The physical demands of mixed martial arts: A narrative review using the ARMSS model to provide a hierarchy of evidence.

The physical demands of mixed martial arts (MMA) training and competition is not yet well quantified. The Applied Research Model for the Sport Sciences (ARMSS) provides a framework through which to conduct sport science, determining pertinent questions to test research findings in real-world settings. The aim of this review was to evaluate MMA research within the context of ARMSS to critically analyse our understanding of the physical requirements of MMA training and competition. Research databases were searched, with 70 peer-reviewed articles being discussed in relation to the specific stage of the ARMSS in which their results best fit. MMA research was found to be mostly foundational and descriptive in nature and has generally not developed along systematic lines. The internal and external loads and responses to training and competition have not been adequately identified. Therefore, it is not currently possible to state which variables are key predictors of success, or how coaches can optimally manipulate these variables. We propose that MMA research be refocused to be conducted within ARMSS. Specifically, stage 2 studies describing the physical, physiological and technical demands of MMA training and competition, and stage 3 studies determining the physiological predictors of performance should be initially prioritised.

Development, implementation, and effects of a cancer center's exercise-oncology program.

BACKGROUND: National and international bodies acknowledge the benefit of exercise for people with cancer, yet limited accessibility to related programing remains. Given their involvement in managing the disease, cancer centers can play a central role in delivering exercise-oncology services. The authors developed and implemented a clinically integrated exercise-oncology program at a major cancer center and evaluated its effectiveness and participant experience. METHODS: A hospital-based program with prescribed at-home exercise was developed and accepted referrals over a 42-month period (3.5 years). Implementation was conducted in 2 phases: a pilot phase for women with breast cancer and men with genitourinary cancer and a roll-out phase for all patients with cancer. Enrolled patients were assessed and received an exercise prescription as well as a program manual, resistance bands, and a stability ball from a kinesiologist. Program participation and effectiveness were evaluated up to 48 weeks after the baseline assessment using intention-to-treat analyses. Participants in the roll-out phase were asked to complete a program experience questionnaire at the completion of the 48-week follow-up. RESULTS: In total, 112 participants enrolled in the pilot, and 150 enrolled in the roll-out phase. Program attrition to 48 weeks was 48% and 65% in the pilot and roll-out phases, respectively. In participants who consented to research evaluation of their performance, objective and patient-reported measures of functional capacity improved significantly from baseline in both phases. Participants were highly satisfied with the program. CONCLUSIONS: Despite significant drop-out to program endpoints, our cancer-exercise program demonstrated clinically relevant improvement in functional outcomes and was highly appreciated by participants.

A study of reproducibility of kinesiology tape applications: review, reliability and validity.

BACKGROUND: Literature addressing the mechanical properties of kinesiology tape is quite scarce. There are no studies which focus on the mechanical characteristics of kinesiology tape, its mechanical properties, nor its adherence following the ISO international standard test methods for tape elongation. METHODS: This study quantified the mechanical characteristics of 380 samples of kinesiology tape from 19 different brands and in 4 different colors using a dynamometer. Mechanical testing was controlled by UNE EN ISO 13934-1. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between tape brands in terms of grammage, maximum force tenacity, work, pre-elongation and percentage elongation (P < .001). Regarding kinesiology tape color, statistically significant differences were found between tape brands in terms of grammage, maximum force and tenacity (P < .001), work and pre-elongation (P < .05). When adherence was studied, statistically significant differences were found between tape brands in terms of maximum force and work (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The different kinesiology tapes presented different behaviors with regard to rupture and removal when applied to skin in dry state, wet state and after being submerged in artificial acidic sweat solution. Therefore, different kinesiology tape brands will produce different levels of strain even though the same elongation is used. Depending on the characteristics (body dimensions) and properties (skin elongation) of each subject in the sample, bandages with different elongations must be applied to achieve the same strain in all of the tapes and therefore produce the same effect. The absence of these data at this time limits the reliability of previous clinical studies, makes comparing their findings impossible and presents new challenges for research in this field.

