European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Sep 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialShort-term effects of high-intensity laser therapy versus ultrasound therapy in the treatment of low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that is highly prevalent in the general population. Management of this pathology includes numerous interventions depending on pain severity: analgesic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections. However, the effect size and duration of symptom relief are limited. Physical therapy (ultrasound [US], laser therapy, manual therapy, interferential current therapy, Back School, aerobic work, therapeutic aquatic exercise acupuncture) have been reported often with mixed results. ⋯ Our findings obtained after 15 treatment sessions with the experimental protocol suggested greater effectiveness of HILT than of US therapy in the treatment of LBP, proposing HILT as a promising new therapeutic option into the rehabilitation of LBP.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Sep 2011
Bibliometric indicators: a snapshot of the scientific productivity of leading European PRM researchers.
The aim of this paper was to explore the validity and practical usefulness of a set of bibliometric indicators with a focus on the scientific production of influential European researchers in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM). ⋯ There is need to better understand the characteristics of bibliometric indicators and we retain that the information they provide is insufficiently valid to justify their use as the sole objective criterion for career assessment.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Jun 2011
Review Meta AnalysisNon-invasive brain stimulation techniques for chronic pain. A report of a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis.
Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques aim to induce an electrical stimulation of the brain in an attempt to reduce chronic pain by directly altering brain activity. They include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). ⋯ Single doses of high-frequency rTMS of the motor cortex may have small short-term effects on chronic pain. The effects do not clearly exceed the predetermined threshold of minimal clinical significance. Low-frequency rTMS is not effective in the treatment of chronic pain. There is insufficient evidence from which to draw firm conclusions regarding the efficacy of CES or tDCS. The available evidence suggests that tDCS applied to the motor cortex may have short-term effects on chronic pain and that CES may be ineffective. There is a need for further, rigorously designed studies of all types of stimulation.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Jun 2011
ReviewPhysical exercise after hip fracture: an evidence overview.
Improving strategies for hip fracture rehabilitation among older people is an urgent public health challenge due to the increasing proportion of older people in the global population and therefore the increasing numbers of falls and fractures. Most older people who suffer a hip fracture experience a permanent decrease in physical functioning. It is now clear in the general older population that muscle strength and balance can be improved and falls can be prevented by well-designed exercise programs. ⋯ The lack of well-designed large-scale trials of exercise after hip fracture means that current guidelines do not include detailed recommendations about exercise after hip fracture. The Cochrane reviews covering this field also do not draw firm conclusions. However, several individual trials have had promising findings and indicate some benefits of exercise after hip fracture.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Jun 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialKinesio Taping applied to lumbar muscles influences clinical and electromyographic characteristics in chronic low back pain patients.
Kinesio Taping (KT) has proved to be effective in various musculoskeletal conditions. Although its precise working mechanism has yet to be fully understood, it is believed to interact with neuromuscular function through mechanoceptor activation. No studies designed to assess the effects of KT in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients have yet been conducted. ⋯ KT may represent an effective adjunct therapy in the physical rehabilitation program of CLBP patients for immediate and acute pain control.