Different Protocols for Low Whole-Body Vibration Frequency for Spasticity and Physical Performance in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

BACKGROUND: Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a therapeutic exercise tool that can be used in children with cerebral palsy (CP). A low vibration frequency with different protocols has been suggested, but no optimal dose has been explicitly indicated. We aimed to determine the superiority of a gradually increased 7-18 Hz WBV protocol over a static 11 Hz WBV and the immediate and short-term effects of WBV training on improving spasticity, functional strength, balance, and walking ability in children with spastic CP. METHODS: Twenty-four participants with CP (mean age: 11.5 ± 2.9 years) were randomly allocated into protocols of a static 11 Hz vibration frequency group (SVF) or one that increased from a 7 to an 18 Hz vibration frequency (IVF) (n = 12/group). The WBV programmes were completed for 30 min/session/day to identify immediate effects, and the short-term programme then continued for four days/week for eight weeks. RESULTS: Modified Ashworth Scale scores significantly and immediately improved in the IVF group (hip adductor and knee extensor, p < 0.05), and after eight weeks showed significant improvement in the SVF group (ankle plantar flexor, p < 0.05). Within groups, the Five Times Sit to Stand Test (FTSTS), the Time Up and Go Test and the Functional Reach Test significantly improved in the SVF group, whereas only the FTSTS improved in the IVF group (p < 0.05). There were no significant between-group differences at the eight-week postintervention, except reduced spasticity. CONCLUSIONS: A protocol of 7-18 Hz WBV seems to offer superior immediate results in terms of improved spasticity; however, a static 11 Hz protocol appears to offer superior results after eight weeks, although the two protocols did not differ significantly in effects on physical performance. This finding may facilitate preparations to normalise muscle tone before functional mobility therapy. The study results may support future studies about the dose-response of WBV frequency.

The Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise Combined with Core Stability Exercise on Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence following the Treatment of Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain.

Aim: To compare the combined effects of core stability exercise and pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) with the effects of PFME alone on women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) who experience nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Methods: A stratified randomized controlled trial study (RCT) was conducted with 50 women with SUI who experienced LBP, aged 18-60 years and with pad weight ≥2 grams for the one-hour pad test. The respondents were divided into two groups: the intervention group (PFME + core stability exercise) and the control group (PFME). The primary outcomes were the amount and frequency of urine leakage, which were measured using the one-hour pad test and the Bengali-ISI subjective questionnaire. A secondary outcome was quality of life (QoL), which was measured using King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ). An ITT analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA (2 × 2) with Bonferroni's post-hoc analysis. Results/Preliminary Findings. The findings illustrated that 72% (n = 18) of the intervention and 28% (n = 7) of the control group participants showed improvement in UI after 12 weeks of intervention. In addition, the amount and frequency of urine leakage significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The RCT-illustrated improvement of SUI in women with nonspecific chronic low back pain, reduction of frequency, and improvement of the QoL were more evident from PFME with core stability exercise than from PFME alone.

Correlation and Predicted Equations of MIP/MEP from the Pulmonary Function, Demographics and Anthropometrics in Healthy Thai Participants aged 19 to 50 Years.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the correlations and possible predicted equations of maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory mouth pressure (MEP) values from pulmonary function test (PFT), demographics, and anthropometrics. METHODS: This study involved 217 healthy participants (91 males and 126 females) aged 19 to 50 years. The PFT (forced vital capacity; FVC, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FEV1, maximal mid-expiratory flow; MMEF, and peak expiratory flow; PEF) was performed by spirometry, whereas MIP and MEP were evaluated by a respiratory pressure meter. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression, with the stepwise method, were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The MIP and MEP had a significant positive correlation with weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. MIP had a significant positive correlation with FVC (%) and PEF (L/s and %), as well as a negative correlation with FEV1/FVC (ratio and %) and MMEF (%). Whereas, MEP showed a significant positive correlation with PEF (L/s and %) and negative correlation with FEV1/FVC (ratio and %) and MMEF (L/s). Finally, the predicted MIP and MEP equations were 103.988-97.70 × FEV1/FVC + 31.292 × Sex (male = 1 and female = 0) + 0.662 × PEF (%) and 47.384 + 3.603 × PEF (L/s)-9.514 × MMEF(L/s) + 30.458 × Sex (male = 1 and female = 0) + 0.534 × PEF (%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The respiratory muscle strengths can be predicted from the pulmonary function test, and gender data.

Preliminary study: comparative effects of lung volume therapy between slow and fast deep-breathing techniques on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, oxidative stress, cytokines, 6-minute walking distance, and quality of life in persons with COPD.

