Acupuncture and dry needling for physical therapy of scar: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: There is a continuing interest in finding effective methods for scar treatment. Dry needling is gaining popularity in physiotherapy and is defined by Western medicine as a type of acupuncture. The terms acupuncture and dry needling have been used interchangeably so we have focused on the efficacy of dry needling or acupuncture in scar treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to determine the usefulness of dry needling or local acupuncture for scar treatment. In our search process, we used the terms 'acupuncture,' 'needling,' or 'dry needling' to identify all relevant scientific papers. We have focused on the practical aspects of local management of different scar types with dry needling or acupuncture. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search strategy included different combinations of the following keywords: 'scar', 'keloid', 'dry needling', 'needling', 'acupuncture', 'treatment', 'physical therapy'. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE (PubMed, EBSCOHost and Ovid), EMBASE (Elsevier), and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant publications from inception through October 2023. INCLUSION CRITERIA: The studies that investigated the effectiveness of dry needling or acupuncture for scar treatment were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: The main extraction data items were: the needling technique; needle: diameter, length; needling locations; manual needling manipulation; number of sessions; settings; outcomes and results. RESULTS: As a result of a comprehensive search, 11 manuscripts were included in the systematic review, of which eight were case reports, two were randomized trials and one study concerned case series. Two case reports scored 2-4 out of 8 points on the JBI checklist, five studies scored 5-7, and one study scored 8 points. The methodological quality of the two clinical trials was rated as good or fair on the PEDro scale. The case series study scored 7 of 10 points on the JBI checklist. A meta-analysis was not possible as only two randomized trials, eight case reports, and one case series were eligible for review; also, scar assessment scales and pain severity scales were highly heterogeneous. CONCLUSIONS: The studies differed regarding the delivery of dry needling or local acupuncture for scar treatment. Differences included treatment frequency, duration, number of treatments, selection of needle insertion sites, number of needles used, angle of needle placement, and use of manual needling manipulation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: INPLASY no. 202310058.

Does the Self-Myofascial Release Affect the Activity of Selected Lower Limb Muscles of Soccer Players?

Myofascial therapy has already become one of the basic forms of treatment of the locomotor system. One form of the therapy is Self-Myofascial Release, in which external force is applied to the body with the help of special rollers (foam rolling, FR). The aim of the study was to investigate the direct effect of Self-Myofascial Release of hamstring muscles using a foam roller on the bioelectric activity of selected muscles (biceps femoris and gluteus maximus) during squats. The study involved 40 male soccer players, who were randomly divided into two groups: experimental and control. The tests used did not show significant differences in the analyzed variables before the experiment (baseline measurement p > 0.05), while significant intergroup differences appeared for subsequent measurements, both for reference MVC values (p < 0.01 - for % gluteus maximus MVC, p < 0.001 - for % biceps femoris MVC) and for raw EMG values (p < 0.01 gluteus maximus and p < 0.001 - for % 0.0001 for biceps femoris). The use of self-myofascial release within the hamstring muscles leads to changes in the electrical potential of the muscles of the lower limb.

The influence of rotational movement exercise on the abdominal muscle thickness and trunk mobility - Randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Trunk rotations are important functional movements which form the foundations of human motion pattern, especially in the functions of walking and running. They prevent the functional impairments and structural lesions resulting from axial overloading in static positions such as sitting. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of rotational movement training exercises on the abdominal muscle thickness and spinal mobility range. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The study involved 73 individuals aged 18-45. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The study group (TG) comprised 40 people who performed rotational movement exercises over the period of 4 weeks (16 training sessions). In the control group (CG) the training was not applied. Changes in the thickness of selected abdominal muscles on ultrasound imaging were evaluated, as well as trunk mobility, based on the trunk lateral flexion test. RESULTS: The analysis of the obtained data has demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the thickness of the abdominal internal (IO) (p < 0.05) and external oblique muscles (EO) (p < 0.001) in the study group (TG) between measurements I and II, and measurements I and III. A similar increase in the thickness was found in the summation measurement of TrA + IO + EO. Bilateral increase in the trunk lateral flexion range in the frontal plane has also been noted. CONCLUSIONS: Rotational movement training of the trunk leads to an increase in the thickness of the abdominal oblique muscles. Rotational movement exercise training increases trunk mobility in the frontal plane.

Effectiveness of the FED Method in the Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis of Girls Aged 11-15 Years.

