Electronic Method (Pro-Kin) for Improving And Speeding up The Recovery after Ankle Sprain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ankle sprains, very common injuries occurred especially during sports activities, are mainly caused by indirect trauma, which influences exaggerated stress exceeding the strength of stabilization mechanisms. Up to 85% of such injuries result from a sudden flexion and inversion of the foot. In this study, we analyzed the effectiveness of the platform Pro-kin, an innovative system that has given us the possibility to combine the functionality of the older proprioceptive boards with very accurate software in order to improve and accelerate the recovery after ankle injuries. METHODS: 30 patients with moderate ankle sprain outcomes in two groups (A and B) were included in this study. Group A was only treated with proprioceptive exercises for 3 weeks, while the group B was trained with the innovative Pro-kin. In both groups, we evaluated VAS scale, the ratio between the number of circumductions performed by the injured foot and the time spent on doing them and the percentage of load among the injured and the healthy foot in statics and dynamics with electronic baropodometry. Our data has been collected at t0 (beginning of study), t1(one week later), t2 (two weeks later), t3 (one month later), t4 (two months later), and then analyzed by the two-way analysis of variance (2-way ANOVA) test. RESULTS: At t0 no statistical differences of pain in the 2 groups (3.3 and 3.4); the values were similar, as well as at time t1, t2, t3 and t4. Therefore we deduce that Pro-kin treatment is not painful. The number of circumductions performed was definitely better in B group since the first week; for the A group the values considerably increased only at t3 (one month later). Comparing the load percentages on two feet detected by the electronic baropodometer in statics and in dynamics, we deduced that the patients of A group tend to lean mostly on the healthy foot than B group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that new technological resources (such as Pro-kin) may be helpful to improve and speed up the recovery of ankle sprain in athletes.

Effects of proprioceptive exercises and strengthening on pain and functionality for patellofemoral pain syndrome in women: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to verify the effects of resisted and proprioceptive exercises program for the treatment of patients diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). DESIGN METHOD: Randomized Controlled Trial - level of evidence, II. METHODS: Sixty female patients, clinically diagnosed with PFPS, were allocated into two experimental groups. The exercise group (ExG) underwent 6 weeks of a resisted and proprioceptive exercises for the trunk muscles, abductors and lateral hip rotators and knee extensors. The Guidance Group (GG) received educational, cognitive and behavioral guidance on healthcare. Before and after the program implementation period, all participants were evaluated in relation to the injured limb for pain assessment, subjective functionality, maximum isometric strength and 2D biomechanical analysis. RESULTS: After a six-week follow-up, ExG showed significant improvement in the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Anterior Knee Pain Scale and Knee Outcome Survey- Activities of Daily Living Scale when compared to the control group (p ≤ 0,05). The ExG also proved superior for increased muscle strength of knee extensors, hip abductors, decreased dynamic knee valgus and pelvic drop in relation to GG (p ≤ 0.05). However, when we consider the strength of the hip lateral rotator muscles there was no difference between the two interventions (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Resisted and proprioceptive exercises yielded superior results to those of a treatment focused on educational, cognitive and behavioral guidance in improving pain and lower limb function for women with PFPS.

The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Combined With Proprioceptive Training for Blind Individuals: The Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

To maintain the balance, the postural system needs to integrate the three main sensorial systems: visual, vestibular, and somatosensory to keep postural control within the limits of stabilization. Damage of one of these systems, in this case, the vision, will have a great disturbance on the postural control influencing the behavior of the balance, resulting in falls. The aim of this study protocol for a randomized, controlled clinical trial is to analyze the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with proprioceptive exercises on postural control in individuals with congenital and acquired blindness. In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial, male, and female individuals with blindness between 18 and 55 years of age will participate in this study divided into three phases: 1-Determine differences in postural control and gait between individuals with congenital and acquired blindness with and without the use of a guide stick when wearing shoes and when barefoot; 2-A pilot study to analyze the effects a bilateral cerebellar anodal tDCS on postural on postural control and gait; and 3-A treatment protocol will be conducted in which the participants will be allocated to four groups: G1-active tDCS + dynamic proprioceptive exercises; G2-sham tDCS + dynamic proprioceptive exercises; G3-active tDCS + static proprioceptive exercises; and G4-sham tDCS + static proprioceptive exercises. Evaluations will involve a camera system for three-dimensional gait analysis, a force plate, and electromyography. Dynamic stability will be determined using the Timed Up and Go test and static stability will be analyzed with the aid of the force plate. The viability of this study will allow the determination of differences in postural control between individuals with congenital and acquired blindness, the analysis of the effect of tDCS on postural control, and the establishment of a rehabilitation protocol.

