Optimization of Muscle Selection for Needle Electromyography in Isolated C6 Root Lesion: A Prospective Chart Review Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to evaluate muscles with more prominent needle electromyographic findings to optimize needle electromyography screening of isolated C6 radiculopathy in patients with C6 root lesions. DESIGN: This prospective clinical study was performed on 39 patients with isolated and unilateral cervical radiculopathy selected from all referrals of 1733 patients to the electrodiagnosis unit of the physical medicine and rehabilitation department of a tertiary medical center (from April 2021 to December 2021). The presence of fibrillation potentials, positive sharp waves, and/or neurogenic motor action potentials that occurred in isolation or combination with selected muscles was considered an abnormal finding. RESULTS: Of 1733 referrals, 39 patients (18 males [46.1%] and 21 females [53.8%]), with a mean age of 49.7 ± 9.6 yrs, were found eligible. According to needle electromyography findings, the most involved muscles in C6 root lesion were pronator teres (100%), followed by extensor carpi radialis longus (94.8%), flexor carpi radialis (89.7%), brachioradialis (82%), infraspinatus (82%), supraspinatus (79.4%), deltoid (74.3%), biceps brachii (64.1%), extensor digitorum communis (33.3%), and triceps brachii (15.3%) muscles. CONCLUSIONS: The pronator teres is the most involved muscle of patients diagnosed with C6 radiculopathy. It might be considered the key muscle for screening and accurate diagnosis of C6 root involvement.

The comparison effects of intra-articular injection of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Plasma Rich in Growth Factor (PRGF), Hyaluronic Acid (HA), and ozone in knee osteoarthritis; a one year randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Our study compare the short and long-term efficacy of the intra articular injections (IAIs) of hyaluronic acid (HA), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), and ozone in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 238 patients with mild to moderate knee OA were randomized into 4 groups of IAIs: HA (3 doses weekly), PRP (2 doses with 3 weeks interval), PRGF (2 doses with 3 weeks interval), and Ozone (3 doses weekly). Our outcome measures were the mean changes from baseline (immediately from the first injections) until 2,6, and 12 months post intervention in scores of visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Lequesne index. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients enrolled in the final analysis. The mean age of patients was 56.9 ± 6.3 years, and 69.5% were women. In 2 months follow up, significant improvement of pain, stiffness, and function were seen in all groups compared to the baseline, but the ozone group had the best results (P < 0.05). In 6 month follow up HA, PRP, and PRGF groups demonstrated better therapeutic effects in all scores in comparison with ozone (P < 0.05). At the end of the 12th month, only PRGF and PRP groups had better results versus HA and ozone groups in all scores (P < 0.05). Despite the fact that ozone showed better early results, its effects begin to wear off earlier than other products and ultimately disappear in 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Ozone injection had rapid effects and better short-term results after 2 months, but its therapeutic effects did not persist after 6 months and at the 6-month follow up, PRP,PRGF and HA were superior to ozone. Only patients in PRP and PRGF groups improved symptoms persisted for 12 months. Therefore, these products could be the preferable choices for long-term management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered in the Iranian Center of Clinical Trials ( www.irct.ir ) in 11/11/2017 with the following code: IRCT2017082013442N17.

Efficacy of single high-molecular-weight versus triple low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid intra-articular injection among knee osteoarthritis patients.

BACKGROUND: To compare intra-articular (IA) knee injections of a cross-linked high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) with a linear low-molecular weight HA (LMW-HA) in terms of pain and functional improvement among knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. METHODS: In this single-blinded RCT, the patients were randomly divided into two groups for HA injections. The first group received an HMW-HA (Arthromac) injection, while the other received three weekly LMW-HA (Hyalgan) injections. Pain and function were assessed using the outcome measures including WOMAC, Lequesne and VAS indices, once prior to injection, as well as 2 and 6 months after injections. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients were included. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics including age and sex between the two groups. Our analysis showed that total WOMAC, Lequesne and VAS mean scores remarkably improved at both follow-up time-points compared to the baseline measurements (p < 0.001). There was no significant superiority between the two therapeutic protocols according to our outcome measures at any time-point of follow-up. The only except was about the improvement in WOMAC stiffness subscale that was significantly higher in LMW-HA group compared to HMW-HA (p = 0.021). Moreover, no significant difference was observed in minor complications and injection-induced pain scores between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study proved that a single HMW-HA injection is as effective as multiple injections of LMW-HA counterparts in periods of 2 and 6 months follow-up. This study protocol was registered in Iranian database of RCTs (IRCT; www.irct.ir ) with the trial registration number IRCT20130523013442N24 and registration date 2018-07-13.