(1) Background: The unknown etiology of idiopathic scoliosis and its three-dimensional nature make the cause-and-effect therapeutic management difficult. A tendency to progression of scoliosis and the failure of many methods of conservative treatment have prompted the search for new methods that would stop and correct deformations. One of them is the FED method, used in the conservative treatment of idiopathic scolioses, in which all scoliotic curves are corrected. The aim of this study was a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of idiopathic scoliosis treatment with the FED and FITS methods. (2) Methods: The study included 60 randomly selected girls, aged 11 to 15 years, treated with the FED and FITS methods. They were diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis grade II according to Cobb and double-curve scoliosis type I and II according to King-Moe classification. The results of the therapy were assessed with the use of the Bunnell scoliometer. The examinations were performed before the start of the therapy-on the first day of the child's stay-and 3 weeks after the therapy. The angle of trunk rotation and the sum of two rotations were assessed using a scoliometer. (3) Results: The performed statistical analysis demonstrated significant changes in the examined parameters in both therapeutic groups. (4) Conclusions: 1. The obtained results indicate that the FED therapy may prove to be an effective method of treating idiopathic scoliosis; however, it requires further research in a larger group of patients; 2. both methods significantly improved trunk rotation in primary and secondary scoliosis, but after using summing parameters (SDR parameter), the FED method appeared to be statistically more effective.

The effect of Saunders traction and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the cervical spine range of motion in patients reporting neck pain - pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that about 80% of the general population occasionally experience spinal pain, with as many as 50% reporting pain in the cervical spine. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of treatment of cervical spine pain with the Saunders traction device and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) by assessing their impact on the cervical spine range of motion in the sagittal, coronal and horizontal planes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 39 patients aged 26 to 62 years took part in the study. All patients reported chronic cervical spine pain caused by overload and postural insufficiency. The participants were randomly divided into three experimental groups. The first group was treated with Saunders traction where the traction force was administered so that the patient would experience noticeable but painless traction. The second group received traction as well as classic transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, whereas the third group received only TENS. Each patient attended 10 treatment sessions not more than three days apart. Measurements of the range of motion were performed with the CROM instrument before and after the first session, after the fifth and tenth session and about three weeks after completion of rehabilitation. RESULTS: The study revealed the greatest ROM improvement in the coronal and horizontal planes and for the extension motion. CONCLUSIONS: The best therapeutic effect was obtained by combining traction with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Assessment of the influence of Saunders traction and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on hand grip force in patients with neck pain.

BACKGROUND: Spinal pain syndromes are among the most frequent causes of ill health. Long-lasting sustained overload results in a critical decrease in the distance between neighbouring vertebrae and radiation of pain. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cervical traction and the TENS method on the strength of painless grip and maximum strength of the arm flexors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 45 patients with overload-induced cervical pain, ranging in age from 21 to 66 years. The patients underwent a therapy based on the Saunders traction device and the TENS method. The traction force was regulated so that the patient would feel noticeable but painless traction. The TENS procedure was performed using the conventional method. The patients were divided into three groups. The Saunders traction device was used in the first group, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and traction were applied in the second group, while the patients in the third group were received TENS only. Each patient underwent 10 treatment sessions with intervals between sessions not exceeding three days. RESULTS: The results showed the greatest improvement in the strength of painless hand grip. Maximum strength increased only on the left side in the group which received only the traction treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Saunders cervical traction device produced an increase in painless hand grip strength in patients with cervical spine pain. Both treatments had a limited effect on maximum hand grip strength.

Reliability of the passive knee flexion and extension tests in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Information on the reliability of the passive knee extension (PKE) and passive knee flexion (PKF) tests is still incomplete. Moreover, standardization of the 2 test procedures could be enhanced. The present study investigates interrater and test-retest reliability of the modified versions of the PKE and PKF tests to establish whether the level of reliability is sufficiently high to justify their use in scientific studies and clinical practice. METHODS: A total of 14 healthy subjects met the selection criteria. The 2 tests were carried out successively by each of the 3 clinicians/raters involved in the study, and each test was repeated 3 times. Two series of such measurements were performed. To evaluate interrater and test-retest reliability of the 2 tests, we calculated the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), the standard errors of measurement, and the smallest detectable differences. RESULTS: The PKE and PKF tests showed excellent and good reliability, respectively. Mean ICCs for the PKE were greater than those for the PKF. Mean ICCs for the interrater reliability (0.88-0.93) were higher than those for test-retest reliability (0.84-0.93). No mean ICCs lower than 0.84 were found (test-retest for PKF). The lowest ICCs of 0.73 and 0.75 were registered for the test-retest reliability of PKF in the case of rater 1. CONCLUSION: These results show excellent and good interrater and test-retest reliability of the PKE and PKF, respectively. The PKE test seems to be slightly more reliable. These findings may help clinicians when using these tests. For research purposes, investigators must critically evaluate whether the presented amount of error is acceptable for a specific setting.