Waqar M. Naqvi

Bio: Waqar M. Naqvi is an academic researcher from American Physical Therapy Association. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Rehabilitation. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 43 publications receiving 153 citations.

Facade of media and social media during covid-19: A review

Abstract: A novel coronavirus (COVID-19) arose in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 Soon it spread to other countries worldwide to become a pandemic Globally, governments enforced quarantine and social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the infection Mass media and social media platforms played a crucial role in providing information regarding the Coronavirus Since little is known about COVID-19, various fake news, misinformation and rumours spread across the digital media that panicked people into making panic deci-sions The rapid spread of misinformation and stories via social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube became a vital concern of the government and public health authorities Medical misinformation and unver-ifiable content about the COVID-19 pandemic are spreading on social media at an unprecedented pace Mitigating the advent of rumours and misinformation during the COVID-19 epidemic is crucial, since misinformation and fake news creates panic, fear and anxiety among people, predisposing them to various mental health conditions Instead of considering social media as a secondary medium, it should be utilised to convey important information Besides, it allows citizens to address their queries directly Several governments across the world have taken actions to contain the pandemic of misinformation, yet measures are required to prevent such communication complications

A new footwear technology to promote non-heelstrike landing and enhance running performance: Fact or fad?

Abstract: This study sought to compare the kinetics and kinematics data in a group of habitual shod runners when running in traditional running shoes and newly designed minimalist shoes with lug platform. This novel footwear design claims to simulate barefoot running and reduce energy loss during impact. We compared footstrike angle (FSA), vertical average (VALR) and instantaneous (VILR) loading rates, energy loss and initial vertical stiffness between two shoe conditions. Runners demonstrated a decreased FSA while running in minimalist shoes with lug platform than traditional shoes (P = 0.003; Cohen’s d = 0.918). However, we did not observe a landing pattern transition. VALR and VILR between two footwear conditions showed no significant difference (P = 0.191–0.258; Cohen’s d = 0.304–0.460). Initial vertical stiffness (P = 0.032; Cohen’s d = 0.671) and energy loss (P = 0.044; Cohen’s d = 0.578) were greater when running in minimalist shoes with lug platform. The results show that minimalist shoes with lug p...

Fighting and chasing the rogue virus-covid19

Abstract: The novel coronavirus of 2019, COVID-19, also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread from its origin Wuhan,China to the rest of the world. It is important to note that while the number of new cases has reduced in China lately, they have increased exponentially in other countries including South Korea, Italy and Iran. In India, the COVID-19 trajectory appears assured to change modes. While the number of incidents grew slowly in February, they doubled in just five days in mid-March from 100 to more than 236, and now at the end of April, the cases reported are 29,435. These numbers are possibly an underestimate of the infected and dead due to limitations of surveillance and testing. . The Indian government declared a countrywide shutdown for a period of 3 weeks from 24th of March to help prevent the spread of the virus. Most of the affected people had connection with flyers from covid-19 affected countries; some of them had no such interaction, indicating that community transmission could have started in several parts of India. Thus, an important collective goal is to reduce the outbreak and to flatten the peak of the outbreak curve. Cooperation is a crucial tool in the COVID-19 battle. There is a need to identify and find a way around the particular threats, the overarching cultural and social patterns in our area. This article discusses the tactics that should build for handling the crisis.

An atypical case of febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome following acute encephalitis: impact of physiotherapy in regaining locomotor abilities in a patient with neuroregression.

