Effectiveness of hallux valgus strap: A prospective, randomized single-blinded controlled trial.

Objective: To study the effect of night-time hallux valgus strap usage on decreasing the progression of hallux valgus angle. Methods: Patients, who were older than eighteen years old with moderate to severe degree of hallux valgus, were randomized into 2 groups: the study group (prescribed to use night-time hallux valgus strap for 8 hours per night for 12 months), and the control group. Patients in both groups were advised to have proper foot care with proper shoes. Results: There were 25 patients in the study group and 22 patients in the control group. No statistical difference was found in demographic data between both groups. The hallux valgus angle, which was obtained through radiographic measurement, was decreased in both groups. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the decrease of hallux valgus angle between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Prescribing to use night-time hallux valgus strap for 12 months cannot decrease the progression of the hallux valgus angle more than the control group.

Knowledge and practice of physical exercise among the inhabitants of Bangkok.

OBJECTIVE: To study the knowledge and practice of physical exercise among the inhabitants of Bangkok. The factors correlated with knowledge and the practice of physical exercise, were also explored. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A self-administered questionnaire was designed to survey 1200 inhabitants in Bangkok and the vicinity aged more than 18 years old. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred and seven people aged ranging from 18-81 years old completed the questionnaires (response rate 92.25%). Six hundred and forty people (58.4%) exercised regularly. The exercise was performed 1-2 days per week with varied duration. They performed exercises alone, in their homes, in the evening. They did not report any expenditure on the exercises. Common types of exercise reported were walking, jogging, attending an aerobic exercise class, using an exercise machine, and callisthenic exercise. Two hundred and seven people (18.9%) did not perform exercise at all because of the lack of time. The factors correlated with regular exercise were the increasing age, the high level of education, the amount of free time per day, and the enjoyment of exercise. With relation to knowledge of exercise, most people lacked knowledge of the benefits of exercise rather than how to do exercise and when to stop exercising. People who had a higher educational level than secondary school and a high income, practiced exercise everyday. They acquired their knowledge of exercise from attending an exercise course. CONCLUSION: People living in Bangkok usually performed regular exercises of 1-2 days per week with varied duration. The majority lacked knowledge of the benefits of exercise. Educational level of the samples was the only factor correlated with both regular exercise and knowledge of exercise.

Effectiveness of physical therapy for patients with adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of a combined technique of physical and ibuprofen for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis with ibuprofen alone. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 122 subjects were randomly allocated to have 3 weeks treatment either with ibuprofen (n=61) or ibuprofen and a combined technique of physical therapy (n=61). Outcome measures were carried out 3 weeks and 12 weeks after randomization. Primary outcome measures were the success of treatment measured by improvement in the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and global rating. RESULTS: At 3 weeks, 21 (35.0%) of 60 patients in the study group were considered to have had successful treatment compared with 11 (18.6%) of 59 in the control group (difference between groups 16.4%, 95% CI: 4.0-31.3, p=0.044). There was no significant difference in the success rate between the two groups at the 12th week follow-up. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the use of physical therapy for patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Effectiveness of an elastic knee sleeve for patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized single-blinded controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effectiveness of elastic sleeves in patients with knee osteoarthritis (knee OA). METHOD: Patients with knee OA attending the outpatient clinic of Siriraj Hospital, who met the eligibility criteria, were randomly allocated to receive an 8-week treatment protocol. The control group received acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and education. The study group received the same treatment, in combination with a daytime elastic knee sleeve. Primary outcome variable included change in aggregated functional performance time (AFPT). RESULTS: In the immediate period after treatment, the study group had a mean improvement in AFPT of 1.63 seconds more than the control group (95% CI: 0.21-3.05, p = 0.025). At the end of the 8th week, the changes of AFPT were not statistically different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study shows small short-term beneficial effects of an elastic sleeve in patients with knee OA in cases with acute exacerbation.