Efficacy of ultrasound versus short wave diathermy in the treatment of chronic low back pain in patients with lumbar disk herniation: a prospective randomized control study.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disk herniation (LDH) is a cause of chronic low back pain (CLBP) treated using physical therapy (PT), including exercise and physical modalities such as ultrasound (US) and short wave diathermy (SWD). Despite the use of US and SWD, there is inconclusive evidence on their efficacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of US and SWD in the treatment of CLBP in patients with LDH. METHODS: A prospective randomized control clinical study. Individuals with radicular CLBP and LDH on magnetic resonance imaging, presenting to the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Department were randomized into 3 treatment groups. All participants received 10 sessions of hotpack, transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) and therapeutic exercises. In addition, Group 1 received 10 sessions of therapeutic US (1 MHz, 1.5W/cm2, 10 min), Group 2 SWD (27.12 MHz, wavelength 11.06 m, induction technique, 20 min) to the lower back. Group 3 (control group) received hotpack, TENS and therapeutic exercises alone. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for LBP, Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI) and Short Form 36 (SF-36) were evaluated pre and post treatment and at one and three months follow up. RESULTS: In all groups, VAS for LBP and MODI improved with treatment and at the one and three month follow up (p < 0.001). In Groups 1 and 2, MODI scores continued to reduce at 1 and 3 months (p < 0.001 and p = 0.012 respectively). SF-36 physical, social function and pain parameters reduced in all groups (p < 0.05). Role limitation due to physical and emotional problems, emotional well-being, vitality and mental health improved in Groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Deep heating agents can be used as part of the physical therapy for CLBP in those with LDH with positive mid-term effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03835182, 02/04/2019.

Comparison of Plantar Pressure Distribution, Ultrasonographic and Clinical Features Following the Application of Different Energy Levels of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized, Prospective, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of different energy levels used in extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) have been investigated in previous studies, but controversy remains regarding which energy levels should be used in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of different energy levels used in ESWT in the treatment of plantar fasciitis through comparisons of plantar fascia thickness and pressure distribution. METHODS: Between July 2020 and September 2020, a total of 51 patients (71 feet) with plantar fasciitis were randomized into three treatment groups using the sealed envelope method. Group 1 (n = 25) received low energy density (0.09 mJ/mm2 ), Group 2 (n = 25) received medium energy density (0.18 mJ/mm2), and Group 3 (n = 21) received high energy density (0.38 mJ/mm2). All groups received three sessions of ESWT with a frequency of 2,000 shocks/min at one week intervals. The patients were evaluated before and after treatment using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Foot Function Index (FFI), and plantar fascia thickness measured by ultrasonography, and plantar pressure distribution. RESULTS: The posttreatment VAS and FFI scores were determined to be statistically significantly lower than the pretreatment values in all three groups (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the pre and post treatment values of VAS, FFI scores, plantar fascia thickness and pressure distribution (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of percentage changes in all the outcome parameters (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that neither low, medium, or high levels of ESWT were superior to one another in terms of pain, foot functions, fascia thickness and pressure distribution in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Computer Game Assisted Task Specific Exercises in the Treatment of Motor and Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Stroke: A Randomized Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: Computer game assisted task specific exercises (CGATSE) are rehabilitation gaming systems (RGS) used in stroke rehabilitation to facilitate patient performance of high intensity, task based, repetitive exercises aiming to enhance neuroplasticity. CGATSE maybe an appealing option in home based rehabilitation of stroke patients, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to determine the effects of CGATSE on hemiplegic arm-hand function, cognitive function and quality of life in stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty stroke patients were randomized into two groups. All participants received twenty sessions of physical therapy. In addition, the therapy group undertook thirty minutes of CGATSE using the Rejoyce gaming system; while the control group undertook thirty minutes of occupational therapy (OT). Motor function was evaluated before and after treatment using the Fugl Meyer upper extremity (FMUE), Brunnstrom stages of stroke recovery (BSSR) arm and hand. The CGATSE group also completed the Rejoyce arm hand function test (RAHFT). Cognitive function was evaluated using the mini mental state examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SS-QOL) scale. RESULTS: The FMUE, BSSR arm and SSQOL improved in both groups (p < 0.05). BSSR of the hand improved only in the CGATSE group (p = 0.024). RAHFT scores improved in the CGATSE group (p = 0.008). MoCA scores significantly improved in the control group (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: CGATSE may be beneficial in providing continuation of care after stroke, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic when home based rehabilitation options are becoming increasingly important. Benefits of CGATSE in improving cognitive function is less clear. RGS aimed at improving motor function may be compared to gaming systems designed to target cognitive development and more detailed higher cortical function deficit tests can be used as outcome measures.

Ultrasound-guided versus blind subacromial corticosteroid and local anesthetic injection in the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome: A randomized study of efficacy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the effects of ultrasound (US)-guided and blind subacromial corticosteroid and local anesthetic (LA) injection in the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) on shoulder pain, range of motion (ROM), and functionality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prospective study was conducted between 01 February 2017 and 31 May 2017. A total of 29 patients with clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) consistent with SIS were randomized into two groups: 14 patients received US-guided subacromial corticosteroid and LA injection and 15 patients received a blind subacromial corticosteroid and LA injection. Patients were evaluated before and one month after treatment. One patient was lost to follow up. The primary outcome measure was a visual analog scale (VAS) for shoulder pain. Secondary outcomes were active shoulder ROM in flexion and abduction, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and the modified Constant-Murley Score (CMS). RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (11 males, 17 females; mean age 39.5 in the US guided group and 42.5 in the blind group; range 20 to 64 years in both groups) completed the study. There was a significant improvement in VAS for shoulder pain, active ROM, DASH questionnaire score and modified CMS in both groups four weeks after treatment (p<0.05). There was no between-group difference in VAS, ROM or DASH questionnaire scores. Following treatment, the modified CMS in the US-guided injection group was higher than in the blind injection group (p=0.02). However, when the mean change in modified CMS in the US-guided injection group was compared to that of the blind injection group, the difference was insignificant (p=0.23). CONCLUSION: Both US-guided and blind subacromial steroid injection improve shoulder pain, ROM, and functionality in SIS; one treatment option was not found to be superior to the other. Therefore, blind injection can be performed in clinical settings where US is not available. Equally, blind injection can also be performed in patients who have a definite diagnosis of SIS based on clinical and MRI findings.