Effect of combined Kinesiotaping and resistive exercise on muscle strength and quality of life in breast cancer survivors: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) and its treatment affect women's tissue architecture and physiology, which leads to impaired muscle strength and joint dysfunction, affecting quality of life (QOL). Most evidence has focused on exercises; however, due to the complexity and heterogeneity of patients' rehabilitation needs, further research is required to investigate more adjunctive methods to help optimal rehabilitation according to patients' needs, preferences, and effective interventions. METHODS: This study aimed to determine the effect of Kinesiotaping (KT) combined with resistive exercise on muscle strength and QOL in breast cancer survivors (BCS). Forty premenopausal BCS treated with chemotherapy postmastectomy participated in this study. Their age ranged from 40 to 55 years, and their body mass index (BMI) was 25-29.9 kg/m2. They were randomly distributed into two equal groups. The control group received resistive exercise two times/week for 12 weeks, while the study group received resistive exercise and KT applied to the lower limbs. Hip, knee, and ankle muscle strength were measured using a hand-held dynamometer, and QOL was evaluated using 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) before and after treatment. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant increase (p = 0.0001) in the strength of hip flexors, knee extensors, flexors, ankle plantar flexors, and dorsiflexors, as well as SF-36 score after treatment. However, the study group showed a more significant increase in strength of hip flexors (p = 0.005), knee extensors (p = 0.01) and flexors (p = 0.02), ankle plantar flexors (p = 0.01), and dorsiflexors (p = 0.01), as well as SF-36 score (p = 0.006) than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: KT plus resistive exercise is more effective than exercise alone for improving muscle strength and QOL in BCS. So, the KT can be recommended as a non-invasive, adjunctive method added to the protocol therapy for BCS to help better outcomes during the rehabilitation period.

Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise on Power Profile and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of whole-body vibration (WBV) on muscle work and bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae and femur in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Forty-three postmenopausal women with low BMD were randomly assigned to WBV and control groups. Both groups received calcium and vitamin D supplementations once daily, while the WBV group additionally received WBV exercise (twice/wk) for 24 successive weeks. Qualisys gait analysis system was used to measure hip power generation by hip extensors (H1S) and flexors (H3S), hip power absorption by hip flexors (H2S), knee power absorption by quadriceps during loading response (K1S) and preswing (K3S), knee power absorption by hamstring (K4S), knee power generation by quadriceps (K2S), ankle power absorption by dorsiflexors (A1S) and plantar flexors (A2S), and ankle power generation by plantar flexors (A3S). Also, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure BMD of the lumbar vertebrae and femur before and after the intervention. RESULTS: There were significant increases (P < .05) in the hip muscle work (H1S, H2S, and H3S), knee muscle work (K1S, K2S, K3S, and K4S), ankle muscle work (A1S, A2S, and A3S) during gait, and BMD of the lumbar vertebrae and femur of the WBV group. However, there were no significant changes (P > .05) in the control group. The posttreatment values of the hip, knee, and ankle muscle work and BMD of the WBV group were significantly (P < .05) higher than the posttreatment values of the control group. CONCLUSION: Whole-body vibration training improved the leg muscle work and lumbar and femoral BMD in postmenopausal women with low BMD.

Effect of segmental stabilizing exercises augmented by pelvic floor muscles training on women with postpartum pelvic girdle pain: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a significant problem that affects daily living activities in postpartum women. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of stabilizing exercises with or without pelvic floor muscles (PFM) training on pain, functional disability, trunk range of motion (ROM) and PFM strength in women with PGP. METHODS: Forty postpartum women participated in the study. Their age ranged from 25-35 years and their body mass index (BMI) was 25-29.9 kg/m2. They were randomly assigned into two groups equal in number. Group (A) received local stabilizing exercises, while group (B) received stabilizing exercises and PFM training. Pain, functional disability, trunk ROM and PFM strength have been evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Schober test and Kegel periniometer respectively. RESULTS: Both groups (A and B) revealed a significant decrease (p= 0.001) in pain and functional disability and a significant increase (p= 0.001) in trunk ROM and PFM strength. However, group (B) showed a significant decrease (p= 0.001) in pain, and functional disability and a significant increase in PFM strength when compared with group (A). CONCLUSIONS: PFM training should be an essential part in rehabilitation programs of PGP postpartum.

