Ultrasonography in myofascial neck pain: randomized clinical trial for diagnosis and follow-up

Chronic neck pain (CNP) is a very prevalent condition affecting 10–24 % of the population. There is great interest regarding the role of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSU) in the diagnosis of myofascial pain. MSU isa readily available, portable, and inexpensive imaging modality, suitable for use in a physiotherapists office to complement physical examination and to evaluate treatment outcomes.

The aim of this study was to quantify the thickness of the deep fasciae of the neck and their sub-layers, by means of ultrasound imaging with and without CNP. This will help to document MSU as a suitable instrument for diagnosing myofascial neck pain.

Full the full access to the study, kindly visit-

http://anatomy-physiotherapy.com/component/content/article/36-articles/systems/musculoskeletal/spine/cervical/643-ultrasonography-in-myofascial-neck-pain-randomized-clinical-trial-for-diagnosis-and-follow-up

Proprioceptive changes in the contralateral knee joint following anterior cruciate ligament injury

There is loss of both stability and proprioception in the knee following an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).The afferent nerves responsible for proprioception arise from the ligaments, capsule, surrounding mus- cles and skin, activating muscle contraction, which may be assumed to help stabilise the injuries, including ACL tears, are likely to disrupt this process. Loss of proprioception following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has been well documented.

For the full study, kindly visit-

http://anatomy-physiotherapy.com/component/content/article/28-articles/systems/musculoskeletal/lower-extremity/knee/646-proprioceptive-changes-in-the-contralateral-knee-joint-following-anterior-cruciate-injury

Athletic performance improved even after deception revealed

Indiana University researchers say a little deception caused cyclists in their 4-kilometer time trial to up their performance even after they realized they had been tricked.

The findings support the idea that the brain plays a powerful role in how hard athletes push their bodies.

"The idea is that there's some sort of governor in your brain that regulates exercise intensity so you don't overheat, or run out of gas, so to speak," said Ren-Jay Shei, a doctoral student in the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington. "In this case, the governor was reset to a higher upper limit, allowing for improved performance."

For the study, 14 trained, competitive male cyclists participated in four time trials. For each session, they rode cycle ergometers, which are stationary bikes that measure such variables as speed and power output and display the readings on computer monitors on the handlebars.

For the full research, visit-

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/277537.php

Vibration Exercise- A Relief for Fibromyalgia

Whole-body vibration exercise may reduce pain symptoms and improve aspects of quality of life in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia, research shows. Whole-body vibration exercise involves standing, sitting or lying on a machine with a vibrating platform that causes muscles to contract and relax as the machine vibrates. The machines primarily are used by researchers but have begun appearing in fitness centers and are sold commercially.

A pilot study by Indiana University researchers found that whole-body vibration exercise may reduce pain symptoms and improve aspects of quality of life in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

For the whole study, visit-

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140529154009.htm

Structured physical activity program can help maintain mobility in vulnerable older people

A carefully structured, moderate physical activity program can reduce risk of losing the ability to walk without assistance, perhaps the single most important factor in whether vulnerable older people can maintain their independence, a study has found.

Older people who lose their mobility have higher rates of disease, disability, and death. A substantial body of researchhas shown the benefits of regular physical activity for a variety of populations and health conditions. But none has identified a specific intervention to prevent mobility disability.

In this large clinical study, researchers found that a regular, balanced, and moderate physical activity program followed for an average of 2.6 years reduced the risk of major mobility disability by 18 percent in an elderly, vulnerable population. Participants receiving the intervention were better able to maintain their ability to walk without assistance for 400 meters, or about a quarter of a mile, the primary measure of the study. Results of the large clinical trial, conducted by researchers at the University of Florida, Gainesville and Jacksonville, and colleagues at seven other clinics across the country, were published online on May 27, 2014, in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers were supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

For the whole study, visit-

http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2014/nia-27.htm

The Effects of Virtual Reality-based Yoga on Physical Function in Middle-aged Female LBP Patients

