Effect of progressive prone plank exercise program on diastasis of rectus abdominis muscle in postpartum women: A randomized controlled trial

Diastasis of Rectus Abdominis (DRA) muscle is a concerning health issue that commonly affects female within pregnancy and postpartum time, persistent lower back pain and pelvic instability are common consequences to DRA. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the effect of progressive prone plank exercises on narrowing the inter-Rectus distance (IRD) in postpartum women diagnosed with (DRA). A prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted at the Faculty of Physical Therapy Clinic of Beni-Suef University. Fifty postpartum women presented with (DRA) of at least 2 finger widths assigned into 2 equal groups (A&B). A Toshiba Xario100, 8–12 MHz ultrasonography was used to accurately measure IRD before and after 8 weeks of the exercise program. Group (A), received progressive prone plank exercise program and advice relevant to DRA as well as wore abdominal binder, while group (B) continued their ordinary lifestyle after receiving advice and wearing abdominal binder as group (A).The study results revealed a statistical significant decrease within each group and between groups in IRD (p < .05) above and below the umbilicus both at rest and during Rectus Abdominis (RA) contraction, with a significantly narrower IRD in favoured of participants of group (A) (p < .05). To sum it up, progressive prone plank exercise program is very effective in decreasing IRD in postpartum women presented with DRA

The effect of a selected physiotherapy program on pelvic deviations in cases of supple flat feet

Supple flat feet is frequent condition having diverse effects on the entire lower limb kinetic chain including the pelvis. Thus, this study was conducted to compare the effects of an 8-weeks, conservative physiotherapy treatment program to a medial arch support on pelvic deviation. A prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted at the Physiotherapy department, college of health sciences, University of Sharjah. One hundred male participant were assed for pelvic obliquity and torsion before and after 8 weeks of the either an exercise program or using an insole for medial arch support. Group (A) received progressive short feet exercises, while group (B) used the insole for medial arch support. The study results revealed a statistically significant decrease in pelvic obliquity and pelvic torsion in the exercise group (A) only with values of (p = .030 and .035) respectively. No statistically significant difference was found within the insole group (B). Between groups analysis revealed a significant difference in favour of group (A) compared to group (B) for both pelvic obliquity (p = .039) and torsion (p = .036) respectively). To sum it up, short feet exercises were more effective in decreasing pelvic deviations in cases of bilateral supple flat feet

The effect of smartphone use on neck flexion angle and hand grip power among adolescents: Cross-sectional study

Background: The use of smart phones has become increasingly popular and almost indispensable in contemporary life, but many studies have addressed that excessive use negatively affects the various developmental domains. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prolonged smartphone use on the forward neck translation, neck flexion angle and handgrip power for duration of 8 weeks. Materials and Methods: Ninety students from nine different international schools in Sharjah, UAE, with age ranging between 13-17 years. Participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups based on their daily frequency of smartphone use. Group (I) using smart phones less than 4 hours/day and Group (II) using more than 4 hours/day. The Neck flexion angle and forward neck translation were measured by the posture assessment mobile application (PostureCo, Inc), during their normal straight upright postural standing position. Handgrip power was measured with a Handheld Dynamometer (HHD) for both dominant and non-dominant hands, with arms abducted 30 degrees and wrist slightly extended (10 degrees). Measures were repeated 3 times and the average was considered for data analysis. Results: After 8 weeks of smart phone usage, statistical analyses revealed significant increase and decrease in the forward neck translation and neck flexion angles respectively. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences in handgrip power in both groups. Conclusion: Our results revealed the significant effect of the prolonged use of smartphones on the neck flexion angle, forward head translation without affecting handgrip power

Reduction of Thoracic Hyper-Kyphosis Improves Short and Long Term Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study investigates thoracic hyper kyphosis (THK) rehabilitation using the Denneroll&trade; thoracic traction orthosis (DTTO). Eighty participants, with chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) and THK were randomly assigned to the control or intervention group (IG). Both groups received the multimodal program; IG received the DTTO. Outcomes included formetric thoracic kyphotic angle ICT&mdash;ITL, neck pain and disability (NDI), head repositioning accuracy (HRA), smooth pursuit neck torsion test (SPNT) and overall stability index (OSI). Measures were assessed at baseline, after 30 treatment sessions over the course of 10 weeks, and 1-year after cessation of treatment. After 10 weeks, the IG improved more in neck pain intensity (p &lt; 0.0001) and NDI (p &lt; 0.001). No differences were found for SPNT (p = 0.48) and left-sided HRA (p = 0.3). IG improved greater for OSI (p = 0.047) and right sided HRA (p = 0.02). Only the IG improved in THK (p &lt; 0.001). At 1-year follow-up, a regression back to baseline values for the control group was found for pain and disability such that all outcomes favored improvement in the IG receiving the DTTO; all outcomes (p &lt; 0.001). The addition of the DTTO to a multimodal program positively affected CNSNP outcomes at both the short and 1-year follow-up

