DUT Open Scholar:: Home

Open Scholar is the institutional repository of Durban University of Technology. As far as possible, it provides open access to the academic output of the University.

item types	authors	articles	theses

Some publishers do not permit the archiving of your article in institutional repositories if they have published it:

BASE is one of the world's most voluminous search engines especially for academic web resources:

https://www.base-search.net/

Communities in Open Scholar

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 12

Recent Submissions

The effectiveness of active release technique and the combination of active release technique and muscle energy technique in the treatment of hamstring tightness associated with chronic lower back pain
(2025-04-25) Chen, Ching-Hsuan; Ally, Fazila; Prince, Cleo
Background: Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is one of the top ten causes of daily disability that affect large population globally. Musculoskeletal disorders account for 80% of lower back pain and in particular, hamstring tightness has been identified as one of the causative factors of chronic lower back pain. Massage, needling and cupping therapy have been proven to be effective treatment options. However, these treatments are prohibited for patients with contraindications such as pregnancy, cancer, sunburn, rash, deep vein thrombosis and diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it is important to establish treatment options that can be administered to patients who present with low back pain due to hamstring tightness, but who also present with contraindications to established treatment options. Techniques such as active release technique (ART) and muscle energy technique (MET) have been investigated in conditions like tension headache, chronic neck pain, tennis elbow, carpel tunnel syndrome, sciatic nerve pain and plantar fasciitis. However, these techniques have not been investigated in the treatment of chronic lower back pain caused by hamstring tightness. Aim: This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of active release technique alone versus the combination of muscle energy technique and active release technique in the treatment of chronic lower back pain due to hamstring tightness. Method: The proposed research study utilised a quantitative study design consisting of an experimental single blinded randomised and comparative clinical trial. The target population included participants between the ages of 18-55 years who reside in the eThekwini region of KwaZulu-Natal. A total sample size of 40 patients underwent a randomised controlled trial and took place with 2 groups of 20 participants each. Group A, received active release technique alone in the treatment of hamstring tightness causing chronic lower back pain, and Group B, received the combination of active release treatment and muscle energy technique in the treatment hamstring tightness of chronic lower back pain. Each group received 2 interventions and the results from group A and group B were compared to identify the effectiveness from the outcome. Throughout, a p-value of 0.05 was used to indicate significance levels. The analysis carried out using IMB SPSS Statistics 27 software. Result: The findings of this study revealed that there was a significant difference between the group receiving ART alone compared to the combination of ART and MET. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study revealed that the use of combination of ART and MET is more effective than the use of ART alone.
A qualitative inquiry on the physical, psychological and social effects of the 2022 floods on individuals, families and communities’ in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal
(2025-08-13) Singh, Vikesh; Bhagwan, Raisuyah
In April 2022, eThekwini metropolitan, situated in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal experienced one of the most devastating floods events in recent history. The heavy rains caused landslides, mass destruction of homes, damages to infrastructure and the displacement of thousands of people. Many communities were affected and homes and businesses washed away, particularly those in informal settlements and homes in low lying areas. The flooding disaster also affected the transport systems causing businesses to become affected and disrupting people’s access to healthcare and schools. Thousands of people were displaced into temporary and long term shelters with limited resources. Whilst the number of floods that have affected human societies has increased globally each year, little empirical research related to how it was experienced in South Africa has been done. This study sought to explore the physical and psychosocial effects of the April 2022 floods on individuals, families and communities, in South Africa as well as the role of faith based organizations within the disaster response and recovery efforts. A qualitative case study design was used to inform the study process. Non-probability purposive sampling techniques were used to recruit a total of forty-three participants. Four samples were recruited. The first three were community members affected by the floods and residing within an urban area, semi-rural area and an informal settlement. The fourth sample included participants from a Christian, Hindu and Muslim faith-based organisation. