Kalani Weerasinghe - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Uploads

Papers by Kalani Weerasinghe

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing physical function and activity level in malnourished older adults through oral nutrition supplements: a randomized controlled trial

BMC geriatrics, Jun 28, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing Physical Function and Activity Level in malnourished Older Adults through Oral Nutrition Supplements: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Research Square (Research Square), Dec 13, 2023

Background: Malnutrition of older individuals, leads to signi cant functional decline, reducing t... more Background: Malnutrition of older individuals, leads to signi cant functional decline, reducing their quality of life. Lifestyle interventions; dietary improvements and supplementation are explored to enhance the physical function of older adults. The current study aimed to assess the impact of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on the functional and activity levels of the Sri Lankan elderly. Methods: This included; an intervention group (IG) receiving 200 mL of ONS providing 247 kcal per serving, for 12 weeks and a control group (CG) receiving an equivalent volume of water. Changes in handgrip strength, knee extension strength, gait speed, functional and activity levels were assessed. Results: The IG showed signi cant improvements in handgrip strength (43.96 ± 18.61 kg vs. 32.81 ± 17.92 kg; p < 0.001) and knee extension strength (23.45 ± 2.29 kg vs. 16.41 ± 2.09 kg; p < 0.001) following 12 weeks compared to the CG. The IG also exhibited signi cant improvements in gait speed (1.31 ± 0.52 m/s vs. 0.87 ± 0.26 m/s), Barthel index score, (0.30 ± 0.47 vs.-0.18 ± 0.66), PASE score (0.52 ± 17.79 vs.-1.60 ± 21.77) and IPAQ categories. Conclusions: ONS was found to be effective in improving the functional and physical activity levels of malnourished older adults.

Research paper thumbnail of Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaires Developed for the Athletic Population: a Systematic Review

Current Nutrition Reports, Sep 15, 2023

Research paper thumbnail of Validation of a sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire for track and field athletes

Research Square (Research Square), Jan 25, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Effectiveness of face-to-face physiotherapy training and education for women who are undergoing elective caesarean section: a randomized controlled trial

Archives of Physiotherapy, 2022

Background Caesarean Section (CS) is associated with numerous post-operative problems. The curren... more Background Caesarean Section (CS) is associated with numerous post-operative problems. The current literature reveals that physiotherapy interventions such as pelvic floor rehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation enable enhanced recovery in the post-operative period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of face-to-face physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS in improving post-operative outcomes. Methods A single blind parallel randomized controlled study was carried out at De Soysa Hospital for Women (DSHW), Colombo. Fifty-four women who were to undergo elective CS were recruited to the study. The women in the intervention group ( n = 27) received face-to-face physiotherapy training and education; the control group (n = 27) received only the standard nursing care. Outcome measures such as perception of post-operative pain, dosage of additional analgesics required, pain upon returning to functional activities and lengths of hospital...

Research paper thumbnail of Development of a sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire for Sri Lankan athletes

Background: Satisfactory nutrition knowledge among athletes is important to encourage proper diet... more Background: Satisfactory nutrition knowledge among athletes is important to encourage proper dietary habits to overcome deficiencies and enhance sports performance. Identifying knowledge gaps in sports nutrition is essential for improving athletes' understanding, ideally through a contemporary tool that evaluates both general nutrition knowledge (GNK) and sports nutrition knowledge (SNK). This study aims to develop the Athletic Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (A-SNKQ) specifically for Sri Lankan track and field athletes. Methods: The development of the A-SNKQ followed an extensive step-wise approach. Firstly, a systematic literature review was conducted on existing SNK questionnaires for athletes. Secondly, sports nutrition guidelines were incorporated into the questionnaire. Thirdly, information from local literature was gathered to ensure contextual relevance. Lastly, a qualitative study involving key athletic stakeholders was conducted to gain cultural insights. Addi...

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of the beta-alanine supplementation in sports: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Research paper thumbnail of Physiotherapy training and education prior to elective caesarean section and its impact on post-natal quality of life: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Research Square (Research Square), Jan 18, 2023

Background Caesarean section (CS) is associated with numerous complications that lead to the dela... more Background Caesarean section (CS) is associated with numerous complications that lead to the delayed return to functional activities that have a negative in uence on the post-natal quality of life (QOL). It is evident that providing regular evidence-based physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS helps to enhance the post-natal QOL by improving physical, mental, social, and general well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS on post-natal QOL. Methods This single-blind parallel randomized controlled study was carried out at De Soysa Hospital for Women (DSHW), Colombo. The study enrolled 54 women who were scheduled to undergo elective CS. The intervention group (n = 27) of women received physiotherapy training and education, while the control group (n = 27) received standard nursing care. In addition to the primary outcome measures, post-natal QOL was measured. The results were examined using descriptive statistics and the independent samples t-test in IBM SPSS 20. Results The intervention group showed a higher post-natal QOL for the domains of physical function, role limitation due to physical health, energy/fatigue, and pain than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS play a pivotal role in improving the physical health-related domains of QOL following CS.

