Home pelvic floor exercises in children with non-neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Is fitball an alternative to classic exercises?

INTRODUCTION: Biofeedback with home pelvic floor exercises were recommended as non-pharmacologic treatment for non-neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in children. Fitball is recommended to improve all-over flexibility, balance, and coordination, especially for pelvic floor. Aim of the study was to investigate efficacy of standard home pelvic floor exercises versus exercises using fitball. METHODS: From April 2021 to February 2022 to all children arrived in our clinic with non-neurogenic LUTS nonresponder at urotherapy, our pelvic floor rehabilitative program was proposed. During the rehabilitation children performed: standard urotherapy, pelvic floor animated biofeedback therapy and pelvic floor exercises in a standard way and using a fitball. After the first session, patients received prescription to repeat at home the same exercises performed at hospital. Children who chose classic exercises were enrolled in group A and they who chose fitball in group B. Continence rate, pelvic floor muscles activity, adherence and satisfaction were evaluated by means of bladder diary, external pubococcygeus test and Likert-type psychometric scale (from 1 = very unsatisfied to 5 = very satisfied) respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-six children affected by LUTS were enrolled: 13 in group A and 13 in B. At 4th control urinary incontinence was reduced by 72,5% in A and 71.4% in B. Pubococcygeus test increased in both groups. Adherence at home was 92% in group A and 62% in group B. Satisfaction with the treatment (4 or 5 points) was 95% in both groups. Four patients of group A and all of group B decided to maintain home exercises including fitball. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary study shows that efficacy of home exercises, with or without fitball, is comparable. Satisfaction with fitball is high, regardless results obtained, because parents and children have learned a new, interesting and stimulating way to manage urinary problems. The opportunity to perform these exercises using fitball, it's an important finding for pediatric population.

Efficacy of intradermal administration of diclofenac for the treatment of nonspecific chronic low back pain: results from a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Intradermal administration of analgesic drugs with mesotherapy is effective for the local treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Few studies analyzed the effects of different drugs administrated with this technique. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of diclofenac versus lysine acetylsalicylate-based mesotherapy in relieving pain (primary outcome), and disability (secondary outcome) in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Outpatient rehabilitation medicine center. POPULATION: Records of 101 patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain. METHODS: Data were extracted from the outpatients records of patients affected by nonspecific chronic low back pain since 12 weeks before, treated with 5 sessions of mesotherapy with diclofenac mixtures (group A) or aspirin-lysine acetylsalicylate mixture (group B). Assessments recorded were taken before the first treatment (T0), at the end of the 5-week treatment (T1), and at 4 (T2) and 12 weeks (T3) of follow-up after the last treatment, using a pain visual analogue scale (VAS) primary outcome, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) secondary outcome, and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) Comparisons within and between groups were performed using the t-test, the χ2 test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) models, as appropriate. RESULTS: Records from 101 patients consecutively were analyzed, 51 in group A (mean age and standard deviation [SD]=62.8±10.7; F/M=33/18) and 50 in group B (mean age±SD=64.1±15.8; F/M=30/20). At baseline VAS, SF-MPQ, ODI scores were respectively 7.6±1.3, 22.49±9.96, 44.80±15.55 (mean and SD) in group A; VAS, SF-MPQ, ODI scores were respectively 6.7±1.6, 18.66±9.65, 39.04±16.06 (mean and SD) in group B. Mean differences between group A and group B in the changes of scores from baseline (T0) to end of study (T3) were -1.3 (VAS), -5.81 (SF-MPQ) and -17.05 (ODI). Mesotherapy induced significant reductions in pain severity and disability in both groups with better results in diclofenac-based treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective pilot study suggests the efficacy and safety of diclofenac mesotherapy for relieving pain and disability in patients affected by chronic nonspecific low back pain in a convenient sample but further studies will confirm these results. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Diclofenac mesotherapy appears to be a viable treatment. to reduce pain and improve function in patients affected by chronic moderate-to-severe nonspecific low back pain.