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of a virtual reality-based yoga program on middle-aged female low back pain patients. Thirty middle-aged female patients who suffered from low back pain were assigned to either a physical therapy program or a virtual reality-based yoga program for a period of four weeks. Participants could check their posture and weight bearing on a monitor as they shifted their weight or changed their postures on a Wii balance board. There were a total of seven exercise programs. A 30-minute, three times per week, virtual reality-based Wii Fit yoga program or trunk stabilizing exercise was performed, respectively. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance revealed significant differences in between before and after VAS, algometer, Oswestry low-back pain disability index (ODI), Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), and fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FBQ) scores. The VAS, algometer, ODI, RMDQ, and FBQ scores exhibited significant differences in groups. Regarding the effect of time-by-group interaction, there were significant differences in VAS, ODI, ODI, and FBQ scores.

The study concluded that for middle-aged female patients who have low back pain, a virtual reality-based yoga program was shown to have positive effects on physical improvements, and the program can be employed as a therapeutic medium for prevention and cure of low back pain.

For the full study, visit-

http://www.physiospot.com/research/the-effects-of-vr-based-wii-fit-yoga-on-physical-function-in-middle-aged-female-lbp-patients/

Physiotherapy Definitions- At Indian level & International level

1. World Health Organization (WHO): "Physiotherapists assess, plan and implement rehabilitative programs that improve or restore human motor functions, maximize movement ability, relieve pain syndromes, and treat or prevent physical challenges associated with injuries, diseases and other impairments. They apply a broad range of physical therapies and techniques such as movement, ultrasound, heating, laser and other techniques. They may develop and implement programmes for screening and prevention of common physical ailments and disorders" (Reference: http://www.who.int/hrh/statistics/Health_workers_classification.pdf )

2. The International Labour Organization (ILO ): Physiotherapists and related associate professionals treat disorders of bones, muscles and parts of the circulatory or the nervous system by manipulative methods, and ultrasound, heating, laser or similar techniques, or apply physiotherapy and related therapies as part of the treatment for the physically disabled, mentally ill or unbalanced. The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the international organization responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. It is the only 'tripartite' United Nations agency that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes promoting Decent Work for all. (Reference: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/stat/isco/isco88/3226.htm )

3. International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) is a tool for organizing jobs into a clearly defined set of groups according to the tasks and duties undertaken in the job. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified physiotherapists in professional group (ISCO Code 2264) and paramedical professionals have been classified in a separate entity (ISCO code 2240). (Reference: http://www.who.int/hrh/statistics/Health_ workers_classification.pdf)

4. World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) : Physical therapists are qualified and professionally required to: -undertake a comprehensive examination/assessment of the patient/client or needs of a client group -evaluate the findings from the examination/assessment to make clinical judgments regarding patients/clients -formulate a diagnosis, prognosis and plan -provide consultation within their expertise and determine when patients/clients need to be referred to another healthcare professional -implement a physical therapist intervention/treatment programme -determine the outcomes of any interventions/treatments -make recommendations for self-management. (Reference: http://www.wcpt.org/what-is-physical-therapy)

5. Delhi Council for Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Bill 1997 : “Physiotherapy” means physiotherapeutic system of medicine which includes examination, treatment, advice and instructions to any persons preparatory to or for the purpose of or in connection with movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, physical disorder, disability, healing and pain from trauma and disease, physical and mental conditions using physical agents including exercise, mobilization, manipulation, mechanical and electrotherapy, activity and devices or diagnosis, treatment and prevention. (Reference: http://delhiassembly.nic.in/aspfile/billspassed/141997.htm)

6. Maharashtra State OTPT Council: "Physiotherapy" means a branch of modern medical science which includes examination, assessment, interpretation, physical diagnosis, planning and execution of treatment and advice to any person for the purpose of preventing, correcting, alleviating and limiting dysfunction, acute and chronic bodily malfunction including life saving measures via chest physiotherapy in the intensive care units, curing physical disorders or disability, promoting physical fitness, facilitating healing and pain relief and treatment of physical and psychosomatic disorders through modulating physiological and physical response using physical agents, activities and devices including exercise, mobilization, manipulations, therapeutic ultrasound, electrical and thermal agents and electrotherapy for diagnosis , treatment and prevention. (Reference: http://www.msotptcouncil.com/OTPTActs.aspx )