The effect of lower back and lower-extremity kinesiology taping on static balance and physical function performance in people with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) can lead to numerous deficits in body functions, including balance and mobility impairment. This study examined the effect of lower back and lower extremity kinesiology tape (KT) application on static balance and physical functioning performance in people with MS (pwMS) and compared that to a non-elastic tape. METHODS: This pilot randomized study recruited and enrolled 10 participants with MS that were allocated into two groups: kinesio (n = 6) and non-elastic (n = 4) tape. Participants were assessed with and without the respective tape on static balance with eyes open and closed and various physical function tests. RESULTS: Effect sizes for the Kinesio tape intervention were found to be small, while effect sizes for the sham tape/place condition varied from small to high. For both groups, the tendency was to reduce or maintain performance on the tests comparing tape and no tape. A subsequent, mixed-factor ANOVA revealed no significant difference between KT or sham tape/placebo. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that KT applied on lower back and lower extremity muscles does not seem to improve static balance and physical function performance in pwMS.

Effects of Postural Shifting Frequency on Perceived Musculoskeletal Discomfort During 1-Hour Sitting in Office Workers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of postural shifting frequency on perceived musculoskeletal discomfort during 1 hour of sitting in healthy office workers. METHODS: An experimental study comparing 3 different postural shifting frequencies was conducted on 60 healthy office workers who were asked to sit for an hour. The effects of 3 postural shifts (ie, 10, 20, and 30 times/h) on discomfort, measured by Borg's CR-10 scale, were compared. A seat pressure mat was used to confirm an individual's postural shift. RESULTS: Postural shifting frequency of 10 to 30 times/h had significant effects on perceived discomfort in the neck, shoulder, and upper and lower back during 1-hour sitting. At the neck and shoulder, a postural shifting frequency of 30 times/h significantly reduced perceived discomfort compared to a postural shifting frequency of 10 times/h during 1-hour sitting. At the upper and lower back, a postural shifting frequency of 20 to 30 times/h significantly reduced perceived discomfort compared to a postural shifting frequency of 10 times/h. CONCLUSION: Postural shifts of 30 times/h provided buffering effects on perceived musculoskeletal discomfort at the neck, shoulder, and upper and lower back.

Comparison of linea alba length and core-muscles engagement during core and lower back orientated exercises.

BACKGROUND: A comparison of Linea Alba (LA) length and engagement of the Transverse Abdominis (TrA), External Oblique (EO) and Internal Oblique (IO) between core-orientated and lower back orientated exercises (e.g. glute bridge and hip extension) is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the length of the LA and the engagement of TrA, EO and IO when performing the prone plank, bird dog, dead bug, lateral plank, glute bridge and hip extension. METHODS: Thirteen apparently healthy participants volunteered to this study. Ultrasound scanning of the anterior and antero-lateral abdominal walls at baseline and whilst performing prone plank, bird dog, dead bug, lateral plank, glute bridge and hip extension exercises was performed. LA length and thickness of the TrA, EO and IO were measured from ultrasound images. RESULTS: LA length (p = 0.77) and TrA thickness (p = 0.23) were not different between exercises. EO thickness was larger for the lateral plank compared to the bird dog (p = 0.01, d = 1.73), glute bridge (p < 0.01, d = 2.64), and hip extension (p < 0.01, d = 1.89). The dead bug was also larger in comparison to the glute bridge (p < 0.01, d = 2.05) and to the hip extension (p = 0.01, d = 1.45). For the IO thickness, the lateral plank was larger than the bird dog (p = 0.03, d = 1.21) and the dead bug (p = 0.04, d = 1.12). CONCLUSION: No difference was observed between exercises for the length of the LA or for the thickness of the TrA, which suggests that this muscle is similarly engaged in the assessed exercises, leading to a consistent stretch for the LA.

Intense Pulsed Light: A Methodical Approach to Understanding Clinical Endpoints.

