Effect of shoulder stability exercises on hand grip strength in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is the second most common musculoskeletal condition that causes shoulder pain in the general population. Shoulder girdle muscle imbalance and posterior capsule tightness have been implicated as contributing factors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of shoulder stability exercises (SSEs) on hand grip strength in patients with unilateral SIS. Methods: A total of 16 patients with a mean age of 32 ± 9.3 years diagnosed with stage II unilateral SIS participated in this study. A standardized SSE programme was conducted in the clinic under the direct 1-to-1 supervision of a physical therapist thrice weekly for 4 weeks for a total of 12 sessions on the affected and non-affected shoulders. The effect of the SSE programme on isometric hand grip strength was analysed. Results: A significant difference (p = .016) was observed in the hand grip strength of the affected shoulder side before and after the intervention, but no significant difference (p = 1.0) was found in the hand grip strength of the non-affected shoulder side post-intervention. Conclusion: The reduction in isometric hand grip strength of the affected shoulder side compared to that of the non-affected shoulder side in the same subject before the intervention shows that SIS significantly affects the hand grip strength of the affected side. SSEs significantly affect the isometric hand grip strength of SIS patients.

Comparison of the effects of short-duration wrist joint splinting combined with physical therapy and physical therapy alone on the management of patients with lateral epicondylitis.

BACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis (i.e., tennis elbow) is a condition caused by overuse of the arm, which can result in elbow pain. Recent evidence has shown wrist joint splinting as an effective intervention for people with lateral epicondylitis. AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of a 3 week wrist joint splinting and physical therapy intervention versus a standard physical therapy intervention on pain, wrist range of motion (ROM), and grip strength in people with lateral epicondylitis. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: University hospital outpatient clinics. POPULATION: Forty participants diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. METHODS: The participants were randomized into 2 groups. The standard care group followed a treatment program consisting of stretching exercises for the wrist extensors, ultrasonic therapy, and deep friction massage on the proximal attachment of the wrist extensor muscles. The intervention group followed a standard wrist joint splinting program in addition to the physical therapy program that the standard care group received. Participants in both groups received treatment 3 times per week for 3 weeks. The outcome measures were pain intensity, wrist extension ROM, wrist flexion ROM, and grip strength. Each outcome measure was assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant between-group differences at baseline. After the treatment period, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvement in pain intensity. Other outcomes also improved including wrist flexion ROM, wrist extension ROM, and grip strength in comparison to the standard care group. CONCLUSIONS: Using wrist joint splinting in addition to physical therapy for a short duration is effective for improving pain intensity. The evidence from this study indicates that wrist joint splinting and physical therapy may also be effective for improving wrist ROM and grip strength in the treatment of patients with lateral epicondylitis, although more research is need in this area. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Wrist joint splinting is an effective intervention that can be applied in clinical rehabilitation practices for people with lateral epicondylitis.

Functional outcomes of kinesio taping versus standard orthotics in the management of shin splint.

BACKGROUND: Exercise-related or lower-limb overuse injury characterized by pain located between the knee and the ankle that occurs during activity is commonly referred to as shin splint. Hyperpronation is considered the ultimate culprit in the development of overuse injuries such as shin splint. This study endeavors to compare the functional outcomes of the most commonly used anti-pronation techniques, kinesio taping and standard orthotics. METHODS: A total of 40 subjects (mean age, 24.16±2.6 years) with symptoms of shin splint participated in the current study. These subjects were randomly allocated to two groups (N.=20) and underwent anti-pronation kinesio taping and standard orthotics, respectively. The functional outcomes were assessed using the navicular drop test, visual analog scale, and hop distance. RESULTS: The kinesio taping intervention group showed significant improvements in pain and hop distance compared to the standard orthotics intervention group, whereas an insignificant intergroup difference was observed for the navicular drop test. Patients in both groups benefited, but the response to kinesio taping was better than that to orthotics. CONCLUSIONS: Kinesio taping played a vital role in improving functional outcomes compared to orthotics by reducing pain and improving functional activity in patients with shin splint; however, navicular drop correction did not occur using either intervention.