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing physical function and activity level in malnourished older adults through oral nutrition supplements: a randomized controlled trial

BMC geriatrics, Jun 28, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing Physical Function and Activity Level in malnourished Older Adults through Oral Nutrition Supplements: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Research Square (Research Square), Dec 13, 2023

Background: Malnutrition of older individuals, leads to signi cant functional decline, reducing t... more Background: Malnutrition of older individuals, leads to signi cant functional decline, reducing their quality of life. Lifestyle interventions; dietary improvements and supplementation are explored to enhance the physical function of older adults. The current study aimed to assess the impact of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on the functional and activity levels of the Sri Lankan elderly. Methods: This included; an intervention group (IG) receiving 200 mL of ONS providing 247 kcal per serving, for 12 weeks and a control group (CG) receiving an equivalent volume of water. Changes in handgrip strength, knee extension strength, gait speed, functional and activity levels were assessed. Results: The IG showed signi cant improvements in handgrip strength (43.96 ± 18.61 kg vs. 32.81 ± 17.92 kg; p < 0.001) and knee extension strength (23.45 ± 2.29 kg vs. 16.41 ± 2.09 kg; p < 0.001) following 12 weeks compared to the CG. The IG also exhibited signi cant improvements in gait speed (1.31 ± 0.52 m/s vs. 0.87 ± 0.26 m/s), Barthel index score, (0.30 ± 0.47 vs.-0.18 ± 0.66), PASE score (0.52 ± 17.79 vs.-1.60 ± 21.77) and IPAQ categories. Conclusions: ONS was found to be effective in improving the functional and physical activity levels of malnourished older adults.

Research paper thumbnail of Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaires Developed for the Athletic Population: a Systematic Review

Current Nutrition Reports, Sep 15, 2023

Research paper thumbnail of Validation of a sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire for track and field athletes

Research Square (Research Square), Jan 25, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Effectiveness of face-to-face physiotherapy training and education for women who are undergoing elective caesarean section: a randomized controlled trial

Archives of Physiotherapy, 2022

Background Caesarean Section (CS) is associated with numerous post-operative problems. The curren... more Background Caesarean Section (CS) is associated with numerous post-operative problems. The current literature reveals that physiotherapy interventions such as pelvic floor rehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation enable enhanced recovery in the post-operative period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of face-to-face physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS in improving post-operative outcomes. Methods A single blind parallel randomized controlled study was carried out at De Soysa Hospital for Women (DSHW), Colombo. Fifty-four women who were to undergo elective CS were recruited to the study. The women in the intervention group ( n = 27) received face-to-face physiotherapy training and education; the control group (n = 27) received only the standard nursing care. Outcome measures such as perception of post-operative pain, dosage of additional analgesics required, pain upon returning to functional activities and lengths of hospital...

Research paper thumbnail of Development of a sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire for Sri Lankan athletes

Background: Satisfactory nutrition knowledge among athletes is important to encourage proper diet... more Background: Satisfactory nutrition knowledge among athletes is important to encourage proper dietary habits to overcome deficiencies and enhance sports performance. Identifying knowledge gaps in sports nutrition is essential for improving athletes' understanding, ideally through a contemporary tool that evaluates both general nutrition knowledge (GNK) and sports nutrition knowledge (SNK). This study aims to develop the Athletic Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (A-SNKQ) specifically for Sri Lankan track and field athletes. Methods: The development of the A-SNKQ followed an extensive step-wise approach. Firstly, a systematic literature review was conducted on existing SNK questionnaires for athletes. Secondly, sports nutrition guidelines were incorporated into the questionnaire. Thirdly, information from local literature was gathered to ensure contextual relevance. Lastly, a qualitative study involving key athletic stakeholders was conducted to gain cultural insights. Addi...

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of the beta-alanine supplementation in sports: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Research paper thumbnail of Physiotherapy training and education prior to elective caesarean section and its impact on post-natal quality of life: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Research Square (Research Square), Jan 18, 2023

Background Caesarean section (CS) is associated with numerous complications that lead to the dela... more Background Caesarean section (CS) is associated with numerous complications that lead to the delayed return to functional activities that have a negative in uence on the post-natal quality of life (QOL). It is evident that providing regular evidence-based physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS helps to enhance the post-natal QOL by improving physical, mental, social, and general well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS on post-natal QOL. Methods This single-blind parallel randomized controlled study was carried out at De Soysa Hospital for Women (DSHW), Colombo. The study enrolled 54 women who were scheduled to undergo elective CS. The intervention group (n = 27) of women received physiotherapy training and education, while the control group (n = 27) received standard nursing care. In addition to the primary outcome measures, post-natal QOL was measured. The results were examined using descriptive statistics and the independent samples t-test in IBM SPSS 20. Results The intervention group showed a higher post-natal QOL for the domains of physical function, role limitation due to physical health, energy/fatigue, and pain than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS play a pivotal role in improving the physical health-related domains of QOL following CS.