Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction-The golf swing is a complex, sequenced movement of body segments. This movement is smooth and well timed and is referred to as the kinematic golf sequence. This kinematic sequence illustrates the rotational speed, which occurs between the upper and lower body segments. Hip rotation plays an integral part to a sound kinematic sequence by providing a pivotal point between the upper and lower body segments, ensuring a synchronised golf swing. Hip rotation kinematics during a golf swing has received relatively little attention compared to other body segments’ movements. However, clinicians need to have a clear understanding of the rotational contribution that each hip make during golf swing in order to enhance the athlete’s performance and reduce the risk of injury. The aim of this descriptive research project was to obtain and investigate the total passive and total dynamic rotation range of movement in both the lead and trail hips of healthy, young adult, male golfers. Methodology-Seven, low handicapped, male golfers between the ages of 18 and 40 years were randomly selected in the Western Cape region from areas surrounding Stellenbosch University’s Tygerberg campus. A questionnaire gathered participant demographics that determined participatory eligibility. A preliminary reliability study established a baseline measurement for passive total articular hip rotation. Seatadjusted total passive hip rotation ranges of motion (ROM) measurements were collected with a hand-held inclinometer. Dynamic total hip rotation kinematic data was captured during a golf swing with an 8-camera video analysis system (VICON). Data analyses were performed with Statistica version 10. Hand-held inclinometer intra-rater reliability was determined with a two-way interclass correlation, standard error of measurement and a 95% confidence interval level. A Spearman correlation coefficient determined correlation between the total passive and total dynamic rotation range of movement in both the lead and trail hips. Results-Passive intra-rater reliability was reported as 0.81 (95% CI: 0.46-0.96). The total average passive articular range between the lead (62.1° ±6.4°) and trail hip (61.4° ±3.8°) did not report any significant difference (p=0.8). The total average dynamic golf swing articular range between the lead (29° ± 6.5°) and trail hip (35.° ±7.8°), was reported as significantly (p=0.04) asymmetric. The findings also demonstrated a positive correlation between the passive and dynamic total articular range in a lead hip, whereas a negative correlation was reported in a trail hip. During the golf swing the lead hip utilised 46.4%(± 8) of the total passive available hip rotation, whereas the trail hip utilised 58.8% (±13.2). Discussion and Conclusions-The findings of this study show that, the passive rotation ROM in a hip (LH=62°; TH=61°) of a golf player does not exceed the available range it has during a golf swing. The golfer’s hip utilises 46% of the available passive range of movement in the lead hip and 59% in the trail hip. In the clinical field careful consideration should be given to the motivation behind mobilizing, treating or stretching the hips of a golf player. These findings can be incorporated in future research on the relationship between hip-rotation ROM and reduction in the incidence of injuries amongst golfers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding-Die gholfswaai is n komplekse, opeenvolgende beweging van verskeie liggaamsegmente. Hierdie gladde opeenvolgende bewegings word die kinematiese gholfpatron genoem. Hierdie kinematiese opeenvolgende bewegings bied ’n illustrastrasie van die rotasiespoed waarteen die beweging tussen die boonste en onderste liggaamsegmente plaasvind. Heuprotasie speel ’n deurslaggewende rol in hierdie glad verlopende kinematiese proses. Dit dien as ’n spilpunt tussend die boonste en onderste kwadrant, wat op sy beurt weer ’n gesinkroniseerde gholfswaai verseker. Die heuprotasie kinamtieka tydens n gholfswaai het relatief minder aandag ontvang in vergelyking met ander liggaamsegmente. Klinici moet instaat gestel word om ’n duidelike begrip aangaande die bydrae wat heuprotasie tydens ’n golfswaai lewer, te ontwikkel. Die atleet se prestasie kan sodoende verbeter word, en die risiko tot beserings kan ook sodoende voorkom word. Die doel van hierdie beskrywende navorsingsprojek was om te bepaal wat die totale