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data which was then analysed using thematic analysis. The key findings show that participants suffered significant physical hardship including injury, illness and exposure to poor living conditions in the aftermath of their displacement. Families reported the loss of their homes, essential belongings and items of sentiment. The study highlighted that those living in disadvantaged spaces, such as informal settlements, endured the largest losses as their homes were most vulnerable to the heavy rainwaters, as they were built from poor building materials. The floods also damaged community infrastructure and utilities such as electricity and sanitation, placing community members at risk of health issues. The psychological effects on the participants were also widespread and participants described experiencing substantial levels of sadness, fear, anger and anxiety. Families were displaced and community support was weakened, further affecting the mental health of participants. Faith-based organizations were found to play a significant role in the response and recovery activities. They mobilized quickly to provide shelter, food, clothing and bedding for those who were displaced. They created safe spaces for weeks and months not only by providing material assistance, but also through offering counselling, prayer and spiritual support, thereby helping individuals and families to process their losses and fostering resilience. The data also showed that the early warning signs associated with weather forecasting were not well communicated to those most vulnerable, as most people were unaware of the impending flood and its dangers. In conclusion, this study offered rich and insightful perspectives into the lives of those affected by the floods. It reflected the interconnected nature between the physical, psychological, social and spiritual effects of the flood, by showing how damages to homes, livelihoods and the displacement were intertwined with mental health struggles and social isolation. Faith based organizations filled a critical gap in service provision and contributed meaningfully to the disaster response and recovery. This study will contribute to the disaster management policies and strategies in eThekwini and South Africa, through its holistic findings, on how individuals, families and communities were affected and the role played by local government and community organizations in responding to the disaster.
Cervical spinal manipulation for neck pain-effect on muscle recruitment patterns, spinal kinematics, pain and disability in participants in KwaZulu-Natal
(2025-08-25) O'Connor, Laura Maié; Pillay, Julian David; Murphy, Bernadette
Background Neck pain is a common disabling condition that can become chronic, leading to economic and personal burdens. A small pool of research highlights variations in motor control in neck pain, where alterations in spinal kinematic and/or muscle activation patterns, have been found during head, neck and unilateral arm tasks. Bilateral arm tasks have not been assessed, despite their common use in occupational settings and daily life. Few studies have simultaneously assessed spinal kinematics and muscle recruitment patterns in those with neck pain. The combined assessment allows a more holistic view of how neck pain may impact motor control which can lead to more effective interventions to target these processes. A common treatment for neck pain is spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). Although well utilised, the specific mechanism through which it exerts its reported clinical effects are not well understood. Mechanistic studies suggest that it activates neurophysiological processes which in addition to inducing pain relief activate reflexogenic, spinal and supraspinal structures involved in motor control. Little is known regarding the effect of SMT on spinal kinematics and muscle recruitment patterns and if changes in these motor variable correlate with pain and disability in those with neck pain. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effect of cervical SMT on pain, disability, cervicothoracic spinal kinematic and muscle activation patterns while performing a cervical range of motion (ROM), a unilateral and bilateral arm task when comparing to a control intervention. Methods Prior to the implementation of a randomised, controlled trial (RCT), a case controlled cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the presence of cervicothoracic spinal kinematic and muscle activation patterns in adults with chronic, non-specific neck pain (n=20) compared to age and sex matched controls (n=20). Pain and disability measures and were obtained from those with neck pain; with health status being collected from all the participants. Spinal kinematics were obtained via motion capture and surface electromyography was utilised to obtain muscle recruitment patterns from six pairs of cervicothoracic muscles. Data were collected during seated cervical ROM, a seated unilateral and standing bilateral upper limb lifting