Purpose: Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), while effective in reducing cancer recurrence and improving survival rates, often comes with radiation toxicity that can adversely affect the patient’s quality of life (QoL). Evaluating toxicity after RT is crucial because it helps to identify and manage adverse effects that can significantly impact a patient’s QoL. By monitoring toxicity, we can adjust treatment plans to mitigate these effects, improve patient comfort, and ensure a better overall outcome. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate and compare QoL following 3D-conformal hypofractionated RT in breast cancer patients. Methods: We included twenty-one Malaysian women with unilateral breast cancer treated with lumpectomy (n=15) or mastectomy (n=6) followed by 3D-conformal hypofractionated RT. QoL was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-BR45 questionnaire before, during, and after RT. Results: During RT, there was a significant increase in the mean score of the breast symptoms scale compared to baseline (p=0.002), with the most common symptoms being skin problems, followed by swelling and oversensitivity. However, these symptoms were generally mild for most patients. The other quality of life scales remained stable during RT. Post-RT, most QoL scales showed improvements compared to both baseline and during RT, with significant enhancements in the mean breast symptoms score and breast satisfaction score (all p<0.05). Conclusion: Radiotherapy negatively impacted the QoL of our breast cancer patients, specifically on the breast symptoms scale. However, these symptoms improved after 4 months, resulting in high breast satisfaction and indicating a near-excellent cosmetic outcome. Future studies with larger cohorts are essential to validate these findings, as the small sample size (n=21 at baseline; n=13 post-RT) may have limited the detection of more subtle changes

Despite publishing and securing research grants being obligatory in research universities, the literature on the factors influencing academic productivity is relatively scarce. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the personal and behavioural-related factors that influence the culture of publishing and securing research grants among academicians with lower research-related performance. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 49 academic staff members of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). A self-administered questionnaire consisting of personal, attitude and behavioural (barriers, perceived stress scale, work extrinsic and intrinsic motivation scale, psychological well-being scale, and basic needs satisfaction scale) questions were distributed during a workshop and online. Simple linear regression (SLR) analyses were performed for each variable, followed by multiple linear regression (MLR) to identify the associated factors of research output. After adjusting for covariates, having a doctoral degree (β=0.396, 95% CI=0.221-2.146, p<0.05) and integrated regulation (β=0.574, 95% CI=0.036-3.612, p<0.05) were found to be associated with research grant acquisition (R2=0.273). Moreover, increasing age (β=0.426, 95% CI=0.088-0.397, p<0.05), living alone (β=0.331, 95% CI=0.944-6.626, p<0.05), having a doctoral degree (β=0.248, 95% CI=0.174-6.747, p<0.05), environmental mastery (β=0.318, 95% CI=0.013-0.347, p<0.05), self-acceptance (β=0.284, 95% CI=0.010-0.242, p<0.05), satisfaction incompetence (β=0.273, 95% CI=0.001-0.200, p<0.05) and relatedness (β=0.280, 95% CI=0.001-0.116, p<0.05) were found to be the factors that influence the publications produced among participants (R2 =0.423). The findings of this study could be used by management to formulate effective strategies to increase the productivity of academics in their research-related performance.

Older adults living in community settings are at increased risk of malnutrition due to factors such as chronic illness, functional decline, and social isolation. This scoping review aimed to map the types of nutritional interventions implemented to prevent and manage malnutrition among community-dwelling older adults and to identify outcome measures used to assess their effectiveness, including the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). A scoping review was conducted following established methodological frameworks. Literature searches were conducted in the Web of Science, PubMed, and Ovid databases to identify English-language studies that described nutrition-related interventions targeting malnutrition among older adults living in community settings. Two reviewers independently screened the articles, and relevant data were extracted and narratively synthesized. A total of 4,000 records were identified, of which 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. The most commonly reported interventions included oral nutritional supplementation, personalized dietary counselling, nutrition education, and social support–based approaches. The MNA was frequently used as a primary or secondary outcome measure to assess nutritional status. This review highlights the diversity of community-based nutritional interventions for older adults and the widespread use of the MNA in evaluating nutritional outcomes. The findings provide an overview of existing evidence and may inform future research, intervention development, and policy initiatives aimed at enhancing the nutritional status of community-dwelling older adults.

