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Breathing Exercises , Mobile Applications , Muscle Stretching Exercises , Muscle Tonus , Neck Pain , Neck , Pain Threshold , Range of Motion, Articular , Respiration , Self Care , SmartphoneABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Flatfoot, or low medial longitudinal arch, contributes to back and lower extremity injuries and is caused by weak abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of short foot exercise (SFE) alone or with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on navicular height, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the AbdH muscle, and AbdH muscle activity in flexible flatfoot. METHODS: Thirty-six otherwise healthy people with flexible flatfoot were randomly assigned to a group that received SFE with placebo NMES treatment (the control group) or a group that received both SFE and NMES treatment (the experimental group). Each group received 4 weeks of treatment (SFE alone or SFE with NMES). Navicular height, the CSA of the AbdH muscle, and AbdH muscle activity were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in navicular height or the CSA of the AbdH muscle between the control and experimental groups, while AbdH muscle activity showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (SFE=73.9±11.0% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]; SFE with NMES=81.4±8.3% of MVIC; p<0.05). Moreover, the CSA of the AbdH muscle showed a statistically significant increase after treatment in the SFE with NMES group (pre-treatment=218.6±53.2 mm²; post-treatment=256.9±70.5 mm²; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SFE with NMES was more effective than SFE alone in increasing AbdH muscle activity. Therefore, SFE with NMES should be recommended to correct or prevent abnormalities in people with flexible flatfoot by a physiotherapist or medical care team.
Subject(s)
Humans , Electric Stimulation , Flatfoot , Foot , Isometric Contraction , Lower Extremity , Muscles , Patient Care Team , Physical Therapists , ThailandABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#Flatfoot, or low medial longitudinal arch, contributes to back and lower extremity injuries and is caused by weak abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of short foot exercise (SFE) alone or with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on navicular height, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the AbdH muscle, and AbdH muscle activity in flexible flatfoot.@*METHODS@#Thirty-six otherwise healthy people with flexible flatfoot were randomly assigned to a group that received SFE with placebo NMES treatment (the control group) or a group that received both SFE and NMES treatment (the experimental group). Each group received 4 weeks of treatment (SFE alone or SFE with NMES). Navicular height, the CSA of the AbdH muscle, and AbdH muscle activity were assessed before and after the intervention.@*RESULTS@#No significant differences were found in navicular height or the CSA of the AbdH muscle between the control and experimental groups, while AbdH muscle activity showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (SFE=73.9±11.0% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]; SFE with NMES=81.4±8.3% of MVIC; p<0.05). Moreover, the CSA of the AbdH muscle showed a statistically significant increase after treatment in the SFE with NMES group (pre-treatment=218.6±53.2 mm²; post-treatment=256.9±70.5 mm²; p<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#SFE with NMES was more effective than SFE alone in increasing AbdH muscle activity. Therefore, SFE with NMES should be recommended to correct or prevent abnormalities in people with flexible flatfoot by a physiotherapist or medical care team.
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Objectives To determine the prevalence of neck and shoulder pain and to study the factors of neck and shoulder pain in term of work related and individual factors in sewing factory employees. Methods The cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from a sewing factory in Banphai district Khon Kean province. Three hundred and ninety eight employees (69 males, and 329 females) of a clothes sewing factory average aged 20-39 years participated in the study. The data collected by self-administered questionnaire, a modified Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Results The study found prevalence of neck pain during the 7 days, neck pain during the past 12 months, and neck pain with sickness absence were 23.6%, 20.9% and 13.6% respectively. In addition, we also found the prevalence of shoulder pain during the 7 days, during the past 12 months, and shoulder pain with sickness absence were 27.4%, 25.1% and 19.3% respectively. Factors which were significant related to neck and shoulder pain (p-value \< 0.05 ) included : past history of musculoskeletal pain and work with over force. Conclusion We conclude that the prevalence of neck pain and shoulder pain are relatively high in sewing factory workers and that greatly affects the quality of life, sickness absence and costly health. Sewing factory workers who had musculoskeletal pain and work with over force are factors associated with the neck and shoulder pain. It is suggested that program for prevention of neck and shoulder pain should be implemented the workers with the support from the employer and community health centers.
