Comparing the effects of positional versus myofascial release of gluteus medius to manage patellofemoral pain syndrome: single blinded randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of positional release technique in comparison to myofascial release technique on gluteus medius trigger point along with exercises to manage patellofemoral pain syndrome. METHODS: The single-blind, two-arm, randomised clinical trial was conducted at the Department of Physiotherapy, Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine, Karachi, from December 7, 2020, to March 24, 2021, and comprised patellofemoral pain syndrome of either gender with gluteus medius trigger point. They were randomly allocated to positional release technique group A and myofascial release technique group B. The intervention comprised 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks for a total of 18 sessions, with each session lasting 45 minutes. Function through anterior knee pain scale, pain through visual analogue scale, strength via hand-held dynamometer, and quality of life via World Health Organisation quality of life brief questionnaire were assessed alongside pressure pain threshold via algometer which was taken as the gluteus medius trigger point. All measurements were taken at baseline and 6 week post-intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 64 participants, 38(59.4%) were females and 26(40.6%) were males. There were 32(50%) subjects in group A with mean age 29.50±5.84 years and 32(50%) in group B with mean age 29.50±5.43 years (p>0.05). Both the groups showed a significant reduction in pain, improvement in function, pressure pain threshold, strength, and quality of life (p;lt;0.05). Intergroup comparisons revealed no significant differences (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Treating myofascial trigger points of gluteus medius muscle, using either positional release technique or myofascial release technique together with exercise therapy was found to be equally beneficial. Clinical Trial gov ID: NCT04667091.

Comparison of positional distraction with stabilisation exercises versus stabilisation exercises alone in the management of lumbar radiculopathy: A randomized controlled-trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of positional distraction with stabilisation exercises versus stabilisation exercises alone in the management of lumbar radiculopathy. METHODS: The randomised controlled trial was conducted from July to December 2020 at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, and the Neurosurgery ward of Civil Hospital, Karachi, and comprised individuals of either gender with lumbar radiculopathy pain who were randomised into positional distraction with stabilisation exercises group A and stabilisation exercise group B. The treatment duration was 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Intensity of pain and disability were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, respectively. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients, 63(63%) were males and 37(37%) were females. Overall, 89(89%) were married. There were 50(50%) subjects in group A with mean age 39.42±6.36 years and 50(%) in group B with mean age 38.80±6.69 years. There was no significant difference in terms of age, gender and marital status between the groups (p>0.05). The study was completed by 96(96%) patients; 48(50%) in each of the 2 groups. Intragroup improvement post-intervention compared to baseline was significant (p<0.001) in both groups. Outcomes in group A were significantly better than in group B (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of positional distraction to stabilisation exercises was found to have superior effects compared to stabilisation exercise alone on pain and functional disability among patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Clinical Trial Number: NCT04427423 dated 27th April 2020.

Reliability of hand-held dynamometer in measuring gluteus medius isometric muscle strength in healthy population.

Objectives: To determine the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the hand-held dynamometer in measuring isometric gluteus medius muscle strength in asymptomatic healthy population. Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted at the department of physiotherapy, Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from March 2021 to April 2021. Thirty healthy subjects aged 18 to 25 years of both sexes and no previous or current complaints of hip or knee pain were included through non-probability purposive sampling technique. The strength of the unilateral isometric gluteus medius muscle was measured using a hand-held dynamometer by two raters at the same day and a week later. Pearson Correlation coefficient was calculated to see the relationship of muscle strength measured by each rater within and between day's sessions. Intra-class correlation was calculated with 95% confidence interval and Standard error of measurements using reliability analysis. Results: In the present study there were thirty participants studied by two raters, the mean age of participants was 21.53 (SD=±1.40) years, the mean BMI was 24.05 (SD=±1.12) kg/m2 and 70% participants were female and 30% were males. This study showed the mean muscle measurement of participants within days was 12.92 (SD=±0.94), with intra-class correlation ICC (2,2) 0.94 and SEM 0.12 and mean muscle measurement of patients between days was 12.99 (SD=±0.91), with intra-class correlation ICC (2,2) 0.90 and SEM 0.12.. Conclusion: Hand-held dynamometer has shown excellent inter-rater and intra-rater reliability in measuring isometric strength of Gluteus Medius muscle among healthy population. It is convenient to be used in clinical settings and can be a useful outcome tool to assess strength in interventional studies.

Management practices in myofascial pain syndrome among physical therapists in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment practice in myofascial pain syndrome among physical therapists in an urban setting. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December, 2016, at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Science, Karachi Pakistan, and comprised qualified physical therapists of either gender working at various health centres in the city. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, and was analysed using SPSS 16. RESULTS: Of the 93 respondents, 37(39.8%) were males and 56(60.2%) were females; 39(41.9%) had Masters level professional education; and 29(31.2%) had 5-8 years of experience. Myofascial Pain Syndrome was diagnosed through physical examination by 78(83.9%) subjects, on the basis of history by 70(75.3%) and palpable band by 75(80%). Preferred treatment strategy was ischaemic compression for 63(67.7%) and postural re-education for 64(68.8%), while dry needling was used by 29(31.2%) subjects. Also, 75(80%) therapists preferred manual therapy superior combined with other treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Physical examination was found to be the most common diagnostic method used for myofascial pain syndrome by the therapists.

