https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39719 2026-07-16T00:57:58Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/70319 Title: The effects of breathing retraining on dyspnoea measures and the six minute walking distance in patients with interstitial lung diseases Abstract: One of the most common symptoms experienced in patients with a diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is shortness of breath which greatly affects their abilities to carry out activities of daily living. As most studies show, breathing retraining is said to lead to improvements in dyspnoea and walking distance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Evidence regarding the effects of such an intervention on reducing dyspnoea in ILD patients is lacking. In view of this, the aims of such a study were to identify whether breathing retraining led to better management of dyspnoea in ILD patients which in turn could help lead to less use of medical services to help manage their dyspnoea levels. Twenty Seven ILD patients were randomly distributed to either the control group (n=15) which received a 12week PR programme without breathing retraining or the active group (n=12) which received a 12week PR programme with breathing retraining. All patients had both their exercise tolerance using the 6-minute walk test and their level of breathlessness assessed at baseline and at 4 weekly intervals for a 12week period throughout the programme. Results from such a study show that a 12week PR programme with breathing retraining resulted in improved dyspnoea scores at rest, measures which increased for the control group and higher percentage changes for dyspnoea scores on exertion, and the 6MWD in the active group. As a conclusion, breathing retraining in a group of ILD patients resulted in clinically significant improvements in both dyspnoea measures and the six-minute walking distance. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40662 Title: The relationship between exercise tolerance and quality of life in cardiac rehabilitation patients Abstract: Objective: To investigate the impact of a fully comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme on exercise tolerance and quality of life (QOL) in patients suffering from ischaemic heart disease (IHD). To determine the correlation between the two variables, namely exercise tolerance and QOL. Methods: twenty male patients between the ages of 50-70 suffering from IHD attending the comprehensive CR programme in the physiotherapy department at Mater Dei hospital were included in the study. Data from the patients’ Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) was collected both at baseline and after the six-week CR programme in order to collect information regarding the patients’ exercise tolerance levels. QOL was evaluated using the ‘Short Form 36’ (SF-36) which was also administered both before and after the programme. Results: Following the CR programme, the patients’ QOL including both the physical component score (PCS) and the mental component (MCS) score increased by 6% (P: 0.003 and P: 0.009 respectively). The results of the metabolic equivalent of task achieved (MET) and metabolic equivalent of task maximum (MET max) also increased by +0.5 and +0.4 respectively. The mean increment in distance walked in the 6MWT was 43.85 metres. No significant difference was observed in the results between categorical variables (age, BMI, occupation, activity level, smoking status). The Pearson correlation test confirmed a positive relationship between the PCS of the SF-36 and exercise tolerance (P<0.05). No correlation was found between exercise tolerance and the MCS of the SF-36 (P >0.05). Conclusion: A six-week comprehensive CR programme has positive effects on both exercise tolerance and QOL. As exercise tolerance levels increase, the physical aspect of QOL also increases. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40653 Title: The Maltese insurances’ perspective on direct access measures within physiotherapy private health insurances Abstract: The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (2013) describes self-referral as the client’s ability to access physiotherapy without a referral note. Studies show that this depends on direct access which is in turn dependent on numerous factors, which led to the main research question; “What is the Maltese health insurances’ perspective on direct access measures to private physiotherapy services?” The objectives of this study endeavour to establish the perspective of the health insurance companies on the physiotherapy profession, and to analyse direct access to physiotherapy as conditioned by current structures and procedures implemented for reimbursement by insurance companies. The whole population (n=6) of private health insurance companies was involved in the exercise, and a 100% response rate was achieved. A self-designed, structured interview with open-ended questions was developed and used. The main themes that emerged from the findings, through thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006) were: Terms in Health Insurances, Professionalism and Health Insurance Policy Requirements. The findings presented the various restrictions that exist for reimbursement of physiotherapy services through private health insurance companies in Malta, namely; the required referral note and other documents, the basic rates for one physiotherapy session, the yearly packages and the administrative and settlement measures that reimbursement entails. Additionally, there were some eligible expenses that are not even reimbursed. Such is the situation that service users’ are not being met or satisfied. Moreover, it was established that physiotherapy is perceived as complementary/ alternative or as an out-patient benefit that could possibly explain the prohibition of cross-referrals. Furthermore, promotion of physiotherapy benefits is non-existent. To conclude, more research studies should be undertaken on a national, European and international level with regard to the effect of reimbursement methods imposed by private health insurance companies on direct access to physiotherapy services. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40650 Title: A community intervention programme : the effects of low intensity exercise on the health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in older adults Abstract: Background: Physical exercise and health related quality of life (HR-QOL) are important factors for optimal health in the elderly. Studying the association between the two aspects is becoming of more relevance in recent years as the number of older adults has increased, particularly in Malta. Objective: This study evaluates the link between low intensity physical exercise and HR-QOL among community dwelling older adults. Method: The study included 30 older adults recruited from the community who took part in 4-week low intensity exercise classes. The sessions were carried out twice a week for a total of 8 weeks. Data was collected at baseline as an initial assessment, at the 4th week interval and at an interval following 6 weeks for the following measures: 36-item Short Form questionnaire (SF-36), World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) and semi-structured interview questions. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS®) was used to generate the questionnaire results. Results: The findings showed that values in all dimensions of the HR-QOL improved following the 4-week programme with the SF-36 exhibiting significant improvements in Physical Functioning, Vitality and Mental Health domains (p < 0.05) and the WHOQOL-BREF showing a significant change in the Environmental domain (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were recorded between most of the domains (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A low intensity exercise programme positively influences various outcomes associated with HR-QOL in community dwelling older adults. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z