Feldenkrais method on neck and low back pain to the type of exercises and outcome measurement tools: A systematic review

Introduction Feldenkrais method (FM) has been applied on a large number of people as an educational method to create awareness of themselves and of their own body postures. Despite several existing FM studies, there has not yet been a review of FM in the context of musculoskeletal disorders. Aim This review aimed at determining the effect, type of exercises, duration and the outcome measure utilized in assessing the FM among individuals with neck and low back pain (LBP). Material and methods Four databases were searched for eligible studies, which were published in the years 1999–2015. Two authors individually assessed selected studies. From a total of 165 articles, 3 articles were selected and another 1 article from other resources with a total of 4 articles. Results and discussion The number of participants in all of the four included studies were 65.5 ± 30.1 (mean ± SD). The quality of the studies that was assessed using Physiotherapy Evidence Databases (PEDro) scale revealed the score of at least 5/10. Evidence exists that FM may be used for treating musculoskeletal disorders. However, the studies were not enough to make a decision because of different selections of FM lessons, duration and outcome measures. The review also determined type of exercises and outcome utilized in assessing the benefit of FM. Conclusions Overall, judging from the increasing number of articles in recent years related to FM, this review reports sufficient evidence that FM is increasingly being used in the management of neck pain and LBP

Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of total faulty breathing scale using visual observation and videogrammetry methods.

Faulty breathing is an aspect of alteration in the normal fundamental pattern of breathing. The available existence of scales in assessing faulty breathing has not frequently been used. Measurement errors in assessing and quantifying breathing patterns may originate from unclear directions and variation between observers. This study determined the measure reliability of the Total Faulty Breathing Scale (TFBS) for quantifying breathing patterns. Twenty seven participants were recruited comprising healthy and unhealthy subjects. Two examiners assessed their breathing patterns using the TFBS on two different occasions with visual observation and a videogrammetry method. Evaluation of the observational breathing pattern method for intra-rater and inter-rater showed agreement of 96.30% and a kappa score of greater than 0.78, which indicated substantial agreements. The videogrammetry method showed a percent agreement of (100%) with a kappa score of (1.00). This study indicates that the TFBS is a considerably reliable tool for evaluating breathing patterns with both visual observation and a videogrammetry method

Improved respiratory characteristics in non-specific low back pain: Comparison of Feldenkrais method versus routine physiotherapy

© 2020 - IOS Press. All rights reserved. PURPOSE: Abnormal breathing patterns, decrease in respiratory muscle strength and endurance are some of the alterations, which are observed in non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP). The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of the Feldenkrais method (FM) on respiratory muscle strength, Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV), Total Faulty Breathing Scale (TFBS), Cloth Tape Measure (CTM) and core stability among NS-LBP participants. METHODS: Participants were recruited from a rehabilitation clinic and randomized either to experimental group (EG) or the control group (CG). For the EG (FM and routine physiotherapy), and for the CG routine physiotherapy alone were carried out three days per week over a period of 8 weeks. Outcome measures including Respiratory Muscle Strength, MVV, TFBS, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), CTM, and Pressure biofeedback device (PBU) were evaluated at baseline and 8 weeks. RESULTS: Forty participants were assigned to an EG (n = 20) and CG (n = 20) based on the study criteria. There was a significant increase in inspiratory muscle strength (MIP) (p = 0.004) for the EG, but no significant change in the CG (p = 0.455). There was also a significant increase in the expiratory muscle strength (MEP) for the EG (p = 0.001), but no changes in the CG (p = 0.574). In addition, decrease in pain, increase in xiphoid process chest expansion and improvement in core stability were observed in EG and improvement in MVV was observed in CG. CONCLUSIONS: FM is a potential training program that can improve respiratory variables among NS-LBP

The Effect of Core Stability Training with Ball and Balloon Exercise on Respiratory Variables in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: An Experimental Study.

Background Studies have shown the involvement of respiratory characteristics and their relationship with impairments in non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP). The effects of core stability with a combined ball and balloon exercise (CBB) on respiratory variables had not been investigated. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of CBB on respiratory variables among NS-LBP patients. Study Design pre- and post-experimental study. Participants Forty participants were assigned to an experimental group (EG) [n=20] and control group (CG) [n=20] based on the study criteria. Interventions The EG received CBB together with routine physiotherapy and the CG received routine physiotherapy over a period of 8 weeks. Participants were instructed to carry out the exercises for 3 days per week. The training was evaluated once a week and the exercises progressed based on the level of pain. Outcome measures: Primary outcomes were maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). The secondary outcomes were measured in the numeric rating scale (NRS), total faulty breathing scale (TFBS), cloth tape measure (CTM) and lumbo-pelvic stability. Results: The MIP increased significantly among the EG when compared with that in the CG (p>0.05).The EG showed a significant increase in MVV (p=0.04) when compared to the CG (p=0.0001). There was a significant reduction in pain for both groups. The MEP, TFBS, chest expansion and core stability showed no changes in either group. Conclusion: CBB was effective in improving respiratory variables among NS-LBP patients