ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effects of focal vibration on the physical properties and surface electroyograms of persons with neck-shoulder pain.Methods Thirty-four patients with neck-shoulder pain received 3 to 5 applications of vibratory stimulation of the inner side of the trapezius and scapula for 30 s each time.They reported their pain level using a visual analogue scale.Muscle tone and the elasticity and stiffness of the trapezius muscle were measured bilaterally using a MyotonPRO Muscular Function Evaluation System.Surface electromyography (sEMG) was performed bilaterally during arm extension while standing.The testing was repeated four times:before treatment (baseline),immediately after treatment (IAT),2 hours after treatment (2AT) and 6 hours after treatment (6AT).Results There was a significant reduction in reported pain at IAT and 2AT compared to baseline,but no significant difference was found between the perceived pain at baseline and at 6AT.The values of oscillation frequency,logarithmic decrement and dynamic stiffness had decreased significantly at IAT and 2AT compared to baseline.The average AEMG during upper-arm flexion of the trapezius on the painful side had increased significantly at IAT comparcd to that before the treatment,while the average IEMG and MF were both significantly higher than before the treatment.At 2AT the average AEMG and IEMG were both still significantly higher than at the baseline,but there was no longer a significant difference in the average MF.By 6AT none of the three indicators differed significantly from those before the treatment.Conclusions A single session of focal vibration can relieve pain,increase muscle activation as well as decrease muscle stiffness for people with neck-shoulder pain within 2 hours.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the clinical effect of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (RPMS) on chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) patients. Methods 43 CNLBP patients were assigned to experimental group (n=22) and control group (n=21). Both groups received routine physical therapy. The experimental group accepted RPMS and core stability training (CST), and the control group accepted sham magnetic stimulation and CST in addition. Clinical effect was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Dys-function Index (ODI). All the patients were assessed with Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance (mCTSIB) to observe the center of gravity (COG) sway velocity under 4 testing conditions. Results 4 weeks after treatment, the VAS and ODI scores were significant-ly decreased in both groups (P0.05). The scores of VAS and ODI were sig-nificantly lower in the experiment group than in the control group after treatment (P<0.001). The COG sway velocity under eye open foam support and eye close foam support were lower in the experiment group than in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion Com-bination of RPMS could improve the clinical symptoms and the posture control ability under complex environment.
