Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Volume 26, issue 3

Authors: Gioftsidou, Asimenia | Vernadakis, Nikolaos | Malliou, Paraskevi | Batzios, Stavros | Sofokleous, Polina | Antoniou, Panagiotis | Kouli, Olga | Tsapralis, Kyriakos | Godolias, George

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Balance training is an effective intervention to improve static postural sway and balance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus exercises for improving balance ability in healthy collegiate students in comparison with a typical balance training program. Methods: Forty students were randomly divided into two groups, a traditional (T group) and a Nintendo Wii group (W group) performed an 8 week balance program. The “W group” used the interactive games as a training method, while the “T group” used an exercise program with mini trampoline …and inflatable discs (BOSU). Pre and Post-training participants completed balance assessments. Results: Two-way repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were conducted to determine the effect of training program. Analysis of the data illustrated that both training program groups demonstrated an improvement in Total, Anterior-posterior and Medial Lateral Stability Index scores for both limbs. Only at the test performed in the balance board with anterior-posterior motion, the improvement in balance ability was greater in the “T group” than the “W group”, when the assessment was performed post-training (p = 0.023 ). Conclusions: Findings support the effectiveness of using the Nintendo Wii gaming console as a balance training intervention tool. Show more

Keywords: Balance board, proprioception, active video games, balance training

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-130384

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 299-305, 2013

Authors: Yildirim, Yücel | Ergin, Gülbin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Fatigue is primarily a subjective experience and self-report is the most common approach used to measure fatigue. Numerous self-report instruments have been developed to measure fatigue. Unfortunately, each of these measures was tailored for the situation in which fatigue was studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Turkish language version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale (MAF-T) in chronic musculoskeletal physical therapy patients. Material and Methods: The MAF-T was supplied by the MAPI Research Institute, and 69 chronic musculoskeletal physical therapy patients were evaluated. To …validate MAF-T, all participants completed the MAF-T and Short Form–36 (SF–36). The MAF was administered again one week later to assess test-retest reliability. Results: Using Cronbach α , the internal consistency reliability of the MAF-T was 0.90, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) reliability was 0.96. Item-discriminant validity was calculated between r = 0.14 and r = 0.82 . The correlations between the total scores of the MAF-T scale and the subscale scores of SF–36 were negative and significant (p < 0.01 ). Conclusion: The MAF-T is a valid and reliable scale for assessing fatigue in chronic musculoskeletal physical therapy patients. Show more

Keywords: Chronic fatigue, musculoskeletal patients, Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue, MAF, reliability, validity

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-130385

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 307-316, 2013

Authors: Zhang, Yafeng | Ma, Yong | Jiang, Jianwei | Ding, Tao | Wang, Jianwei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background and Objective: Oxygen-ozone therapy is a minimally invasive treatment for lumbar disk herniation that exploits the biochemical properties of a gas mixture of oxygen and ozone. The purpose of our study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical effectiveness of oxygen-ozone therapy and compared the therapeutic outcome of injection of oxygen-ozone combined steroid with injection of ozone alone at different follow-up period. Material and Methods: From Aug 2005 to Mar 2009, 172 consecutive adult patients (92 men, 80 women; age range: 23–59 years) with low back pain and radicular pain were included in this study and were randomly …assigned to two groups. 90 patients (group A) underwent intradiscal and intraforaminal injection of oxygen-ozone and 82 patients (group B) received the same treatment with additional injection of 1ml of compound betamethasone. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopedic Association’s evaluation system for lower back pain syndrome (JOA score) were administered before treatment and at 3 weeks, 6 and 12-month follow-up period to evaluate the clinical results. Results: Satisfactory clinical outcomes were obtained in both groups. The reduction of VAS score from baseline to the end of the study was 7.68 to 2.17 and 7.49 to 2.23 in group A and group B respectively, and there were remarkable improvements of mean JOA score and recovery rate in every follow-up time in both groups. Furthermore, in 3 weeks follow-up the JOA recovery rate of group B is higher than that of group A, which there was significant different, but there were no significant differences between two groups in 6 and 12 months. Conclusion: In our study, oxygen-ozone nucleolysis provides excellent pain relief in most herniated disc patients who failed to respond to conservative therapy. And there was no significant statistical difference between treatment of injection of oxygen-ozone combined with steroid and ozone only in the 6 and 12 months follow-up. Therefore, O2–O3 seems to play a role in pain relief, and we suggest the administration of the O2–O3 mixture as a first-choice treatment before recourse to surgery or when surgery is not possible and the addition of epidural steroid infiltration is not required. Level of Evidence: Level 1-1 (prospective study). Show more