BACKGROUND: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a non-coherent polychromatic broadband filtered flashlamp that emits light in the spectrum of approximately 400–1200 nm. Its effects on photorejuvenation are well documented. The goal of this study is to help practitioners better conceptualize and fine tune IPL device settings in order to produce the most effective and safest clinical outcome. MATERIALS/METHODS: This was a prospective study testing several filters (515 nm; 560 nm; 590 nm and 530–650; 900–1200 nm vascular filter), fluences, pulse durations, and pulse numbers (ie, multiple sequence pulsing or MSP) with a new IPL system. RESULTS: Post-procedure erythema response was more pronounced with increasing fluence, decreasing wavelength, fewer pulses and shorter pulse duration. The exception was the 515 nm filter with regard to pulse duration, which was observed to have a more pronounced response with longer pulse durations. The overall clinical outcome at the 4-week follow-up visit demonstrated greatest improvement in erythema and pigmentation using the 515 nm filter on a Fitzpatrick Skin Type III individual. CONCLUSION: Greatest clinical endpoint response at 4-week follow-up was observed with more robust initial responses. This was most apparent at higher fluence levels and fewer pulse counts. However, when the IPL is pushed to aggressive parameters, there is risk of hypopigmentation and hair loss as seen in this case study. Skin type is an important consideration when using IPL and MSP adds to its safety profile. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(2):203-207. doi:10.36849/JDD.5638.

Effect on autonomic nervous activity of applying hot towels for 10 s to the back during bed baths.

BACKGROUND: Bed baths are a daily nursing activity to maintain patients' hygiene. Those may provide not only comfort but also relaxation. Notably, applying a hot towel to the skin for 10 s (AHT10s) during bed baths helped to reduce the risk of skin tears and provided comfort and warmth in previous studies. However, it is still unclear whether autonomic nervous system is affected by bed baths. Thus, this study investigated the effect on the autonomic nervous activity of applying hot towels for 10 s to the back during bed baths. METHODS: This crossover study had 50 participants (25 men and women each; average age 22.2 ± 1.6 years; average body mass index 21.4 ± 2.2 kg/m2) who took bed baths with and without (control condition: CON) AHT10s on their back. Skin temperature, heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Subjective evaluations and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in Japanese were also performed. RESULTS: A significant interaction of time and bed bath type on skin surface temperature was observed (p < .001). Regarding the means of skin surface temperature at each measurement time point, those for AHT10s were significantly higher than those for CON. Although the total state-anxiety score significantly decreased in both the bed bath types after intervention, the mean values of comfort and warmth were higher for bed baths with AHT10s than for CON (p < .05) during bed baths; AHT10s was significantly higher in warmth than CON after 15 min (p = .032). The interaction and main effects of time on HRV and BP and that of bed bath type were not significant. CONCLUSION: Bed baths that involved AHT10s caused participants to maintain a higher skin temperature and warmer feeling than under the wiping-only condition; they also provided comfort during the interventions. However, the bed baths with AHT10s did not allow participants to reach a relaxed state; moreover, there was no change in autonomic nerve activity. This may be due to participants' increased anxiety from skin exposure and the intervention being limited to one part of the body.

Effects of massage on vital signs, pain and comfort levels in liver transplant patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effects of back massage on postoperative vital signs, pain, and comfort levels in liver transplant patients. METHODS: A quasi-experimental model with a pretest, a posttest, and a control group was used. The population of the study comprised adult patients who had liver transplantation for the first time. The study sample comprised 84 adult patients who had liver transplantation: 42 experimental (study group) and 42 control group, selected by power analysis and the random sampling method from the population. The data were collected between May and September 2016 using the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and the General Comfort Scale. In the study group, the researcher performed back massage twice per day in the morning and evening in the organ transplant service. No treatment was performed in the control group. To analyse the data, descriptive statistics, a chi-squared test, a t-test for dependant groups, and a t-test for independent groups were used. RESULTS: According to morning and evening follow-ups after liver transplantation, the mean scores of pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure values, and pain intensity was lower, and the mean score of sPO2 (oxygen saturation) levels and comfort levels was higher, with a statistical significance in the experimental group compared with the control group in all measurements before and after back massage (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The back massage applied to liver transplant patients positively affected vital signs, decreased the severity of pain, and increased the comfort levels of the patients.

Evaluating the effect of massage based on slow stroke back massage on the anxiety of candidates for cataract surgery.

