ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the additional effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the control of the symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS). A total of 46 randomly selected patients diagnosed with RLS were divided into two groups in a single-blind study to either receive pramipexole (0.25 mg daily) plus 10 sessions of TENS or only pramipexole (0.25 mg daily) for 4 weeks. The severity of the symptoms was determined according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLSRS) and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) at the beginning of the treatment, post-treatment, and at an 8 week follow-up. A significant time interaction was observed between the groups for all measurement outcomes, revealing differences in favour of the experimental group's IRLSRS and PSQI scores. A notable improvement was also observed in the IRLSRS and PSQI scores in both groups at the end of treatment and during the 8 week follow-up period. In comparison with pramipexole monotherapy, the results of this study showed that the use of TENS therapy combined with a low dose of pramipexole (0.25 mg daily) is therapeutically beneficial in the treatment of RLS over an 8 week follow-up period.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of pulsed and continuous modes of therapeutic ultrasound (US) for phonophoresis in the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). Patients and methods: Between April 2019 and January 2021, a total of 66 patients with SAIS (17 males, 49 females; mean age: 48.2±8.6 years; range, 19 to 64 years) were included. The patients were randomized to the phonophoresis with continuous mode group (n=22), phonophoresis with pulsed mode group (n=22), and phonophoresis with sham US group (n=22). Five grams of ibuprofen phonophoresis was applied in five sessions per week for three weeks for all groups. Primary outcomes were pain intensity as assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and shoulder functions by the short version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH). The secondary outcome was the quality of life as assessed by the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). All patients were evaluated at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at three months after the end of the treatment. Results: There was a significant improvement in pain during activity, shoulder function, and quality of life after treatment in phonophoresis with continuous and pulsed modes compared to phonophoresis with sham US (p <0.05). Phonophoresis with continuous mode was superior to other groups in reducing pain at rest (p <0.05). Changes between pre-treatment and the three-month follow-up showed a significant improvement in pain during activity and shoulder functions in phonophoresis with continuous and pulsed modes, compared to phonophoresis with sham US (p <0.05). Phonophoresis with pulsed mode was more effective than the other interventions in improving quality of life during the same period (p<0.05). Conclusion: Despite a significant change in phonophoresis with continuous and pulsed modes, it is more pronounced for rest pain in the early period in continuous mode and for quality of life during follow-up in pulsed mode.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effects of kinesio taping (KT) on pain, paresthesia, functional status, and overall health status in patients with symptomatic thoracic outlet syndrome (sTOS). METHODS: A single-blind placebo-controlled design was employed in this study. The study duration was defined as 12 months. Analyses were performed on 60 patients with sTOS randomly assigned to KT (4 men and 26 women; mean age=33.5 years, range=20-46 years) and control groups (5 men and 25 women; mean age=26 years, range=20-43 years). KT was applied to the KT group three times. The control group received placebo taping. Pain and paresthesia were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain (10 cm) and VAS paresthesia (10 cm). The upper limb function was assessed using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire. The overall health status was evaluated based on the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Each assessment was carried out at baseline (t0), posttreatment (t1), and 8 weeks after baseline (t2). RESULTS: In the KT group, except the social isolation domain of the NHP, all outcome measures showed improvement from t0 to t1. At the second follow-up visit (t2), improvements remained visible compared with baseline. However, none of the variables improved from t1 to t2. Otherwise, all measures deteriorated slightly, and the deteriorations in VAS for pain, NHP pain, NHP sleep, and NHP physical abilities were statistically significant (p=0.041, p=0.048, p=0.013, and p=0.016, respectively). In the control group, only VAS for paresthesia and NHP emotional reaction showed improvement over time (p=0.002 and p=0.044, respectively). When changes in outcome measures between the two groups were compared, except NHP emotional reaction and NHP social isolation, median changes (from t0 to t1) were higher in the KT group than in the control group (p<0.05 for all variables). Regarding VAS pain, VAS paresthesia, DASH, and three NHP domains (energy level, pain, and physical abilities), changes from t0 to t2 were also higher in the KT group (p<0.05 for all variables). CONCLUSION: KT can provide benefits in terms of relieving pain and paresthesia, as well as improving the upper limb function and quality of life in patients with sTOS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Therapeutic study.
