Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Volume Pre-press, issue Pre-press
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Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation is a journal whose main focus is to present relevant information about the interdisciplinary approach to musculoskeletal rehabilitation for clinicians who treat patients with back and musculoskeletal pain complaints. It will provide readers with both 1) a general fund of knowledge on the assessment and management of specific problems and 2) new information considered to be state-of-the-art in the field. The intended audience is multidisciplinary as well as multi-specialty.
In each issue clinicians can find information which they can use in their patient setting the very next day. Manuscripts are provided from a range of health care providers including those in physical medicine, orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, neurosurgery, physical therapy, radiology, osteopathy, chiropractic and nursing on topics ranging from chronic pain to sports medicine. Diagnostic decision trees and treatment algorithms are encouraged in each manuscript. Controversial topics are discussed in commentaries and rebuttals. Associated areas such as medical-legal, worker's compensation and practice guidelines are included.
The journal publishes original research papers, review articles, programme descriptions and cast studies. Letters to the editors, commentaries, and editorials are also welcomed. Manuscripts are peer reviewed. Constructive critiques are given to each author. Suggestions for thematic issues and proposed manuscripts are welcomed.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Toe function is characterised by the strength and dexterity of toe motion. However, previous studies have mostly focused on the importance of toe strength. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between flexion strength and dexterity of the toes and physical performance. METHODS: Twenty healthy participants were included in this study. The flexion force of each toe was measured using a digital force gauge, and the toe dexterity was evaluated using the marble pick-up and rock-paper-scissors tests. These parameters were statistically analysed in relation to physical performance, including repeated side step…and balance ability, which was evaluated using centre of pressure (COP) data during single-leg standing, tiptoe standing, and single-leg drop-jumping. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between the first toe flexion force and the total trajectory length of the COP during one-leg standing and between the time required for marble pick-up and the rock-paper-scissors score and the COP during single-leg drop-jumping. CONCLUSION: The results underscore the importance of flexion strength and dexterity of the toes in human physical performance and the necessity for the evaluation and improvement of both functions.
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Keywords: Toe function, marble pick-up, rock-paper-scissors test, balance
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is known as an important debilitating health condition among older women. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of eight-week virtual reality training (VRT) exercises on postural sway and physical function performance (PFP) among older women suffering from CLBP. METHODS: Twenty-seven older women presenting with CLBP were randomized into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was instructed to perform 30-minute VRT exercises three times a week for eight weeks. Plantar pressure variables [sway velocity (SV) and anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) fluctuations of the center…of pressure (CoP)], 30-second chair stand test (30CST), and timed up and go (TUG) test were recorded. RESULTS: The VRT group exhibited significant decreases in SV (p = 0.002), AP (p = 0.008), and ML (p = 0.02) fluctuations. Also, the performance of the VRT group in the 30CST and TUG tests significantly improved after the exercises (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: According to the results, VRT and the program used in this study should be used to enhance balance and PFP in older women with CLBP who mostly prefer activities that are accessible and feasible in low-risk environments.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines stress the importance of prevention and treatment of non-specific back pain through exercise therapy. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether the combination of exercise plus education is more effective than such interventions taken separately. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the combination of exercise plus education is more effective for the prevention of non-specific back pain than exercise or education alone. METHOD: A systematic search of studies whose sample consisted of participants without non-specific back pain (primary prevention) and participants with non-specific back pain (secondary and tertiary prevention) was…conducted in the following databases in March 2023: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Medline. RESULTS: A total of 16 articles were selected. Statistically significant results were found in the pain variable with SMD = - 2.02 (95% CI = - 2.71 to - 1.33; p < 0.001), the disability variable with SMD = - 1.14 (95% CI = - 1.63 to - 0.65; p < 0.001), and the kinesiophobia variable with SMD = - 1.8 (95% CI = - 2.54 to - 1.05; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Interventions that combine exercise and education seem to have a greater preventive effect on non-specific back pain, disability and kinesiophobia than those that include exercise or education in an isolated manner.