Manual Therapy With Cryotherapy Versus Kinesiotherapy With Cryotherapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Manual therapy and kinesiotherapy are used for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Yet, a clear evidence of the effects of manual therapy versus kinesiotherapy on knee OA is limited. The addition of cryotherapy to manual therapy or to kinesiotherapy may enhance the health benefits in patients with knee OA. OBJECTIVE: The study intended to evaluate the efficacy of manual therapy combined with cryotherapy versus kinesiotherapy combined with cryotherapy for patients with knee OA. DESIGN: The research team designed a randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: The study occurred in the Physiotherapy Outpatient Department of the Regional Hospital (Sandomierz, Poland). PARTICIPANTS: The participants were 128 females and males with knee OA, aged 40 to 80 y, who were patients in the department at the hospital. INTERVENTION: The participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group that received manual therapy combined with cryotherapy, the MT-C group (n = 64), or to a control group, which received kinesiotherapy combined with cryotherapy, the KIN-C group (n = 64). The participants in both groups received 10 treatments, 2 per wk for 5 wk. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was measured using a visual analog scale pain ratings. The secondary outcome measured the quality of life using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities questionnaire, knee extension, and flexion range of motion using the goniometer, and functional capacity using the 6-min walk test. RESULTS: After the treatments, the intervention group had significantly lower scores than the control group for pain, as well as significantly higher scores for quality of life, range of motion of the affected knee, and functional capacity. CONCLUSION: The patients achieved better health benefits from manual therapy when it was combined with cryotherapy.

Effects of Massage Therapy and Kinesitherapy to Develop Hospitalized Preterm Infant's Anthropometry: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of massage therapy and kinesitherapy on the anthropometric development of hospitalized preterm infants applied by parents. DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective quasi-experimental study was designed. Hospitalized preterm infants received a daily 15-minute session of massage therapy and kinesitherapy. The control group received regular medical and nursing care. RESULTS: The massage therapy and kinesitherapy protocol significantly improved the anthropometric parameters studied: weight (895.7 ±â€¯547.9 vs 541.8 ±â€¯536.2; p < 0.001) size (5.5 ±â€¯4.3 vs. 3.0 ±â€¯3.1; p < 0.001) and head circumference (4.2 ±â€¯3.2 vs 2.4 ±â€¯2.6; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a massage therapy and kinesitherapy protocol is beneficial for the anthropometric development of hospitalized preterm infants. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: An easy to administer and cost-effective intervention such as massage therapy and kinesitherapy can improve the anthropometric development of preterm infants and reduce growth-related morbidity in the short, medium, and long term.

Increased flexibility, pain reduction and unaltered levels of IL-10 and CD11b + lymphocytes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were associated with kinesiotherapy.

The effect of physical activity on the immune system is still poorly understood in cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, our aim was to investigate differences in the serum levels of cytokines (IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α) and the numbers of CD11b + and CXCR2 + neutrophils and lymphocytes in women with SLE undergoing drug treatment, without ( n = 9) or with ( n = 5) 4 months of kinesiotherapy. Parameters related to functional capacity were also analyzed. In the case of the patients who were not submitted to kinesiotherapy, there were reductions in the levels of IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10, and an increase in the number of CD11b + leukocytes, in addition to an increase in abdominal circumference after the monitoring time. Patients submitted to kinesiotherapy did not present changes in serum cytokines or in the numbers of CD11b + and CXCR2 + neutrophils and lymphocytes, but there were increases of flexibility and strength, as well as a reduction in pain sensation after the monitoring time. In conclusion, kinesiotherapy was able to increase flexibility and reduce pain in SLE patients without influencing immune parameters.

[An assessment of the functional status in the neurorehabilitation of patients after ischemic stroke].