task. Statistical analysis was performed with a p-value less than 0.05. A randomised, controlled trial (RCT) was then utilised to collect data from adults with chronic, non-specific neck pain (n=39), who were allocated to receive either cervical SMT or a control intervention. Four treatments were administered over 2 weeks with a one week follow up. Pain, disability and health status were measured. The same methodology as utilised in the case-controlled study was employed to obtain cervicothoracic spinal kinematics muscle recruitment patterns from six pairs of cervicothoracic muscles. Participants undertook 3 tasks: cervical range of motion, a unilateral and bilateral upper limb lifting task. Measurements were taken at baseline, the fourth visit and at a one-week follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed with a p-value less than 0.05. Results When comparing those with neck pain to those without, during cervical ROM the participants with neck pain took longer to complete right lateral flexion (p = 0,018, r = 0.35), no differences between the groups were found for peak displacement, peak and mean velocity and jerk (p ˃ 0.05). Those with neck pain had reduced left posterior cervical muscle activation time during cervical extension (p = 0.026, r = 0.34), peak activation during left and right away lateral flexion (p = 0.030, r = 0.32; p = 0.047, r = 0.29) and in the left anterior scalene during right rotation (p = 0.049, r = 0.29). Increased activation time was found in right lateral flexion in the left paraspinal muscle during the away and return phase (p = 0.042, r = 0. 0.27; p = 0.026, r = 0.34), for rotation in the left paraspinal on right rotation during the away and return phase (p = 0.042, p = 0.002), for peak and mean activation in the away and return phases (p ˂ 0.05, medium effect sizes). The unilateral arm task resulted in those with neck pain having less peak displacement in upper thoracic spine rotation (p = 0.017, r = 0.35), greater displacement in lateral flexion (p = 0.006, r = 0.40) and rotation (p = 0.038, r = 0.31) in the lower thoracic spine. During lifting and lowering those with neck pain had a greater lower thoracic spine rotation range (p = 0.036; p = 0.004). Muscle activation showed a greater percentage activation time in the right upper trapezius (UT) and left paraspinal at T4 (p = 0.039, r = 0.30; p = 0.039, r = 0.30) and lower peak activation in the left paraspinal at T4 (p = 0.032, r = 0.32) in lifting. During lowering the left paraspinal muscle at T4 had a greater activation time percentage (p = 0,005, r = 0.34), lower peak (p = 0.019, r = 0.42) and mean (p = 0.044, r = 0.24) activation in those with neck pain. The bilateral task showed greater cervical lateral flexion velocity (p = 0.024, r = 0.34) in those without neck pain, and an increased rotation range in the upper and lower thoracic spines (p = 0.024, r = 0.34; p = 0.016, r = 0.37) in those with neck pain while lifting. During lowering, those without neck pain had increased average velocity in cervical lateral flexion (p = 0.012, r = 0.34) and rotation (p = 0.022, r = 0.35). No significant differences between the groups were found for muscle activation patterns in the bilateral arm task. When comparing the effect of cervical SMT to a control group, those receiving SMT had greater pain reduction by visit four (p = 0.010; η2= 0.22), with no between group difference by the one-week follow up. The SMT had improved disability by one-week follow when compared to the control p = 0.006, η2= 0.24). At the fourth visit, the SMT group had an improvement in pain (p = 0.010, η2= 0.22), with no difference between the groups at the one week follow up (p = 0.340, η2=0.03). Greater improvements in disability occurred at the one week within the SMT group (p = 0.006, η2= 0.24). No between group differences were found for the global impression of change scale or level of satisfaction (p ˃ 0.05) between the groups, except for the SMT group reporting improved emotions (p = 0.001) and quality of life (p = 0.025). For cervical ROM assessment after one treatment, increased velocity in left rotation (p = 0.040, η2 = 0.119) and jerk in flexion (p ˂ 0.05), right (p = 0.023, η2 = 0.148) and left (p = 0.025, η2 = 0.144) lateral flexion and left rotation (p = 0.043; η2=0.115) was found in the SMT group. The control group had greater activation in the left posterior cervical (PC) (p = 0.012, η2 = 0.180) in flexion, left anterior scalene (AS) (p = 0.007, η2 = 0.215), left sternocleidomastoid (SCM) (p = 0.019, η2 = 0.164) in extension and the left paraspinal at T9 (LT9) during right lateral flexion (p = 0.049, η2 = 0.116). Less activation occurred in the control group for peak (p = 0.041, η2 = 0.128) and mean (p = 0.045, η2 = 0.123) activation in the LAS and the left LUT (p = 0.008, η2 = 0.192) in right lateral flexion; peak (p = 0.029, η2 = 0.145) and mean (p = 0.025, η2 = 0.151) activation in the right AS and in the LT9 for away time percentage (p = 0.019, η2 = 0.145) in left lateral flexion and the right PC (p = 0.024, η2 = 0.146), LT4 (p = 0.021, η2 = 0.147) and right SCM (p = 0.038, η2 = 0.127) for right rotation. After three treatments the SMT group had increased return peak jerk in flexion (p = 