The influence of traditional Thai massage on recovery from gastrocnemius muscle fatigue: A single-blind randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on improving fatigue recovery and fatigue-related parameters of the gastrocnemius muscle after a heel-raise exercise. DESIGN: A single-blind randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Mae Fah Luang University Hospital, Thailand. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-four healthy participants were randomly assigned to two groups: TTM (n = 27; 51.85 % women; mean age 23.15 ± 4.90 years; number of exercises/week: 4.78 ± 1.58) and control (n = 27; 59.26 % women; mean age 22.63 ± 4.88 years; number of exercises/week: 4.48 ± 1.25). INTERVENTIONS: After the participants performed a heel-raise exercise to induce fatigue of the gastrocnemius muscle, they received either 30 min of TTM to the gastrocnemius muscle or 30 min of control (29 min of rest and 1 min total gastrocnemius stretching). OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures were the median frequency (MDF) of the electromyography signal, muscle power (MP) and feelings of muscle fatigue (FMF). All the outcome measures were evaluated before (T1) and after (T2) the fatigue-inducement protocol as well as immediately (T3), 1 h (T4) and 2 h (T5) after the interventions. RESULTS: The results show that MDF and MP were significantly increased and FMF significantly decreased in both groups immediately after the interventions and at 1 h and 2 h after the interventions (repeated measures ANOVA: p < .05). In the between-group comparisons, participants in the TTM group showed significantly greater improvement than those in the control group on all outcomes at all post-intervention assessment time points (T3, T4, T5), reflecting faster recovery from muscle fatigue (ANCOVA: p < .05). CONCLUSION: TTM proved an effective intervention for maximising recovery from fatigue of the gastrocnemius muscle.

Effects of cassava wax bath as a new therapeutic approach on patients with plantar fasciitis: a double-blind, randomised clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a new therapeutic approach (cassava wax bath: CWB) compared with usual care (paraffin wax bath: PWB) in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF). Forty patients with PF were recruited into the study (CWB group, n = 20, PWB group, n = 20). Patients in the CWB group received cassava wax bath and patients in the PWB group received usual care (PWB). The primary outcome was pain intensity (PI). The secondary outcomes were the pressure pain threshold (PPT), pain frequency (PFr), foot and ankle ability measure (FAAM), and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADROM). All outcomes were assessed before and after the five-week intervention, one month, and three months after the intervention period. After the intervention, statistically significant improvement was found in all outcomes after the intervention period and during the one month and three months follow-up study in both groups (P < 0.05). For all outcomes, no between-group differences were seen at any post-assessment time-point, except for PFr (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that CWB was significantly superior to PWB in reducing PFr. For the other outcomes, CWB and PWB were both equally effective in reducing PI and increasing PPT, FAAM, and ADROM in patients with PF. Therefore, CWB might be considered as a novel useful therapeutic option for PF patients.Trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) (Identification number: TCTR20220128002), First posted date: 28/01/2022.

Effects of the combination of traditional Thai massage, scapular stabilization exercise, and chest mobilization in subjects with forward head posture: a single-blinded randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Forward head posture (FHP) is a common condition where the head appears to be positioned in front of the vertical midline of the body. FHP is associated with shortening of the neck extensors and pectoral muscles, and the deep neck flexors and shoulder retractors are weakened. FHP is also found to cause decreases in respiratory function. Few clinical trials have investigated the effects of combination treatments to alleviate these problems. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of combination of traditional Thai massage, scapular stabilization exercise, and chest mobilization on forward head angle (FHA), forced vital capacity (FVC), and cervical flexion in subjects with FHP. METHODS: Forty-eight subjects with FHP were randomly allocated to a treatment group receiving a Combination of Traditional Thai massage, Scapular stabilization exercise, and Chest mobilization (CTSC group) (n = 24) and a control group (relaxed by lying supine) (n = 24). FHA, FVC, and cervical flexion were measured before and after the four-week intervention (Week 4) and one month after the intervention period (Week 8). RESULTS: The CTSC group showed statistically significantly greater improvement in FHA and cervical flexion than the control group at Week 4 (FHA, mean difference - 6.05; 95% CI - 8.03, - 4.07; cervical flexion, mean difference 6.84; 95% CI 3.14, 10.55) and Week 8 (FHA, mean difference - 4.64; 95% CI ( - 6.71, - 2.58); cervical flexion, mean difference 5.21; 95% CI 0.84, 9.58). There were no significant between-group differences in FVC at week 4 (mean difference 0.09; 95% CI - 0.06, 0.23) and week 8 (mean difference 0.04; 95% CI - 0.11, 0.19). CONCLUSION: This study showed that CTSC had a positive effect on FHA and cervical flexion in subjects with FHP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) (Identification number: TCTR20211119001), registered 19 November 2021; https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20211119001 .

