The effect of a Hatha Yoga practice on hamstring flexibility

PurposeTo determine the effect of a 7-week Hatha yoga intervention on hamstrings flexibility using a digital goniometer. It was hypothesized that hamstring flexibility will increase in a young healthy adult population.MethodsThirty-one college-aged males and females (Mage= 21 ± 2.62) years participated in 110 minutes twice per week for a 7-week progressive yoga intervention. Pre and post-test measurements were taken to determine hamstring flexibility on the right and left leg using a digital goniometer.ResultsA paired samples t-test indicated a significant difference in the pre and post-test on hamstring flexibility (p < .05). Results for the right leg pre-test (t(30) = -6.64, p <0.05, 95% CI (-6.14, -3.25), d = 0.77. p < 0.05 as well as a significant difference in the left pre and post-ROM (t(30) = -6.93, p <0.05, 95% CI (-2.97, -6.79), d = 0.52, p < 0.05 indicated an improvement after the intervention. Average range of motion increase was 4 degrees in both legs.ConclusionHamstring flexibility can be improved with a progressive 7-week Hatha yoga session and may be used as a modality to improve flexibility and function in activities of daily living as well and athletic performance.     

Effects of an acute hamstring stretch in people with and without osteoarthritis of the knee

Objective

To compare the effects of an acute stretching intervention on knee extension range of motion, passive resistive torque and stiffness in subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee, and to compare these variables with subjects without osteoarthritis.

Design

Cross-sectional experimental study.

Setting

Human performance laboratory.

Participants

A total of 55 participants were recruited: 28 subjects (males and females) with osteoarthritis of the knee joint and 27 subjects of a similar age without osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Intervention

Using the Kincom dynamometer, three 60-second stretches with 60 seconds of rest between stretches were applied to the hamstring muscle group.

Main outcome measures

Peak knee extension range of motion, peak passive torque and stiffness in the final 10% of knee extension range of motion.

Results

A significant (P < 0.05) increase in knee extension range of motion, peak passive torque and stiffness was observed in both groups. For knee extension range of motion, the mean difference for the osteoarthritis group and non-osteoarthritis group was 4.9 degrees [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9 to 8.5] and 4.4 degrees (95% CI 1.8 to 6.8), respectively. For peak passive torque, the mean difference in the osteoarthritis group and the non-osteoarthritis group was 4.4 N m (95% CI 0.8 to 6.9) and 1.0 N m (95% CI −1.4 to 3.5), respectively. For stiffness in the final 10% of knee extension range of motion, the mean difference for the osteoarthritis group and the non-osteoarthritis group was 0.19 N m/degree (95% CI 0.08 to 0.3) and 0.04 N m/degree (95% CI −0.05 to 0.1), respectively. Stiffness in the final 10% of knee extension range of motion was significantly higher in the osteoarthritis group compared with the non-osteoarthritis group after stretching.

Conclusions

Elderly individuals with and without osteoarthritis of the knee are able to demonstrate immediate beneficial adaptations to a stretching intervention. This is important as stretching is often used in preparation for exercise programmes.     

Shoulder pain, range of motion, and functional motor skills after acute tetraplegia

OBJECTIVES: To investigate (1) the prevalence and course of shoulder pain in acute tetraplegia and (2) its relationship with range of motion (ROM) and function and any associated risk factors. DESIGN: A longitudinal prospective study. SETTING: Spinal injury unit in an Australian hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Inpatients with acute tetraplegia. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographics, pain intensity, shoulder ROM, and functional motor skills. RESULTS: The prevalence of pain during rehabilitation was 85%. Risk factors associated with pain during rehabilitation included age less than 30 years or more than 50 years (F=8.892, P=.064), admission motor level at C2-5 (F=5.833, P=.016), admission sensory level at C2-5 (F=7.543, P=.006), lower left upper limb (P=.005; 95% confidence interval [CI], -14.74 to -2.86) and total American Spinal Injury Association motor scores (P=.009; 95% CI, -29.53 to -4.67), and a shorter duration of bedrest (F=5.794, P=.055). Subjects with pain lost ROM in left abduction (P=.038; 95% CI, -25.9 to -0.9) and right abduction (P=.05; 95% CI, -30 to 9.3). No relationship existed between shoulder pain and functional motor skills on discharge. CONCLUSION: Shoulder pain is common in acute tetraplegia and is associated with loss of shoulder ROM. Risk factors identified include age, injury level, and duration of bedrest. Areas for further study are identified.     

The effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization compared to other interventions on pain and function: a systematic review

Background: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is an emerging intervention in physical therapy. With the increasing prevalence of pain and disability associated with musculoskeletal impairments, it is essential to identify the most effective treatment strategies.

Objective: To systematically examine evidence on the effectiveness of IASTM, compared to other interventions on patients with pain and disability resulting from musculoskeletal impairments.

Methods: Numerous databases were searched using the terms Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue, Pain, Function, Graston, and soft tissue mobilization (STM). Inclusion criteria included: randomized clinical trials on patients with musculoskeletal impairments, STM had to be a treatment intervention, performed on human subjects, and had to capture a measure of pain or function. Articles were excluded if they were not published in English or if the subjects were of the pediatric or geriatric populations. Included articles were appraised using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale.

Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. All seven articles scored a minimum 4/10 on the PEDro scale. The studies involved treatment of numerous anatomical locations and the majority of the studies demonstrated significant improvements in pain and/or range of motion when compared to control or other conservative treatment groups.

Conclusions: These outcomes support the idea that IASTM may have an impact on physiological changes by providing an increase in blood flow, reduction in tissue viscosity, myofascial release, interruption of pain receptors, and improvement of flexibility of underlying tissue. It is suggested that IASTM is an effective treatment intervention for reducing pain and improving function in less than a three-month period.     

Health-related quality of life in child patients with temporomandibular disorder pain.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) occurs frequently in children and measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) can complement efficacy measures, offering a complete picture of the impact of disease and treatment on overall well-being. AIM: To compare HRQL, pain threshold (PT) and range of motion (ROM) in child patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and an age and gender matched control group. METHODS: The study design was a controlled cross-sectional study. Forty-two children participated in the study. Twenty-one child patients referred to a dental pediatric clinic for specialist treatment because of TMD pain and an age and gender matched control group completed the Child health questionnaire-child form 87 (CHQ-CF87). PT was measured with Pain matcher and ROM in terms of maximum unassisted mandibular opening was measured with a ruler. RESULTS: The child patients with pain more than once a week had a pain duration ranging from 3 months to almost 6 years. The median for pain intensity measured with visual analogue scale (VAS) was 47 ranging from 5 to 80 and the median for behavioral rating scale (BRS) was 3 ranging from 1 to 4. Child patients with TMD pain more than once a week reported significantly lower scores in CHQ-CF87 when compared with a control group. The results for PT and ROM were non-significant. CONCLUSION: CHQ-CF87 could be used for measuring health and to evaluate the efficacy of treatment in child patients with TMD pain.     

膝关节功能障碍的综合康复疗效分析

目的：研究保守治疗膝关节功能障碍的临床疗效。方法：对３１例膝关节功能障碍患者进行关节功能牵引、肌力训练、关节内注射和理疗等综合治疗。结果：关节活动度治疗有效率９０．３％,肌力训练有效率６７．７％。结论：对于膝关节功能障碍采用保守治疗仍能取得一定的疗效。等速训练可能有助于扩大关节活动度。     

The effects of selective Pilates versus extension-based exercises on rehabilitation of low back pain

Introduction

Chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP) may lead to functional impairment and physical disability. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of selective Pilates (SP) and extension-based (EB) exercises on pain, lumbar spine curvature, lumbar forward flexion range of motion (ROM), and physical disability in such individuals.

低频超声治疗急性软组织损伤的实验研究

目的 研究两种低频超声治疗大鼠急性软组织损伤后的变化及修复过程.方法 建立急性软组织损伤的大鼠模型,随机分为4组(自然愈合组、假治疗组、0.5 W/cm.治疗组和1 W/cm2治疗组),采用连续超声波治疗,并进行大体和病理观察.结果 治疗第2,4,6天局部软组织损伤的修复,两个治疗组明显好于自然愈合组和假治疗组(P＜0.05),自然愈合组与假治疗组无明显差异,2个治疗组间也无明显差异.结论 低频超声能加快急性软组织损伤后的修复.     

The effect of tibio-femoral traction mobilization on passive knee flexion motion impairment and pain: a case series

The purpose of this case series was to explore the effects of tibio-femoral (TF) manual traction on pain and passive range of motion (PROM) in individuals with unilateral motion impairment and pain in knee flexion. Thirteen participants volunteered for the study. All participants received 6 minutes of TF traction mobilization applied at end-range passive knee flexion. PROM measurements were taken before the intervention and after 2, 4, and 6 minutes of TF joint traction. Pain was measured using a visual analog scale with the TF joint at rest, at end-range passive knee flexion, during the application of joint traction, and immediately post-treatment. There were significant differences in PROM after 2 and 4 minutes of traction, with no significance noted after 4 minutes. A significant change in knee flexion of 25.9°, which exceeded the MDC_95, was found when comparing PROM measurements pre- to final intervention. While pain did not change significantly over time, pain levels did change significantly during each treatment session. Pain significantly increased when the participant’s knee was passively flexed to end range; it was reduced, although not significantly, during traction mobilization; and it significantly decreased following traction. This case series supports TF joint traction as a means of stretching shortened articular and periarticular tissues without increasing reported levels of pain during or after treatment. In addition, this is the first study documenting the temporal aspects of treatment effectiveness in motion restoration.     