passiewe en die totale dinamies rotasie omvang van die leidende en volgende heupe van gesonde jong mans wat gholf speel, te ondersoek. Metodologie-Sewe gholf-geskoolde manlike gholf spelers met ’n lae voorgee en tussen die ouderdom van 18 en 40 jaar is ewekansig gekies. Hierdie kandidate is gekies uit die omliggende gebiede van die Stellenbosch Tygerberg kampus in die Wes-Kaap waar hulle relatief naby woonagtig was. ’n Vraelys is aangewend om demografiese eienskappe van elke deelnemer in te samel. Hierdie inligting wat deur die vraelys bekom is, is gebruik om te bepaal of die deelnemers in aanmerking is vir die studie. ’n Voorlopige, intra-meter betroubaarheidstudie is gedoen vir passiewe, totale artikulêre heuprotasiemetings wat met ’n hand hanteerbare hoek meter geneem is. ’n Algemene fisiese ondersoek is in die biomeganiese labaratorium afgehandel om te bepaal of die deelnemers geskik is vir die toetse. Sit-aangepaste passiewe totale hip rotasie beweging metings was ingesamel met 'n hand hanteerbare hoek meter. Intra-meter betroubaarheid is bepaal met ’n twee-rigting interklas korrelasie, standaard foutmeting en ’n 95% vertroue interval vlak. Dinamiese totale heup kinematiese rotasiedata is afgeneem met ’n hoë-spoed 3-D videografiestelsel (VICON) tydens 'n gholfswaai. Data-ontleding is bereken met ’n Statistica weergawe 10. Die gemiddelde en Spearman korrelasie koëffisiënt is gebruik as aanwysers van verspreiding. Resultate-Passiewe inter-meter betroubaarheid word geraporteer as 0.81 (95% KI: 0.46-0.96). Die resultate dui op ’n onbeduidende totale passiewe artikulêre reeks verskille tussen die leidende (voorste) (62.1 ± 6.4 °) en volgende (agterste) heupe (61.4 ° ± 3.8 °). ’n Beduidende totale dinamiese artikulêre reeks van die leidende (29 ° ± 6.5 °) en volgende heupe (35.9 ° ± 7.8 °) is tydens die gholfswaai bereik. Verdere resultate toon ’n positiewe korrelasie tussen die passiewe en dinamiese totale artikulêre reeks in die leidende heup, terwyl ’n negatiewe korrelasie gerapporteer word vir die volgende (agterste) heup. Tydens ’n gholfswaai gebruik die leidende heup 46.4% (± 8%) van die totale passiewe beskikbaar heuprotasie, terwyl die opvolgende (agterste) heup 58.8% (± 13.2%) aanwend. Bespreking en gevolgtrekking-Die bevindinge van hierdie studie toon dat tydens ’n gholfswaai, ’n gesonde gholfspeler nie die beskikbare passiewe beweging wat in sy heup bestaan oorskry nie. Slegs 46.4% van die beskikbare passiewe beweging in sy leidende heup word gebruik, en 58.8% van sy agterste heup. Die klinisie moet deeglike oorweging gegee word aan die motivering agter die mobilisering, strekke en die behandeling van die heupe van ’n gholfspeler. Hierdie bevindings kan in toekomstige navorsing geimplimenteer word om die verhouding wat tussen die omvange vand heuprotasie bestaan te ondersoek. Die voorkoming van moontlike toekomstige beserings in gholfspelers kan ook verhoed word.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aims: This study aims to ascertain if there are differences in ankle kinematics and ground reaction force in sports participants with chronic groin pain compared to healthy controls. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study design was used. Twenty participants - 10 cases with chronic groin pain and 10 healthy controls participated. The 10 cases included participants with unilateral pain (n=7) and bilateral pain (n=3). For analysis, the bilateral pain group was divided into the most and less painful side. The study was conducted at the FNB 3D Motion Analysis Laboratory, Stellenbosch University. Sagittal plane kinematics and VGRF was analysed during a single leg drop landing. Results: The group with unilateral groin pain had a higher peak force compared to the matched side of the controls. The bilateral pain groups had less plantarflexion at foot contact (most affected p=<0.001; least affected p=<0.001) and total range of motion (p=<0.05) compared to the control group. The bilaterally injured groin pain groups demonstrated less peak force when compared to controls. Conclusion: This is the first study to indicate alterations in ankle kinematics and VGRF and that these changes are more apparent in sports participants with bilateral pain. Less range of motion during the landing task illustrated by the bilateral pain group suggests less effective force absorption of the distal segments. In the bilateral groups it suggests that force attenuation may have occurred high up the kinetic chain which may place more strain on the groin. Clinically rehabilitation of the athlete with chronic groin pain should include the distal segments of the lower limb. Further research should be conducted in larger groups. