DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOTHERAPY

Background of the Study: University students frequently contend with
demanding academic schedules that can limit their opportunities for physical
activity and affect their overall physical fitness. A heavy academic load may
contribute to prolonged sedentary behaviour, increased mental fatigue, and the
development of long term health issues. Consequently, understanding the ways
in which academic pressures shape students’ physical activity patterns and
fitness levels is essential for fostering both well being and academic effectiveness within higher education settings.
Aim: This research examined the association between academic workload, physical activity, and physical fitness among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to ascertain the extent of academic workload, determine the prevalence of physical activity, assess physical fitness status, and explore the interconnections among these factors in relation to gender and faculty differences.
Method: A descriptive cross sectional design was adopted for the study. Data were gathered from a representative sample of undergraduate students using validated self administered questionnaires to assess academic workload across four subscales (mental, physical, temporal, and performance) and to measure levels of physical activity. These were supplemented by standardised physical
fitness assessments. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarise
demographic and activity related data, while inferential techniques, including
Pearson’s correlation and independent t tests, were used to examine
relationships and differences between variables. The threshold for statistical
significance was established at p < 0.05.

Background/Purpose of Study: Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, often resulting in upper extremity dysfunction that limits independence. Rehabilitation strategies such as Mental Imagery (MI) and the Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP) have been developed to enhance motor recovery. This study evaluated the comparative and combined effectiveness of MI and GRASP on upper extremity function in stroke survivors. Methods: A total of forty-eight (48) stroke survivors were randomly assigned into four groups of twelve participants each: Mental Imagery (MI), GRASP, combined MI + GRASP, and a control group. The intervention lasted for eight weeks and was conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) was used to assess upper extremity function pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), and post-hoc comparisons were performed with Bonferroni correction at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The results revealed that the MI group showed no significant improvement in upper extremity function compared to the control. However, participants in the GRASP and MI + GRASP groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in grasp, grip, pinch, and gross movement components of the ARAT. The GRASP group showed the most notable gains, followed by the combined intervention group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that GRASP, alone or in combination with Mental Imagery, enhances upper extremity function in stroke survivors, while Mental Imagery alone may not produce measurable benefits within an eight-week period. These results support the inclusion of structured GRASP protocols, with or without imagery practice, in stroke rehabilitation to improve upper limb recovery.

Background/Purpose of Study:
Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, often resulting in upper extremity dysfunction that limits independence. Rehabilitation strategies such as Mental Imagery (MI) and the Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP) have been developed to enhance motor recovery. This study evaluated the comparative and combined effectiveness of MI and GRASP on upper extremity function in stroke survivors. Methods:
A total of forty-eight (48) stroke survivors were randomly assigned into four groups of twelve participants each: Mental Imagery (MI), GRASP, combined MI + GRASP, and a control group. The intervention lasted for eight weeks and was conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) was used to assess upper extremity function pre- and post-intervention. Data were analysed using one-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), and post-hoc comparisons were performed with Bonferroni correction at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: The results revealed that the MI group showed no significant improvement in upper extremity function compared to the control. However, participants in the GRASP and MI + GRASP groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in grasp, grip, pinch, and gross movement components of the ARAT. The GRASP group showed the most notable gains, followed by the combined intervention group.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that GRASP, alone or in combination with Mental Imagery, enhances upper extremity function in stroke survivors, while Mental Imagery alone may not produce measurable benefits within an eight-week period. These results support the inclusion of structured GRASP protocols, with or without imagery practice, in stroke rehabilitation to improve upper limb recovery

Background: Sports injuries were a major concern among amateur footballers, often leading to reduced performance, loss of participation time, and long-term complications. Effective injury prevention depended largely on athletes’ knowledge and attitudes toward preventive measures. However, limited research existed on these variables among amateur footballers in Nigerian universities, particularly within the University of Benin (UNIBEN). Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes towards injury prevention among amateur footballers in the Faculty of Basic Medical Science, University of Benin. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed involving 92 male and female amateur footballers aged 18 years and above from the Faculty of Basic Medical Science, UNIBEN. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using an adapted self-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes towards injury prevention. Descriptive statistics summarized participants’ characteristics, while Chi-square tests and independent t-tests determined associations between sociodemographic variables, knowledge, and attitude levels at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Participants were predominantly male (63%) and aged 18–25 years (78.3%). The majority (58.7%) demonstrated fair knowledge of injury prevention, while 28.3% had good knowledge and 13.0% had poor knowledge. Most participants (71.7%) displayed positive attitudes towards injury prevention. There was no significant association between gender, department, or BMI and knowledge or attitude levels (p > 0.05), but years of experience showed a weak positive relationship with knowledge scores. Conclusion: Amateur footballers in UNIBEN generally exhibited fair knowledge and positive attitudes towards injury prevention, although certain misconceptions persisted. Targeted educational interventions and physiotherapist-led prevention programs are recommended to enhance injury prevention awareness and promote safer sporting practices among university footballers.

