ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diaphragmatic breathing training with visual biofeedback on respiratory function in patients with multiple rib fractures. Patients and methods: Between June 2021 and October 2021, a total of 16 patients (15 males, 1 female; mean age: 49.50±11.85 years; range, 25 to 66 years) who were diagnosed with multiple rib fractures were randomly assigned into two groups as the control group (CG, n=8) and the visual biofeedback group (VBG, n=8). The effect of each diaphragmatic breathing training on respiratory function was evaluated before and after eight interventions. For respiratory function, pulmonary function test was used to measure pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength, and the Pain, Inspiratory capacity, Cough (PIC) score was used to evaluated pain, inspiratory capacity, and cough ability. Results: In both groups, the pulmonary function representing the ratio of measurements to predicted values of both forced vital capacity (CG mean difference=25.37±4.58, p=0.002, VBG mean difference=24.25±3.96, p=0.007) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (CG mean difference=32.38±5.7, p=0.002, VBG mean difference=26.15±5.73, p <0.001) increased significantly. The maximal inspiratory (CG mean difference=14.00±0.35, p=0.002, VBG mean difference=20.5±6.26, p=0.009) and expiratory pressure (CG mean difference=43.72±29.44, p=0.034, VBG mean difference=25.76±6.78, p=0.015), the indicators of respiratory muscle strength, increased significantly in both groups. The PIC score, which evaluated pain, inspiratory capacity, and cough ability, also increased significantly in both groups (CG mean difference=1.63±0.26, p≤0.001, VBG mean difference=3.13±0.19, p <0.001). The change of PIC score after intervention did not significantly differ between the groups (F=1.439, p=0.250); however, there was a significant difference over time (F=38.476, p <0.001). The change of PIC scores differed over time between the groups (F=2.806 p=0.011). Conclusion: Diaphragmatic breathing training and diaphragmatic breathing training with visual biofeedback can improve pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, pain, inspiratory capacity, and cough ability in patients with multiple rib fractures.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies regarding effects of therapeutic tapings when patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) descend stairs are limited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of McConnell taping (MT) and Kinesio taping (KT) on kinematic variables when patients with PFPS descend stairs. METHODS: Fifty PFPS patients were randomly assigned to either the MT group or the KT group. Pain and lower extremities joint angles were measured while descending stairs before and after the intervention. All outcomes measured were analyzed using either paired t tests or independent t tests to compare the difference within or between groups, respectively. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in both groups in anterior knee pain scale score (p< 0.05). As a result of analysis of lower extremities joint angles at initial contact, loading response, and terminal stance, there were statistically significant within-group differences in hip, knee flexion, abduction and lateral rotation angles in both groups (p< 0.05). There were statistically significant within-group differences in hip flexion, knee flexion, and dorsiflexion angles in pre-swing (p< 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the following events: (1) knee lateral rotation angle at initial contact; (2) hip flexion angle at loading response; (3) and hip flexion at terminal stance angle (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: MT and KT were effective in lowering knee pain and improving lower extremities joint angle when patients with PFPS descend stairs. In the comparison between the groups, the MT group showed significantly reduced anterior knee pain and increased range of motion of the lower extremities joint compared to the KT group.