Purpose: Preoperative anxiety over cataract surgery affects a large number of patients. This study aims to evaluate the effect of slow-stroke back massage on the anxiety of candidates for cataract surgery. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study, which involved 60 candidates for cataract surgery referred to Amiralmomenin Hospital, Zabol in Iran between August 1, 2015, and March 30, 2016. These patients were randomly divided into two groups of slow-stroke back massage group (n=30) and control group (n=30). After obtaining an informed consent, the anxiety levels were measured by the Spielberger state trait anxiety questionnaire in the slow-stroke back massage group and the control group on the morning of the surgery before and immediately after the massage. SPSS software version 22 was used for data analysis. Independent t-test and chi-square test were used to compare the data. Findings: According to the results, there was a significant difference between the anxiety levels of the patients in the intervention group before and after the massage (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, Slow-stroke-back massage, which is a low-cost and safe method, significantly reduces anxiety in patients who are candidates for cataract surgery.

Transspinal delivery of drugs by transdermal patch back-of-neck for Alzheimer's disease: a new route of administration.

NSAIDs may prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD) but have failed as a treatment, possibly because only 1-2% of an oral NSAID dose reaches the brain. This minuscule dose is enough to have a preventative effect on Alzheimer's disease but not to treat it. We propose a new route of administration for drugs to treat AD: transspinal delivery by transdermal patch over the back-of-neck/cervical spine. The drug would diffuse from the patch through the intervertebral spaces, penetrate the dura, enter the CSF, and reach the brain. For example, diclofenac from a transdermal patch over the back of neck should readily penetrate the dura mater to reach the CSF and brain; since the analgesic ziconotide, and antisense molecules for treating spinal muscular atrophy in children and Huntington's disease, are delivered intrathecally and readily enter the brain. In addition to NSAIDs, an anticancer drug, paclitaxel, has considerable potential as an AD treatment. Paclitaxel is administered IV. But the blood-brain penetration of paclitaxel is poor and paclitaxel has systemic side effects such as anemia, leukopenia, peripheral neuropathy, etc. A high dose of paclitaxel might be administered to the brain by transdermal patch over the back of the neck/cervical spine while avoiding the systemic side effects. A transdermal patch over the cervical spine could revolutionize the drug therapy of AD, and probably other neurodegenerative/neuropsychiatric diseases as well.

[Acrally emphasized papules-a case report]. / Akral betonte Papeln ­ ein Fallbericht.

Syringotropic mycosis fungoides (STMF) is an extremely rare form of cutaneous T­cell lymphoma with 51 published cases so far. Clinically STMF is manifested similarly to folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (MF), whereby the course of STMF is much milder. Histopathologically, it shows a prominent tropism of the T­cell lymphocytic infiltrate for the eccrine epithelium. We report the case of a 65-year-old woman with multiple small papules on the feet, shinbones and back.

Effect of foot reflexology and slow stroke back massage on the severity of fatigue in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A semi-experimental study.

Background Fatigue is one of the most disturbing and the most common symptoms reported by patients dialyzed. There are methods available on complementary and alternative medicine, through which nurses can help patients to promote their health. Reflexology is a treatment which has a long history and is considered as one of the most popular and the most widespread methods of alternative medicine. In this study, the effects of foot reflexology and slow stroke back massage on the severity of fatigue in patients treated with hemodialysis were measured. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study that performed on 52 patients chosen from Imam Khomeini dialysis center in Zabol and divided into control and intervention groups by randomize allocation method. Required information collected from a demographic and fatigue severity questionnaire. After completing questionnaires by the study subjects, foot massage and slow stroke back massage was performed during three weeks, two sessions each week (5 sessions in total). At the end of intervention data of two groups was collected. Data was analyzed using independent sample t-Test, Chi-squared test, Fisher exact test, oneway ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni test by SPSS software version 21. Results The mean [±SD] fatigue in patients with foot reflexology massage and slow stroke back massage reflect on the 53.61[±10.12] and 52.20 [±10.37], and the differences were not significant, but after the intervention, fatigue in the group receiving foot reflexology massage was reduced significantly compared to slow stroke back massage group (p<0.0001). Conclusions The result of this study showed that reflexology massage is a safe and economical nursing intervention for decreasing fatigue in hemodialysis patients.