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Purpose: The purposes of this study were to prove the effect of Traditional Thai on alteration of hand temperature: the immediate effect and short term effect at 10, 20 and 30 minutes and alteration of hand functions in 2 weeks continually in patients with scleroderma. Participants: Twenty patients withscleroderma were diagnosed by rheumatologist following The American college of Rheumatology criterion in diffuse subtype (dcSSc) of Scleroderma (Systemic sclerosis): the classification, subset and pathogenesis criterion. Disease progression was in phase 1-2. The modified Rodnan Skin score (MRSS) at dorsum of forearm, hand and 3rd finger is 0-2 (No hand deformity). Methods: Twenty volunteers participated in this study and were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group (n=10) were treated by Traditional Thai Massage on the upper limbs for 30 min. (15 min on eachside). The control group (n=10) rested in supine position for 30 min. Instrument: Alteration of hand temperature was proven by Thermography, whereas hand function was detected by Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS). Analysis: Mean of temperature change in time interval was test by One way repeated measure ANOVA and Median of hand mobility change in time interval was test by Friedman Test Results: The results showed that Traditional Thai Massage group showed significant hand temperature increasing every time period when compared with the control group (p \< 0.05).Hand functions in the Traditional Thai Massage group also showed significant improvement every time period (p
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The purposes of this study were to prove theimmediate and sustained effects (10, 20, and 30minutes) of Traditional Thai Massage on alterationof hand temperature, and the immediate and shortterm (2 weeks follow-up) effects of Traditional ThaiMassage on alteration of hand mobility in patientswith scleroderma. Twenty volunteers participated inthis study and were divided into 2 groups. Theexperimental group (n=10) were treated by TraditionalThai Massage on the upper limbs for 30 min. (15min per limb). After the first treatment, participants inTTM group were treated by their relative every day during 2 weeks. The control group (n=10) rested insupine position for 15 min. Alteration of handtemperature was proven by Thermography, whereashand mobility was detected by Hand Mobility inScleroderma (HAMIS). The results showed that TTMgroup showed significant increasing of handtemperature (the immediate and sustained effects)when compared with the control group (p
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Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by autoimmune overactivation, microvascular endothelium damage and excessive collagen deposition, leading to disability of organ systems in the body, especially hand disability and deformity. The purpose of the pilot study was to determine the immediate effects of traditional Thai massage on alteration of hand temperature and hand functions in patients with scleroderma. Twelve volunteers participated in this study and were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group (n = 6) were treated by traditional Thai massage on the upper limbs for 30 minutes. (15 min on each side). The control group (n = 6) rested in supine position for 15 minutes. Alteration of hand temperature was recorded by Thermography, whereas hand functions were measured by Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS). The results showed that the experimental group showed significant increase hand temperature when compared with the control group (P \< 0.05). Hand functions in the experimental group also showed significant improvement (P \< 0.05) when compared with the control group. In conclusion, traditional Thai massage could increase hand temperature and improve hand function in patients with scleroderma. This manual modality may be used as an adjuvant therapy for scleroderma patients.
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In recent days, aesthetic treatments for facial wrinkle reduction and increase elasticity or rejuvenation are very popular. Facial massage may be one of the good choices to achieve such results. This study was Quasi-experimental research (one group) with objectives to compare blood flow, temperature and elasticity of facial skin before and after having been treated with modified facial massage. The subjects of the study were 21 healthy volunteer women aged between 30 - 50 years. Finger kneading and acupressure techniques of facial massage for 20 minutes were applied. The results showed that after the facial massage, facial skin blood flow of the volunteers increased for 14.02 + 8.83 perfusion unit (95 % CI = 10.18 -17.86 perfusion unit, P \< 0.001). Temperature (0.29 + 0.20 °C) and elasticity (9.90 + 4.90 % on right and 10.98 + 10.51 % on left) of the facial skin were also observed to improve. Ninety five percents of the volunteers attained high to the highest levels of overall satisfaction. In conclusion, modified facial massage resulted in increasing facial blood flow, skin temperature and elasticity. It is suggested that this type of facial massage could be one of the suitable alternatives for facial health care.
