Prevalence and trends in physical therapy interventions for erectile dysfunction: A Scopus-based bibliometric analysis (1989-2022).

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that affects many males. Physical therapy (PT) is the one potential treatment for ED that may improve blood flow, muscle strength, and other factors that may contribute to the issue. Data on the prevalence and trends of research on PT for ED are lacking. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the literature trends in PT for ED via bibliometric and visualized analysis. METHODS: Data on publications were collected from Scopus covering the period between 1989 and 2022. To refine the data, bibliometric analyses were conducted using Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, an online visualization platform, and BiblioAnalytics. Power BI and Bibliomaster were used to generate figures and tables, while Biblioshiny and VOSviewer were used for visualization. RESULTS: A total of 494 documents were identified. The year 2019 generated the largest number of publications, with a total of 54. These studies have received 12,917 citations related to PT for ED. The most common document type was the original article with 283 publications. The University of California, USA, was the most productive institution on this topic, with 21 publications and 2,035 citations. The USA led all countries with 114 publications on the topic. The Journal of Sexual Medicine secured the top ranking with an h-index of 18. The main topics studied were erectile dysfunction, shockwave therapy, and physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The number of publications on PT for ED has demonstrated an upward trend over the last three decades.

Corridor and real-time 6-minute walk tests in healthy young adults: A randomized cross-over study.

Objective: Cardiopulmonary endurance is important for comfortably participating in activities of daily living. Exercise tests, such as the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), are commonly used to evaluate cardiopulmonary endurance. We investigated the effects of the Gait Real-Time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL)- and corridor-based 6MWTs on functional performance. Methods: Thirty healthy men were randomly divided into two groups. Group A participants performed a corridor-based 6MWT, followed by a washout period (1 h). Subsequently, they performed the GRAIL-based 6MWT. Group B participants performed the tests in the reverse order of that performed by Group A participants. Results: The corridor-based 6MWT resulted in significantly higher 6MW distance and 6MW speed than the GRAIL-based 6MWT. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in any of the following secondary outcomes: systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, dyspnea, and overall fatigue. A strong positive correlation was observed between the 6MW distance and 6MW speed. Conclusion: The corridor- and GRAIL-based 6MWT should not be used interchangeably.

Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with the decline in cognitive functioning in young adults.

Coronaviruses have caused widespread disease and death worldwide, leading to the implementation of lockdown measures and the closure of educational institutions in various countries. This research aims to investigate the impact of social isolation on the cognitive functioning of young students. The study included 84 subjects, with 48 being socially isolated and 36 non-isolated individuals. The participants' mental health was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), while cognitive functions were evaluated through attention-switching tasks (AST), pattern recognition memory (PRM), and choice reaction time (CRT) tests utilizing the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Battery (CANTAB) software. The socially isolated group had an average age of 21.3 ± 1.1 years, whereas the non-isolated group had an average age of 22.8 ± 2.0 years. The MMSE scores were 25.8 ± 1.6 for the socially isolated group and 28.6 ± 1.3 for the non-isolated group. In terms of cognitive functioning, there were significant differences (p = 0.000) observed in the values of AST correct latency for non-switching blocks (blocks 3 and 5) between the socially isolated group (608.1 ± 139.2) and the non-isolated group (499.5 ± 67.8). Similarly, the AST mean correct latency for switching blocks (block 7) was significantly different (p = 0.012) between the socially isolated group (784.4 ± 212.5) and the non-isolated group (671.8 ± 175.6). The socially isolated group exhibited significantly higher values in AST correct mean latency, AST congruent mean latency, AST incongruent mean latency, and AST percent mean correct trials compared to the non-isolated group. Additionally, the PRM mean percent correct significantly differed (p = 0.000) between the isolated group (81.3 ± 12.0) and the non-isolated group (91.9 ± 9.2). The isolated group also showed a higher CRT correct mean latency (482.4 ± 128.9) than the non-isolated group (451.0 ± 59.0), however the difference was not significant. In conclusion, social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decline in the cognitive functioning of young students.

Early predictors in language-based learning disabilities: a bibliometric analysis.

