Purpose: To find out overall, age and gender specific prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and its correlates in urban population. Methods: Present study was cross-sectional survey, by door-to-door visit, using multi-stage random sampling technique from Hisar urban geographical area. Pre-designed, validated self-reported questionnaire was used to record 14 variables, one variable was calculated and 4 variables were measured. Primary variable of interest was pain in low back area in the last 12 months. Data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS (21.0 version). Chi-square test was used to see the association between LBP and categories. If there was a significance, univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was used to identify the correlates. Results: Data of 1540 subjects (response rate 72.2%; females 54.2%) aged 30 years or more from five localities out of six were used. Overall one-year prevalence of LBP was 19%. Female sex (OR 1.60), low education (1.95) and low fasting blood glucose (1.34) were identified as correlates of LBP. Abdominal obesity, not using ghee, low income, low social class, smoking, long sitting and sleeping time increased the prevalence of LBP. Conclusion: Increasing the physical activity/exercise and reducing sedentary behaviors may reduce the prevalence of LBP in this population.

Introduction. To compare the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tdCS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) when used in combination or in isolation on pain, function, and quality of life in primary knee osteoarthritis. Methods. A 4-arm parallel group, participant-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial was performed. Patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis as per the American College of Rheumatology criteria were eligible. The lottery method was used for randomization and blocked randomization served to ensure an equal number of patients in each group. The participants were allocated to 4 groups and received tdCS and TENS either in combination or in isolation. Pain, function, and quality of life were measured with a visual analogue scale, 6-minute walk test, and Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome Score, respectively. The subjects were blinded to group allocation. The outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and day 5, 8, and 20 after the intervention. data were analysed with the SPSS (version 21.0) software. Results. on implementing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 72 participants were enrolled in this trial; 69 of them completed the protocol. There was a significant reduction in pain in all the 3 experimental groups as compared with the control group. The maximum reduction in pain was seen in the group receiving active tdCS and active TENS at week 6. Conclusions. The combination of tdCS and TENS along with strengthening exercises is effective in reducing pain in knee osteoarthritis.

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which leads to RSP are characterized as protraction, downward rotation, and anterior tipping of scapula and this may increase upper thoracic kyphosis and cervical lordosis. These factors are the major predisposing 7 factors which leads to upper quadrant pain too. Photographic posture analysis is a basic observational 8 method to detect the FHP with reliability of >0.972. Interferential therapy (IFT) is an established therapy which is used to treat pain. This is also effective for 9 providing relaxation of muscles and reducing pain. Addition of resistance exercises are used to strengthen the muscles using dumbbells, weight cuffs and resistance bands. These helps improve strength, 10 flexibility, and also balance. With elastic band a postural program and a combination of strengthening ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the effect of the Interferential therapy (IFT) with elastic band exercises to improve round shoulder posture (RSP) and forward head posture (FHP) in university female students. Methods: A randomized trial was conducted at a state university in Haryana, India from July-October 2021. Females having FHP and RSP were included in the study. Subjects were divided into two groups. Group A performed elastic band exercises for 10 repetitions each twice weekly for four weeks along with IFT application for 10 minutes. While group B performed only elastic band exercises. Various Round Shoulder measurements, Craniovertebral angle (CVA) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were assessed.2 Results: Of 30 females, the mean age, weight, and BMI was 19.56±3.14 years, 50.83±9.13 Kg and 19.6±3.23 Kg/m respectively.The distance between 3rd thoracic vertebra (T3) and acromion was significantly improved in group A as compared to group B, i.e., 2.80 ±0.86 vs. -1.47 ±1.98 (p-value 0.020), respectively. However, an insignificant association of group A and B was found with distance from couch to acromion (p-value 0.590), distance from rd thoracic 3 level to inferior angle of scapula (p-value 0.630), CVA (p-value 0.130), and NDI (p-value 0.550). Conclusion: Four weeks of intervention have significantly improved the distance between the T3 and the acromion process parameters for both round shoulder and FHP in both groups. However, other parameters were not statistically improved but clinical improved in patients who received elastic band exercises combined with IFT.

