Effect of Kinesio taping versus mechanical cervical traction combined with physiotherapy program on chronic neck pain in young female university students.

Background: Mechanical neck pain is common among young female university students and can lead to disability and reduced physical activity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Kinesio taping (KT) to mechanical cervical traction (MCT) on young female university students with chronic neck pain. Methods: Sixty young female university students with mechanical neck pain participated in this study; their ages ranged from 19 years to 23 years. They were assigned to three equal groups: the control group (A) received infrared, massage, stretching, and strengthening exercises three days per week for 6 weeks. Experimental group B received cervical traction in addition to the same program as the control, and experimental group C received KT in addition to the same program as the control group. Absolute pain intensity by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) were measured pre-and post-treatment intervention. Data were gathered at baseline, and after 6 weeks of intervention for three groups. Results: The MANOVA test showed a significant reduction in NDI and pain level after 6 weeks between pre-and post-treatment intervention in group B (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). There was a significant reduction in pain after 6 weeks in group C. There was also a significant reduction in NDI and pain level after 6 weeks in group B versus control group (P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). In addition, a significant reduction in pain level and NDI after 6 weeks was detected in group B compared to group C (P<0.001, P=0.014, respectively) while a significant reduction in pain level only between the control group (A) and group C was detected (P<0.001). Conclusion: In young female university students with mechanical neck pain, cervical traction combined with physiotherapy program was found to be more effective than KT with physiotherapy program or physiotherapy program alone in reducing pain and enhancing functional abilities after 6 weeks. This will help physiotherapists make more informed decisions concerning the clinical effects of MCT.

The impact of anthropometric measures on plantar pressure distribution in male handball players and non-athletes: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing body anthropometry brings substantial spinal stress, which influences the spinal curvatures; this in turn may affect the foot plantar pressure distribution. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the impact of body anthropometry on static plantar pressure distribution and their relationship among handball players and non-athletes subjects. METHODS: Thirty handball players aged from 21 to 26 years, and thirty age-matched non-athletes subjects aged from 21 to 28 years participated in this study. The spinal lordosis and kyphosis angles, trunk length, pelvic tilting, and pelvic rotation were evaluated using Formetric 4-dimensions and the Pedoscan device was used to assess the plantar pressure distribution. RESULTS: The handball players were significantly taller, heavier, and have a long trunk length than non-athletes group (p < 0.05), and a significantly increased thoracic kyphosis, forefeet pressure distribution compared to non-athletes group (p < 0.05). The handball players had a significantly increased forefeet pressure distribution compared to the rearfeet pressure distribution (p < 0.05), a high positive correlation between body height, and both trunk length and kyphosis angle (r = 0.932, 0.665 respectively), and the body height showed a high positive correlation with the forefeet pressure distribution (r = 0.665). There was a high positive correlation between the handball players' thoracic kyphosis and forefeet pressure distribution (r = 0.751). CONCLUSION: Increasing the handball players' body height was related to increased thoracic kyphosis and forefeet pressure distribution compared to non-athletes subjects. Additionally, the kyphotic posture of handball players is associated with increasing the total forefeet pressure distribution compared to the total rearfeet pressure distribution.

Effect of Adding Physiotherapy Program to the Conservative Medical Therapy on Quality of Life and Pain in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients.

OBJECTIVE: : To assess the effectiveness of combining physiotherapy techniques with conservative medical treatment in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients. METHODS: : Sixty-eight volunteers with CRS were randomly assigned. Group A received only traditional medical treatment, whereas group B received a physiotherapy program that included pulsed ultrasound therapy, sinus manual drainage techniques, and self-sinus massage technique in addition to traditional medical treatment. Interventions were applied 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks. The rhinosinusitis disability index (RSDI) served as the main outcome indicator for assessing the quality of life, and the secondary outcome measure was the pressure pain threshold (PPT) using a pressure algometer. RESULTS: : Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed a significant reduction (p<0.001) in total RSDI values from 71.08±1.13 pretest to 47.14±1.15 posttest for group A, while it decreased from 70.64±1.20 pretreatment to 31.76±1.04 posttreatment for group B; furthermore, Mann-Whitney U-test revealed a significant difference (p<0.001) in total RSDI values between both groups when comparing the change of the pre-post data values, it was 23.94±0.95 for group A and 38.88±0.67 for group B. The independent t-test revealed a highly statistically significant increase (p<0.001) in the PPT values in the experimental group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: : The physiotherapy program which included pulsed ultrasound therapy, sinus manual drainage technique, and self-sinus massage technique in conjunction with conventional medical treatment was more beneficial for enhancing the quality of life and PPT than traditional medical treatment alone in CRS patients.