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Doelstellings: Hierdie studie poog om vas te stel of daar verskille in enkelbeweging en grondvloer-reaksiekrag is in deelnemers van sport met chroniese liespyn in vergelyking met gesonde kontrole deelnemers. Metode: ‘n Deursnee beskrywende studieontwerp is gebruik. Twintig deelnemers, 10 gevalle met chroniese liespyn en 10 gesonde kontrole het deelgeneem. Die 10 gevalle het ingesluit deelnemers met eensydige pyn (n=7) en bilaterale pyn (n=3). Vir die analise, is die bilaterale pyngroep verdeel in die mees en mins geaffekteerde kant. Die studie is gedoen by die FNB3D Beweginsanalise-laboratorium, Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Sagitaal-platvlak kinematiek en vertikale reaksiekrag is geanaliseer gedurende ‘n enkele beenlanding. Resultate: Die groep met eensydige liespyn het ‘n hoër piekkrag gehad in vergelyking met dieselfde kant van die kontrolegroep. Die bilaterale pyngroep het minder plantaarfleksie met voetkontak getoon (mees geaffekteer p=<0.001; minste geaffekteer p=<0.001) en totale beweginsomvang (p=<0.05) in vergelyking met die kontrolegroep. Die bilateraal-liesbeseringsgroep het minder piekkrag getoon in vergelyking met die kontrolegroep. Gevolgtrekking: Hierdie is die eerste studie om veranderings in enkelbeweging en grondreaksiekrag aan te toon, asook dat hierdie veranderinge meer opvallend is in persone wat aan sport deelneem wat bilaterale pyn ondervind. Verminderde beweginsomvang gedurende die landingstaak deur die bilaterale pyngroep suggereer minder effektiewe kragabsorpsie van die distale segmente. In die bilaterale groep suggereer dit dat kragvermindering waarskynlik hoog op die kinematiese ketting voorgekom het wat weer meer stremming op die lies plaas. Kliniese rehabilitasie van die atleet met chroniese pyn behoort die distale segmente van die onderste ledemaat in te sluit. Verdere navorsing behoort in groter groepe uitgevoer te word.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Chronic groin injuries are common among athletes and have the potential to lead to chronic and career-ending pain. There is no evidence available whether pelvic kinematics can be perceived as a risk factor in developing chronic groin pain in sport or be the cause of further injuries of the lower quadrant or lumbar spine. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if there are any differences in pelvic kinematics of active sports participants with chronic groin pain compared to healthy controls during a single-leg drop-landing. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted. The three-dimensional (3D) pelvic kinematics of ten cases with chronic groin pain and ten asymptomatic controls was analyzed. Pelvic kinematics was analyzed at the FNB 3D Vicon Laboratory at Stellenbosch University using an eight camera Vicon system. A physical examination, including functional movements, posture analysis, hip, knee and ankle passive range of motion measurements, sacro-iliac tests and anthropometric measurements was done by two physiotherapists prior to the 3D analysis. To analyze the pelvic kinematics, each participant performed six single-leg drop-landings. The main outcome measure was 3D pelvic kinematics at initial foot contact (IFC) and foot contact at lowest vertical position (LVP). The following sub-groups were analyzed: seven with unilateral groin pain and three with bilateral groin pain; the latter was further divided into those with the most painful leg and the least painful leg. Mean and standard deviations (SD) for pelvic kinematics were calculated and significant differences between sub-groups were determined using two-tailed Student’s t-tests. The Cohen’s D effect size calculator was used to calculate the effect size of significant differences in pelvic kinematics between case and control groups. Results: The findings indicated a significant difference (p=0.03) in frontal plane pelvic kinematics at IFC for the unilateral group. The most painful groin group showed significant differences at IFC (p=0.004) and at LVP (p=0.04) in the frontal plane pelvic kinematics. The least painful groin group showed a significant difference at LVP (p=0.01). All cases landed