Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Volume Pre-press, issue Pre-press

Authors: Ayub, Afsah | Osama, Muhammad | Shakil-ur-Rehman, | Ahmad, Shakeel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Neural mobilization is an effective technique in the management of cervical radiculopathy (CR). However, the difference between active versus passive upper extremity (UE) neural mobilization techniques in the management of cervical radiculopathy is not well established. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of active versus passive UE neural mobilization in females with cervical radiculopathy. METHODS: A double blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at Shifa International Hospital from Sep 2016 to Feb 2017, and 44 females were included and randomized into 2 groups, receiving 12 treatment sessions in total. Group A received active …whereas Group B received passive UE neural mobilization, along with cervical traction and Unilateral Posterior Anterior (UPA) glide regardless of the group. Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and cervical range of motion (ROM) were used as outcome measurement tools. Non-parametric tests of significance were used for inter group and intra group comparison (Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test). RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed between pre and post NPRS, NDI and ROM scores after 4 weeks of treatment for both groups (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in post treatment scores of active and passive neural mobilization groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both active and passive neural mobilization is effective in the management of cervical radiculopathy. One of the intervention is not superior to the other. Show more

Keywords: Manual therapy, neck pain, neural mobilization, neurodynamics, radiculopathy

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-170887

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-6, 2019

Authors: Demir-Deviren, Sibel | Ozcan-Eksi, Emel E. | Sencan, Savas | Cil, Hemra | Berven, Sigurd

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Non-surgical treatment is the primary approach to degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine and may involve multiple modalities. There is little literature to guide an evidence-based approach to care. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of CNT (comprehensive non-surgical treatment) in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and spondylolytic spondylolisthesis (SS), and to identify predictor variables for success of CNT in avoiding surgery. METHODS: All patients who underwent CNT for spondylolisthesis (n : 203) were included. CNT consisted of patient education, pain control with transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFEs) and/or medications, and …exercise programs. RESULTS: Surgical and non-surgical patients were similar in age, smoking status, comorbidity scores, facet joint widening, and translation of spondylolisthesis. After CNT, only 21.6% of patients with DS and 31.3% of patients with SS chose to have surgery in 3-years follow-up. The non-surgical group reported significantly better pain relief (73.6% vs 55%) after TFEs for a longer period (152.8 vs 45.6 days) and lower opioid use than the surgical group (28.2% vs 55.3%). CONCLUSIONS: CNT is effective in spondylolisthesis and more successful in DS than SS. CNT may decrease the need for surgery, particularly in patients who report pain relief greater than 70% for average five months after TFEs. Show more

Keywords: Spondylolisthesis, back pain, epidural, steroids, non-surgical treatment

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181185

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-6, 2019

Authors: Maselli, Filippo | Testa, Marco

Article Type: Case Report

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Running is one of the most common sports practices in the world due to the beneficial impact on the health, despite the relatively high risk of getting injuries. In fact, running is one of the most common sports capable to induce overuse injuries of the lower back and leg. In previous studies, the symptoms in the lower limb have been attributed to lumbosacral degenerative pathology. When the symptoms are unclear, they must be studied with great attention by carrying out an accurate process of screening and differential diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 42-year-old non-competitive male …runner who complained of left leg pain was referred to a physiotherapist. He reported a continuous, deep, sharp, shooting pain of the left leg. The symptoms began one year earlier. Symptoms worsened during prolonged driving and long distance running. The patient had been previously diagnosed with lumbar radicular irradiation in the leg by a general practitioner. Initial management, in another physical therapy outpatient setting, was without any improvement. RESULTS: After surgical excision, symptoms gradually regressed shortly and the patient was referred to a physiotherapist in order to fully recover and restore work and running activities. CONCLUSION: This case report describes the history, assessment and treatment of a runner with a rare cause of leg pain. After surgery excision, treatment focused on education and loading the tissues over many weeks through a graded program of loaded exercises and running retraining. Show more

Keywords: Schwannoma, differential diagnosis, running

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181164

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-5, 2019

Authors: Levi, Dror | Springer, Shmuel | Parmet, Yisrael | Ovadia, Dror | Ben-Sira, David

