The Immediate Effects of Dry Cupping the Lumbar Paraspinals on Range of Motion and Temperature.

Dry cupping is a therapeutic modality proposed to produce a negative pressure, stretching the skin and underlying tissue. This mechanism is said to promote regional blood flow of oxygenated blood and causing a physiological stretch in the tissue, allowing it to elongate and potentially changing skin temperature. The possible effects of the application to the lumbar spine paraspinal muscles, however, has not been thoroughly examined. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the immediate effects of dry cupping the lumbar paraspinals on lumbar spine range of motion (ROM) and overlying skin temperature. 30 healthy individuals aged 18-30 years completed the study. The dry cupping was placed on the lumbar paraspinal muscles for 10-minutes. Two plastic cups were placed on the bilateral paraspinals muscles at L1 and L5. Lumbar spine flexion ROM and skin temperature were measured pre- and post-intervention. Descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests were used to analyze the data (p < .05). There was a statistically significant increase in lumbar spine flexion ROM measured with the Sit and Reach Test, t(29) = 12.62 p = 0.001; d = 2.34, and inclinometry, t(29) = 11.10, p = 0.001; d = 3.86, with a large effect size. There was also a statistically significant decrease in the skin temperature of the lumbar spine paraspinals, t(29) = -2.23, p = 0.034; d = 0.75, with a medium effect size, post-intervention. Dry cupping may be an effective strategy to increase lumbar spine ROM and decrease stiffness, promote recovery, and reduce functional limitations. Future research may examine the difference in effectiveness of static compared to dynamic cupping in a symptomatic population.

Exploring the personal stroke and rehabilitation experiences of older adults with chronic stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative descriptive study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the personal stroke and rehabilitation experiences of older adults with chronic stroke living in a mid-sized Northwestern Ontario city in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive approach with a constructivist worldview was used. In addition, a semi-structured interview guide was used to gather the participants' perspectives on their experiences throughout stroke recovery. Ten participants were interviewed, including six males and four females. The interviews were completed, transcribed, and analysed using inductive and deductive content analysis. Multiple steps were taken to enhance data trustworthiness. RESULTS: Six main themes and eight related subthemes emerged. These included: getting help is complex, the effects of stroke are multifaceted, losing rehabilitation services during the COVID-19 pandemic, overcoming hardships but not alone, "If you don't use it, you lost it": rehabilitative success is based on one's actions, and "look at me now": the importance of taking pride in one's successes. CONCLUSIONS: One unique finding was that the participants used this study as an opportunity to teach and advocate for future stroke survivors which is not often seen in qualitative stroke rehabilitation research. Future stroke research should place emphasis on both the positive and negative experiences of this population.

Shockwave therapy and fibromyalgia and its effect on pain, blood markers, imaging, and participant experience - a multidisciplinary randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with fibromyalgia experience chronic, widespread pain. It remains a misunderstood disorder with multimodal treatments providing mixed results. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of radial shockwave therapy (RSWT) compared to placebo on pain, pain catastrophizing, psychological indices, blood markers, and neuroimaging. Study-related experiences were also explored qualitatively. METHODS: Quantitative sensory testing (QST), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Beighton Scoring Screen (BSS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), blood biomarker (Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10), and brain fMRI were measured pre- and post-treatment along with a post-treatment survey. The RSWT group received five treatments (one week apart over five-week period) to the three most painful areas (500 shocks at 1.5 bar and 15 Hz, then 1000 shocks at 2 bar and 8 Hz, and finally 500 shocks at 1.5 bar and 15 Hz) versus sham treatment for the placebo group. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the BSS for hypermobility (p = .21; d = .74), PCS (p = .70; d = .22), VAS (p = .17-.61; d = .20-.83) scores, QST for skin temperature and stimuli (p = .14-.65; d = .25-.88), and for the pressure pain threshold (p = .71-.93; d = .05-.21). The VAS scores had clinically significant changes (MCID greater than 13.90) with improved pain scores in the RSWT group. Neuroimaging scans revealed no cortical thickness changes. Post-treatment surveys revealed pain and symptom improvements and offered hope to individuals. CONCLUSION: RSWT was implemented safely, without any negative treatment effects reported, and acted as a pain modulator to reduce sensitivity. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identification number NCT02760212.

