Effects of a supervised exercise program in addition to electrical stimulation or kinesio taping in low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Chronic low back pain it is one of the most common health problems worldwide. Usually is accompanied by a complex set of symptoms and generates significant direct and indirect socioeconomic and health costs. From a therapeutic point of view, there are a wide variety of methods to address the treatment of this pathology, however, these therapies have not been shown definitive efficacy. To investigate the effect of a mixed treatment with exercise and electrical stimulation versus exercise and kinesio taping in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. A total of 58 patients participated in this single-blinded randomised clinical trial. Participants were assigned to the exercises- kinesio taping group, or exercises- analgesic current group, both received 12 treatment sessions. Disability, fear of movement, anxiety, depression, sleeps quality, pain, lower limb mechanosensitivity and pressure-pain thresholds were recorded at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. The 2 × 2 mixed analysis of covariance test showed statistically significant differences between groups for pain (P = 0.046). Pair-wise comparisons with baseline demonstrated significant differences for both groups in pain (P ≤ 0.001), disability (P ≤ 0.001), pressure-pain thresholds (P ≤ 0.044), lower limb mechanosensitivity, (P ≤ 0.047), anxiety (P ≤ 0.001), depression (P ≤ 0.001) and sleep quality (P ≤ 0.010). Patients with chronic low back pain who received a combined treatment of exercises and kinesio taping or analgesic current showed an improvement in pain, disability, anxiety, depression and sleep pattern. Moreover, exercises combined with electrotherapy produces greater improvements over these variables.FEDER-European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund "A way to make Europe"/"Investing in your future"Proyecto E-CEPEDOL from the Carlos III Health Institute PI18/00562 PC-0185-2017 PC-0253-2017 PC-0536-201

Comparison of the effectiveness of an e-health program versus a home rehabilitation program in patients with chronic low back pain: A double blind randomized controlled trial

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Andalusian Health Service, Junta de Andalucia (grant number PC-0185-2017, PC-0253-2017 and PC-0536-2017, PI18/00562 Proyecto E-CEPEDOL). This study was funded by a research grant (PI18/00562 Proyecto E-CEPEDOL co-funded by FEDER -European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund "A way to make Europe"/"Investing in your future") from the Carlos III Health Institute and 3 grants from the Andalusian Health Service, Junta de Andalucia (PC-0185-2017, PC-0253-2017 and PC-0536-2017). The funders did not take part in the design of the study, its implementation, analysis, data interpretation an/or the presentation of results.Objetive: We conducted a randomized double blind clinical trial, to compare the effectiveness of McKenzie exercises and electroanalgesia via an e-Health program versus a home rehabilitation program on functionality, pain, fear of movement and quality of life in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Methods: Seventy-four participants with non-specific chronic low back pain were randomized to either the e- Health program group (n=39) or the home rehabilitation program group (n=35). The interventions consisted of the e-Health program group performing McKenzie exercises and received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, while the home rehabilitation group attended an information session to explain the exercises, which they then performed at home with printed instructions. Both groups performed 3 weekly sessions for 8 weeks. The following were analyzed main measures: pain, disability, fear of movement, quality of life, trunk muscle endurance and trunk anteflexion motion were assessed at baseline and at 2 months. Results: Independent samples Student’s t-tests showed that although the patients who followed the e-Health program showed significantly greater improvement than those who followed the home disability rehabilitation program in terms of intensity of pain, lumbar flexion mobility (P < 0.001), and the following dimensions of quality of life (P < 0.005), both groups improved significantly in the immediate post-treatment follow up compared with baseline scores. Conclusions: Patients with chronic low back pain who followed an unsupervised home intervention supported by an individualized video exercise program showed greater post-treatment improvement than those who followed the same program with printed instructions.Junta de Andalucia PC-0185-2017 PC-0253-2017 PC-0536-2017 PI18/00562 Proyecto E-CEPEDOLInstituto de Salud Carlos III PI18/00562 Proyecto E-CEPEDOLFEDER -European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fun

Effects of Olive Oil Consumption on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Fibromyalgia

We wish to thank AFIXA (Association of Fibromyalgia of Jaén, Spain) for collaborating in this study.We have recently reported that patients with fibromyalgia (FM) may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Olive oil reportedly has cardioprotective effects. We examined the influence of olive oil consumption on cardiovascular risk factors in FM. This preliminary study was performed on blood samples of women with FM who consumed 50 mL of organic olive oil daily for 3 weeks. Patients were randomized into two groups: 15 women ingested extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and 15 refined olive oil (ROO). Cardiovascular risk markers were measured at baseline (pre measure) and after consumption of olive oil (post measure). Red blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; both p < 0.05) declined significantly post-treatment in the EVOO group. Consumption of ROO increased mean platelet volume and reduced platelet distribution width (PDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, ESR and fibrinogen (all p < 0.05). Significant differences were found in pre–post change between the EVOO and ROO groups for cortisol and PDW (both p < 0.05). Our results have shown that consumption of olive oil may have antithrombotic and antiinflammatory properties in patients with FM, thereby improving a number of cardiovascular risk markers. Both EVOO and ROO may be useful as adjuvants for the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular disorders in these patients.This research was funded by Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo (Junta de Andalucía, Spain), grant number AGR-6235