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Background: Peoples who use laptops are at greater risk for neck pain complaints. The incidence and prevalence of neck pain is increased with the development of information technology and the move toward service sector oriented employment and which is further influenced by an increase in sedentary work as well as occupational and recreational computer use. The prevalence of neck pain due to laptop use is surveyed among post-graduation students as their computing hours are higher because these students are further into their education and are completing masters requiring research.Purpose of study: To survey (a) The prevalence of neck pain due to laptop use among the post graduate students (b) To assess the laptop using behavior by using student laptop use and neck pain risk questionnaire (SLUNPRQ) developed by Gray, D.( 2011). Materials and Methods:A Qualitative survey study with questionnaire was conducted at Guru Jambheshawar University of Science and Technology, Hisar. 150 post graduate students were taken as per selection criteria which included both male and female between the age group of 21 to 25 years. Using convenience sampling, the Student Laptop Use and Neck Pain Risk Questionnaire with informed consent was distributed among 150 post graduate students. The prevalence of neck pain due to laptop use and the laptop using behavior by using student laptop use were taken as outcome measurement parameters. Qualitative Content Analysis has been used for the analysis of the data.Results: It was observed that long time use of laptop was ergonomically inappropriate. The prevalence of neck pain and other musculoskeletal problems was found higher in most of the students because of the extended use and adopting improper posture while using laptop. Poor adaptation of posture was mainly because of unawareness about laptop ergonomics. Conclusion:The present study concluded that there is higher prevalence of neck pain in post graduate students due to lack of awareness about the proper posture for laptop use among them.

The main objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of Neuromuscular exercises (NEMEX) on pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Pubmed, Cochrane and Pedro and Google Scholar were accessed with eligibility criteria Randomized controlled trials, single blinded controlled trial and Controlled before and after study comparing and assessing the effectiveness of NEMEX in knee osteoarthritis, articles published in English language till 2020 with NEMEX either alone or in conjunction with other interventions (drugs, educational packages) in patients with Knee osteoarthritis. Outcome measures used for meta-analysis were visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for function and the other measures Knee injury osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), Knee Index and Knee Adduction Moment (KAM) and Hip Disability and osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS). The result of the metaanalysis for the included two studies showed statistically significant reduction in pain (VAS) in the NEMEX group as compared to the other group Z = 0.64, p = 0.03, I2 = 79% and no significant reduction in WOMAC scores Z = 0.70, P = 0.64.The study concludes that there was statistically significant improvement in pain (VAS) but no functional improvement (WOMAC) with the NEMEX whether used in isolation or in conjunction with other interventions was seen in the patients with knee OA. However, large numbers of studies are required to generalize the effectiveness of NEMEX in knee osteoarthritis. Implications of the study includes NEMEX can be used as a potential intervention in reducing pain, improving strength and function in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Background/Aims Physical activity, such as walking, is a cheap approach with a low risk of injury that can be used in daily life. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of low impact aerobic exercise training on resting blood pressure in patients with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension specifically for people in India. Methods A total of 63 sedentary adults with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension participated in the study. All sedentary adults were randomly allocated to either the study group (aerobic training) (n=30) or the control group (n=33). Those in the study group walked for 30 minutes, three times a week for 8 weeks at an intensity of 60–75% of their target heart rate. The control group received no training but followed their usual prescribed medication and diet. The primary outcomes of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were measured at the end of every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes of pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse rate were calculated. Results Significant changes in various outcome measures in the study group were noted (systolic blood pressure=7.30 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.14 to 3.00; P=0.001); diastolic blood pressure=6.50 mmHg (95% CI 1.23 to 4.04; pulse pressure=0.000; mean arterial pressure=6.77 mmHg (95% CI 1.46 to 3.84; P=0.000) and pulse rate=6.90 bpm (95% CI 1.73 to 3.43; P=0.000) when compared with those in the control group, who had non-significant changes. Conclusions The findings of the present study concluded that aerobic exercise training improves blood pressure.