Effects of pain education on disability, pain, quality of life, and self-efficacy in chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain stands as a prevalent contributor to pain-related disability on a global scale. In addressing chronic low back pain (CLBP), there is a growing emphasis on incorporating psychological strategies into the management process. Among these, pain education interventions strive to reshape pain beliefs and mitigate the perceived threat of pain. This randomized controlled trial sought to assess the effects of pain education on various aspects, including pain levels, disability, quality of life, self-efficacy, and prognostic characteristics in individuals grappling with CLBP. METHODS: The clinical trial, retrospectively registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2021/08/035963), employed a two-arm parallel randomized design. Ninety-two participants with CLBP were randomly assigned to either the standard physiotherapy care with a pain education program or the control group. Both groups underwent a 6-week intervention. Assessment of pain intensity (using NPRS), disability (using RMDQ), self-efficacy (using the general self-efficacy scale), and well-being (using WHO 5I) occurred both before and after the 6-week study intervention. FINDINGS: Post-intervention score comparisons between the groups revealed that the pain education intervention led to a significant reduction in disability compared to the usual standard care at 6 weeks (mean difference 8.2, p < 0.001, effect size Cohen d = 0.75), a decrease in pain intensity (mean difference 3.5, p < 0.001, effect size Cohen d = 0.82), and an improvement in the well-being index (mean difference 13.7, p < 0.001, effect size Cohen d = 0.58). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that integrating a pain education program enhances the therapeutic benefits of standard physiotherapy care for individuals dealing with chronic LBP. In conclusion, the clinical benefits of pain education become apparent when delivered in conjunction with standard care physiotherapy during the management of chronic low back pain.

Effects of resistance training on muscular strength, endurance, body composition and functional performance among sarcopenic patients: a systematic review.

Background: Sarcopenia, a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength associated with ageing, contributes to a decline in physical abilities, increase in disability and frailty and loss of functional independence. This functional deterioration which comes with ageing, can be slowed in pace with exercise. Objective: The objective of the current review was to thoroughly search for literature assessing impact of RT on physical performance, body composition, muscle strength and endurance in sarcopenic elderly patients. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro databases were brought in use for a thorough search for articles published from 2010 to 2023. Two researchers independently retrieved data from studies that complied with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, while they also evaluated quality of the evidence. Results: In total, 14 studies with 742 patients with mean age of 72.4 ± 9.22 years were included in the analysis for this review. Results indicate, RT improves body composition (p = 0.001), functional performance (p 0.001), postural stability (p = 0.005) and muscle strength (p 0.001) in elderly sarcopenic patients. Conclusion: A promising intervention for the management of sarcopenia is RT. To yield RT's positive effects, a well-designed prescription is the need of the hour, just like it is with other treatment strategies.

Exercise Therapy and Electrotherapy as an Intervention for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Primary Dysmenorrhea (PD) is characterized by painful cramps before or during menstruation. It is generally treated with nonpharmacological methods. However, with the advancement of research and the passage of time, physiotherapy plays an increasingly important role in treating patients with PD. Electrotherapy and exercise therapy are conservative methods to treat PD. Alternative methods to minimize reliance on medicinal-based treatments are the need of the hour. This review aims to determine the efficacy of exercise-based therapies and electrotherapy modalities in treating PD. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards have been used in the present systematic review and meta-analysis. Cochrane, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched to facilitate the same. The articles from 2011 to 2021 were included in this review. The quality of the review was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The visual analog scale was taken as a measure of pain intensity in the meta-analysis, and other outcomes have been included in the systematic review discussed. A total of 15 publications have been included, with a meta-analysis of 7. All included studies were of high quality (PEDro ≥ 5), and demonstrated the efficacy of exercise-based therapies and electrotherapy modalities in treating pain in females with PD. This review aims to check the impact of exercise and electrotherapy in females suffering from PD.

