Completed Research for Higher Degrees Since 1994

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M.Sc. Research Report/Dissertations:

1994

N. Cubberley   To establish the value of chest physiotherapy in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.

M. Senekal  Chest physiotherapy in patients with haemopneumothoraces due to penetrating stab wounds of chest.

 1995

M. Barker   The use of the manual resuscitation bag on mechanically ventilated patients and its effects on arterial oxygen tensions and lung compliance: a meta-analysis of the literature.        

M. Riley  The evaluation of temporal distance gait measurement in patients with pyramidal lesions.

1996

J. Hall  An investigation into factors in training which may predispose to shoulder pain in a group of provincial swimmers.

M. King  Role of post-operative physiotherapy in tendo-achilles lengthening in cerebral palsied children.

M. Pietersen  Trauma-related mortality in pre-school children from the Pretoria district.

B. Price Injury audit of motorcycle accidents admitted to the Johannesburg Hospital in 1991.

I. Seels  A comparative study of three physiotherapy treatment regimes in the management of patellofemoral pain.

1998

R. Bernstein   Working postures in qualified physiotherapists. 

S. de Charmoy The role of routine physiotherapy following open heart valve surgery in South Africans.

C. Fleishman A functional assessment of intra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions twelve to twenty-four months post-operatively. 

P. Wallner  An investigation into the factors predisposing to low back pain in workers in a motor vehicle parts distribution centre.        

1999

M. Petrick A comparison between quadriceps muscle strengthening on land and water: A study on young females.

2000

T. Bell A single blind, placebo controlled study of acupuncture versus pulsed ultrasound and deep transverse friction in the treatment of lateral epicondylagia.

J. Fortune  Median nerve bias tension test responses in normal subjects. 

L. Jacobs  A rehabilitation programme for dynamic stability of the lumbar spine and its effect on movement dysfunction: a pilot study.

J. Sklaar The shoulder complex: a comparison between external rotator force and the stage of rotator cuff pathology. 

2001

G. Bogoshi Knowledge of stroke risk factors among black diabetic, hypertensive and stroke patients.

L. Hunter  Musculosketal disorders and associated risk factors in visual display unit operators.

L. Loram  Do passive arm movements affect ventilation in sedated and ventilated patients: A pilot study.

M. Mabasa The isokinetic strength profile of the shoulder internal and external rotators in cricket bowlers.

M. Mollo The Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Tens) On Gait In Hemiplegic Patients.

W. Mudzi  Paraplegics= knowledge of pressure sores.

J. Potterton Prevalence of developmental delay in infants who are HIV positive. 

B. Wood  Quality of life changes following an exercise intervention for diabetes.

2002

S. Fuller-Good Is there a correlation between Iliotibial Band Syndrome and chronic buttock and or hamstring pain in ultra distance runners? Are there identifiable predisposing factors for these injuries?
Supervisor:  Prof. C.J. Eales.

M. Hall  The Extent to which Exercise Capacity is altered in HIV Positive Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Supervisor:  Ms. S. de Charmoy.

B. Laidler Use of manipulation by physiotherapists in South Africa.
Supervisor:  Mr. T. Paulson.

A. McCulloch The Use of Strapping to Reduce Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain.
Supervisors:  Prof. C.J. Eales & Prof. Saffer.

S. Milne  Comparison of two physiotherapy techniques in patients with Cystic Fibrosis.
Supervisor:  Prof. C.J. Eales.

V. M=Kumbuzi  Analysis of the Physiotherapy Record in the Gauteng Province of South Africa.
Supervisors:  Prof. C.J. Eales & Prof. A. Stewart.

M. Modisane The effects of a knee brace on gait parameters of hyper-tonic hemiplegic patients.
Supervisors:  Ms. Mary Riley & Prof. A. Stewart.

B. Stevens  Effect of Postural Exercises on Fine Motor Functioning in Children with Minor Motor Difficulties - A Pilot Study.
Supervisor:  Dr. F. Bischof.

2003

M. Ballington  Velocity related effects of a prefabricated plastic angle foot orthosis on gait in hemiplegic subjects.
Supervisors:  Ms A. Kastanos & Ms. Mary Riley.

L. Klopper   The effect of physiotherapy on knee range of motion and quadriceps femoris muscle strength in paediatric femoral fractures.
Supervisor:  Mrs. J. Potterton.

