Comparing The Effects of Compression Contrast Therapy and Dry Needling on Muscle Functionality, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Perfusion after Isometric Fatigue in Forearm Muscles of Combat Sports Athletes: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of compression contrast therapy (CT) and dry needling therapy (DN) on muscle tension (MT), muscle strength (Fmax), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and perfusion (PU) following fatigue of forearm muscles (e.g., flexor carpi radialis) in combat sports athletes. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was employed. Participants first underwent muscle fatigue induction, which involved sustaining an isometric handgrip at 60% of their maximum voluntary contraction in 5-second cycles. This was followed by exposure to one of the regenerative therapies. Forty-five participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: CT/DN (n = 15), CT/ShDN (n = 15), and ShCT/DN (n = 15). The sham condition (Sh) involved a simulated version of the technique. Measurements were taken at four time points: (i) at rest; (ii) immediately after exercise that led to a state of fatigue; (iii) 5 minutes after therapy (PostTh5min); and (iv) 24 hours after therapy (PostTh24h). Each participant was exposed to one experimental condition and one control condition, thereby undergoing evaluation in two sessions. Significant differences between groups were found in MT during the PostTh5min (p = 0.005), as well as in PU during the PostTh5min (p < 0.001) and PU during the PostTh24h (p < 0.001). All groups showed significant improvements at 5 minutes post-therapy compared to immediately post-muscle fatigue. As conclusions, CT/DN seems to be significantly better for enhancing MT and PU after 5 minutes of muscle fatigue induction. Using either CT, DN, or both combined is recommended to enhance the recovery of muscle functionality and properties, favoring recovery and potentially speeding up performance enhancement.

Reliability of MyotonPro in measuring the biomechanical properties of the quadriceps femoris muscle in people with different levels and types of motor preparation.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the reliability of the measurements of biomechanical parameters of the muscles of athletes representing different disciplines as well as untrained people. Ninety-four young, healthy male individuals participated in the study and were divided into five subgroups: footballers (n = 25), volleyballers (n = 14), handballers (n = 19), MMA fighters (n = 16), and undrained group (n = 20). All of the participants underwent measurements of stiffness (S), muscle tone (T) and elasticity (E) by two independent measurers using MyotonPro equipment. Analysis was conducted on two different parts of the quadriceps femoris: rectus femoris (RF) and vastus medialis (VM. Consequently, the comprehensive analysis comprised 564 measurements (94 participants * 3 parameters = 282 * 2 measurers = 564). The results proves high reliability of the myotonometry (Pearson's CC over 0.8208-0.8871 for different parameters, ICC from to 0.74 to 0.99 for different muscles and parameters) excluding only stiffness for the VM which was characterized withlow ICC of 0.08 and relatively highest between the examined parameters MAE% of 8.7% which still remains low value. The most significant differences between the parameters in examined groups were observed between MMA fighters and volleyballers in terms of muscle tone and elasticity of the VM (correlation of 0.14842 and 0.15083 respecitively). These results confirm the usability of myotonometry in measuring the biomechanical properties of the muscles in different sports groups and confirm the independence of the results obtained from the person performing the measurement.

Acute effects of cold, heat and contrast pressure therapy on forearm muscles regeneration in combat sports athletes: a randomized clinical trial.

