Journal of Medical and Health Research Insights (JMHRI)

Comparative Analysis of Traditional Versus Evidence Based Physiotherapy Approaches for Managing Chronic Low Back Pain

2026-03-22T08:58:07+00:00

Chronic low back pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and imposes substantial socioeconomic burden. Physiotherapy remains a cornerstone in its management, yet variations exist between traditional physiotherapy approaches and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Traditional approaches often emphasize passive modalities such as heat therapy, ultrasound, electrotherapy, and generalized exercise protocols, whereas evidence-based approaches integrate clinical expertise, patient values, and the best available research evidence, emphasizing active rehabilitation, cognitive behavioral strategies, graded exercise, and patient education. This study aims to comparatively analyze the effectiveness of traditional versus evidence-based physiotherapy approaches in managing chronic low back pain using a structural equation modeling approach through Smart PLS. A quantitative comparative design was conducted among 280 patients diagnosed with chronic low back pain attending rehabilitation centers. Pain intensity, functional disability, quality of life, and patient satisfaction were measured after twelve weeks of intervention. Smart PLS was employed to assess measurement reliability and to examine the structural relationship between treatment approach and clinical outcomes while controlling for age and duration of symptoms. Results revealed that evidence based physiotherapy demonstrated significantly stronger positive effects on pain reduction, functional improvement, and quality of life compared to traditional methods. The model explained 56 percent of the variance in treatment outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of integrating research evidence into physiotherapy practice to optimize patient centered outcomes. This study contributes to clinical decision making and policy development by providing empirical support for transitioning from passive modality centered care to active evidence driven rehabilitation strategies.

Exploring Patient Comprehension and Adherence to Diabetes Self-Management Programs

2026-03-22T08:58:08+00:00

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring continuous self-management to prevent complications and maintain glycemic control. Diabetes self-management programs are widely implemented to educate patients about diet, physical activity, medication adherence, blood glucose monitoring, and complication prevention. Despite the availability of structured programs, patient comprehension and adherence remain inconsistent, contributing to poor clinical outcomes. This study explores the relationship between patient comprehension and adherence to diabetes self-management programs using structural equation modeling with Smart PLS. A cross-sectional analytical design was conducted among 300 adult patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes attending outpatient clinics. Patient comprehension was assessed through validated knowledge assessment questionnaires covering disease understanding, medication use, lifestyle modifications, and glucose monitoring. Adherence was measured using self-reported medication adherence scales, dietary compliance indices, physical activity logs, and glycated hemoglobin levels. Smart PLS was employed to evaluate measurement reliability and examine the structural relationship between comprehension and adherence while controlling for age, educational level, and duration of diabetes. Results indicated a significant positive association between patient comprehension and adherence behaviors. The structural model explained 61 percent of variance in adherence outcomes. Higher comprehension scores were associated with improved medication compliance, better dietary control, increased physical activity, and lower glycated hemoglobin levels. The findings emphasize the importance of enhancing patient education strategies within diabetes self-management programs to improve long term outcomes. This research contributes to evidence-based healthcare planning by identifying comprehension as a key predictor of effective diabetes self-care.

Formulation and Clinical Evaluation of Herbal Based Antimicrobial Wound Dressings for Chronic Ulcers

2026-03-22T08:58:09+00:00

Chronic ulcers including diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure sores represent a major global health burden due to prolonged healing time, high infection rates, and increased healthcare costs. Conventional wound dressings often rely on synthetic antimicrobial agents, which may cause cytotoxicity, allergic reactions, and antimicrobial resistance. Herbal based antimicrobial wound dressings have gained increasing attention because of their bioactive phytochemicals, anti-inflammatory properties, biocompatibility, and potential to promote tissue regeneration. This study aimed to formulate a herbal based antimicrobial wound dressing incorporating standardized extracts of Azedarach indica, Curcuma longa, and Aloe vera and to clinically evaluate its effectiveness in managing chronic ulcers. A mixed method design was adopted involving formulation development, in vitro antimicrobial testing, and clinical evaluation among 200 patients with chronic ulcers. Outcome measures included reduction in wound size, microbial load, pain intensity, and time to complete epithelialization. Structural equation modeling was applied to assess relationships between herbal dressing characteristics and clinical outcomes. The results demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, along with enhanced wound contraction and faster healing rates compared to standard gauze dressings. The structural model explained 52 percent of variance in healing outcomes, with herbal bioactive concentration showing a strong positive effect on wound recovery indicators. The findings support the therapeutic potential of herbal based antimicrobial dressings as cost effective and biocompatible alternatives for chronic ulcer management. This research contributes to the development of integrative wound care strategies that combine traditional medicinal knowledge with modern pharmaceutical technology.

Impact of Nutritional Status on Postoperative Recovery Outcomes in Orthopedic Surgery Patients

2026-03-22T08:58:10+00:00

Orthopedic surgeries such as total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, and fracture fixation are associated with substantial physiological stress, inflammatory responses, and metabolic demands that directly influence recovery outcomes. Nutritional status is increasingly recognized as a modifiable risk factor affecting postoperative complications, wound healing, infection rates, functional recovery, and length of hospital stay. This thesis investigates the impact of nutritional status on postoperative recovery outcomes among orthopedic surgery patients using a structural equation modeling approach through Smart PLS. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed with data collected from 250 orthopedic patients admitted to tertiary care hospitals. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index, serum albumin levels, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment tool. Postoperative recovery outcomes were measured through infection incidence, wound healing rate, length of hospital stay, pain score reduction, and early mobilization indicators. was utilized to examine the direct and indirect relationships between nutritional status and recovery outcomes while controlling for age and comorbidities. Results demonstrated a significant positive relationship between adequate nutritional status and improved postoperative recovery outcomes. Patients with better preoperative nutritional profiles experienced shorter hospital stays, reduced complication rates, and faster functional recovery. The findings highlight the importance of early nutritional screening and targeted nutritional interventions in orthopedic settings. The study concludes that optimizing nutritional status before and after surgery can significantly enhance patient recovery trajectories and reduce healthcare burden.

Investigating the Relationship Between Sleep Patterns and Cognitive Decline in Elderly Patients with Neurodegenerative Disorders

2026-03-22T08:58:11+00:00

Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among elderly individuals and are particularly pronounced in patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease. Emerging evidence suggests that disrupted sleep patterns may accelerate cognitive decline through mechanisms involving impaired glymphatic clearance, neuroinflammation, and synaptic dysfunction. This study investigates the relationship between sleep patterns and cognitive decline in elderly patients diagnosed with neurodegenerative disorders using structural equation modeling through Smart PLS. A cross sectional analytical design was conducted among 260 elderly patients receiving neurological care. Sleep patterns were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, actigraphy derived sleep duration, sleep fragmentation index, and daytime sleepiness scale. Cognitive decline was evaluated using the Mini Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and functional cognitive performance measures. Smart PLS was employed to assess measurement reliability and to model the structural relationship between sleep parameters and cognitive outcomes while controlling for age, disease duration, and comorbidities. Results demonstrated a significant negative association between poor sleep quality and cognitive performance. Sleep fragmentation and reduced sleep duration were strongly associated with lower cognitive scores and higher functional impairment. The structural model explained 58 percent of the variance in cognitive decline. Findings support the hypothesis that disturbed sleep patterns contribute to accelerated neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Early identification and management of sleep disturbances may offer a modifiable pathway to slow cognitive deterioration in elderly patients with neurodegenerative diseases. This research highlights the importance of integrative neurological care that incorporates sleep assessment as a central component of cognitive health management.