N. Mashalane Prevalence of exercise induced asthma in 9 and 10 year old children.
Supervisor:  Prof. A. Stewart.

N. Mshunqane  The effects of an exercise programme on patients with non-insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus.  (NIDAM)
Supervisors:  Prof. Kalk & Ms. D. Cohen.
 
B. Naseer  The validity and reliability of the Six Minute Walk Test in patients with non-insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus.
Supervisors:  Prof. A. Stewart & Prof. C.J. Eales.

T. Ngubane The effect of negative suction on the re-expansion of the lung.
Supervisor:  Prof. C.J. Eales.

T. Ramdayal Influence of gait patterns on walking economy in hemiplegic patients.
Supervisor:  Dr. F. Bischof.

R. Roos Exercise testing of patients in an acute care setting.
Supervisors:  Prof. C.J. Eales & Ms. H. van Aswegen.

2004

A. Evans  Traumatic spinal cord injury in Johannesburg, South Africa:  an epidemiological survey during the year 2002.
Supervisors:  Prof. P. Cleaton-Jones, Ms. A. Kastanos & Ms. Mary Riley.

W. Joyce  Cervical, thoracic, neurodynamic and articular signs in Lateral Epicondylagia:  a pilot study.
Supervisors:  Prof. A. Stewart & Mrs. T. Bell-Jenje.

S. Nenkova The effect of isometric exercises and stretching on postural stability in Ono-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus patients with Diffuse Symmetrical Sensory Motor Neuropathy.
Supervisors:  Prof. A. Stewart & Mrs. J. Potterton.

K. Rothbart A comparison of the perceptions of parents and physiotherapists of the functional abilities of children with cerebral palsy attending two special schools in Johannesburg.
Supervisor:  Dr. F. Bischof.

2005

N. Baillieu The extent of delay of language, motor and cognitive development in hiv positive infants.
Supervisor:  Mrs. J. Potterton.

L. Harris Creatine supplementation:  it’s association with muscle injury.
Supervisor:  Prof. A. Stewart.

L. MacIntyre The effect of pilates on patients’ chronic low back pain:  a pilot study.
Supervisors:  Mrs. Lorraine Jacobs & Prof. A. Stewart.

N. Milnes The use of airway pressure release ventilation as a recruitment manoeuvre in adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Supervisor:  Prof. C.J. Eales.
 
K. Modlin The effect of handle bar height on low back pain in cyclists during spinning.
Supervisor:  Mrs. L. Jacobs.

A. Nkusi Perceptions of recent Wits physiotherapy graduates regarding the orthopaedic manipulative therapy omt undergraduate curriculum content.
Supervisor:  Prof. A. Stewart.

H. Talbot The association between head and shoulder postural abnormalities and pain in symptomatic patients.
Supervisor:  Mrs. G. Giraud.

S. Thomas Test reliability and internal consistency of the post operative physiotherapy discharge scoring tool.
Supervisor:  Prof. A. Stewart.

L. van der Merwe Efficacy of a specific manual percussion technique in influencing the pulmonary status of intubated patients.
Supervisors:  Prof. C.J. Eales & Ms. H. van Aswegen.

2006

M. Elvey A randomised control trial to compare the effects of treatment of the cervical and thoracic spine compared to the treatment of the cervical spine alone in patients with neck pain.
Supervisor:  Prof. A. Stewart.        

L. Fearnhead Measurement of walking capacity after stroke in Soweto community.
Supervisor:  Prof. A. Stewart.

U. Naidoo A comparison between a mobility programme alone and a standard physiotherapy rehabilitation approach, on the functional outcome of patients following primary total hip arthroplasty.
Supervisor:  Prof. A. Stewart.

N. Schie The effect of music on submaximal cycling performance.
Supervisors:  Prof. A. Stewart &  Geoff Rogers.

G.M.  Shead  Neurodevelopment and growth of institutionalised children with vertically transmitted Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
Supervisors:  Mrs. J. Potterton & Prof. A. Stewart.

2007

N. de Beer  Validation of the Tswana versions of the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire Quebec, Disability Scale and Waddel Disability Index.
Supervisors:  L. Jacobs & A. Gounden.

J. Gasherebuka   Effect of preoperative rehabilitation advice on functional status and length of hospital stay following total hip arthroplasty.
Supervisors:  N. Mbambo & W. Wood.

S. Gopal Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of knee society knee score for total knee arthroplasty at Johannesburg Hospital.
Supervisors:  W. Wood & H. Myezwa.

S.G. Hanekom   Effectiveness of continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure versus standard medical therapy for acute asthma.
Supervisors:  H. van Aswegen & C.J. Eales.

