Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Journal

Objective: Various factors tend to affect the attitude of students towards their course and future. This study investigated the attitude and perception of physiotherapy students towards their education and profession. The study also explored the limitations in the development of the discipline in India and the suggestions to overcome it. Study design: Cross sectional Methodology: 266 intern and final year students of 5 different physiotherapy colleges of Mangalore were selected by random sampling and their attitude towards their education and profession was assessed using Physiotherapy Student’s Attitude Questionnaire (PSAQ). The self-report questionnaire consisted of 34 items, of which 27 were close ended questions and 7 were open ended questions. Results: All the 4 domains of the questionnaire have poor association according to the chi square test. There was no significant difference in all the four domains between the interns and final years. Gender wise differences were also not significant according to unpaired t test. Many reasons were cited by the participants for stagnation of professional growth and suggestions to overcome were given for the same.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the students and interns are indecisive with the course and their profession. However there are many untouched long standing problem areas which need to be modified.

Key Words: Students, Attitude, Career, Satisfaction, Physiotherapy profession.

Background and purpose: Although tests of standing balance are frequently included in neurological evaluations, few objective data are available to indicate how well individuals of different ages should be able to maintain standing balance. The purpose of this study was: (1) to establish the relationship between performance on timed balance tests and age, and (2) to provide data for use in clinical assessments of patients from 20 – 69 years of age. Subjects: Normal males and females (n=75) in the age group of 20-79 yrs were included in the study after they gave their informed consent. Methods: The subjects were allocated to the five groups according to their age Group A (20-29 years), Group B (30-39 years), Group C (40-49 years), Group D (50-59 years) and Group E (60-69 years). The subject stood without shoes with weight bearing lower extremities inside 18- by 20- inches frame on a smooth and level surface. Subjects in each age group performed eight balancing activities and time was recorded for each activity on a digital stop watch. Results: All subjects balanced for 30 seconds with feet 8 inches apart and with feet together both with their eyes open and with their eyes closed. One legged balance activities were not, however, accomplished for 30 seconds by all subjects. A significant negative correlation existed between the age and the time balanced on one leg with eyes open and closed. Conclusion: The duration that individuals are able to maintain standing balance on one leg is highly related to age.

Key Words: Timed balance tests

This was an experimental study done to determine the effect of hand dominance on cognition. 60 female subjects between the age group of 18-25 years from SBSPGI were selected through convenient sampling by using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were divided in two groups- group A (Right handed individual) and group-B (Left handed individuals). Both the groups were assessed for their cognitive functions i.e. attention, memory and learning using trail making test, modified MMSE and VAK learning questionnaire. Data was analysed using independent t test and descriptive statistics.CONCLUSION: Left handers were found to be better in performing memory and attention tasks as compared to right handers. Majority of left handers were found to have auditory learning style and majority of right handers were found to have visual learning styles.

INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that school kids spend an average of 10 hours a day sitting down. Unfortunately ergonomics, the design of the right work and studying environment, is largely ignored for kids. A chair is important for good posture, but when task like reading and writing are involved, the height and inclination of desk or table plays a dominant role. The study was conducted with the aim to find the change in cervical range of motion in school students using inclined desk vs. flat desk for at least 5yrs. MATERIALS & METHODS: The study had 75 sample of age group between 14 to 18 years amongst which 35 subjects were using flat desk since 5 yrs and. the rest of 40 subjects belonged to the group using 10 degree inclined desk. Their cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, right lateral flexion and left lateral flexion) using goniometer and inch tape method. DATA ANALYSIS & RESULTS: cervical ranges of motion (flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, left lateral flexion) were compared in two groups with Z-test as a statistical test in order to justify the null Hypothesis of the study. Students using flat desk were found to have more restricted cervical range of motion than inclined desk users. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION: Students using flat desk top tend to slouch more on the table top while reading and writing. The implementation of ergonomically designed adjustable inclined desk for the school students in their pre-adolescent age is beneficial over the traditional usage of flat desk. The desk height and the degree of inclination should be adjustable according to the need of the individual.

Key Words: Cervical spine, Neck pain, Goniometry, Desk inclination.