Immediate effects of local muscle vibration on static and dynamic balance control in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the immediate effects of local muscle vibration (LMV) on static and dynamic balance control in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI). DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six individuals with CAI and 26 healthy controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Center of pressure variables (mean total velocity and displacement in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions) during single-leg standing with eyes open and eyes closed and also reach distances in anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) directions of the modified star excursion balance test (MSEBT) were assessed before and after LMV. RESULTS: Statistical analyses showed a significant decrease in mean total velocity and displacement in AP direction from before to after LMV in eyes open condition for both individuals with CAI (p = 0.025, p = 0.041, respectively) and healthy controls (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, respectively). Similar results were observed in eyes closed condition for both individuals with CAI (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) and healthy controls (p = 0.040, p = 0.014, respectively). The results also showed increased reach distances in ANT (p < 0.001), PM (p < 0.001), and PL directions (p < 0.001) in all participants after LMV. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that LMV may be a useful tool in rehabilitation of static and dynamic balance deficits in individuals with CAI.

Differences in dynamic balance control based on pain catastrophizing level in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Pain catastrophization (PC) is related to motor control changes in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). However, differences in dynamic balance control based on the level of PC still remain unclear in these individuals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the dynamic balance control between healthy controls and individuals with NSCLBP with high and low PC. METHODS: Forty individuals with NSCLBP and 20 healthy participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Individuals with NSCLBP were classified into two groups of high and low PC. Dynamic balance control was assessed using the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (MSEBT), Five-Time Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). RESULTS: Statistical analyses showed that mean values of reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the MSEBT were significantly lower in individuals with NSCLBP with high PC compared to low PC (p = .04, p = .01, and p = .04, respectively) and healthy controls (p < .001, p = .001, and p = .006, respectively). In addition, for both the FTSS and TUG tests, the mean time was significantly greater in individuals with NSCLBP with high PC compared to low PC (p < .001 and p = .004, respectively) and healthy controls (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed poor dynamic balance control in individuals with NSCLBP with high PC. This suggests that PC could contribute to the impaired dynamic balance control in individuals with NSCLBP. Combining balance exercises and cognitive-behavioral treatments targeting PC may be useful for the improvement of dynamic balance control in individuals with NSCLBP with high PC.

The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on muscle activity pattern in professional voice users with muscle tension dysphonia using surface electromyography data: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Muscle Tension Dysphonia is a voice disorder, which results in stiffness in the laryngeal extrinsic muscles, intense collision, painful contractions, and vibrations of the vocal cords. Due to the multifactorial identity of Muscle Tension Dysphonia, its therapeutic approach must be multidisciplinary. METHODS: The participants were divided into two groups: a control group (5participants) that received Circumlaryngeal Manual Therapy (CMT) + Placebo Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and an experimental group (5participants) that received Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation + CMT. Both groups received 10 sessions of treatment, twice a week, for 40 min each. Before and after treatment, participants were assessed using the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI) and surface electromyography for their ability to sustain the vowels /e& u/and count from 20 to30. RESULT: After therapy, there were substantial improvements in the DSI (2.72 ± 0.55, P < 0.05) and muscle electrical activity in the control group. The DSI (3.66 ± 0.63, P < 0.05) and muscle electrical activity were also significantly improved in the experimental group after treatment. The findings of the between-group comparison after treatment revealed a significantly greater increase in the Dysphonia Severity Index in the experimental group compared with the control group (P = 0.037). Although there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of muscle electrical activity, clinically significant changes were more noticeable in the experimental group when compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Positive results were seen in both groups. The results demonstrate that both approaches relax vocal tract muscles. As a result, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation was recommended as a complementary treatment for clients with Muscle Tension Dysphonia.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport After Injury Scale: Reliability and Validity of the Persian Version.