The effects of Mobilization with Movement on dorsiflexion range of motion,dynamic balance,and self-reported function in individuals with chronic ankle instability

Previous studies have examined the effectiveness of a manual therapy intervention known as Mobilization with Movement (MWM) to increase dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). While a single talocrural MWM treatment has increased dorsiflexion ROM in these individuals, examining the effects of multiple treatments on dorsiflexion ROM, dynamic balance, and self-reported function would enhance the clinical application of this intervention. This study sought to determine if three treatment sessions of talocrural MWM would improve dorsiflexion ROM, Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) reach distances, and self-reported function using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) in individuals with CAI. Eleven participants with CAI (5 Males, 6 Females, age: 21.5 ± 2.2 years, weight: 83.9 ± 15.6 kg, height: 177.7 ± 10.9 cm, Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool: 17.5 ± 4.2) volunteered in this repeated-measures study. Subjects received three MWM treatments over one week. Weight-bearing dorsiflexion ROM (cm), normalized SEBT reach distances (%), and self-reported function (%) were assessed one week before the intervention (baseline), prior to the first MWM treatment (pre-intervention), and 24–48 h following the final treatment (post-intervention). No significant changes were identified in dorsiflexion ROM, SEBT reach distances, or the FAAM-Activities of Daily Living scale (p > 0.05). Significant changes were identified on the FAAM-Sport (p = 0.01). FAAM-Sport scores were significantly greater post-intervention (86.82 ± 9.18%) compared to baseline (77.27 ± 11.09%; p = 0.01) and pre-intervention (79.82 ± 13.45%; p = 0.04). These results indicate the MWM intervention did not improve dorsiflexion ROM, dynamic balance, or patient-centered measures of activities of daily living. However, MWM did improve patient-centered measures of sport-related activities in individuals with CAI.     

术后早期应用静态进展性牵伸治疗对股骨中下段骨折患者膝关节功能的影响

目的:观察术后早期应用静态进展性牵伸治疗对股骨中下段骨折患者膝关节功能的影响。方法:选取在我院接受内固定手术的股骨中下段骨折患者48例,随机分为观察组和对照组各24例。术后3天,2组患者均采用物理因子治疗、CPM、运动功能训练等常规康复治疗,观察组在此基础上应用IK膝关节牵伸系统进行静态进展性牵伸治疗。分别于治疗前、术后4周和术后12周对2组患者进行疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)和膝关节主动关节活动度测量(AROM);于术后24周对2组患者用特种外科医院膝关节评分(HSS)评估膝关节功能、X线检查评估骨折愈合情况。结果:术后4及12周后,2组患者VAS评分均较治疗前呈明显下降趋势(均P0.05,0.01),且低于同时间点对照组(均P0.05)。术后4及12周后,2组患者AROM均较治疗前呈明显增加趋势(均P0.05);术后4周2组组间比较差异无统计学意义,术后12周观察组患者AROM明显高于同时间点对照组(P0.05)。术后24周,观察组患者HSS评分明显高于对照组(P0.05)。术后24周,2组患者X线检查均有骨痂通过骨折线,患肢无纵向扣击痛,不扶拐能行走3min,对比之前X线片骨折无变形,内固定无松动开裂,无骨不连发生。结论:对股骨中下段骨折患者,术后早期应用静态进展性牵伸治疗可有效缓解疼痛,扩大膝关节主动活动范围,提高膝关节功能,且不增加骨不连风险。     

桃红伤科药酒外敷结合特定电磁波治疗器治疗急性软组织损伤的疗效观察与护理

目的:观察桃红伤科药酒外敷结合特定电磁波治疗器(TDP)治疗急性软组织损伤的治疗效果.方法:将240例急性软组织损伤病人随机分为治疗组和对照组.治疗组采用桃红伤科药酒,对照组采用正骨水,疗程均为7d,比较两组疗效.结果:两组疗效比较有统计学差异(P＜0.05).结论:桃红伤科药酒治疗急性软组织损伤效果满意,且疗效优于正骨水.     

