Immediate Effects of Core Stabilization Exercise on ß-Endorphin and Cortisol Levels Among Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Crossover Design.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study was to measure the levels of plasma ß-endorphin (PB) and plasma cortisol (PC) under lumbar core stabilization exercise (LCSE), placebo and control conditions in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. METHODS: Twenty-four participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design study. There were 3 experimental exercise conditions: control condition (positioning in crook lying and rest), placebo condition (passive cycling in crook lying using automatic cycler), and LCSE on a Pilates device tested with a 48-hour interval between sessions by concealed randomization. A blood sample was collected before and after the exercise conditions. Plasma ß-endorphin and PC were measured through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and electrochemiluminescence in a Cobas E411 auto analyzer. RESULTS: A significant difference in PB level was identified before and after the LCSE condition (P < .05), whereas no significant differences were noted in control and placebo exercise conditions. Also, the trend of elevation of PB under the LCSE was significantly different compared with the placebo and control conditions (P < .01). In contrast, the PC level remained unchanged in all 3 conditions. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that LCSE could possibly influence PB but not PC level among patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. The mechanism of action of the pain-relieving effect of LCSE might be related to an endogenous opioid mechanism as part of its effects and might not be involved with a stress-induced analgesia mechanism.

Intra-Rater Reliability and Minimal Detectable Change of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Measurement during Gait and Half-Squat Tasks on Healthy Male Adults.

BACKGROUND: The understanding of vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) during walking and half-squatting is necessary and commonly utilised during the rehabilitation period. The purpose of this study was to establish measurement reproducibility of VGRF that reports the minimal detectable changes (MDC) during walking and half-squatting activity among healthy male adults. METHODS: 14 male adults of average age, 24.88 (5.24) years old, were enlisted in this study. The VGRF was assessed using the force plates which were embedded into a customised walking platform. Participants were required to carry out three trials of gait and half-squat. Each participant completed the two measurements within a day, approximately four hours apart. RESULTS: Measurements of VGRF between sessions presented an excellent VGRF data for walking (ICC Left = 0.88, ICC Right = 0.89). High reliability of VGRF was also noted during the half-squat activity (ICC Left = 0.95, ICC Right = 0.90). The standard errors of measurement (SEM) of VGRF during the walking and half-squat activity are less than 8.35 Nm/kg and 4.67 Nm/kg for the gait and half-squat task respectively. CONCLUSION: The equipment set-up and measurement procedure used to quantify VGRF during walking and half-squatting among healthy males displayed excellent reliability. Researcher should consider using this method to measure the VGRF during functional performance assessment.

Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of total faulty breathing scale using visual observation and videogrammetry methods.

Faulty breathing is an aspect of alteration in the normal fundamental pattern of breathing. The available existence of scales in assessing faulty breathing has not frequently been used. Measurement errors in assessing and quantifying breathing patterns may originate from unclear directions and variation between observers. This study determined the measure reliability of the Total Faulty Breathing Scale (TFBS) for quantifying breathing patterns. Twenty seven participants were recruited comprising healthy and unhealthy subjects. Two examiners assessed their breathing patterns using the TFBS on two different occasions with visual observation and a videogrammetry method. Evaluation of the observational breathing pattern method for intra-rater and inter-rater showed agreement of 96.30% and a kappa score of greater than 0.78, which indicated substantial agreements. The videogrammetry method showed a percent agreement of (100%) with a kappa score of (1.00). This study indicates that the TFBS is a considerably reliable tool for evaluating breathing patterns with both visual observation and a videogrammetry method.

Therapeutic effects of connective tissue manipulation on wound healing and bacterial colonization count among patients with diabetic foot ulcer.

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of connective tissue manipulation (CTM) in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). A total of 20 participants (10 in CTM group and 10 in conventional treatment group (CG)) with DFU underwent the conventional DFU treatment. In addition, the CTM group received CTM twice per week for 6 weeks. The percentage wound area reduction (PWAR) and bacterial colonization count (BCC) in log10 colony-forming units (CFU) per ml wound fluid was evaluated at baseline and six weeks. Results showed a significant change in PWAR in CTM (p < 0.05, t = 3.82, Df = 9, CI L = 0.98 U = 3.81) and CG (p < 0.05, t = 2.97, Df = 9,CI L = 0.26 U = 1.98). Mean reduction of BCC showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05), with percentage of BCC reduction higher in CTM group (6.45%) than CG (3.55%). The findings suggest CTM as an effective adjunct therapy for DFU to enhance conventional treatments.