with pelvic downward lateral tilt during the landing phase compared to matched controls. The groin pain group with bilateral pain showed significant differences at IFC (p < 0.001) and LVP (p=0.005) for the most painful groin; and the least painful groin at IFC (p=0.01) and LVP (p=0.01) in the sagittal plane pelvic kinematics. The bilateral groin pain group showed an increase of anterior pelvic tilt in the sagittal plane during the landing phase when compared to matched controls. Increased internal pelvic rotation in the transverse plane was significant for the unilateral group at IFC (p=0.04) and for the most painful groin group at IFC (p < 0.001) and LVP (p < 0.001) compared to matched controls. Conclusion: Results from this study shows that pelvic kinematic changes in the frontal, sagittal and transverse planes do occur in patients with chronic groin pain when compared to controls. This may imply that muscle weakness around the hip and pelvis may contribute to the development of chronic groin pain in active sports participants. Rehabilitation of these muscles should be taken into consideration when treating patients with chronic groin injuries. Further research should be focused on muscular recruitment patterns in sports participants with groin pain to critically define the muscular causal factors in more depth. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Kroniese lies beserings is ‘n algemene verskynsel onder die aktiewe sport populasie. Dit mag tot kroniese pyn lei en het die potensiaal om ‘n sport loopbaan te be-eindig. Tans, is daar geen verdere navorsing beskikbaar oor die invloed van bekken kinematika op onderste ledemaat beserings asook die moontlike oorsaak tot kroniese lies pyn in atlete nie. Oogmerk: Die doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel watter verskille in die bekken kinematika ontstaan tussen aktiewe sport deelnemers met kroniese lies pyn teenoor aktiewe sport deelnemers sonder enige pyn of beserings tydens ‘n enkel been aftrap beweging. Metodologie: Tien deelnemers met kroniese lies pyn en tien asimptomatiese deelnemers is gebruik om die verskille tussen die 3D bekken kinematika te bepaal. Die FNB 3D Vicon Lab by die Stellenbosch Universiteit is gebruik vir die data analise en insameling. Deelnemers het ‘n fisiese ondersoek ondergaan wat die voglende ingesluit het: funksionele bewegings, postuur analise, omvang van beweging van die heup, knie en enkel, toetse ter uitsluiting van die ilio-sakrale gewrig asook antropometriese aftmetings. Elke deelnemer is versoek om ses enkel-been aftrap sessies te doen. Die hoof uitkomsmeting was die bekken hoeke in the frontale vlak by inisiële voet kontak (IVK) asook die voet kontak teen die laagste vertikale posisie (LVP). Resultate: Die resultate wys ’n beduidende verskil (p=0.03) in die frontale vlak vir bekken kinematika by IVK vir die unilaterale groep. Die mees geaffekteerde been wys ’n beduidende verskil by IVK (p=0.004) en by LVK (p=0.04) in die frontale vlak vir bekken kinematika. Die groep met die minste geaffekteerde been toon ’n beduidende verskil by LVP (p=0.01). Alle simptomatiese deelnemers het met die bekken in afwaartse bekken kanteling geland tydens die landings fase. Die groep met bilaterale pyn toon ’n beduidende verskil by IVK (p < 0.001) en by LVP (p=0.005) vir die mees geaffekteerde been en vir die minste geaffekteerde been by IVK (p=0.01) en LVP (0.01) in die sagittale vlak vir bekken kinematika. Die bilaterale groep met kroniese lies pyn land met meer anterior bekken kanteling in die sagittale vlak gedurende die landings fase teenoor die asimptomatiese groep. Interne bekken rotasie was beduidend meer vir die unilaterale groep by IVK (p=0.04) en vir die mees geaffekteerde been by IVK (p < 0.001) en LVP (p < 0.001) teenoor asimptomatiese deelnemers. Gevolgtrekking: Die resultate van hierdie studie bewys dat daar wel ‘n verskil is in die bekken kinematika van deelnemers met kroniese lies pyn teenoor asimptomatiese deelnemers. Hierdie verskille is waarneembaar in die frontale, sagittale en transverse vlakke. Dit impliseer dat spier swakheid van die bekken en heup spiere ‘n bydrae mag he tot die ontwikkeling van kroniese lies beserings in atlete. Rehabilitasie van bogenoemde spiere is belangrik in die behandeling van kroniese lies beserings. Verdere navorsing oor spier aktiverings patrone in aktiewe, sports deelnemers met kroniese lies pyn word benodig, om die oorsprongs faktore te ondersoek.