Introduction: Language-based learning disabilities (LBLD) refers to a spectrum of neurodevelopmental-associated disorders that are characterized by cognitive and behavioral differences in comprehending, processing and utilizing spoken and/or written language. The focus of this work was on identifying early predictors of three main specific LBLD including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia. Methods: The Web of Science (WoS) was searched for literature related to (neurocognitive, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging) measurements used to identify early predictors of LBLD from 1991 to 25 October 2021. A retrospective bibliometric analysis was performed to analyze collaboration among countries, institutions, authors, publishing journals, reference co-citation patterns, keyword co-occurrence, keyword clustering, and burst keywords using Biblioanalytics software. Results: In total, 921 publications related to the identification of LBLD using (neurocognitive, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging) modalities were included. The data analysis shows a slow growth in research on the topic in the 90s and early 2000 and growing trend in recent years. The most prolific and cited journal is Neuroimage, followed by Neuropsychologia. The United States and Finland's Universities Jyvaskyla and Helsinki are the leading country and institution in this field, respectively. "Neuroimaging," "brain," "fMRI," "cognitive predictor," "comorbidity," "cortical thickness" were identified as hotspots and trends of (neurocognitive, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging) modalities in the identification of LBLD. Discussion: Early predictors of LBLDs would be useful as targets for specific prevention and intervention programs to be implemented at very young ages, which could have a significant clinical impact. A novel finding of neuroimaging predictors combined with neurocognitive and neuropsychological batteries may have implications for future research.

The Effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Treating Apraxia.

Apraxia can be detected when engaging in mental motor envisioning exercises. The nonverbal skills of manufacturing, representation, strategizing, arithmetic, visual sensitivity, and motor skills are all related to apraxia. Limb apraxia also negatively affects communication gestures and linguistic skills. The impairment of brain regions related to motion patterns is the primary cause of apraxia. People with apraxia may struggle to complete a variety of tasks because they are unable to focus on various movements. Apraxia can result from injury to the premotor cortex since it has a role in the left hemisphere-dependent selection of movements. Cognitive and complicated motor system deficits are hallmarks of the corticobasal syndrome. Apraxia of the limbs and visuospatial abnormalities are typical clinical types. TMS was used to study these problems; however, no research was done on the relationship between TMS parameters and clinical types. It is possible for changes in brain activity to last a long time when repetitive TMS (rTMS) is utilized. Electromyography shows that noninvasive TMS of the motor cortex causes target muscle spasms (MEP). The human motor cortex is a part of the cerebral cortex that is involved in the organization, management, and execution of voluntary movements. TMS and other neuroimaging techniques are frequently used to identify changes in this region. Cortical motor excitability varies among different diagnoses; therefore, it is important to determine the effectiveness of TMS. Therefore, this study aims to review the causes and neurophysiological simulation of apraxia along with the principles and effects of TMS on apraxia.

Predictive value of α-synuclein expression in peripheral blood of multiple sclerosis patients: A two-dimensional assessment of a selected biomarker.

INTRODUCTION: Our study aimed to evaluate whether assessing α-synuclein expression levels in blood samples could provide a reliable and straightforward alternative to existing diagnostic and prognostic methods for neurodegenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). We specifically investigated if α-synuclein and IL-6 expression levels from serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) could accurately predict MS severity in patients using a two-dimensional approach. METHODS: We designed a case-control study to analyze the expression of α-synuclein and IL-6 in the peripheral blood of an MS patient group (n = 51) and a control group (n = 51). We statistically evaluated the PBMCs and serum profiles of α-synuclein and IL-6 in MS patients, along with their age of onset, disease duration, tobacco exposure, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, using SPSS V22.0 software and GraphPad Prism V9.0. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that α-synuclein production was significantly downregulated in MS patients. Principal component analysis also revealed distinct profiles between MS patients and controls. PBMCs and serum profiles of α-synuclein correlated with the EDSS score, suggesting that disease severity can be predicted using α-synuclein profiles. Moreover, α-synuclein showed a significant correlation with IL-6 and age of onset. Lastly, receiver operating characteristic curves of PBMCs and serum activity of α-synuclein profiles displayed discrimination with area under the curve values of 0.856 and 0.705, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results imply that measuring α-synuclein levels in both serum and PBMCs could be a valuable method for diagnosing and predicting MS severity, potentially serving as a non-invasive biomarker for the disease.