Frequency of osteopenia and associated risk factors among young female students.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the frequency of osteopenia and associated risk factors among young female students. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from August 2011 to January 2012, and comprised young female students. Convenient sampling method was used. Age, residence, sun exposure, menstrual status, level of physical activity, exercise, vitamin D, calcium intake were variables of interest. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan was used to measure bone mineral density on the lumbar spine, hip, femur and distal forearm. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis.. RESULTS: A total of 100(76.9%) students were included in this study. The age range was 20-30 years. Overall,70(70%)participants were osteopenic, while 30(30%) were normal. Age<25 years, living with less exposure to sun, less physical activity and diet low in calcium and vitamin D were common risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of osteopenia was significantly high among young female students.

Comparing the effects of Osteoporosis Prevention Exercise Protocol (OPEP) versus walking in the prevention of osteoporosis in younger females.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of Osteoporosis Prevention Exercise Protocol (OPEP) in younger females. METHODS: One hundred young female volunteers aged 20-30 were selected from IPM&R Dow University of Health Sciences. This was a comparative study in which 64 females participants were randomly assigned into two groups (32 in OPEP exercise group and 32 in walking group). The exercise session had three components 1) stretching 2) strengthening 3) high impact weight bearing exercises. Both interventional programs consisted of 3 sessions per week for twelve weeks under the supervision of physiotherapist. Pre and post intervention bone mass density (BMD) was measured on the lumbar spine (L1-L4), hip, femur, and distal forearm by using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. RESULTS: After twelve weeks of intervention BMD was found to be statistically insignificant at hip, femur, lumbar spine and wrist (p > 0.05) comparing the post results in the OPEP and exercise group. Moreover BMD at hip, femur, lumbar spine and wrist was unaltered in both groups comparing the results of pre and post intervention. Though significant changes were observed in BMI in the OPEP exercise group (p value =0.010) mean ± standard deviation pre and post found to be 20.2578 ± 3.11123 and 21.0942 ± 3.64203 but no variations in anthropometrics in walking group were found. CONCLUSION: The present study highlights the burden of osteopenia in younger females. The Osteoporosis Prevention Exercise Protocol formulated by author was not useful to bring any significant changes in BMD moreover it had no significant effects in comparison to walking group. However additional studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of Osteoporosis Prevention Exercise Protocol on bone quality with long term effects.

The effectiveness of isometric exercises as compared to general exercises in the management of chronic non-specific neck pain.

To evaluate the effectiveness of isometric exercises as compared to general exercises in chronic non-specific neck pain. For this randomised controlled trial total 68 patients (34 each group) with chronic non-specific neck pain were recruited from Alain Poly Clinic and Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi between May, 2012 and August, 2012. Simple randomisation method was used to assign participants into isometric exercise group and general exercise groups. The isometric exercise group performed exercises for neck muscle groups with a rubber band and general exercises group performed active range of movement exercises for all neck movements. Patients in both groups received 3 supervised treatment sessions per week for 12 weeks. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), North wick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire and goniometer were used to assess pain, disability and neck range of movements at baseline and after 12 weeks. Both interventions showed statistically significant improvements in pain, function and range of movement p = 0.001f or isometric exercise group, p = 0.04 for general exercises group and p = 0.001 for range of movement. However, mean improvements in post intervention VAS score and North wick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire score was better in isometric exercises group as compared to general exercise group. In conclusion, both interventions are effective in the treatment of chronic non-specific neck pain however; isometric exercises are clinically more effective than general exercises.

Comparing the effects of manual therapy versus electrophysical agents in the management of knee osteoarthritis.

To evaluate the effectiveness of Manual Therapy in comparison to Electrophysical agents in Knee Osteoarthritis. Total 50 patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited from OPD of orthopedics civil hospital and Institute Of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi. All those patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected on voluntary basis. Selected patients were equally divided and randomly assigned into two groups with age and gender matching. The Manual therapy group received program of Maitland joint mobilization whereas Electrophysical Agent group received a program of TENS and cold pack. Both group received a program of exercise therapy as well. Patients received 3 treatment sessions per week for 4 successive weeks. Clinical assessment was performed using WOMAC index at baseline and on 12th treatment session. Both study groups showed clinically and statistically considerable improvements in WOMAC index. However, Related 2 sample t-test showed better clinical results in Manual Therapy group (p = 0.000) than Electrophysical Agents group (p = 0.008). The mean improvement in total WOMAC index was relatively higher in Manual Therapy group (22.36 ± 13.91) than Electrophysical Agent group (9.72 ± 6.10). This study concluded that manual therapy is clinically more effective in decreasing pain, stiffness and improving physical function in knee osteoarthritis.

The effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with general exercises versus general exercises alone in the management of chronic low back pain.

To evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) along with General exercises and General exercises alone in chronic low back pain. Total 54 patients with chronic low back pain who fulfilled inclusion criteria were recruited from Physiotherapy, Department of Alain Poly Clinic Karachi and Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi. Selected patients were equally divided and randomly assigned into two groups with simple randomisation method. The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and General exercises group received Operant model of CBT and General Exercises whereas General exercises group received General exercises only. Both groups received a home exercise program as well. Patients in both groups received 3 treatment sessions per week for 12 consecutive weeks. Clinical assessment was performed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Ronald Morris Disability Questionnaire at baseline and after 12 weeks. Both study groups showed statistically significant improvements in both outcomes measures p=0.000. However, mean improvements in post intervention VAS score and Ronald Morris score was better in CBT and exercises group as compared to General exercise group. In conclusion, both interventions are effective in treating chronic low back pain however; CBT & General exercises are clinically more effective than General exercises alone.