Adequate recovery from intense exercise is essential to optimise performance and reduce the associated symptoms of tiredness, fatigue and lethargy. The purpose of the study was to :- i. investigate the effects of massage and stretching in delaying the development of fatigue during repeated bouts of dynamic activity and, ii. to investigate the relative effects of massage and stretching on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Eighteen volunteer males participated in this study. They were randomly allocated into one of six groups of an Orthogonal Latin square design. Subjects performed five repetitions of as many heel raises as possible in 45 seconds. Each repetition was followed by a recovery technique of three minutes duration. This was repeated weekly until each group has had all three recovery techniques. A fatigue index % was calculated from the decline in the number of repetitions from stage 1 to stage 5. Muscle soreness ratings were retrospectively assessed at 12-36 hour after each session. An analysis of variance showed a significant difference in the fatigue indices. Post hoc intergroup comparison using paired T-tests with the Bonferroni adjustment showed a significant difference between rest and massage (p=0.0001) and rest and stretching (p=0.0006). The differences between massage and stretching were not significant. Fourteen (77.8%) and Fifteen (83.3%) subjects showed an improvement in performance following massage and stretching respectively. Massage is associated with significantly less muscle soreness than stretching (p<0,001). DOMS was most frequently found in the stretching group while the lowest incidence and lowest mean ratings of muscle soreness associated with DOMS was found in the massage group. The difference between massage and stretching was marginal (p=046I) and showed a trend that massage is associated with less DOMS than stretching. This suggests that rest is the least beneficial recovery technique, and that massage may be superior to stretching as there is less muscle soreness. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1997.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Physio.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

Aim : The study was explored within the context of a survey to determine the need and scope for a cardiac rehabilitation programme at Grey’s Hospital in Kwa Zulu-Natal. A multi-disciplinary perspective was sought as a cardiac rehabilitation programme with a multi-disciplinary approach is holistic. Also it is an effective intervention as secondary prevention in the care of the cardiac patient. Design : Exploratory survey in a “case-study”. Setting : a provincial, tertiary hospital in Kwa-Zulu Natal Participants : Permanent healthcare workers employed by the Department of health and working in the various units at Grey’s Hospital with more than 3 years experience. Staff included nurses and doctors in the coronary care unit, medical ward D1, catheterization unit and the cardiac clinic. Allied staff such as occupational therapists, dieticians, psychologists and physiotherapists also participated in this study. Staff not satisfying the above criteria and those not consenting to be part of the study were excluded. 58 questionnaires were distributed and 35 were returned completed. Intervention : A self developed questionnaire was used and information was obtained about the demographics of the healthcare workers, relevant interaction with cardiac patients and aspects of training related to cardiac conditions. Questions were directed to professionals as pertained to their respective scope of practice. Some questions were “open” ended and required responses with descriptions and/ or explanations. Admission records were perused in various cardiac units to determine the number of cardiac patients accessing services at Grey’s Hospital. Results : The total number of cardiac patients that attended Grey’s Hospital from January 2007 to December 2011 was 19983. The cardiac clinic showed an increase annually in the number of patients each year from 2495 in 2007 to 3569 in 2011 with a total number of 15928 over 5 years. All professionals assisted patients with achieving cardiac rehabilitation goals. There was a need demonstrated for the implementation of written resources for patient education; and training of staff in cardiac rehabilitation according to international guidelines. Basic life support (CPR) training is present among some professionals. A structured referral of patients for cardiac rehabilitation is not present and a phase I-IV cardiac rehabilitation programme with updated protocols is not present at Grey’s Hospital. Health professionals listed the scope of practice for current and potential interventions with cardiac patients. Healthcare workers also expressed their views on the value of a multi-disciplinary cardiac rehabilitation programme at Grey’s Hospital. Benefits for a multi-disciplinary cardiac rehabilitation programme at referral hospitals were listed by the multi-disciplinary healthcare workers. It was found there is a strong agreement to have a cardiac rehabilitation programme at Grey’s Hospital across all disciplines. An overall agreement of 32/35 for rehabilitation programme is statistically significant with p < 0.001. Conclusion : There is a need for a multi-disciplinary cardiac rehabilitation programme at Grey’s Hospital. / Thesis (M.Physio.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2012.

