Browsing by Author "Puckree, Threethambal."

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A correlation between injury incidence, injury prevalence and balance in rugby players.
(2012) Ras, Jaco.; Puckree, Threethambal.
No abstract available.
A randomised controlled trial to assess the effect of a balance and stability training intervention on balance and functional independence in stroke patients.
(2012) Naidoo, Pooveshni.; Puckree, Threethambal.
Introduction: Balance dysfunction, particularly in standing, is a devastating sequel to stroke since the ability to balance is one of the most critical motor control factors in daily life. Physiotherapists use a variety of balance and stability techniques as a part of treatment programmes to improve functional independence in patients following a stroke. However more scientific evidence for the effectiveness of these techniques or programs is required. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of a balance and stability training program on stability, balance and functional independence in stroke patients. Method: The aims of this study were achieved using a randomised controlled trial. A questionnaire allowed the collection of demographic data from fifty participants who had suffered the first stroke, regardless of gender or race. The Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients (PASS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Barthel Index (BI) and questionnaire were administered to all fifty participants on the first and last weeks of a twelve week physiotherapy program. For ten weeks twenty five randomly assigned participants in each of the control and experimental groups underwent either normal physiotherapy or stability and balance intervention exercise program respectively. Data Analysis: The raw data was normalized by calculating percent changes for each item for each participant and the pooled data subjected to Wilcoxon signed ranks testing, paired samples signed tests and Pearson’s correlations. Results: PASS, BBS and BI scores increased significantly from pre-test to post-tests in both groups, with greater changes noted in the experimental group, showing improvements in stability, balance and function. In addition a strong and significant correlation between stability scores and balance scores suggested that stability is important to improve balance. Similarly a strong and significant correlation between stability and balance scores with function scores confirms the value of stability and balance in improving function. It was further noted that in addition to a certain degree of spontaneous recovery, traditional physiotherapy programs also result in improvement in stability, balance and function but not to the same extent as with the program of treatment which emphasizes stability and balance exercises. Conclusion: A significant improvement in the stability, balance and function in stroke patients was achieved with the balance and stability intervention program. Conventional physiotherapy methods also improved stability, balance and function, but to a lesser extent than the balance and stability training.
A study to determine the practices, attitudes and experiences of public sector physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the post operative rehabilitation of flexor tendons of the hand.
(2013) Mncube, Nomzamo.; Puckree, Threethambal.
The management of flexor tendon injuries in the hand is complex and requires skill not only on the part of the surgeon but also the rehabilitation therapists and compliance on the part of the patient. Anecdotally it is clear that therapists (occupational therapists and physiotherapists) gain their skills and knowledge as practitioners through hands-on experience, since very little specialized training is available in the field of hand therapy. Therapists should equip themselves with the knowledge of the surgical management of the patient, since post-operative rehabilitation depends on it. Ideally the hand surgeons should advise the therapists or dictate the post-operative management based on the surgical technique performed. The actual practices, attitudes and experiences of South African therapists in the management of flexor tendons are not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the practices, attitudes and experiences of the public sector physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the postoperative rehabilitation of patients post repair of flexor tendons surgery in the hand. The first part of the study consisted of a cross sectional survey which explored the postoperative rehabilitation practices, attitudes, and experiences regarding flexor tendon rehabilitation. The second part which was a focus group discussion sought in depth information on the attitudes and experiences of the therapists. Sixty three therapists from different public hospital settings in two districts of KwaZulu-Natal completed a validated questionnaire. The therapists were accessed from randomly selected hospitals located in two conveniently selected health districts in KwaZulu- Natal. The findings suggest that the use of the Kleinert-type and immobilisation protocols is widely used. Overall there was no significant differences in the choice of rehabilitation protocol, but this differed by hospital setting. Therapists in the tertiary hospital preferred the Duran protocol (53.6%, p = 0.003). Regional hospitals utilized the immobilization protocol (74.1%, p=0.045) and district hospitals treated presenting postoperative symptoms mostly (20% p=0.75).There was no statistical (p=0.196) difference on the decision to initiate therapy amongst different hospital settings. Frequency of therapy visits varied, but was not statistically different (p=0.16) amongst different hospital settings. More respondents (29.2%) reported typically initiating active ROM exercises on the fourth post-operative week. There was a significant difference (p=0.002) in the initiation of active range of movement amongst different hospital settings. Approximately 37% of the respondents discontinue protective splinting at five weeks. There was a significant difference (p=0.004) by hospital setting regarding when the protective splinting should be discontinued. Initiation of resistance exercises varied between four and six weeks. Nearly half (49%) of the therapists reported that they are sometimes apprehensive about how to progress patients through rehabilitation. The focus group revealed that there is poor communication between therapists and surgeons, lack of protocol guidance, lack of knowledge of the flexor tendon protocols of the newly qualified therapists and doctors. During the focus group discussion therapist’s attitudes and experiences were revealed through the eight themes that emerged namely challenges experienced during flexor tendon (FT) rehabilitation, the patient's socio-economic background, patient’s home environment, compliance with flexor tendon rehabilitation protocol, multidisciplinary team approach, clinical experience, university undergraduate curriculum on flexor tendon rehabilitation, outcomes of flexor tendon postoperative rehabilitation. Conclusion. The rehabilitation protocols that are commonly used include the Kleinert -type and the immobilisation protocols. Duran type protocol was used less frequently, only when it was the best option for that particular patient according to the surgeon or the surgical management of that patient. The focus group discussion revealed that rural hospital therapists modify the protocols, due to lack of resources and the poor compliance of the patients. rehabilitation practices, flexor tendon experiences, hospital settings
Underweight and overweight in primary school children in eThekwini district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(AOSIS, 2010) Puckree, Threethambal.; Naidoo, Pooveshni.; Pillay, Prabashni.; Naidoo, Therona.
Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children has been increasing worldwide. South Africa has minimal data on childhood body weight. Objectives: This study determined whether school children in the eThekwini district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were underweight or overweight. Method: A survey with quantitative and qualitative components was conducted amongst 120 participants between 10 years and 12 years of age. The participants were randomly selected from six public schools in an urban district of the province. A calibrated Goldline bathroom scale was used to measure body weight and a KDS Freo non-elastic measuring tape was used to measure height. A questionnaire consisting of open and close-ended questions collected demographic and lifestyle information. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight data. Proportions of obese, overweight and underweight children were calculated and subjected to chi-square tests at the p ≤ 0.05 significance level. All qualitative information was summarised. Results: According to World Health Organization criteria, 66% of the children were underweight, 28% were of normal weight and 5% were overweight. The proportion of underweight children increased with age (64% of children aged between 10 years and 11 years vs 70% for 12-year-olds). Of the underweight children, 41% were female and 51% were Indian.Only one child was obese. BMI was related to dietary patterns and activity levels during and outside school hours. Conclusion: A significant number of primary school children from the six selected public schools in the eThekwini district were underweight. More effort is required to improve the nutritional status of school children in the eThekwini district.