https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/27966 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:07:45 GMT 2026-04-12T07:07:45Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31379 Title: Pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with a diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pulmonary Fibrosis Abstract: Introduction: Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is now established as one of the prime modes of therapy in the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, benefits of which are well documented in several guidelines. Despite this, there are still a number of areas which are equivocal. Lack of evidence regarding the appropriate length for Pulmonary Rehabilitation programmes and the benefits of such an intervention in other respiratory conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis are still major issues. Less is known about the effects of PR when delivered after an acute COPD exacerbation. This project aimed at exploring some of these questions, that is the optimum duration of PR in COPD, any benefits of PR in pulmonary fibrosis patients and attempted to look into any effects on acute COPD patients. Methodology: A quantitative, quasi-experimental, observational type of study was adopted. A total of 106 stable COPD patients, 108 pulmonary fibrosis patients and 6 acute COPD patients completed the full study. Patients were divided into two groups, an active group in which participants were enrolled into a 12-week PR programme consisting of a high intensity exercise programme and educational sessions and an inactive, control group. Baseline assessments for patients in the active groups were carried out 2 weeks before initiation of the programme. Those who formed part of the inactive group were also assessed in the same way. The 6-minute walk test, dyspnoea score using Borg Scale, spirometry testing, plethysmography, COPD Assessment Tool for COPD patients only, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, Hospital and Anxiety score and tests for inflammatory marker were administered at 4 weekly intervals throughout the 12 weeks. The active participants also had these tests repeated at the 28th and 52nd week, on follow-up post completion of the programme. Results: A 12-week PR programme in stable COPD patients resulted in statistically significant improvements in functional measures and health status but not in lung function measures or inflammatory markers. Mild COPD patients had improvements in functional measures as early as 4 weeks. Severe COPD patients improved in functional performance at a later point but improvements in quality of life measures happened at an earlier time point than the milder group and with more impressive changes. PR in pulmonary fibrosis patients also led to significant changes in exercise tolerance, changes which occurred at the 8th week time point. Although both the active and inactive patients in the mild to moderate severity group as per mMRC score had significant improvements, the active group had higher levels of improvement at the 12th week. Improvements in health status as measured using the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire were also noted for the whole cohort of patients and those with an mMRC score of 3-4. Such improvements were also noted with dyspnoea measures by the 4th week. The acute COPD patients had some promising results from such an intervention. Conclusion: Findings from this study show that 12 weeks of PR in a COPD patients resulted in clinically significant improvements in functional outcome measures which are supported with statistically significant improvements in health-related quality of life measures. In milder COPD cases, by the 4th week of PR gains in exercise tolerance had already resulted. The more severe group required more time to obtain improvements. This would facilitate the local hospital to organise shorter PR programmes on larger numbers of milder COPD patients. In the case of pulmonary fibrosis patients, a PR programme with the same components delivered to COPD patients, led to some significant but less marked improvements in exercise tolerance, dyspnoea scores and the total and impact domain of the SGRQ. Outcomes in acute COPD patients resulted in favourable trends of improvements but in view of the small sample size no concrete conclusions can be drawn. Such an intervention looks very promising in the management and care of patients with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis and further research in this field is highly recommended. Description: PH.D.PHYSIOTHERAPY Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31379 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/28098 Title: Investigating the effects of music on static posturography in Maltese synchronised swimmers Abstract: Synchronised swimming is a combination of ballet, gymnastics and swimming. The athletes spend a large amount of time in an upside down vertical position whilst listening to music. This study aimed to investigate whether different types of music had an effect on the static posturography of Maltese synchronised swimmers whilst also investigating whether the Maltese population had similar static posturographic findings to those of Japanese and Korean synchronised swimmers. A positivist approach was chosen to test this anthropometric study. A questionnaire was used in order to collect anthropometric data while a baropodometric platform was then used in order to collect data on the static posturography during five auditory scenarios of no auditory stimulus, Mozart’s Symphony ‘Jupiter’, ‘Musik zum Streicheln’ by Johannes R. Kohler, metronome of their team music and their team music (the piece of music to which they perform their synchronised swimming routine). SPSS® was used to generate results. Diverse findings resulted between the anthropometric data and postural sway, a specific pattern could not be established as different results were noted across different categories for different types of music. Music composed by Mozart showed to have a positive effect on postural stability when standing on an unstable surface with the eyes open. Metronome and team music also had a positive effect when standing on unstable surface with the eyes closed and open respectively. Visual input was seen to improved postural stability on both types of surface. Through this study it can be concluded that music by Mozart and listening to the same piece of music often appears to improve postural stability. This study also concluded that Maltese synchronised swimmers demonstrated similarities to both Japanese and Korean synchronised swimmers, however no difference in postural sway was noted between elite and junior Maltese synchronised swimmers. Further research is required in order to investigate the difference in postural sway between young healthy adults and Maltese synchronised swimmers. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/28098 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/28097 Title: The short term effects of balance exercises on the stability of athletes Abstract: Balance is a key element in everyday life. It is especially important in athletes, since good balance control reduces the risk of injury. This study was aimed at investigating the short term effects of a balance exercise programme on the stability of athletes. It also examined the relationship with factors such as BMI, the presence of scoliosis, and activity level. The 27 participants were all aged 12-15. Nine individuals were basketball players, nine did athletics and the other nine did not perform any sport outside of school. The data collected included age, BMI, presence of scoliosis and foot pressures using a baropedometric platform. Participants were subjected to a Romberg test, followed by a warm up, balance exercises and another Romberg test. Data was analysed using SPSS ®. Significant differences were found in foot pressures when comparing BMI, the presence of scoliosis and the difference between an active and sedentary lifestyle. BMI showed significant changes in RMSY (p = 0.035) with eyes open and RMSY with eyes closed (p = 0.033). Ymean (p = 0.017) with eyes closed, was found to be significant in individuals who had AIS. Significant values when comparing activity level were present in speed (p = 0.04), Xmean (p = 0.025), RMS (p = 0.037) and RMSX (p = 0.016) with open eyes. RMS (p = 0.018) was significant with eyes closed. No significant difference in foot pressures was present in other categories. This study found that participants who lead a more active lifestyle had better stability and balance control. Individuals who had AIS had poorer balance control. Participants who were overweight had poorer stability when compared to underweight and normal weight individuals, and had decreased balance awareness after the procedure was performed. A balance exercise programme has the potential to increase stability immediately after exercises have been performed. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/28097 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/28096 Title: Investigating joint position sense in Maltese competitive swimmers Abstract: Abstract: Swimming is a very technical sport and is comprised of repetitive movements which results in overuse injuries. Poor technique and posture can cause injuries in the cervical spine that might lead to poor joint position sense (JPS). The aim of this study was to collect data regarding the participants’ training lifestyle and investigate any relationship with cervical JPS. This was done with the purpose of addressing prevention and rehabilitation to meet such findings. A questionnaire was drawn up in order to collect personal data and data relative to the training lifestyle of competitive swimmers. A physical evaluation was performed to measure height and weight for each participant, followed by a protocol validated by Roren, Mayoux-Benhamou et al. (2009) to measure the joint position error (JPE). Statistical package for the social science (SPSS) was then used to generate results. A significant association was found between JPE in certain directions and four of the categories investigated; these categories being age, type of training, other sporting activities performed and BMI. These categories were further investigated where the significant correlation between the groups within the category was recorded. Physiotherapy intervention would be essential to prevent injuries from occurring, this would be done by setting up appropriate training programmes while maintaining a good posture and biomechanics throughout. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/28096 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z