Thesis (MScPhysio (Physiotherapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The ability to walk has been rated by stroke patients as one of the most important goals of their rehabilitation. Knee control is a key element in normal gait. Currently, treatment options aimed at improving poor knee control in stroke patients are often costly, need specialised equipment and have poor patient compliance. The purpose of the current study was to assess whether medial patellar taping could improve knee control in stroke patients. Gait speed, dynamic standing balance, knee alignment and whether the subjects experienced any subjective stabilising effect on the knee after taping were tested. Twenty subjects diagnosed with hemiplegia after a stroke served as their own controls in a repeated measures experimental study. Results indicated that dynamic standing balance as tested by the Step Test (p=0.063) and the Timed-up-and-go test (p=0.099) (Wilcoxon test) showed marginal improvement after taping. This improvement in dynamic standing balance may indicate that neuro-motor control and/or eccentric knee control had improved. There was no change in walking speed and knee alignment as tested by change in the Q-angle (Wilcoxon test). However, a decrease in the Q-angle correlated with an improvement in dynamic standing balance as tested by the Step Test (p=0.029) (Spearman‟s test). Participants with decreased Q-angles after taping possibly had better knee alignment and were more willing to accept weight on their affected leg indicating a change in quadriceps activation. No change in walking speed (p=0.351) (Wilcoxon test) before and after taping may indicate that there was no change in the magnitude of contraction and/or concentric activity in the quadriceps muscle. Thirty percent of the participants reported a subjective change in knee stability after taping. Subjective change did not, however, significantly correlate with either of the balance tests, walking speed or Q-angle measurements. The possibility that medial patellar taping may be useful in treating poor knee control in stroke patients during dynamic balance activities should be investigated further.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2012 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ABSTRACT - BACKGROUND: Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are considered as the most suitable lower limb orthosis to correct gait deficits related to ankle instability. AFOs are recommended to minimize gait deviations and to correct drop foot or equinus foot in hemiplegic patients. OBJECTIVES - To identify the effectiveness of different ankle orthoses and/or supports on the temporal, spatial, kinetic and kinematic gait parameters. To critically appraise the methodological quality of the included studies and to provide a description of the studies with a view to identify opportunities to improve future research quality. METHODS - Search strategy A comprehensive search was conducted between March and October 2010, and updated in August 2011. Thirteen computerized bibliographic databases were individually searched, namely PubMed Central, Cohrane Library, CINAHL, OT Seeker, SPORTDiscus, PsyARTICLE, PEDro, Proquest, Biomed Central, Science Direct, Clinicaltrials.gov, Web of Science, and Ingenta Connect. All databases were searched since their inception. The following key terms were used: stroke, hemipleg*, assistive device*, ankle foot orthos*, AFO, (splint*), taping, and strapping. A secondary search (pearling) was conducted by screening the reference lists of all eligible full text studies. The authors of the unpublished studies were conducted to minimize publication bias. Selection criteria The following selection criteria applied: all relevant randomized and non-randomized controlled trails published in English; participants were post-stroke patients older than eighteen years; interventions included any type of ankle foot orthosis (AFO), ankle taping or strapping and ankle foot splint without any additional intervention and the comparison/control groups were limited to walking without support, either barefoot or walking with shoes only. Studies were excluded when the outcome measures did not focus on at least one of the following: temporal spatial gait parameters, kinetic gait parameters or kinematic