Identifying and analyzing variables in musculoskeletal healthcare research Anjali Raghuwanshi, Adarsh K. Srivastav Journal of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Research, 2025 This review intends to help the students and researchers to organize, write, and analyze to make a quality research paper and to know the importance of variables in healthcare clinicians/researchers. Variables are fundamental components of the research question, serving as properties that distinguish members of groups or sets. They explain the different aspects of the sample that is under study. Variables are capable of having multiple values. Variables vary from subject to subject in the sample. A variable is a fundamental concept in research, representing a concept, image, or perception that can take different measurable values. Research design (RD) involves comparing independent groups or conditions, exploring predictive relationships, experimental studies for causal links, and comparative studies with multiple independent variables (IVs) or dependent variables (DVs). Variables play a crucial role in research and are broadly classified into causal relationships, study design, and units of measurement. IV is predictors that influence outcomes known as DV. Extraneous variables are unrelated but impactful. Moderating variables alter the relationship between IV and DV. Intervening variables or confounding variables (CVs) can complicate the cause-and-effect relationships. Active variables are manipulated, while attribute variables, inherent traits such as age, cannot be controlled. Even tests are based on variables. This review provides a comprehensive guide for students and young researchers to understand the role of variables and RD in conducting quality research papers, emphasizing the importance of operationalizing variables, controlling for CVs, and selecting appropriate RDs.
Direct myofascial release reduces shoulder muscle spasticity after stroke: a quasi-experimental study Saliha Rafat, Adarsh Kumar Srivastav Revista Pesquisa Em Fisioterapia, 2025 INTRODUCTION: Stroke, a complication that affects motor function and reduces quality of life, can lead to spasticity. Myofascial release (MFR) is a protected low load stretch technique used to reduce muscle spasticity and tightness. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the direct myofascial release (MFR) technique on spasticity of shoulder muscle, sensorimotor functions and quality of life in patients with chronic stroke (≥6 months). METHODS AND MATERIALS: This quasi-experimental one-group pre-test post-test study involved 14 chronic stroke patients who had shoulder muscle spasticity. Participants underwent direct MFR applied to the subscapularis, pectoralis major, teres major, and latissimus dorsi, with sessions lasting 30-35 minutes, 3 times a week for 2 weeks. Pre- and post-assessments were done by using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for spasticity, Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) for motor function, and Indian Stroke Scale (ISS) for quality of life. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 49.9 ± 7.96, with mean time since stroke of 24.93 ± 29.11 months. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated statistically significant improvements across all outcome measures: MAS (p = 0.001), FMA-UE (p = 0.001), and ISS (p = 0.001). Correspondingly, effect size analysis using Cohen’s d demonstrated clinically meaningful changes, with large effect sizes observed for MAS (d = 1.4), FMA-UE (d = 1.86), and ISS (d = 1.07). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that two-weeks direct myofascial release therapy is efficacious for reducing spasticity and improving motor function, and quality of life in chronic stroke participants. However, the small sample size and lack of a control group interpretation should be done carefully. Further randomized controlled trials are needed.
Advancing understanding of talocrural mobilization: a commentary on methodology and clinical relevance CS Kumar, S Rafat, AK Srivastav Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy 34 (1), 76-77 , 2026 2026
Impact of Comprehensive Exercise Training on Reaction Time in Female Recreational Badminton Players: A Pilot Study A Raghuwanshi, D Sharma, A Srivastava, AK Srivastav JK-Practitioner 31 (4) , 2026 2026
Effectiveness of AI-Driven Robotic Therapy for Post-Stroke Spasticity: A Systematic Review. S Rafat, AK Srivastav JK Practitioner 31 (1), 1 , 2026 2026
Direct myofascial release reduces shoulder muscle spasticity after stroke: a quasi-experimental study S Rafat, AK Srivastav Revista Pesquisa em Fisioterapia 15, e6249-e6249 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Effect of Thoracic and Scapular Exercises on Pain and Craniovertebral Angle in Students with Forward Head Posture: A Quasi Experimental Study. CS KUMAR, N SHUKLA, AK SRIVASTAV, A ZAIDI, A DIXIT Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 (11) , 2025 2025
Comparative efficacy of high intensity laser therapy (Class IV) and ibuprofen gel phonophoresis in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis among people living in hilly terrain: A … D Sharma, V Saini, AK Srivastav, AJ Samuel Lasers in Medical Science 40 (1), 440 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Assessing Normative Trends in Eye-hand Coordination and Physical Activity: A Cross-sectional Digital Evaluation in Adults. AS Dharmasya, AK Srivastav Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Integrating Yoga for Type 2 Diabetes Control: A Review of Evidence-based Practices. P Singh, R Kishore, AK Srivastav, N Singh Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Association of Cognition and Physical Activity among Smartphone Addicted Individuals: A Cross-sectional Study. D Sharma, M Kumar, AK Srivastav, A Srivastava Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Immediate Effect of Trunk Kinesio Taping on Balance and Mobility among Patients with Acute Stroke. AK Srivastav Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Impact of Combined Receptive and Raga Music Therapy with Physiotherapy on Facial Palsy and Depression: A Case Report. V Sahu, AK Srivastav, D Sharma Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Combined Effect of Brunnstrom's Upper Limb Rehabilitation and Neurobic Exercise on Cognitive and Motor Performance among Chronic Stroke Patients. M Gautam, AK Srivastav Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Effect of Yoga on Thyroid Disorder: A Review of Evidence-based Practices. P Singh, R Kishore, AK Srivastav, P Devi Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Effect of Proprioceptive Training and Neural Mobilisation on Pain, Disability, Quality of life and Psychological Status on Lumber Radiculopathy Patients: A Quasi-experimental … P Dwivedi, AK Srivastav Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Effect of Cranial Basal Release of Cervical Region on Sleep Quality and Pain Tolerance among Patients with Cervicogenic Headache: A Case Series. AK Srivastav Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Evaluation of Cognitive and Balance Functions Among Young Adults: A Cross-sectional Study. A Yadav, AK Srivastav Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
