Physiotherapy theory and practice
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Physiother Theory Pract · May 2010
Case ReportsLumbar extension exercises in conjunction with mechanical traction for the management of a patient with a lumbar herniated disc.
Low back pain resulting from lumbar disc herniation is a common reason for referral for physical therapy. There is no evidence to support the management of lumbar disc herniation and derangement using mechanical traction combined with lumbar extension exercises. Therefore, the purpose of this case report was to describe and discuss the use of mechanical traction in conjunction with lumbar extension exercises for a patient with a lumbar herniated disc. ⋯ Results from initial evaluation to discharge (Oswestry: 36% to 0%; BPFS: 33/60 to 57/60; NPRS: 7/10 to 0/10) demonstrated that the patient no longer experienced low back pain and improved in terms of functional status and pain-related disability. The patient no longer complained of numbness and tingling in the left lower extremity and the goals for the patient had been attained. The data from this case report suggests lumbar extension exercises in conjunction with mechanical traction facilitated the patient's improvement in pain and return to prior level of function.
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Physiother Theory Pract · Apr 2010
Case ReportsClosed-chain exercise after simultaneous bilateral knee replacement surgery: a case report.
The purpose of this case report was to present a method for assessing entire lower extremity performance and describe a Medical Exercise Therapy (MET) training program early after simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement (TKR). We also documented perceived function, mobility, and weight-bearing ability during functional tasks. The patient was a 50-year-old male who underwent a simultaneous bilateral procedure and began physical therapy (PT) 16 days postsurgery. ⋯ Perceived abilities and mobility improved from initial visit to discharge. The patient was able to tolerate the closed-chain assessment of lower extremity performance and MET training program early after surgery. The patient made improvements in all functional tests and more importantly maintained a fairly equal distribution of body weight over both limbs during functional activities.
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Physiother Theory Pract · Apr 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyAcapella vs. PEP mask therapy: a randomised trial in children with cystic fibrosis during respiratory exacerbation.
The Acapella is a positive pressure device designed to assist mucociliary clearance. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Acapella in comparison to PEP mask therapy. Twenty-three participants with cystic fibrosis (CF) with a median age of 12 years (range 7-18 years), who were admitted to hospital for a respiratory exacerbation were randomised to either the PEP mask or Acapella treatment group. ⋯ Participants were highly satisfied with both devices. The results suggest that there is no statistically significant difference between the Acapella device and the PEP mask for use in CF during an acute exacerbation. Larger studies are required to determine whether differences between PEP mask and Acapella noted in this trial are clinically worthwhile.
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Physiother Theory Pract · Apr 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialThermal ultrasound decreases tissue stiffness of trigger points in upper trapezius muscles.
ABSTRACT Many trigger point therapies, such as deep pressure massage and injection, are painful. Thermal ultrasound might be a comfortable procedure used to soften trigger points. Our objective was to compare thermal ultrasound with sham ultrasound in the ability to soften trigger points with pretest/posttest repeated-measures design for depth of tissue in a massage therapy clinic. ⋯ The immediate effects were as follows: The mean depth value for the sham group was an increase of 0.64+/-0.33 mm; the treatment group's mean increase was 2.65+/-0.33 mm (F(1,24)=19.01; p=0.01). The residual effects were as follows: The two treatments over the course of the 2 weeks also showed that the trigger points of the ultrasound groups got softer with an increase in depth of 2.09+/-0.82 mm compared to -0.93+/-0.82 mm of the sham group (F(1,24)=6.81; p<0.01). Thermal ultrasound over latent trigger points is comfortable and can decrease stiffness of a trigger point.
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Physiother Theory Pract · Jan 2010
Low back pain during pregnancy in Iranian women: Prevalence and risk factors.
Low back pain (LBP) is a common and often disabling condition that deserves attention. Although LBP during pregnancy is a common clinical problem, only one study was found documenting prevalence of LBP during pregnancy in Iran. No investigation evaluated the diagnostic value of possible risk factors. ⋯ Almost half of the patients reported their pain as being moderate (44.1%). The logistic regression model demonstrated that the LBP during menstruation predicts a high risk for LBP during the current pregnancy. The study showed that LBP during menstruation and previous LBP may be useful tests for ruling out and ruling in LBP during pregnancy, respectively.