Effect of manual physical therapy on sleep quality and jaw mobility in patients with bruxism: A biopsychosocial randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of deep-stripping and trigger-point pressure release massage on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), jaw mobility, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of masticatory muscles in patients with sleep bruxism. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 45 patients diagnosed with sleep bruxism. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups. Group I was the control group and included five men and 10 women; Group II was the deep-stripping massage group, which included two men and 13 women; and Group III was the pressure release group, which involved four men and 11 women. Patients were tested two times, before and after 6 weeks. Group I received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and passive stretching; Group II received a deep-stripping massage; and Group III received a trigger-point pressure release massage. Findings revealed significant improvements in PSQI (p = 0.0001), jaw opening (p = 0.0001), jaw protrusion (p = 0.0001), jaw left lateral movement (p = 0.004), jaw retraction (p = 0.0001), right temporalis PPT (p = 0.0001), left temporalis PPT (p = 0.0001), right master PPT (p = 0.001), left master PPT (p = 0.001), right lateral pterygoid PPT (p = 0.001), left lateral pterygoid PPT (p = 0.001), right digastric muscle PPT (p = 0.001), and left digastric muscle PPT (p = 0.001) in the post-test condition in Group II compared with Group I and Group III. Deep-stripping massage improved PSQI, jaw mobility, or PPT of the masticatory muscles compared with trigger-point pressure release massage and traditional treatment techniques in patients with sleep bruxism.

Effect of visceral manipulation on menstrual complaints in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

CONTEXT: Research is lacking regarding osteopathic approaches in treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the prevailing endocrine abnormalities in reproductive-aged women. Limited movement of pelvic organs can result in functional and structural deficits, which can be resolved by applying visceral manipulation (VM). OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the effect of VM on dysmenorrhea, irregular, delayed, and/or absent menses, and premenstrual symptoms in PCOS patients. METHODS: Thirty Egyptian women with PCOS, with menstruation-related complaints and free from systematic diseases and/or adrenal gland abnormalities, prospectively participated in a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. They were recruited from the women's health outpatient clinic in the faculty of physical therapy at Cairo University, with an age of 20-34 years, and a body mass index (BMI) ≥25, <30 kg/m2. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups (15 patients); the control group received a low-calorie diet for 3 months, and the study group that received the same hypocaloric diet added to VM to the pelvic organs and their related structures, according to assessment findings, for eight sessions over 3 months. Evaluations for body weight, BMI, and menstrual problems were done by weight-height scale, and menstruation-domain of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (PCOSQ), respectively, at baseline and after 3 months from interventions. Data were described as mean, standard deviation, range, and percentage whenever applicable. RESULTS: Of 60 Egyptian women with PCOS, 30 patients were included, with baseline mean age, weight, BMI, and menstruation domain score of 27.5 ± 2.2 years, 77.7 ± 4.3 kg, 28.6 ± 0.7 kg/m2, and 3.4 ± 1.0, respectively, for the control group, and 26.2 ± 4.7 years, 74.6 ± 3.5 kg, 28.2 ± 1.1 kg/m2, and 2.9 ± 1.0, respectively, for the study group. Out of the 15 patients in the study group, uterine adhesions were found in 14 patients (93.3%), followed by restricted uterine mobility in 13 patients (86.7%), restricted ovarian/broad ligament mobility (9, 60%), and restricted motility (6, 40%). At baseline, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in any of demographics (age, height), or dependent variables (weight, BMI, menstruation domain score) among both groups. Poststudy, there was a statistically significant reduction (p=0.000) in weight, and BMI mean values for the diet group (71.2 ± 4.2 kg, and 26.4 ± 0.8 kg/m2, respectively) and the diet + VM group (69.2 ± 3.7 kg; 26.1 ± 0.9 kg/m2, respectively). For the improvement in the menstrual complaints, a significant increase (p<0.05) in the menstruation domain mean score was shown in diet group (3.9 ± 1.0), and the diet + VM group (4.6 ± 0.5). On comparing both groups poststudy, there was a statistically significant improvement (p=0.024) in the severity of menstruation-related problems in favor of the diet + VM group. CONCLUSIONS: VM yielded greater improvement in menstrual pain, irregularities, and premenstrual symptoms in PCOS patients when added to caloric restriction than utilizing the low-calorie diet alone in treating that condition.

