High Medial Longitudinal Arch of the Foot and Latent Trigger Points in Lower Limb Muscles.

Background: The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of latent trigger points (LTrPs) in lower limb muscles in participants with a high medial longitudinal arch (MLA) of the foot compared to controls. Methods: Participants with a navicular drop test of 4-9 mm were included in the control group; the high MLA group included navicular drop test values of ≤4 mm. The presence of LTrPs was assessed by palpation techniques. The muscles evaluated were medial gastrocnemius (LTrP1), lateral gastrocnemius (LTrP2), soleus (LTrP1), peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, flexor digitorum longus, rectus femoris, vastus medialis (LTrP1 and LTrP2), and the vastus lateralis of the quadriceps (LTrP1 and LTrP2). Results: Thirty-seven participants with high MLA and thirty-seven controls were included in the study. Twenty-nine (78.4%) participants in the high MLA group had at least 1 LTrP, compared to twenty-three (62.2%) in the control group. No statistical difference (p < 0.05) was found in the total number of LTrPs between groups (4.46 ± 3.78 vs. 3.24 ± 3.85). There were more participants (p < 0.05) with LTrPs in the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and vastus lateralis (LTrP1 and LTrP2) in the high MLA group than in the control group. Conclusion: Although no differences were found in the number of total LTrPs between groups, the prevalence was statistically significantly higher in the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and vastus lateralis of the participants with high MLA of the foot.

Telehealth in Informal Caregivers of Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review.

Background: There has been an increase in people with disabilities who require continuous care, which often falls to informal carers (ICs). Stroke is one of the conditions where ICs are most needed. Therefore, it is necessary for ICs to improve their caregiving skills and self-care capacity. Telehealth (TH) can facilitate them. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the evidence of the effects of interventions on ICs of stroke patients. Methods: The search was conducted in Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINALH, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and APA PsycInfo. Key search terms included "stroke", "informal caregiver" and "telemedicine". Only randomised clinical trials were included. Results: A total of 2031 articles were found in the databases, 476 were screened and 19 clinical trials met the eligibility criteria. Different TH programmes have evaluated many outcomes related to physical and emotional health. The TH tools included phone, videophone, web-based interventions, and social media. The most investigated outcome was depression; although contradictory results were found, the TH may have helped to prevent an increase in depressive symptoms. There were inconsistent results on the caregiving burden and the preparedness of the IC. However, TH has positive effects on the health of the ICs, reducing the number of unhealthy days, anxiety, task difficulty perception, and improving psychological health. Conclusions: TH may be a useful tool to improve the abilities and health of ICs of SS. No adverse effects have been reported. More quality studies evaluating the effects of telemedicine on the ICs of stroke survivors, as well as the most appropriate doses, are needed.

Additional effects of therapeutic exercise and education on manual therapy for chronic temporomandibular disorders treatment: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have evaluated the implementation of behavioral approaches in individuals with chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefits of a behavioral approach to craniofacial pain. Second, we assessed the benefits of kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, mouth opening without pain, and forward head posture. METHODS: Individuals with chronic TMDs were treated for five weeks. The intervention group (n = 17) underwent pain neuroscience education, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise, whereas the control group (n = 17) underwent manual therapy only. Outcomes were evaluated immediately, at seven and 19 weeks follow-up. The assessment tools used were the Craniofacial Pain Disability Inventory, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Mandibular Range of Motion Scale, and Cervical Range of Motion Tool. RESULTS: The interventions did not influence the differences in the improvements between the groups observed for craniofacial pain disability (inter-subject p 0.4). The intervention had a moderate influence on the improvement of kinesiophobia and catastrophizing (Inter-subject p 0.09 and 0.1 respectively) with a clinically significant effect size (Estimated mean (EM) -8.6 standard deviation (SD) ±3.48 p 0.019; and EM -7.6 SD ± 5.11 p 0.15 respectively). CONCLUSION: The behavioral approach improved catastrophizing and kinesiophobia outcomes in individuals with chronic TMDs.

Active Neurodynamics at Home in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Feasibility Study.

The aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a home-based neurodynamic programme for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KO). Thirty participants (70% women) ≥ 50 years old with KO (Kellgren-Lawrence grades I-II) were included. Active mobilisation of the femoral nerve was performed at home over a period of 6-8 weeks. The feasibility of the programme was assessed using a survey that included questions related to understanding of the activity; adherence to the intervention; the burden caused by the intervention; self-perceived effects on the participant; follow-up; the barriers; and facilitators. Pain intensity, using the numerical rating scale (NRS); pressure pain thresholds (PPT); temporal assessment; pain modulation; Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), 12-item Short Form Survey questionnaire (SF-12), and the Central Sensitization Inventory questionnaire (CSI) were also collected, before and after the intervention. All patients performed the intervention, completed at least 42 days of activity, and considered the exercise adequate, with 28 participants (93.3%) reporting that the intervention was good for them. Statistically significant values (p < 0.05) were found for NRS, elbow PPT, external knee PPT, internal knee PPT, elbow CPM, CSI, and KOOS. Home-based active neurodynamic treatment has been shown to be a feasible and safe intervention for KO patients. In addition, this intervention has shown positive effects on pain and function.