Keywords: Lumbar disc herniation, oxygen-ozone therapy, chemiodiscolysis

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-130386

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 317-322, 2013

Authors: Dibai-Filho, Almir Vieira | de Souza Costa, Ana Cláudia | Packer, Amanda Carine | Rodrigues-Bigaton, Delaine

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background and Objective: Pain is a common clinical manifestation in individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The literature report changes in microcirculation in this condition. The aim of the present study was to correlate skin surface temperature at the central point of the masticatory muscles with pain intensity in women with myogenous TMD. Materials and Methods: The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to divide 40 female university students into four groups: control group (n = 10 ), mild pain group (n = 10 ), moderate …pain group (n = 10 ) and severe pain group (n = 10 ). Infrared thermography was used to assess the masticatory muscles. Results: No significant correlations were found between pain intensity and skin surface temperature over the left masseter (p = 0.368 ), right masseter (p = 0.618 ), left anterior temporalis (p = 0.293 ) and right anterior temporalis (p = 0.922 ) muscles. No correlations were found between pain intensity and asymmetry of the masseter (p = 0.375 ) and anterior temporalis (p = 0.090 ) muscles. Moreover, no significant difference in skin surface temperature (p > 0.05 ) was found among the different groups. Conclusion: Pain intensity in women with myogenous TMD was not associated with skin surface temperature at the central point of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles. Show more

Keywords: Temporomandibular joint disorder, skin temperature, thermography, pain

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-130387

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 323-328, 2013

Authors: Kang, Min-Hyeok | Jung, Doh-Heon | An, Duk-Hyun | Yoo, Won-Gyu | Oh, Jae-Seop

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Hamstring-stretching exercises are frequently used to change lumbar spine and hip movements in the clinic. However, little research into the effects of hamstring flexibility on lumbar spine and hip movements during lifting tasks has been reported. Objective: We investigated effects of hamstring-stretching exercises on the kinematics of the lumbar spine and hip during stoop lifting. Methods: We recruited 16 males with a reduced range of motion (ROM) in active knee extension (AKE). The angle of the lumbar spine and hip was measured during stoop lifting using a 3D motion-capture system. The ROM of AKE and …the angle of the lumbar spine and hip during stoop lifting between pre- and post-stretching were analyzed using a paired t-test. Results: We found that hamstring-stretching exercises increased the ROM of AKE significantly. After hamstring-stretching exercises, there was a significant increase in hip flexion and decreases in both lumbar flexion and the lumbar/hip flexion ratio during the preparation phase of stoop lifting. In the lifting phase, only the movement range of the hip was increased significantly. Conclusions: Hamstring-stretching exercises may be useful for decreasing lumbar flexion and increasing hip flexion in people who perform repetitive stoop lifting in the workplace or during daily activities. Show more

Keywords: Active knee extension, lifting tasks, lumbopelvic rhythm, stretching exercises

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-130388

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 329-336, 2013

Authors: Okumus, M. | Ceceli, E. | Tasbas, O. | Kocaoglu, S. | Akdogan, S. | Borman, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Most women are unaware of the risk factors for osteoporosis (OP). In an effort to prevent the development of OP, women need to have a raised awareness on this issue. The aims of this study were to determine any differences in the level of awareness and knowledge about OP between pre- and postmenopausal women. Methods: Three hundred and six women who presented to the outpatient clinic of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department were included into the study. Demographic characteristics of the subjects were recorded. The participants were interviewed via an OP awareness questionnaire, which was designed …to determine their knowledge of OP and risk factors. Results: The mean ages of the 126 pre- and 180 postmenopausal women were 41.3 ± 5.9 and 58.9 ± 8.1 years, respectively. Thirty-two percent of premenopausal and 51% of postmenopausal women had heard about OP (p < 0.001 ), but the mean scores of OP knowledge according to the OP questionnaire were not different between the groups (p > 0.05 ). Both pre- and postmenopausal women with a higher level of education demonstrated better knowledge of OP based on their awareness questionnaire score (p < 0.001 ). Conclusion: Although half of the pre- and postmenopausal women reported having some awareness of OP, their level of knowledge was poor, particularly with regard to the risk factors associated with the condition and its complications. Having information about the risks of OP and a better understanding of the health beliefs of those at risk are important, as both may play a major role in influencing an individual’s OP-preventing behaviors. Show more

Keywords: Osteoporosis, knowledge, education, female

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-130389

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 337-343, 2013