Effects of smartphone addiction on cognitive function and physical activity in middle-school children: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effects of smartphone addiction on cognitive function and physical activity in middle-school children. Methods: A population of 196 children (boys and girls) from middle schools were recruited for this study with an average age of 12.99 ± 0.81 years, a height of 153.86 ± 6.50 meters, a weight of 48.07 ± 7.31 kilograms, and a body mass index of 20.22 ± 2.08 kg/m2. Smartphone addiction was determined using Arabic versions of the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and physical activity levels were assessed by a physical activity questionnaire for older children. The working memory and selective attention domains of cognitive function were evaluated using a laptop screen's digital version of the memory automaticity and Flanker tasks, respectively. A one-way MANOVA was conducted to determine the differences in working memory between the smartphone-addicted and non-addicted groups. The relationship between smartphone addiction and physical activity was analyzed using Pearson's chi-squared test. Results: The cognitive function-attention domain accuracy component showed a statistically significant difference between the groups, with a p-value of 0.05). The reaction time between smartphone-addicted and non-addicted children showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.817). The relationship between smartphone addiction and physical activity was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Discussion: The interaction effects between physical activity and smartphone addiction on reaction times showed statistically insignificant (p = 0.25) differences, showing that physical activity's effect on reaction times did not depend on smartphone addiction levels. The non-addicted children had significantly higher physical activity levels than the addicted children, indicating that smartphone addiction reduced physical activity.

Role of Thioredoxin System in Regulating Cellular Redox Status in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and a public health problem. It exhibits significant oxidative stress and redox alterations. The antioxidant enzyme systems defend the cellular environment from oxidative stress. One of the redox systems is the thioredoxin system (TS), which exerts decisive control over the cellular redox environment. We aimed to review the protective effects of TS, which include thioredoxin (Trx), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and NADPH. In the following, we discussed the physiological functioning and the role of the TS in maintaining the cellular redox-homeostasis in the AD-damaged brain. Trx protects the cellular environment from oxidative stress, while TrxR is crucial for the cellular detoxification of reactive oxygen species in the brain. However, TS dysregulation increases the susceptibility to cellular death. The changes in Trx and TrxR levels are significantly associated with AD progression. Though the data from human, animal, and cellular models support the neuroprotective role of TS in the brain of AD patients, the translational potential of these findings to clinical settings is not yet applied. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the emerging role of the TrxR-Trx system in AD.

Examining gender differences in gait parameters between non-smoker and smoker participants.

Smoking is one of the predictors of decreased cardiopulmonary endurance. Gait disturbance may be due to many reasons, including cardiovascular endurance. This study aimed to determine differences in gait parameters between non-smoker and smoker participants. A cross-sectional design was employed, involving thirty non-smokers and thirty-seven smokers as participants. Detailed interviews were conducted to gather information on smoking habits, status, and history. Gait parameters were measured using a high-quality 3D accelerometer, 3D gyroscope, and barometric pressure sensors (Physilog4 from GaitUp). Anthropometric characteristics were described, and mean values with standard deviations (SD) were calculated. An independent two-tailed t-test was conducted to compare gait parameters between non-smokers and smokers, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. The analysis revealed significant differences in various gait parameters between non-smokers and smokers. Specifically, significant differences were found in cadence (t=9.95, p=0.001), stride length (t=6.85, p=0.001), stride velocity (t=-6.58, p=0.001), stance (t=2.02, p=0.001), swing (t=3.46, p=0.001), foot flat (t=-8.94, p=0.001), pushing (t=3.53, p=0.001), and double support (t=-13.35, p=0.001). However, no significant difference was found between non-smokers and smokers in the loading phase (t=-1.57, p= 0.121). There were significant differences in general and temporal gait parameters between smokers and non-smokers. Gait parameters provide valuable insights for evaluating functional performance and providing objective and quantitative data to assess gait disorders. Future studies should include longitudinal studies with large sample sizes to explore the effects of potential confounders on gait parameters.