BACKGROUND: Lung volume therapy with the Voldyne® device can improve lung volume and has a nonsignificant benefit on respiratory muscle strength via the slow deep-breathing technique (SDBT); whereas respiratory muscle training with a respiratory muscle trainer via the fast deep-breathing technique (FDBT) has produced a significant improvement in people with COPD. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of lung volume therapy with the Voldyne® device with the SDBT and FDBT on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, oxidative stress, cytokines, walking capacity, and quality of life (QoL) in people with COPD. METHODS: A total of 30 COPD patient volunteers with mild (stage I) to moderate (stage II) severity were randomized into two groups: SDBT (n=15) and FDBT (n=15). Pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC), maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax), oxidative stress status (total antioxidant capacity [TAC], glutathione [GSH], malondialdehyde [MDA], and nitric oxide [NO]), inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α] and IL-6), 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), and total clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ) score were evaluated before and after 4 weeks of training. RESULTS: All the parameters had no statistical difference between the groups before training. The PImax, TAC, IL-6, total QoL score, and 6MWD changed significantly in the SDBT group after the 4-week experiment as compared to those in the pre-experimental period, whereas FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, FEV1/FVC%, PImax, TAC, MDA, NO, TNF-α, IL-6, 6MWD, and total CCQ score changed significantly in the FDBT group as compared to those in the pre-experimental period. The FEV1%, PImax, TNF-α, IL-6, and total CCQ score differed significantly in the FDBT group in the post-experimental period as compared to those in the SDBT group. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study concluded that the application of incentive spirometry with the Voldyne® device via fast deep breathing possibly improved respiratory muscle strength and QoL and reduced inflammatory cytokines, MDA, and NO better than that via slow deep breathing among people with COPD.

Effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training in incontinent women at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects ofthree different pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) women. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Sixty-eight eligible SUI women who could perform pelvic floor muscle contraction correctly were randomly allocated to the three diferent PFMT protocols, exercise every day (GJ), exercise three days per week (G2), and exercise plus abdominal training three days per week (G3). The primary outcome was pad test. The secondary outcomes were pelvic floor muscle strength, and treatment satisfaction. The outcomes were evaluated before and after a 12-week of exercise. RESULTS: The weights ofpad were decreased by 2.6 +/- 0.8, 2.3 +/- 1.3, and 3.1 +/- 1.3 grams for group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There was no statistical significant difference among the three groups. The pelvic floor muscle strength was increased by 18.4 +/- 2.7, 13.9 +/- 2.9, and 17.3 +/- 3.0 cmH2O for group 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with statistical significant difference among groups (p < 0.00). The increased muscle strength in group 2 was significant less than the other two groups (p < 0.00). Treatment Satisfaction showed the leakage was improved with non-significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). No complications were seen in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: Even though the results showed non-significant decrease in pad's weight among the three training groups, the pelvic floor muscle strength were increased in all groups.

Vernonia cinerea Less. supplementation and strenuous exercise reduce smoking rate: relation to oxidative stress status and beta-endorphin release in active smokers.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Vernonia cinerea Less. (VC) supplementation and exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers, beta-endorphin release, and the rate of cigarette smoking. METHODS: Volunteer smokers were randomly divided into four groups: group 1: VC supplement; group 2: exercise with VC supplement; group 3: exercise; and group 4: control. VC was prepared by wash and dry techniques and taken orally before smoking, matching the frequency of strenuous exercise (three times weekly). Before and after a two month period, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), blood oxidative stress (malondialdehyde [MDA], nitric oxide [NOx], protein hydroperoxide [PrOOH] and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]), beta-endorphin and smoking rate were measured, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In Group 1, MDA, PrOOH, and NOx significantly decreased, whereas TAC increased (p < 0.05). In Group 2, MDA and PrOOH decreased (p < 0.05), with no other changes noted (p > 0.05). In Group 3, MDA, PrOOH, NOx, TAC, and beta-endorphin levels increased significantly (p < 0.05). Group 4 showed no change in oxidative stress variables or beta-endorphine levels (p > 0.05). All groups had lower levels of CO after the intervention. The smoking rate for light cigarette decreased in group 2(62.7%), 1(59.52%), 3 (53.57%) and 4(14.04%), whereas in self-rolled cigarettes it decreased in group 1 (54.47%), 3 (42.30%), 2 (40%) and 4 (9.2%). CONCLUSION: Supplementation with Vernonia cinerea Less and exercise provided benefit related to reduced smoking rate, which may be related to oxidaive stress and beta-endorphine levels.