Effect of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises on Stable versus Unstable Surface on Pain and Function in Mechanical Low Back Pain-an Evidence Based Study

Background: Low back pain is the most common complaint all over the world. Lumbar instability is an important causative factor for low back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercises are helpful in reducing and preventing its recurrence. Purpose: To study the evidences regarding effect of lumbar stabilization exercises on stable versus unstable surface on pain and function in mechanical low back pain. Methodology: The study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. Evidences selected since year 2010-February 2020 from PubMed, Google Scholar, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Research Gate, Science Direct and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Key words used were: Lumbar stabilization exercise, Core stability exercise, Pain and Function. Analysis was done using 2 scales: PEDro scale and Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence Scale. Total 202 articles were found, out of which 22 articles were relevant and from those 17 articles were included in the study and other articles were excluded as per eligibility criteria. Results: 11 studies were shown that core stability exercise is effective treatment for reducing pain and improving disability. (Level of evidence-1a,1b,2b). 2 studies were showed that motor control exercise was more effective than core stability exercise. (Level of evidence-1b). 4 studies shown that lumbar stabilization exercise performed on unstable surfaces showed significant improvement in back pain and disability (Level of evidence-1b, 2b). Conclusion: Lumbar stabilization exercise performed on unstable surface provide significant benefit in reducing pain and improving function in patients with mechanical low back pain. Keywords: Lumbar stabilization exercise, Core stability exercise, Pain and Function Low Back Pain.</jats:p

Effect of Lateral Wedge Insole on Pain and Function in Medial Compartment Osteoarthritis Knee- An Evidence Based Study

Background: Osteoarthritis is the second most common rheumatologic problem &amp; nearly 80% of population shows OA among the patient who claimed for knee pain and limitation in movement, out of which approximately 25% cannot perform their major daily activities of life.(WHO 2019)As per recent study, prevalence of knee OA in India is 28.7% with medial compartment more involved than lateral. Purpose: To study the evidences regarding effect of lateral wedge insole patient with medial compartment osteoarthritis of knee on pain and function. Methodology: The study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. Evidences selected since year 2005-February 2019 from PubMed, Google Scholar, Physiotherapy Evidence Database(PEDro), ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, Wiley’s online library and The Cochrane library. Key words used were: Lateral wedge insole, knee osteoarthritis, Pain and Function.Analysis was done using 2 scales: PEDro scale and Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence Scale. Total 200 articles were found, out of which 23 articles were relevant and from those 16 articles were included in the study and other articles were excluded as per eligibility criteria. Results: 13 studies were shown that lateral wedge insole is effective treatment for reducing pain and improving function.(Level of evidence-1a,1b,2b) 3 studies were showed that lateral wedge insole have none or same effect as other conservative treatment in knee osteoarthritis. (Level of evidence-1a,1b,2b). Conclusion: Based on the evidences taken from search engines: PubMed, Google Scholar, Physiotherapy Evidence Database(PEDro), ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, Wiley’s online library and The Cochrane library of year 2005-2019 and analysis of all concluded that, full length wedge insole is found to be an effective conservative treatment for reducing pain and improving function in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. Keywords: Lateral wedge insole, knee osteoarthritis, pain and function.</jats:p

Effect of Myofascial Release Technique in Plantar Fasciitis on Pain and Function- An Evidence Based Study

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of pain in the heel which occurs as a result of inflammation of the plantar aponeurosis at its attachment on the calcaneal tuberosity. Myofascial Release Technique is intended to improve the mobility of soft tissue through application of a slow, controlled mechanical stress directly into a restriction. Pressure is gradually increased or repeated until the mobility of the tissue is felt to improve. Purpose: The purpose is to study the scientific evidences regarding the effect of the myofascial release technique in plantar fasciitis. Methodology: A search for relevant articles was carried out using key words- plantar fasciitis, myofascial release technique, pain and function and search engines- Google Scholar, PubMed, PEDro, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate and CINAHL. Studies were selected from year 2010-2019. Ten studies were included in which there were 7 RCT, 1 Prospective experimental study, 1 Quasi Experimental study and 1 Pre-post interventional study. Results: 10 studies were reviewed from which 7 studies concluded that MFR is more effective than a control group receiving sham treatment or conventional treatment and 3 studies highlighted MFR to be equally effective to alternative treatments. Conclusion: Based on the analysis of these 10 articles, it can be concluded that MFR is an effective treatment regimen in individuals with Plantar Fasciitis. Clinical Implication: MFR is found to be effective in reducing pain and improving functions in individuals with plantar fasciitis, therefore MFR technique can be considered as an adjunctive treatment in plantar fasciitis. Keywords: Plantar Fasciitis, Myofascial Release Technique, Pain, Function.</jats:p

