The effects of complex decongestive therapy on pain and functionality in individuals with breast cancer who developed adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema: an evaluation by an isokinetic computerized system.

Background: This study aimed to determine the impact of complex decongestive therapy applications on upper extremity function in breast cancer patients who developed adhesive capsulitis after lymphedema. Methods: Thirty patients who developed adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema were divided into two groups as study (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Both groups received 20 minutes of exercise five days a week for three weeks using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer, as well as a hot pack and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) treatment to the shoulder joint. The study group received 45 minutes of intensive decongestive therapy along with the adhesive capsulitis treatment. The visual analogue scale was used to assess pain, circumference, and volumetric measurements were used to assess edema, and the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Problems Questionnaire (DASH: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) was used to assess upper extremity functionality. The shoulder range of motion was evaluated. Results: Both groups had improvements in pain (P < 0.001), shoulder joint range of motion (P < 0.001), and upper extremity functionality (P < 0.001) after the treatment. There was a significant decrease in circumference and volumetric measurements in the study group (P < 0.001). However, no differences were seen in measurements in the control group. Conclusions: The results showed that complex decongestive therapy was beneficial in reducing lymphedema in breast cancer patients who acquired adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema. Consequently, the authors believe that supplementing conventional physiotherapy with complex decongestive therapy will benefit patients.

Physiotherapy Management of Migraine Pain: Facial Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Technique Versus Connective Tissue Massage.

OBJECTIVE: Physical therapy modalities are often used by patients with migraine pain. The effectiveness of the methods in the treatment of migraine has not been clarified yet. This prospective study was planned to investigate whether facial proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation is superior to connective tissue massage in the treatment of migraine pain. METHODS: The study was conducted on 40 female patients with a neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of chronic migraine with non-aura, and who were aged between 18 and 65. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. Facial proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques were applied to the patients in the study group (Group 1), and connective tissue massage was applied to the patients in the control group (Group 2). The interventions were performed 3 times a week for approximately 20 minutes. Pain and pressure pain threshold scores were recorded on the first day of treatment before starting the session and were reassessed immediately after the end of the 18 treatment (6 weeks) sessions. RESULTS: Pretreatment and posttreatment results were similar in both groups in terms of pain scores and pressure pain threshold values ( P > 0.05). Both groups improved in pain-related outcomes ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that facial proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation was no more effective than connective tissue massage for treating migraine for the sample size used in the present study. Both methods can be used in the treatment of migraine pain.

Importance of Anatomy Education on Electrotherapy Lectures in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Curricula: Student Perceptions of a Foundation University.

Student opinions are important to improve the physiotherapy and rehabilitation curriculum, and to maintain the quality of education. This study aimed to evaluate the students' perception levels related to anatomy education in terms of electrotherapy lectures. Third and fourth-year physiotherapy students (61 female, 43 male) have voluntarily participated in this study. The data were obtained by a survey, which consists of 29 closed-ended (15 Likert-type questions) questions. The average age was 21.82 ± 1.62 years. The grade point average of the participants, which is based on the 4-point scale, is 2.33 ± 0.44 points. There was no difference between the genders in terms of the grade point averages (p = 0.78). Students stated that the anatomy knowledge of the musculoskeletal system is extremely important in terms of electrotherapy lectures. This is followed by the nervous system and the circulatory system, respectively. They also stated that they need more anatomy knowledge during motor point stimulation applications (50%), and less anatomy knowledge during ultrasound applications (15.38%). In the results of Likert-type survey, first and second highest scores were pertained to "I need anatomy knowledge when inserting electrodes" and "The knowledge which is obtained from anatomy lectures affect to the motor nerve stimulations" (1.42 ± 0.67 and 1.40 ± 0.66, respectively, p < 0.05) and the least score was pertained to "I need to look at my anatomy notes before the electrotherapy exams" (0.41 ± 0.88, p < 0.05). The results from this study help to enhance our conceptual understanding of students' perception levels of anatomy education importance in terms of electrotherapy lectures.