The Effects of Ankle Taping on Measures of Ground Reaction Forces and Jump Height During a Sport-Specific Vertical Jump in Youth Basketball Players.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ankle taping using zinc oxide tape versus no tape to measure ground reaction forces (GRF) and vertical jump height during a sport-specific vertical jump test in youth basketball players. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling and completed a basketball specific vertical jump test with and without zinc oxide tape. Mean sway velocity, 95% ellipse area, and path length were measured using the AMTI© force platform and vertical jump height using a Vertec© device. A paired t-test with a significance level of p < .05 was used for analysis. 23 individuals participated (11 females, 12 males; aged M = 15.22 years; height M = 171.43 cm; mass M = 64.72 kg). There was a statistically significant decrease in jump height with tape (M = 57.33 cm) compared to without tape (M = 58.84 cm), 95% CI [2.74, 0.28], t (20) = -2.56, p < .05, d = .56; statistically significant decrease in 95% ellipse area with tape (M = 2.64 cm.cm) compared to without tape (M = 3.30 cm.cm), 95% CI [0.50, 0.02], t (22) = -2.26, p < .05, d = .47; statistically significant decrease in sway velocity with tape (M = 2.82 m/sec) compared to without tape (M = 4.08 m/sec), 95% CI [7.47, 0.27], t (22) = -2.22, p < .05, d = .46; and a statistically significant decrease in path length with tape (M = 120.93 cm) compared to without tape (M = 170.10 cm), 95% CI [37.37, 1.33], t (22) = -2.23, p < .05, d = .46, with a medium effect size for all variables. The application of taping the ankles resulted in increased ankle stability at landing, however, basketball jumping performance may be negatively affected as taping resulted in a decreased vertical jump height.

Ankle bracing's effects during a modified agility task: analysis of sEMG, impulse, and time to complete using a crossover, repeated measures design.

This study explored the effects of no braces, softshell (AE), and semi-rigid (T1) ankle braces on time to complete a modified agility task, as well as lower extremity muscle activity and impulse during the change of direction component of the task. Thirty-nine healthy, active individuals completed a modified agility task under the three brace conditions. Time to complete the modified agility task, along with mean surface electromyographic activity (sEMG) and impulse during the deceleration and propulsive phases of the task were measured. There were no significant differences across conditions with respect to sEMG or impulse measures during the deceleration or propulsive phases. There was a significant change in time to complete the modified agility task, F(2,76) = 17.242, p< 0.001, ηp2 = 0.312. Post-hoc analysis revealed a significant increase in time to complete the modified agility task when wearing the AE (0.16 (95% CI, 0.062 to 0.265) seconds, p< 0.001) and T1 (0.20 (95% CI, 0.113 to 0.286) seconds, p< 0.001) ankle braces compared to no braces. It appears that performance on a modified agility task may be diminished when wearing ankle braces, although sEMG activity and impulse are unaffected.

Ovariectomized rat model and shape variation in the bony labyrinth.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a serious concern in aging individuals, but has not been explored for its potential to alter the shape of the inner ear by way of increased remodeling in the otic capsule. The otic capsule, or bony labyrinth, is thought to experience uniquely limited remodeling after development due to high levels of osteoprotegerin. On this basis, despite the widespread remodeling that accompanies osteoporosis, we hypothesize that both the shape and volume of the semicircular canals will resist such changes. To test this hypothesis, we conducted three-dimensional geometric morphometric shape analysis on microcomputed tomographic data collected on the semicircular canals of an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. A Procrustes ANOVA found no statistically significant differences in shape between surgery and sham groups, and morphological disparity testing likewise found no differences in shape variation. Univariate testing found no differences in semicircular volume between OVX and control groups. The range of variation in the OVX group, however, is greater than in the sham group but this difference does not reach statistical significance, perhaps because of a combination of small effect size and low sample size. This finding suggests that labyrinthine shape remains a tool for assessing phylogeny and function in the fossil record, but that it is possible that osteoporosis may be contributing to intraspecific shape variation in the bony labyrinth. This effect warrants further exploration at a microstructural level with continued focus on variables related to remodeling.

Ankle bracing's effects on lower extremity iEMG activity, force production, and jump height during a Vertical Jump Test: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if softshell (AE) and semi-rigid (T1) ankle braces affect lower extremity iEMG activity, force, and jump height during a Vertical Jump Test. DESIGN: Repeated measures, crossover. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 42 healthy, active individuals. OUTCOME MEASURES: Vertical jump height, iEMG activity, peak vGRF. RESULTS: There was significant change across conditions in lateral gastrocnemius (LG) iEMG activity, F(2,70) = 5.31, p = .007, ηp2 = 0.132, with T1 LG iEMG being significantly less (-2.08(99% CI, -3.98 to 0.18) %MVIC, p = .004) than no brace. Significant changes were seen in rectus femoris (RF) iEMG activity, F(2,68) = 6.36, p = .003, ηp2 = 0.158, with T1 RF iEMG activity being significantly less than AE RF iEMG activity (-2.78(99% CI, -5.36 to -0.19) %MVIC, p = .005). There was a significant change in vertical jump height across conditions, F(2,78) = 22.13, p < .0005, ηp2 = 0.362, with a significant decrease in the AE (-2.41(99% CI, -3.66 to -1.17) cm, p < .0005) and T1 conditions (-2.89(99% CI,-4.56 to -1.23) cm, p < .0005), compared to no brace. CONCLUSION: Vertical jump height is significantly reduced when wearing ankle braces. Effects on lower extremity iEMG activity are dependent upon brace type.

The Effects of Ankle Braces on Lower Extremity Electromyography and Performance During Vertical Jumping: A Pilot Study.