Due to the specific loads that occur in combat sports athletes' forearm muscles, we decided to compare the immediate effect of monotherapy with the use of compressive heat (HT), cold (CT), and alternating therapy (HCT) in terms of eliminating muscle tension, improving muscle elasticity and tissue perfusion and forearm muscle strength. This is a single-blind, randomized, experimental clinical trial. Group allocation was performed using simple 1:1 sequence randomization using the website randomizer.org. The study involved 40 40 combat sports athletes divided into four groups and four therapeutic sessions lasting 20 min. (1) Heat compression therapy session (HT, n = 10) (2) (CT, n = 10), (3) alternating (HCT, n = 10), and sham, control (ShT, n = 10). All participants had measurements of tissue perfusion (PU, [non-reference units]), muscle tension (T-[Hz]), elasticity (E-[arb- relative arbitrary unit]), and maximum isometric force (Fmax [kgf]) of the dominant hand at rest (Rest) after the muscle fatigue protocol (PostFat.5 min), after therapy (PostTh.5 min) and 24 h after therapy (PostTh.24 h). A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures: Group (ColdT, HeatT, ContrstT, ControlT) × Time (Rest, PostFat.5 min, PostTh.5 min, Post.24 h) was used to examine the changes in examined variables. Post-hoc tests with Bonferroni correction and ± 95% confidence intervals (CI) for absolute differences (△) were used to analyze the pairwise comparisons when a significant main effect or interaction was found. The ANOVA for PU, T, E, and Fmax revealed statistically significant interactions of Group by Time factors (p < 0.0001), as well as main effects for the Group factors (p < 0.0001; except for Fmax). In the PostTh.5 min. Period, significantly (p < 0.001) higher PU values were recorded in the HT (19.45 ± 0.91) and HCT (18.71 ± 0.67) groups compared to the ShT (9.79 ± 0.35) group (△ = 9.66 [8.75; 10.57 CI] > MDC(0.73), and △ = 8.92 [8.01; 9.83 CI] > MDC(0.73), respectively). Also, significantly (p < 0.001) lower values were recorded in the CT (3.69 ± 0.93) compared to the ShT (9.79 ± 0.35) group △ = 6.1 [5.19; 7.01 CI] > MDC(0.73). For muscle tone in the PostTh.5 m period significantly (p < 0.001) higher values were observed in the CT (20.08 ± 0.19 Hz) group compared to the HT (18.61 ± 0.21 Hz), HCT (18.95 ± 0.41 Hz) and ShT (19.28 ± 0.33 Hz) groups (respectively: △ = 1.47 [1.11; 1.83 CI] > MDC(0.845); △ = 1.13 [0.77; 1.49 CI] > MDC(0.845), and △ = 0.8 [0.44; 1.16 CI], < MDC(0.845)). The highest elasticity value in the PostTh.5 m period were observed in the CT (1.14 ± 0.07) group, and it was significantly higher than the values observed in the HT (0.97 ± 0.03, △ = 0.18 [0.11; 0.24 CI] > MDC(0.094), p < 0.001), HCT (0.90 ± 0.04, △ = 0.24 [0.17; 0.31 CI] > MDC(0.094), p < 0.001) and ShT (1.05 ± 0.07, △ = 0.094 [0.03; 0.16 CI] = MDC(0.094), p = 0.003) groups. For Fmax, there were no statistically significant differences between groups at any level of measurement. The results of the influence of the forearm of all three therapy forms on the muscles' biomechanical parameters confirmed their effectiveness. However, the effect size of alternating contrast therapy cannot be confirmed, especially in the PostTh24h period. Statistically significant changes were observed in favor of this therapy in PU and E measurements immediately after therapy (PostTh.5 min). Further research on contrast therapy is necessary.

Effectiveness of Kinesiotherapy in the Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy-A Narrative Review.

This narrative review of kinesiotherapy methods in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy (AT) encompassed a diverse range of studies, including athletes and untrained people, healthy or injured, undergoing kinesiotherapy treatments. Most experimental studies (86%) reported results related to pain perception, 27% to the range of motion, and 27% to biomechanical assessment. However, the studies showed notable heterogeneity in the outcomes associated with the interventions, and, in this review of kinesiotherapy protocols for AT, a prominent observation emerged regarding their efficacy, suggesting a more favorable impact on pain and tendon stiffness management when comparing the measured parameters between the trained and untrained groups. The importance of tailoring the treatment approach based on the individual's athletic background and conditioning status is underscored. There is a need for personalized rehabilitation strategies in athletic populations. The average duration of kinesiotherapy in the treatment of tendinopathy was 15.3 weeks. This observation underscores the potential of kinesiotherapy interventions as a viable treatment option for individuals with Achilles tendon issues. These findings underscore the urgent need for further research to provide stakeholders with more comprehensive directions for future studies. The results may be helpful for doctors, physiotherapists, trainers, and researchers interested in this topic.

Dry Needling and Acupuncture for Scars-A Systematic Review.