BACKGROUND: The Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury scale (ACL-RSI) is used to measure athletes' psychological readiness in terms of their emotions, confidence in performance, and risk appraisal with respect to return to sport after ACL reconstruction. OBJECTIVE: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the ACL-RSI to the Persian version and evaluate the reliability and validity of this scale in patients with ACL reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical measurement study (psychometric analysis). METHODS: To assess test-retest reliability, 100 participants were asked to complete the Persian version of the ACL-RSI 2 times with a 7- to 10-day interval. In the first assessment, the patients also filled the Injury-Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport Questionnaire, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Internal consistency (Cronbach alpha, α), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients), measurement error (standard error of measurement and minimum detectable change), and construct validity (Pearson r) were determined. RESULTS: Our results showed good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = .94) and excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients = .90 (.85-.93)]. Standard error of measurement and minimum detectable change were 4.64 and 12.85, respectively. No significant bias was observed between test and retest. In addition, based on the results of correlation analysis, all hypotheses of this study were confirmed. The Persian version of the ACL-RSI had a strong correlation with Injury-Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport (I-PPR) (P < .001, r = .76) and Tampa scale of Kinesiophobia (TKS) (P < .001, r = -.68). Furthermore, a moderate correlation was observed between the Persian version of the ACL-RSI and the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (P < .001, r = .44) and between this version of the ACL-RSI and the subscales of Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (P < .001, r = .30-.55). CONCLUSION: Given its acceptable reliability and validity, the Persian version of the ACL-RSI seems to be a suitable tool for evaluating psychological readiness to return to sport after ACL reconstruction.

The Effect of McGill Core Stability Training on Movement Patterns, Shooting Accuracy, and Throwing Performance in Male Basketball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Core stability training has been recommended as a vital element in improving movement's pattern and athletic performance. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 12-week McGill core stability training on movement patterns, shooting accuracy, and throwing performance. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: University research laboratory. METHODS: Forty male basketball players were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group completed 12-week McGill core stability training, while the control group completed routine exercise training. Patterns of functional movements was measured through functional movement screen (FMS), shooting accuracy measured by static 3-point shooting (S3P) and dynamic 60-second 3-point shooting test, and throwing performance measured by Functional Throwing Performance Index. RESULTS: Comparison revealed that regardless of received training, after 12 weeks both groups showed significant improvement in all outcome measures. However, experimental group had significantly higher post test scores in FMS (P = .02), S3P (P = .007), and dynamic 60-second 3-point shooting test (P = .01). For Functional Throwing Performance Index, there was no group differences (P = .96). The results of follow-up assessments showed for all measurements including FMS (P = .03), S3P (P = .004), dynamic 60-second 3-point shooting test (P < .001), and Functional Throwing Performance Index (P = .005); experimental group had higher scores than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, implementing McGill core stability training in basketball routine training would be advisable since significant improvement can be obtained in the measured parameters.

Immediate Effect of Modifying Lumbopelvic Motion During Sitting Knee Extension in People With Low Back Pain: A Repeated-Measures Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of people with low back pain (LBP) to modify the pattern of lumbopelvic rotation (LPR) when actively moving their lower limbs in sitting. Methods: In this repeated-measures study in 38 men with chronic mechanical LBP (mean age, 38.4 ± 10.6 years), the timing and magnitude of LPR were investigated before and during the contraction of abdominal muscles during active knee extension while sitting. The kinematic data were collected using a motion-capture system, and OpenSim software was used for data analysis. The time difference between the start of knee extension and the start of LPR was measured and then adjusted to the movement time of the knee. The maximum LPR angle was also measured. Results: Participants increased the time difference between the start of knee extension and the start of LPR when contracting the abdominal muscles (P < .01). Before and during contraction of abdominal muscles, however, there were no differences in maximum LPR. Conclusion: People with LBP are able to modify early lumbopelvic motion during active lower limb movement while sitting. This may reduce the frequency of lumbopelvic motion during activities of daily living in sitting in these people.

Differences in timing and magnitude of lumbopelvic rotation during active and passive knee extension in sitting position in people with and without low back pain: A cross-sectional study.

Repetitive lumbopelvic rotation (LPR) during active limb movements has been indicated as a factor that contributes to low back pain (LBP). Prior studies suggest that people with LBP demonstrate greater and earlier LPR during limb movements in prone. We examined timing and magnitude of LPR during sitting active knee extension in people with and without LBP. We also investigated differences of LPR during active and passive knee extension in LBP group. 38 men (mean age: 38.4)10.6) years) with chronic mechanical LBP and 38 matched healthy men (mean age: 36.6(8.4) years) were examined. Kinematic data were collected by motion capture system and analyzed using OpenSim software. The difference between the start time of knee extension and start time of LPR was calculated and was normalized to knee extension movement time. Maximum angular displacement for LPR was also calculated across time. People with LBP demonstrated earlier LPR during knee extension than healthy subjects (P < 0.01). There was, however, no difference in maximum LPR between groups. LBP group also demonstrated greater and earlier LPR during active than during passive knee extension (P < 0.01). Earlier LPR during limb movements in sitting may be related to LBP. Quadriceps muscle activity and inefficient trunk muscles activation may contribute to early LPR in LBP group. A greater understanding of the factors that may contribute to early LPR during daily activities can provide information to guide rehabilitation treatment for people with LBP.