A Comparative Study Between Gender, Physical Activity and Dynamic Balance among Young Adults. P Chaturvedi, A Chauhan, S Singh, AK Srivastav Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
The Impact of Athletic Training on Executive Functions: A Systematic Review. A Raghuwanshi, AK Srivastav Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Effect of Yoga on Menstrual Cramps in Adolescent Girls with Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Review of Evidence-based Practices. P Devi, R Kishore, AK Srivastav, P Singh Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
Effectiveness of AI-Driven Robotic Therapy for Post-stroke Spasticity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. S Rafat, AK Srivastav Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 19 , 2025 2025
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Impact of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) lockdown on physical activity and energy expenditure among physiotherapy professionals and students using web-based open E-survey … AK Srivastav, N Sharma, AJ Samuel Clinical epidemiology and global health 9, 78-84 , 2021 2021.0 Citations: 234
Randomized clinical trial: gold standard of experimental designs-importance, advantages, disadvantages and prejudices N Sharma, AK Srivastav, AJ Samuel Revista Pesquisa em Fisioterapia 10 (3), 512-519 , 2020 2020.0 Citations: 50
E-Rehabilitation: One solution for patients with Parkinson's disease in COVID-19 era AK Srivastav, AJ Samuel Parkinsonism & Related Disorders 75, 128 , 2020 2020.0 Citations: 36
Ensaio clínico randomizado: padrão ouro de desenhos experimentais-importância, vantagens, desvantagens e preconceitos N Sharma, AK Srivastav, AJ Samuel Rev. Pesqui. Fisioter, 512-519 , 2020 2020.0 Citations: 35
Mobile-based health apps to promote physical activity during COVID-19 lockdowns AK Srivastav, S Khadayat, AJ Samuel Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine-Clinical Communications 4, 1000051 , 2021 2021.0 Citations: 34
Effectiveness of immersive virtual reality training to improve sitting balance control among individuals with acute and sub-acute paraplegia: A randomized clinical trial T Goel, N Sharma, A Gehlot, AK Srivastav The journal of spinal cord medicine 46 (6), 964-974 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 21
Identifying and analyzing variables in musculoskeletal healthcare research A Raghuwanshi, AK Srivastav Journal of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Research 9 (1), 49-57 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 10
E-neurorehabilitation: use of mobile phone based health applications during the COVID-19 pandemic AK Srivastav, AJ Samuel Journal of rehabilitation medicine 52 (9), 1-2 , 2020 2020.0 Citations: 10
Randomized clinical trial: gold standard of experimental designs-importance, advantages, disadvantages and prejudice. Rev. Pesqui. Fisioter. 2020; 10 (3): 512-9 N Sharma, AK Srivastav, AJ Samuel Citations: 9
Combined effect of Brunnstrom's hand rehabilitation and functional electrical stimulation for improving hand function in patients with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled trial R Akter, N Sharma, S Ahmed, AK Srivastav Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 35, 84-90 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 7
Safeguarding from COVID-19: educating healthcare workers about the available protective equipment AK Srivastav, V Saini, V Kukkar, MS Rathore, S Khadayat, AJ Samuel Journal of Public Health 30 (9), 2133-2137 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 6
Developing hypotheses for scientific research in musculoskeletal conditions: A guide for health-care professional S Rafat, AK Srivastav Journal of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Research 8 (3), 189-197 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 5
Transcranial direct current stimulation to enhance mathematical performance in school going developmental dyscalculic children: A single group pretest-posttest, quasi … AK Srivastav, S Chatterjee Revista Pesquisa Em Fisioterapia 11 (3), 457-464 , 2021 2021.0 Citations: 5
Physiotherapy: A potential and novel treatment approach for phantom limb pain in post-amputee patients–A systematic review S Gautam, AK Srivastav, D Sharma British Journal of Pain 18 (1), 5-27 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 4
Commentary on:? Combined transcranial direct current stimulation and breathing-controlled electrical stimulation for the management of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury? AK Srivastav, N Sharma, S Khadayat Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 51 (8), 622-623 , 2019 2019.0 Citations: 3
Terapia a laser de alta intensidade (Class IV) e fonoforese em gel de ibuprofeno para o tratamento de osteoartrite de joelho entre pessoas que vivem em terreno montanhoso: um … AK Srivastav, V Saini, D Sharma, AJ Samuel Rev. Pesqui. Fisioter , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 2
tDCS combined with cognitive training in a patient with chronic traumatic head injury AK Srivastav, N Sharma, AJ Samuel Neurophysiologie clinique= Clinical neurophysiology 50 (2), 133-134 , 2020 2020.0 Citations: 2
Níveis de conscientização da comunidade rural, desafios e estratégias adotadas para combater o COVID-19: uma e-survey transversal AK Srivastav, N Sharma, M Goyal, AJ Samuel Rev. Pesqui. Fisioter, 699-707 , 2020 2020.0 Citations: 2
Direct myofascial release reduces shoulder muscle spasticity after stroke: a quasi-experimental study S Rafat, AK Srivastav Revista Pesquisa em Fisioterapia 15, e6249-e6249 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 1
Comparative efficacy of high intensity laser therapy (Class IV) and ibuprofen gel phonophoresis in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis among people living in hilly terrain: A … D Sharma, V Saini, AK Srivastav, AJ Samuel Lasers in Medical Science 40 (1), 440 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 1