Objectives: This research aims to synthesize existing data on the evidence gap in scar treatment and evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture and dry needling in treating scars and related symptoms. Methods: The article adhered to the PRISMA 2020 statement for recommended reporting elements in systematic reviews. The inclusion criteria followed the PICO methodology. The literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Semantic Scholar, Europe PubMed Central, and Google Scholar. Studies on acupuncture and dry needling for scar treatment were included. Because of the diversity of the studies' results and methodologies, a systematic review was conducted to organize and describe the findings without attempting a numerical synthesis. Results: Nineteen studies relevant to the article's theme were identified, with eleven selected for detailed review. The studies included two case reports on dry needling, one case series on dry needling, five case reports on acupuncture, two randomized controlled trials on acupuncture, and one case report on Fu's subcutaneous needling. A quality assessment was conducted using the JBI CAT and PEDro scales. Four case reports scored 7 points, one case scored 8 points, three cases were rated 6 points or lower, the case series was rated 6 points, and the randomized controlled trials scored 8 and 5 points. Most studies demonstrated a desired therapeutic effect in scar treatment with acupuncture and dry needling, but the level of evidence varied across studies. The analysis does not conclusively support the use of acupuncture and dry needling to improve scar conditions. Conclusions: Although dry-needling and acupuncture techniques are popular in physiotherapy, adequate scientific evidence is currently not available to support their effectiveness in scar treatment. There are gaps in the research methodology, a lack of randomized trials, and significant heterogeneity in the assessment of effects.

Biomechanical Profile after Dry Needling in Mixed Martial Arts.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of dry needling (DN) intervention on the responses of muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity, as well as power, pressure pain thresholds, and blood perfusion of the flexor carpi radialis muscle in mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes. Thirty-two trained/developmental men MMA fighters (25.5±4.5 years; 24.5±3 body mass index) participated in a randomized crossover study. Participants underwent a single intervention, receiving both DN and placebo. Laser Doppler flowmetry measured blood perfusion, while a myotonometer assessed the mechanical characteristics of muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the flexor carpi radialis muscle. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured using an algometer, and maximal forearm muscle force was measured using a hand dynamometer. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after, and 24 hours and 48 hours post-intervention. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant Intervention*Time interaction for all outcomes: perfusion unit (p<0.001), muscle tone (p<0.001), stiffness (p<0.001), elasticity (p<0.001), PPT (p<0.001) and maximal forearm muscle force (p<0.001). The current study suggests that a single session of DN enhances muscle recovery, increases muscle strength, and improved PPT in MMA athletes. These positive adaptations appear to last up to 48 hours in some variables.

Immediate Effect of Cryo-Compression Therapy on Biomechanical Properties and Perfusion of Forearm Muscles in Mixed Martial Arts Fighters.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters use their arms and hands for striking with the fists, grappling, and defensive techniques, which puts a high load on the forearms and hand muscles. New methods are needed to decrease the risk of injury and increase the effectiveness of regeneration. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of cryo-compression (CC) therapy of different times (3 and 6 min) on forearm muscles in MMA fighters by investigating muscle pain, stiffness, tension, elasticity strength, and perfusion. Twenty professional male MMA fighters aged 26.5 ± 4.5 years, with training experience of 10.3 ± 5.0 years, were enrolled on an experimental within-group study design. The participants underwent CC therapy at a temperature of 3 °C and compression of 75 mmHg for 3 min and, in the second session, for 6 min. The investigated parameters were in the following order: (1) perfusion in non-reference units (PU), (2) muscle tone (T-[Hz]), (3) stiffness (S-[N/m]), (4) elasticity (E-[arb]), (5) pressure pain threshold (PPT-[N/cm]), and (6) maximum isometric force (Fmax [kgf]) at two time points: (1) at rest-2 min before CC therapy (pre) and (2) 2 min after CC therapy (post). There were significant differences between 3 and 6 min of CC therapy for PU and T. Meanwhile, F, E, PPT, and S were significantly different when comparing pre- to post-conditions. These results provide evidence that CC therapy is a stimulus that significantly affects parameters characterizing muscle biomechanical properties, pain threshold, strength, and tissue perfusion.