Effect of Low Versus High-Heeled Footwear on Spinopelvic Alignment at Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle in Young Adult Women: A Biopsychosocial Perspective.

High-heeled shoes adversely affect spinal curvature, increase the risk of low back pain, and disturb the normal gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to examine, from a biopsychosocial point of view, the combined effect of wearing two different heel heights and of hormonal oscillation throughout different phases of the menstrual cycle on spinopelvic alignment. Notably, 70 females with an average age of 20.42 ± 1.51 years participated in this study, wearing each female two different heel heights as follows: low (2.5 cm) and high (7 cm). Spinopelvic alignment was evaluated by rasterstereography formetric 3D analysis during early follicular, ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) on spinopelvic alignment [kyphotic angle (KA), trunk inclination (TI), and pelvic inclination] between wearing low- or high-heeled shoes during early follicular, ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Considering that high-heeled shoes are traditionally associated with femininity, body image, beauty, and charm, this research has important biopsychosocial implications that should be explored in detail in future studies.

Does the Type of Toeing Affect Balance in Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy? An Observational Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to find out effect of toeing on balance in children with diplegic cerebral palsy. METHODS: An observational study was conducted. Thirty children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, aged 5 to 8 years, participated in this study. They were classified into 2 groups: group A was children with out-toeing, and group B was children with in-toeing. Foot progression angle was measured by using dynamic footprint, and balance was evaluated using Biodex Balance System equipment. The outcome of interest was postural control (overall stability, anteroposterior stability, and mediolateral stability). RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference for the tested variables of interest between the 2 tested groups. Multiple pairwise comparison tests revealed that there was significantly better overall stability, anteroposterior stability, and mediolateral stability (P < .05) in group A. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that children with out-toeing have higher balance and stability than children with in-toeing.

Effect of orange polarized light on post burn pediatric scar: a single blind randomized clinical trial.

[Purpose] This study was carried out to investigate the effect of orange filtered polarized polychromatic light on post burn pediatric scar. [Participants and Methods] Thirty children with post burn scar in wrist and hands participated in this study. They were between 3 to 7 years old, having hypertrophic burn scar ≥2 months post healing, free from concomitant skin disease and keloids. They were randomly assigned into two groups. The control group (A) (n=15) received Scar Standard Management (SSM) protocol and the study group (B) (n=15) received SSM protocol along with 15 min/area polarized light with medical range filter followed by 15 min/area orange filtered polarized light. All children received the study protocol once a day, 3 times/week for one month. Scar assessment was done before and after the study protocol by using Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). [Results] All participated children were analyzed. Comparison of post treatment results between groups revealed significant improvement of post burn scar for both groups with significant difference in favor to the study group. [Conclusion] Ultimately it was revealed that Orange filtered polarized light has a special and beneficial effect on decreasing post burn pediatric scar.

The relationship between trunk and pelvis kinematics during pregnancy trimesters.

PURPOSE: Pregnancy is characterized by many musculoskeletal changes that affect daily living activities and walking. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pregnancy on pelvic and trunk kinematics, and their relationship during the three pregnancy trimesters. METHODS: Three-dimensional pelvis and trunk motions were measured using Qualisys Gait Analysis System in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The maximum anterior pelvic tilt and maximum trunk flexion during stance phase, pelvic tilt, obliquity and rotation, as well as trunk flexion-extension, lateral bending and rotation were measured. RESULTS: Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a significant increase in the maximum anterior pelvic tilt during stance phase ( p = 0.005), and a significant decrease in the pelvic obliquity ( p = 0.011), maximum trunk flexion during stance phase ( p = 0.0006), trunk lateral bending ( p = 0.005) and trunk rotation ( p = 0.004). A significant negative correlation was found between maximum anterior pelvic tilt and maximum trunk flexion in the first (r = -0.72, p = 0.008), second (r = -0.61, p = 0.03), and third (r = -0.61, p = 0.03) trimesters of pregnancy. Also, there was a significant positive correlation found between pelvic obliquity and trunk lateral bending in the first (r = 0.76, p = 0.04), second (r = 0.59, p = 0.04), and third (r = 0.59, p = 0.04) trimesters of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The pregnant women walk with an increased maximum anterior pelvic tilt, a decreased maximum trunk flexion, a decreased pelvic obliquity, as well as a decreased trunk lateral bending and rotation. Pregnancy does not affect the relationship between pelvis and trunk motions.