Does piriformis muscle syndrome impair postural balance? A case control study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: While patients with musculoskeletal disorders reported postural balance impairments, it is unknown whether patients with piriformis muscle syndrome (PMS) may exhibit postural balance disorders compared to controls. The aim was to compare postural balance in patients with PMS to controls in static and dynamic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve patients with PMS and twelve controls were enrolled. Static postural balance was assessed by calculating the symmetry index (SI) in the unipedal posture. To measure vision contribution, the Romberg index (RI) was computed. Dynamic postural balance was evaluated with the Timed up and go test (TUGT). Besides, inter-limb strength asymmetry (SA), pain and the short form-36 (SF-36) were assessed. RESULTS: The PMS group (PMSG) exhibited significant (p < 0.001) higher SI in eyes opened (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions compared to the control group (CG). Besides, PMSG had significant higher RI (p < 0.05), TUGT scores (p < 0.001), SA values (p < 0.05), pain intensity (p < 0.001), and worse SF-36 scores on all physical health (p < 0.05) and psychological health (only in vitality and mental health [p < 0.05]), compared to CG. CONCLUSION: Our data revealed impaired static and dynamic postural balance, and reduced quality of life in PMSG compared to CG. Postural balance impairments could explain the poor quality of life, which are likely due to the higher SA and higher pain intensity. Clinicians and physiotherapists should consider postural balance disorders while designing rehabilitation programs in these patients.

Effect of the phosphogypsum amendment of saline and agricultural soils on growth, productivity and antioxidant enzyme activities of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of phosphogypsum (PG) amendment on the physiochemical proprieties of saline and agricultural soils along with the growth, productivity and antioxidant enzyme activities of tomato plants ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown on the amended soils under controlled conditions. Obtained results showed that the amendment of saline soil (H) by PG induced a decrease in pH as well as in electrical conductivity. However, for the non saline soil (MC), there was a decrease in pH associated with an increase in electrical conductivity. For both soils, PG amendment led to an increase in Calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na), and a decrease in potassium (K) in plant tissues. Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) and Chromium (Cr) contents in different parts of plants increased in proportion with PG concentration in the soils. Apart from Cd, all the analyzed metals in tomato fruit were found to be below the recommended maximum allowable concentration (MAC). Our results showed that PG application, at doses not exceeding 20%, seems to be beneficial for growth, photosynthetic activity and productivity of tomato plants as well as in decreasing salinity of saline soils. In these conditions, the use of PG could be a promising project for the rehabilitation of marginalized and saline ecosystems with either ornamental or non-fruit species. For both soils, a significant accumulation of MDA in shoots was detected, reflecting cell membrane damage especially when the PG amendment reached 20%. Beyond 20 and 40% PG, tomato plants developed an enzymatic antioxidant defense system in response to salinity and heavy metal stress. However, at 80% PG, enzymes activities were significantly inhibited.