[Mesotherapy as a treatment of pain and disability in patients affected by neck pain in spondylartrosis]. / La mesoterapia come trattamento del dolore e della disabilità in pazienti affetti da cervicalgia in spondilartrosi.

Mesotherapy is a technique that treats locoregional pain with intradermal injection of a drug in the affected area. Its short-term efficacy was observed in patients with low back pain using both normal saline solution, if there were contraindications to drugs' use, or a cocktail of drugs (normal saline solution, lidocaine hydrochloride, and lysine acetylsalicylate), whereas only the latter provided benefit for up to three months after treatment. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of mesotherapy in patients affected by neck pain in spondylarthrosis, a common pathology in rehabilitation, associated with significant disability and increased health expenditure. One hundred patients participated in the study, of whom 50 (mean age 66.9 years) were treated with mesotherapy with a cocktail of drugs and 50 (mean age 64.7 years) with normal saline solution. Pain and disability were measured at different times (i.e. before treatment, at the end of five weeks of treatment, four weeks and 12 weeks after treatment), by using different pain scales, including a visual analogue scale, the short-form McGill pain questionnaire, the Present Pain Intensity scale and the Neck Disability Index. Mesotherapy with either normal saline solution or with a cocktail of drugs were both found to be effective in the short term in reducing pain and disability. However, only patients treated with a cocktail of drugs showed improvement at three months following treatment.

Effectiveness of Physiotherapy Interventions on Spasticity in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of physiotherapy (PT) interventions on spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis. DESIGN: A systematic search was performed using PRISMA guidance. Studies evaluate the effect of PT interventions on spasticity were included. People with multiple sclerosis, spasticity, disability and PT interventions characteristics were extracted in included studies. Level of evidence was synthesized by the Grade of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Meta-analyses were performed by calculating Hedges g at 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: A total of 29 studies were included in the review, and 25 were included in the meta-analyses. The included PT interventions were exercise therapy, electrical stimulation, radial shock wave therapy, vibration, and standing. The review and meta-analyses showed different evidences of benefits and nonbenefits for PT interventions on some spasticity outcomes. The best quality evidences were for beneficial effects of exercise therapy especially robot gait training and outpatient exercise programs on self-perceived spasticity and muscle tone respectively. The review results were positive regarding the acute effects, follow-up measurements, safety, progressive MS, and nonambulatory people with multiple sclerosis. The included articles were heterogeneous and badly reported in PT interventions and people with multiple sclerosis characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapy interventions can be a safe and beneficial option for spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis. No firm conclusion can be drawn on overall spasticity. Further researches in different spasticity aspects are needed.

[Short-term and medium-term efficacy of mesotherapy in patients with lower back pain due to spondyloarthrosis]. / Efficacia della mesoterapia a breve e medio termine in pazienti affetti da lombalgia muscolotensiva da spondilartrosi.

Mesotherapy is an intradermal treatment for patients with local pain. The literature describes the efficacy of mesotherapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders measuring a reduction of analgesic drug intake and of healthcare spending. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of mesotherapy on pain and disability in patients with low back pain due to spondyloarthrosis.

Efficacy of mesotherapy using drugs versus normal saline solution in chronic spinal pain: a retrospective study.

Mesotherapy, or intradermal therapy, is a therapeutic approach that is gaining popularity, but there is still a significant lack of information on its mechanisms of action or the pharmacokinetics of the therapeutic regimens. This retrospective study on 220 records compared the short-term and long-term effects of mesotherapy using a mixture of drugs versus normal saline solution in the treatment of patients with chronic spinal pain (CSP). At the end of treatment, outcome measures showed a significant improvement (P<0.003) in both groups, which persisted at the follow-up assessments. At 12 weeks of follow-up, the improvement was significantly greater in patients treated with the drug cocktail than with the saline solution (P<0.05). Mesotherapy was effective in patients affected by CSP, with high patient satisfaction reported irrespective of the agent used. Considering the risks and costs of drugs, normal saline solution appears to be the best agent in cost-benefit terms for treating localized pain by mesotherapy in CSP.

Trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: a prospective trial on two widespread conservative therapies.

INTRODUCTION: The trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint osteoarthritis (OA) is at the origin of important secondary functional disability to pinch as well as a painful grip. Several conservative therapies are often considered in the early stages of TMC OA to decrease pain, recover function and slow the evolution of OA. They include massage therapy, heat applications, stretching of the first web span and assisted mobilization of the TMC joint. However, as with other arthritic joints, many physicians often suggest administering intra-articular corticosteroids. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 10 sessions of physiotherapy versus a single corticoid intra-articular injection. Both treatments were associated with TMC splinting. METHODS: Two groups of twenty-five patients received either physiotherapy or a corticoid injection. They were followed over a one-year period. All of them were assessed for pain, function, strength at 2, 6 and 12 months and overall satisfaction at the end of the study. RESULTS: With the infiltrative therapy, the parameters improve more quickly, whereas patients treated with physiotherapy show longer persistence regarding remission of pain. The final functional evaluation scores at one year are similar to pretreatment scores. CONCLUSION: In early stages of TMC OA, corticosteroids articular injections and physiotherapy treatments can improve the painful symptoms but treatment with corticosteroids is faster. Although hand functions return to average scores similar to those of pre-treatment, physiotherapy program is associated with a longer remission of pain.

The efficacy and safety of a combination of glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate and bio-curcumin with exercise in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) conservative treatment aims to delay cartilage degeneration; chondroprotective agents are a valid approach in this sense. A commercially available dietary supplement, CartiJoint Forte, containing glucosamine hydrochloride (GH), chondroitin sulfate (CS) and Bio-Curcumin BCM-95®, was used in this trial. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of CartiJoint Forte combined with physical therapy in treating subjects with knee OA. DESIGN: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Outpatients referred to the Rehabilitation Departments of two University Hospitals. POPULATION: Fifty-three patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (N=26) or a control group (N.=27). Experimental subjects received two tablets of CartiJoint Forte each day for 8 weeks, while those in the control group were provided with a placebo. Three subjects dropped out during the course of the study. METHODS: The two groups both received 20 sessions of physical therapy during the course of the trial. Primary outcome was pain intensity, measured both at motion and at rest, using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). A secondary outcome was an assessment of knee function by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and Lequesne Index, knee ROM, and two inflammation markers (C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate). Each assessment was carried out at baseline (T0), at 8 weeks (T1) and at 12 weeks (T2). RESULTS: VAS at rest was found to be reduced between T0 and T1, as well as between T0 and T2 (F=13.712; P=0.0001), with no differences between groups (F=1.724; P=0.191). VAS at motion revealed a significant "group × time-check" interaction (F=2.491; P=0.032), with increasing effect of time on VAS reduction (F=17.748; P=0.0001). This was most pronounced in the experimental group at 8 weeks (F=3.437; P=0.045). The Lequesne Index showed reductions at T1 and T2 compared to T0 (F=9.535; P=0.0001), along with group effect, since the experimental group presented a lower score at T2 (F=7.091; P=0.009). No significant changes were found in the knee ROM and inflammation markers. CONCLUSION: CartiJoint Forte, added to physical therapy, may ameliorate pain and help to improve algofunctional score in knee OA patients. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Treatment of knee OA with curcuminoids plus glycosaminoglycans, added to physical therapy, improves VAS at motion and Lequesne Index scores.

Efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery, and phantom exercise training on phantom limb: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reduction in phantom pain and sensation with combined training of progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery, and phantom exercises. DESIGN: Randomized controlled prospective trial with 2 parallel groups. SETTING: Amputee unit of a rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects with unilateral lower limb amputation (N=51) with phantom limb pain (PLP) and/or phantom limb sensation (PLS). INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group performed combined training of progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery, and phantom exercises 2 times/wk for 4 weeks, whereas the control group had the same amount of physical therapy dedicated to the residual limb. No pharmacological intervention was initiated during the trial period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire and the Brief Pain Inventory were used to evaluate changes over time in different aspects (intensity, rate, duration, and bother) of PLS and PLP. Blind evaluations were performed before and after treatment and after 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant decrease over time in all the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire domains (in terms of both PLS and PLP; P<.04 for both) and the Brief Pain Inventory (P<.03). No statistically significant changes were observed in the control group. Between-group analyses showed a significant reduction in intensity (average and worst pain) and bother of PLP and rate and bother of PLS at follow-up evaluation, 1 month after the end of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Combined training of progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery, and modified phantom exercises should be taken into account as a valuable technique to reduce phantom limb pain and sensation.

The Italian Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (SIMFER) recommendations for neck pain.

The paper represents the Italian Society of Physical " and Rehabilitation Medicine (SIMFER) recommendations to Neck Pain. We searched the principal scientific databases for papers concerning the main approaches to NP, including international guidelines, clinical trials of high methodological value and systematic reviews without any temporal limits. The recommendations were graded on the basis of the National Plan for Guidelines of the Italian Istituto Superiore di Sanità, which includes the level of evidence and strength of the recommendation. The principal sections of the recommendations deal with the Evaluation and Therapy for Neck Pain. The first describes the main evidence concerning the evaluation of patients with NP with or without limb involvement and/or headache: medical history, physical examination, neurological examination, laboratory tests, electrodiagnostics, diagnostic imaging and self-administered questionnaires. The second describes the best evidence synthesis concernig the therapy for Neck Pain: education, exercise, medical therapy, manual therapy, traction, physical therapy, acupuncture, orthoses, multimodal treatment, behavioural treatment.

Transcranial direct current stimulation ameliorates tactile sensory deficit in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Deficit of tactile sensation in patients with MS is frequent and can be associated with interference with daily life activities. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) showed to increase tactile discrimination in healthy subjects. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated whether tDCS may be effective in ameliorating tactile sensory deficit in MS patients. METHODS: Patients received sham or real anodal tDCS of the somatosensory cortex for 5 consecutive days in a randomized, double blind, sham-controlled study. Discrimination thresholds of spatial tactile sensation were measured using the grating orientation task (GOT). As secondary outcomes we also measured subjective perception of tactile sensory deficit through a visual analog scale (VAS), quality of life and overall disability to evaluate the impact of the treatment on patients daily life. Evaluations were performed at baseline and during a 4-week follow-up period. RESULTS: Following anodal but not sham tDCS over the somatosensory cortex, there was a significant improvement of discriminatory thresholds at the GOT and increased VAS for sensation scores. Quality of life, and disability changes were not observed. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a five day course of anodal tDCS is able to ameliorate tactile sensory loss with long-lasting beneficial effects and could thus represent a therapeutic tool for the treatment of tactile sensory deficit in MS patients.

Immediate effects of kinesiotaping on quadriceps muscle strength: a single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate effects on maximal muscle strength of kinesiotaping (KT) applied to the dominant quadriceps of healthy subjects. DESIGN: Single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. SETTING: "Salvatore Maugeri" Foundation. PARTICIPANTS: With ethical approval and informed consent, a convenience sample of 36 healthy volunteers were recruited. Two subjects did not complete the sessions and were excluded from the analysis. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were tested across 3 different sessions, randomly receiving 2 experimental KT conditions applied with the aim of enhancing and inhibiting muscle strength and a sham KT application. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quadriceps muscle strength was measured by means of an isokinetic maximal test performed at 60 and 180 degrees per second. Two secondary outcome measures were performed: the single-leg triple hop for distance to measure limb performance and the Global Rating of Change Scale (GRCS) to calculate agreement between KT application and subjective perception of strength. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, none of the 3 taping conditions showed a significant change in muscle strength and performance (all P > 0.05). Effect size was very low under all conditions (≤0.08). Very few subjects showed an individual change greater than the minimal detectable change. Global Rating of Change Scale scores demonstrated low to moderate agreement with the type of KT applied, but some placebo effects were reported independently of condition. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated no significant effect in the maximal quadriceps strength immediately after the application of inhibition, facilitation, or sham KT. These results do not support the use of KT applied in this way to change maximal muscle strength in healthy people.