J. Kern The effects of a manual compression foot-pump on dialysis efficacy and the quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease(ESRD).

P.T.S. Mtshali Common lower extremity injuries in female high school soccer players in Johannesburg East district.
Supervisors:  N. Mbambo & A. Stewart.

A. Pugin The relationship between severity of cerebral palsy in children and the levels of stress experienced by their parents.
Supervisors:  J. Potterton & A. Stewart.

S. Rajan  Intrinsic factors associated with lower limb injuries in female soccer players in east Johannesburg district schools.
Supervisors:  Aimee Stewart, Z. van Heerden & N. Mbambo.

M. Snyckers Correlation cervical proprioception and the cranio-cervical flexion test in patients suffering from whiplash associated disorder.
Supervisors:  Anita Gounden & N. Mambo.

M. Van As The international classification of functioning, disability and health in adults visiting the HIV out patient clinic at Helen Joseph Memorial Hospital.
Supervisors:  Hellen Myezwa & D. Maleka.

P. Van Der Merwe  A Systematic review of exercises, used in a workplace setting for the management of occupational lower back pain.
Supervisors:  N. Mbambo & H. Myezwa

M. Yazbek The reliability and validity of the Tswana translations of three pain rating scales amongst patients with back pain.
Supervisors:  A. Stewart, A. Nkusi & L. Jacobs.

2008

G. Fanucchi    Specific exercises as a secondary preventative intervention programme for low back pain in 12-13 year old children.
Supervisor:  R. Jordaan & A. Stewart.

C. Lally The relationship between knee integrity and function in patients post total knee replacement.
Supervisors:  A. Stewart & W. Wood.

B. Naude Factors associated with low back pain in hospital employees.
Supervisors:  W. Mudzi & V. Mamabolo.

W. Ngubeni A pilot study of the extubation from mechanical ventilation and the effect of chest physiotherapy intervention.
Supervisor:  H. van Aswegen.

M. Tshabalala Caregivers’ perceptions of services offered at the cerebral palsy clinic at Dr. George Mukhari Hospital.
J. Potterton & N. Mbambo.

A. Van Der Walt  Hip extension range in dogs with chronic cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency.
Supervisors:  K. Joubert & A. Stewart.

L. Verster Stress levels of parents whose children are on antiretroviral therapy.
Supervisors:  J. Potterton & W. Mudzi.

M. Weedon Socio-economic and clinical factors predictive of paediatric quality of life post burn injury.
Supervisor:  J. Potterton.

C. Zeijllstra  A pilot study to investigate the muscle strength of children infected with HIV.
Supervisors:  J. Potterton & W. Mudzi.

2009

J. Brenner  The effect of physiotherapy in a group on the motor function of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder.
Supervisors:  N. Bailleau & J. Potterton.

D. Brown  Developmental differences between pre-term and full-term 18 month olds.
Supervisor:  J. Potterton.

L. De Jonge  Quality of life measured 12 months postoperatively in subjects who had an anterior neck fusion.
Supervisors:  H. van Aswegen & N. Mbambo-Kekana.
                                   
L. Dearle  Physical abilities of community-dwelling adults more than six months post stroke: a cross-sectional survey.
Supervisors:  W. Mudzi & V. Mamabolo.

L. Godlwana  The impact of lower limb amputation on quality of life.
Supervisor:  A. Stewart.

C. Grebe An investigation into the use of the Oswestry Disability Index in a Zulu speaking population.  A pilot study.
Supervisors:  W. Wood & A. Stewart.

N. Khandoo The postoperative status of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients on discharge from an acute setting in Johannesburg hospitals, South Africa.
Supervisors:  H. Myezwa & D. Maleka.

F. Lewis  The association between trunk muscle endurance and lumbar-pelvic instability in adolescent low back pain.
Supervisors:  W. Wood & B. Naude.

E. Mellet The prevalence of clinical signs of ankle instability in both previously injured and uninjured ankles of club rugby players in south Gauteng.
Supervisor:  A. Stewart.

V. Naidoo  Physiotherapy modalities used in the management of chronic lower back pain.
Supervisors:  W. Mudzi & V. Mamabolo.

2010

N. Benjamin  A comparison of exercise endurance levels between children diagnosed with developmental co-ordination disorder (low muscle tone) and normal children between the ages of seven and ten years.
Supervisor:  J. Potterton.