Mirror Therapy and Action Observation Therapy to Increase the Affected Upper Limb Functionality in Children with Hemiplegia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

The movements of the affected upper limb in infantile hemiplegia are slower and clumsy. This leads to a decrease in the use of the affected hand. The visual effect obtained using the mirror box and the observation of actions in another individual can activate the same structural neuronal cells responsible for the execution of these actions. This research will study the affected upper limb functionality in hemiplegia infantile from 6 to 12 years old after the application of two intervention protocols: observation action therapy and mirror therapy combined with observation action therapy. Children with a diagnose of congenital infantile hemiplegia will be recruited to participate in a randomized controlled trial with two intervention protocols during four weeks (1 h per/day; 5 sessions per/week): Mirror Therapy Action Observation (MTAO) or Action Observation Therapy (AOT). The study variables will be: spontaneous use, measured with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA); manual ability measured with the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT); surface electromyography of the flexors and extensors muscles of the wrist and grasp strength through a grip dynamometer. Four assessments will be performed: At baseline situation, at the end of treatment, 3 and 6 months after treatment (follow-up assessments). This study will study the effects of these therapies on the use of the affected upper limb in children with hemiplegia.

How does the Execution of the Pilates Method and Therapeutic Exercise Influence Back Pain and Postural Alignment in Children Who Play String Instruments? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate posture in children while playing some string instruments can cause back pain and alterations of the spine. To date, there is no research on the effect of exercise on children who play a musical instrument, although it is known that transversus abdominis muscle control through the Pilates method has shown pain reduction and posture improvement in this population. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the Pilates method combined with therapeutic exercise with respect to therapeutic exercise exclusively in reducing pain and improving postural alignment in children playing string instruments applying a protocol of low dose to increase children's adherence to training. METHODS: A randomized controlled pilot study was designed with two parallel intervention groups. Twenty-five children (10-14 years old) were randomized in two intervention groups: Pilates method with therapeutic exercise (experimental) and therapeutic exercise (control) for 4 weeks (50 min per day, one day per week). Two assessments were performed (before and after treatment) to assess back pain and shoulders and hips alignment using a visual analog scale and the Kinovea program. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were obtained for pain reduction before (p = 0.04) and after (p = 0.01) playing the instrument in the experimental group. There were no significant changes in alignment improvement in any of the two groups. CONCLUSION: The application of a low dose of the Pilates method combined with therapeutic exercise could be a beneficial intervention for pain reduction before and after musical practice in children who play string instruments.

Conventional and Virtual Reality Mirror Therapies in Upper Obstetric Brachial Palsy: A Randomized Pilot Study.

The abilities of children diagnosed with Obstetric Brachial Palsy (OBP) are limited by brachial plexus injuries. Thus, their participation in the community is hindered, which involves a lower quality of life due to worse performance in activities of daily living as a consequence of the functional limitations of the affected upper limb. Conventional Mirror Therapy (Conventional MT) and Virtual Therapy improve the affected upper limb functionality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of Conventional MT and Virtual Reality MT on the spontaneous use of the affected upper limb and quality of life of children with upper Obstetric Brachial Palsy between 6 and 12 years of age. A randomized pilot study was performed. Twelve children were randomly assigned to perform Conventional Mirror Therapy or Virtual Reality Mirror Therapy for four weeks. Ten children completed the treatment. Two assessments (pre/post-intervention) were carried out to assess the spontaneous use of the affected upper limb and the quality of life using the Children's Hand-use Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales (PedsQL TM 4.0), respectively. There was a statistically significant increment in spontaneous use, observed in independent tasks (p = 0.02) and in the use of the affected hand with grasp (p = 0.04), measured with the CHEQ, for the Virtual Reality MT group. There were no statistically significant changes (p > 0.05) for the Conventional MT group in the spontaneous use of the affected upper limb. Regarding the quality of life, statistically significant changes were obtained in the Physical and Health activity categories of the parents' questionnaire (p = 0.03) and in the total score of the children's questionnaire (p = 0.04) in the Virtual Reality MT group, measured using the PedsQL TM 4.0. Statistically significant changes were not obtained for the quality of life in the Conventional MT group. This study suggests that, compared to Conventional MT, Virtual Reality MT would be a home-based therapeutic complement to increase independent bimanual tasks using grasp in the affected upper limb and improve the quality of life of children diagnosed with upper OBP in the age range of 6-12 years.

Medial Longitudinal Arch: Accuracy, Reliability, and Correlation Between Navicular Drop Test and Footprint Parameters.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation among the navicular drop test, the arch angle, the Staheli index and the Chippaux-Smirak index. The reliability and the correlation among the footprint parameters were also estimated. METHODS: A cross-sectional study (n = 86; 59.3% women; 27.8 years, standard deviation: 4.8 years) was carried out. The navicular drop test was evaluated and footprint parameters using a plantar pressure platform were recorded in the dominant foot. Pearson correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, and minimum detectable change were calculated. RESULTS: Both intrarater and interrater reliability were excellent for all the parameters evaluated (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.880). Statistically significant correlations existed between the navicular drop test and footprints parameters (arch angle = 0,643; Staheli index = 0.633; Chippaux-Smirak index = 0.614). The footprint parameters had excellent correlation with each other (0.838-0.881). The navicular drop test and the footprint parameters studied were reproducible and thus had excellent reliability. CONCLUSION: The correlations obtained between the navicular drop test and the footprint parameters evaluated were good. The navicular drop test appears to be a reproducible, valid, and simple test for evaluating medial longitudinal arch height, having fewer disadvantages than using footprint parameters.