The relationship between trunk and pelvis kinematics during pregnancy trimesters.

PURPOSE: Pregnancy is characterized by many musculoskeletal changes that affect daily living activities and walking. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pregnancy on pelvic and trunk kinematics, and their relationship during the three pregnancy trimesters. METHODS: Three-dimensional pelvis and trunk motions were measured using Qualisys Gait Analysis System in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The maximum anterior pelvic tilt and maximum trunk flexion during stance phase, pelvic tilt, obliquity and rotation, as well as trunk flexion-extension, lateral bending and rotation were measured. RESULTS: Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a significant increase in the maximum anterior pelvic tilt during stance phase ( p = 0.005), and a significant decrease in the pelvic obliquity ( p = 0.011), maximum trunk flexion during stance phase ( p = 0.0006), trunk lateral bending ( p = 0.005) and trunk rotation ( p = 0.004). A significant negative correlation was found between maximum anterior pelvic tilt and maximum trunk flexion in the first (r = -0.72, p = 0.008), second (r = -0.61, p = 0.03), and third (r = -0.61, p = 0.03) trimesters of pregnancy. Also, there was a significant positive correlation found between pelvic obliquity and trunk lateral bending in the first (r = 0.76, p = 0.04), second (r = 0.59, p = 0.04), and third (r = 0.59, p = 0.04) trimesters of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The pregnant women walk with an increased maximum anterior pelvic tilt, a decreased maximum trunk flexion, a decreased pelvic obliquity, as well as a decreased trunk lateral bending and rotation. Pregnancy does not affect the relationship between pelvis and trunk motions.

Effect of laser acupuncture combined with a diet-exercise intervention on metabolic syndrome in post-menopausal women.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of laser acupuncture combined with a diet-exercise intervention on features of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Twenty-eight obese post-menopausal women were randomly distributed to the control and laser acupuncture group. The control group received the diet-exercise intervention and the study group received the same intervention and sessions of laser acupuncture, 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurement, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and lipid profile were assessed before and after the treatment course. Both groups showed a significant decrease in the anthropometric and metabolic parameters. However, laser acupuncture group showed a greater decrease in the waist (P = 0.001) and hip (P = 0.001) circumferences, cholesterol (P = 0.04), and insulin levels (P = 0.043) than the control group. These results suggest that laser acupuncture is a valuable approach that could be added to the diet-exercise intervention to correct features of the MetS.

Three-dimensional analysis of gait in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density.

BACKGROUND: There's lack in the literature respecting changes in the trunk and hip angles, and power profile of the lower extremities in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, this study aimed to examine gait characteristics of that population, and find out which characteristics may be predictors to BMD. This may provide suitable interventions for subjects with osteoporosis. METHODS: Seventeen healthy postmenopausal women and seventeen with low BMD engaged in this study. Dual X-ray Absorbiometry measured BMD at lumber (L2-4) and femoral neck. Qualysis gait analysis system assessed the gait pattern of each subject. RESULTS: Compared to healthy peers, women with low BMD showed less trunk rotation (p = 0.02), hip adduction (p = 0.005) and extension moments (p = 0.008). They showed less hip power generation during early stance (H1S) (p = 0.000), and swing phase (H3S) (p = 0.005), and less hip power absorption (H2S) (p = 0.005). They also, showed less knee power absorption during terminal swing (K4S) (p = 0.002), and ankle power generation at push off (A2S) (p = 0.000). The ability of the gait variables to discriminate between subjects with or without osteopenia was (0.72%, p = 0.016) for trunk rotation, (78%, p = 0.0004) for hip adductor moment, (76%, p = 0.0013) for hip extensor moment, (87%, p < 0.0001) for H1S, (79%, p = 0.0001) for H2S, (77%, p = 0.0008) H3S, (81%, p = 0.0001) for K4S, and (93%, p < 0.0001) for A2S. CONCLUSION: Less power generation at the hip and ankle as well as, less power absorption at the hip and knee, may suggest that postmenopausal women with low BMD showed less propulsion, and stability during walking. Trunk rotation, hip adduction and extension moments, H1S, H2S, H3S, K4S, and A2S are significant predictors for low bone mass in the postmenopausal women.