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Introduction: Patients who have had a stroke often experience issues with static balance while sitting and standing. Additionally, they may encounter problems with dynamic balance, particularly when transitioning between sitting and standing positions, leading to reduced postural stability in both static and dynamic standing. This also contributes to weakness in the affected lower limb and decreased engagement in Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the impact of sit-to-stand training on balance, muscle strength, and ADL in stroke patients. Aim: To assess the impact of sit-to-stand training on balance, muscle strength, and ADL in patients who have had a stroke. Materials and Methods: This trial was an experimental, parallel, and assessor-blinded allocation with a computer-generated randomisation sequence. Sixty-six stroke patients (33 in each group) were enrolled from the inpatient Department of Medicine and the neurosurgery ward of Justice KS Hegde Charitable Hospital in Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India based on specific selection criteria. The trial was conducted from March 2022 to March 2023. Inclusion criteria included patients who had experienced a stroke involving the Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA) and Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA), encompassing both ischaemic and haemorrhagic types of stroke, aged between 35-60 years, and including both male and female stroke patients who were able to effectively communicate and comprehend instructions. Other criteria included a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score greater than or equal to 23, the ability to independently have a transition from a supine position to a seated position, and a minimum score on the trunk impairment scale. In the experimental group, participants received sit-to-stand training for 45 minutes over five days, while the control group received conventional physical therapy, including tandem walking, single leg stance, double leg stance, early mobilisation, position and balance training exercises for 45 minutes over five days. The primary outcomes used for balance assessment were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and for ADL, the Barthel Index (BI) Scale was used, with muscle strength being measured using a push and pull dynamometer. The independent sample t-test was used to compare between groups, and within-group comparisons were conducted using the paired t-test. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Significant differences (p-value=0.044) were observed in BBS score and muscle strength between the groups during both the pretest (Day-1) and post-test (Week-1). The BI exhibited a significant difference (p-value=0.016) during the post-test (Week-1) only. Additionally, a significant difference (p-value<0.001) was found in muscle strength, specifically in the Hip Extensors (HE) between the groups. Conclusion: The results of the current study showed a statistically significant difference in muscle strength of the HE. However, no significant difference was observed in BI and BBS between the groups. No side-effects or harms were reported, indicating that the approach is safe and feasible for stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Episiotomy is a common surgical procedure used during childbirth. Approximately 52% of women who have vaginal births undergo episiotomy, with 93.3% of primiparous women and 30.2% of multiparous women being affected. Perineal pain is a prevalent issue among mothers and can negatively impact their daily functioning and early experiences of motherhood. The use of an ice pack on the perineum is a simple, non pharmacological treatment for pain relief that may have an impact on postpartum recovery. However, no study has been conducted to determine the effect of an ice pack on postnatal mothers' compliance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) following episiotomy. Aim: To evaluate the effect of an ice pack on pain and ADL after episiotomy. Materials and Methods: This trial is an experimental, parallel, and assessor-blinded allocation with a computer-generated randomisation sequence. A randomised controlled trial conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OBG) at Justice KS Hegde Charitable Hospital in Deralakatte, Mangaluru, India. The study duration was one year, from March 2022 to March 2023. A total of 64 postnatal mothers (32 in each group) were included. This trial is an experimental, parallel, and assessorblinded allocation with a computer-generated randomisation sequence. The inclusion criteria were primiparous women aged between 18-35 years, who underwent episiotomy within 6 to 24 hours postpartum, delivered a live baby, complained of pain at the incision site, had a full-term labour, and had no other complications during pregnancy or labour. The participants were also required to be literate. Age, Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and Barthel Index (BI) were compared between the groups using the independent sample t-test. The paired t-test was used for within group (pre to post-test) comparison of NPRS and Barthel index. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was a significant difference in pain experienced by the groups, as assessed by NPRS (p<0.001). However, there was no difference in ADL between the groups (p>0.05). No side effects or harms were reported. Ice pack application, once daily for two days, was found to be safe and feasible for postepisiotomy patients. Conclusion: The current randomised controlled trial concludes that the application of an ice pack once daily for two days is significantly effective in reducing pain after episiotomy. However, it does not improve ADL in patients with post-episiotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of very early mobilisation on functional status following acute stroke. Design: Single blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting: University hospital. Subjects: Eighty-six patients with acute stroke (42 men and 38 women) aged 30-80 years were randomized to an Intervention group and a Standard care group. Interventions: All participants received 45 minutes standard care once a day for seven days. In addition, the intervention group (n=43) performed very early mobilisation consisting of early and frequent out of bed activities which started within 24 hours of stroke onset for 5 to 30 minutes at least twice a day, for seven days. Outcome measures: Functional status was measured with Barthel ADL Index on admission, discharge and three months follow up. Results: Intervention group showed a significant improvement in Barthel Index change scores (discharge - admission) (median=35, IQR=30-38.75 versus median=17.50, IQR=10-30) than the standard care group. Intervention group showed a significant improvement in Barthel Index change scores (three month follow up - admission) (median=42.50, IQR=35-55) versus (median=30, IQR=20-35) than the standard care group. The Intervention group reported statistically significant improvement in functional status at discharge (P<0.001) and at three months follow up (P<0.001) compared with the Standard care group. Conclusions: The results indicate that very early mobilisation in addition to the standard care may be effective in improving the functional status following acute stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]