Electrodiagnostic Findings in 441 Patients with Ulnar Neuropathy - a Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: Ulnar neuropathy (UN) is the second most common focal neuropathy in the upper extremities. Electrodiagnostic studies (EDx), including nerve conduction study (NCS) and electromyography (EMG), are reliable tools for the diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy. We aimed to retrospectively analyze the medical records of patients diagnosed with ulnar neuropathy in a seven-year period and report our findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, documents of the patients whose ulnar nerve injury was confirmed through electrodiagnostic study in two departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation were collected and demographic data, subjective complaints of the patient, the cause, and electrodiagnostic findings were extracted from each patient's file. The following points were specifically evaluated in the electrodiagnostic records; type of injury, location, accompanying injuries, sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) of the fifth finger, SNAP of dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve (DUCN), compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscle, nerve conduction velocity (NCV) across elbow, patterns of muscle involvement, and the severity of insult. RESULTS: Out of 441 records, 305 (69.2%) were male and 68.1% were non-traumatic. Based on our clinical criteria, the intensity of the injury was mild in most cases. The elbow and forearm were the most involved regions in non-traumatic and traumatic cases respectively. Across elbow nerve conduction velocity showed decreased velocity in 71% of records. In non-traumatic cases, the most affected muscle was ADM (97%) and then FDI (85%). CONCLUSION: In focal entrapments such as ulnar neuropathy, electrodiagnostic findings are very helpful in assessing location, severity, and type of injury. If a consensus is achieved for the diagnosis of UN, even retrospective studies can become valuable sources for studying UN.

Interesting effectiveness of ozone injection for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy in the upper limb. Local injection of different substances has been increasingly used as an acceptable conservative treatment in non-severe cases. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of local ozone injection in the management of non-severe CTS. Methods: In the current randomized controlled trial (RCT), 40 patients with mild or moderate CTS were included in two parallel groups. Both of them used the resting volar wrist splint for 8 weeks; while the intervention group received a single dose of local ozone injection, except for the same splinting protocol. The main outcome measures including visual analog scale (VAS) for pain; symptom severity or functional status, based on Boston questionnaire (BQ); and median nerve conduction study, were reassessed 10 weeks after the treatment. Results: All of the measures including VAS, symptom severity, functional status and EDX improved significantly in both groups with the maximal changes in VAS. The VAS reduction was more remarkable in the ozone group than the control group [64% versus 45.3%, respectively]. Moreover, both of the BQ subscales showed significantly higher improvement in the ozone group compared to the control group (P=0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Although the improvement of EDX parameters was slightly better in the ozone group, the difference was not significant. Neither minor nor major side effects were reported. Conclusion: Ozone therapy as a safe and low-cost method, could provide promising results among women with mild to moderate CTS, at least for short-term treatment. Clinical trial registration: IRCT2016040913442N9.

Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy compared to Ultrasound in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common type of peripheral entrapment neuropathy that occurs in the wrist area in a space called the carpal tunnel. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and ultrasound are among the most common methods of physical modalities for treating CTS; the effectiveness of these 2 methods and the superiority of one over the other are not agreed among experts. Methods: In the present systematic review and meta-analysis study, the most important databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Science Direct, Trip medical database and Google Scholar were searched using appropriate keywords and specific strategies without time limitation to collect data. The collected data was analyzed using the meta-analytic method and the random-effects model. The heterogeneity among studies was examined using I2 . The data were analyzed using Review Manager Software. Results: From among 108 related studies, 49 cases were entered for the first stage. After the final examination, 6 studies were selected for meta-analysis. The total number of patients in these 6 studies was 403; 204 subjects were in the LLLT group and 199 subjects were in the ultrasound group. The results of the meta-analyses showed that there was no significant difference between these 2 therapeutic methods in terms of pain relief, symptom severity scale (SSS), functional status scale (FSS), motor latency, sensory latency, hand grip strength, and motor amplitude. Conclusion: Based on the meta-analyses, there was no significant difference between the 2 LLLT and ultrasound methods; in other words, they had similar effectiveness in improving the condition of patients with CTS. However, the authors believe that arriving at conclusions in this area requires high-quality and large size studies.

