Exercise program combined with electrophysical modalities in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: It is not yet clear which of the various electrophysical modalities used in clinical practice is the one that contributes most positively when added to an exercise program in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinical effects of the inclusion of interferential current therapy (ICT), shortwave diathermy therapy (SDT) and photobiomodulation (PHOTO) into an exercise program in patients with knee OA. METHODS: This prospective, five-arm, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was carried out with blinded participants and examiners. We recruited 100 volunteers aged 40 to 80 years with knee OA. Participants were allocated into five groups: exercise, exercise + placebo, exercise + ICT, exercise + SDT, and exercise + PHOTO. The outcome measures included Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC), numerical rating pain scale (NRPS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), self-perceived fatigue and sit-to-stand test (STST), which were evaluated before and after 24 treatment sessions at a frequency of three sessions per week. RESULTS: In all groups, there was a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in all variables over time, except pressure pain threshold. We observed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the groups for WOMAC function (exercise vs. exercise + placebo, mean difference [MD] = 5.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.63 to 7.46; exercise vs. exercise + ICT, MD = 3.40, 95% CI = 1.46 to 5.33; exercise vs. exercise + SDT, MD = 4.75, 95% CI = 1.85 to 7.64; exercise vs. exercise + PHOTO, MD = 5.45, 95% CI = 3.12 to 7.77) and WOMAC pain, with better scores achieved by the exercise group. However, these differences were not clinically relevant when considering the minimum clinically important difference. CONCLUSION: The addition of ICT, SDT or PHOTO into an exercise program for individuals with knee OA is not superior to exercise performed in isolation in terms of clinical benefit. clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02636764, registered on March 29, 2014.

[Application of low-intensity electromagnetic millimeter waves to the treatment of diabetes mellitus].

This experimental study has demonstrated positive effects of low-intensity electromagnetic millimeter wave treatment on the development of experimental diabetes mellitus in mice. It was shown that repeated electromagnetic irradiation of the E-36 acupuncture point (daily 10 minute-long sessions for 14 days) decreased the blood glucose level in these animals, stimulated their locomotor activity, and increased life expectancy in comparison with controls. Possible mechanisms of action of low-intensity electromagnetic millimeter waves are discussed.

[Rehabilitative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents].

Examination of 1326 children and adolescents revealed physiological asymmetry of neuro-orthopedic status in 57% of the subjects, functional scoliosis in 33%, and structural scoliosis in 4.5%. Only 5.5% of the examined children and adolescents did not show clinical and functional signs of spinal pathology. Treatment with mechanical vibrations (vibro-massage or "swing" therapy), pulsed extremely high frequency (EHF) waves and electrical current yielded good therapeutic effect in cases with idiopathic scoliosis. Specifically, it resulted in a diminished angle of curvature of the spine and improved muscular support of the spine.

Successful treatment of post traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain with paraspinal square wave stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if Paraspinal Square Wave Stimulation (PSWS) is effective in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and or Chronic Pain. METHOD: PSWS is applied to the paraspinal area from the craniocervical junction to the lower sacrum. RESULTS: Patient achieved dramatic relief from PTSD, unequaled by any previous pharmacologic or psychotherapies. The chronic pain is almost completely disappeared, unlike any previous therapies. CONCLUSION: PSWS is the treatment of choice for this patient with PTSD and Chronic Pain. This patient appears to have completely recovered from PTSD, unlike any other study reported so far.

Analgesia por medios físicos en la patología de la ATM / Analgesia using physical agents in temporo-mandibular pathology

El dolor, sensación orgánica y emocional que produce displacer, y manifestación clínica por excelencia que marca el primer contacto paciente-fisioterapeuta, es, en este artículo, el objetivo temático principal junto a su tratamiento fisioterápico. De forma más concreta se abordarán algunos de los agentes físicos utilizados por la Fisioterapia, con el objeto de disminuir y/o disipar este síntoma, presente, de forma constante, en la patología que afecta a la articulación temporo-mandibular (ATM), ya sea artrítica, artrósica o de tipo funcional. Analizaremos para ello los distintos efectos fisiológicos, terapéuticos y mecanismo de acción analgésico de la electroestimulación nerviosa transcutánea (TENS), onda corta (O.C.), ultrasonoterapia y laserterapia, como principales medidas físicas a utilizar en los procesos álgidos que afectan a los tejidos relacionados de una forma u otra con la ATM (AU)

[The role of control over microcirculation in millimetric wave therapy of acute destructive pancreatitis]. / Znachenie kontrolia mikrotsirkuliatsii pri millimetrovoi volnovoi terapii ostrogo destruktivnogo pankreatita.

Microcirculatory reaction to millimetric waves (5.6, 7.1 and 4.9 mm) was studied in 78 patients with acute destructive pancreatitis using laser doppler flowmetry. The 4.9 mm waves proved most effective. As such waves have a normalizing effect on capillary blood flow, they can be used at early stages of the disease. The method allows control of individual reaction of the patient to millimetric waves and, therefore, facilitates the decision on its application.

Focussed extracorporeal pyrotherapy: experimental results.

A new device made of piezoelectric ceramic placed in a semispherical dish and focussed at 320 mm was developed in order to generate heat and cavitation responsible for coagulative necrosis of deep tissues. The target to be treated is located with a central ultrasound probe of 3.5 MHz. In vitro studies with polyurethane phantoms showed that the ultrasound melted a surface of 2 x 12 mm within 1 s. The temperature recorded at the focus was 270 degrees C. In tissue samples (prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia), the temperature rose to 85 degrees C in vitro and a hyperechoic zone appeared at the focus during shots. In vivo 8-mm plastic spheres, introduced surgically into the bladder of pigs, were melted by repeat shots without burning of crossed tissues. These studies were performed in the kidney and the liver. Autopsy performed on day 0 showed congestion, autopsy performed between day 6 and day 11 showed necrosis, whereas at 3 months the focussed area was fibrosed. This technique, which we called 'focussed extracorporeal pyrotherapy', combines phenomena of cavitation and high heat at the focus. Prostate tumors, bladder tumors, kidney tumors and liver metastases are potential indications for pyrotherapy.

Controlled comparison of short-wave diathermy treatment with osteopathic treatment in non-specific low back pain.

The effectiveness of spinal manipulation carried out by a non-medical qualified osteopath was compared with that of short-wave diathermy (SWD) and a placebo (detuned SWD) in 109 patients with low back pain. More than half the subjects in each of the 3 treatment groups benefited immediately from therapy. Significant improvements were observed in the 3 groups at the end of 2 weeks' treatment, and these were still apparent at 12 weeks. The outcome of treatment was unrelated to the initial severity or duration of pain or to the trend of pain towards deterioration or improvement. It is, therefore, unlikely that the results simply reflect the natural history of low back pain. Benefits obtained with osteopathy and SWD in this study may have been achieved through a placebo effect.