A comparative study of Thai massage and muscle energy technique for chronic neck pain: A single-blinded randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is the most common form of muscle disorders. Traditional Thai massage (TM) and muscle energy (ME) technique have been used to treat patients with MPS for long time but head-to-head comparisons of these interventions have not been established. AIM: The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of TM and the ME technique on pain intensity (PI), pressure pain threshold (PPT), neck disability (ND), and neck flexion range of motion (NFROM) in patients with chronic neck pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). DESIGN: A randomized, single-blinded clinical trial. SETTING: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University. POPULATION: Forty-five patients with chronic neck pain associated with MTrPs were recruited. METHODS: The patients were randomly allocated to the TM, ME, or control groups, with each having eight treatment sessions over a period of two weeks. PI, PPT, ND, and NFROM were assessed before, immediately after the first treatment session, and one day after the last treatment session. RESULTS: Based on the results, both TM and the ME technique resulted in a significant improvement in all parameters (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Additionally, no significant difference was observed between TM and the ME technique in all parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The application of TM or the ME technique can be a practical alternative approach for the treatment of chronic neck pain associated with MTrPs.

The immediate effects of breathing with oscillated inspiratory and expiratory airflows on secretion clearance in intubated patients with cervical spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized crossover trial. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of the combination of incentive spirometry with oscillation (OIS) and positive expiratory pressure with oscillation (OPEP) to promote secretion clearance in intubated patients with cervical spinal cord injury. SETTING: Spinal cord unit, tertiary care hospital, North East Thailand. METHODS: Thirteen intubated patients (C4-7, AIS score C) with secretion retention performed three interventions randomly allocated on consecutive days, a Sham deep breathing, OPEP and OPEP + OIS breathing exercise. Secretions were collected by sterile suction for 3 h before, and 3 h after, each intervention and wet weight recorded. Cardiopulmonary parameters were measured before and after each intervention. RESULTS: The median (IQR) secretion wet weight pre-intervention was 2.61 g (2.21, 3.85) and in the 3 h after Sham there was an increase of 1.97 g (0.6, 3.6). The increase after OPEP was 2.67 g (1.7, 3.9) and after OPEP + OIS, 4.28 g (2.4, 6.7); all the increases being significant (p ≤ 0.007). The clearance after OPEP and OPEP + OIS were both greater than Sham while OPEP + OIS was greater than OPEP (p ≤ 0.019). There were no significant changes in cardiopulmonary measures following any intervention or when compared between interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Deep breathing with an oscillated and humidified air flow in a combination of OIS + OPEP more than doubled secretion clearance and was more effective than OPEP or Sham deep breathing. There were no adverse effects of the procedures which were well tolerated by the patients and may be used to complement existing methods for secretion clearance.

Breathing exercise using a new breathing device increases airway secretion clearance in mechanically ventilated patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new device (BreatheMAX) that humidifies and oscillates inspired air to increase secretion clearance in mechanically ventilated patients. BACKGROUND: Poor secretion clearance is a serious problem for intubated patients leading to lung complications and delayed weaning. METHODS: Double blinded crossover; fifteen patients, median age 60 years, range 16-75. Interventions consisted of spontaneous deep breathing with (treatment) and without (sham) humidification and oscillation of inspired air. Airway secretions were aspirated for 3 h before and after each intervention and wet weight and viscosity determined. RESULTS: The sham intervention caused no change in secretion clearance (95% CI: -1.8, 1.8 g) but after treatment secretions increased by 4.0 g (95% CI: 1.3, 6.7; p < 0.05). Viscosity decreased 30% after treatment and was unchanged after sham. Changes in cardiopulmonary function were not clinically significant and the patients reported only mild perceptions of breathlessness. CONCLUSIONS: Breathing exercise with a device that includes vibration and humidification of inspired air is effective for increasing secretion clearance with patients dependent on mechanical ventilation and was without any adverse effects.