Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: The COVID‑19 pandemic has affected face‑to‑face teaching across the globe.
The sudden shift in learning methods has impacted learning experiences significantly. Students’
perception about online compared to blended learning might affect learning. The objective of this
study was to evaluate physiotherapy students’ perception of blended compared to online learning.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This mixed‑method study documents physiotherapy students’ perception
about the courses delivered through blended learning (BL) mode during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Physiotherapy graduates and postgraduate students who completed their evidence‑based physiotherapy
practice courses at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai (N = 68)
participated in this study. The participants’ perceived experience about synchronous online mode and
BL during the pandemic was assessed using a questionnaire and focus group discussion.
RESULTS: All the participants felt that the course outcomes were met and that they gained knowledge
and skills in evidence‑based practice. Most of the students (93%) recommended a blended mode of
learning compared to online learning alone. Thematic analysis of the focus group discussion (FGD)
identified enhanced learning experience, collaborative learning as enablers to BL, and availability
of gadgets and quality of online contents as barriers.
CONCLUSION: Participants showed par preference for blended learning over online learning as it
provided flexibility and facilitated active learning compared to online learning alone.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent among office workers and causes high
costs to the public health system. Strategies including education and exercise are recommended,
with major benefits when conducted by physical therapists in the occupational environment. However,
the required investment is uncommon among companies. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy
of a multimodal physiotherapy intervention to relieve musculoskeletal pain in office workers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study employed a single group study with a pre‑post
study design and was conducted at Universidad San Jorge in 2018. Outcome variables were:
workplace ergonomics (INSHT Guide), existence and severity of musculoskeletal disorders
(Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire), musculoskeletal pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale), and
Clinical Global Impression Scale. Office workers in a university setting (n = 24, 19 females) were
assessed at baseline, after 4 weeks of in‑person sessions and following 3 weeks of autonomous
performance. The physiotherapy program included education, ergonomic supervision, self‑treatment,
strengthening, and stretching exercises. A repeated‑measures ANOVA or Friedman test (with post
hoc comparisons) and Chi‑squared test were used to compare the study variables.
RESULTS: At baseline, cervical spine (54%), shoulder (42%), and lumbar regions (37.5%) were
the most symptomatic regions according to the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Even if the
proportion of symptomatic areas did not decrease significantly after the intervention, a great reduction
of musculoskeletal pain intensity was observed after the program in the cervical (P < 0.001), lower
back (P = 0.005), shoulder (P = 0.006) regions, and in the overall pain level (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: These results support that a multimodal physiotherapy program can relieve
work‑related musculoskeletal pain in office workers and serve as a basis for future controlled trials.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung
diseases; the most common are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is considered to be the major
cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is considered to be one of the leading causes of deaths
in India, the main reason being misconception/misinterpretation of the disease and unawareness
about the risk factors which hinder early diagnosis and its treatment effectively. Therefore, the
present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and behavior about the disease process and
physiotherapy management in patients diagnosed with COPD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethical clearance was obtained before initiating the study. It was
a cross‑sectional, qualitative study. In total, 14 patients of COPD were recruited for the study by
convenience sampling. The total study duration was 6 months. Two focused groups (n = 14) were
conducted with seven COPD patients (diagnosed by chest physician on the basis of pulmonary
function testing) in each after obtaining the written informed consent. Focus group contents were
video graphed after obtaining the consent and a focus group discussion (FGD) guide comprising
of 15 questions was used for the study. Transcripts were prepared from the audio/video recordings
and were analyzed qualitatively by narrative analysis.
RESULTS:  The narration transcripted during both the sessions of FGD showed significant
negligence about the disease process, its precipitating factors, preventive measures, and
physiotherapy management among the patients suffering from COPD in the community. None
of the patients were aware even about the term “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease” and
only 35.71% of patients were aware of physiotherapy management as a mean of treatment for
COPD.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study concludes that there is a lack of knowledge, incorrect attitudes,
and flawed behavioral changes which needs to be corrected among the patients with COPD. These
patients require correct, detailed, and broad‑based information about their condition and availability
of treatment options.