ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
A case report on physical therapy program in TMD with trismus patient who had a car accident. The physical therapy program is consisted of ultrasonic 1 MHz, dose 2 watts, 15 min, applied on the right and left masseter muscles and tragus of the ear; and progressive resisted exercise of masseter muscles of both sides. The patient could open the mouth from 18 mm. To 25 mm. After the first treatment and could open normally after 5 treatments (28 days). The earlier the temporomandibular joint movement commenced, the easier the management on the centric relation and occlusal could be accomplished.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of heat rice grain (HRG) and traditional Thai (TT) hot pack on the changes of skin temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. Forty-four healthy women aged 25-45 years (40.96 + 1.98 years.) were randomized into 2 groups (22 subjects / group). The HRG and TT hot pack groups were treated as heated pack on the subjects’ back. The treatment time in each group was 20 minutes. The skin temperature, blood pressure and heart rate of each subject were recorded before and after treatment. The results showed that the means of skin temperature before and after treatment of subjects in HRG and TT hot pack were 33.80 + 0.96 \& 38.94 + 0.81 oC and 33.89 + 0.96 \& 38.92 + 0.65 oC, respectively. The means of systolic-diastolic blood pressure before and after treatment of subjects in HRG and TT hot pack were 109.91 + 7.57 - 74.82 + 7.59 \& 105.91 + 5.78 - 72.50 + 5.27 mmHg and 107.77 + 8.47 - 74.14 + 6.70 \& 103.82 + 6.70 -70.91 + 5.13 mmHg., respectively. The means of heart rate before and after treatment of subjects in HRG and TT hot pack were 71.00 + 7.16 \& 73.55 + 7.94 bpm. and 73.09 + 6.93 \& 76.23 + 7.52 bpm., respectively. The skin temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate were significantly changed when compared before and after application of heated pack in each group (p \< 0.05). However, there were no difference in these parameters between the HRG and TT hot pack. In conclusion, both the HRG and TT hot pack can affect the changes in skin temperature, blood pressure and heart rate.
ABSTRACT
Thai massage and acupressure are commonly applied for foot numbness in diabetic patients, but studying on the effect have not found. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Thai massage and acupressure on foot numbness in diabetic patients. Twenty-four diabetic participants, 21 men and 3 women, age 45 - 79 years (means 64 + 8.11 years.) were recruited from a primary care unit at Pon Swang primary care unit, Tramboon Jorakae, Amphure Nongruea, Khon Kaen Province who registered for diabetic care during October 2006 and February 2007. Each of the participants received 2 sessions per week of foot massage for four weeks from validated massagers. Each session lasted 30 minutes. The results of the study showed that the average of numbness scores of foot before massage were 9.42 + 4.66, after applied the fourth and the eighth massage sessions were 4.21 + 4.47, and 1.83 + 2.68 respectively. Foot numbness was reduced significantly (P \< 0.001) after the fourth session of foot massage. This effect maintained towards the end of the eight sessions. It is suggested that foot massage for at least four sessions consecutively may yield some beneficial effect on reduction of foot numbness in diabetic patients.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HeNe LASER on pressure pain tolerance (PTT) and skin blood flow in normal subjects. Twenty four (11 males, 13 females) healthy volunteers aged between 18-23 years (mean 21.38 + 1.28 yrs) participated in this study. All subjects were randomly assigned the side of arm into the treatments: 1) placebo treatment, 2) HeNe laser treatment, applying HeNe Laser 12 mW, 333 sec, at acupuncture point (Li11). PTT was measured by pressure algometer before and immediately after treatment. Skin blood flow was monitored throughout the experiment. The results showed that PTT in HeNe Laser treatment was significantly higher than placebo treatment (p \< 0.05) (mean + SD PTT were 0.86 + 0.48 and 0.54 + 0.67 kg/cm2.). Skin blood flow in HeNe LASER treatment was significantly higher than placebo treatment (p \< 0.001) (means + SD skin blood flow were 1.87 + 2.35 Perfusion Unit (PU) and 0.43 + 2.48 PU, respectively. It is suggested that HeNe LASER could produce increasing in PTT and skin blood flow in normal subjects.