Standard reference values of the upper body posture in healthy young female adults in Germany: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Classifications of posture deviations are only possible compared with standard values. However, standard values have been published for healthy male adults but not for female adults. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main. PARTICIPANTS: 106healthy female volunteers (21-30 years old; 25.1±2.7 years) were included. Their body weight ranged from 46 to 106 kg (60.3±7.9 kg), the heights from 1.53 to 1.82 m (1.69±0.06 m) and the body mass index from 16.9 kg/m² to 37.6 kg/m² (21.1±2.6 kg/m²). OUTCOME MEASURES: A three-dimensional back scan was performed to measure the upper back posture in habitual standing. The tolerance ranges and CI were calculated. Group differences were tested by the Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: In normal posture, the spinal column was marginally twisted to the left, and the vertebrae were marginally rotated to the right. The kyphosis angle is larger than the lumbar angle. Consequently, a more kyphotic posture is observed in the sagittal plane. The habitual posture is slightly scoliotic with a rotational component (scapular depression right, right scapula marginally more dorsally, high state of pelvic right, iliac right further rotated anteriorly). CONCLUSIONS: Healthy young women have an almost ideally balanced posture with minimal ventral body inclination and a marginal scoliotic deviation. Compared with young males, women show only marginal differences in the upper body posture. These values allow a comparison to other studies, both for control and patient data, and may serve as guideline in both clinical practice and scientific studies.

No immediate analgesic effect of diadynamic current in patients with nonspecific low back pain in comparison to TENS.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP) has major socioeconomic as well as personal impact in many industrialized and developing countries. Physiotherapy is a common intervention for this group of patients and using anti-pain physical modalities is a common part of the physical therapy. In a randomized controlled trial we investigated the immediate effect of the Diadynamic current in comparison to TENS on reducing the pain in patients suffering from non specific chronic low back pain. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomized into the Diadynamic current and TENS groups. Electrical stimulation was applied for 10 min in the Diadynamic group and for 15 min in the TENS group for one session. Pain, on a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale, and Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), using an Algometer, was measured before the treatment, after the current application, 20 min later and after 48 h. RESULTS: Pain was decreased significantly after 20 min following the current application only in the TENS group, with no improvement at all measurement points in the group receiving Diadynamic current. PPT was increased immediately after current application in both groups but did not last until later measurements. CONCLUSION: Diadynamic current had no positive effect on prompt relief of pain in patients suffering from recurrent CNSLBP.

Prevalence of Playing-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in String Players: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to assess the methodological quality of articles about the prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) in string players and to identify the rate of prevalence and associated factors of PRMD. METHODS: Cross-sectional studies describing data on separate string players published in 5 different languages between January 1, 1980, and January 31, 2014, were included. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, sciELO, and LILACS. Other sources and reference lists of published papers also were searched. The Loney Scale was used by 2 independent reviewers to evaluate the methodological quality, and only studies that achieved high scores were included. RESULTS: Of 1910 retrieved articles, 34 cross-sectional studies were selected for methodological assessment. However, only 8 studies reached satisfactory methodological quality scores. The prevalence rate of PRMD was alarmingly high, ranging from 64.1% to 90%. Women and older musicians were more affected in comparison to other instrumentalists. There seems to be a predominance of symptoms in the left upper limb in violinists and violists, whereas cellists and bassists report injuries in the right upper limb. CONCLUSIONS: Professional and amateur string players are subject to development of PRMD. Low response rates were the most observed source of bias, and there is still a lack of publications with high methodological quality in the literature.

Medical Infrared Thermography in back pain osteopathic management.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to provide proof-of-concept for the use of Medical Infrared Thermography to verify both diagnosis and osteopathic management accuracy in back pain. METHODS: A 50-year-old woman with acute back pain syndrome volunteered to participate in this study. RESULTS: Prior the treatment, thermal image reveals that in a sagittal plane, the inflammation extends from vertebra D8 to L3 with a maximum inflammation between vertebrae D10 to L1. Post-treatment, Medical Infrared Thermography only shows a slight inflammation along the lumbar furrow that does not induce pain in the patient. CONCLUSION: Medical Infrared Thermography has made it possible to scientifically support the osteopathic approach to back pain, both in the initial diagnostic phase and in the validation phase of treatment effectivess.