A gender based comparison and correlation of spatiotemporal gait parameters and postural stability.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Postural stability during gait is a crucial factor that reduces the risk of falls. Researchers determine the most effective way to assist patients whose postural stability deficit predominantly related to gait parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate the comparison and relationship between spatiotemporal gait parameters and postural stability in young male and female. METHODS: 96 participants (male, and female) with age range from 18-40 years were selected to conduct this cross-sectional correlation study. Any participants with cardiovascular, neuromuscular diseases, musculoskeletal injury, vision, and hearing problem were excluded from the study. To measure spatiotemporal data, the Physilog application by Gaitup was used. Stabilometer was used to assess unipedal dynamic postural stability. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using SPSS software. Mann Whitney U test, Kruskall Wallis H test, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient tests were used to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results of this study revealed that anteroposterior stability for left leg was significant (p=.002) between male and female. The gait parameters as stride length (Left Leg, p=.050), (Right leg, p=.001); gait speed (Left Leg, p=.006), (Right leg, p=.009); and maximal heel clearance (Left Leg, p=.001), (Right leg, p=.001) were significant between genders. No significant relationship was found among the dynamic postural stability and spatiotemporal parameters of gait. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this research illustrates the putative mechanisms of gait parameters and postural dynamic stability parameters differences in male and female participants and also relationship among them.

Dry needling in the management of tendinopathy: A systematic review of randomized control trials.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study is to evaluate the best available evidence on the effectiveness of DN in the management of tendinopathy. METHODS: Seven randomized control trials were selected following an electronic search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases. To be included in the current systematic review, the study had to be an RCT conducted on human participants, which investigated the effect of the DN technique on the management of tendinopathies. Only studies in the English language published in peer-reviewed journals between 1999 and 2020 were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. RESULTS: The PEDro score of the studies ranged from 5 to 9 with a mean score of 6.7 ± 1.2 (mean ± SD). A total of 357 participants were enrolled in the seven included studies, which were on greater trochanteric pain syndrome, lateral epicondylitis, supraspinatus tendinopathy and Achilles tendinopathy. DN was compared with various interventions, including platelet-rich plasma injection, autologous blood injection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. All the selected studies reported a significant positive effect of DN on pain intensity and other outcome measures, such as patient-specific functional score, disability index, range of motion and health-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that DN appears to be as effective as other treatment methods at relieving pain and other symptoms of tendinopathy immediately after treatment and up to 6 months. DN can be considered among the many options available for the management of tendinopathy.

Neuroeconomics of decision-making during COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic reveals the decision-making challenges faced by communities, governments, and international organizations, globally. Policymakers are much concerned about protecting the population from the deadly virus while lacking reliable information on the virus and its spread mechanisms and the effectiveness of possible measures and their (direct and indirect) health and socioeconomic costs. This review aims to highlight the various balanced policy decision that would combine the best obtainable scientific evidence characteristically provided by expert opinions and modeling studies. This article's main goal is to summarize the main significant progress in the understanding of neuroeconomics of decision-making and discuss the anatomy of decision making in the light of COVID-19 pandemic.

Neurobiology of Amphetamine use in Stroke Recovery Combined with Rehabilitative Training and Brain Stimulation.

Stroke is a physiological disorder involving a prolonged local interruption of cerebral blood flow. It leads to massive neuronal death and causes short-term or long-lasting functional impairment. Most stroke victims regain some neural function weeks or months following a stroke, but this recovery can plateau six months or more after the injury. The goal of stroke therapy is the rehabilitation of functional capabilities, especially those affecting the patient's autonomy and quality of life. Recent clinical and animal studies combining acute dextro-amphetamine (d-AMPH) administration with rehabilitative training (RT) have revealed that this treatment has significant remedial effects. The review aims to examine the synergistic therapeutic effects of d-amphetamine coupled with RT, administered during the early or late subacute period, on neuronal activation, anatomic plasticity, and skilled motor function in a middle-aged rodent stroke model. The treatment will also include magnetic field stimulation. This review will help increase understanding of the mechanism of d-amphetamine coupled with RT and magnetic field stimulation and their converging therapeutic effects for stroke recovery.

Effectiveness of Partial Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training on Various Outcomes in Different Contexts among Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The efficiency of partial body weight-supported treadmill training (PBWSTT) for treating various conditions in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) in diverse contexts of rehabilitation, households, or schools is unknown. The major objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the effectiveness of PBWSTT on various outcomes in different contexts among children and adolescents with CP. We incorporated full-text, randomized controlled trial studies that specifically assessed the effects of PBWSTT walking, motor function, stride, balance, and endurance in children and adolescents aged 3 to 18 years with CP. The literature search was carried out using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, PEDro, and ResearchGate databases. The methodological quality was evaluated using a Cochrane risk of bias instrument. A meta-analysis of pooled data from 10 studies with 255 participants demonstrated that PBWSTT for 4-12 weeks in rehabilitation (mean difference [MD] = 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.40-2.48, p < 0.0001), at home or in a school context (MD = 13.5, 95% CI = 13.9-16.0, p < 0.0001), was significantly effective for treating various conditions in children and adolescents suffering with CP. The period of 4-12 weeks of PBWSTT in rehabilitation and at-home/school settings is effective on various outcomes in children or adolescents with CP.