Abstract: Encephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain parenchyma It is potentially life-threatening with the highest incidence and severity in younger children Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) is a condition, in which a child develops a nonspecific febrile illness that may not persist when the initial seizure activity begins However, an electroencephalogram (EEG) shows that the child is in status epilepticus We report the case of a five-year-old male who presented with difficulty to maintain sitting posture, and inability to stand and walk without support, following viral encephalitis at the age of one year He had motor, visual, speech and cognitive impairment along with a seizure disorder The physiotherapy interventions including neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) and sensory integration (SI) helped in regaining locomotion ability in the child The study aims to assess the impact of physiotherapy interventions on regaining locomotor ability in a child with FIRES following infective encephalitis

COVID-19 and education system: Impact of current pandemic on adaptive learning strategies in medical education system

Abstract: In the last few months, the globe has been overwhelmed by the pandemic coro-navirus as the number of increasing documented cases, and death rates have continued to be reported. The disease is mild in most people usually aged people and those with the coexistence of multiple disorders alongside a primary disorder, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and mul-tiorgan dysfunction may develop. No special or specific drugs/medications are available. Neither vaccine has been developed, nor is any previous antiviral drug effective for treatment. Instead, medication is done based on the treatment of clinical features with appropriate drugs and the management of critical patients in intensive care units and isolation. The situation of India’s COVID19 has improved decently than that of other countries already affected, thanks to precautionary measures. India, however, did not escape the pan-demic. Coronavirus spread (COVID-19) has led most countries around the world to implement urgent lock-down strategies to reduce the blowout of the disease, results that stopped classroom teaching and educational institutions. Global response of health education to COVID-19 pandemic is different from each area, from closings of health institutions to distance learning tactics to compliance with area-specific actions, such as communal distancing to stop the blowout of disease. The unexpected transition from classroom teaching to online education is a challenge both for faculties and learners, and a great deal of preparation and effort is needed in a short time.

Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract: Summary Background Since December, 2019, Wuhan, China, has experienced an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 have been reported but risk factors for mortality and a detailed clinical course of illness, including viral shedding, have not been well described. Methods In this retrospective, multicentre cohort study, we included all adult inpatients (≥18 years old) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Jinyintan Hospital and Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital (Wuhan, China) who had been discharged or had died by Jan 31, 2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data, including serial samples for viral RNA detection, were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between survivors and non-survivors. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression methods to explore the risk factors associated with in-hospital death. Findings 191 patients (135 from Jinyintan Hospital and 56 from Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital) were included in this study, of whom 137 were discharged and 54 died in hospital. 91 (48%) patients had a comorbidity, with hypertension being the most common (58 [30%] patients), followed by diabetes (36 [19%] patients) and coronary heart disease (15 [8%] patients). Multivariable regression showed increasing odds of in-hospital death associated with older age (odds ratio 1·10, 95% CI 1·03–1·17, per year increase; p=0·0043), higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (5·65, 2·61–12·23; p Interpretation The potential risk factors of older age, high SOFA score, and d-dimer greater than 1 μg/mL could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage. Prolonged viral shedding provides the rationale for a strategy of isolation of infected patients and optimal antiviral interventions in the future. Funding Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences; National Science Grant for Distinguished Young Scholars; National Key Research and Development Program of China; The Beijing Science and Technology Project; and Major Projects of National Science and Technology on New Drug Creation and Development.

Health authorities' health risk communication with the public during pandemics: a rapid scoping review.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Responses from the H1N1 swine flu pandemic and the recent COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic provide an opportunity for insight into the role of health authorities' ways of communicating health risk information to the public. We aimed to synthesise the existing evidence regarding different modes of communication used by health authorities in health risk communication with the public during a pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a rapid scoping review. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for publications in English from January 2009 through October 2020, covering both the full H1N1 pandemic and the response phase during the COVID-19 pandemic. The search resulted in 1440 records, of which 48 studies met our eligibility criteria. RESULTS: The present review identified studies across a broad interdisciplinary field of health risk communication. The majority focused on the H1N1 pandemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. A content analysis of the studies identified three categories for modes of communication: i) communication channels, ii) source credibility and iii) how the message is communicated. The identified studies on social media focused mainly on content and engagement, while studies on the effect of the use of social media and self-protective behaviour were lacking. Studies on the modes of communication that take the diversity of receivers in the field into account are lacking. A limited number of studies of health authorities' use of graphic and audio-visual means were identified, yet these did not consider/evaluate creative communication choices. CONCLUSION: Experimental studies that investigate the effect of health authorities' videos and messages on social media platforms and self-protective behaviour are needed. More studies are needed across the fields of health risk communication and media studies, including visual communication, web design, video and digital marketing, at a time when online digital communication is central to reaching the public.

