The direct effect of magnetic tape ® on pain and lower-extremity blood flow in subjects with low-back pain: A randomized clinical trial

Low-back pain has a high impact on the world population, and solutions are in demand. The behavior of specific physiological processes has been modified using magnetic fields, whether for pain relief, bone consolidation, or improvement of vascularization. The use of tape with magnetic properties could help in these cases. A double-blind randomized clinical trial was designed to use Magnetic Tape® versus placebo Kinesio tape. Blood flow variables were evaluated using pulsed power Doppler ultrasound. Resistance index, pulsatility index, systolic velocity, and diastolic velocity were measured. The pressure pain threshold was measured using algometry in 22 subjects. The results reveal significant differences between the groups for the pulsation index variable (8.06 [5.16, 20.16] in Magnetic Tape® versus 5.50 [4.56, 6.64] in Kinesio tape) and lower (0.98 [0.92, 1.02] for Magnetic Tape® versus 0.99 [0.95, 1.01] for Kinesio tape) in the resistance index variable. The pressure pain threshold variable presented significant differences at multiple levels. The application of Magnetic Tape® causes immediate effects on blood flow and pain and could be a technique of choice for pain modulation. Further studies would be necessar

The role of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging technique in the lumbopelvic region as a diagnosis and treatment tool in physiotherapy: Systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) technique seems to be a valid and reliable tool for diagnosis and treatment in physiotherapy and has been widely studied in the lumbopelvic region the lastthree decades. The aims forthis utility in clinical settings must be review through a systematic review, meta?analysis and meta?regression. A systematic review was designed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta?Analyses) guidelines with PROSPERO registration and perreview in all phases of the process using COVIDENCE, analysis ofrisk of bias and meta?analysis using REVMAN, and meta?regression calculation using STATA. Database screening provided 6544 references, out of which 321 reported narrative synthesis, and 21 reported quantitative synthesis, while only 7 of them provided comparable data to meta?analyze the variables pain and muscle thickness. In most cases, the forest plots showed considerable I2 heterogeneity indexes for multifidus muscle thickness (I2 = 95%), low back pain (I2 = 92%) and abdominal pain (I2 = 95%), not important for transversus abdominis muscle thickness (I2 = 22%), significant heterogenity (I2 = 69%) depending on the subgroup and not important internal oblique muscle thickness (I2 = 0%) and external oblique muscle thickness (I2 = 0%). Meta?regression did not provide significant data forthe correlations between the variables analyzed and the intervention, age, and BMI (Body Mass Index). This review reveals that RUSI could contribute to a high reliability of the measurements in the lumbopelvic region with validity and reliability for the assessments, as well as showing promising results for diagnosis and intervention assessment in physiotherapy compared to the traditional model, allowing for future lines of research in this area

Imaging with ultrasound in physical therapy: What is the PT's scope of practice? A competency-based educational model and training recommendations.

Physical therapists employ ultrasound (US) imaging technology for a broad range of clinical and research purposes. Despite this, few physical therapy regulatory bodies guide the use of US imaging, and there are limited continuing education opportunities for physical therapists to become proficient in using US within their professional scope of practice. Here, we (i) outline the current status of US use by physical therapists; (ii) define and describe four broad categories of physical therapy US applications (ie, rehabilitation, diagnostic, intervention and research US); (iii) discuss how US use relates to the scope of high value physical therapy practice and (iv) propose a broad framework for a competency-based education model for training physical therapists in US. This paper only discusses US imaging— not "therapeutic" US. Thus, "imaging" is implicit anywhere the term "ultrasound" is used

Interaction between Pain, Disability, Mechanosensitivity and Cranio-Cervical Angle in Subjects with Cervicogenic Headache: A Cross-Sectional Study

