Effects of muscle specific as compared to movement specific muscle energy technique in mechanical neck pain: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Muscle energy technique (MET) is found to be effective for the management of neck pain and in addition to the muscle specific approach, clinicians may also adopt movement specific approach for METs. However, the literature is deficient in terms of comparison of muscle specific and movement specific METs in the management of mechanical neck pain. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of muscle specific and movement specific METs in the management of mechanical neck pain. METHODS: A single blind parallel design randomized controlled trial was conducted on 66 participants with mechanical neck pain ranging from 40-80 mm on visual analogue scale (VAS), aged between 19-44 years with pain and limitation on cervical motion. Once included, the participants were randomly allocated to two groups, namely the muscle specific MET group and the movement specific MET group. Outcome measures included VAS, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and cervical range of motion (ROM). RESULTS: No significant differences (p> 0.05) were observed, neither immediately nor after 5 days, between muscle specific and movement specific MET in terms of VAS, NDI and ROM. However, a significant difference (p< 0.05) was observed in both groups in terms of pre- and post-analysis for all outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS: Both muscle specific and movement specific METs are effective in the management of mechanical neck pain, with no significant differences between the two treatment techniques.

Effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplementation in addition to resistance exercise training and manual therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the added benefits of short-term glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplementation in combination with manual therapy and resistance exercise training in the management of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: A parallel-design, double-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted from January to September 2020 at the Foundation University Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences and Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised of knee osteoarthritis patients of either gender having radiological evidence of grade III or less on Kellgren classification. The subjects were randomly allocated to active comparator group A and experimental group B. Both the groups received manual therapy and resistance exercise training, while group B additionally received glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplementation for 4 weeks. Study outcomes included pain, function, quality of life, range of motion, strength, fall risk, skeletal muscle mass, visceral fat area, body fat, intracellular water ratio, and segmental lean and fat mass. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 24 subjects, there were 12(50%) in each of the two groups. Each groups had 9(75%) males and 3(25%) females. In terms knee osteoarthritis grade, there was no significant difference between the groups (p=1.00). No significant differences were observed in any of the outcome measures neither at 2 weeks, nor at 4 weeks post-intervention between the groups (p>0.05) except for percentage change in segmental lean mass of the right leg at 2nd week and of the left leg at 4th week (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Manual therapy and resistance exercise training are effective in the management of knee osteoarthritis, however, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplementation for 4 weeks showed no additional benefits. Clinical Trial Number: NCT04654871. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04654871.

Rising trend of Nutraceuticals: Evaluation of lyophilized beetroot powder at different doses for its hypolipidemic effects.

A diet comprising of nutrients that would control hypertension as well as hyperlipidemia would be very beneficial over all. This study aimed to assess the effect of lyophilized beet root powder at different doses on lipid profile and hyperlipidemia model. Albino rabbits weighing 1500-2000gms were taken for both studies. Beetroot powder was administered to animals at 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg doses and after two month dosing the blood samples were withdrawn and lipid profile was assessed. Next a model of hyperlipidemia was created comprising of albino rabbits that were divided into five groups each containing n=6. Group I was considered as control, Group II was marked as Negative control, Group III was taken as standard, whereas Group IV and V were considered as treated and given different doses of beetroot. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, 45th day and at day 60th of study. Highly significant decrease in lipid profile (Cholesterol, LDL and TGS) and significant increase in HDL was observed by both doses after one month. HDL was increased more at 1000mg/kg dose. The presence of flavonoids and saponins in beetroot is responsible for hypolipidemic effect. From our research we came to the conclusion that beetroot powder reduced the lipid profile and could be beneficial in treatment of cardiovascular disease due to atherosclerosis and obesity.