Barometric and Spatiotemporal Gait Differences Between Leading and Nonleading Feet of Handball Players.

BACKGROUND: Side-to-side stress imbalance has been suggested as a risk factor for injury in unilateral sports. The leading leg is suggested to be essential in sports rehabilitation for the return of athletes to the playground. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamic pedobarometric and spatiotemporal gait differences between the leading and nonleading feet of male handball players. METHODS: Thirty healthy elite male handball players (mean ± SD: age, 31.7 ± 2.99 years; height, 177.5 ± 6.0 cm; weight, 78.9 ± 6.3 kg; body mass index, 25.0 ± 0.7) participated in this study; all of the participants were backcourt and pivot handball players. The assessments were performed using the Tekscan Walkway pressure sensor to detect and compare the variables of interest between the leading and nonleading feet during normal walking at a self-selected speed. RESULTS: Maximum force, peak pressure (total and forefoot pressure), foot width, single-limb support time, and step velocity were significantly increased in the leading foot compared with the nonleading foot. In addition, maximum force, foot width, and total peak pressure showed moderate positive significant correlations with body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in the pedobarometric and spatiotemporal gait parameters may result from the physiologic and mechanical demands that are put on the leading foot of handball players, which need more rehabilitation attention and protection to avoid expected injuries.

Sexual Dimorphism Impact on the Ground Reaction Force Acting on the Mediolateral Direction During Level Walking: Hip Abductor Muscle Biomechanics and Its Correlation to GRF Moment Arm.

The female pelvis morphology represents an evolved compensation between two opposing needs: a broad pelvis enough to deliver a sizeable brained offspring while remaining narrow enough to allow for effective bipedal gait. The precise expectation of hip abductor force generation is critical in anthropological studies and experimental practice of human stride mechanics. Hip implants and surgical procedures for hip anatomy reconstruction are based on the static single-leg stance paradigm. The current work investigated the impact of sexual dimorphism on the ground reaction force (GRF) acting on the mediolateral direction during level walking, emphasizing the difference in hip abductor muscle biomechanics and its correlation to ground reaction force moment arm, R. The ground reaction force in the mediolateral direction, hip abduction and adduction moments during the gait cycle and ground reaction force moment arm, R were measured. The current study concludes that the male individuals exhibit significantly higher mass-specific mediolateral ground reaction force during level walking. In contrast, hip abductor moments/kg body weight, medialization of the trochanter, R, and hip coronal were more significant in female individuals. We conclude that increased abductor moment and medialization of the greater trochanter will increase R, hip coronal and decrease abductor moment arm, r, in female individuals, affecting the effective mechanical advantage (EMA) of hip abductors in single-limb stance during level walking.

The efficacy of Theraband versus general active exercise in improving postural kyphosis.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic kyphotic posture is accompanying increased biomechanical load of the backbone which is possibly problematic. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to examine the effects of general active exercise versus Theraband exercise on female kyphotic posture. METHODS: An experimental study was conducted at the biomechanical lab. in Physical Therapy College, Cairo University. Fourteen female volunteers with kyphotic posture aged from 18 to 30 years were selected and equally distributed into two groups; 1st group received Theraband exercises (neck retraction exercise, scapular retraction exercise, and resistive shoulder blade squeeze) and 2nd group received general active exercises (Thoracic stretching exercise, thoracic extension exercises, and extension in lying with cervical retraction exercises). Each exercise was conducted properly for 60 min in 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (total of 12 sessions per week). The Index of kyphosis (IK) was calculated before and after treatment. Moreover, the percentage of back disability index questionnaire (PBDI) and pain score were also detected. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to compare the post-treatment's means between the first and second groups and control the pre-treatment variables. No significant differences were found post-treatment (P > 0.05). Moreover, IK measures showed a statistically significant difference post-treatment (P < 0.05). The paired sample t-test showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in all variables within the first and second groups. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated the positive effect of both techniques in reducing the IK, percentage of back disability index, and pain score with a more positive effect of Theraband in reducing the IK measures post-treatment.

