Evalutation of the Additional Kabat’s Method Versus Conventional Physiotherapy in the Rehabilitation of Buruli Ulcer Patients (BUP), with Functional Limitations in the District Hospital of Akonolinga, Cameroon

Abstract

Buruli ulcer (BU) is a chronic infection, indolent necrotizing disease of the skin and underlying tissues caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, which may result in functional disability. This disease is the third most frequent infection after leprosy and tuberculosis caused by a mycobacterium. The main objective of this study was to determine comparative effectiveness of conventional physiotherapy alone to its association with Kabat’s method in the management of post-Buruli ulcer functional limitations. This was an interventional randomized, comparative and prospective study. It took place at the district hospital of Akonolinga from the12th June to 12th September 2016. Were included, post- Buruli ulcer patients who matched the eligibility criteria, were under treatment in the physiotherapy unit, and who accepted to participate in our study. A questionnaire on the socio-demographic profile of participants, the ulcer localization, the limitation stage, previous medical history and functional mobility assessment scale was administered to the subjects before and after the intervention, which lasted for twelve weeks. We had 2 groups: the case group received association of Kabat technique to conventional physiotherapy and the control group received conventional physiotherapy alone. We had 22 patients, 11 patients for the experimental group, 11 patients for the control group. The mean age was 26.18 years, 54.5% of female participation, 68.2% of leg localization, 59.1% patients with severe limitations of functional mobility, and preference for traditional medication 95.5%. After evaluation of efficiency we concluded that there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment protocols. Further studies with larger sample size are recommended.