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy scoliosis specific exercises include exercises to attain and maintain proper posture, as well as flexibility movements such as stretching. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of prior muscle stretching on the performance of posture exercise in females with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: Eighteen females with AIS were randomly assigned to perform a posture maintenance task for three minutes preceded by either stretching protocol (group A) or no-stretching (group B). A second session was carried out after three days, where the same procedure was repeated in a reverse order between groups. During …each session, three outcomes were tested: the ability to complete the task, the ability to maintain postural body alignment, and the perceived effort. RESULTS: All participants completed the task in both sessions. Subjects’ ability to preserve the required lower trunk alignment decreased following stretching compared to no-stretching. Lower-trunk angle changed toward flexion by 10 ∘ and 4.3 ∘ respectively, p = 0.032. There was no difference in perceived effort. CONCLUSIONS: Prior muscle stretching has a negative effect on the ability to preserve body positional alignment during posture exercise. The present findings should be considered by practitioners when designing protocols for scoliosis-specific exercises. Stretching immediately prior to posture maintenance exercises should be avoided. Show more

Keywords: Scoliosis, posture, exercise, stretching

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181175

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2019

Authors: ElDeeb, Abeer M. | Abd-Ghafar, Khaled S. | Ayad, Waled A. | Sabbour, Adly A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a significant problem that affects daily living activities in postpartum women. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of stabilizing exercises with or without pelvic floor muscles (PFM) training on pain, functional disability, trunk range of motion (ROM) and PFM strength in women with PGP. METHODS: Forty postpartum women participated in the study. Their age ranged from 25–35 years and their body mass index (BMI) was 25–29.9 kg/m 2 . They were randomly assigned into two groups equal in number. Group (A) received …local stabilizing exercises, while group (B) received stabilizing exercises and PFM training. Pain, functional disability, trunk ROM and PFM strength have been evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Schober test and Kegel periniometer respectively. RESULTS: Both groups (A and B) revealed a significant decrease (p = 0.001) in pain and functional disability and a significant increase (p = 0.001) in trunk ROM and PFM strength. However, group (B) showed a significant decrease (p = 0.001) in pain, and functional disability and a significant increase in PFM strength when compared with group (A). CONCLUSIONS: PFM training should be an essential part in rehabilitation programs of PGP postpartum. Show more

Keywords: Pelvic girdle pain, stabilizing exercise, pelvic floor muscles training, postpartum

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181258

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2019

Authors: Okamura, Kazunori | Kanai, Shusaku | Hasegawa, Masaki | Otsuka, Akira | Oki, Sadaaki

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The short foot (SF) exercise is a strengthening exercise for the intrinsic foot muscles that is difficult to master. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of three different electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback methods on learning the SF exercise. METHODS: Thirty-six healthy subjects were randomly allocated to the control group (CTG), EMG-controlled electrical stimulation group (ESG), visual EMG biofeedback group (VSG), and combination EMG-controlled electrical stimulation with visual EMG biofeedback group (CBG). The CTG practiced the SF exercise for 5 minutes using the conventional method. The other groups each used the EMG biofeedback method and …the conventional method. The EMG activity of the abductor hallucis (ABH), the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) angle, and the foot length during the SF exercise were measured before and after 5 minutes of practice. RESULTS: The EMG activity of the ABH in the VSG and CBG was significantly higher than that before practice. There were no intergroup differences in MLA morphology. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that visual EMG biofeedback is an effective method of increasing the EMG activity of the ABH during the SF exercise in a short practice time. Show more

Keywords: EMG biofeedback, short foot exercise, abductor hallucis, medial longitudinal arch

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181155

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-7, 2019

Authors: Abdelmegeed, Mohamed | Lohman, Everett | Daher, Noha | Syed, Hasan M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to apply the Brief International Classification of Functioning (ICF) Core Set for Hand Conditions to the physical therapy outcome measures, and to evaluate the contribution of these measures to overall health in subjects with ulnar wrist pain. METHODS: Thirty-five subjects with ulnar wrist pain received a 4-week home-based treatment program including orthotics and strengthening exercises. Investigators measured pain, function, grip strength, and overall health four weeks post-intervention. Regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of these variables on overall health represented by the Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire. …RESULTS: Fifty-three percent of the variability in SF-36 physical health summary scores was explained by the studied variables with grip strength predicting 31% of the variability. CONCLUSIONS: The Brief ICF Core Set for Hand Conditions can be a useful abridged list of categories relevant to functioning and health in subjects with ulnar wrist pain. Show more