The relationship between the forward head posture and mechanosensitivity in subjects with a cervicogenic headache (CGH) remains uncertain. The aim of the study was to evaluate if there was a relationship between the tissue mechanosensitivity and cranio-cervical angle (CCA) that was moderated by pain intensity and/or disability in subjects with CGH. A convenience sample of 102 subjects was recruited. The CCA was measured with photographs, using a postural assessment software. The pain intensity was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the disability was measured with the Northwick Park Questionnaire. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured at the spinous process of C2, the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles, and the median nerve. Simple moderation multiple regression analyses were constructed. There was a positive relationship between PPT at C2 and CCA, but a nonsignificant relationship for the PPT measured at the muscles and median nerve. The effect of PPT at C2 over CCA was moderated by pain intensity (R2 = 0.17; R2 change = 0.06; p < 0.05) but not disability. The Johnson&-Neyman analysis revealed a cut-off point for the statistical significance of 4.66 cm in VAS. There seems to be a positive relationship between PPT at C2 and CCA, which is positively moderated by pain intensity in subjects with CGH

Short-Term Morphological Changes in Asymptomatic Perimandibular Muscles after Dry Needling Assessed with Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Facial anatomical structures are not easily accessible to manual palpation. The aim of our study is to objectively assess temporomandibular joint and perimandibular muscles dimensions by means of sonographic measurements before and after dry needling (DN) in asymptomatic subjects. Seventeen subjects participated in this before-after study with a within-subject control. After random allocation, one side of the face was used for the intervention and the contralateral as control. DN was performed on the temporal, masseter, and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Each subject was examined bilaterally before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention through Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI) of the temporomandibular articular disc and the three target muscles. Maximum mouth opening was measured at baseline and at one month. After a single DN session, articular disc thickness significantly decreased; muscles' thicknesses (except for temporal thickness) significantly decreased immediately and at follow-up on the treated side; no significant changes resulted for the control side. The maximum mouth opening increased from 4.77 mm to 4.86 mm. RUSI may be useful to assess the dimensions and thickness of the temporomandibular disc and muscles before and after an intervention. DN influences muscle morphology, and it has a positive influence on mouth opening in the short term

Posterior tibial nerve schwannoma in the popliteal fossa: a case report

Schwannomas are uncommon disorders of peripheral nerves sheaths, presenting with particular neuropathic manifestations that are often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. We offer a case report of a 36-year-old patient with an untypical schwannoma in the tibial nerve, causing long-lasting and increasingly exacerbated pain, misdiagnosed as a meniscus tear. The worsening symptoms, including hyperalgesia, allodynia and hypersensitivity, raised suspicion of malignancy. The patient underwent an ultrasound examination, where a compressive neuropathy was suspected. Finally, the presence of a large benign schwannoma was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The tumour mass was excised and this gave way to a total and rapid relief of symptoms

Evaluación de la Técnica Ecográfica (RUSI - Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging) en el diagnóstico y tratamiento en Fisioterapia. Revisión Sistemática.

Esta revisión sistemática se propuso evaluar las posibilidades de la técnica RUSI (Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging) para el diagnóstico y tratamiento en Fisioterapia. Por ello se hizo una búsqueda lo mas amplia posible siguiendo las recomendaciones del manual Cochrane y tratar de evaluar lo mas ampliamente posible toda la evidencia. En primer lugar, se conformó un equipo de revisores puesto que se comprobó en las búsquedas previas un elevado número de trabajos científicos en este nivel. El objeto de revisión se centró en la región lumbopélvica (estructurándolo en abdomen, lumbares y suelo pélvico) y la revisión se inscribió en PROSPERO. Además, se llevó a cabo un pilotaje para testar la capacidad de evaluación del equipo de revisores y poder detectar errores o faltas que pudieren afectar a la revisión sistemática completa. Fruto de este pilotaje fue la publicación en revista de impacto (JCR): “Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging Evaluation in Physiotherapy: Piloting a Systematic Review” y con el DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app9010181 Seguidamente se lanzó la revisión sistemática completa utilizando la herramienta COVIDENCE para que dos revisores siempre diesen dos opiniones sobre un trabajo y un tercer revisor pudiese resolver en casos de conflicto. De los resultados conseguidos se hizo análisis de sesgos utilizando la herramienta REVMAN. Los resultados obtenidos nos mostraron el elevado número de trabajos publicados, tan solo en la región lumbopélvica, mas de 6.000, concluyendo 321 trabajos para la fase lectura a texto completo. Si bien es cierto que solo se aceptaron estudios clínicos aleatorizados, los cuales solo cumplían 21 documentos de los cuales tenían criterios para ser comparados 7. Este desarrollo se puede observar en el diagrama PRISMA resultante. De el análisis de esos trabajos destacamos lo escaso que resultaron los estudios clínicos randomizados y que el uso de escalas de valoración e incluso la metodología de aplicación de técnicas de intervención resultó demasiado variable y poco homogéneo.pre-print5523 K

