Ezema Charles Ikechukwu

University of Nigeria | UNN · Department of Medical Rehabilitation

Background Exploration of biomarkers for debilitating diseases such as cervical spondylosis is important to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and management of such conditions. The study aimed to determine the correlation between neck pain and disability and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), osteoprotegerin (OPG), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T...

Background We investigated the knowledge of COVID-19 pathogenesis and prevention, attitude, and adherence to safe clinical practices among radiographers during the pandemic and made some informed policy recommendations. Materials and methods The study was an online cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire captured data on respondents’ demographic...

Background and Objectives: In 2010, Webber and colleagues conceptualized the

Background and Objectives In 2010, Webber and colleagues conceptualized the interrelationships between mobility determinants, and researchers tested Webber's framework using data from developed countries. No studies have tested this model using data from developing nations (e.g., Nigeria). This study aimed to simultaneously explore the cognitive, e...

Background Direct-access physiotherapy practice has led to a global review of the use of differential-diagnostic modalities such as musculoskeletal imaging (MI) in physiotherapy. Objective To explore the MI authority, levels of training, attitude, utilisation, and competence among clinical physiotherapists in Nigeria. Methods This national cross-...

The study related serum lead level to cardiopulmonary function, quality of life and musculoskeletal pain of welders in Enugu, Nigeria. Snowball sampling technique was adopted to reach over 100 Enugu resident welders. The first 100 who met the inclusion criteria and gave their consent to participate in the study were sampled. The welders' serum lead...

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the effects of six-week cervical traction and infrared therapy on neck pain intensity (PI) and neck disability index (NDI) among individuals with cervical spondylosis. Methods: The study was a non-randomised cross-over cohort design. Forty participants (men=20, and women=20) who were purposively selected, received...

Background: The presentations of Erb’s palsy due to birth-related peripheral nerve injury of the brachial plexus could be based on the type and extent of child’s injury sustained. Purpose: This study was aimed at verifying the presentation of Erb’s palsy between 2001−2009. Methodology: This was a retrospective study design, which determined the pre...

Background: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a promising non-pharmacological modality for the management ofchronic low back pain (CLBP), but its efficacy and mode of action have not been clearly established. Objective: To evaluate the responses of plasma beta-endorphin (βE), met-enkephalin (ME), and pain intensity (PI) among...

Nigeria’s life expectancy, 54.33 years, is one of the lowest globally. This is made worse by occupational hazards, especially exposure to markers of neurotoxicity, which are most common heavy metals that can be harmful to the body, including aluminum, cadmium, arsenic, lead, and mercury contained in large amount in panel beating facilities, predisp...

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the knowledge of pathology and prevention of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), attitude towards clinical practice, and adherence to standard precautions among clinical physiotherapists during the pandemic. Material and Methods: A snowballing method was used to recruit physiotherapists (across 53 countries) who resp...

There is a significant shift in stroke prevention practices, with advocacy for lifestyle modifications such as regular physical activity taking the lead, while psychosocial and emotional stressors are often omitted. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association of major stroke risk factors with each discrete emotion and...

The purpose of this study was to determine which of the 3 methods axillary measurement best predict ideal crutch length. Ideal crutch length is defined as the length of the crutch, including accessories, obtained during stance when the crutch tip is 15.2cm lateral and 15.2cm anterior to fifth toe and the axillary pad is 6.4cm below the axillary fol...

Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder, impacts 2% of newborns in Nigeria and Ghana. Despite devastating health consequences, SCD prevention is not a priority in either country. This article describes our U.S. research team’s feasibility assessment for adapting CHOICES, a computer-based SCD education program, for use in Ghana and Ni...

Background: Diabetes presents a multifaceted challenge to health systems in Nigeria and beyond. Physical activity is a cornerstone of diabetes management but is often underutilised. Despite the positive effects of physical activity on different dimensions of health to patients with diabetes, most fail to maintain long-term adherence to physical act...

Objectives To investigate (a) the effects of six-week alternate CT and infrared therapy (IRT) on neck pain and neck disability index (NDI), (b) and the influence of serum levels of IL-6, OPG, E2, TES, Ca2, Mg, and Ca2/Mg ratio on the reported levels of pain intensity (PI) and NDI among patients with cervical spondylosis, referred for physiotherapy...

Background: Deficiency in musculoskeletal imaging (MI) education will pose a great challenge to physiotherapists in clinical decision making in this era of first-contact physiotherapy practices in many developed and developing countries. This study evaluated the nature and the level of MI training received by physiotherapists who graduate from Nige...