Electroacupuncture as a complement to usual care for patients with non-acute low back pain after back surgery: a pilot randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this pilot study was to estimate the sample size for a large pragmatic study of the comparative effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) for low back pain (LBP) after back surgery. DESIGN: A randomised, active-controlled, assessor-blinded trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with recurrent or persistent LBP, defined as a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of ≥50 mm, with or without leg pain after back surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomised to an EA plus usual care (UC) group or to a UC alone group at a 1:1 ratio. Patients assigned to each group received UC, including drug therapy, physical therapy and back pain education, twice a week for 4 weeks; those assigned to the EA plus UC group additionally received EA. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was severity of LBP as measured by VAS. Secondary outcomes included back pain-related disability, assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and quality of life, assessed using the EuroQol Five Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using paired and independent t-tests. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were allocated to receive EA plus UC (n=18) or UC alone (n=21). There was no statistically significant difference in VAS or EQ-5D scores between the two groups, but there was a significant decrease in ODI scores (p=0.0081). Using G*Power, it was calculated that 40 participants per group would be needed for a future trial according to VAS scores. Considering for a 25% dropout rate, 108 participants (54 per group) would be needed. CONCLUSIONS: A future trial addressing the risk of bias and including the estimated sample size would allow for better clinical assessment of the benefits of EA plus UC in treatment of patients with non-acute pain after back surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01966250; Results.

Short-term effect of kinesiology taping on temperature distribution at the site of application.

The aim of the study was to assess skin temperature after short-term kinesiology tape application. Seventy-four healthy volunteers with no history of lower back pain participated in the study. Kinesiology tape was applied in the experimental group, and Matopat Classic adhesive tape was applied in the placebo group. Study participants wore the tape for four consecutive days and were then thermographically analyzed for changes in skin temperature. Examination of skin surface temperature distribution revealed a significantly lower temperature (mean decrease, 1.3°C P = .001 area1, 1.5°C P = .001 area2, 1.6 P = .008 area3) immediately after kinesiology tape the removal. One hour after removal of the tape, a statistically significant increase in temperature was observed over all three areas (mean increase, 0.9°C P = .025 area1, 1.0°C P = .0008 area2, 1.0 P = .011 area3). In group 2, there were no statistically significant temperature changes. Based on the findings, we determined that kinesiology taping may affect skin temperature at the site of application.

Effects of backpack load and positioning on nonlinear gait features in young adults.

Overloaded backpacks can cause changes in posture and gait dynamic balance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess gait regularity and local dynamic stability in young adults as they carried a backpack in different positions, and with different loads. Twenty-one healthy young adults participated in the study, carrying a backpack that was loaded with 10 and 20% of their body weight (BW). The participants walked on a level treadmill at their preferred walking speeds for 4 min under different conditions of backpack load and position (i.e. with backpack positioned back bilaterally, back unilaterally, frontally or without a backpack). Results indicate that backpack load and positioning significantly influence gait stability and regularity, with the exception of the 10% BW bilateral back position. Therefore, the recommended safe load for school-age children and adolescents (10% of BW) should also be considered for young adults. Practitioner summary: Increase in load results in changes in posture, muscle activity and gait parameters, so we investigated the gait adaptations related to regularity and stability. Conditions with high backpack loads significantly influenced gait stability and regularity in a position-dependent manner, except for 10% body weight bilateral back position.

Cauda Equina Syndrome Due to Vigorous Back Massage With Spinal Manipulation in a Patient With Pre-Existing Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) resulting from acute lumbar disc herniation due to spinal massage is extremely rare. We present a case of CES caused by the acute worsening of a lumbar disc herniation after a vigorous back massage that included spinal manipulation. After vigorous back massage with spinal manipulation performed by a massage therapist, a 38-yr-old male patient experienced CES with severe numbness in both lower limbs, inability to walk due to weakness of bilateral lower limbs, and incontinence of urine and feces. The magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography scan results showed that the L4-5 disc herniated down into the spinal canal, extensively compressing the ventral dural sac. The patient was successfully treated with an emergency operation including laminectomy, spinal canal decompression, discectomy, interbody fusion, and pedicle screw fixation. The muscle power in both lower limbs of the patient recovered rapidly to support standing only 1 wk later. Moreover, he regained continence of urine and feces. In conclusion, this case brings us novel knowledge that spinal massage or manipulation may worsen pre-existing disc herniation causing CES, and a timely emergency surgery is necessary and effective for treatment of CES-related symptoms.