Obstacles facing evidence based medicine in physical medicine and rehabilitation: from opinion and knowledge to practice.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a new approach to medicine which can guide clinical services toward effective and beneficial results with the least side effects or errors. Up to now, there have been few available articles about specialists' EBM status, specifically the status of physiatrists in the area of EBM. OBJECTIVE: To determine the present status of physiatrists' attitudes, knowledge and skill in the area of EBM and the existing obstacles. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was performed in 2014 among physiatrists in Iran. The valid and reliable questionnaire contained 25 questions in 8 fields including demographic and professional information, point of view regarding EBM, familiarity with databases, educational history and information about EBM, use of scientific resources, scientific evidence usage, and the amount of access to resources. Final analysis of the questionnaires was done using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight questionnaires were completed (response percentage 52.2%). In total, 48.4% specialists had attended EBM workshops and 89.6% of people were familiar with medical search engines. The amount of familiarity with databases was mostly with MEDLINE/PubMed (52.3%). Respondents mainly had a positive point of view towards EBM. Those who had access to databases at work or somewhere out of home had a more positive attitude (p=0.002). Those who had attended EBM workshops and members of faculty also had more positive attitudes (p=0.003 and p=0.01, respectively). Around 70% of responders had adequate knowledge regarding EBM. Physicians, members of faculty and participants who had spent more time on research, reviewed articles and attended workshops had more knowledge (p=0.001). There were three major obstacles recognized: An insufficient amount of knowledge regarding the principles, advantages and applications of EBM, difficulty with gaining access to associated databases and an insufficient amount of activity in judging and analyzing the related articles. CONCLUSION: Results from our study revealed that although there is a significant number of physiatrists who are familiar with the practicality of EBM, they are still not familiar enough with its concepts and applications.

Evaluation of complete functional status of patients with stroke by Functional Independence Measure scale on admission, discharge, and six months poststroke.

Background: To evaluate the patients with stroke by Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scale, at the times of admission to hospital, discharge, and six-month poststroke, and to determine the level of improvement in patients after rehabilitative procedures. Methods: A total number of 108 patients with stroke entered the study who were admitted to neurology ward. They all received rehabilitation consultation, and occupational and physical therapies were prescribed for them. Finally, their functional status was evaluated by FIM scale. Results: The median (and range) of FIM scores were 86 (15-119), 102 (16-123) and 119 (17-126) at admission, discharge, and after six-month follow-up, respectively. Our observations showed a significant improvement in FIM scores (P < 0.001). About 13, 30, and 76 percent of the patients in individual functional tasks of motor domain and 61, 75, and 86 percent in cognitive domain got the score of 6 or 7 (complete or partial independence) on admission, discharge, and after six months, respectively. There was a reverse correlation between age and FIM improvement and also duration of hospitalization (P = 0.002). Conclusion: The study showed that the FIM is a valid tool for evaluation of patients with stroke, their follow-up and tracking the disease course. Moreover, we concluded that patients with stroke make a significant improvement in their functional status overtime. The exact effect of rehabilitative procedures and comparison with no treatment, must be assessed in separate studies.

Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) versus Autologous Whole Blood on Pain and Function Improvement in Tennis Elbow: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background. Autologous whole blood and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been both suggested to treat chronic tennis elbow. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of PRP versus autologous whole blood local injection in chronic tennis elbow. Methods. Forty patients with tennis elbow were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 was treated with a single injection of 2 mL of autologous PRP and group 2 with 2 mL of autologous blood. Tennis elbow strap, stretching, and strengthening exercises were administered for both groups during a 2-month followup. Pain and functional improvements were assessed using visual analog scale (VAS), modified Mayo Clinic performance index for the elbow, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) at 0, 4, and 8 weeks. Results. All pain and functional variables including VAS, PPT, and Mayo scores improved significantly in both groups 4 weeks after injection. No statistically significant difference was noted between groups regarding pain scores in 4-week follow-up examination (P > 0.05). At 8-week reevaluations, VAS and Mayo scores improved only in PRP group (P < 0.05). Conclusion. PRP and autologous whole blood injections are both effective to treat chronic lateral epicondylitis. PRP might be slightly superior in 8-week followup. However, further studies are suggested to get definite conclusion.

Survey of medical residents' attitude toward physical medicine and rehabilitation.

This survey was completed on 600 medical residents in 19 randomly selected teaching hospitals from three Iranian medical universities to delineate some possible factors associated with medical residents' awareness of and attitude toward 11 specified areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). Fifty-four percent of the participants had a history of consultation with physiatrists. Male residents and those with history of general medicine education in a university having a residency program in PM&R were the most likely to consult with physiatrists. Age and graduation date were not significant predictors of consultation. Residency specialty was the most powerful covariate of consultation rate, with the highest rate of consultation in neurosurgery, neurology, and orthopedics. The best known areas of PM&R were rehabilitation of central nervous system disorders, electrodiagnostic studies, and prescription of physical modalities. The most requested areas of PM&R for collaboration were therapeutic exercise, musculoskeletal and rheumatic disorders, and geriatric rehabilitation. Overall, the residents of various specialties showed different levels of familiarity and attitude toward the different areas of PM&R. This indicates that specific programs are needed to improve PM&R collaboration with all specialties. Policy makers in all levels, from hospital administrators to the ministry of health, need to further enhance the familiarity of medical residents with the field PM&R.