Gestión y creación informatizada de exámenes AExamen

Este proyecto está orientado a ayudar a los profesores de universidad en la tarea de crear exámenes y pruebas de evaluación en asignaturas en las que la docencia se realiza de forma coordinada. Se ha creado una aplicación que permite elaborar y guardar exámenes de diferentes asignaturas a partir de preguntas creadas por los profesores que imparten de forma coordinada las mismas. La aplicación ofrece diferentes servicios tales como la gestión de exámenes y preguntas, organización del profesorado y exportación de los exámenes en formato PDF. Está basada en PHP y bases de datos MySQL

Cadaveric and ultrasonographic validation of needling placement in the cervical multifidus muscle

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if a needle is able to reach the cervical multifidus during the application of dry needling or acupuncture. Methods: Dry needling and ultrasound imaging of cervical multifidi was conducted on 5 patients (age: 32 ± 5 years) with mechanical neck pain and on 2 fresh cadavers (age: 64 ± 1 years). Dry needling was done using a needle of 40 mm in length inserted perpendicular to the skin about 1 cmlateral to the spinous process at C3-C4. The needlewas advanced from a posterior to anterior direction into the cervical multifidus with a slight inferior-medial angle (approximately 10°) to reach the vertebra lamina. For the cadaveric study, the multifidus was isolated by carefully resecting the superficial posterior cervical muscles: trapezius, splenius, and semispinalis. For the ultrasonographic study, a convex transducer was placed transversely over C3-C4 after the insertion of the needle into the muscle. Results: The results of both the cadaveric and ultrasonic studies found that the needle does pierce the cervical multifidus muscle during insertion and that the tip of the needle rests properly against the vertebral laminae, thereby guarding the sensitive underlying spinal structures from damage. Conclusion: This anatomical and ultrasound imaging study supports that dry needling of the cervical multifidus could be conducted clinically. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2017;xx:0-6)pre-print800 K

Validity and Reliability of Methods for Sonography Education in Physiotherapy: Onsite vs. Online.

Background: in physiotherapy, the interest in sonography education has been increasing in recent decades, giving rise to opportunities in education in an attempt to meet the elevated demand. In other health professions, online education has demonstrated to be of interest, and another possibility by which to obtain knowledge. Methods: this exploratory observational prospective study compared the outcomes between onsite versus online education, and was approved by the ethics committee of the Francisco de Vitoria University. Two groups (onsite and online) with 136 attendants and two levels for each (basic and advanced) received the same content but through different presentations. Theoretical exams were conducted via “Kahoot” and practical exams using phantoms, and the results were subject to statistical analyses. Results: the average age of onsite participants was 29.5 (25–35.25) years and 34 (28.5–40.5) for the online participants, with a higher percentage of women. The average score ranks in the Kahoot_basic test were higher for both online groups corresponding to basic (group 1) and advanced (group 2) levels: 7 (6.5, 7.5) for group 1 and 7 (6.5, 8.5) for group 2 vs. the onsite groups: 6 (5.5, 7) for group 1 and 6 (5, 6.5) for group 2. In the practical exam, the model detected that a small negative difference between the Onsite 2 group and the total effect was significant with a low effect size (R2adjusted = 0.025) for the measurements of the hollow structure; the difference between the Online 2 and Onsite 1 group was positive (1.5026, SE = 0.5822) and significant (t = 2.5809, p = 0.0113), with a low effect size (R2adjusted = 0.016) for the solid structure depth measurement. Conclusions: the results showed that there could be an opportunity to access sonography knowledge through online education in physical therapy compared to the traditional onsite model. These conclusions support the use of a low-cost and accessible method for ultrasound educationpost-print1219 K