Manual therapy
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Comparative Study
Changes in muscle activity and stature recovery after active rehabilitation for chronic low back pain.
Patients with low back pain often demonstrate elevated paraspinal muscle activity compared to asymptomatic controls. This hyperactivity has been associated with a delayed rate of stature recovery following spinal loading tasks. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in muscle activity and stature recovery in patients with chronic low back pain following an active rehabilitation programme. ⋯ Greater stature recovery immediately following the programme was associated with decreased pain (r = -0.55; P = 0.01). The increased height gain after six months suggests that delayed rates of recovery are not primarily caused by disc degeneration. Muscle activity did not decrease after treatment, perhaps reflecting a period of adaptation or altered patterns of motor control.
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In the past decade, scientific evidence has shown that the biomedical model falls short in the treatment of patients with musculoskeletal pain. To understand musculoskeletal pain and a patient's health behavior and beliefs, physical therapists should assess the illness perceptions of their patients. ⋯ We conclude that some of the domains of the Common Sense Model were frequently asked for (identity, causes and consequences), while others (timeline, treatment control, coherence, emotional representation) were used less frequently or seldom mentioned. The overall impression was that the assessments of the physical therapists were still bio-medically oriented in these patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Lumbar spine side bending is reduced in end range extension compared to neutral and end range flexion postures.
Lumbar side bending movements coupled with extension or flexion is a known low back pain (LBP) risk factor in certain groups, for example, athletes participating in sports such as hockey, tennis, gymnastics, rowing and cricket. Previous research has shown that sagittal spinal postures influence the degree of spinal rotation, with less rotation demonstrated at end of range extension and flexion. To date it is unknown whether sagittal spinal postures influence side bending. ⋯ A reduction was found in the range of upper and lower lumbar side bend ROM in an end-range extended posture (p < 0.05), compared to neutral and end range flexion postures. This ROM reduction was found in sitting and standing. These findings allow clinicians to better interpret combined movements involving side bending of the lumbar spine in clinical and real life settings.
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The aim of this study was to obtain normative ultrasonography (US) data on the suprascapular nerve (SSN) and omohyoid muscle (OM) in the lateral cervical region. The SSN and OM are known to be related throughout the nerve's course, yet little imaging data exists on these structures at areas more proximal than the suprascapular foramen. US data from a convenience sample of 33 asymptomatic subjects between 21 and 42 years of age were collected. ⋯ Our results show that the SSN nerve CSA is consistent throughout the nerves proximal course. Furthermore, the OM and SSN tend to approximate as they course distally. Future studies with larger samples will better characterize the normal sonoanatomy of these structures between genders and across different ages.
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Comparative Study
Validity and reliability of a German version of the Neck Disability Index (NDI-G).
The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a widely used questionnaire in the assessment of disability of neck patients. The aim of this study was to translate the NDI according to established guidelines into German (NDI-G) and to test the psychometric properties. Patients with acute (ACU) and chronic neck pain (CHR) and a healthy control group (HCG) completed the NDI-G twice with a mean test-retest interval of 3 days. ⋯ The NDI-G emerged from this study as a valid and reliable assessment. Its psychometric properties are comparable with the original version. Thus, the NDI-G is recommended for research and clinical settings in neck pain in German speaking countries.