Keywords: Ulnar wrist pain, Brief International Classification of Functioning Core Set, Hand conditions, physical therapy

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181181

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-9, 2019

Authors: Hakim, Iman Kamali | Takamjani, Ismail Ebrahimi | Sarrafzadeh, Javad | Ezzati, Kamran | Bagheri, Rasool

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pain from myofascial trigger points is often treated by dry needling (DN). Empirical evidence suggests eliciting a local twitch response (LTR) during needling is essential. Muscle damage after eliciting LTR can increase the risk of tissue fibrosis in some cases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare two methods of DN including with and without LTR on clinical parameters. METHODS: Twenty-six participants suffering from chronic non-specific neck pain with an active trigger point (TrP) in their upper trapezius muscles were recruited via the convenience sampling method. Participants were randomly assigned in DN with …LTR (control group) and without eliciting LTR or “de qi” (experimental group). Then, they received 3 sessions of dry needling, 3 days apart. We evaluated pain, pain pressure threshold, active cervical lateral flexion range of motion, and Neck Disability Index before the intervention and 4 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: After the treatment, significant higher changes were seen in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05) regarding pain, pain pressure threshold, and active cervical lateral flexion. However, there was no significant difference between groups according to the disability (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: DN without eliciting LTR has superiority over the DN along with eliciting LTR while the treatment aimed to receive long-term effects. Show more

Keywords: Trigger point, upper trapezius, dry needling, local twitch response, “de qi”

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181286

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2019

Authors: Moreno-Pérez, V. | López-Valenciano, A. | Ayala, F. | Fernandez-Fernandez, J. | Vera-Garcia, F.J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although low back pain (LBP) is known to be multi-factorial, certain studies have suggested that a deficit in hip extension and rotation range of motion (ROM) may be associated with LBP in athletes. OBJETIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare hip extension and rotation ROMs in elite tennis players with and without a history of LBP. METHODS: Forty-two male young and 22 female young elite tennis players completed this study. Participants were divided into two groups: (1) 32 with history of LBP and (2) 32 without history of LBP. Descriptive …measures of passive hip extension and rotation ROMs of the dominant and non-dominant limbs were taken. Active hip rotation ROMs were also assessed. Magnitude-based inferences on differences between groups and legs were made by standardizing differences. RESULTS: The inter-group statistical analysis reported no significant differences (p > 0.05; trivial effect with a probability higher than 95%; d ⩽ 0.4) in any ROM measure analyzed. Further, neither LBP group nor control group reported significant bilateral or side-to-side differences (p > 0.05; trivial effect with a probability higher than 99%; d < 0.3) between legs regarding hip extension and rotation ROM measures. CONCLUSION: No relationship between hip extension and rotation ROM and history of LBP was found. Show more

Keywords: Injury prevention, tennis, rotation-related sports, muscle flexibility, flexibility training

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181296

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-9, 2018

Authors: Bidari, Shahrbanoo | Kamyab, Mojtaba | Ahmadi, Amir | Ganjavian, Mohammad Saleh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Exercises are usually prescribed in association with orthotic intervention for management of idiopathic scoliosis, however the role of these exercises on the efficacy of brace and/or balance is not clear yet. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of exercise (the Blount and Moe protocol) on static balance and Cobb angle changes in adolescents with spinal deformities during weaning from brace. METHODS: Seventeen brace users were allocated into 3 groups (good, moderate, and weak), according to their exercise quality and quantity Static balance was evaluated on 4 conditions (standing on a platform/foam; with/without brace) …using a force platform. Center of pressure displacement parameters were compared among the 3 groups. The mean Cobb angles of scoliosis and kyphosis at the beginning of brace use and at the start of the weaning phase were compared in general and among the 3 analogous groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the static balance parameters and also in Cobb angles among the 3 groups. However, scoliosis and kyphosis Cobb angles were improved significantly as a result of using the brace (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The exercise quantity and quality in association with bracing, up to the weaning phase, has no effect on static balance and changes in scoliosis and kyphosis, but the curvature of scoliosis and kyphosis is reduced after wearing a brace. Show more

Keywords: Spinal deformity, Blount and Moe exercise, Static balance, brace

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181128

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2018