Comparison of oral-health-related quality of life in patients in the short- and long-term period following lower-facial injury and fractures - preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic craniofacial injuries associated with bone fractures lead to serious morphological, functional and aesthetic complications which may negatively affect the physical and mental condition of the patient throughout the recovery period. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the evaluation of complaints and well-being in patients during the shortand long-term period following injury to the lower face, as well as an assessment of the effects of age and sex in the examined parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research group included 42 patients with injury to the lower face. The patients' well-being and the most common functional problems following treatment were assessed using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, with significance level assumed at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A period of 8 months following injury of the lower face was sufficient for the patients to achieve significant improvement in the quality of life. Improvement in well-being, according to OHIP-14, by approx. 11.9 points ±11.7 points, was highly significant (p < 0.001). The most frequent complaints included pain in the maxillofacial area, difficulties with consumption of food and dissatisfaction due to the necessary change of diet. The factors of age (p = 0.2839) and sex (p = 0.6047) did not significantly affect improvement in well-being. CONCLUSIONS: During both the shortand long-term period following injury of the lower face, the most frequent complaints included pain in the maxillofacial region, problems with eating food and dissatisfaction due to change in diet. The study has shown that during the period of 8 months after the injury, there was a significant improvement in the quality of life assessed with OHIP-14. Age and gender do not significantly affect the quality of life after injury to the lower face.

Assessment of cervical range of motion in patients after axis fracture.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of odontoid fractures with posterior C1/C2 fusion always leads to severe limitations in mobility of the cervical spine and head. PURPOSE: To assess the mobility of the cervical spine in patients treated with various surgical methods after an axis body fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 61 subjects receiving surgical treatment in a group of 214 subjects treated for odontoid fractures at one ward of neurosurgery at a regional hospital. Studies also included odontoid peg and Hangman fractures. The range of motion of the head was compared to standards by the International Standard Orthopedic Measurements (ISOM) and to head mobility in a control group of 80 healthy subjects without any pathologies or complaints associated with the cervical spine. Ranges of motion were measured with the CROM goniometre with regard to flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion and right and left rotation. The functional status was evaluated with Neck Disability Index (NDI) standard questionnaires indicated for patients with cervical spine pain. RESULTS: Except for flexion and extension, patients after odontoid fractures had a statistically significantly smaller range of motion of the cervical spine in all planes compared to the control group and ISOM standards. CONCLUSIONS: Odontoid fractures lead to limitations in mobility of the cervical spine even after treatment with methods that in theory should preserve the C1/C2 mobility.

Yoga for Heart Rate Variability: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

The objective of this systematic review is to summarize and critically assess the effects of yoga on heart rate variability (HRV). Nine databases were searched from their inceptions to June 2014. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing yoga against any type of control intervention in healthy individuals or patients with any medical condition. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane criteria. Two reviewers performed the selection of studies, data extraction, and quality assessments independent of one another. Fourteen trials met the inclusion criteria. Only two of them were of acceptable methodological quality. Ten RCTs reported favourable effects of yoga on various domains of HRV, whereas nine of them failed to do so. One RCT did not report between-group comparisons. The meta-analysis (MA) of two trials did not show favourable effects of yoga compared to usual care on E:I ratio (n = 61, SMDs = 0.63; 95% CIs [-0.72 to 1.99], p = 0.36; heterogeneity: r(2) = 0.79, χ(2) = 5.48, df = 1, (p = 0.02); I(2) = 82%). The MA also failed to show statistically significant differences between the groups regarding the 30:15 ratio (n = 61, SMDs = 0.20; 95% CIs [-0.43 to 0.84], p = 0.53; heterogeneity: r(2) = 0.07, χ(2) = 1.45, df = 1, (p = 0.23); I(2) = 31%). The data from the remaining RCTs were too heterogeneous for pooling. These results provide no convincing evidence for the effectiveness of yoga in modulating HRV in patients or healthy subjects. Future investigations in this area should overcome the multiple methodological weaknesses of the previous research.