The effects of a physiotherapist-led exercise intervention on peripheral neuropathy among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Kigali, Rwanda
South African Journal of Physiotherapy
| Field | Value | |
| Title | The effects of a physiotherapist-led exercise intervention on peripheral neuropathy among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Kigali, Rwanda | |
| Creator | Tumusiime, David K. Stewart, Aimée Venter, Francois W.D. Musenge, Eustasius | |
| Description | Background: HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy (PN) is common in people living with HIV. Its management is mostly symptomatic utilising pharmacological approaches.Objectives: This study determined the effects of an exercise intervention on PN among Rwandan people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).Methods: A 12-week single-blinded randomised controlled trial using the Brief Peripheral Neuropathy Screen (BPNS) as the assessment tool tested the effects of an exercise intervention on PN, followed by a 12-week non-intervention period. A total of 120 people with HIV- associated PN on ART were randomised to an exercise or no exercise group. Both groups continued receiving routine care. A bivariate analysis using Pearson’s chi-square test for significant differences in PN symptoms and signs, between groups, at baseline, after the 12 weeks intervention and 12 weeks post-intervention using generalised linear regression models to determine predictors of treatment outcomes was undertaken, utilising an intention-to-treat analysis (alpha p ≤ 0.05).Results: At 12 weeks, the intervention group compared to the control: neuropathic pain 70% versus 94% (p 0.005), PN symptoms severity – mild and/or none in 85% versus 60% (p 0.001) and radiation of PN symptoms reduced, 80% versus 37% (p 0.001). There were no differences in PN signs at 12 weeks intervention and at 12 weeks post-intervention. Having changed the antiretroviral (ARV) and having developed PN symptoms after the start on ARVs predicted treatment improvement, while demographic factors did not predict any treatment outcome.Conclusion: A physiotherapist-led exercise intervention improved PN symptoms, but with non-significant improvement in PN signs. Factors related to early diagnosis and treatment of PN were facilitators for the improvement of PN symptoms.Clinical implications: Physiotherapist-led exercises should be integrated into the routine management of people living with HIV on ART with PN symptoms. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2019-08-12 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajp.v75i1.1328 | |
| Source | South African Journal of Physiotherapy; Vol 75, No 1 (2019); 9 pages 2410-8219 0379-6175 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1328/1782
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1328/1781
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1328/1783
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1328/1780
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