International Journal of Physical Therapy Research & Practice

Association of Fatigue with Physical Functioning, Postural Balance, and Fall Efficacy in Women with and without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Muneera Mohammed Almurdi — 2024-12-31

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly impacts patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), affecting physical, psychological, social, and emotional well-being. This study examined the differences in fatigue, postural balance, fall efficacy, and HRQoL among patients with and without type 2 diabetes across these critical domains. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 37 females with type 2 diabetes (mean age 52.9 ± 7.3 years) who were recruited from a diabetes clinic, along with 16 healthy female participants. Fatigue, postural balance, fall efficacy, and HRQoL were measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale, Berg Balance Scale, the International Fall Efficacy Scale, and the 36-item Short-Form Survey questionnaire, respectively. Results: Fatigue scores were significantly higher in people with type 2 diabetes than healthy participants (d= 0.457; p= -0.01). No statistically significant differences in HRQoL were found between the groups, except for role limitations due to emotional problems (d = 0.36, p = 0.013) and social functioning (d = 0.51, p < 0.01). Participants with type 2 diabetes showed no significant differences in postural balance and fall efficacy compared to healthy subjects (p > 0.05). However, fatigue emerged as a significant predictor of physical functioning in individuals with type 2 diabetes but not in healthy participants. Conclusion: In conclusion, individuals with type 2 diabetes experience significantly higher fatigue levels, which predict physical functioning, while reporting greater limitations in social functioning and emotional health compared to healthy participants. Identifying these differences guides healthcare professionals in designing more personalized care strategies for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

The Effect of Fatigue on Cognitive Tasks Among Young Adults

Mohammed A Aljahni — 2024-12-31

Background: This study investigates the impact of fatigue on cognitive and motor performance among young adults (18-25 years old) using the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT). Fatigue is known to affect domains such as attention, memory, and motor skills, with physical fatigue from strenuous activities impairing cognitive performance. The study aims to assess fatigue's effect on motor speed and coordination, evaluate cognitive processing speed, and compare performance between fatigued and non-fatigued states. Methods: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted with 42 participants, averaging 22.12 years of age, who were divided into control and experimental groups. The control group followed regular sleep and rest patterns, while the experimental group underwent a 45-minute high-intensity exercise session to induce fatigue. Performance was measured using the GPT both before and immediately after the fatigue induction. Participants also completed a post-test survey reporting perceived levels of fatigue. Results: Survey responses revealed that fatigue significantly affected performance, with 47% of participants strongly agreeing that fatigue impacted their cognitive and motor functions. Significant positive correlations were found between the EXP GPD Score and Control GPD Score (0.8031), and between EXP GPD Errors and Control GPD Errors (0.8595). The regression analysis indicated that for every unit increase in the Fatigue Borg Scale, the EXP GPD Score (time) increased by approximately 0.8036 units. Paired samples t-tests confirmed significant differences in performance and perceived fatigue between control and post-fatigue groups. Conclusion: The study confirms the detrimental effects of fatigue on cognitive-motor performance, with significant impairments in motor speed, coordination, and cognitive processing speed. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate fatigue and support optimal performance in various contexts.

Reliability of Gait Analyst Pro for Measuring Spatial-Temporal Gait Parameters in Pilgrimages

Hanan Ahmed Demyati — 2024-12-31

Background: Accurate gait assessments are critical during events such as the Hajj pilgrimage, where participants walk long distances under challenging conditions, particularly elderly individuals with higher mobility risk. Reliable gait analysis tools are essential for determining whether mobility aids or wheelchairs are needed for support. The aim is to assess the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of Gait Analyst Pro under both TM and OG walking conditions. Methodology: Seventy participants were recruited from a primary healthcare centre serving pilgrims. Fifty performed TM walking, and 20 completed OG walking. Gait Analyst Pro measured spatial-temporal gait parameters. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: Higher intra-rater reliability was observed for TM walking (ICCs: 0.789–0.854) compared to OG walking (ICCs: 0.505–0.730). Similarly, inter-rater reliability was stronger for TM assessments (ICC = 0.784) than OG assessments (ICC = 0.503), highlighting the impact of environmental variability. A moderate positive correlation (ρ = 0.368, p = 0.009) was found between TM and OG walking speeds. ANOVA results indicated significant group differences for OG walking speeds (p < 0.001), while differences for TM walking speeds were not significant (p = 0.086). Conclusion: Gait Analyst Pro is highly reliable in controlled TM environments, but variability increases in OG conditions. These findings underscore the need for AI-driven validation of Gait Analyst Pro for both controlled and real-world applications, particularly during the Hajj pilgrimage.