gait parameters. Data collection and analysis Two reviewers independently selected trials for inclusion and assessed methodological quality. The data was extracted by the primary reviewer and validated by a second reviewer. In event of disagreement, a third reviewer was asked to re-evaluate until consensus could be reached. Homogenous data were statistically summarized in sub-group meta-analysis using Revman© Review Manager Software. The results of heterogeneous data were summarized in a narrative form. MAIN RESULTS - The search yielded 11134 initial hits. Sixteen studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The studies investigated the immediate effect of various types of AFOs on a broad range of temporal spatial gait parameters mainly gait speed, cadence, stride and step length. Only two studies reported on the kinetic and six on various kinematic gait parameters. The meta-analysis yielded significant improvement in gait speed (0.06 m/s; 95% CI 0.04, 0.08. p < 00001), walking cadence (5.41; 95% CI 3.79, 7.03. p < 00001), stride length (6.67; 95% CI 3.29, 10.06. p < 00001) and step length (2.66; 95% CI 1.59, 3.72. p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION - AFOs are effective to improve mobility, gait speed, cadence, stride and step length for post-stroke patients and may have a positive impact on the daily function of post-stroke patients. . The long term benefit or adverse effects of AFOs are still inconclusive. The effectiveness of AFOs on the kinetic and the frontal- or transverse- plane joint kinematics is largely unresolved. There is insufficient evidence to either support or refute the effectiveness of taping/strapping and splinting of the ankle on hemiplegic gait. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ABSTRACT - BACKGROUND: Temporal, spatial and affected ankle kinematic gait parameters of adults with hemiplegia are significantly different from the normal able-bodied population. Enabling hemiplegic patients to walk is a major goal of rehabilitation programs. Taping of the plegic ankle could be utilized by therapists as external support of the ankle to improve foot position and placement during gait rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE - The purpose of the study was to describe the immediate effect of neutral ankle taping on temporal spatial gait parameters and ankle joint kinematics of the affected ankle in ambulant adult hemiplegic patients. METHODS - A clinical trial using a crossover randomized testing order was conducted on a convenient sample of ten ambulant hemiplegic patients at the Physiotherapy and Motion Analysis Clinic, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa. The affected ankle joint was taped in a neutral talocrural dorsiflexion/ plantarflexion and neutral hindfoot inversion/ eversion position using rigid adhesive tape (5 cm). The gait parameters were analysed according to the Plug-In Gait Model using a motion analysis system (Vicon Nexus 1.1.7; Vicon Motion System Limited, Oxford, UK). The analyses were repeated six times for each testing condition and the average values were used for further analysis. The data were analyzed using Least Square Means tests and post hoc Fisher (Least Significant Difference) LSD multiple comparison tests to determine the significant differences at 95% confidence level. RESULTS - The main results of the study indicate that taping of the affected ankle joint in a neutral position does not significantly improve (p>0.5) temporal spatial gait parameters and ankle joint kinematics in ambulant adult hemiplegic patients. The following positive trends were however found and need to be further explored in larger homogeneous study samples: ankle taping of ambulant adult hemiplegic patients has limited benefits on selected temporal parameters as ankle taping could potentially improve cadence. Ankle taping could decrease plantarflexion of the plegic leg at initial contact. CONCLUSIONS - A systematic review revealed no conclusive evidence either to support or refute the beneficial effects of ankle taping on gait parameters of ambulant adult hemiplegic patients. Ankle taping of ambulant adult hemiplegic patients has potential clinical benefits on temporal, spatial and affected ankle kinematics, gait cadence and affected leg swing and stance duration.