Effect of blood flow restriction training on pressure pain threshold and hand function among adults with persistent neck pain: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Persistent neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that affects the quality of life and functional abilities of individuals. Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) is a novel therapeutic approach that involves restricting blood flow to exercising muscles to enhance strength and function. However, limited research has been conducted on the effects of BFRT on pressure pain threshold and hand function in adults with persistent neck pain. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the potential benefits of BFRT as a treatment intervention for this population. Methods: This study will be a prospective 1:1 allocation, parallel group active controlled trail conducted at Physiotherapy Department, Galgotias University. The trial was prospectively registered with the Clinical Trial Registry India CTRI/2023/06/053439. Informed consent will be obtained from all the participants who are eligible to be included in the study. A total of 110 patients with persistent neck pain will be randomly allocated into two groups. The BFRT group will receive supervised training sessions three times a week for eight weeks, performing low-load resistance exercises with blood flow restriction applied using personalized cuff pressure. The control group will receive standard care for neck pain, which may include general advice, manual therapy, and/or home exercises without BFRT. The primary outcome measures will be the pressure pain threshold, assessed using a pressure Algometer, and hand function, evaluated using standardized tests such as Hand Grip Strength and Purdue Peg board Test. Results: The data obtained will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, and the significance level will be set at p<0.05. Conclusion: This trial will contribute valuable contribution highlighting the potential benefits of BFR training in improving pressure pain threshold and hand function in adults with persistent neck pain.

Effects of obesity on balance and gait alterations in young adults.

The effects of obesity on the balance and gait parameters like step width and foot angle (degree of toe out) in young adults were studied. 60 subjects of both the genders were taken. 30 were taken as a control group (non-obese, BMI < 25) and 30 were taken as experimental group (obese, BMI 30 >). Functional Reach Test (FRT) was used for Balance Testing and the Footprint method was used for Gait parameters measurements. The value of functional reach test in females was 11.90 +/- 0.12 inches in control group and 7.01 +/- 1.80 inches in experimental group (t = 5.31, P < 0.001) and in males, it was 16.45 +/- 0.72 inches in control and 11.66 +/- 0.53 inches in experimental group (t = 6.47, P < 0.001). The degree of toe out in females was 6.66 +/- 0.08 degrees for control and 8.13 +/- 0.21 degrees for experimental group (t = 4.08, P < 0.01) and in males, it was 6.59 +/- 0.04 for control and 9.79 +/- 0.51 for experimental group (t = 6.53, P < 0.001). The step width was found to be 4.41 +/- 0.15 inches (control group) and 6.27 +/- 0.35 inches (experimental) in males (t = 4.53, P < 0.01) and it was 3.95 +/- 0.03 inches (control) and 3.42 +/- 1.05 inches (experimental) in females (t = 0.77, P > 0.05). We concluded that obesity has a negative impact on balance of an individual. The degree of toe out was more in obese group as compared to normal BMI group in both genders. The Step Width measurement was more in males of obese group than that in males of normal BMI group but it showed statistically insignificant when compared in females of both groups.

Effect of isometric quadricep activation on "Q" angle in young females.

The Q angle represents an estimate of the resultant force of the quadriceps on the patella and is a predictor of the lateral movement of the patella under dynamic conditions. The aim of the present study was to observe whether isometric quadriceps activation (IQA) can decrease the Q angle and to identify people at high risk of patellar subluxation. Q angles were measured in 23 non impaired young women (22.9 +/- 2.3 years) in relaxed standing and during IQA. There was a significant decrease (4.65 +/- 2.74 degrees) in the Q angle values for subjects with IQA as compared to subjects with measurements in relaxed standing Significance levels were set at P < 0.05. The Q angle decreases with IQA which was highly significant (t = 8.01, P < 0.001). The result supports the view that an excessive Q angle may predispose women to greater lateral displacement of the patella during vigorous activities and sports in which the quadriceps muscle is stressed.