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The purpose of this research was to reveal the concept and attitude of a local wisdom care giver, Mr. Pai Somseela (Grandpa Pai or Poo Pai), towards development and care for disable person in the community. Qualitative approach was chosen for data collection and analysis. The researchers went to interview and observe on his way of thinking and attitude toward disable person since he had a grand son who was disable due to cerebral palsy. Audio and video-tape records were employed during data collection and investigation. The researchers found that love and care for his grand son were major keys for caring the disable person. He had done many toys for his grand son to play and practice on movement control of the spastic limbs. He noticed that by proper playing with the toys, the spasticity could be reduced. The toys should be simple and suite local culture of living as well as the children’s needs. They should facilitate the children with the same age group to play together. It is concluded that Mr Somseela have had positive attitude towards disable persons and built toys for them as tools for rehabilitation and served their needs.
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Health promotion is the responsibility of each person to achieve good health. Health-promoting behaviorsshould be practiced regularly by every one, especially physical therapists who are health promotion providers.During the educational years of physical therapy training, greater emphasis should be placed on the important of anappropriate health-promoting behavior habit to the students. This study aimed to evaluate health-promoting behaviorsof physical therapy students in Khon Kaen University and compare the behaviors among students in each educationalyear. Participants were 144 undergraduate physical therapy students (mean age 20.2\± 1.3 years) who werestudying at the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University in 2008. Their health-promotingbehaviors were assessed by a self-completed questionnaire namely the Thai health promoting lifestyle profileII (HPLP-II). The questionnaire contains 52 items that evaluate behaviors regarding health responsibility, physicalactivity, nutritional habits, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management. The results revealed thatthe participantsํ overall health-promoting behaviors were at a fair level. The 6 subscales of the behaviors rangedfrom good to very poor, with the highest and lowest levels in the interpersonal relations and physical activity,respectively. Significant differences in health-promoting behaviors among students in the 4 educational years werefound in the health responsibility and physical activity (P \< 0.05). These findings could be used as database for thecurriculum planners and faculty administrators to set up a strategy of health promotion, structure healthier environments,and develop health education programs for encouraging physical therapy students to adopt healthy lifestyles.
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Falls are an important cause of death for adults aged 65 years and above. Most preventive strategy studies of falls have involved exercises to promote strength and balance. However, these exercise programs were designed by therapists without the elderly’s participation in designing the programs. The objective of this research was to study effects of physical therapy program with client-centered approach on functional balance (Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go Test) in the elderly. A 12-week study was conducted in 9 elders with fall risks (2 men and 7 women, mean age 77.4 ± 5.8 years) of Samliam 1 community, Khon Kaen Province. During the first 4 weeks, specific problems relating to functional balance of each subject were assessed and discussed between the subject and the investigator, after which a physical therapy program with client-centered approach to improve functional balance was cooperatively designed and individually tailored to each elder. The subject was then instructed to perform the program for 8 weeks. The subject’s functional balance was assessed at baseline and every 4 weeks until the end of the study, and was analyzed using paired t-test. It was found that the physical therapy program with client-centered approach significantly improved the Berg Balance Scale (P \< 0.05). However, it was observed that changes in the functional balance scores were frequently influenced by pain at any body part of the subjects but the present study program did not pay much attention on the issue of pain. Therefore, it is suggested that to improve older people’ balance, therapists should widen their approaches to cover other factors relating to balance as much as possible.