Background and Objectives: Auditory sensory gating deficits are abnormalities in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that may lead to sensory processing difficulties. It is particularly difficult for children with ASD to distinguish multiple auditory stimuli, which hinders them from focusing on a single auditory stimulus and separating unnecessary sounds. Suppression of otoacoustic emission (OAE) is an approach used to identify sensory gating deficits in the general population, specifically for children with ASD. This study aimed to investigate the suppression effect of various types of sound suppressors to measure their sensory gating capacity in children with ASD. Subjects and Methods: Twenty children including 10 with ASD and 10 normally developing children aged 6-12 years were recruited for this study. One accessible ear was exposed to transient-evoked OAE, whereas the other was exposed to suppressor tones. Contralateral suppressors included white noise, Quranic recitations, environmental noise, and natural sound. The magnitude of OAE suppression was determined from the difference between the OAE amplitude with and without the masker (in dB sound pressure levels) for all sound types. The sound with the highest suppression effect was determined using effect size calculation and repeated-measures analysis of variance at a 95% confidence level. A high suppression effect may suggest a high sensory gating performance, whereas low suppression may indicate low sensory gating performance. Results: Based on the analysis, the sound with the highest suppression effect was that of the waterfall. The suppression results were supported by descriptive analysis findings and effect-size calculations. Conclusions This study provides a better understanding of the alternative sound stimuli, besides the standard white noise tone, for the assessment of sensory gating deficits among children with ASD. Sounds with a high suppression effect have the potential to be used as sound therapy interventions for children with ASD as part of rehabilitation and therapy.

Background and Objectives: Auditory sensory gating deficits are abnormalities in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that may lead to sensory processing difficulties. It is particularly difficult for children with ASD to distinguish multiple auditory stimuli, which hinders them from focusing on a single auditory stimulus and separating unnecessary sounds. Suppression of otoacoustic emission (OAE) is an approach used to identify sensory gating deficits in the general population, specifically for children with ASD. This study aimed to investigate the suppression effect of various types of sound suppressors to measure their sensory gating capacity in children with ASD. Subjects and Methods: Twenty children including 10 with ASD and 10 normally developing children aged 6-12 years were recruited for this study. One accessible ear was exposed to transient-evoked OAE, whereas the other was exposed to suppressor tones. Contralateral suppressors included white noise, Quranic recitations, environmental noise, and natural sound. The magnitude of OAE suppression was determined from the difference between the OAE amplitude with and without the masker (in dB sound pressure levels) for all sound types. The sound with the highest suppression effect was determined using effect size calculation and repeated-measures analysis of variance at a 95% confidence level. A high suppression effect may suggest a high sensory gating performance, whereas low suppression may indicate low sensory gating performance. Results: Based on the analysis, the sound with the highest suppression effect was that of the waterfall. The suppression results were supported by descriptive analysis findings and effect-size calculations. Conclusions This study provides a better understanding of the alternative sound stimuli, besides the standard white noise tone, for the assessment of sensory gating deficits among children with ASD. Sounds with a high suppression effect have the potential to be used as sound therapy interventions for children with ASD as part of rehabilitation and therapy.

Background and Objectives: Auditory sensory gating deficits are abnormalities in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that may lead to sensory processing difficulties. It is particularly difficult for children with ASD to distinguish multiple auditory stimuli, which hinders them from focusing on a single auditory stimulus and separating unnecessary sounds. Suppression of otoacoustic emission (OAE) is an approach used to identify sensory gating deficits in the general population, specifically for children with ASD. This study aimed to investigate the suppression effect of various types of sound suppressors to measure their sensory gating capacity in children with ASD. Subjects and Methods: Twenty children including 10 with ASD and 10 normally developing children aged 6-12 years were recruited for this study. One accessible ear was exposed to transient-evoked OAE, whereas the other was exposed to suppressor tones. Contralateral suppressors included white noise, Quranic recitations, environmental noise, and natural sound. The magnitude of OAE suppression was determined from the difference between the OAE amplitude with and without the masker (in dB sound pressure levels) for all sound types. The sound with the highest suppression effect was determined using effect size calculation and repeated-measures analysis of variance at a 95% confidence level. A high suppression effect may suggest a high sensory gating performance, whereas low suppression may indicate low sensory gating performance. Results: Based on the analysis, the sound with the highest suppression effect was that of the waterfall. The suppression results were supported by descriptive analysis findings and effect-size calculations. Conclusions This study provides a better understanding of the alternative sound stimuli, besides the standard white noise tone, for the assessment of sensory gating deficits among children with ASD. Sounds with a high suppression effect have the potential to be used as sound therapy interventions for children with ASD as part of rehabilitation and therapy.