Avaliação dos efeitos a longo prazo da acupuntura e exercícios terapêuticos em ombro congelado de pacientes com acidente cerebral vascular / Evaluation of long term effects of acupuncture and therapeutic exercises on frozen shoulder in stroke patients

Objetivo do estudo: Determinar como a acupuntura e a terapia com exercícios afetam a função motora e espasmodicidade das mãos de pacientes com acidente cerebral vascular 6 meses após eles terem recebido este tipo de terapia. Métodos: Estudo clínico prospectivo, aleatório e cego de 20 pacientes, com idades entre 60-70 anos, na fase crônica de 6 meses após o AVC. Os sujeitos do estudo foram divididos em dois grupos: Grupo A, o qual foi tratado com acupuntura e terapia de exercícios (AP-ET) 6 meses atrás e Grupo B, o qual foi tratado apenas com terapia de exercícios (ET) 6 meses atrás. A avaliação incluiu uma entrevista ampla e a administração dos estágios de Brunnstrom, a Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF), a Escala Modificada de Ashworth (MAS), o Teste de Funcionalidade das Extremidades Superiores (UEFT), o Registro de Atividade Motora (MAL), a Série de Movimentos ativos e passivos (ROM, pROM), o teste de FUGL-Meyer da função da extremidade superior (FMA), o Questionário de Croft sobre Incapacidade do Ombro (CSDQ) e a Escala Analógica Visual (VAS) de dor. O Teste-t de Gosset foi usado para uma análise estatística. Resultados: As análises mostraram uma diferença estatisticamente significativa nos SCORES do pós-tratamento em comparação com 6 meses após o tratamento com cada grupo de estudo, para todos os parâmetros examinados (p<0.01 em todos os casos) exceto pelo MAS.

Aim of the study: To determine how acupuncture and exercise therapy affect motor function and spasticity on the hands of stroke patients 6 months after they had received this kind of therapy. Methods: Prospective, randomized, single blind clinical study of 20 patients, age 60-70 years, in the chronic phase 6 months after stroke. Subjects were divided into two groups: Group A, which was treated with acupuncture and exercise therapy (AP-ET) 6 months ago and Group B, which was treated with exercise therapy (ET) alone 6 months ago. the assessment included a comprehensive interview and administration of the Brunnstrom?s stages, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Upper Extremity Function Test (UEFT), Motor Activity Log (MAL), active and passive Range of Motion (aROM, pROM), Fugl-Meyer test of upper extremity function (FMA), Croft Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (CSDQ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain. The Gosset t-Test was used for the statistical analysis. Results: Analyses showed a statistically significant difference in the post-treatment SCORES as compared to 6 months after treatment within each study group for all parameters examined (p<0.01 in all cases) except for MAS. Analyses showed a statistically significant difference in some parameters in the ET group as compared to the AP-ET group with greater mean values recorded in the AP-ET group for MAS and CSDQ. All other parameters showed no statistical differences between the two different therapy groups 6 months after the therapy. Conclusion: The results confirm the hypothesis that acupuncture and exercise therapy are useful in the treatment of frozen shoulder in stroke patients and that their effects are still present after 6 months of therapy, however, given the small patient population, further studies are needed to verify these results.