A systematic review of effects of daytime napping strategies on sports performance in physically active individuals with and without partial-sleep deprivation.

Background: Sleep is the body's natural recovery process, restoring routine metabolic and regulatory functions. Various sleep interventions have been developed to facilitate recovery, and athletic performance, and daytime napping are among them. However, due to inconsistencies in studies, it remains unclear whether daytime napping affects sports performance. This article aims to review the effects of daytime napping on various variables of sports performance in physically active individuals with and without partial-sleep deprivation. Methods: A systematic search in three clinical databases, namely Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, and Web of Science, was conducted. To be included in the current review, the study should be a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the influence of daytime napping on one or more components of sports performance in healthy adults, 18 years old or older. Results: In the accessible data available until December 2021, 1,094 records were found, of which 12 relevant randomized controlled trials were selected for qualitative synthesis. The majority of studies reported favourable effects of daytime napping on sports performance. However, only one study reported no significant impact, possibly due to a different methodological approach and a shorter nap duration. Conclusion: Napping strategies optimize sports performance in physically active, athletic populations, benefitting partially sleep-deprived and well-slept individuals, with longer nap durations (~90 min) having more significant advantages. Daytime naps can be considered as cost-efficient, self-administered methods promoting recovery of body functions.

The Metabolic Role of Ketogenic Diets in Treating Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a long-term neurological condition that results in recurrent seizures. Approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The ketogenic diet (KD) is considered an effective alternative treatment for epileptic patients. The aim of this study was to identify the metabolic role of the KD in epilepsy. Ketone bodies induce chemical messengers and alterations in neuronal metabolic activities to regulate neuroprotective mechanisms towards oxidative damage to decrease seizure rate. Here, we discuss the role of KD on epilepsy and related metabolic disorders, focusing on its mechanism of action, favorable effects, and limitations. We describe the significant role of the KD in managing epilepsy disorders.

Analysis of the Anaerobic Power Output, Dynamic Stability, Lower Limb Strength, and Power of Elite Soccer Players Based on Their Field Position.

Soccer players require a high degree of aerobic and anaerobic fitness to perform well throughout the game as per their position in the field. This study aimed to investigate the differences in anaerobic power output, dynamic stability, lower limb strength, and power among elite soccer players based on their field position. A cross-sectional population of 96 elite soccer players with average age 23.10 ± 4.35 years, weight 69.99 ± 9.71 kg, height 174.84 ± 6.64 cm, and body mass index 22.84 ± 2.39 kg/m2 from various soccer clubs in Saudi Arabia was tested for their anaerobic power output, dynamic stability, lower limb strength, and power performance. All the participants have more than 4 years of experience in competitive soccer events. Tests included a measure of single-leg vertical jump, star excursion balance test, and single-leg triple hop test for distance. The players were divided into four groups (goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and attackers) based on their self-reported position on the field. One-way ANOVA was used to determine the differences between all variables according to the players' position. In addition, partial eta-squared (ηp2) was used to report effect sizes. The results revealed significant differences between positions in the anaerobic power output (p = 0.012, ηp2 = 0.312), dynamic stability {Anterior (p = 0.004, ηp2 = 0.235), Anteromedial (p = 0.007, ηp2 = 0.622), Anterolateral (p = 0.011, ηp2 = 0.114)}, and lower limb strength, and power (p = 0.008, ηp2 = 0.421). At the same time, goalkeepers' performance was significantly superior to midfielders (p = 0.006) in the anaerobic power output. In addition, lower limb strength and power was significantly higher (p = 0.004) for goalkeepers than for midfielders, with a similar trend in dynamic stability (p = 0.007). These results exhibited differences in anaerobic power output, dynamic stability, lower limb strength, and power performance based on the players' positions. The investigation may assist the practitioner in designing training programs for the players according to their position for performance improvement.

