Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy versus manual therapy in patients with neck pain: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy with manual therapy in improving the range of motion, decreasing pain, and improving activity of daily living in patients with neck pain. DESIGN: Double-blinded, randomized, experimental study. PATIENTS: Women aged 45-65 with cervical pain due to osteoarthritis of the vertebral body and intervertebral disc. METHODS: A total of 93 randomly selected females were included in the study. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. One received proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation treatment and the other received manual therapy. To evaluate functional capabilities, the Oswestry Disability Index and range of motion measure were used. To evaluate changes in subjective experience of pain the Visual Analogue Scale was used. RESULTS: In terms of the activities of daily living, pain, and range of motion of flexion, extension, lateral flexion to the right and left, and rotation to the right and left improvement in group I compared with group II was statistically significant (p < 0.05) at 2 weeks and 3 months' follow-up. CONCLUSION: Treatment according to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation is a better method in comparison with manual therapy regarding improvement of pain, range of motion, and daily functioning in patients with cervical pain.

Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Single and Double Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction Supported by the Comprehensive Early Rehabilitation Program (CERP).

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the level of functional condition in patients who had rehabilitation with the comprehensive early rehabilitation program (CERP) following either single bundle (SB) or double bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using semitendinosus-gracilis tendon graft (ST-G) method. We hypothesized that 12 weeks after reconstruction followed by a rehabilitation program, there would be a difference in clinical results and functional activity between patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 94 patients who had rehabilitation with CERP after knee surgery for a knee injury from a recreational sport. There were 49 patients in Group 1 (mean age, 36.5 years) who had CERP after SB ACLR, and 45 patients in Group 2 (mean age, 35.6 years) who had CERP after DB ACLR. Functional condition was tested using the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and knee stability was measured using KT-2000. The first examination was performed before CERP and the second examination was performed 12 weeks later. RESULTS The level of functional condition in both groups was similar before rehabilitation with CERP, with no significant difference (P<0.958) and was considered relatively low. In the second examination, 12 weeks after starting CERP, the patients improved in both groups. The improvement was larger in the SB ACLR Group 1 than in the DB ACLR Group 2. The difference was significant (P<0.005). However, the patients in Group 2 achieved better knee stability scores in the KT-2000 examination than the patients in Group 1. The difference was significant (P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS We found that the patients from both groups after 12 weeks of CERP achieved an improvement in stability and functional activity within normal limits. However, SB ACLR was more effective than DB ACLR in terms of the level of functionality achieved with CERP but was less effective in terms of knee stability.

PNF and manual therapy treatment results of patients with cervical spine osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PNF and manual therapy methods in the treatment of patients with cervical spine osteoarthritis, especially their efficacy in reducing pain and improving functionality in everyday life. Long-term results were also compared in order to determine which method of treatment is more effective. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty randomly selected females aged 45-65 were included in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups of 40 persons. One group received PNF treatment and the other received manual therapy (MAN.T). To evaluate functional capabilities, the Functional Rating Index was used. To evaluate changes in pain, a shortened version of the McGill Questionnaire was used. RESULT: The PNF group achieved a greater reduction in pain than the MAN.T group. The PNF group showed a greater improvement in performing daily activities such as sleeping, personal care, travelling, work, recreation, lifting, walking and standing as well as decreased intensity and frequency of pain compared to the MAN.T group. CONCLUSION: The PNF method proved to be more effective in both short (after two weeks) and long (after three months) term.

Activity- vs. structural-oriented treatment approach for frozen shoulder: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short- and long-term effects of a structural-oriented (convential) with an activity-oriented physiotherapeutic treatment in patients with frozen shoulder. DESIGN: Double-blinded, randomized, experimental study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic. SUBJECTS: We included patients diagnosed with a limited range of motion and pain in the shoulder region, who had received a prescription for physiotherapy treatment, without additional symptoms of dizziness, a case history of headaches, pain and/or limited range of motion in the cervical spine and/or temporomandibular joint. INTERVENTIONS: The study group received treatment during the performance of activities. The comparison group was treated with manual therapy and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (conventional therapy). Both groups received 10 days of therapy, 30 minutes each day. MAIN MEASURES: Range of motion, muscle function tests, McGill pain questionnaire and modified Upper Extremity Motor Activity Log were measured at baseline, after two weeks of intervention and after a three-month follow-up period without therapy. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were randomized into two groups: The activity-oriented group ( n = 33, mean = 44 years, SD = 16 years) including 20 male (61%) and the structural-oriented group ( n = 33, mean = 47 years, SD = 17 years) including 21 male (64%). The activity-oriented group revealed significantly greater improvements in the performance of daily life activities and functional and structural tests compared with the group treated with conventional therapy after 10 days of therapy and at the three-month follow-up ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Therapy based on performing activities seems to be more effective for pain reduction and the ability to perform daily life activities than conventional treatment methods.