Impact of body weight on shifting of foot pressure among adult subjects.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare the distribution of foot plantar pressure between normal and obese adult subjects during walking. METHODS: Sixty male and female adult volunteers (aged 20-40) were recruited into the study. They were equally divided into 30 normal subjects (BMI = 18.5-22.9 kg/cm²) into group I and 30 obese subjects (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/cm²) into group II, according to their BMI. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between normal and obese subjects in foot length, width, and pressure distribution in the hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and toes. There was a statistically significant increase in the plantar pressure of all measured areas in obese persons in comparison with the normal subjects. In addition, all measures of foot pressure showed statistically significant differences between the same sex of both groups, while the obese subjects of both genders have higher foot pressure in all measured areas. High positive correlations were detected between BMI, peak pressure, foot contact, and foot width in both groups, but there was a weak positive correlation between normal BMI and foot contact area. CONCLUSION: The distribution of plantar foot pressure is different in adult obese subjects than in normal adult subjects during walking activity. The obese persons have larger foot length, width, higher peak pressure, and contact area. This study can help physical therapists to understand the differences of foot pressure between normal and obese subjects, and consequently, to detect any expected foot abnormalities accompanied by obesity.

The Impact of Tennis and Golfer's Elbow on Shoulder External Rotators and Abductors' Peak Torque.

CONTEXT: Upper limb activities require a repetitive movement of the shoulder external rotator and abductor muscles. The malfunction of the proximal part of the upper limb kinetic chain tends to change the mechanics of the distal part and increase the risk of injuries. OBJECTIVES: To compare the normalized eccentric peak torque (NEPT) of the shoulder external rotator and abductor muscles among healthy athletes and those with tennis elbow and golfer's elbow. DESIGN: An experimental cross-sectional study. SETTING: Isokinetic laboratory, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 30 male athletes participated voluntarily in this study. INTERVENTION: Participants were distributed into 3 groups: healthy group, tennis elbow group, and golfer's elbow group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: NEPT of shoulder abductors and external rotators. The Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer was used to measure the variables of interest. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the NEPT of shoulder abductors and external rotators in healthy control group compared with both tennis elbow and golfer's elbow groups at an angular velocity of 60°/s (P < .05). Moreover, there was a significant increase in the NEPT of shoulder external rotators and abductors at an angular velocity of 120°/s in healthy control group compared with tennis elbow group and in golfer's elbow group compared with tennis elbow group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are associated with decreased NEPT of shoulder external rotators and abductors compared with those of healthy athletes. This tends to decrease the external stability of the shoulder joint and put high stress on the distal joints of the upper kinetic chain.

Improving spatiotemporal gait parameters in spastic diplegic children using treadmill gait training.

BACKGROUND: Even though several physiotherapy techniques help to improve the spatiotemporal gait parameters of diplegic children, the efficacy of treadmill gait training together with conventional treatment techniques on spatiotemporal parameter improvement needs more investigation. OBJECTIVE: This study's main purpose is to investigate the effect of treadmill gait training as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy treatment on the spatiotemporal gait parameters of diplegic children. METHODS: Twenty diplegic children were distributed randomly into two equal groups (a control group of ten children who received a traditional treatment and an experimental group of ten children who received the traditional treatment together with treadmill gait training). Gait data were collected using a Vicon three-dimensional motion analysis system during regular walking. RESULTS: Walking speed, cadence, step length, stride length, and single limb support were enhanced in both groups (p < 0.05). Cadence and walking speed increased by 6.5 steps/min and 0.2 m/sec respectively in the experimental group, compared to the control group. Also, step length, stride length and single limb support time increased by 0.13 m, 0.27 m, and 0.07 s respectively in the experimental group, compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The use of treadmill gait training together with conventional physical therapy treatment enhances the walking performance of diplegic children by improving several spatiotemporal gait parameters. Furthermore, walking balance is improved by increasing the single-leg support time.