Effects of Taping and Balance Exercises on Knee and Lower-Extremity Function in Amateur Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Knee injury prevention is a critical aspect in sport rehabilitation sciences, and taping is a widely used technique in this field. Nevertheless, the role and effectiveness of a long-term application of Kinesio Taping (KT) on knee function, disability, and injury prevention remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of KT, alone or in combination with balance exercises (BE), on dynamic and static knee balance and flexibility. DESIGN: Randomized trial design. SETTING: University of Valencia (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Forty-eight male amateur soccer players. INTERVENTION: Participants were assigned to 3 groups: Sham KT (sKT) + BE, KT + BE, and KT in isolation. The intervention period lasted 4 weeks. Three evaluations were performed: at baseline (pre), at 2 weeks (mid), and at 4 weeks posttreatment (post). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Y Balance Test, unipedal stance test, the toe touch test, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. RESULTS: Both sKT + BE and KT + BE groups achieved significant pre-post improvements in SEBT, unipedal stance test, and toe touch test. The KT group only showed significant intragroup differences in the left and right unipedal stance test variable (P < .05, d = 0.76, d = 0.62, respectively). The sham KT group obtained the strongest results in all physical variables. Regarding the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, pre-post significant changes were found in the sham group (P < .05, d = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Both sham and real KT in combination with BE achieved significant improvements on all physical variables, and these differences were significantly greater compared with those found in the KT in the isolation group, suggesting that benefits in knee function are due to the BE. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy level 1b.

A one-year proprioceptive exercise programme reduces the incidence of falls in community-dwelling elderly people: A before-after non-randomised intervention study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of falls increases with age. Balance alteration and polypharmacy are independent contributors to an increased risk of falls. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to assess whether a proprioceptive exercise programme reduces the incidence of falls. A secondary aim was to assess the association between drugs and falls. DESIGN: This was a before-after non-randomised intervention study. PARTICIPANTS: The study recruited independent and cognitively intact community-dwelling people aged over 69 years, from December 2012 to May 2014. METHODS: The intervention was done by a nurse and consisted of a monthly supervised group session of proprioceptive training for 1 year, supplemented by a home diary exercise. Daily medication was reviewed. RESULTS: We included 572 subjects (63.3% women), mean age 76.1±3.9 years. The mean number of drugs prescribed at the start of the study was 4.7±3.0and 353 of the participants (61.7%) were taking four or more drugs a day. The elderly who fell were more dependent in their activities of daily living (Barthel index), and their balance was worse (determined using the Tinetti scale), as were their results on a cognitive scale (the MEC). After the intervention, an increase in self-perceived quality of life (EQ5D) was reported. The incidence of falls was reduced from 37.5% in the 12 months prior to the intervention to 25.7% in the 12 months after the intervention. During the follow-up, beta-blocker use was associated with an increased incidence of falls (OR=2.05; 95%IC: 1.24-3.39; p=0.005). In contrast, antiplatelet/anticoagulation drugs were associated with a lower risk of falls (OR=0.7; 95%IC: 0.55-0.88; p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The proprioceptive exercise programme reduced the incidence of falls in community-dwelling older people. Multiple drug use was an independent predictor of an increased risk of falls, and specific drug groups were associated with falls.

Comparative effects of proprioceptive and isometric exercises on pain intensity and difficulty in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomised control study.

PURPOSE: The study compared the effects of isometric quadriceps exercise and proprioceptive exercise on pain, joint stiffness and physical difficulties of patients with knee osteoarthritis. SUBJECTS: Forty-five patients with history of knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated into two groups; A with 23 subjects and B with 22 subjects. METHODS: All subjects received infrared radiation for 20 minutes and kneading massage with methyl salicylate ointment. Group A underwent proprioceptive exercises while Group B had isometric quadriceps exercise. Each exercise session lasted for 10 minutes according to standard protocol, twice in a week for six weeks. Pre-treatment, 3rd week and 6th week pain intensity, joint stiffness and physical difficulties were assessed using Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17 was used to analyse the data while descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarise the result. RESULTS: Proprioceptive exercises reduced pain intensity significantly (F = 4.76; p = 0.00) at 6th week with effect size of 2.79, and physical difficulty (F = 3.69; p < 0.04) with effect size of 7.53 better than isometric exercises. There was a significant reduction in the pain intensity (F = 12.08; p < 0.001), and physical difficulties (F = 3.69, p = 0.04) in pre-treatment, 3rd week and 6th week in both Group A and B. CONCLUSION: Both exercises are effective but proprioceptive exercises may be more effective in the management of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) than isometric exercises.