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) provide dynamic trunk stability, promote muscle strength and endurance, and improve low back pain rehabilitation and performance. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the differences in trunk muscle activity during LSEs on stable and different unstable surfaces. METHODS: Fifteen healthy males performed three exercises (elbow-toe, hand-knee, and side bridge) on stable (floor) and unstable surfaces. Muscle activity of the bilateral rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinae were recorded. Data were compared using the Friedman test. Pairwise comparisons were performed using Wilcoxon’s signed rank test if significant differences were…observed. RESULTS: In the elbow-toe exercise, muscle activity of the rectus abdominis and right internal oblique increased in the following order: floor, low-difficulty, and high-difficulty unstable surface. In the hand-knee exercise, muscle activity of the internal oblique on the lower-extremity elevated side, external oblique, and erector spinae on the upper-extremity elevated side were greater on unstable surface exercise performance. In the side bridge exercise, rectus abdominis muscle activity was highest on a high-difficulty unstable surface. CONCLUSION: Trunk muscle activity increased during exercise on unstable surfaces. Since the effects of unstable surfaces vary depending on muscle and exercise types, exercise difficulty and surface stability must be considered accordingly.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Specific stabilisation exercises (SSE) can combat the debilitating effects of chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP), improve disability, pain and fear-avoidance beliefs (FAB). OBJECTIVE: To elicit the determinants of outcome in patients with CLBP with associated FABs after treatment with SSE. METHOD: Twenty-nine patients (20 females) with CLBP were classified using FAB questionnaire into high or low Work and Physical Activity (PA) subscales. After 4-week treatment, evaluations were done for pain, disability and lumbar spine active range of motion (AROM). Data was analysed exploratory-descriptively with a significance level set at p <…0.05. RESULTS: Participants were aged 55.24 ± 11.91 years. They scored 19 (65.5%) and 5 (17.2%) respectively on Work and PA subscales. The post-intervention evaluation showed significant differences in all outcomes, but no significant difference between patients with high or low FAB scores for both subscales. PA scores correlated significantly with pain while work scores correlated significantly with disability. Participants’ gender predicted disability, pain and AROM with moderate to large effect sizes. CONCLUSION: SSE can potentially improve disability, pain and range of motion for patients with chronic low back pain regardless of FABQ status. Gender and baseline patient status are potential determinants of outcome of treatment using SSE.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Due to the systematically increasing number of shoulder replacement procedures among older people, the need to assess their quality of life is becoming more and more important. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to functionally assess the shoulder joint and the quality of life of patients before and after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). METHODS: The observational study included 15 patients after the rTSA procedure (randomly selected). The quality of life and shoulder joint function before and after rTSA were assessed using the following scales: SF-36, Constant-Murley Score, Disabilities of the…Arm, Shoulder and Hand Scale (DASH) and the University of California-Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (UCLA scale) and Simple Shoulder Test (SST). RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) between measurements in the overall scores of the SF-36 questionnaire. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were found between measurements in terms of the Constant-Murley, DASH, UCLA and SST scales results. CONCLUSIONS: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty significantly improved the patients’ quality of life and the functional condition of the operated limb.
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Keywords: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, quality of life, pain
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The normal value of the scapular muscle activity ratio during arm elevation is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To obtain normal values of the scapular muscle activity ratio during arm elevation in healthy individuals. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 47 healthy people. The participants performed shoulder flexion and lowered task with 90-degree movements every 2 seconds. Muscle activities of scapular muscles were measured. For normalization, the maximum isometric contraction of the shoulder flexion was measured at 90 ∘ (reference contraction). The integrated electromyographic value (IEMG) obtained during the task was…normalized by IEMG during the reference contraction and the relative IEMG value was calculated. Then, the scapular muscle activity ratio was computed. The relationship between muscle strength and other factors was also investigated. RESULTS: The median values for upper trapezius/serratus anterior and upper trapezius/lower trapezius were often approximately 1, and that for upper trapezius/middle trapezius was often between 1 and 2. The shoulder flexion isometric strength and scapular muscle activity ratio showed significant negative correlations in multiple phases. CONCLUSION: Normal values for upper trapezius/serratus anterior and upper trapezius/lower trapezius during arm elevation and lowering were generally 1. Low muscle strength may contribute to an abnormal scapular muscle activity balance.
