Efficacy of head postural correction program on craniovertebral angle, scapular position, and dominant hand grip strength in forward head posture subjects: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural disorder that alters shoulder function. This study examined the efficacy of a corrective program involving postural correction exercises (PCEs), scapular stabilization exercises (SSEs), and kinesiotaping (KT) on improving craniovertebral angle (CVA), scapular position, and dominant hand grip strength (HGS) in individuals with FHP. METHODS: Sixty subjects (8 males and 52 females, 18-40 years old) were randomly allocated into four equal groups: Group A: received PCEs only, Group B: received PCEs and SSEs, Group C: received PCEs and KT, Group D: received PCEs, SSEs and KT. All subjects received treatment for 4 weeks (4 times/week) and postural advice. Outcome measures included cranio-vertebral angle (CVA), scapular position using Lateral Scapular Slide Test and dominant HGS using a CAMRY dynamometer that were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks post intervention. RESULTS: Comparing all groups post training revealed that there were statistically significant increases (p < 0.05) in all measured variables (CVA, scapular position and dominant HGS) in favor of group (D). CONCLUSION: Combination of PCEs, SSEs and KT interventions has achieved the best gains in terms of CVA, dominant HGS and regaining optimal scapular position in FHP subjects.

Efficacy of rectus femoris stretching on pain, range of motion and spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of rectus femoris stretching on pain intensity, knee range of motion (ROM), spatiotemporal gait parameters and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: This parallel group, single-blinded randomised controlled trial was conducted in two outpatient physical therapy clinics. Study participants (n=60, with age>45 years) with mild-to-moderate bilateral KOA were randomised into the study group (SG) and control group (CG). SG received rectus femoris stretching exercises together with stretching exercises of the calf, hamstring and iliotibial band, strength exercises for the quadriceps, gluteus medius, gluteus maximus and calf muscles, whereas, the CG received all exercises mentioned for SG except rectus femoris stretching. Pain intensity, ROM, spatiotemporal gait parameters and function were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results: The SG showed a significant improvement in the visual analogue scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities measure and ROM (p<0.001). The SG also had a significantly greater step length and speed than CG (p<0.001). Extension ROM did not significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Simple rectus femoris stretching exercises are easy to perform even at home and are beneficial for pain, flexion ROM, function and spatiotemporal gait parameters, such as step length and speed, in KOA patients if the compliance with the exercise regimen is good. Trial registration number: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry PACTR202003828737019.

A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating Changes in Electrical Muscle Activity, Pain, and Function after Shockwave Therapy in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of adding r-ESWT to a standard exercise program of chronic non-specific LBP on electrical muscle activity (EMG), pain and function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our single-blind randomized controlled trial enrolled 30 patients with chronic non-specific LBP randomly allocated to an r-ESWT (n=15) group and a control group (n=15). All patients received a standard exercise program, while r-ESWT was additionally administered in the r-ESWT group. EMG activity, pain and function were assessed before and after 6 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, all outcome measures were significantly different (p < 0.05). The addition of r-ESWT produced a significant increase in EMG activity (of all muscles tested) and a reduction in pain intensity and functional disability scores (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: 1. A standard intervention offered either alone or with r-ESWT increased EMG activities, reduced pain, and enhanced function in patients with chronic non-specific LBP. 2. Adding r-ESWT to the standard intervention program might produce better results.

Impact of foot pronation on postural stability: An observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of foot pronation on the postural stability through measuring the dynamic balance including overall stability index (OAI), anteroposterior stability index (APSI) and mediolateral stability index (MLSI). METHODS: Forty participants from both sexes were selected from the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, with a mean age of 23.55 ± 1.74 years. Subjects were divided into two groups: group A (8 males and 12 females) with foot pronation, and group B (9 males and 11 females) with normal feet. The Navicular Drop Test (NDT) was used to determine if the feet were pronated and Biodex Balance System was used to assess dynamic balance at level 8 and level 4 for both groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in dynamic balance, including OAI, APSI and MLSI at stability level 8 (p> 0.05) but, there was a significant difference at stability level 4 (p< 0.05) between the two groups with lower stability in group A. CONCLUSION: Foot pronation affects the postural stability at stability level four and not affects stability level eight compared with those in the control group.