0.034, η2 = 0.146) and return peak (p = 0.028v) and away average jerk (p = 0.008, η2 = 0.191, η2 = 0.175) in left rotation. Muscle activation was less in the control group in the right AS during flexion (p = 0.024) and greater for right PC for peak (p = 0.034, η2 = 0.149) and mean activation (p = 0.002, η2 = 0.179) and LUT (p = 0.015, η2 =0.187) in extension, left AS in away (p = 0.048, η2 = 0.142) and return (p = 0.042, η2 = 0.042) right lateral flexion and in the LPC away (p = 0.029, η2 = 0.159) and mean (p = 0.029, η2 = 0.134) activation in left lateral flexion. The intervention group had greater activation in the left paraspinal at T4 during the return phase of flexion (p = 0.035, η2 = 0.149). When assessing the effect of the interventions on the unilateral arm task there were no differences between the groups for spinal kinematics following one treatment (p ˃ 0.05), with greater peak (p = 0.038, η2 = 0.13) and mean (p = 0.031, η2 =0.14) muscle activity in the right paraspinal muscle in the intervention group during the lowering phase. At the fourth visit the intervention group had a greater upper thoracic spine rotation range (p = 0.021, η2 = 0.17) during lifting, and increased flexion/extension range in the lower thoracic spine (p = 0.037, η2 = 0.141) during lowering. The right upper trapezius muscles had greater mean activity in the intervention group (p = 0.026, η2 = 0.141) during lifting. In the bilateral arm task, greater flexion/extension jerk occurred in the lower thoracic spine (p = 0.038, η2 = 0.13) during lowering in the control group, with the intervention group having greater jerk in lateral flexion (p = 0.014, η2 = 0.13) and rotation (p = 0.019, η2 = 0.17) and greater rotation range (p = 0.041, η2 = 0.13) and velocity (p = 0.006, η2 = 0.22) in the lower thoracic spine. The intervention group had less peak activity in the right PC muscle during lifting (p = 0.049, η2 = 0.119), with greater peak activation in the right paraspinal T4 (p = 0.026, η2 = 0.151) and activation time percentage in the right SCM during lifting (p = 0.029, η2 = 0.148) and lowering (p = 0.015, η2 = 0.186). At the fourth visit, the intervention group had greater upper thoracic spine flexion/extension jerk (p = 0.045, η2 = 0.14) during lowering, with lower left PC peak muscle activation during lifting (p = 0.029, η2 = 0.16) and mean activation during lowering (p = 0.006, η2 = 0.237). Mean activation of the left (p = 0.039, η2 = 0.154) and right (p = 0.034, η2 = 0.157) SCMs during the lowering phase was greater in the intervention group. No differences were found between those receiving SMT and the control for perceived global impression of change categories (p=0.500) or level of satisfaction (p ˃ 0.05), except that the SMT group reported improved emotions (p = 0.001) and quality of life (p = 0.025). Conclusion People with neck pain presented with an altered pattern of motor control reflected by changes in cervicothoracic spinal kinematic and muscle recruitment patterns. This presentation was influenced by the activity, which was undertaken, often involving the thoracic spine more than the cervical spine. When treated with cervical SMT there was a decrease in pain and disability with increased rotation velocity and jerk in flexion, lateral flexion and left rotation immediately after one treatment and in the short term when performing cervical ROM. This was associated with increased activation patterns of cervicothoracic muscles during lateral flexion and rotation after one treatment with lower activation levels occurring after three treatments. In the upper limb tasks, the intervention effects were few and variable. This study showed that cervical SMT had a more favourable impact on muscle recruitment patterns than spinal kinematics. Highlighting the potential role of cervical SMT to bring about changes in motor control.
An exploratory study of resilience building strategies in community based child and youth care in Inanda Kwa-Zulu-Natal
(2025-09-18) Ntlokwana, Sinolizwi; Dewan, Fathima
Resilience building has been widely studied, yet there is limited literature on its practical implementation, particularly in the South African context. In community based care settings, resilience plays a crucial role in helping children and youth overcome adversity, enabling them to lead meaningful lives despite challenging circumstances. This study explores resilience-building strategies used in community based care in Inanda Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, with a focus on the experiences of child and youth care workers (CYCWs). The study underpinned by ecological systems theory and the strength-based approach, which provided a lens to understand how CYCWs draw on both internal and external resources to support resilience. Using a qualitative research approach, the study employed purposive and convenience sampling to recruit twenty CYCWs for semi-structured interviews. Participants shared their experiences and the strategies they used to foster resilience among children in their care. Through thematic analysis, five key themes emerged: CYCWs’ understanding of resilience, the importance of resilience building in child and youth care, effective resilience-building strategies, challenges