Investigating the lumbar proprioception and core muscles recruitment pattern while getting up from a chair with weight lifting in patients with chronic functional constipation: cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Patients with chronic functional constipation have some problems such as weakness of pelvic floor muscles, and a lack of coordination of pelvic floor and abdominal muscles has been seen. The goal of this study was to investigate the lumbar proprioception and the core muscle recruitment pattern. METHODS: The study type is a cross-sectional case-control study. There were 30 participants (case, n = 15, and control, n = 15). Electromyography of the core muscles was recorded while the subjects were getting up from the chair accompanied by lifting a weight, to check the pattern of muscle recruitment. Moreover, the lumbar proprioception was evaluated by an isokinetic device in both groups. The study was analyzed using independent t test and Mann-Whitney U test, and a nonparametric Friedman test was performed followed by Bonferroni pairwise comparison. RESULTS: The comparison of muscle activity delay between the two groups showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the abdominal muscles, anal sphincter, and erector spinae (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the rectus femoris and gluteal muscles between the two groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, the proprioception of the lumbar region showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that the lumbar proprioception sense was reduced in the case group. This result can be justified, based on the problems in constipation (lack of coordination of muscles, weakness of pelvic floor muscles). The coordination of core muscles changed in patients with chronic functional constipation during a functional task.

The effect of manual therapies on tension-type headache in patients who do not respond to drug therapy: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUNDS: Tension-Type Headache (TTH) is one of the most common types of headache. In patients with TTH, manual therapy can be used to treat myofascial pain. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of manual therapy on TTH in patients who did not respond to drug therapy. METHODS: A total of 24 patients with TTH were randomly enrolled into this prospective trial. The participants were divided into an intervention and a control group. The intervention group received the common medication and manual therapy, while the control group only received the common medication. Headache pain intensity, frequency, and duration, tablet count, and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were measured in both groups before, after, and one week after the intervention. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups (treatment, control) regarding pain intensity (3.04, 6.75, P = 0.0001; effect size (ES) = 1.85), headache frequency (2.33, 5, P = 0.004; ES = 1.48) and duration (91.29, 284.74, P = 0.002; ES = 1.48), tablet count (1.83, 4.91, P = 0.01; ES = 1.04), and NDI (7.33, 20.16, P = 0.003; ES = 1.37). Within group differences were recorded in intervention group only for all dependent variables immediately after intervention and one week after the intervention (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Manual therapy reduced headache pain intensity, frequency and duration, tablet count, and NDI score in patients with TTH.

Virtual reality applications for rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients: A systematic review.

Background and Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people's lifestyles as well as the way healthcare services are delivered. Undoubtedly, the difficulties associated with COVID-19 infection and rehabilitation and those associated with quarantine and viral preventive efforts may exacerbate the need for virtual reality to be used as a part of a complete rehabilitation strategy for these individuals. Thus, the present research aimed to evaluate the potential uses of virtual reality for the rehabilitation of individuals suffering from COVID-19. Methods: From 2019 to March 1, 2022, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochran Library, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Web of Science databases. The papers were selected based on search terms and those that discussed the use of virtual reality in the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients were reviewed. Each step of the study was reviewed by two authors. Results: A total of 699 papers were found during the first search. Three papers were chosen for further investigation after a thorough evaluation of the publications' titles, abstracts, and full texts. Cross-sectional studies, randomized controlled clinical trials, and case reports comprised 33%, 33%, and 33% of the publications, respectively. Based on the results, people suffering from COVID-19 were the focus of two papers (66%) that employed immersion virtual reality for cognitive rehabilitation, whereas one study (33%) used non-immersive virtual reality for physical rehabilitation. In two papers (66%), virtual reality was also offered to patients in the form of a game. Conclusion: According to the results of the present research, virtual reality games may enhance functional and cognitive consequences, contentment levels among patients, and their ability to take charge of their own health care. In light of the obstacles faced by COVID-19 patients, alterations in the delivery of healthcare, and the significance of rehabilitation in this group during quarantine, new techniques have been considered for these patients to maintain treatment, return to regular life, and enhance their standard of life.