Reliability and Accuracy of Static Parameters Obtained From Ink and Pressure Platform Footprints.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and the intrarater reliability of arch angle (AA), Staheli Index (SI), and Chippaux-Smirak Index (CSI) obtained from ink and pressure platform footprints. METHODS: We obtained AA, SI, and CSI measurements from ink pedigraph footprints and pressure platform footprints in 40 healthy participants (aged 25.65 ± 5.187 years). Intrarater reliability was calculated for all parameters obtained using the 2 methods. Standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were also calculated. A repeated-measure analysis of variance was used to identify differences between ink and pressure platform footprints. Intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland and Altman plots were used to assess similar parameters obtained using different methods. RESULTS: Intrarater reliability was >0.9 for all parameters and was slightly higher for the ink footprints. No statistical difference was reported in repeated-measure analysis of variance for any of the parameters. Intraclass correlation coefficient values from AA, SI, and CSI that were obtained using ink footprints and pressure platform footprints were excellent, ranging from 0.797 to 0.829. However, pressure platform overestimated AA and underestimated SI and CSI. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that AA, SI, and CSI were similar regardless of whether the ink or pressure platform method was used. In addition, the parameters indicated high intrarater reliability and were reproducible.

The Prevalence of Latent Trigger Points in Lower Limb Muscles in Asymptomatic Subjects.

BACKGROUND: Latent trigger points (LTrPs) are prevalent in persons with musculoskeletal pain. Because they could be present in healthy persons, it is necessary to evaluate the prevalence of LTrPs in asymptomatic subjects. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of LTrPs in lower limb muscles, to evaluate the relationship between LTrP prevalence, gender, and leg dominance, and to determine intra-rater reliability for the diagnosis of LTrPs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University community. PATIENTS: A total of 206 asymptomatic subjects (113 women and 93 men, aged 23.2 ± 5.2 years). INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The prevalence of the LTrPs located in the gastrocnemius, soleus, peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, flexor digitorum longus, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis was studied, using the diagnosis criteria recommended by Simons, Travell, and Simons. The pressure pain threshold was also evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 206 subjects evaluated, 166 (77.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 72-83.4) were found to have at least one LTrP in the lower limb muscles. The average number of LTrPs found per individual was 7.5 ± 7.7. The prevalence in each muscle group ranged from 19.9% (95% CI, 14.4-25.4) to 37.4% (95% CI, 30.8-44), with gastrocnemius LTrPs being the most prevalent. Women had more LTrPs (9.6 ± 7.8) than did men (4.9 ± 6.6) (P < .01). No relationship was found between the LTrPs and leg dominance (P > .05). The most prevalent diagnosis criteria were the presence of a taut band and a tender spot (98%-100%); the local twitch response was the least prevalent diagnosis criteria (0%-3.5%). Intra-rater reliability was excellent for all the diagnosis criteria in all the muscles evaluated (κ = 0.762-1), except for the jump sign and the referred pain in several LTrPs. CONCLUSION: LTrPs were prevalent in the lower limb muscles of asymptomatic subjects. Women have more LTrPs than do men. No differences in LTrP prevalence were found between sides. The presence of the taut band and the tender spot were the most prevalent and reliable diagnosis criteria. It is necessary to determine if the evaluation of LTrPs in the lower limb muscles of asymptomatic subjects has clinical relevance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Intra-observer reliability for measuring first and second toe and metatarsal protrusion distance using palpation-based tests: a test-retest study.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of first and second metatarsal and toe protrusion is frequently used to explain foot problems using x-rays, osteological measurements or palpation-based tests. Length differences could be related to the appearance of problems in the foot. A test-retest design was conducted in order to establish the intra-rater reliability of three palpation-based tests. METHODS: 202 feet of physical therapy students and teachers of the CEU San Pablo University of Madrid, 39 men and 62 women, were measured using three different tests. Data were analysed using SPSS version 15.0. Mean, SD and 95% CI were calculated for each variable. A normal distribution of quantitative data was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The test-retest intra-rater reliability was assessed using an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The Standard Error Mean (SEM) and the Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) were also obtained. RESULTS: All the ICC values showed a high degree of reliability (Test 1 = 0.97, Test 2 = 0.86 and Test 3 = 0.88) as did the SEM (Test 1 = 0.07, Test 2 = 0.10 and Test 3 = 0.11) and the MDC (Test 1 = 0.21, Test 2 = 0.30 and Test 3 = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Reliability of measuring first and second metatarsal and toe protrusion using the three palpation-based tests showed a high degree of reliability.