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Keywords: Scapular muscle activity ratio, arm elevation, electromyography, muscle strength
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Translation and validation of important scales in other languages reduce bias in reporting the functional status of the patient. OBJECTIVE: To translate the Back Pain Functional Scale into Urdu (BPFSu), adapt it for use in other cultures, and evaluate its psychometric properties. METHOD: According to Beaton guidelines, translation and cultural adaption was carried out. On 100 Urdu-literate men and women aged 18–60 years with lower back pain, the final BPFSu was assessed for psychometric qualities. First at baseline and again after 7 days, participants completed the BPFSu, the Functional Rating Index (FRI), and the…Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). RESULTS: Internal consistency of the BPFSu was excellent (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.937). No floor and ceiling effects were found Excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.882, CI 95%; 0.830–0.919) was achieved. Spearman correlation coefficient showed criterion validity with the NPRS (rho = â 0.701, p ⩽ 0.001) and Pearson correlation coefficient showed construct validity with the FRI (r = â 0.740, p ⩽ 0.001). The minimum detectable changes were 9.96, while the standard error of measurement was 3.6. CONCLUSION: The BPFSu is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing physical function in individuals experiencing low back discomfort.
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Keywords: Back pain, back pain functional scale, translation, cross-cultural adaptation
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is common in postmenopausal women and is associated with low vitamin D intake, increased age, decreased absorption. Especially at advanced age, vitamin D deficiency may increase muscle weakness and disbalance resulting in increased risk of fracture. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the correlation between 25(OH) vitamin D3 levels and quadriceps muscle strength in postmenopausal women. METHODS: We evaluated bilateral qadriceps muscle strength in postmenopausal women with isokinetic test. We evaluated the correlation of muscle power with measurements of parathormone, vitamin D, Calcium, creatinine, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total…creatine kinase. RESULTS: The mean vitamin D level of 95 participants included in the study was 18.24 ± 8.94 ng/ml. Vitamin D levels were found to be deficient (< 10 ng/ml) in 23 (24.1%), insufficient in 62 (65.26%) and normal in 10 (10.53%) of the 95 participants. A weak negative correlation was observed between participants’ vitamin D levels and PT values (r = - 0.271, p = 0.012). A moderate negative correlation was found between ALP and vitamin D levels (r = - 0.317, p = 0.002). However, there was no significant correlation between vitamin D levels and the 60 ∘ and 90 ∘ flexion and extension peak torque values (All p values > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D levels and muscle strength weren’t statistically significant. Few studies are available in the related literature, highlighting the need for further research to achieve a clearer consensus.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Body tilt changes could affect the intensity/difficulty of core stability exercises, but there is still a lack of knowledge about its impact. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the trunk muscles activation during prone plank exercises at different body tilts. METHODS: Twenty-four young adults who performed recreational gymnastic activities participated in this study. Electromyography activity of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO) and erector spinae (ES) was recorded during the performance of six variations of the prone plank exercise (planking with feet supported on the ground [conventional horizontal position] and planking…with feet supported on wall bars at five different heights increasing the angle tilt) and an inverted position exercise. RESULTS: The RA, EO and IO activation in all prone plank variations were higher than those observed in the conventional prone plank. In addition, the coefficient of variation of the muscle activation increased with the declination angle, reaching the highest values in the inverted position for the RA and ES muscles. CONCLUSION: The results seem to indicate that the body tilt variation could be used as an easy and inexpensive strategy for modulating the neuromuscular demands and the motor control challenge during planking exercises.
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Keywords: Core stability, electromyography, load progression, training program