https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/117290 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:33:49 GMT 2026-04-07T20:33:49Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118991 Title: Aquatic therapy for pain and mobility management in chronic low back pain patients compared to land-based exercise therapy Abstract: Introduction: Burton et al. (2006) describe low back pain as pain and discomfort that originates at the costal margin and extends above the gluteal folds and is not caused by a specific condition. Low back pain is divided into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute back pain is defined as pain episodes that last less than 6 weeks, while chronic back pain lasts 12 weeks or longer, according to Burton et al. (2006). Chronic low back pain can have several risk factors, including old age, rapid weight gain, arthritis, spondylosis, spinal stenosis, cancer, and psychological depression and mental instability caused by inadequate pain perception (National Institute of Health., 2000). Low back pain is the leading cause of disability, causing mood disorders, sleeping disruptions, physical incapacity, and social life and activity withdrawal (World Health Organization., 2007) The research question for this project is: Is aquatic therapy more effective than land-based exercise therapy in reducing pain and restoring mobility in chronic low back pain? The PICO elements used: (P) Adults with chronic low back pain (I) Aquatic Therapy (C) Land-based exercise (O) Reduced pain and restored mobility. Methods: The articles were found using a variety of databases, including the University of Malta Library HiDy, NCBI, and Google Scholar. A number of inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to specifically conduct the search. Only patients with chronic low back pain, English language, and an age limit of 18 years or older were included in the study, and the literature was limited to studies published between 2009 and 2021. Only Systematic Reviews (SRs) and Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) pertinent to the PICO question were included in for appraisal. Studies that focused on a different population age, condition, language, or applied different outcomes were discarded. In order to critically assess the study's strength, reliability, and applicability the CASP tool for SRs and RCTs was adopted. Results: In the majority of the studies, aquatic therapy was found to be more effective than land-based exercise in treating chronic low back pain. However, it should be highlighted that none of the studies used in this dissertation were directed at Malta. Therefore, caution should be used when extrapolating these findings to the local population. Conclusion: More study should be done in this area, and a larger sample size should be used locally to produce more reliable and addressed results, according to this dissertation. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118991 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118988 Title: The reduction in breast cancer-related lymphoedema with kinesiotaping Abstract: Background: Breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is a possible complication of the treatment of breast cancer, which is the most prevalent cancer worldwide (WHO 2021). The current unclear literature regarding the safety and potential beneficial effects of kinesio-taping (KT) on BCRL led to the research question below, aiming to optimize BCRL management. Research question: Is the use of kinesio-tape effective in reducing breast cancer-related lymphoedema in females, when compared to the use of complex decongestive therapy approaches? This research question was formulated using the PICO framework: (P) females suffering from BCRL, (I) KT, (C) complex decongestive therapy (CDT), (O) reduction in BCRL. Search method: A systematic literature search was conducted through several electronic databases and reference hand-searching. Limiters and inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to refine the search outcome. Study designs were restricted to systematic reviews (SRs), meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the English language. The studies included were those investigating the effects of KT on BCRL in female participants versus any of the CDT components when used as part of the CDT approach. Five key studies were selected, one SR and four RCTs, and critically appraised using the CASP tool. Results: The SR and the two RCTs concerning the CDT intensive phase found that KT is less effective than bandaging in reducing BCRL. The other two RCTs resulted in KT being more effective than compression garments (CGs) in the maintenance phase of CDT. Conclusions: The findings suggested that KT is more effective than CGs in the maintenance phase of CDT but less effective than bandaging in the intensive phase. Recommendations: The use of KT may be considered in the CDT maintenance phase with regular monitoring to ensure safe practice. Standardized guidelines must be implemented for the application of KT, which may also be taught to the patients empowering them in the self-care of their condition. Description: B.Sc. (Hons) (Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118988 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118982 Title: The use of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices to promote blood lactate clearance post-exercise in athletes Abstract: Overview of the Topic: Fast recovery is essential for athletes after high-intensity exercise. Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices are marketed as recovery tools that clear blood lactate (BLa) at a fast rate. Due to limited evidence, it is not conclusive that IPC devices are effective when compared to other recovery methods. Population Intervention Comparison Outcome (PICO) Elements & Research Question: Based on the PICO framework and the PICO elements outlined, the following research question was formulated: “Does the use of IPC devices (I) promote blood lactate clearance (O) post-exercise in athletes (P)?” Search Methods: An online search, using multiple keywords on academic databases, was conducted to find relevant literature. The inclusion criteria consisted of selecting information from Systematic Reviews (SR), Meta-Analysis (MA), Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Cohort studies. Other criteria that were required to be adhered to included finding studies which consisted of selecting a population of athletes aged between 16 and 60, and studies which recorded BLa levels. Eight RCTs were finally selected and critically appraised using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) (2020) for RCTs to assess the trustworthiness, relevance and results of the published papers. Results: The results were diverse. When compared to passive recovery, three RCTs found that IPC devices are more effective in BLa clearance, four RCTs concluded that there was no significant difference and one study claimed that BLa concentrations increased after using IPC devices. Furthermore, two of the RCTs found out that although there was no significant difference in BLa clearance between the use of IPC devices and active recovery during the initial stages of recovery, active recovery was found to be more effective during the later stages. Conclusion: A clear conclusion about whether IPC devices are effective as a recovery tool cannot be drawn because a comparison of results indicate different findings. Still, the results point to a favourable trend towards IPC devices as being effective. Implications and Recommendations: Hence, due to the inconsistent findings, more research needs to be implemented. IPC devices can still be used as they do not cause any harm and could in fact have beneficial effects. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118982 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118852 Title: The comparison of immobilization against early functional activity, with regards to grades 1 and 2 injuries to the ATFL following an inversion ankle sprain in athletes Abstract: Ankle sprains are very common, even more so in sports as some studies show that almost half of all ankle sprains occur during athletic activity. Therefore, it is essential to identify the best rehabilitation method for the athletes to return back to their respective sports. To do so, a study was performed in order to compare immobilization against early functional activity for grade 1 and 2 injuries to the ATFL following inversion ankle sprains in athletes. A literature search was conducted using the PICO (population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes) method to identify the required literature. For this study, the population was athletes, the intervention being immobilization which was compared to early functional activity by using four outcomes, balance or ankle instability, ROM, return to sports, and pain. In order to extract the data, the nine chosen articles were closely evaluated, taking into consideration tables, graphs, and written results to obtain the required data. From the results of the chosen articles, it was found that with regards to balance or ankle instability, ROM, return to sports, and pain, early functional rehabilitation showed to bring about better results when compared to immobilization. It was indicative that functional rehabilitation in an aquatic setting brings about better results than land-based rehabilitation. It was concluded that early functional rehabilitation is superior to immobilization in athletes having a grade 1 or 2 ATFL injury after a lateral ankle sprain, with aquatic rehabilitation showing better outcomes than land-based rehabilitation. Hence, it is recommended to include early functional exercises in the rehabilitation of athletes having a grade 1 and 2 injuries to the ATFL after lateral ankle sprains, preferably using aquatic therapy. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118852 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z