Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on patellofemoral pain: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) is a common dysfunction that can compromise the performance of daily activities. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been proposed as a complementary tool in the therapeutic approach. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of adding NMES to therapeutic exercises in women with PFP. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial involving 34 women with PFP (mean age 23.8 ± 4.1), randomly assigned to two groups: exercises combined with NMES (ESG) and exercises only (ExG). The ExG followed an exercise protocol, while the ESG performed the same exercises combined with NMES. Interventions were performed twice a week for eight weeks. Primary outcome measures included pain and functional disability, while secondary outcomes encompassed electromyographic activity of the quadriceps and hip abductors, along with isokinetic performance. Assessments were performed before the intervention, after 4 and 8 weeks from the start of the protocol and 8 weeks after the conclusion of the treatment. RESULTS: We did not observe difference between the groups in any of the analyzed variables. Both groups showed a reduction in pain and an improvement in functional disability during intragroup comparisons. CONCLUSION: A reduction in pain and an improvement in functional disability were observed; however, there was no additional effect of NMES. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03918863.

The influence of Kinesio Taping on muscle fatigue in individuals with low back pain: A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different taping techniques on back muscle fatigue in people with low back pain. METHODS: Sixty women with chronic non-specific low back pain were randomly assigned to four groups of 15 participants each: control (CG), Kinesio Taping (KT) with tension (KTT), KT no tension (KTNT) and Micropore® (MP), which were applied over the erector spinae muscles. The median frequency (MF) fatigue slopes of the longissimus muscle and sustained contraction time during a trunk fatigue test (Ito test), and pain using the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) were collected at three time points: pre-treatment, three and ten days after intervention at a university laboratory. RESULTS: Significant differences were seen in the MF slopes between groups (p= 0.01, η2= 0.20), with the KTT showing a mean difference (MD = 0.31, p= 0.04) and KTNT (MD = 0.28, p= 0.04) compared with CG. Significant reductions in NPRS were seen between time points (p< 0.001, η2= 0.28), with a reduction between pre and 3 days (MD = 1.87, p< 0.001), and pre and 10 days (MD = 1.38, p< 0.001), with KTT and KTNT both showing clinically important changes. CONCLUSION: KT, with or without tension, has a tendency to reduce back muscle fatigue and reduce pain in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Reliability and concurrent validity of a mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patients.

BACKGROUND: Smartphone devices have been used to measure range of motion (ROM) in different joints. OBJECTIVE: To verify the concurrent validity of thoracolumbar ROM using a mobile application and a digital inclinometer, as well as the intrarater reliability of individuals with and without back pain. METHODS: One investigator was responsible for measuring the ROM during the evaluations performed on 20 asymptomatic subjects and 20 symptomatic subjects in two consecutive days. RESULTS: Regarding to the concurrent validity, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were classified as very good for all analyzed movements. For intrarater reliability, the mobile application had ICC varying between good and very good for the symptomatic subjects and very good for asymptomatic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The mobile application may be considered a valid and reliable tool to assess thoracolumbar ROM for both asymptomatic and chronic low back pain subjects.

Effects of kinesio taping on neuromuscular performance and pain of individuals affected by patellofemoral pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal dysfunctions in the knee and its treatment is controversial. This study analyzed the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) immediately and 72 hours after its application on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle, on the isokinetic performance of the quadriceps femoris and on the pain of subjects with PFP. Fifty-four participants were divided into three groups and performed one of the following protocols: (1) control group (CG)-remained at rest; (2) KT tension group (TG)-KT application with tension in the VMO region; and (3) KT without tension group (WTG)-KT application without tension in the same region. VMO and vastus lateralis (VL) EMG activity (RMS and onset), isokinetic performance and pain intensity were evaluated at three moments: before KT application, immediately after and 72 hours after. A mixed model ANOVA was used for statistical analysis with a significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05). No differences between the evaluated groups were found in relation to EMG variables and isokinetic performance. A reduction in pain intensity was found in the WTG in comparison to CG, after 72 hours. KT does not alter EMG parameters nor the isokinetic performance of subjects with PFP. However, we noticed reduced pain in the group submitted to the technique without tension 72 hours after its application.

Kinesio Taping reduces pain and improves disability in low back pain patients: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping® (KT) on chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP). DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and eight women with chronic non-specific LBP underwent an evaluation pre, 3 and 10 days after intervention. INTERVENTIONS: After randomisation, participants were assigned to four groups: KT with tension group (KTT) applied KT® with tension in the region of the erector spinae muscles; KT no tension group (KTNT) applied KT® with no tension in the same region; Micropore group (MP) applied Micropore® tape on the erector spinae muscles; and control group (CG) did not receive any intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was pain sensation, measured by numerical pain rating scale. Secondary outcomes were: disability (Roland Morris Disability questionnaire), trunk range of motion (inclinometry), strength (dynamometry) and electromyographic amplitude (electromyography). RESULTS: Improved pain relief was observed for KTT group (mean difference 2.0; 95% CI 0.5 to 3.4; P=0.003) and KTNT group [mean difference (MD) 1.9; 95% CI 0.5 to 3.4; P=0.004] compared with CG at 3days after application of the tape. For disability, there was a difference between CG and KTT group at 3days (MD 3.5; 95% CI 0.8 to 6.1; P=0.004) and 10days (MD 32; 95% CI 0.4 to 6.0; P=0.016). For all the other variables, there were no differences between groups. CONCLUSION: KT with or without tension reduces pain 3days after its application. Additionally, when applied with tension, it improves disability after 3 and 10days in patients with LBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02550457 (clinicaltrials.gov).