Thesis (MScPhysio (Physiotherapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Stroke is a difficult condition to manage because of the complex nature of its effects. Caregivers are therefore, crucial in providing ongoing care for the stroke patient at home. Caregivers experience considerable strain during caregiving, as their needs are often overlooked because therapeutic management tends to focus mainly on the stroke patient. In third world countries like South Africa, there are currently no research studies found describing an optimum support intervention which addresses the caregivers' needs and reduces their strain levels. Objective To determine the effectiveness of a caregiver support intervention programme (CSIP) that was developed to address the expressed needs identified by the primary caregiver of the stroke patient in the Bishop Lavis community. Method A prospective and descriptive qualitative study design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the CSIP. A total of 29 caregivers participated in three CSIPs, which were implemented over five sessions each. The Barthel Index was used to measure the functional level of each stroke patient. The needs of stroke caregivers were determined by 15 semi-structured interviews, until data saturation was reached. The Caregiver Strain Index was completed before and after implementation of the CSIP, in order to measure whether the intervention programme had been effective in reducing the caregivers' level of strain. Written or verbal feedback forms was also completed by the caregivers after each of the five intervention sessions. Results were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA and descriptive qualitative analysis. Results The qualitative results of this study suggest that the CSIP was effective in addressing mainly the physical needs, as well as the emotional, educational and socio-economic needs of the primary caregivers. The CSIP was also effective in reducing caregiver strain in 61.5% of the sample (N=13). However, an additional finding of this study was the personal and logistical barriers identified which limited the caregivers' attendance of the sessions. Conclusion The CSIP was effective in addressing the physical, emotional, socio-economic and educational needs of the primary caregiver. In addition, the results also verified that the CSIP was effective in reducing caregiver strain in the majority of the caregivers, despite a small sample size. The barriers identified which affected the caregivers' attendance, need to be taken into consideration when planning future intervention programmes for caregivers in poor socioeconomic communities. Due to the low attendance rate by the caregivers, a larger sample size is recommended to accommodate for the high drop-out rates in such a population.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Background: Evidence for the effectiveness of physiotherapeutic interventions in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) is synthesised in the current clinical guidelines (CGs), providing clinicians with readily accessible and interpretable practice guidelines. However, CGs are often not specific to the local context of the target users, therefore hindering successful implementation of evidence into clinical practice. Formulating succinct and composite recommendations by synthesising the current CGs reporting on the evidence-based (EB) management of knee OA may assure contextual relevance and facilitate implementation of evidence into clinical practice. In addition, multifaceted interventions, such as evidence-based practice (EBP) workshops, are also postulated to promote the implementation of guideline recommendations, thereby enhancing clinical outcomes. Objectives: The primary objectives of this study were to: 1) describe the range of EB physiotherapeutic interventions in the management of knee OA as documented in the current CGs; and 2) develop composite clinical recommendations for a specific group of users working in Jerusalem. A secondary study objective was to ascertain the effect of translating the knowledge through a specifically-designed EBP workshop on the uptake of knowledge and implementation of EBP into clinical practice by physiotherapists working in Jerusalem. The EBP workshop was aimed at educating physiotherapists about the EB physiotherapeutic techniques for knee OA management. Study design: Two studies were conducted. A systematic review (SR) into EB clinical guidelines was conducted to describe and synthesise the available evidence and formulate composite recommendations for knee OA. The results of the SR were used to design an EBP workshop aimed at educating physiotherapists about EB physiotherapeutic techniques for treating knee OA patients. A pre-post quasi-experimental design was then conducted to assess the effect of this EBP workshop on the uptake and implementation of EBP into clinical practice amongst public sector physiotherapists working in Jerusalem. Methodology for quasi experimental study: Physiotherapists who regularly treat knee OA patients were recruited from a list of members registered with the Palestinian Physiotherapy Association Jerusalem. A three-month retrospective audit (initial audit) of knee OA patients’ physiotherapy records kept by the participating physiotherapists was conducted to establish current management patterns. EB strategies for knee OA was presented to the participating physiotherapists during a one-day workshop. A second audit of physiotherapy records was conducted three months after the EBP workshop to establish changes in the selection of physiotherapeutic management techniques for knee OA. Results: The initial audit revealed that the participating physiotherapists utilized one high EB modality namely, exercises, as a core management strategy in knee OA, but did not frequently implement other high EB modalities such as self-management and weight-loss programs. Following the EBP workshop, a statistically significant increase (p=0.008) in the implementation of weight-loss and self-management strategies in the management of knee OA was noted. Conversely, a statistically significant decrease was noticed in using patellar taping (low EB modality) in the management of knee OA (p=0.04). No significant changes were noticed in the utilization of other physiotherapy modalities supported by weak or modest EB recommendations. Conclusion: The study concluded that physiotherapists inherently prescribed exercise as a core management strategy for knee OA. Modalities supported by modest levels of evidence were used as adjunct treatments. The EBP workshop facilitated the increased application of high EB modalities such as weight-loss and self-management programs. The results of this study illustrate that an EBP workshop may be effective in promoting the implementation of EB physiotherapeutic modalities in the management of knee OA. However, larger studies with longer follow-up periods are required. / No Afrikaans abstract available