A comparison of sagittal spine deformities among elementary school students using spinal mouse device.

BACKGROUND: Sagittal spine curvature deformities are common among elementary school students due to long malposition and lack of physical activity. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare sagittal spine deformities among first graders (young and elder school students) in elementary schools. METHODS: The sagittal spinal curvatures of 45 young school students aged 5-7 years and 50 elder school students aged 9-11 years were examined by using spinal mouse device. RESULTS: Independent sample t-test shows statistically significant differences in sagittal spinal deformities with increased thoracic kyphosis and spinal flexion in young children than elder children (P = .000, t = 10.72). However, young children show lesser lordosis than elder children (P = .001, t = -4.47). In addition, the young children established a higher significant coefficient of compensation (CC) than elder children (P = .000 t = 12.58). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the forward flexion of the trunk is more common among young children than elder children. This may be attributed to differences in postural awareness and way of sitting among students of elementary school. So, it is recommended to encourage the proper postures among students of first graders especially young children.

Effect of Acute Static Stretching on Lower Limb Movement Performance Using STABL Virtual Reality System.

CONTEXT: The effect of acute static stretching (ASS) on the lower limb reaction time (RT) has been recently questioned to decrease the risk of falling and injuries in situations requiring a rapid reaction, as in the cases of balance disturbance. OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to detect the effect of ASS on the lower limb RT using a virtual reality device. DESIGN: Two-group control group design. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: The control and experimental groups were formed randomly from 60 female university students. INTERVENTION: Each participant in the experimental group was tested before and after ASS for the quadriceps, hamstrings, and planter flexor muscles, and compared with the control group with warming-up exercise alone. The stretching program involved warming up in the form of circular running inside the lab for 5 minutes followed by stretching of each muscle group three times, to the limit of discomfort of 45 seconds, with resting period of 15 seconds between stretches. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The measurements included the RT of the dominant lower-extremity using the dynamic stability program STABL Virtual Reality System (model no. DIZ 2709; Motekforce Link). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction (F = 162, P < .05) in posttest RT between the 2 groups and significant decrease in RT after stretching in the experimental group (7.5%; P < .05). CONCLUSION: ASS of the lower limb muscles tends to decrease the lower limb RT and improve movement performance.

Effect of task specific training and wrist-fingers extension splint on hand joints range of motion and function after stroke.

BACKGROUND: Most stroke patients experience hand impairments that can result in persistent limitations in daily activities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at estimating the immediate and retention effects of task specific training and wrist/fingers extension splint on hand joints range of motion and function after stroke. METHODS: Twenty-four right handed patients with first ever stroke represented the sample of the study. The participants were randomly assigned into two equal groups. The study group received task specific exercises five times a week for an hour concurrently with wrist/fingers extension splint which was used two hours for each three hours (day and night) excluding exercises and sleeping hours for 16 weeks. The control group received traditional passive stretch and range of motion exercises. Manual dexterity and upper limb function were assessed by nine holes peg test and Fugl-Meyer upper extremity and hand. Goniometry was used for measuring wrist, metacarpophalangeal, thumb carpometacarpal joints active range of motion. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in nine holes peg test, Fugl-Meyer upper extremity and hand scores and ranges of motion at post-intervention and follow-up compared to pre-intervention at P≤0.05. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide an evidence that task specific training and wrist/fingers extension splint are effective in improving fingers dexterity, upper extremity function and wrist/hand range of motion.

