Pattern of Alteration in Foot Mechanics When Carrying Loads Unilaterally in Hand

PURPOSE: Carrying weight in one hand is a common functional activity. This study investigated the effects of incremental loads carried in one hand unilaterally and its influence on the foot mechanics [plantar pressure, maximum force and contact area]. METHOD: Twenty healthy individuals were tested, in standing and walking, while carrying different weights (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg and 10 kg) using their right hand. ANCOVA was conducted separately for the right and left leg to address the effect of incremental loads on the foot mechanics within each leg with navicular drop index and Q angle as covariates. Paired t-test was conducted to address the effect of different loads on the foot mechanics between the legs. RESULTS: Results showed a significant increase in plantar pressure (pCONCLUSION: The fundamental changes in foot mechanics under the influence of different loads may be used to interpret the changes seen in the foot mechanics among different pathological condition

Effects of Massage as a Combination Therapy with Lumbopelvic Stability Exercises as Compared to Standard Massage Therapy in Low Back Pain:a Randomized Cross-Over Study

Background: Little is known about the effects of providing massage as a combination therapy (CT) with lumbopelvic stability training (LPST) in management of chronic nonspecific low back pain (CLBP) among elite female weight lifters. It is unclear whether massage therapy (MT) together with LPST has any additional clinical benefits for individuals with CLBP.Purpose: The current study compares the thera-peutic effects of CT against MT as a stand-alone intervention on pain intensity (PI), pain pressure threshold (PPT), tissue blood flow (TBF), and lumbopelvic stability (LPS) among elite weight lifters with CLBP.Setting: The study was conducted at the campus for National Olympic weight lifting training camp.Participants: A total of 16 professional female elite weight lifting athletes who were training for Olympic weight lifting competition participated in the study.Research Design: A within-subject, repeated measures, crossover, single-blinded, randomized allocation study.Intervention: The athletes were randomized into three sessions of CT and MT with a time interval of 24 hrs within sessions and a wash out period of four weeks between the sessions.Main Outcome Measures: The PI, PPT, TBF, and LPS were measured before and after each session repeatedly in both groups of intervention. The changes in the PI, PPT, TBF, and LPS were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of vari-ance (ANOVA).Results: The results showed that the CT signifi-cantly demonstrated greater effects in reducing pain perception (45%–51%), improving pain pressure threshold (15% up to 25%), and increas-ing tissue blood flow (131%–152%) than MT (p < .001).Conclusion: The combination therapy of mas-sage therapy and LPST is likely to provide more clinical benefits in terms of PI, PPT, and TBF when compared to massage as a stand-alone therapy among individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain

Outcome Measures Used in the Smartphone Applications for the Management of Low Back Pain:A Systematic Scoping Review

PURPOSE: Smartphone applications (SPApps) have become a key tool for the self-management of low back pain (LBP). However, the scientific evidence behind the outcome measures used in SPApps for LBP is never investigated before. Therefore, this systematic review firstly assess the quality of the free SPApps for LBP, secondly examines the outcome measures used and thirdly evaluates the outcome measures against the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core set classifications for LBP. METHODS: A systematic scoping review was conducted in the iTunes and Google Play™ on-line stores for LBP SPApps which are free to download. These searches were conducted using keywords suggested by the Cochrane Back and Neck Group. SPApps were screened and downloaded to assess the quality using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). SPApps using outcome measures were reviewed separately to evaluate whether their outcome measures represented any of the ICF components for LBP. RESULTS: The overall quality of the apps has a mean MARS score of 2.5/5. Out of 74 apps reviewed, only four apps had outcome measures that could be linked to ICF components for LBP. Two of the four categories comprising the LBP core set were well represented. CONCLUSION: The overall quality of the SPApps for LBP is low. Only very few SPApps offer outcome measures to monitor their effectiveness in the management of LBP. There is very limited evidence to show that the outcome measures used in the apps represents all the four core sets of LBP criteria set by ICF