Type-2 diabetes is a leading risk for cardiovascular diseases and events due to ease of develop­ment of atherosclerosis in people with type-diabetes. Chronic inflammation is a major driver of atherosclerosis in type-2 diabetes and it has been linked to elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level. The objective of this study was to determine whether CRP...

Background: Lipid abnormalities are prevalent conditions in diabetic patients and predispose to atherogenic cerebrovascular accidents thus necessitating the development of the appropriate rehabilitative intervention. Objectives: To determine the effects of 8-weeks interval aerobic exercise on lipid profiles of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (T2D...

The present study investigated factors that influenced home care physiotherapy (HCP) services and profile of the practitioners in Nigeria. It also investigated if the service was registered with the Regulatory Agency. Three hundred and thirty conveniently sampled physiotherapists in Nigeria participated in the cross-sectional survey. A newly develo...

This is a dataset for the research that evaluate the responses of plasma beta-endorphin (βE), met-enkephalin (ME) and pain intensity (PI) among patients with chronic low back pain exposed to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) = Group 1 or sham-TENS = Group 2. The dataset codes: TENS group = 1, Sham-TENS = 2, Sex: male = 1, female =...

ABSTACT This study evaluated the impact of HIV induced Peripheral neuropathy (HIV-PN) on gait parameters and frequency of falls among 69 patients (25males, 44 females).A convenient sampling technique was employed. Participants were screened of PN using the HIV-brief PN tool, which comprises tests of subjective symptom, vibration sense and reflex. V...

Background: Deficiency in musculoskeletal imaging (MI) education will pose a great challenge to physiotherapists in clinical decision making in this era of first-contact physiotherapy practices in many developed and developing countries. This study evaluated the nature and the level of MI training received by physiotherapists who graduate from Nige...

Background: Previous studies have shown that deficiency in training has led to inappropriate utilization of diagnostic imaging among healthcare professionals. Thus, raising concerns about patient safety and economic cost. This study aimed to assess the characteristics and level of musculoskeletal imaging (MI) training received by physiotherapists w...

Background: Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality. The present study investigated the effect of an eight-week aerobics programme on fasting blood sugar (FBS), cardiovascular parameters, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO 2), and body mass index (BMI) among subjects with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM...

The surface modification of natural fiber is a major key in enhancing fiber properties. It aids to reduce certain weakness in the fiber such as poor surface adhesion to hydrophobic polymers, etc. Thus, in order to improve the properties of Banana Fruit Bunch Fiber (BFBF), sodium Hydroxide (Mercerization) was used to modify (treat) BFBF at constant...

Abstract Background: Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality. The study investigated the effect of an eight-week aerobics programme on fasting blood sugar (FBS), cardiovascular parameters, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and body mass index (BMI) among type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. Met...

Abstract Background: Many countries have started adopting musculoskeletal imaging as part of physiotherapy practice and their educational programmes are expected to bridge the gaps in training. Objectives: To develop an instrument that can be used to explore the level and nature of training, attitude, competence and utilisation of musculoskeletal i...

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers especially in developing countries today. Objective: This study sought to ascertain the knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of community dwelling female adults towards cervical cancer in Enugu State, Southeast , Nigeria. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey involving...

Background Little attention has been paid to screening of depression among stroke survivors in outpatient physiotherapy clinics. Post-stroke depression is reported to have a negative impact on functional recovery. However, the exact influence on the outcome of rehabilitation such as level of functional independence remains controversial. This study...

Abstract Background Many studies on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) had been undertaken to explore its pain relieving efficiency on several medicals/surgical conditions but none, specifically, had been carried out to determine the effect it has on post-injection sciatic pain (PISP) which comes about from wrong administration of i...

Background: Stroke results in varying levels of physical disabilities that may adversely impact balance with increased tendency to falls. This may intensify with cognitive impairments (CI), and impede functional recovery. Therefore, task-specific balance training (TSBT), which presents versatile task-specific training options that matches varied in...

Background: Stroke severity may intensify with cognitive impairments (CI), and impede functional recovery. Therefore proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and task specific balance training (TSBT) was an exercise intervention package for stroke survivors with and without cognitive impairment (CI). Original Research Article Okonkwo et al.;...

Independent ambulation is the ultimate goal of post-stroke rehabilitation, of which dynamic balance is a primary requirement. Core stability is said to be essential to balance and independent ambulation, however, core strengthening exercises have often been omitted in stroke rehabilitation. The study sought to determine the effects of core strength...

Aim: To ascertain the comparative efficacy of Bobath and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in retraining of balance and functional independence in the activities of daily living. Study Design: Pre-post experimental design. Place and Duration: The study took place at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu between May and August 2...