Application of Telerehabilitation for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: The use of telerehabilitation in different disciplines, particularly in the rehabilitation of older adults, has grown significantly across the world. In the wake of the coronavirus disease 2919 (COVID-19) outbreak, a chance has arisen to improve the user experience and to draw attention to the advantages of using this service. The current research aimed to evaluate the investigations that used telerehabilitation to assist elderly people during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Systematic searches of papers published between September 1, 2019, and December 1, 2021, were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and ProQuest databases. The author narrowed down the list of articles by using search terms. Ultimately, publications from the COVID-19 period were studied for their perspectives on the use of telerehabilitation among the elderly population. The whole process was supervised by 2 investigators at the same time. RESULTS: In total, 2529 articles were included in the first search. Five articles were chosen for further assessment based on the careful consideration of their titles, abstracts, and full texts. Cross-sectional, feasibility, case, and interventional studies comprised 20%, 20%, 20%, and 40% of the papers, respectively. The studies were carried out in Brazil, the United States, Germany, Japan, and South Korea and involved using telerehabilitation for elderly individuals, identification of crucial manifestations and impairments, improving physical function in this population, and ensuring their happiness. CONCLUSIONS: Using a digital strategy for rehabilitation should be regarded as a means of overcoming the field's obstacles. As a result, legislators and rehabilitation groups should consider the use of telerehabilitation for the elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The effect of the combination of whole body vibration and shoe with an unstable surface in chronic ankle instability treatment: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common condition following an ankle sprain. This study investigated the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) and shoe with an unstable surface training on balance, functional performance, strength, joint position sense in people with CAI. METHOD: Thirty- four peoples with unilateral CAI were randomly assigned to three groups: WBV group, WBV with shoe with an unstable surface (WBV-S), and no treatment control group (CON). The WBV group received 4 weeks progressive WBV training and the WBV-S group received progressive WBV training with shoe with an unstable surface. Modified star excursion balance test (mSEBT)reach distance, Hop-Test, muscle strength, and joint position sense were measured at baseline and after the 4 weeks; Moreover, the mSEBT and Hop-Test were reassessed again 2 weeks post intervention. RESULTS: The result showed a significant group-by-time interaction for anterior and posterolateral directions of mSEBT. The reach distance of these directions at post-intervention and follow-up increased significantly compare to pre-intervention in the WBV and WBV-S groups but not significantly change in the CON group. The Hop test in the WBV-S group was significantly more at post-intervention and follow-up compared to pre-intervention. However, no significant changes were observed in WBV and CON groups. No significant changes were observed for mSEBT posteromedial direction, muscles strength, and joint position sense errors. CONCLUSION: The 4 weeks WBV and WBV-S interventions could improve balance in peoples with CAI. Improvement in Hop test was only observed in the WBV-S group suggesting the added value of combining WBV and shoe with an unstable surface as an effective therapy compared to WBV training alone. The use of WBV and WBV-S were not associated with significant changes in strength and joint position sense variables over a four-week period. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This work registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( IRCT20151118025105N4 ).

Trunk postural control during unstable sitting differs between patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome and healthy people: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common orthopedic problem with a high prevalence among young women. Patients with PFPS have altered trunk muscle activity, impaired postural control and greater displacement of the center of pressure (COP) while standing. Training in unstable sitting, by putting more emphasis on trunk sensory receptors, may improve trunk proprioception by minimizing the role of the lower extremities. The aim of this study was to compare trunk postural control in healthy persons and in patients with PFPS. METHODS: Twenty-one women diagnosed with PFPS and 21 healthy women volunteered to participate in this cross-sectional study. The participants were asked to maintain trunk postural balance on an unstable sitting device, and COP indices of trunk postural control were compared between groups. RESULTS: All COP indices (e.g., mean anterior-posterior and lateral COP displacement, mean COP velocity and mean area of COP displacement) were significantly increased in participants with PFPS in comparison to healthy controls (P < 0.001). The effect sizes of all the indices were greater than 0.80. CONCLUSIONS: Trunk postural control is impaired in patients with PFPS, and this finding has clinical implications for rehabilitation in patients with PFPS. Adding seated postural control training to conventional physical therapy management in patients with PFPS may have beneficial effects by emphasizing trunk proprioception while minimizing the role of the lower extremities.