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: In this article, the authors focused on the symptoms of ischemic stroke and the effect of neurorehabilitation methods on the functional status of patients after ischemic stroke. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the functional status of patients after ischemic stroke with improved classic kinesiotherapy, classic kinesiotherapy and NDT-Bobath and classic kinesiotherapy and PNF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study involved 120 patients after ischemic stroke. Patients were treated in the Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine USK of Medical University in Lodz. Patients were divided into 3 groups of 40 people. Group 1 was rehabilitated by classical kinesiotherapy. Group 2 was rehabilitated by classic kinesiotherapy and NTD-Bobath. Group 3 was rehabilitated by classical kinesiotherapy and PNF. In all patient groups, magnetostimulation was performed using the Viofor JPS System. The study was conducted twice: before treatment and immediately after 5 weeks after the therapy. The effects of applied neurorehabilitation methods were assessed on the basis of the Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMA). RESULTS: Results: In all three patient groups, functional improvement was achieved. However, a significantly higher improvement was observed in patients in the second group, enhanced with classical kinesitherapy and NDT-Bobath. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The use of classical kinesiotherapy combined with the NDT-Bobath method is noticeably more effective in improving functional status than the use only classical kinesiotherapy or combination of classical kinesiotherapy and PNF patients after ischemic stroke.

Immediate Effects of Ankle Balance Taping with Kinesiology Tape for Amateur Soccer Players with Lateral Ankle Sprain: A Randomized Cross-Over Design.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to investigate the immediate effect on gait function when ankle balance taping is applied to amateur soccer players with lateral ankle sprain. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-over randomized design was used. Twenty-two soccer players with an ankle sprain underwent 3 interventions in a random order. Subjects were randomly assigned to ankle balance taping, placebo taping, and no taping groups. The assessment was performed using the GAITRite portable walkway system, which records the location and timing of each footfall during ambulation. RESULTS Significant differences were found in the velocity, step length, stride length, and H-H base support among the 3 different taping methods (p<0.05). The ankle balance taping group showed significantly greater velocity, step length, and stride length in comparison to the placebo and no taping group. The ankle balance taping group showed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in the H-H base support compared to the placebo and no taping groups, and the placebo group showed significantly greater velocity in comparison to the no taping group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that ankle balance taping that uses kinesiology tape instantly increased the walking ability of amateur soccer players with lateral ankle sprain. Therefore, ankle balance taping is a useful alternative to prevent and treat ankle sprain of soccer players.

A randomized, single-blinded pilot study evaluating the effects of kinesiology taping and the tape application techniques in addition to therapeutic exercises in the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of kinesiology taping and different types of application techniques of kinesiology taping in addition to therapeutic exercises in the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis. DESIGN: Prospective, single blind, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: An outpatient rehabilitation clinic in a tertiary university hospital. SUBJECTS: Infants with congenital muscular torticollis aged 3-12 months. INTERVENTIONS: Group 1 included 11 infants who only received exercises, Group 2 included 12 infants who received kinesiology taping applied on the affected side by using inhibition technique in addition to exercises. Group 3 included 10 infants who additionally received kinesiology taping applied on the unaffected side by using facilitation technique and on the affected side by using inhibition technique. MAIN MEASURES: Range of motion in lateral flexion and rotation of the neck, muscle function and degree of craniofacial changes were assessed at pretreatment, post treatment and, 1 month and 3 months' post treatment. RESULTS: Friedman analysis of within-group changes over time revealed significant differences for all of the outcome variables in all groups except cervical rotation in Group 3 ( P<0.05). No significant differences were found between groups at any of the follow-up time points for any of the outcome variables ( P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is no any additive effect of kinesiology taping to exercises for the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis. Also different techniques of applying kinesiology taping resulted in similar clinical outcomes.

Short-Term Effects of Kinesio Taping in Women with Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND Pregnancy-related low back pain is a common condition during pregnancy. Kinesio tape is a drug-free elastic therapeutic tape used for treating various musculoskeletal problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of lumbar Kinesio taping on pain intensity and disability in women with pregnancy-related low back pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 65 patients with pregnancy-related low back pain were randomly allocated into either Kinesio taping (n=33) or control (n=32) groups. The intervention group was treated with paracetamol plus Kinesio taping, while the control group received only paracetamol. Kinesio taping was applied in the lumbar flexion position, and four I-shaped bands were used. Two bands were attached horizontally, with space correction technique. The remaining 2 bands, 1 on each side of the lumbar spine, were placed vertically, with inhibition technique. Low back pain intensity was measured on a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS), and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) was used for evaluation of disability. RESULTS Pain intensity and RMDQ scores improved significantly in both groups at 5 days compared with baseline. Considering the degree of treatment effect (the change from baseline to day 5), the Kinesio taping group was significantly superior than the control group in all outcome measures (for all, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that Kinesio taping can be used as a complementary treatment method to achieve effective control of pregnancy-related low back pain.