The effect of polarized polychromatic noncoherent light (bioptron) therapy on patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: To study the effects of Polarized Polychromatic Noncoherent Light (Bioptron) therapy on patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: This study was designed as a randomized clinical trial. Forty four patients with mild or moderate CTS (confirmed by clinical and electrodiagnostic studies) were assigned randomly into two groups (intervention and control goups). At the beginning of the study, both groups received wrist splinting for 8 weeks. Bioptron light was applied for the intervention group (eight sessions, for 3/weeks). Bioptron was applied perpendicularly to the wrist from a 10 centimeter sdistance. Pain severity and electrodiagnostic measurements were compared from before to 8 weeks after initiating each treatment. RESULTS: Eight weeks after starting the treatments, the mean of pain severity based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores decreased significantly in both groups. Median Sensory Nerve Action Potential (SNAP) latency decreased significantly in both groups. However, other electrophysiological findings (median Compound Motor Action Potential (CMAP) latency and amplitude, also SNAP amplitude) did not change after the therapy in both groups. There was no meaningful difference between two groups regarding the changes in the pain severity. CONCLUSION: Bioptron with the above mentioned parameters led to therapeutic effects equal to splinting alone in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. However, applying Bioptron with different therapeutic protocols and light parameters other than used in this study, perhaps longer duration of therapy and long term assessment may reveal different results favoring Bioptron therapy.

Comparison of dry needling and physiotherapy in treatment of myofascial pain syndrome.

To compare the effects of dry needling and physiotherapy in treatment of myofascial pain syndrome, a randomized controlled trial was performed on 28 patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of upper trapezius muscle in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center of Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital from April 2009 to April 2010. After matching the age, sex, duration of symptoms, pain severity, and quality of life measures, subjects were randomly assigned into two subgroups of case (dry needling) and control (physiotherapy). One week and 1 month after receiving standard therapeutic modalities, outcomes and intragroup and intergroup changes in pain severity, pressure pain of trigger point (TP), and quality of life measures were evaluated and compared. After 1 month, both the physiotherapy and dry needling groups had decreased resting, night, and activity pain levels (p<0.05). Pressure pain threshold of TP and some scores of quality of life (SF-36) were improved (p<0.05). Overall results were similar in both groups. It seems that both physiotherapy modalities and dry needling have equal effect on myofascial pain of the upper trapezius muscle.

The effects of low intensity laser on clinical and electrophysiological parameters of carpal tunnel syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common type of entrapment neuropathy. Conservative therapy is usually considered as the first step in the management of CTS. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is among the new physical modalities, which has shown therapeutic effects in CTS. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of applying LASER and splinting together with splinting alone in patients with CTS. METHODS: Fifty patients with mild and moderate CTS who met inclusion criteria were included in this study. The disease was confirmed by electrodiagnostic study (EDx) and clinical findings. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A received LLLT and splinting. Group B received sham LLLT+ splinting and group C received only splints. Group A received LLLT (50 mw and 880nm with total dose of 6 joule/cm(2)). Clinical and EDx parameters were evaluated before and after treatment (3 weeks and 2 months later). RESULTS: Electrophysiologic parameters and clinical findings including CTS provocative tests, Symptoms severity score (SSS), Functional Severity Score (FSS) and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) were improved in all three groups at 3 weeks and 2 months after treatment. No significant changes were noticed between the three groups regarding clinical and EDX parameters. CONCLUSION: We found no superiority in applying Low Intensity Laser accompanying splinting to traditional treatment which means splinting alone in patients with CTS. However, future studies investigating LLLT with parameters other than the one used in this study may reveal different results in favor of LLLT.

Utility of flexor carpi radialis h-reflex in diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy.

PURPOSE: The sixth and seventh roots are among the most common roots involved in cervical radiculopathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of flexor carpi radialis H-reflex in patients with suspected C6 or C7 root lesion. METHODS: This study was performed on 42 controls and 38 patients with suspected C6 or C7 radiculopathy. All patients were evaluated by physical examination, electromyogram, nerve conduction study and flexor carpi radialis H-reflex (superficial technique), and cervical magnetic resonance imaging. Side-to-side difference >1 millisecond or ipsilateral absent H-responses is considered as an abnormal response. Results were analyzed with SPSS. RESULTS: Specificity and sensitivity of H-reflex are 86% and 50% in C6 radiculopathy and 86% and 75% in C7, respectively. In six (54.5%) patients without electromyogram finding, flexor carpi radialis H-response was ipsilaterally abnormal. The mean of H-latency in control group was 15.7 (+/-1) milliseconds, and mean of side-to-side H-latency difference in this group was 0.43 (+/-0.39) milliseconds. CONCLUSION: Flexor carpi radialis H-reflex can be a helpful additional technique to routine needle electromyogram in the diagnosis of root lesions. The probability of abnormal flexor carpi radialis H-reflex in C7 root lesion is higher than that of C6 root lesion; however, it was not statistically significant.