Comparison of Direct Versus Image Based Foot Posture Index in School Going Children

Introduction: The Foot Posture Index-6 (FPI-6) is a simple quantification tool to assess static foot alignment in children. Palpation of the foot is required for assessment of one of the six criteria that comprise the FPI-6; the remaining five criteria may be evaluated using still-frame photographs. Using only the image-based criteria may allow evaluation of foot posture without going in person for physical checkup. The purpose of the current study was to compare this image based criteria of FPI with direct observation FPI in school going children. Methods/Procedure: 38 participants were assessed from different schools of Ahmedabad for the study. Children were evaluated for FPI and scoring of five criteria were done. Three photos with a camera of the medial longitudinal arch, posterior ankle and the talonavicular joint approximately 45° from the posterior calcaneus for both right and left feet were taken. Then assessment of the five image-based criteria of the FPI-6 for both feet were done and scoring was done. Results: As this is a comparison of two methods, Bland Altman analysis has been performed and bias is almost negligible (mean bias for Lt. FPI – 0.16 and for Rt. FPI 0.03) so both methods are equivalent. Conclusion: Image based FPI evaluation can be done with caution to assess foot posture evaluation in school going children which can be very useful in current pandemic situation. Keywords: Image based Foot Posture Index, Foot Posture Index, School Going Children</jats:p

Evaluation of Ergonomic Risk Factors and Pinch Strength in Goldsmith Workers: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Gold ornament making industries are small scale widespread industries. India is the largest exporter of gems and jewellery. Goldsmith work is highly repetitive and strenuous job which may lead to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) among workers. In the work, the worker uses tools such as cables, screwdrivers, scissors, cutters, pliers etc., for various gripping tasks. Such repetitive movements while working impair the pinch strength of the goldsmith, which is one of the MSDs. Aim: To evaluate the risk of MSDs and pinch strength in goldsmith workers. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted from jewellery workers from different areas of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on March 2024 to July 2024, which comprised of 300 male participants. Study was affiliated with government physiotherapy college and government spine institute, civil hospital Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was used to assess the stress of workers for all predominant postures by scoring them according to their severity of stress. The average working posture of the goldsmiths at their working condition were analysed by the RULA method. This was carried out with the digital photography. Baseline hydraulic pinch gauze was used to measure pinch strength. Pinch strength was tested using a standardised position given by American Society of Hand Therapists. Measurements were taken alternately between two hands. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were calculated for pinch strength data based on age group and hand dominance. To compare pinch strength between goldsmith workers and the normal values in the Gujarati population for both hands, the Mann-Whitney U test was performed. Results: The RULA analysis indicates that a significant majority of goldsmith workers are at risk for MSDs due to their adoption of awkward postures during daily work processes, with 44.3% (133 subjects) classified as low-risk suggesting that changes may be needed, 53.7% (161 subjects) categorised as medium-risk indicating a need for further investigation and prompt interventions and 2% (6 subjects) found to be at high-risk, which requires immediate changes, while none of the workers were at negligible risk level. Result of this study showed that tip to tip pinch strength, key pinch strength and three jaw chuck strength values were reduced in goldsmith workers as compared to normal values of population. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between all three types of pinch strength of goldsmith workers and normal values (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: From the observation and analysis of the result it was concluded that health of the goldsmiths were highly affected by the improper body posture and workload. Therefore, it is necessary to undertake ergonomic interventions in designing goldsmith workers workstation. Based on the results, the high-risk factors lead to significant decrease in pinch strength of goldsmith workers

Abstracts of Scientifica 2022

This book contains the abstracts of the papers presented at Scientifica 2022, Organized by the Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, India, held on 12–13 March 2022. This conference helps bring researchers together across the globe on one platform to help benefit the young researchers. There were six invited talks from different fields of Physiotherapy and seven panel discussions including over thirty speakers across the globe which made the conference interesting due to the diversity of topics covered during the conference. Conference Title:  Scientifica 2022Conference Date: 12–13 March 2022Conference Location: Sancheti Institute College of PhysiotherapyConference Organizer: Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, Indi