Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of breastfeeding (BF) knowledge and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders associated with BF among mothers. Materials and Methods: The participants were given a questionnaire containing 20 questions regarding their knowledge of BF practices and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. The responses were reported as mean, standard deviation (SD), number (n), frequencies (f), and percentages (%). Results: The study included 941 participants aged 18 to 49, with a median age of 31-35. Nearly half (47. 9%,n = 451) of participants had no knowledge of the health advantages of BF. Furthermore, 82. 6% (n = 777) of participants did not receive educational courses or information about childbirth during pregnancy or postnatal. Moreover, 42. 7% (n = 402) reported BF-related musculoskeletal pain. The results showed that the least common information provided by doctors or other healthcare providers to mothers was that BF could reduce the risk of some types of cancer (13. 6%,n = 128) and asthma and shortness of breath in children (14. 1%,n = 133). The most common information was that breastfed children are at a lower risk of getting sick than formula-fed children (41. 7%,n = 392). Conclusions: The study showed a lack of knowledge regarding the benefits of BF and a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among BF mothers in Saudi Arabia. We strongly recommend increasing the number of educational courses that provide knowledge and skills related to BF practices and appropriate positioning during BF.

AbstractBackground: Despite the direct access to clients in physioTHERAPY worldwide, Iran has yet to achieve significant improvements in the educational standards and professional responsibilities of physiotherapists. Currently, Iranian physiotherapists do not have direct access to patients. This study aims to present solutions for the professional development of physioTHERAPY, based on the perspectives of scholars in this field.Methods: This qualitative content analysis study explored the experiences of 12 physioTHERAPY scholars from three levels of study (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate) through structured and semi-in-depth face-to-face interviews. Data analysis was conducted concurrently with data collection using Granheim and Ludman’s content analysis method. Results: The identified potential solutions include continuous review of the curriculum, strengthening clinical education, elevation of the basic level of physioTHERAPY education to a professional doctorate or master’s degree, post-graduation competency assessment, revision of educational priorities, establishing a strong presence in hospital and community departments, preventing the influence and interference of other disciplines, raising public awareness of the capabilities and potential of the profession, and paying greater attention to professional ethics.Conclusion: In the absence of entry-level general doctor of physioTHERAPY and direct access to patients, the quality of physioTHERAPY services will not improve, leading to suboptimal health outcomes for clients and consequent waste of time and financial resources for both patients and insurance providers.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder often managed with pharmacological therapies, which may cause adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of magnet THERAPY (MT) and electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of KOA.Methods: A randomized, double-blind trial involved 93 KOA patients divided into three groups: MT, EA, and routine treatment (RT). Eligible participants had confirmed KOA, pain lasting over three months, and walking ability. Outcomes, assessed by a specialist, included pain intensity, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and knee function, stiffness, and pain via the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at baseline, after 10 treatment sessions, and one-month post-treatment. The trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20100129003220N11).Results: Participants had a mean age of 67.44 ± 5.18 years. Significant differences were observed across groups in pain, 6-minute walk test, WOMAC scores, stiffness, and PHYSICAL function (P < 0.001). All variables showed significant changes over the three time points (P < 0.05), with distinct trends in mean changes among groups (P < 0.001).Conclusion: MT outperformed EA and RT in reducing pain, stiffness, and WOMAC scores while improving PHYSICAL function and 6MWT outcomes in KOA patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of balance training in combination with PHYSICAL MODALITIES in patients with knee OA. Materials and Methods: In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, 60 patients (mean age: 56. 5± 0. 90 years) with primary knee osteoarthritis were recruited. Participants were assigned to two groups. PhysioTHERAPY (PT) group received routine PHYSICAL THERAPY (hot pack, ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and exercise) while balance training group (BT) received conventional PHYSICAL THERAPY plus balance training using Biodex balance system (BBS). Results: The comparison between two groups revealed significant differences with regard to the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score (P = 0. 023), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) pain score (P = 0. 018), WOMAC total score (P = 0. 042), Lequesne index (P=0. 015) as well as the score of Timed Up and Go (TUG) test (P = 0. 003). Similar results were observed for the fall risk score (P < 0. 001). The WOMAC stiffness score in the BT group significantly decreased from 2. 80± 0. 34 to 1. 70± 0. 32 (P < 0. 0 1), but it did not decrease in the PT group (P = 0. 096). Conclusions: The combination of balance training and PHYSICAL THERAPY provided more pain relief and development of functional abilities in patients with knee OA.

Background: Transfer energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) THERAPY (TT) is a newly developed deep heating THERAPY that can generate heat within tissues through high-frequency wave stimulation. Compared to conventional physioTHERAPY methods, the application of TT especially in sports rehabilitation is becoming more popular. This study aimed to investigate the comparative effect of TT and therapeutic ultrasound (US) on hamstring muscle shortness. Additionally, the effects of TT with static stretching (SS) were compared with US combined with SS. Materials and Methods: Totally, 39 male athletes with hamstring shortness were randomly assigned into three groups: A, B, and C. Group A received 15 minutes of TT plus SS, while Group B received 15 minutes of US with SS, and Group C only performed SS. Hamstring flexibility was measured by active knee extension (AKE), passive knee extension (PKE), and the sit and Reach (SR) tests before the intervention, and following the first, and third treatment sessions. Results: The range of motion of the AKE and PKE, and displacement range in the SR test improved significantly after the first and third sessions in all three groups (P<0. 0001). The improvement of the three flexibility indices in the TT group was greater than in the other two groups. Conclusion: The present study showed that TT could increase the flexibility of hamstring muscles more than US THERAPY. However, TT in combination with SS had a similar effect to SS alone.