Relation between peak knee flexion angle and knee ankle kinetics in single-leg jump landing from running: a pilot study on male handball players to prevent ACL injury.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between knee kinematics and knee-ankle kinetics during the landing phase of single leg jumping has been widely studied to identify proper strategies for preventing non-contact ACL injury. However, there is a lack of study on knee-ankle kinetics at peak knee flexion angle during jumping from running. Hence, the purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between peak knee flexion angle, knee extension moment, ankle plantar flexion moment and ground reaction force in handball players in order to protect ACL from excessive stress during single leg jumping. In addition, the study also clarifies the role of calf muscles in relieving part of ACL stresses with different knee flexion angles during landing. METHODS: Fifteen active male elite handball players of Saudi Arabia have participated in this study (Age = 22.6 ± 3.5years, Height = 182 ± 3.7 cm, Weight = 87.5 ± 10.2 kg). The players performed three successful landings of single-leg jump following running a fixed distance of about 450cm. The data were collected using a 3D motion capture and analysis system (VICON). RESULTS: Pearson product moment correlation coefficients showed that greater peak knee flexion angle is related significantly to both lesser knee extension moment (r = -.623, P = .013) and vertical component of ground reaction force (VGRF) (r = -.688, P = .005) in landing phase. Moreover, increasing the peak knee flexion angle in landing phase tends to increase the ankle plantar flexion moment significantly (r = .832, P = .000). CONCLUSION: With an increase of the peak knee flexion angle during single leg jump landing from running, there would be less knee extension moment, low impact force and more plantar flexion moment. As such, the clinical implication of this study is that there may be a possible protective mechanism by increasing the knee flexion angle during landing phase, which tends to protect the ACL from vigorous strain and injuries.

Influence of increasing knee flexion angle on knee-ankle varus stress during single-leg jump landing.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to identify the relationship between the peak knee flexion angle and knee-ankle varus stress in the landing phase of the single-leg jump during running. METHODS: Fifteen male handball players from the first Saudi Arabian handball team were incorporated in this study. Each player performed a single-leg jump-land after running a fixed distance of 450 cm. The data were measured using a 3D motion analysis system. The maximum knee flexion angle, knee varus angle, centre of pressure pathway in the medio-lateral direction, and ankle varus moment were measured. RESULTS: The Pearson Product Moment Correlation showed that a greater knee flexion angle was related to a greater lateral displacement of the centre of pressure (r = 0.794, P = 0.000), a greater ankle varus moment (r = 0.707, P = 0.003), and a greater knee varus angle (r = 0.753, P = 0.001). In addition, the greater ankle varus moment was related to the greater lateral displacement of the centre of pressure (r = 0.734, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: These findings may help physical therapists and conditioning professionals to understand the impact of increasing knee flexion angle on the lower limb joints. Such findings may help to develop training protocols for enhancing the lateral body reaction during the landing phase of the single-leg jump, which may protect the knee and ankle joints from excessive varus stresses.

Relationships among head posture, pain intensity, disability and deep cervical flexor muscle performance in subjects with postural neck pain.

OBJECTIVES: Information Technology (IT) professionals working with computers gradually develop forward head posture and, as a result, these professionals are susceptible to several neck disorders. This study intended to reveal the relationships between pain intensity, disability, head posture and deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscle performance in patients with postural neck pain. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 84 IT professionals who were diagnosed with postural neck pain. The participants were recruited with a random sampling approach. A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), the Modified Head Posture Spinal Curvature Instrument (MHPSCI), and the Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback Unit were used to measure neck pain intensity, neck disability, head posture, and DCF muscle performance, respectively. RESULTS: The Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a significantly strong positive relationship between the VAS and the NPQ (r = 0.734). The cranio-vertebral (CV) angle was found to have a significantly negative correlation with the VAS (r = -0.536) and a weak negative correlation with the NPQ (r = -0.389). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that a smaller CV angle corresponded to greater neck pain intensity and disability. Furthermore, there is no significant relationship between CV angle and DCF muscle performance, indicating that head posture re-education through postural correction exercises would not completely correct the motor control deficits in DCF muscles. In addition, a suitable exercise regimen that exclusively targets the deep cervical flexor muscle to improve its endurance is warranted.