Background: Academic-related stress has become a growing concern among university students, particularly those in medical and allied health disciplines. Previous studies have established that medical and health science students experience higher stress levels than their counterparts in other fields, yet limited data exist for students of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Benin. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of academic-related stress among students of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Benin, as well as to identify their coping strategies. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed using stratified random, sampling. Data were collected from 300 undergraduate students across departments such as Nursing, Physiology, and Anatomy through a structured questionnaire incorporating the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and academic stress indicators. Descriptive and inferential statistics including Chi- square, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation were used to analyze relationships between demographic variables, departmental differences, and stress levels at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Findings revealed that 86% of respondents experienced moderate stress, while 13.3% reported high stress levels. No significant gender differences were observed (p = 0.412), but significant variations existed across departments (p < 0.001), with Nursing students showing the highest stress levels. A positive correlation (r = 0.411, p < 0.001) was found between academic related stress and overall perceived stress. The most common coping strategies included talking with friends (24.7%), engaging in physical activities (24.7%), and religious practices (23%), while only 17% sought professional counseling. Conclusion: The study concludes that academic-related stress is highly prevalent among Basic Medical Science students at the University of Benin. Academic workload, frequent assessments, and clinical exposure were major stressors. Institutional interventions such as counseling services, stress management workshops, and curriculum review are recommended to enhance students’ psychological well-being and academic performance.

Background of the study: Physiotherapy plays a critical role in the prevention, management, and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries among athletes. Despite its proven benefits, the
level of awareness, knowledge, and utilization of physiotherapy services among football players in tertiary institutions remains suboptimal. This study assessed the awareness, knowledge, attitude, and utilization of physiotherapy in the management of sports injuries among football players in a tertiary institution. Aim of the Study: This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and utilization of physiotherapy among University of Benin football players and examine factors influencing their attitude toward physiotherapy. Methodology: Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of percentages and frequency
table while inferential statistics of Chi Square was used for test of association between variables. Alpha level was set at 0.05
Results: Findings revealed that 87.6% of respondents had heard about physiotherapy, while 73.2% were aware of its role in managing sports injuries. However, only 69.4% demonstrated adequate overall awareness. Despite 84.5% acknowledging physiotherapy’s role in injury treatment and 81.4% in improving fitness, actual utilization was low, with only 27.8% visiting a physiotherapist when injured. The study also found that 84.1% of respondents showed negative attitudes in some domains such as stigma and gender bias, while 40.8% displayed positive overall attitudes. Major barriers included cost of services (72.2%) and lack of nearby facilities (27.8%). Conclusion: Although general awareness of physiotherapy among football players was high, knowledge, attitude, and utilization were suboptimal. Interventions such as subsidized physiotherapy services, establishment of on-campus physiotherapy clinics, awareness campaigns, and collaboration between institutional authorities and physiotherapists are recommended to enhance utilization and improve sports injury management in tertiary institutions.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of occupational disability worldwide, particularly among manual laborers such as bricklayers who are frequently exposed to physical stressors like lifting, bending, and awkward postures. Despite its impact on productivity and health, there is limited local data on LBP among bricklayers in Egor Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 222 active bricklayers in Egor LGA using a structured, validated questionnaire adapted from the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized prevalence data, while Chi-square tests and logistic regression were applied to determine associations between LBP and occupational/personal factors at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Findings revealed that the 12-month prevalence of LBP among bricklayers was high. Significant occupational factors associated with LBP included prolonged bending, lifting heavy materials, poor posture, and long working hours. Personal factors such as age, smoking, and elevated body mass index (BMI) also contributed significantly. The majority of affected workers reported recurrent pain episodes that interfered with daily work performance and overall well-being. Conclusion: The prevalence of LBP among bricklayers in Egor LGA is substantial and largely attributable to preventable ergonomic and behavioral factors. Strengthening ergonomic education, enforcing rest breaks, and promoting the use of mechanical aids can reduce the burden of LBP and enhance worker productivity.

Background The menstrual cycle is a fundamental biological process that introduces considerable hormonal variability, affecting both physiological and psychological functioning in women. Although female participation in sports has grown, research focusing on women’s athletic health remains scarce, especially within African settings where cultural norms and structural barriers often marginalize menstrual health considerations. Aim This research investigated the impact of menstrual cycle phases on physical performance, symptom profiles, and self-management strategies among female athletes at the University of Benin, Nigeria, to generate evidence informed recommendations for cycle aware training and athlete support. Methods Fifty three female athletes participated in this repeated measures study. Physical performance indicators strength, endurance, agility, and reaction time—were evaluated across the menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases. Data on body weight fluctuations and self-reported symptoms were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation tests, with significance set at 0.05. Results Significant phase dependent variations in physical performance were observed (p < 0.05). Strength, endurance, and agility were lowest during the menstrual phase, improved during the follicular and ovulatory phases, and declined slightly in the luteal phase. Reaction time was also slower during menstruation. Although body weight remained relatively stable, a significant phase related difference emerged, with slightly lower weight during the menstrual and follicular phases and higher values during ovulation and the luteal phase. A negative correlation was found between changes in body weight and endurance between the ovulatory and luteal phases (r = −0.313, p = 0.023). Frequently reported symptoms included cramps and fatigue during menstruation, bloating during ovulation, and irritability during the luteal phase. Approximately 40 percent of athletes did not track their cycles, and coaches were largely unaware of the performance variations linked to menstrual phases. Conclusion Menstrual cycle phases significantly influence physical performance among female athletes. The conventional “one size fits all” training model fails to accommodate their unique physiological changes. Individualized, cycle sensitive training programs that incorporate menstrual tracking and athlete coach communication are essential to enhance performance, reduce injury risk, and promote well being.

Background: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide, with an increasing incidence in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Early recognition and appropriate response to stroke symptoms are critical to improving outcomes. Medical students, as future healthcare providers, play a vital role in promoting stroke awareness and emergency response. Objective: This study assessed the level of knowledge of stroke, its risk factors, warning signs, and appropriate emergency responses among clinical undergraduate students in the School of Basic Medical Sciences (SBMS), University of Benin. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. A structured, self- administered questionnaire was distributed to 322 clinical undergraduates selected through stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency, percentage, and chi-square tests at a 0.05 significance level. Results: Findings revealed a generally high level of stroke awareness among respondents. Most participants (94.1%) correctly identified the brain as the organ affected by stroke, and 98.4% recognized that stroke is preventable. Hypertension (77.0%), old age (73.3%), and diabetes were the most frequently identified risk factors. Paralysis of one side of the body (78.6%) and speech difficulty (77.3%) were the most recognized warning signs. A significant association existed between level of study and knowledge of stroke risk factors (p = 0.035) and between gender and planned response to stroke events (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Clinical undergraduates of the University of Benin demonstrated commendable theoretical knowledge of stroke, its risk factors, and warning signs. However, gaps remain in the understanding of lifestyle-related risk factors and practical emergency response.

Background:
Laparotomy and thoracostomy are major invasive procedures that impose distinct physiological stresses on the cardiovascular system. The rate-pressure product (RPP), an index of myocardial oxygen demand, provides a reliable measure of cardiovascular workload following surgical interventions. Understanding how these procedures influence RPP is essential for physiotherapists
in planning safe and effective post-surgical rehabilitation.
Methods:
An observational prospective cohort design was employed. Forty surgical patients with a mean age (CTTD: 44.0 ± 12.43 years; Laparotomy: 42.4 ± 23.12 years) were recruited through simple random sampling and assigned to two groups: laparotomy (n = 20) and closed-tube thoracostomy drainage (CTTD) (n = 20). Cardiovascular parameters—systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse rate (PR)—were recorded preoperatively and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively using an automated monitor. RPP was computed as SBP × PR. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired and independent t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVA, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results:
Thirty-one patients (20 laparotomy, 11 CTTD) completed the study. Baseline SBP, PR, and RPP were comparable between groups. Both groups exhibited postoperative fluctuations in SBP and PR, yet RPP remained relatively stable across all time points. Paired t-tests revealed no significant changes in RPP within groups, though the laparotomy group showed significant reductions in PR at 24 and 48 hours (p < 0.001). Repeated measures ANOVA confirmed no significant time effect on RPP in either group (CTTD: F (3, 30) = 0.929, p = 0.439; laparotomy: F (3,57) = 1.536, p = 0.215). Between-group comparisons showed no significant RPP differences at any interval (p > 0.05). Mean VAS scores were similar (CTTD: 3.00 ± 0.82; laparotomy: 3.20 ± 0.76).
Conclusion:
Laparotomy and thoracostomy procedures exert comparable effects on myocardial workload, as indicated by stable RPP values across postoperative periods. These findings suggest that cardiovascular responses following both surgeries are similar and that physiotherapy prescriptions should be guided by individualized patient assessment rather than procedure type alone.
Keywords:
Laparotomy, Thoracostomy, Rate Pressure Product, Myocardial Workload, Postoperative Physiotherapy, Cardiovascular Response.