Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Therapy in Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight Bearing Positions for Upper and Lower Extremities on Balance and Cervical Joint Position Sense in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex pathological entity that affects muscular control, coordination, proprioception, fine and gross motor abilities, position, stability, and, in some cases, cognition. This study aimed to compare the effects of whole-body vibration therapy (WBVT) in weight bearing and non-weight bearing positions for the upper and lower extremities on balance and cervical joint position sense in children with spastic CP. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was carried out on 60 hemiplegic children with spastic CP aged 5-15 years. Following randomization, all participants were allocated into six equal-sized groups based on the application of WBVT for upper extremities, lower extremities, or both simultaneously in either weight-bearing or non-weight-bearing positions. Pediatric balance scale (PBS) and laser tracker system were used to assess functional balance and cervical joint position sense. RESULTS: One-way analysis of variance for Inter-group analysis showed a statistically significant difference among all groups in PBS and cervical joint position sense (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: WBVT was found to be beneficial in improving balance and cervical joint position sense in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions for the upper and lower extremities in children with cerebral palsy. However, the simultaneous application of WBVT in weight-bearing positions for both upper and lower extremities showed the most significant improvements in improving both balance and cervical joint position sense, indicating the most efficacious position of this treatment approach in children with cerebral palsy.

The immediate effects of deep transverse friction massage, high- power pain threshold ultrasound and whole body vibration on active myofascial trigger points.

BACKGROUND: The most important clinical problem in myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is trigger points (TrPs). The aim of the present study was to investigate the comparison of immediate effect of deep transverse friction massage (DTFM), high-power pain threshold ultrasound (HPPTUS), and whole body vibration (WBV) on treatment of active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: sixty six men with active TrPs of upper trapezius muscle were randomly divided into three equal groups: DTFM, HPPT US, and WBV. Pain intensity based on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and active contralateral lateral flexion range of motion (CLF ROM) of the neck were evaluated before and immediately after the interventions. RESULTS: The VAS, PPT and the active CLF ROM were substantially improved after intervention in all groups (P < 0.01). When the three groups were compared regarding VAS, participants in the WBV group reported significantly more reduction in pain (P < 0.01). On comparing the interventions, there were no significant differences in PPT values (P > 0.05). The CLF ROM value in HPPTUS and WBV groups have significant increase in comparison to the DTFM group. CONCLUSION: All three interventions can improve neck pain, PPT and ROM in participants with active TrPs in upper trapezius muscle, but due to the fact that the DTFM has more pressure on therapist fingers, and the HPPTUS technique requires proper interaction with the participants, WBV can be used as one of the effective intervention on active MTrPs of upper trapezius. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT20200518047498N1.

Occupational Performance Outcome for Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Feasibility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure.

The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of the Persian version of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to assess self-reported occupational performance in a group of children with cancer at least one-year post-cancer diagnosis and intervention and to describe the self-reported occupational performance problems of children with cancer. Forty-three children with cancer (mean age 11.59 years; SD 4.94) participated in a cross-sectional study, using a convenience sampling approach. Performance and satisfaction were assessed through a validated Persian version of the COPM and feasibility and ease of administration were also considered. This study showed that feasibility was found to be adequate and this measurement was perceived as easy to understand; completion took from 20 to 51 minutes. Children with cancer prioritized 115 occupations within six of the nine COPM subcategories. Among the prioritized occupations, the highest number was found in self-care 61.7%, followed by productivity (26%), and leisure (12.1%). The mean ratings of performance varied from 3.7 to 8.4. The lowest mean rating was in the subgroup play/school (3.7). For satisfaction, the mean ratings were from 2.6 to 5.2, with functional mobility as the highest and play/school the lowest. The results support the use of the COPM in clinical practice for children with cancer. Based on these findings, children with cancer perceive problems with occupations related to all aspects of daily life. This underlines the need to provide rehabilitation services, especially occupational therapy services for these children.