The study sought to determine the effects of eight weeks interval aerobic exercise training programme on cardiovascular parameters, pain and white blood cell count in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients in selected tertiary hospitals in Enugu State. Eighty age-matched subjects with CLBP were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups....

Objective: To explore the relationship between severity of acne with Age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Physical Activity Index (PAI) of the patients. Methods: The study employed a cross sectional design. Acne patients were recruited through quota sampling across a University Faculties, 120 subjects meet the inclusion requirements and gave individual...

Introduction: Grip strength is routinely utilized in wide range of clinical setting as a physiological variable that is affected by a number of factors. Aim: We examined the relationships of forearm circumference, middle finger length, height, and BMI with handgrip strength measured among a group of young adults. Material and methods: This is a cro...

Background: Although publications describe physical demands of the job in the physiotherapy profession, there is a dearth of literature on job stress dimensions (JSDs), and their relationship to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Objective: To investigate JSDs and their relationship to WMSDs among physiotherapists currently practici...

Background: Back pain has been identified as a common cause of disability in the working population. Automotive mechanics habitually use awkward back posture in their course of manual activity and hence may be at risk of work-related back pain. Objective: To investigate the prevalence, pattern and severity of back pain among automotive maintenan...

Background and Aim: Cervical Traction (CT) is a vital physiotherapeutic modality in themanagement of cervical musculoskeletal disorders. This study determined the cardio-respiratory responses to CT using different percentage body weights on Apparently Healthy Individuals (AHI). Materials and Methods: 163 consecutively recruited AHI that met the in...

Cervical spondylosis is a very common and painful condition affecting many people. The mainstay of treatment of this painful condition has been analgesics which have not proved effective in addition to their untoward complications. Biomechanical studies have shown the potential of neck Case Study Igwe et al.; BJMMR, 16(7): 1-7, 2016; Article no.BJM...

Control of all types of diabetes involves maintaining normal or near-normal blood glucose levels through the appropriate therapy: insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, diet, and exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate the blood glucose response to aerobic exercise training among subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus at University of Nigeri...

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of continuous training program on the correlates of white blood cell count (WBCc) and psychosocial stress in black African (Nigerian) male subjects with essential hypertension. Materials and Methods: Male subjects with diagnosis of essential hypertension attending the hypertensive clinic...

Objective: Despite the significant positive effect of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on physical and psychosocial well-being of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLWHA); decreased physical activity and its associated cardiovascular risk still pose some consequences for health and...

Aim and Objective: Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of disorders causing activity limitation which is attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occur in the developing fetal or infant brain. The rehabilitation of children with CP has focused on increasing functionality in their daily activities. The objective of this study was to assess...

Falls are major cause of injury and disability for persons of all ages, but risk of falls increase with age. Perception of risk factors is import in preventing fall incidence by the elderly. This study determined perception of fall as a health problem and perceived importance of fall-related risks factors among Nigerian urban dwelling elderly. In t...

Prevalence of flat foot and its associated personal characteristics among public primary school students was investigated. This cross-sectional study involved 474 public primary school students (253 females and 221 males) between the ages of 6 and 10 years. Flat foot diagnosis was made using Staheli plantar index (PI), where values >1.15 were indic...

Background: Reciprocal pulley exercise is usually recommended for physiotherapy patients undergoing rehabilitation for muscle strengthening exercises or improvement in joint range of motion but, very little is known of its effects on the cardiovascular system. Aims: This study aimed at investigating the blood pressure and pulse rate response to res...

Background: Diabetes mellitus causes great health complications which include cardiovascular diseases and nerve damage. Aim: To ascertain the participation in blood glucose test, knowledge of diabetes mellitus (DM) and prevalence of hyperglycemia among traders at New market, Enugu State. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey involving meas...

Pressure ulcers remain a perennial challenge in the management of patients with spinal cord injury in developing countries due to lack of preventive facilities and trained personnel. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with healing outcomes of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers among patients with spinal cord injury in a Nigeri...

Background: Poor posture when maintained for a long period can result in musculoskeletal injuries and deformities. Aims: This study aimed at investigating the knowledge of work ergonomics among bank workers, and the ergonomic compliance of office furniture used in some banks, in Enugu metropolis. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. 160 tables...

Background/Objective: Poorly fitted work organization is high risk factors for developing work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Bottling tasks require workers to maintain awkward posture while continually performing a machine paced repetitive motions throughout the work period thereby increasing risk for developing WMSDs. Determination of...