Effect of Adding Stretching Techniques to Standardized Intervention on Nonspecific Mechanical Neck Pain

Mechanical neck pain is becoming one of the leading causes of musculoskeletal disorders in the general adult population. Mobilization intervention is considered one of the most effective therapeutic techniques to treat non-specific neck pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefit of adding stretching exercises as part of a rehabilitation program for patients with non-specific mechanical neck pain. Methods: Thirty-eight subjects with non-specific neck pain for at least 2 weeks with mean± SD age 30.9±8.1 years and body mass index (BMI) 26.8±6.7 kg/m2 participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the combined intervention (passive cervical mobilization and stretching techniques) (n1=18) or standard intervention group (n2=20). The outcome measures were Cervical range of motion (CROM), Numeric Pain Rating scale, Neck Disability Index, Global Rating of Change (GROC), and pressure pain threshold. Results: There was a significant difference in mean CROM during extension over time (p=0.002, η2=0.20), and a significant group by time interaction (p=0.02). The percent improvement from baseline to 4 weeks later was significant between the combined intervention and standard intervention groups (18.9% vs. 3.0%; p=0.02). Also, there was a significant difference in mean CROM during right lateral flexion over time (p\u3c0.001, η2=0.30), and a significant group by time interaction (p=0.04). The percent improvement from baseline to 4 weeks was significant between the combined intervention and standard intervention groups (23.2% vs. 10.8%; p=0.04). However, subjective outcome measures including pain, patient’s satisfaction and neck disability index significantly improved overtime with no significant differences between the two study groups. Over time, there was a significant difference in mean right upper trapezius muscle pain threshold (p=0.02), and for GROC (p\u3c0.001, η2=0.54), however, there was no significant group by time interaction, and the improvement over time did not differ by study group (p\u3e0.05). Conclusions: Four weeks of combined techniques (cervical mobilization plus stretching exercises) showed to be more effective than standard intervention in terms of improving cervical extension and lateral flexion CROM

Fatigue effect on landing biomechanics among individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review

It is well established that knee stability can be altered during fatigue, which may increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. This is due to a reduction in neuromuscular control that leads to abnormal movement patterns. This study aims to review the impact of fatigue on landing biomechanics among individuals who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Four databases (Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) were searched for relevant articles, with a focus on full-text English-language research articles published between 2012 and 2022. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the McMaster Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies, and two independent reviewers were involved in the study evaluation, with a third reviewer resolving any discrepancies. Data on study demographics, fatigue simulation methods, landing tasks, outcome measures, and results were extracted from included studies. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The results of these studies showed that fatigue simulation reduced knee flexion only in two studies and increased hip flexion moment only in two studies during landing among individuals with ACLR. These inconclusive results show that fatigue may negatively impact landing biomechanics in people who have had an ACLR, potentially increasing their risk of re-injury. Fatigue did not affect the landing strategies adopted by individuals who have undergone ACLR. Some of these changes, such as reduced knee flexion and reduced hip flexion moment, could potentially increase the risk of re-injury. However, other changes, such as an increased hip flexion angle, may protect the joint from further injury. More research is needed to better understand the impact of fatigue on landing strategies in this population and to identify strategies that can minimize the risk of re-injury

The Perception of Physical Therapy Students towards Their Profession in Jordan

Background: The physical therapy profession has grown rapidly in less than a century, increasing its importance, techniques, settings, and the responsibilities provided to its practitioners. Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore how undergraduate physiotherapy students view physiotherapy as their future career and their perception of the educational physiotherapy programs in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A questionnaire designed to collect data on students’ perceptions of their profession was delivered to 222 undergraduate physiotherapy students at Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan. The response rate was 157 (70.72%). Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used to analyse the data. Results: Among 157 physiotherapy students, results were collected. Although students were satisfied with being physiotherapy students (p < 0.001), most of the study participants knew about physical therapy from their families, and they were not satisfied with the job opportunities in Jordan. Conclusions: Physiotherapy education in Jordan is rising rapidly. The public, patients, parents, and clinical preceptors in physiotherapy settings must recognize this educational and professional practice. It is noted that some levels of occupational awareness are intermediate. However, it would be beneficial to organize activities such as seminars and interviews in order to increase the level of professional awareness