The effect of stroboscopic training on ankle mechanics during gait in chronic ankle instability: Clinical trials

Objective: To determine the effect of 6-week stroboscopic training on ankle gait mechanics in athletes with chronic ankle instability. Material and Methods: Thirty-nine participants were assigned to the stroboscopic group (SG, n=13), non-stroboscopic group (NSG, n=13), and control group (CG, n=13). Three-dimensional kinematic pretest gait analysis was performed with the Noraxon system. Ankle joint angles were recorded for 75 seconds while the athletes walked on a treadmill at a speed of 3.5 m/s. After the pretest, the SG performed 6 weeks of balance training with stroboscopic vision, the NSG performed 6 weeks of balance training without stroboscopic vision, and the CG received no training. Ankle gait analysis was repeated after 6 weeks. Repeated-measures analysis of variance with one between-subjects factor was performed. Results: Gait analysis revealed a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion angle between pretest and posttest in the SG (p<0.001, ηp2=0.34). Between-group comparisons showed significantly higher dorsiflexion angle in the SG compared to the CG (p=0.001, ηp2=0.15) and NSG (p=0.002, ηp2=0.11). Gait analysis of 100 kinematic data points starting at heel strike was performed using MATLAB. The results demonstrated the increase in ankle range of motion in the SG occurred in the dorsiflexion angle during the midstance phase of gait. Conclusion: Stroboscopic glasses modulate visual feedback and may be clinically useful in allowing progressive rehabilitationtargeting the dependence on visual feedback for motor control

Short foot exercises have additional effects on knee pain, foot biomechanics, and lower extremity muscle strength in patients with patellofemoral pain.

BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common knee problem. The foot posture in a relaxed stance is reported as a distal factor of PFP. However, the effects of short foot exercise (SFE) on the knee and functional factors have not yet been investigated in patients with PFP. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the additional effects of SFE on knee pain, foot biomechanics, and lower extremity muscle strength in patients with PFP following a standard exercise program. METHODS: Thirty patients with a ‘weak and pronated’ foot subgroup of PFP were randomized into a control group (ConG, n= 15) and a short foot exercise group (SFEG, n= 15) with concealed allocation and blinded to the group assignment. The program of ConG consisted of hip and knee strengthening and stretching exercises. SFEG program consisted of additional SFE. Both groups performed the supervised training protocol two times per week for 6 weeks. Assessment measures were pain visual analog scale (pVAS), Kujala Patellofemoral Score (KPS), navicular drop test (NDT), rearfoot angle (RA), foot posture index (FPI), and strength tests of the lower extremity muscles. RESULTS: Both groups displayed decreases in pVAS scores, but it was only significant in favor of SFEG. NDT, RA, and FPI scores decreased in SFEG whereas they increased in ConG. There was a significant group-by-time interaction effect in hip extensor strength and between-group difference was found to be significantly in favor of SFEG. CONCLUSIONS: An intervention program consisting of additional SFE had positive effects on knee pain, navicular position, and rearfoot posture. An increase in the strength of the hip extensors may also be associated with improved stabilization by SFE

The effect of laser and taping on pain, functional status and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: A placebo-randomized controlled clinical trial

WOS: 000370181500010PubMed ID: 26406218BACKGROUND: Conservative treatments have been proved to be effective to control pain and optimize function in fibromyalgia, however there is need for scientific evidence to make better clinical application across various physiotherapy applications. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Laser and taping applications on pain, flexibility, anxiety, depression, functional status and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. METHODS: Forty-five female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome were included to the study and randomly allocated into three treatment groups; Laser (n = 15), placebo Laser (n = 15), and taping applications (n = 15). Visual analogue scale for pain intensity, trunk flexibility, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire for functional status, Short Form 36 Questionnaire for quality of life and health status, and Beck Depression Inventory for anxiety level were evaluated before and after three weeks interventions. RESULTS: There were decreased pain severity in activity (p = 0.028), anxiety level (p = 0.01) and improved general health status, quality of life (p = 0.01) found at Laser group, whereas there were increased trunk flexibility, flexion (p = 0.03), extension (p = 0.02) found at taping group. After interventions, there were decreased pain severity for whole groups at night for Laser group (p = 0.04), placebo Laser group (p = 0.001), taping group (p = 0.01) and improved functional status found for Laser group (p = 0.001), placebo Laser group (p = 0.001), taping group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Kinesiotape application had a similar effect on parameters in FMS patient, so this method could be preferred instead of Laser application for rehabilitation program

The effects of stroboscopic balance training on cortical activities in athletes with chronic ankle instability

Objectives: To investigate the effect of a 6-week stroboscopic balance training program on cortical ac- tivities in athletes with chronic ankle instability. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Single-center. Participants: Thirty-nine participants were assigned to the strobe group (SG, n 1⁄4 13), non-strobe group (NSG, n 1⁄4 13), and control group (CG, n 1⁄4 13). Main outcome measures: Cortical activity and balance velocity were evaluated while the athletes were on the HUBER balance device. Electroencephalographic measurements of cortical activity were made at the transition from bipedal stance to single-leg stance. Results: The SG showed significant increases in Cz theta and alpha values and COP-v (center of pressure velocity) between pretest and posttest (p < 0.001, p 1⁄4 0.003, p < 0.001). Posttest Cz theta was signifi- cantly higher in the SG compared to the CG (p 1⁄4 0.009) and posttest Cz alpha was significantly higher in the SG compared to the NSG (p 1⁄4 0.039) and CG (p 1⁄4 0.001). Posttest COP-v was significantly higher in the SG than in the CG (p 1⁄4 0.031) and NSG (p 1⁄4 0.03). Conclusions: Stroboscopic training may be clinically beneficial to improve balance parameters in athletes with CAI, and may have utility in sport-specific activity phases of rehabilitation to reduce visual input and increase motor control.N

The Effects Of Ankle Sprain On Balance Tests In Adolescent Volleyball Players With Previous History Of Ankle Sprain

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Ultrasonography-Guided Injection For Quadriceps Fat Pad Edema: Preliminary Report Of A Six-Month Clinical And Radiological Follow-Up

Purpose: To investigate efficacy and safety of ultrasonography-guided local corticosteroid and anesthetic injection followed by physical therapy for the management of quadriceps fat pad (QFP) edema. Materials and Methods: We prospectively evaluated 1671 knee MRI examinations in 1542 patients for QFP edema with mass effect, which was present in 109 (6.5%) knees. Participants were assigned into injection and therapy groups (both received the same physical therapy program). Injection group was first treated with ultrasonography-guided QFP injection of 1 mL corticosteroid and 1 mL local anesthetic agent. Patients were evaluated at baseline and 1-, 2-, 6-month follow-up for pain using static and dynamic visual analogue scale (VAS), suprapatellar tenderness, and QFP edema on MRI. Results: Final sample size consisted of 19 knees (injection group, 10; therapy group, 9) in 17 patients. An overall improvement was detected in both groups between baseline and final assessments. The injection group fared better than the therapy group in static VAS scores (3.33 ± 1.70 versus 0.56 ± 1.33), while there was no such difference for dynamic VAS. Incidence of suprapatellar tenderness decreased in both groups, statistically significantly in the injection group (from 100% to 0%). Pain reduction was greater in the injection group at the first month (88.9% – 90% good response versus 50% – 66.7% good response, static-dynamic VAS scoring, respectively), whereas there was no such superiority at the sixth month. No severe adverse events were identified. Conclusion: Ultrasonography-guided local injection followed by physical therapy is safe in the management of QFP edema; however, it is not superior to stand-alone physical therapy program in the long term.PubMedWoSScopu