Determining the hip joint isokinetic muscle strength and range of motion of professional soccer players based on their field position.

Background: Soccer players' physical and physiological demands vary based on their field position. Although the hip joint has an important role in soccer, little information is available about the strength and flexibility of the hip joint based on player positions. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the differences in muscle strength and flexibility of the hip joint of professional soccer players based on their field position. Methods: Ninety-six professional soccer players from Saudi Arabia were divided into four groups (goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and attackers), with 24 participants in each group based on their field position. The Modified Thomas test was used to measure the hip extension range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength was assessed by an Isokinetic dynamometer. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the isokinetic strength at the hip joint movements between goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and attackers (p ≥ 0.05). At the same time, there was a significant difference between groups in the hip extension ROM (p ≤ 0.05). according to different player positions. Post hoc tests reported significant differences between goalkeepers and defenders (p ≤ 0.05), midfielders (p ≤ 0.05), and attackers p ≤ 0.05). At the same time, there were no significant differences between defenders and midfielders (p ≥ 0.05), defenders and attackers (p ≥ 0.05), and midfielders and attackers (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: Even though there was no significant difference in isokinetic strength, there was a significant difference in hip extension ROM among players based on field position. This study may help coaches and trainers to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of players and design training programs to rectify the weaker components and improve players' performance in different playing positions.

Short-Term Effects of Dry Needling with a Standard Exercise Program on Pain and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the short-term effects of dry needling (DN) combined with a standard exercise program on pain and quality of life in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain (CMNP). METHODS: Thirty-one patients with CMNP were randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received DN and underwent a standard exercise program (one DN session and six exercise sessions) for two weeks, whereas the control group underwent the same exercise program alone for two weeks. The participants' scores in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Short Form-36 Quality of Life Scale (SF-36 QOLS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) before and after the intervention were assessed. RESULTS: The control and experimental groups' post-test NDI, NPRS, SF-36 QOLS, and BDI scores significantly differed from their baseline scores (p ≤ 0.05). The between-group comparison of the post-test scores using Wilcoxon rank-sum test revealed no significant differences between the NDI, NPRS, BDI, and SF-36 QOLS scores of both groups (p ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: One session of trigger point DN (TrP-DN) with exercise and exercise alone showed the same pain and quality-of-life outcomes after a two-week intervention. We did not recognise TrP-DN as an efficient intervention, not because we obtained evidence that it is ineffective, but because there were inadequate high-quality studies on the subject and unavailable data on the minimum quantity of injections required for better DN outcomes in CMNP patients.

Efficacy of Core Training in Swimming Performance and Neuromuscular Parameters of Young Swimmers: A Randomised Control Trial.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of core training in the swimming performance and neuromuscular properties of young swimmers. Methods: Eighteen healthy male swimmers (age: 13 ± 2 years, height: 159.6 ± 14.5 cm, weight: 48.7 ± 12.4 kg) were recruited from the Public Authority for Sports swimming pool in Dammam and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed a six-week core-training program consisting of seven exercises (three times/week) with regular swimming training. The control group maintained its regular training. Swimming performance and neuromuscular parameters were measured pre- and post-interventions. Results: The experimental group benefitted from the intervention in terms of the 50 m swim time (−1.4 s; 95% confidence interval −2.4 to −0.5) compared with the control group. The experimental group also showed improved swimming velocity (+0.1 m.s−1), stroke rate (−2.8 cycle.min−1), stroke length (+0.2 m.cycle−1), stroke index (+0.4 m2·s−1), total strokes (−2.9 strokes), and contraction time for erector spinae (ES; −1.5 ms), latissimus dorsi (LD; −7 ms), and external obliques (EO; −1.9 ms). Maximal displacement ES (DM-ES) (+3.3 mm), LD (0.5 mm), and EO (+2.2 mm) were compared with the baseline values for the experimental group, and TC-ES (5.8 ms), LD (3.7 ms), EO (2.5 ms), DM-ES (0.2 mm), LD (−4.1 mm), and EO (−1.0 mm) were compared with the baseline values for the control group. The intergroup comparison was statistically significant (p < 0.05; DM-ES p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that a six-week core-training program with regular swimming training improved the neuromuscular properties and the 50 m freestyle swim performance of the experimental group compared with the control group.