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Background and aim Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is considered a promising non-invasive treatment option for osteoarthritis (OA). The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of LLLT on patients with OA of the first carpometacarpal joint (CMC1) of the thumb. Methods An open-level, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, for one year. Initially, 120 patients were approached for the study. Among them, 112 eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group received LLLT in addition to conservative treatment, while the control group received conservative treatment alone for four weeks. Pain and functional capability (motor) improvement were assessed on a weekly follow-up basis by using various parameters such as the visual analogue scale (VAS), Ritchie articular index (tenderness scale), grip strength, key pinch strength, Dreiser functional index, and CMC1 palmer abduction. Eventually, 90 patients completed the follow-ups and were included in the analysis. Results The majority of patients diagnosed with CMC1 joint OA were in their fifties. At baseline, patients of both intervention and control groups were indifferent in terms of demography, pain intensity, motor responses, and duration of suffering. After four weeks of treatment, results indicated an overall improvement in both groups. However, the reduction of pain and increase in functional capability were not found statistically significant (p-value: ≥0.5). Conclusion LLLT with conventional treatment was not found significantly more effective enough than conventional treatment alone, but more well-designed clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed to reach a definitive conclusion., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Rahman et al.)

Physical rehabilitation medicine started in Bangladesh 50 years ago, but there is no documentary evidence stating its origin, history of progression as a specialty, and work with agenda items. A gap exists between disability-related health and participation, which affects service delivery systems offered to persons with disability (PwD). Disability prevalence ranges from 0.47% to 14.4%. Illiteracy, maldistribution of wealth, and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases add to the burden of existing disability. It is necessary to involve all stakeholders in disability management to strengthen medical rehabilitation teams and improve service delivery while advocating for the rights and needs of PwD., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A randomized clinical trial was conducted to find out the effects of physical modalities transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and ultrasonic therapy (UST) on the patients with post stroke shoulder pain in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation & Department of Neurology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from 1st July 2006 to 31st December 2006. In that period a total of 750 stroke patients attended the stroke clinic of the Department of Neurology, BSMMU, of which 150(20%) patients presented with post stroke shoulder pain. Among the patients with post stroke shoulder pain, 45(6%) patients were included in the study. The aim of the study was to find out the improvement with proper and timely physical therapy and to study the comparative efficacy of TENS or UST therapy on shoulder pain in stroke patients. Results of this study showed that most of the patients were elderly and maximum number of patients (86.66%) was diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis. In each group, pain reduction and increase of muscle strength was same, TENS showed better improvement of muscle strength. There was complete recovery of tenderness by both TENS and UST. Significant improvement was observed after treatment in each group except in active internal rotation in UST group. But in comparison between two groups, Group A (TENS) showed statistically significant better improvement in all planes of pain free range of motion than Group B except active abduction which was better improved in group B (UST) and in case of passive abduction, passive external rotation and passive extension, TENS had better effect than UST. It may be concluded that TENS and UST both are effective but TENS may be safer and superior to ultrasonic therapy (UST) in the treatment of the patients with post stroke shoulder pain.

A randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 1st April 2006 to 31st March 2007. A total of 102 patients of Chronic LBP were included in the study. Out of them, 42 (41.2%) were male and 60 (58.8%) were female and male: female ratio was 1:1.43. The mean age of the patients was 42.22+/-8.07 years. They were divided randomly into two groups by the way of lottery for the clinical trial. Group A was treated with short wave diathermy (SWD) and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and Group B was treated with placebo SWD and NSAID. After treatment the result was compared and student's 't' test was done to see the level of significance. There was significant improvement after treatment in both the group (P=0). In comparison between two groups, it was found that there was no significant improvement in pre-treatment, after 1st week and after 2nd week. Improvement was found in Group A than Group B after 3rd week (P=0.05). And the improvement was gradually increased in Group A in comparison to Group B. Finally, it was found that there was significant improvement in Group A than Group B after 6th week (P=0). From the present study, it may be concluded that both the treatment (NSAID and SWD) is effective for the treatment of Chronic LBP. But the patient may be more benefited if SWD is used as an adjunct to NSAID.

A prospective study was carried-out in the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Institute of Postgraduate Medicine & Research (IPGMR) now Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) during a period of 9 months starting from 1st April to 31st December 1996 to find out the probable causes of Cerebral Palsy (CP), the types of CP and associated disabilities among these patients attending the department. A total of 5412 patient were treated, of them 93 (1.72%) were diagnosed as CP. Boys and girls were 62 (66.7%) and 30 (33.3%) respetively. Majority 44 (47.3%) were quadriplegic type followed by diplegic type 29 (31.1%), hemiplegic type 15 (16.1%) and athetoid type 1 (1%). Associated disabilities were mental retardation (45.1%), convulsive disorders (38.7%), speech disorders (49.4%), hearing impairment (13.9%), visual problem (8.6%) and squint (26.8%). Spastic quadriplegia was the mostsevere form with multiple disabilities found in our study.