Ankle braces have been hypothesized to prevent ankle injuries by restricting range of motion (ROM) and improving proprioception at the ankle. As such, ankle braces are commonly worn by physically active individuals to prevent ankle injuries. Despite their widespread use, the effects that ankle braces have on athletic performance measures, such as vertical jumping, remains unclear. Furthermore, although ankle braces are known to restrict normal ROM at the ankle, little is known about the effects that ankle braces have on the lower extremity proximal to the ankle, specifically muscular activation. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to determine if lower extremity surface electromyographic activity (sEMG) and performance was affected in 5 males and 5 females by wearing softshell (AE) and semi-rigid (T1) ankle braces during a Vertical Jump Test, and to establish a basis for future investigation. Vertical jump height was not significantly affected (p > .05) in the AE (37.49 ± 11.61 cm) and T1 (36.3 ± 11.77 cm) ankle brace conditions, relative to the no brace (38.17 ± 12.01 cm) condition. No significant differences in sEMG of the lateral gastrocnemius and biceps femoris were present across conditions. There was a tendency for sEMG of the rectus femoris to decrease when wearing AE (195.71 ± 100.43 %MVC) and T1 (183.308 ± 92.73 %MVC) braces, compared to no braces (210.08 ± 127.46 %MVC), and warrants further investigation using a larger sample. Until more research is conducted, however, clinicians should not be concerned about ankle braces significantly affecting proximal muscle activation during vertical jumping.

The effect of patellar taping on lower extremity running kinematics in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of patellar taping (Leukotape® (LT), Pinetown, South Africa, Kinesio Tape (KT), Dortmund, Germany, or no tape) on lower extremity kinematics in runners with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods: In total, 20 healthy individuals and 12 with PFPS ran on a treadmill under different taping conditions and lower extremity kinematics and stride characteristics were obtained using Peak Motus Software, Colorado, USA. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and mixed factorial analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Results: Significant taping effects were found for hip (F(2,60) = 16.79, p = 0.0001) and knee (F(2,60) = 17.27, p = 0.0001) flexion angles at initial contact, and peak hip flexion angles during swing (F(2,60) = 6.55, p = 0.003). Increased flexion was noted with LT more than KT and no tape conditions. Similarly, peak knee flexion angles during stance (F(2,60) = 3.51, p = 0.03) and flight time (F(2,60) = 5.01, p = 0.01) revealed significant taping effects, with LT resulting in more flexion (p = 0.04) and shorter flight times (p = 0.01) than the no tape condition. Furthermore, a significant taping effect was seen for peak knee flexion angle during swing (F(2,60) = 4.96, p = 0.01), with the KT resulting in less flexion than LT (p = 0.04) and no tape conditions (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The application of tape during running may impact on hip and knee flexion angles at initial contact, as well as flight time.

End-tidal carbon dioxide levels in patients with post-concussion syndrome during neurocognitive and physical tasks compared to a normative control group.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Recent findings suggest breathing may negatively affect performance after concussion. The aim of the study was to examine group differences between individuals with and without post-concussion syndrome (PCS) in end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and respiratory rate (RR) during neurocognitive and physical tasks. HYPOTHESIS: Individuals in the PCS group will have elevated ETCO2 and lower RR compared to the control group. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was used in which a capnography unit collected ETCO2 and RR breathing data from 22 participants (control = 17; PCS = 5) during rest, the completion of the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) battery and while slow and fast walking. Four repeated measures mixed factorial ANOVAs, with an alpha level set at p ≤ 0.05, were used to examine group and task differences. RESULTS: Both groups displayed similar breathing responses to cognitive and physical stress; however, PCS participants had significantly elevated ETCO2 throughout the study (during rest, the ImPACT and while walking) compared to the control. Conversely, no significant group differences were found in RR. CONCLUSION: Cerebral physiological alterations and deficits in the autonomic nervous system may cause abnormal ETCO2 in individuals after concussion. Future research evaluating breathing patterns in PCS may be warranted.

Implementing a structured exercise program for persistent concussion symptoms: a pilot study on the effects on salivary brain-derived neurotrophic factor, cognition, static balance, and symptom scores.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Persistent concussion symptoms (PCS) affect 10-30% of individuals after sports-related concussion. This study evaluated the effect of exercise-based rehabilitation on symptom scores, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cognitive functions and static balance in a sample of participants with PCS. RESEARCH DESIGN: One group pre-test post-test pilot study. METHODS AND PROCEDURE: Nine participants with PCS received a structured exercise-based rehabilitation program. Changes in symptom scores, BDNF, cognitive functions and measures of static balance were used to evaluate the utility of the exercise program. MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS: The results of this pilot study indicate a significant improvement in symptom scores following treatment, as well as some associated benefits in regards to cognitive function and static balance. BDNF levels in the participants with PCS within this study are notably lower than in a previous study on healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary evidence reported in the current pilot study is clinically relevant as our findings suggest exercise-based treatments may improve PCS outcomes in a more favourable manner than rest-based treatment.