Relationship of Foot Strike Pattern and Landing Impacts during a Marathon.

Abstract: Purpose: Foot strike patterns influence landing mechanics, with rearfoot strike (RFS) runners exhibiting higher impact loading than forefoot strike (FFS) runners. The few studies that included midfoot strike (MFS) runners have typically grouped them together with FFS. Additionally, most running studies have been conducted in laboratories. Advances in wearable technology now allow the measurement of runners' mechanics in their natural environment. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between foot strike pattern and impacts across a marathon race. Methods: 222 healthy runners (119 M, 103 F; 44.1±10.8 years) running a marathon race were included. A treadmill assessment was undertaken to determine foot strike pattern (FSP). An ankle mounted accelerometer recorded tibial shock (TS) over the course of the marathon. TS was compared between RFS, MFS and FFS. Correlations between speed and impacts were examined between FSPs. TS was also compared at the 10km and 40km race points. Results: RFS and MFS runners exhibited similar TS (12.24±3.59g vs. 11.82±2.68g, p=0.46) that was significantly higher (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively) than FFS runners (9.88±2.51g). Additionally, TS increased with speed for both RFS (r=0.54, p=0.01) and MFS (r=0.42, p=0.02) runners, but not FFS (r=0.05, p=0.83). Finally, both speed (p<0.001) and TS (p<0.001) were reduced between the 10km and 40km race points. However, when normalized for speed, TS was not different (p= 0.84). Conclusions: RFS and MFS exhibit higher TS than FFS. Additionally, RFS and MFS increase TS with speed, while FFS do not. These results suggest that the impact loading of MFS is more like RFS than FFS. Finally, TS, when normalized for speed, is similar between the beginning and end of the race.

Tibial Acceleration Measured from Wearable Sensors Is Associated with Loading Rates in Injured Runners.

Abstract: BACKGROUND The loadrate of the vertical ground reaction force at impact has been associated with a variety of running injuries. Peak tibial shocks occur during the early stance phase and has been shown to be correlated to the loadrates in healthy runners using a rearfoot strike pattern. As a result, tibial accelerometry has been used as a surrogate for loadrates. However, these correlations have not been assessed in injured runners nor in runners with differing footstrike patterns. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between tibial acceleration and loadrates in injured runners who are habitual rearfoot (RFS), midfoot (MFS), and forefoot (FFS) strikers. Tibial acceleration was expected to be positively associated with loadrates across all footstrike patterns. DESIGN Cross-sectional cohort. SETTING Academic medical center with biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS One hundred sixty-nine injured runners (age 38.7 ± 13.1 years, 127 RFS, 17 MFS, 25 FFS). METHODS Each participant completed a biomechanical assessment for injury including evaluation on a force treadmill with a triaxial accelerometer fastened by a Velcro strap to the distal medial tibia. Peak vertical and resultant tibial acceleration (VTA, RTA) were measured from the accelerometer. Vertical average and instantaneous loadrates (VALR, VILR) and the resultant instantaneous loadrate (RILR) were determined from the force data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS The relationship between tibial acceleration and loadrates measured using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS Loadrates were each associated with VTA (r = 0.66-0.82, P < .001) and RTA (r = 0.41-0.68, P < .05) across all footstrike groups with the exception of association of VILR to RTA in the FFS group. The strength in correlations was lowest between RTA and loadrates for the FFS runners (r = 0.41-0.47, P < .05). CONCLUSION Vertical tibial acceleration is the stronger surrogate for loadrates in injured runners across differing footstrike patterns.