Effects of autogenic and reciprocal inhibition muscle energy techniques on isometric muscle strength in neck pain: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Neck is one of the most common sites of musculoskeletal symptoms, and muscle shortening and weakness is observed to be a common cause of neck pain and disability. OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate and short term effects of static stretching (SS), autogenic inhibition (AI) and reciprocal inhibition (RI) muscle energy techniques (MET) on isometric muscle strength in the management of mechanical neck pain. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 78 participants with neck pain randomly allocated to SS, AI-MET and RI-MET groups. All the participants received Trans Cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), hot pack and unilateral postero-anterior glide, followed by 3-5 repetitions of either SS, AI-MET or RI-MET for five consecutive sessions. Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and Modified Sphygmomanometer Dynamometry (MSD) were used as outcome measurement tools. One way ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA were used for inter-group and intra-group comparison. RESULT: In terms of MSD scores, a significant difference (p< 0.05) was observed between the groups. Both AI-MET and RI-MET were found to be comparatively more effective than SS, however AI-MET was found to be the most effective. CONCLUSION: AI-MET is more effective than SS and RI-MET in terms of improving isometric muscle strength in patients with mechanical neck pain.

Effects of static stretching as compared to autogenic inhibition and reciprocal inhibition muscle energy techniques in the management of mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of static stretching with autogenic inhibition and reciprocal inhibition muscle energy techniques on pain, disability and range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain. METHODS: A parallel design randomised controlled trial was conducted at Fauji Foundation Hospital and Railway-General Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from April to November, 2017, and comprised of patients aged 18-70 years with neck pain of moderate intensity scoring 4-8 on numeric pain rating scale with limited or painful range of motion. The patients were randomly allocated via lottery method into static stretching group, autogenic inhibition muscle energy technique group and reciprocal inhibition muscle energy technique group. All the subjects received five consecutive treatments sessions. Outcome measurements included numeric pain rating scale score, neck disability index score and goniometry for cervical range of motion. Data was collected at baseline and after first and fifth sessions, and was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 78 subjects, there were 26(33.3%) in each of the three groups. Of them 7 were lost to follow-up and the study was completed by 71(91%) subjects. The overall mean age was 41.55±11.89 years (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups at baseline (p>0.05). However, at first and second follow-up, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the groups in terms of immediate and short-term relief, except for immediate effects related to range of motion (p=0.056). CONCLUSIONS: Significant difference existed among static stretching, autogenic inhibition and reciprocal inhibition groups in terms of pain, disability and range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain.

Screening of water distilled Rosa damascena Mill. flowers as hematopoietic agent in an animal model.

Pancytopenia is classified as low blood cell count. Low levels of hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are indicative of pancytopenic state. This pancytopenic state can be treatment (drug) or disease induced. Conventional approaches available to treat pancytopenia are usually associated with many undesirable adverse effects, are costly and parenterally administered. Interest in natural products has significantly increased due to their ability to stimulate cellular components of immune system. This study is designed to investigate the hematopoietic i.e. erythropoeitic, leucopoietic and thrombopoeitic potential of water distilled flowers of Rosa damascena Mill.

Effect of muscle energy techniques and facet joint mobilization on spinal curvature in patients with mechanical neck pain: A pilot study.

Neck is one of the most common site of musculoskeletal symptom manifestations. An impaired spinal curvature is a common finding in patients with mechanical neck pain. A pre-post quasi experimental pilot study was conducted at Fauji Foundation Hospital from January- March 2017,in which 12 patients with mechanical neck pain and straightening of the cervical spine were included and treated for 7 consecutive sessions consisting of muscle energy techniques (MET) in combination with facet joint mobilization. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of MET and facet joint mobilization on spinal curvature and functional outcomes in patients with neck pain. Outcome measurement tools that were included comprised of pain severity, neck disability index (NDI), cervical lordosis which was measured via x-ray based posterior tangential method, goniometry for cervical range of motion (ROM) and modified sphygmomanometer dynamometry (MSD) for isometric muscle strength. A significant difference was observed in pre and post treatment scores for all outcomes (p<0.05); demonstrating an effective combination therapy in terms of improved spinal curvature, pain, disability, ROM and isometric muscle strength.

Effect of different doses of lyophilized beetroot on fertility and reproductive hormones.