Introduction: While pedobarography is emerging in Malaysia for foot-related clinical and research use, there are no published normative foot plantar pressure values. This study aimed to identify pressure values and areas of distribution in the normal foot of the multiracial population in Pahang, Malaysia. The differences by ethnic groups, gender, and BMI levels were also investigated. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 600 normal feet without pre-existing diabetes mellitus and any lower limb and spine pain were assessed using Emed-q100 pedobarography platform device and EMED/E (Expert) software from January 2018 to December 2018. The data were analysed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics for demographics and foot pressure, Pearson Chi-Square for associations, t-tests for gender differences, and one-way ANOVA for comparisons across ethnicity and BMI groups. Results: The mean maximum peak pressure (MPP) was measured at 508.98 kPa (SD 164.06) with significant differences by BMI whereby the score was highest in the obese (p<0.001). No significant differences by gender and ethnicity were reported. In terms of peak pressure area (PPA), most (42.2%) were observed in the first metatarsal head and big toe region (1MH&T), followed by second metatarsal head (2MH) (31.5%). For overweight and obese, PPA mostly distributed in 2MH (34.8% and 50%, respectively). Significant differences in PPA were also seen between races. There was no significant difference in the pressure area distribution by gender. Conclusion: The MPP is affected by BMI while PPA distribution is affected by BMI and ethnicity. These findings can be used as an initial reference for further studies related to orthopaedic clinical applications, particularly involving the Malaysian population with various ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.

Introduction: This systematic review aimed to investigate the level of participation, obstacles, and facilitator factors that influence activities of daily living among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in four online databases, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, OT Seeker, and Cochrane Library covering the ten-years period from January 2012 to December 2022. Inclusion criteria encompassed original published studies in English focusing on daily activities, work, participation, obstacles, and facilitators in persons with SCI. Non-peer review sources (e.g., abstracts, grey literature, preprints), and studies unrelated to occupational therapy were excluded. The selected studies were assessed for quality using McMaster University Occupational Therapy Evidence-Based Practice critical review form. Results: Out of the 678 articles identified, ten studies were included after the screening, exploring participation in daily living activities, employment, return to work, leisure activities, family tasks, and community mobility among persons with SCI. Obstacles and facilitators influencing participation in activities of daily living were classified using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework. This review highlighted that long-term participation is challenging for persons with SCI, affected by obstacles such as body functions, pain, low self-esteem, and environmental and social factors. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach to enhance participation in daily activities for persons with SCI. Occupational therapy plays a significant role in improving participation levels among persons with SCI.

Wound healing is a complex process that includes haemostasis and inflammation, followed by a proliferation period and repair and finally remodelling. Ocular surgeries, particularly in glaucoma cases, aim at minimal fibrosis to preserve the function of trabeculectomy as an alternative pathway for aqueous drainage. Hence, it is important to find an agent to modulate the wound healing process. This review presents compilation of wound modulation agents that have been tested in vitro, in vivo, or clinically on patients undergoing ocular surgeries, particularly for glaucoma. We identified agents into four groups, mostly for glaucoma filtration operations: anti-metabolites, anti-growth factors, mechanical barriers and rho kinases. The effect of these agents is highlighted in this review. In conclusion, despite recognized drawbacks of antimetabolites, they are still regarded as the gold standard and the most efficient treatment as anti-scarring agents use in ocular surgeries. More studies are needed to inquire agents that efficient yet has minimal adverse effects both in short and long term.

PREVALENCE OF PERSONAL, WORK-RELATED AND PATIENT-RELATED BURNOUT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN HEALTH CLINICS IN THE DISTRICT OF MANJUNG, PERAK: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY Introduction: Burnout is a syndrome characterised by physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that results from a long period of involvement in an overwhelming work condition. It is prevalent among frontline workers. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of burnout among primary healthcare workers in the district of Manjung, Perak and determine the factors associated with burnout. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers in seven health clinics located in the district from August to September 2022. The self-administered validated Malay version of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and the Malay version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used. These instruments consisted of 31 questions rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The scores were then summed up to determine the burnout level. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Simple logistic regression analysis was performed. Thereafter, multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors associated with burnout. Results: A total of 224 participants were included. Among them, 61.6% were nurses; 21.4%, doctors; and 17.0%, assistant medical officers. The prevalence of personal burnout was 31.3%; work-related burnout, 16.5%; and patient-related burnout, 5.4%. The factors associated with burnout were the highest educational level, financial difficulties and low perceived social support from friends and significant others. Conclusion: Healthcare workers in Manjung health clinics have a higher prevalence of personal burnout than work- and patient-related burnout. The findings of this study provide early insights and guidance for possible interventions.