Neurologic and musculoskeletal effects of tilt-table standing on adults: a systematic review

[Purpose] Tilt table use is associated, most often, with the assessment of syncope. However, it also has applications for patients with neurologic and orthopedic problems. These applications do not appear to be widely applied. The purpose of this review, therefore, was to summarize the research literature addressing the use of tilt tables for treating specific musculoskeletal and neurologic impairments in adults. [Methods] Relevant literature was identified by searches of the PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus databases and hand searches (December 2018 and October 2020). The methodological quality of the identified research articles was assessed using the PEDro scale. [Results] Of 482 unique articles identified, 20 matched the eligibility criteria of the review and were included. The studies varied widely in the populations studied, procedures used, and responses reported. The studies provide limited support for tilt table standing as an intervention. [Conclusion] However, evidence that some patients with neurologic conditions may respond positively to tilt-table standing is available. Among such individuals are those with decreased ankle range of motion, positive neurologic signs in the lower limbs, and decreased levels of consciousness.     

静态进展性牵伸结合关节松动术对全膝关节置换术后患者膝关节功能的影响

目的 探讨静态进展性牵伸(SPS)联合关节松动术对全膝关节置换术（TKA）后患者膝关节功能的影响。 方法 选取TKA后关节功能障碍患者56例,按照随机数字表法将其分为治疗组和对照组,每组28例。2组患者均采用关节松动术治疗,治疗组在此基础上辅以SPS训练。于治疗前及治疗8周后（治疗后）,分别应用视觉模拟评分（VAS）、关节活动度、美国特种外科医院膝关节评分(HSS)评定2组患者的膝关节功能。 结果 治疗前,2组患者VAS评分、膝关节活动度、膝关节HSS评分比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。治疗后,2组患者VAS评分、膝关节活动度、膝关节HSS评分均较组内治疗前改善(P<0.05)。与对照组治疗后比较,治疗组患者膝关节活动度为（122.14±9.73）°、HSS评分(87.13±9.56)明显较高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。 结论 SPS结合关节松动术治疗TKA后关节功能障碍,可有效缓解患者膝关节疼痛,扩大膝关节活动范围,提高膝关节功能。     

Short-term effects of mobilisation with movement in patients with post-traumatic stiffness of the knee joint

Background

Mobilisation with movement treatment techniques have been used to increase the range of motion following pathologies associated with shoulder, elbow and ankle joints. Lack of posterior tibial glide and reflex muscle inhibition are common physical impairments in individuals with post-traumatic stiffness of the knee joint. Current evidence is lacking for the benefits of mobilisation with movement treatment techniques for the knee joint disorders.

An fMRI study on the acute effects of exercise on pain processing in trained athletes

Endurance exercise is known to promote sustained antinociceptive effects, and there is evidence that the reduction of pain perception mediated by exercise is driven by central opioidergic neurotransmission. To directly investigate the involved brain areas and the underlying neural mechanisms in humans, thermal heat-pain challenges were applied to 20 athletes during 4 separate functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, i.e., before and after 2 hours of running (exercise condition) and walking (control condition), respectively. Imaging revealed a reproducible pattern of distributed pain-related activation in all 4 conditions, including the mesial and lateral pain systems, and the periaqueductal gray (PAG) as a key region of the descending antinociceptive pathway. At the behavioral level, running as compared with walking decreased affective pain ratings. The influence of exercise on pain-related activation was reflected in a significant time × treatment interaction in the PAG, along with similar trends in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex and the middle insular cortex, where pain-induced activation levels were elevated after walking, but decreased or unchanged after running. Our findings indicate that enhanced reactive recruitment of endogenous antinociceptive mechanisms after aversive repeated pain exposure is attenuated by exercise. The fact that running, but not walking, reproducibly elevated β-endorphin levels in plasma indicates involvement of the opioidergic system in exercise. This may argue for an elevated opioidergic tone in the brain of athletes, mediating antinociceptive mechanisms. Our findings provide the first evidence using functional imaging to support the role of endurance exercise in pain modulation.     

Immediate effects and one-week follow-up after neuromuscular electric stimulation alone or combined with stretching on hamstrings extensibility in healthy football players with hamstring shortening

Objective

To assess the immediate and mid-term (after 7 days) effects of electric current combined with simultaneous muscle stretching (EME technique) per comparison to the isolated use of the same current (without applying simultaneous muscle stretching), over the hamstring extensibility in football players with hamstring shortening, and to estimate the clinical benefit of the interventions according to the muscular extensibility.