faced in resilience building, and suggestions for improvement. The findings reveal that resilience building involves strategies such as encouraging and building children up, facilitating behaviour change, promoting positive coping skills, ensuring academic success, and fostering participation in sports. A strength based approach, spirituality, and mentorship programs were also identified as key resilience-building methods. However, resilience efforts are constrained by contextual challenges such as lack of parental and community support, emotional strain on CYCWs, inadequate services, and limited access to basic resources. In addition, children in their care are often exposed to poverty, violence and the effects of HIV/AIDS, which exacerbate their vulnerabilities. The study also highlights the need for continuous professional development, training, and improved reunification processes with families. These insights contribute to the growing body of knowledge on resilience in community-based care and also provide practical recommendations for strengthening resilience-building strategies among vulnerable children not only in South Africa but around the world.
The prevalence and associated risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in students who utilise public transport at a University of Technology in South Africa
(2025-11-02) Hlongwa, Mayibongwe Thandokuhle; Varatharajullu, Desiree
Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, bones, tendons, joints, and ligaments. These disorders are experienced from childhood to old age have a higher frequency of complaints by working age individuals to health care practitioners. Musculoskeletal disorders can affect individuals’ capacity to work and in more severe cases, can limit their capability to participate in activities of daily living. Transportation is an important part of everyday life within our modern society. In South Africa, public transport comprises the use of minibus taxis, buses and the metro railway system. The national household travel survey of 2020 demonstrated that public transport is the most accessible means of travel, with minibus taxis dominating with 25.7%, followed by buses with 4.5% and lastly the metro railway with 0.7%. In contrast private transport had 25.9%. 41.7% walked as a mode of travel and 1.5% of respondents used other modes of transport. Students have a high travel demand such as Rhodes University recording an estimated 11660 trips in 2014. A large number of students at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa, commute to and from campus using public transport. These students are placed at risk for further exacerbation of current musculoskeletal disorders or the onset of them. A gap in the literature with respect to musculoskeletal disorders among university students who travel using public transport exists and, therefore, this study aimed to fill the gap in that literature. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the point prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among students who utilise public transportation at a university of technology. Methodology This study was designed as a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey, and was conducted online with registered students at the Durban University of Technology who commute using public transport. The online questionnaire was administered via a link to QuestionPro to the university students in order to determine the point prevalence and associated risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders. The questionnaire included demographic information, transport routine factors, factors of musculoskeletal disorder and the impacts of musculoskeletal disorders. The captured data were sent to a statistician for statistical analysis. Results A total of 382 completed online questionnaires were analysed, giving a response rate of 72.8%. The results showed a moderately high prevalence (62.3%) of musculoskeletal disorders among the students. The most affected areas of pain were the lower back (39.95%), neck (27.8%), shoulder (27.8%) and upper back (27.4%), while the least prevalent region was the elbow (5.0%). Factors that were considered statistically significant among the students included stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and previous history of trauma. Transport related factors such as the duration of transport (time) were also statistically significant. Conclusions and Recommendations This study highlights the point prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among university students using public transportation. To mitigate these risks, future research should adopt longitudinal design, incorporate objective clinical assessments, and compare different transport modes. Preventative strategies, including student awareness programmes on posture and physical activity, reduced carrying loads through digital learning and ergonomic improvements in public transport seating and suspension, are recommended. Collaboration among educational institutions, transportation authorities, and healthcare professionals is essential to reduce musculoskeletal disorders, ultimately enhance students’ well being, academic performance, and quality of life.