T. Chivers  The factors affecting the physiotherapy rehabilitation in patients following an open rotator cuff repair.
Supervisors:  W. Wood & A. Stewart.

A. Ellis  Current practice in decontamination of nebulisers in ventilated patients, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Supervisors:  H. van Aswegen & R. Roos. 

C. Lepera   The prevalence of shoulder pain in professional male wheelchair basketball players in Gauteng, south Africa.
Supervisors: S. Mtshali & N. Mbambo.   

N. Plani  The use of a weaning and extubation protocol to facilitate effective weaning and extubation from mechanical ventilation in patients suffering from traumatic injuries.
Supervisor:  H. Van Aswegen.

D. Shead Hydrotherapy in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:  A qualitative systematic review.
Supervisor:  H. Van Aswegen.        

 2011

H. Asvat  Adherence to attending appointments at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital outpatient Physiotherapy Department.
Supervisor:  N. Mbambo. 

N. Da Cunha  Burden of respiratory disease among paediatric patients infected with HIV/AIDS.
Supervisor:  J. Potterton.

S. Edelman  Non-randomised clinical trial of intensive versus weekly physiotherapy for children with minor motor difficulties.
Supervisors:  N. Baillieu & J. Potterton.

D. Faris  An investigation of muscle strength, endurance and quality of life in South African children with haemophilia:  A pilot study.
Supervisor:  J. Potterton.

S. Haffejee  Factors that influence functional mobility outcomes of patients post-traumatic brain injury.
Supervisors:  V. Ntsiea & W. Mudzi.

J. Hilton Factors that influence the quality of life of a caregiver caring for a patient with stroke.
Supervisors:  V. Ntsiea & W. Mudzi.

S. Horwitz  The relationship between cervical dysfunction and perimenstrual migraines.
Supervisor:  A. Stewart.
 
L. Phokontsi The relationship between fibularis muscles strength and lateral ankle sprain among high school netball players in Gauteng northern region.
Supervisors:  N. Mbambo & S. Mtshali.

J. Schneiderman The health related quality of life of survivors of critical illness as measured with the SF-36 and EQ-5D questionnaires at six months after discharge.
Supervisor:  H. Van Aswegen.

T. Taljaard The association between hip rotation range of motion and non-specific low back pain in distance runners from a running club in central Gauteng.
Supervisor:  N. Mbambo.

J. Webber  The effect of a lifestyle modification adherence tool on risk factors in patients with chronic hypertension compared to usual management.
Supervisor:  A. Stewart.                              

Ph.D. Dissertation

1998

C.J. Eales  An investigation into the factors that may predict the outcome of successful rehabilitation in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery.             

2002

L. Hale  The challenge of service provision for the South African stroke victim.

2003

A. Stewart Adherence of patients with hypertension to cardiovascular risk factor modification.

2007

E. Mutimura The prevalence of lipodystrophy and the effects of exercise training on lipodystrophy and metabolic disorders in HIV-positive Rwandan subjects receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).
Supervisors:  A. Stewart & N. Crowther.

J.L. Potterton A longitudinal study of neurodevelopmental delay in HIV infected children.
Supervisors:  A. Stewart & P. Cooper.

G. Saloojee Parental perceptions and experience of rehabilitation services for children with cerebral palsy in poorly resourced areas.
Supervisors:  A. Stewart, P. Rosenbaum & M. Westaway.

2008

H. van Aswegen  The effect of penetrating trunk trauma and mechanical ventilation on the recovery of adult survivors after hospital discharge.
Supervisors:  J. Goosen, G. Richards & C. Eales.

2009

N. Mbambo-Kekana   Predictors of success for African black physiotherapy students in South Africa.
Supervisors:  J. Bruce & A. Rothberg.

H. Myezwa  Mainstreaming HIV/Aids into physiotherapy education and practice.
Supervisors:  A. Stewart & P. Solomons.

2010

N. Hilburn The development of a screening tool to evaluate infants who are HIV positive.
Supervisors:  J. Potterton & A. Stewart.

W. Mudzi Impact of caregiver education on stroke survivors and their caregivers.
 Supervisors:  A. Stewart & M. Connor.

2011

D. Maleka The development of an outcome measure to assess community reintegration after stroke for patients living in poor socioeconomic urban and rural areas of South Africa.
Supervisor:  A. Stewart.

W. Wood  A report to inform the development of a clinical practice guideline for rehabilitation post total knee arthroplasty in a South African public hospital.
Supervisor:  A. Stewart.

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