Kinesiophobia and its relation to pain characteristics and cognitive affective variables in older adults with chronic pain.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of kinesiophobia (fear of movement) to the pain experience among older adults has been poorly evaluated. The aim of this study was to study prevalence at baseline, development over a 12-month period and cognitive-affective variables of kinesiophobia in a population-based sample of older adults with chronic pain. METHODS: The study included 433 older adults (+65 years) with chronic pain (mean age 74.8 years) randomly selected using a Swedish register of inhabitants. Kinesiophobia was measured at baseline and 12-month follow-up with the 11-item version of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11). Associations of demographic-, cognitive affective - and pain-related variables to kinesiophobia were analysed with linear regression analyses. RESULTS: The mean level of kinesiophobia was low. Worsening and recovering from kinesiophobia occurred over time, but the mean level of kinesiophobia remained unchanged (p = 0.972). High levels of kinesiophobia (TSK ≥35) were found among frailer and older adults predominately living in care homes, but not dependent on sex. Poor self-perceived health (OR = 8.84) and high pain intensity (OR = 1.22) were significantly associated with kinesiophobia. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that potential interventions regarding kinesiophobia among older adults should aim to decrease pain intensity and strengthen health beliefs.

The CAM test: a novel tool to quantify the decline in vertical upper limb pointing movements with ageing.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although upper limb movements in the vertical plane are very commonly used during the activities of daily life, there is still a lack of a reliable and easy standardized procedure to quantify them. In particular, ageing is associated with a decline in performances of coordinated movements, but a tool to quantify this decline is missing. METHODS: We created a novel portable test called counting arm movement test (CAM test). Participants were asked to perform fast and accurate successive pointing movements towards two fixed targets (mechanical counters) located in a vertical plane in the parasagittal axis during three different time periods (15, 30, 45 s). Each upper limb was assessed separately. The test was evaluated in a group of 63 healthy subjects (mean age ± SD 49.1 ± 19.8 years; F/M 33/30; range 18-87 years). RESULTS: Motor performances (number of clicks) significantly decreased as a function of age for both the dominant side (age effect; linear regression; p < 0.0001 for 15, 30 and 45 s) and the non-dominant side (linear regression; p < 0.0001 for 15, 30 and 45 s). Performances on the dominant and non-dominant side were linearly correlated with the time periods (p < 0.0001 on both sides). The symmetry index (ratio of performance on the dominant side divided by performance on the non-dominant side) was correlated linearly and positively with the duration of the test (y = 0.002x + 1.053; p = 0.0056). We also found a linear relationship between upper limb length and motor performance on the non-dominant side for 15 s (p = 0.023) and 45 s (p = 0.041). The test was characterized by a very high correlation between the results obtained by two investigators during two successive sessions in a subgroup of 7 subjects (Pearson product moment correlation: 0.989 for the dominant side and 0.988 for the non-dominant side). CONCLUSION: The CAM test appears as a robust and low cost tool to quantify upper limb pointing movements. In particular, the test strongly discriminates the effects of age upon motor performances in upper limbs. Future studies are now required to establish the sensitivity, specificity and reliability of this procedure in selected neuromuscular or skeletal diseases affecting the elderly.

The effects of Kinesio Taping on body functions and activity in unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) on the body functions and activity of children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: This study was designed as a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Thirty children with unilateral spastic CP were randomized and split equally between the KT group (eight males, seven females; mean age 9y [SD 2y 3mo] range 7-12y) and the control group (seven males, eight females; mean age 9y 7mo [SD 3y 4mo] range 7-14y) receiving usual care. All participants were evaluated with the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP), the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), short-term muscle power, agility and functional muscle strength tests. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to evaluate within and between-group differences respectively. The level of significance was accepted as p<0.05. RESULTS: There were significant differences in muscle power sprint (p=0.003), lateral step-up test right (p=0.016), sit to stand (p=0.018), attain stand through half knee right (p=0.003), BOTMP Gross scores (p=0.019), and WeeFIM total (p=0.003) and self-care scores (p=0.022) between the groups (p<0.05). INTERPRETATION: Kinesio Taping is a promising additional approach to increase proprioceptive feedback and improve physical fitness, gross motor function, and activities of daily living in children with CP.

Psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-J) in patients with whiplash neck injury pain and/or low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Although the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) is useful for measuring fear of movement in patients with musculoskeletal pain, no psychometrically validated Japanese version is available. We evaluated the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the TSK-J (original 17-item version and shorter 11-item version). METHODS: The data subset used in this psychometric testing was derived from a survey previously conducted to collect information on musculoskeletal pain due to motor vehicle accident. For reliability, internal consistency was assessed via Cronbach's alpha coefficient. For concurrent validity, Pearson correlation coefficients of the TSK-J with the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), euroqol 5 dimension (EQ-5D), and numerical rating scales (NRSs) for pain in the neck and back were calculated. For known-group validity, the relationship between variables (e.g., depression, somatic symptoms, treatment period) and the TSK-J score was examined. RESULTS: Data from 956 persons who had suffered from a motor vehicle accident were used in this analysis. For reliability, internal consistency was demonstrated, with Cronbach's alpha statistics of 0.850 (TSK-J17) and 0.919 (TSK-J11). For concurrent validity, significantly strong correlations were demonstrated between the TSK-J versions and PCS total score and subscales (r = 0.602-0.680). For known-group validity, as hypothesized, significantly higher TSK-J scores were observed in persons with depressive mood, somatic symptoms, and longer treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis showed that the Japanese versions of the TSK-J17 and TSK-J11 were psychometrically reliable and valid for detecting fear of movement in the Japanese population suffering from neck to back pain due to a motor vehicle accident.

The effect of 3 different exercise approaches on neck muscle endurance, kinesiophobia, exercise compliance, and patient satisfaction in chronic whiplash.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 different exercise approaches on neck muscle endurance (NME), kinesiophobia, exercise compliance, and patient satisfaction in patients with chronic whiplash. METHODS: This prospective randomized clinical trial included 216 individuals with chronic whiplash. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 exercise interventions: neck-specific exercise (NSE), NSE combined with a behavioral approach (NSEB), or prescribed physical activity (PPA). Measures of ventral and dorsal NME (endurance time in seconds), perceived pain after NME testing, kinesiophobia, exercise compliance, and patient satisfaction were recorded at baseline and at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. RESULTS: Compared with individuals in the prescribed physical activity group, participants in the NSE and NSEB groups exhibited greater gains in dorsal NME (P = .003), greater reductions in pain after NME testing (P = .03), and more satisfaction with treatment (P < .001). Kinesiophobia and exercise compliance did not significantly differ between groups (P > .07). CONCLUSION: Among patients with chronic whiplash, a neck-specific exercise intervention (with or without a behavioral approach) appears to improve NME. Participants were more satisfied with intervention including neck-specific exercises than with the prescription of general exercise.

Can Kinesiological Activities Change "Pure" Motor Development in Preschool Children during One School Year?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an additional, organized, and more intensive kinesiological treatment on "pure" motor abilities in preschool children. In the present study an experimental treatment was carried out on a sample of 37 preschool boys by applying kinesiological activities. The 60 minute treatment was applied over a period of one school year (9 months), twice a week. A control group of 31 boys were trained according to the regular program for preschool institutions. Treatment effects were assessed by 8 motor ability tests and 5 anthropometric measures. The significant differences between the groups, which were observed after the final measurement and compared to the initial one, proved that the kinesiological treatment had a positive impact on the general development of "pure" motor abilities. The most significant effect of experimental kinesiological treatment was the improvement in whole body force, flexibility and coordination of preschool boys. These findings, obtained only in one school year, point to the importance of physical exercise and the application of additional kinesiological activities with various modalities, to improve motor development, even morphological growth and development in preschool children. The effects of the perennial application of kinesiological activities, under the supervision of kinesiological professionals, could be beneficial and could form the basis for a better biological and motor development in older age.

Non-Linear Approach in Kinesiology Should Be Preferred to the Linear--A Case of Basketball.

