Graduate Student Research and Publications

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Browsing Graduate Student Research and Publications by Author "Anyachukwu, Canice C."

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    An exploratory cohort study of serum estradiol, testosterone, osteoprotegerin, interleukin-6, calcium, and magnesium as potential biomarkers of cervical spondylosis
    (Springer, 2023) Igwe, Augustine A.; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Adandom, Israel; Onyeso, Kelechi M.; Anyachukwu, Canice C.; Awosoga, Olu A.; Ezema, Charles I.; Okoye, Goddy C.
    Background: Exploration of biomarkers for debilitating diseases such as cervical spondylosis is important to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and management of such conditions. The study aimed to determine the correlation between neck pain and disability and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), osteoprotegerin (OPG), estradiol (E2), testosterone (TES), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) among individuals with symptomatic cervical spondylosis. Methods: This study was a cohort design. The participants were new referrals to two Nigerian physical therapy clinics. Participants’ neck pain intensity (PI), neck disability index (NDI), IL-6, OPG, E2, TES, Ca, and Mg were measured at baseline and after 13 weeks of follow-up. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t test, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results: Forty individuals aged 52.40 ± 8.60 years participated in the study. Women had significantly higher levels of IL-6 (t =  − 2.392, p = 0.026), OPG (t =  − 3.235, p = 0.005), E2 (t =  − 6.841, p = 0.001), but lower TES (t = 17.776, p = 0.001). There were no significant sex differences in PI and NDI. There were significant correlations between PI and OPG (r = 0.385, p < 0.001), NDI and OPG (r = 0.402, p < 0.001), and IL-6 (r = 0.235, p = 0.036). Significant predictors of PI were OPG (β = 0.442, p < 0.001) and E2 (β =  − 0.285, p = 0.011), and NDI were OPG (β = 0.453, p < 0.001), E2 (β =  − 0.292, p = 0.005), and IL-6 (β = 0.225, p = 0.024). Conclusion: High serum levels of IL-6 and OPG were associated with cervical spondylosis severity. However, high serum levels of E2 and TES correlated with lesser severity. Moreover, TES inversely correlated with the proinflammatory cytokines.
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    Musculoskeletal imaging authority, levels of training, attitude, competence, and utilisation among clinical physiotherpists in Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey
    (Springer Nature, 2022) Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Umunnah, Joseph O.; Eze, Joseph C.; Onigbinde, Ayodele T.; Anyachukwu, Canice C.; Ezema, Charles I.; Onwuakagba, Ifeoma U.; Abaraogu, Ukachukwu O.; Awhen, Agba P.; Anikwe, Ernest E.; Akinola, Odunayo T.; Kalu, Michael E.
    Background: Direct-access physiotherapy practice has led to a global review of the use of differential-diagnostic modalities such as musculoskeletal imaging (MI) in physiotherapy. Objective: To explore the MI authority, levels of training, attitude, utilisation, and competence among clinical physi- otherapists in Nigeria. Methods: This national cross-sectional study analysed a voluntary response sample of 400 Nigerian physiotherapists that completed the online version of the Physiotherapist’s Musculoskeletal Imaging Profiling Questionnaire (PMIPQ), using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Friedman’s ANOVA tests. Results: Of the 400 participants, 93.2% believed that physiotherapists should use MI in clinical practice. However, only 79.8% reported having MI authority in their practice settings. The participants’ median (interquartile range) levels of training =10 (24) and competence =16 (24) were moderate. Nonetheless, levels of training (χ2 [15] = 1285.899, p = 0.001), and competence (χ2 [15] = 1310.769, p < 0.001) differed across MI procedures. The level of training and competence in x-ray referral and utilisation was significantly higher than magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scan, ultrasonography, scintigraphy, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, in that order (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the levels of training and competence (rho =0.61, p < 0.001). The par- ticipants had a positive attitude =32 (32) and occasionally used MI in clinical practice =21 (28). Conclusion: Majority of the respondents believed they had MI authority although there was no explicit affirmation of MI authority in the Nigerian Physiotherapy Practice Act. Participants had a positive attitude towards MI. How- ever, levels of MI training, competence, and utilisation were moderate. Our findings have legislative and curriculum implications