Infertility has recently been a common issue for which multiple medicinal as well as surgical treatments are available. Beta vulgaris commonly referred to as garden beet is one of the most utilized vegetable especially in salad dressings. The Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lyophilized beet root on fertility and reproductive hormones. The study was carried out in January 2017 on two different animal models. For fertility purpose albino mice of both genders weighing 20-25gm were divided into 5 pairs for each group, First group was control given distilled water, next was treated I being given beetroot 500mg/kg and last one was given 1000mg/kg beetroot. Similarly 5 pairs were made of buck and doe's weighing 1.75gm-2.5gm and labelled as Control, Treated I and Treated II and were administered distilled water, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg beetroot respectively. The pups were again mated after they grew up and in this way F1 generation was also observed. The kits were observed for presence of anomaly. The estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels were evaluated at baseline, during pregnancy and post pregnancy in rabbit model. Improved fertility with no anomalies in the pups and kits were observed. The reproductive hormones were also highly significantly increased (p<0.001) as compared to baseline values. The study suggests that beetroot would be very beneficial in improving fertility and maintaining hormonal level during fertility hence it would prove to be very beneficial in maintaining pregnancy as well as treating infertility.

Effects of oscillatory mobilization as compared to sustained stretch mobilization in the management of cervical radiculopathy: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cervical radiculopathy is a relatively common musculoskeletal disorder resulting in a significant social and occupational impact. Manual therapy is thought to provide relief in cervical radiculopathy; however, evidence is lacking regarding the comparison of different manual therapy concepts. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Maitland's oscillatory mobilization as compared to Kaltenborn's sustained stretch mobilization in the management of cervical radiculopathy. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Fauji Foundation Hospital comprising of 46 patients randomized into oscillatory and sustained stretch mobilization groups. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and cervical range of motion (ROM) were used as outcome variables. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed at base line between the two groups (P> 0.05) except for ROM in extension and left side bending (P< 0.05). In terms of pre and post treatment comparison, P value of less than 0.05 was observed for both groups, indicating both treatments to be effective in isolation. However, post treatment comparison between both groups showed oscillatory mobilization to be superior to sustained stretch mobilization (P< 0.05) in the management of cervical radiculopathy except for the outcomes of pain and side bending. CONCLUSION: Both oscillatory and sustained stretch mobilization techniques are found to be effective in the management of cervical radiculopathy in terms of pain, range and disability. However, oscillatory mobilization is found to be superior in terms of functional ability and range of motion.

The Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare incorporated diet shows anxiolytic potential: A pre-clinical study.

This novel study was conducted with objective to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of whole-crushed seeds of Foeniculum vulgare (FV) which were incorporated in diet. Albino mice were divided in three groups: Control-group, Study-group 2% FV and Study-group 4% FV, each having 10 mice. Special dietary pellets containing whole-crushed Foeniculum vulgare seeds were prepared in 2% and 4% ratio, respectively and were fed to respective Study groups whereas Control-group was given regular rodent diet for 2 months. Animal behaviour was assessed using Home Cage Activity test, Head Dip test, Light and Dark Box test and Open Field test at intervals of 15 days for a period of 2 months. The results of this study showed, decrease in Cage Crossing activity, more number of Head Dips, increased time spent in Light box and increase in number of transitions between Light and Dark Box, increased number of Central Squares Crossed and increased time spent in Central Squares of Open Field arena for both study groups in comparison with control group. Foeniculum vulgare whole-crushed seeds diet of 2% and 4% was found to have anxiolytic effect.

Evaluation of pharmacological and toxic effects of ethanolic extract of radish pods in albino rabbits: A biochemical and histopathological study.

Radish pods are known as vegetable eaten as a part of diet. Though the pharmacologic potential of radish has been well known but there are fewer reports regarding pharmacological and toxic effects of radish pods. On account of this reason, the current study was aimed to evaluate the pharmacological and toxic effects of ethanol extract of Raphanus caudatus (radish pods) in rabbits after 60 days of administration. The plant extract was administered in 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg doses and effect was observed on hepatic, renal, cardiac and lipid profile. The extract was found to be hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and cardioprotective. Also it showed hypocholestrolemic potential at 1000 mg/kg. However at higher doses the extract presented chronic gastritis. Conversely, no indication of histological alterations was seen in other vital organs such as liver, kidneys, heart. Thus there is critical requirement to identify toxic constituent/s inducing gastritis so that safety profile of the plant can be established for effective therapeutic use.