In kinesiology, medicine, biology and psychology, in which research focus is on dynamical self-organized systems, complex connections exist between variables. Non-linear nature of complex systems has been discussed and explained by the example of non-linear anthropometric predictors of performance in basketball. Previous studies interpreted relations between anthropometric features and measures of effectiveness in basketball by (a) using linear correlation models, and by (b) including all basketball athletes in the same sample of participants regardless of their playing position. In this paper the significance and character of linear and non-linear relations between simple anthropometric predictors (AP) and performance criteria consisting of situation-related measures of effectiveness (SE) in basketball were determined and evaluated. The sample of participants consisted of top-level junior basketball players divided in three groups according to their playing time (8 minutes and more per game) and playing position: guards (N = 42), forwards (N = 26) and centers (N = 40). Linear (general model) and non-linear (general model) regression models were calculated simultaneously and separately for each group. The conclusion is viable: non-linear regressions are frequently superior to linear correlations when interpreting actual association logic among research variables.

[The effect of neurorehabilitation on the functional state and muscle tone of upper limb in patients after ischaemic stroke]. / Wplyw neurorehabilitacji na stan funkcjonalny i napiecie miesniowe konczyny górnej u chorych po udarze niedokrwiennym mózgu.

UNLABELLED: Rehabilitation of upper limb in patients after ischemic stroke is a major challenge for modern neurorehabilitation. Function of upper limb of patients after ischemic stroke returns on the end of the rehabilitation comparing with another parts of the body. Below presents two groups of patients after ischemic stroke who were rehabilitated with use of the following methods: kinesiotherapy combined with NDT- Bobath method and kinesiotherapy only. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of kinesiotherapy only and NDT- Bobath method combined with kinesiotherapy on the functional state and muscle tone of upper limb in patients after ischemic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a group of 40 patients after ischemic stroke with motor control and muscle tone problems of upper limb. Patients were divided into two groups, each of them included 20 people. Upper limb in group I was rehabilitated with the use of kinesiotherapy exercise however group II with the use of kinesiotherapy exercise combined with NDT- Bobath method (Neurodevelopmental Treatment Bobath). To evaluate the patients before and after rehabilitation muscle tone Asworth scale was used and to assess functional status Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMAIII) scale was used. RESULTS: After 5 weeks of rehabilitation in group II in majority patients were observed decrease of muscle tone and improvement in upper limb functional status. In group I the muscle tone were also decreased and functional status were better but in smaller impact than in II group. CONCLUSIONS: Classical kinesiotherapy combined with the NDT-Bobath method gives better results in neurorehabilitation of upper limb than the use of kinesiotherapy exercises only in patients after ischemic stroke.

[The effect of standard kinesiotherapy combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation method and standard kinesiotherapy only on the functional state and muscle tone in patients after ischaemic stroke]. / Wplyw metod kinezyterapii klasycznej oraz proprioceptywnego nerwowo-miesniowego torowania ruchu i kinezyterapii klasycznej na stan funkcjonalny i napiecie miesni u pacjentów po przebytym udarze niedokrwiennym mózgu.

UNLABELLED: The ischemic stroke is a disease of the central nervous system. Up until today there have been very few scientific findings concerning the most effective methods of patients rehabilitation. The authors of this article present two groups of patients after ischemic stroke who were rehabilitated with use of the following methods: kinesiotherapy combined with PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) method and kinesiotherapy only. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of kinesiotherapy only and PNF method combined with kinesiotherapy on the functional state and muscle tone in patients after ischaemic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a group of 30 patients after ischaemic stroke. Patients were divided into two groups, each of them comprising 15 people. Group I was rehabilitated with the use of kinesiotherapy exercise and group II with the use of kinesiotherapy exercise combined with PNF method. To evaluate the patient before and after rehabilitation muscle tone Asworth scale was used and to assess functional status Rivermed Motor Assessment (RMA) scale was used. RESULTS: Both in group I and II an improvement in muscle tone and functional status were noted. Better results were observed in group II in which patients were rehabilitated with the use of kinesiotherapy exercise combined with PNF method. All results in group I and II displayed a statistically significant improvement in functional status and muscle tone. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the classical kinesiotherapy only had a noticeably smaller impact on improvement of functional status and muscle tone in patients from group I than the use of both: classical kinesiotherapy and PNF method which were employed in group II.