Reliability of ultrasound measurement of the lateral abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles in individuals with chronic low back pain: A cross-sectional test-retest study.

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound (US) imaging has been suggested to evaluate the morphology and function of trunk muscles; however, little is known about the reliability of the US measures in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aimed to evaluate intrarater reliability of US imaging of the lateral abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles in individuals with nonspecific CLBP. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, intrarater within-day and between-day reliability of US measurements of the transversus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique and lumbar multifidus (at the L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels) muscles were obtained on both sides. The resting and contracted thickness and contraction ratio of each muscle were measured in 21 individuals with nonspecific CLBP. RESULTS: All US measurements of the lateral abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles demonstrated good to excellent within-day (Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs: 0.80-0.98) and between-day (ICCs: 0.80-0.97) reliability. The standard error of the measurement (SEMs) and minimal detectable change (MDCs) of the lateral abdominal muscles on both sides ranged 0.5-1.6 mm and 0.4-4.4 mm, respectively. The SEMs and MDCs of the LM muscles on both sides ranged 1.1-2.7 mm and 2.86-7.49 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that US imaging has good to high intrarater within- and between-day reliability for assessing absolute thickness and contraction ratio of the trunk muscles on both right and left sides in patients with nonspecific CLBP. The vertical alignment of the US transducer is a reliable method for assessing the lateral abdominal muscles.

Short-term effect of kinesiology taping on pain, functional disability and lumbar proprioception in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain: a double-blinded, randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of kinesiology taping (KT) on lumbar proprioception, pain, and functional disability in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: Thirty individuals with nonspecific CLBP participated in this double-blinded, randomized clinical trial from July 2017 to September 2018. The participants were randomized into two groups: KT (n = 15) and placebo group (n = 15). KT was applied with 15-25% tension for 72 h, and placebo taping was used without tension. Lumbar repositioning error was measured by a bubble inclinometer at three different angles (45° and 60° flexion, and 15° extension) in upright standing. Pain and disability were assessed by the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index, respectively. All measurements were recorded at baseline and 3 days after taping. RESULTS: Pain and disability scores reduced 3 days after taping in the KT group with large effect sizes (p < 0.05). Only the total score of pain was significantly different between the groups 3 days after taping and improved more in the KT group with a large effect size (p < 0.05). However, lumbar repositioning errors were similar between the groups after 3 days (p > 0.05). Also, only constant error of 15° extension showed a moderate correlation with disability (r = 0.39, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: KT can decrease pain and disability scores after 3 days of application. Although placebo taping can reduce pain, the effect of KT is higher than placebo taping. The findings do not support the therapeutic effect of KT and placebo taping as a tool to enhance lumbar proprioception in patients with nonspecific CLBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study prospectively registered on 21.05.2018 at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20090301001722N20 .

Occupational performance of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis based on disability level in Iran.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common disease across the world as well as in Iran. Individuals with MS usually experience occupational performance problems that result in limitations in their daily life. This study aimed to determine the occupational performance of individuals with MS based on the disability level in Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 individuals with MS (20 to 50 years old) were recruited through a convenience sampling strategy from different clinics in Arak City, Iran, during 2016-2017. The Persian versions of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were used to assess the status of occupational performance and level of disability. The data were analyzed using chi-square, Spearman's rank correlation, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The total number of 248 occupations were identified as difficult to perform in the following areas: 125 (50.40%) in self-care, 58 (23.38%) in productivity, and 65 (26.20%) in leisure. In addition, the prioritized occupations (n = 149, median: 3, range: 1-4) had significant difference in the distribution of occupations compared with the non-prioritized occupations (P < 0.0001) and the ratings for performances and satisfactions were generally low. There were significant differences between the occupational performance and level of EDSS. Conclusion: The findings of current study suggest that individuals with MS suffer from widespread problems in the areas of occupational performance, particularly in self-care. The findings emphasize the need for identifying the problems of daily occupations in individuals with MS.