An Investigation of the Association between 3D Spinal Alignment and Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common condition lacking strong diagnostic criteria; these criteria continue to evolve as more and more studies are performed to explore it. This investigation sought to identify whether participants with FMS have more frequent and larger postural/spinal displacements in comparison to a matched control group without the condition of FMS. A total of 67 adults (55 females) out of 380 participants with FMS were recruited. Participants with FMS were sex- and age-matched with 67 asymptomatic participants (controls) without FMS. We used a three-dimensional (3D) postural assessment device (Formetric system) to analyze five posture variables in each participant in both groups: (1) thoracic kyphotic angle, (2) trunk imbalance, (3) trunk inclination, (4) lumbar lordotic angle, and (5) vertebral rotation. In order to determine whether 3D postural measures could predict the likelihood of a participant having FMS, we applied the matched-pairs binary logistic regression analysis. The 3D posture measures identified statistically and clinically significant differences between the FMS and control groups for each of the five posture variables measured (p p = 0.50) and (2) lumbar lordotic angle (p = 0.10). Our study’s findings suggest there is a strong relationship between 3D spinal misalignment and the diagnosis of FMS. In fact, our results support that thoracic kyphotic angle, sagittal imbalance, and surface rotation are predictors of having FMS

Investigating behavior, attitudes, knowledge, awareness and barriers to the implementation of evidence-based practice by physiotherapists in Egypt: A cross sectional study

Few studies exist regarding the attitudes and behaviours of Egyptian physiotherapists in relation to the use of evidence in practice (EBP). The purpose of this study was to describe the beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviours of Egyptian physical therapists as they relate to evidence-based practice. It also explores their perception of possible barriers to implement EBP. Four hundred and seventy Egyptian therapists responded to our questionnaire with results revealing participants’ awareness towards EBP was quite diverse. Only terms of systematic review and randomized controlled trial were well understood while remaining terms showed various level of comprehension which were rather low. Results also revealed significant correlations between attitudes towards EBP and overall awareness as well as attitudes and knowledge (r = 0.270 and 0.107) respectively. In addition, a significant relationship was also found between EBP awareness and knowledge with (r = 0.219). With regards to the barriers, insufficient teaching in previous education was identified as the primary barrier (34.4 %), followed by lack of funding and resources (31.1 %), while lack of time (10.2 %) was reported as the least. These barriers highlight the need to enhance implementation of EBP within Egyptian Physiotherapists. Findings of this study can be used as a foundation for the implementation of EBP in various clinical settings by understanding the limitations and barriers reported. Our study concluded that despite Egyptian physiotherapists declare their awareness of EBP, nevertheless, knowledge is restricted to a small number of terms. More focus is required to enhance the knowledge and practice of EBP. Focusing on adjustable factors, including increasing the awareness of value of research would help reduce time and resource demands for physiotherapists when implementing EBP

Sedentary and physical activity time differs between self-reported ATLS-2 physical activity questionnaire and accelerometer measurements in adolescents and young adults in the United Arab Emirates

BACKGROUND: Most young adults and adolescents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) do not meet the established internationally recommended physical activity levels per day. The Arab Teen Lifestyle Study (ATLS) physical activity questionnaire has been recommended for measuring self-reported physical activity of Arab adolescents and young adults (aged 14 years to mid-twenties). The first version of the ATLS has been validated with accelerometers and pedometers (r ≤ 0.30). The revised version of the questionnaire (ATLS-2, 2021) needs further validation. The aim of this study was to validate the self-reported subjective sedentary and physical activity time of the ATLS-2 (revised version) physical activity questionnaire with that of Fibion accelerometer-measured data. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 131 healthy adolescents and young adults (aged 20.47 ± 2.16 [mean ± SD] years (range 14-25 years), body mass index 23.09 ± 4.45 (kg/m2) completed the ATLS-2 and wore the Fibion accelerometer for a maximum of 7 days. Participants (n = 131; 81% non-UAE Arabs (n = 106), 13% Asians (n = 17) and 6% Emiratis (n = 8)) with valid ATLS-2 data without missing scores and Fibion data of minimum 10 h/day for at least 3 weekdays and 1 weekend day were analyzed. Concurrent validity between the two methods was assessed by the Spearman rho correlation and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: The questionnaire underestimated sedentary and physical activity time compared to the accelerometer data. Only negligible to weak correlations (r ≤ 0.12; p &gt; 0.05) were found for sitting, walking, cycling, moderate intensity activity, high intensity activity and total activity time. In addition, a proportional/systematic bias was evident in the plots for all but two (walking and moderate intensity activity time) of the outcome measures of interest. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, self-reported ATLS-2 sedentary and physical activity time had low correlation and agreement with objective Fibion accelerometer measurements in adolescents and young adults in the UAE. Therefore, sedentary and physical activity assessment for these groups should not be limited to self-reported measures