading to disability and long-lasting effects. It consists of all forms of arthritis developing before the age of 16, therefore managing this disease is not simple. JIA can lead to a host of different medical problems over time and requires early attention and adequate treatment to prevent these long-term consequences. However, many children still experience pain after traditional treatment, indicating a need for alternative treatment modalities. Exercise therapy is one form of treatment that can potentially enhance a child’s quality of life. LITERATURE REVIEW FINDINGS: Multiple forms of exercise therapy have been shown to improve quality of life, functional ability and pain in patients with JIA. Exercise does not worsen disease activity, including the number of joints affected. While there are a limited number of studies in the JIA population, studies on patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a rheumatic disease diagnosed in adulthood, demonstrate the potential for exercise therapy to alter the pathophysiology of the disease and lead to better immune function. Exercise may have the ability to affect children with JIA in the same way as the two diseases share a similar pathophysiology. PROPOSED PROJECT: The goal of the proposed randomized control trial is to measure the impact of an exercise intervention on the quality of life of children with JIA, the effect exercise on participant immune function and variations in response between each subtype of JIA. Children will either complete high intensity interval walking training three times a week or no exercise intervention for 10 weeks. Various outcomes including quality of life, functional status, pain and fitness level will be measured before and after the intervention. Blood analysis to assess changes in immune function and further analysis between subtypes will also be conducted. CONCLUSIONS: The use of exercise therapy as a management tool for JIA should be considered earlier on in the disease course. It has not been found to worsen the disease and has produced increases in quality of life, functional status and pain. The benefits of this therapy are widespread and are not limited to healthy individuals. SIGNIFICANCE: This will be the first time these analyses will be performed and, if improvement is seen, this could help guide a physician’s disease management plan. Data from this study could provide information on how exercise modifies the disease and how to design more structured exercise programs appropriate to each subtype of JIA. Exercise may begin to be incorporated into the treatment plan for these children to increase disease remission rates, reduce the amount and severity of disease flares and provide both physical and psychological benefits.

No description available.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(人間健康科学) / 甲第19643号 / 人健博第35号 / 新制||人健||3(附属図書館) / 32679 / 京都大学大学院医学研究科人間健康科学系専攻 / (主査)教授 坪山 直生, 教授 山田 重人, 教授 松田 秀一 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Human Health Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM