DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOTHERAPY

Background: Stroke often results in significant motor impairments, affecting the quality of life and independence of survivors. Conventional physiotherapy is effective but sometimes limited by patient engagement and intensity. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising intervention that provides immersive, interactive environments to enhance motor recovery. Aim: This study evaluated the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy on motor recovery among stroke survivors in University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Methods: Forty stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation were randomly and equally assigned to either the experimental and control groups. Interventions were conducted three times a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 20 minutes. Motor recovery was assessed through muscular strength, muscular endurance, joint range of motion, balance, and coordination using validated and reliable instruments. Descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used to summarize the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants while inferential statistics of one-way ANOVA was used to test the hypotheses. Results: Participants in the VR group showed statistically significant improvements in all motor recovery parameters (muscle strength, muscle endurance, range of motion, balance and coordination) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Notably, upper and lower limb strength, endurance, range of motion, and balance improved more in the VR group. Conclusion: Virtual reality therapy is an effective treatment modality in stroke rehabilitation to enhance motor recovery after stroke. Thus, VR should be regarded as a cornerstone in the management of stroke survivors. Keywords: Stroke, Virtual Reality, Motor Recovery, Hemiparesis

Background: Chronic low back pain is typically characterized by persistent low back pain exceeding 12 weeks, it places a substantial burden on individuals, society, and the economy, affecting daily life, productivity, and overall well-being. Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is influenced by physical, psychological, and social factors. A major psychological factor is kinesiophobia an excessive fear of movement due to the belief that activity may worsen symptoms, which contributes to disability, and a decline in overall quality of life. However there is little studies on the relationship between kinesiophobia, pain, disability and quality of life among patients with chronic low back pain. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between kinesiophobia, pain, disability and quality of life among patients with chronic low back pain in UBTH. Methods: This was a cross sectional design study where 57 participants were recruited via purposive sampling technique from patients with chronic low back pain in university of Benin teaching hospital. Questionnaires used in this study included Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK),Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF), Data was summarized using interferential statistics such as Spearman’s rank correlation test to check for the association between the variables. The level of significance was set at p=0.05 Results: Majority of the participants 29 (51.0%) had moderate pain intensity, 48(84%) of participants had a greater level of fear of movement, the greater degree of functional disability waoderate accounting for 37 (65%) and majority of the participants overall quality of life was moderate of 31 (57.4%), 31 (57.4%) reported a moderate overall quality of life. Furthermore, the result shows there is a significant relationship between kinesiophobia, pain intensity, disability and quality of life.( p=0.05) Conclusion: This study shows that there are significant interrelationships among pain, kinesiophobia, and disability among patients with chronic low back pain at UBTH. Key words: Chronic low back pain, kinesiophobia, disability, quality of life.

Background: Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain (HSP) is a prevalent and disabling complication for stroke survivors, significantly hindering rehabilitation efforts and diminishing their quality of life. While conventional therapies exist, their efficacy is often limited, highlighting the need for safer and more effective non-invasive interventions. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has shown potential for pain management due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of LLLT in reducing hemiplegic shoulder pain among stroke survivors in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Methods: This study employed a randomized controlled trial design involving 42 participants with post-stroke HSP (24 males, 18 females). Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=21), which received LLLT combined with conventional physiotherapy, or a control group (n=21), which received conventional physiotherapy alone. The intervention period lasted for six weeks. The primary outcome measure, pain intensity, was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after the treatment period. Results: The experimental group experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain scores following the intervention (p < 0.001). Conversely, the control group did not show any significant change in pain levels (p = 0.366). The between-group analysis confirmed that the pain reduction in the LLLT group was significantly greater than that in the control group (p < 0.001), demonstrating the superior effect of the adjunctive LLLT treatment. Conclusion: LLLT, when used as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy, is an effective intervention for managing hemiplegic shoulder pain in stroke survivors. The findings provide evidence for incorporating LLLT into standard rehabilitation protocols as a non-invasive modality to enhance pain relief, potentially facilitating greater participation in therapeutic exercises and supporting overall functional recovery.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common health problem among students and young adults. Although physiotherapy is effective for managing MSK pain, cultural beliefs and personal perceptions often influence its utilization. Understanding these beliefs is essential for improving access to physiotherapy care and awareness. This study aimed to determine the influence of cultural beliefs on the utilization of physiotherapy services for managing musculoskeletal pain among undergraduate students in the School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Data were obtained from undergraduate students through a self-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic details and items assessing cultural beliefs and physiotherapy utilization. Responses were rated on a five-point Likert scale from “Strongly Agree” to “Strongly Disagree.” Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Chi-square and correlation analyses, were used to summarize data and test relationships between variables, with significance set at p < 0.05. The study showed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the lower back, neck, and shoulders. A statistically significant but weak relationship was observed between cultural beliefs and physiotherapy utilization (r = 0.208, p < 0.001). Gender was significantly associated with the 7-day prevalence of pain, with females reporting more pain than males, while other demographic variables showed no significant associations. Musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent among students. Although cultural beliefs significantly influence physiotherapy utilization, the effect is weak, suggesting other factors such as accessibility, affordability, and awareness also play key roles.

Background: Physiotherapists are part of the multidisciplinary health care team (MDT) and are essential in providing mental health education to patients and, when necessary, making referrals for additional customized therapy. However, there is a little or no studies on the knowledge, attitudes and perception of clinical students on the roles of physiotherapy in mental health. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perception of final clinical students of the university of Benin on the roles of physiotherapy in mental health. Methods: This was a cross sectional design study where 256 participants were recruited via convenience sampling technique from final year clinical class at University of Benin. Data was summarized using frequency, percentages, mean, median and interquartile range as appropriate. Inferential statistics such as Chi-square was used to test for the association between the variables and Mann Whitney u-test was used to test for the level of differences. The level of significance will be set at p < 0.05. Results: Majority of the participants 221 (86.3%) had adequate knowledge of the role of physiotherapy, 131 (51.2%) had positive attitude and 218 (85.2%) had good perception towards the role of physiotherapy in mental health. There was no significant difference in knowledge, attitude and practice between male and female (p = >0.05). However, there was a significant difference in attitude between various departments. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between knowledge and attitude (X2= 4.627, p=0.031). Conclusion: The study revealed there was an adequate knowledge on the role of physiotherapy, attitude towards mental health and a good perception of the role of physiotherapy in mental health among the respondents.

Background: Hypertension is a leading non-communicable disease and a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally. Despite proven evidence that regular exercise reduces blood pressure, the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of exercise among hypertensive patients remains suboptimal, particularly in Nigeria. Understanding these dimensions is essential for promoting effective non-pharmacological management of hypertension.
Aim: The study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of exercise for blood pressure control among adults with hypertension attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed involving 150 adults with high blood pressure recruited from the cardiology clinic of UBTH. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire divided into sections on socio-demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice of exercise for blood pressure control. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive statistics were expressed as frequencies and percentages, while associations between variables were tested using the Chi-square test at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: Findings revealed that 74% of participants had adequate knowledge of exercise for blood pressure control, 76% demonstrated a good attitude, and 60% had good exercise practice. There was a significant association between socio-economic status and knowledge of exercise (p = 0.021), while age, level of education, and socio-economic status showed no significant association with attitude and practice (p > 0.05). Most respondents (85.4%) reported improvement in blood pressure since initiating exercise.

Conclusion: The study concluded that hypertensive adults at UBTH generally possess good knowledge and attitude toward exercise for blood pressure control; however, practical engagement in exercise remains moderate. Continuous patient education, physiotherapy involvement, and community-based exercise programs are recommended to enhance adherence and improve hypertension outcomes.

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is a major health concern worldwide. In modern universities, students rely heavily on technology for their studies, which leads to long hours spent on computers. This extended use, especially when combined with bad posture, contributes to MSK pain. Engineering students face an even greater risk as they often need to use specialized software for long hours. However, research on how this issue affects university students in Nigeria is still limited. The aim of this study was to determine the interdependence of prolonged computer usage and musculoskeletal pain among University of Benin Engineering students. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 378 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Benin was conducted. Data was collected using adapted versions of the NMQ and SLUMP Questionnaire. Descriptive of frequency and percentage were used to summarize the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents while inferential statistics of Spearman’s rank correlation, Kruskal–Wallis test and Chi square were used to test the hypotheses. Alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: The findings showed that there was a high level of MSK pain among engineering undergraduates. Most symptoms were reported in the neck and lower back, with severe pain being most common in the lower back. Conclusion: MSK pain is very common among engineering students at the University of Benin, primarily affecting their necks and lower backs. The importance of taking breaks indicates that behavioral habits play a crucial role in managing this issue among this population.

Introduction: There is growing concern over the impact that social media use by university students could have on their academic performance due to its effect on sleep. The study assessed the influence of social media use, sleep quality and academic performance of students of the School of Basic Medical Sciences of the University of Benin. Methods: A descriptive survey research design was utilized in the study. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted for selecting 344 undergraduates. The data collection instrument included a structured questionnaire, which contained SMUS, PSQI and academic performance measure (CGPA). Descriptive analysis of participants' profile was undertaken using simple statistics and Pearson correlation was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. Results: Amongst all the respondents, 60.5% were female. The average SMUS was 10.09 ± 1.72, implying high levels of social media engagement, while the mean PSQI score was 7.73 ± 4.14, depicting fair to poor sleep quality. With respect to academic performance, 55.8% of the respondents scored between 3.50 and 4.49 CGPA. A strong negative correlation between social media usage and academic performance (r = -0.244, p < 0.001) was found. There was, however, no significant association between social media usage and sleep quality (p = 0.813) nor between sleep quality and academic performance (p = 0.391). Conclusion: This study reveals that social media usage adversely impacts academic performance, and sleep quality does not act as a mediator in this relationship. The students are advised to adopt healthy social media practices and concentrate on academics. The institution should consider raising awareness about this issue through appropriate digital literacy programs. iv Keywords: Social media usage, sleep quality, academic performance, undergraduates, Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin.

Background: The success of physiotherapy is heavily reliant on patient adherence,
yet non-adherence remains a significant challenge, particularly among the growing
geriatric population in Nigeria. While the benefits of physiotherapy for older adults
are well-documented, there is a paucity of research investigating the specific barriers
that impede treatment adherence in older adults in the Nigerian tertiary healthcare
setting.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the level of adherence and identify the
primary barriers to physiotherapy treatment among geriatric patients at the
University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), a tertiary healthcare facility in
South-South Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 50 geriatric patients (24
male and 26 female) receiving physiotherapy at UBTH. Data was collected using the
Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS) to assess adherence and structured
Barriers to Treatment Adherence Questionnaire (BTAQ) to evaluate barriers related
to service access and quality. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.
Inferential statistics of Chi-square test were used to determine associations.
Significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The study revealed a high rate of non-adherence (74.0%) among the
participants. Barriers related to accessing physiotherapy services were significantly
associated with non-adherence, including having missed a session due to access
difficulties (p=0.015), using public transport (p=0.037), and having a travel time of
over one hour (p=0.010). In contrast, the perceived quality of physiotherapy services
was high and not significantly associated with adherence. A higher frequency of
weekly physiotherapy sessions was the only factor significantly associated with
better adherence (p=0.035).

Conclusion: Adherence to physiotherapy among geriatric patients at UBTH is
critically low, primarily driven by significant socioeconomic and logistical barriers
related to access, transportation, and cost, rather than dissatisfaction with the quality
of care. These findings underscore the urgent need for systemic interventions to
make physiotherapy services more accessible and affordable for the elderly
population in Nigeria.

Background: Home-based exercise programs (HBEPs) play a crucial role in physiotherapy rehabilitation by promoting recovery beyond clinical settings. Despite their proven benefits, patient adherence remains inconsistent. Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and adherence to prescribed home- based exercise programs among physiotherapy outpatients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 184 physiotherapy outpatients selected through purposive sampling, across the following units (Orthopeadics, Neurosurgery, Neuromedicine, Geriatrics and Cardiopulmonary). Data were obtained using the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS) and a structured Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics summarized respondents’ characteristics, while inferential tests (Pearson’s correlation, t-test, ANOVA) assessed relationships and differences between variables, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants had a mean age of 60.8 ± 21.3 years, with 95 (51.6%) females and 89 (48.4%) males. Most respondents were married (65.8%) and self-employed (46.7%). The most common conditions managed were neurological (44.6%) and musculoskeletal disorders (43.5%). The predominant home exercise prescribed was strengthening exercises (75.0%), followed by stretching (58.7%) and balance training (28.3%). Nearly all participants (97.3%) received one- on-one exercise instruction from physiotherapists. Findings showed moderate levels of knowledge, attitude, and adherence to HBEPs. There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge and adherence (p < 0.05), and between attitude and adherence (p < 0.05). However, age showed a significant negative correlation with adherence (r = –0.189, p = 0.01), while gender, marital status, occupation, and health condition had no significant relationship (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Adherence to home exercise programs among physiotherapy outpatients at UBTH was moderate and significantly influenced by patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and age. Enhancing patient education, improving motivation, and developing age-tailored intervention strategies may strengthen adherence and rehabilitation outcomes.