Efficacy of intensive cervical traction on depression, insomnia, and quality of life in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

BACKGROUND: Radiculopathy can cause pain and numbness along a pinched nerve. OBJECTIVE: To investigate how people with cervical radiculopathy respond to intense cervical traction in terms of depression, sleeplessness, and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Two equal groups of forty male patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy were randomly assigned. In addition to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and other treatments, twenty individuals in group I received mechanical cervical traction. Group II consisted of twenty individuals who received only TENS treatment. Before and after treatment, every participant completed the Arabic versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: While there was no significant difference in group II, there was a significant decline in group I visual analog scale (P = 0.001), depression subscale of the hospital anxiety and depression score (P = 0.001), and ISI (P = 0.001). Eight domains of SF-36 showed a significant increase in group I. These domains included physical functioning (P = 0.001), role limitations due to physical health (P = 0.001), role limitations due to emotional problems (P = 0.001), and energy (P = 0.001). In group II, there was a non-significant increase nevertheless. CONCLUSION: Cervical traction improved individuals' QoL, depression, and insomnia, suggesting the effectiveness of it with TENS for cervical radiculopathy patients.

Effect of cryotherapy in controlling spasticity of calf muscles in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Spasticity is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting 80% of patients. Many studies have aimed to detect methods to reduce spasticity under these conditions and found that spasticity can be efficiently reduced using cryotherapy. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of cryotherapy on spasticity among patients with MS. METHODS: Thirty-two participants were randomized into two groups. The study group was given airflow cryotherapy and a selected physical therapy program, whereas the control group was only given a selected physical therapy program. The treatment was administered three times each week for a total of twelve consecutive sessions. The outcome measures were the modified Ashworth scale and the H/M ratio. RESULTS: The study group showed significant decrease in calf muscle spasticity, indicated by a reduction in spasticity grade (p = 0.001) and a decrease in the H/M ratio of 33.81% (p = 0.001). The control group also showed significant reduction in calf muscle spasticity, as indicated by a reduction in spasticity grade (p = 0.001) and a reduction in the H/M ratio of 19.58% (p = 0.001). There was a significant decrease in the spasticity grade and H/M ratio of the study group posttreatment compared with those of the control group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The combined effect of cryotherapy and a selected physical therapy program are more effective in controlling the spasticity of calf muscles in patients with MS than a selected physical therapy program alone.

Effect of magnetic therapy in bladder dysfunction and quality of life in paraplegic patients.

BACKGROUND: Urinary dysfunction is linked to spinal cord injury (SCI). The quality of life (QoL) declines in both neurogenic bladder impairment and non-disordered patients. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the effectiveness of pulsed magnetic therapy on urinary impairment and QoL in individuals with traumatic incomplete SCI. METHODS: This study included forty male paraplegic subjects with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) for more than one year following incomplete SCI between T6-T12. Their ages ranged from 20 to 35 and they engaged in therapy for three months. The subjects were divided into two groups of equal size. Individuals in Group I were managed via pulsed magnetic therapy once per week plus pelvic floor training three times a week. Individuals in Group II were managed with only three times a week for pelvic floor training. All patients were examined for bladder cystometric investigations, pelvic-floor electromyography (EMG), and SF-Qualiveen questionnaire. RESULTS: There was a noteworthy increment in individuals in Group I in volume of bladder at first desire to void and maximum cystometric capacity, detrusor pressure at Qmax, and maximum flow rate. There was a momentous increment in Group I in measures of evaluation of EMG biofeedback. There was a notable rise in Group I in SF-Qualiveen questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Magnetic stimulation should be favored as beneficial adjunct to traditional therapy in the management of bladder impairment and enhancing QoL in individuals with SCI.

Influence of Sex on Cognitive and Motor Dual-Task Performance Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sex-related differences in single-task performance through motor torque, cognitive tasks and walking speed, and the combined dual-task costs (DTCs) considering both motor and cognitive performance in young adults. METHODS: Sixty-seven non-athletic subjects 37 females and 30 males were enrolled. The study measured their knee extension muscle torque using an isokinetic strength dynamometer and their walking speed using the one step app. these assessments were performed both with and without a cognitive task, and the DTCs were calculated. RESULTS: The females exhibited significantly larger motor performance dual task effect through (torque-DTC, speed-DTC) compared with males while exhibiting smaller cognitive dual task effect with muscle torque and speed. CONCLUSION: Deterioration in motor performance during muscle force production and speed during dual tasks was large in females compared to males, whereas males experience a decline in cognitive ability when performing dual tasks compared with females.

Effect of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy on diabetic erectile dysfunction: Randomised control trial.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) in the management of erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients with mixed vasculogenic and neurogenic causes as confirmed by nerve conduction and Doppler studies. This randomised controlled trial included 42 patients 41-55 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of erectile dysfunction and diabetic polyneuropathy. They were randomly allocated to one of two groups: shock wave group (n = 21) treated with Li-ESWT plus pelvic floor muscle training and control Group (n = 21) treated with pelvic floor muscle exercise and sham therapy by a shock wave. The erectile function was scored according to the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Colour-coded duplex sonography was used for the evaluation of penile perfusion of the two cavernous arteries. The assessment was done before and three months after treatment. IIEF-EF increased significantly in the study group (p < .001), but not in the control group (p = .194). Peak systolic velocity increased significantly in the two groups; however, the post-treatment peak systolic velocity was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (p < .001, for both arteries).

Combined use of cervical headache snag and cervical snag half rotation techniques in the treatment of cervicogenic headache.

[Purpose] Cervicogenic headache is a major problem in patients with upper cervical dysfunction. However, its physical therapy management is a topic of debate. This study aims to determine the effect of C1-C2 Mulligan sustained natural apophyseal glide mobilizations on cervicogenic headache and associated dizziness. [Participants and Methods] This study included 48 patients with cervicogenic headache, who were randomly assigned to three equal groups: Group A (Headache SNAG), group B (C1-C2 SNAG rotation), and group C (combined). Neck Disability Index was used to examine neck pain intensity and cervicogenic headache symptoms. The 6-item Headache Impact Test scale was used to examine headache severity and its adverse effects on social life and functions. Flexion-Rotation Test was used to assess rotation range of motion at the level of C1-C2 and confirmed by a cervical range of motion device. Dizziness Handicap Inventory scale was used to evaluate dizziness. The evaluation was done pre- and post-treatment and compared between the groups. [Results] Group C showed significant improvement in all variables compared with groups A and B. [Conclusion] Sustained natural apophyseal glide mobilizations used in the study were effective in reducing cervicogenic headache and dizziness in all groups with a greater improvement in the combined group. The use of cervical SNAG mobilizations is encouraged as a noninvasive intervention depending on the therapist's assessment, findings, and clinical reasoning.