The Association of Body Mass Index and Body Composition with Pain, Disease Activity, Fatigue, Sleep and Anxiety in Women with Fibromyalgia

The link between fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and obesity has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among body mass index (BMI) and body composition parameters, including fat mass, fat mass percentage, and visceral fat, as well as FMS features, such as tender point count (TPC), pain, disease activity, fatigue, sleep quality, and anxiety, in a population of FMS women and healthy controls. A total of seventy-three women with FMS and seventy-three healthy controls, matched on weight, were included in this cross-sectional study. We used a body composition analyzer to measure fat mass, fat mass percentage, and visceral fat. Tender point count (TPC) was measured by algometry pressure. The disease severity was measured with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-R) and self-reported global pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale (VAS). To measure the quality of sleep, fatigue, and anxiety we used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI), the Spanish version of the multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively. Of the women in this study, 38.4% and 31.5% were overweight and obese, respectively. Significant differences in FIQ-R.1 (16.82 +/- 6.86 vs. 20.66 +/- 4.71, p = 0.030), FIQ-R.3 (35.20 +/- 89.02 vs. 40.33 +/- 5.60, p = 0.033), and FIQ-R total score (63.87 +/- 19.12 vs. 75.94 +/- 12.25, p = 0.017) among normal-weight and overweight FMS were observed. Linear analysis regression revealed significant associations between FIQ-R.2 ( (95% CI) = 0.336, (0.027, 0.645), p = 0.034), FIQ-R.3 ( (95% CI) = 0.235, (0.017, 0.453), p = 0.035), and FIQ-R total score ( (95% CI) = 0.110, (0.010, 0.209), p = 0.032) and BMI in FMS women after adjusting for age and menopause status. Associations between sleep latency and fat mass percentage in FMS women ( (95% CI) = 1.910, (0.078, 3.742), p = 0.041) and sleep quality and visceral fat in healthy women ( (95% CI) = 2.614, (2.192, 3.036), p = 0.008) adjusted for covariates were also reported. The higher BMI values are associated with poor FIQ-R scores and overweight and obese women with FMS have higher symptom severity. The promotion of an optimal BMI might contribute to ameliorate some of the FMS symptoms

Effectiveness of video-assisted debriefing versus oral debriefing in simulation-based interdisciplinary health professions education: A randomized trial

* Corresponding author at: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Granada 18016, Spain. E-mail address: [email protected] (R. Gil-Gutiérrez).Aim We aimed to compare the debriefing experience, simulation assessment, reflection, anxiety and simulation satisfaction of using oral debriefing versus video-assisted debriefing after a simulated clinical session in an interdisciplinary cohort of health sciences students. Background Debriefing is a reflective process that takes place after a clinical simulation and that can be performed either in a traditional way (oral) or using video-assisted debriefing. Design A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 143 health sciences students (35.7% male, 61.5% female). Methods The simulation scenario was designed to evaluate the procedure for donning and doffing personal protective equipment. Differences in debriefing experience, simulation assessment, reflection, anxiety and satisfaction were assessed. Results Regarding debriefing experience, significant differences were observed for the category “learning” (34.9 (6.13) vs. 36.7 (3.89); p = 0.039). For simulation assessment, significantly higher scores for all categories were identified in video-assisted debriefing compared with oral debriefing (p<0.001). There were also significant differences between the oral debriefing versus video-assisted debriefing for the overall score of reflection ability (86.97 (10.55) vs. 90.74 (9.67); p=0.028) as well as for the category “reflective communication” (24.72 (3.77) vs 26.04 (4.07); p=0.047). Perceived satisfaction was significantly higher in the video-assisted debriefing group compared with oral debriefing group (p <0.001). For anxiety, no significant differences were observed between debriefing groups. Conclusion Video-assisted debriefing after a simulated clinical session improves debriefing experience, simulation assessment, reflection and simulation satisfaction, but does not increase anxiety compared with oral debriefing among health sciences students.*Funding for open access charge: Univeresidad de Granada/CBUA

Short-term effects of two Kinesio taping applications in patients with risk of severe chr venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a prevalent pathology, with some typical signs and symptoms that cause significant socio-economic cost and impact on quality of life. Pain, despite being a recurrent symptom in this pathology, has scarcely been studied. Compression therapy is the standard method for non-invasive CVI treatment; however, it has been indicated that the patient seldom follows this type of treatment. Kinesio Taping is a new technique of neuromuscular bandaging that can affect muscular and joint function, decrease pain and influence lymph and venous circulation. No previous studies have been found on the application of this bandaging on patients with CVI. The main objectives of this doctoral thesis are to describe the characteristics of pain in postmenopausal women with CVI and its relationship with risk factors; and assessing the efficacy of two application of neuromuscular bandaging (Kinesio Taping [KT]) on musculoskeletal alterations, specific venous symptomatology, pain, severity and quality of life in postmenopausal women at short-term risk of severe CVI (CEAP C1-C3). A total of 259 patients with initial CVI and 40 healthy women that fulfilled the criteria for inclusion participated in the studies for this thesis. The main findings and conclusions are: a) postmenopausal women with CVI present intense pathological pain and lowered nociceptive thresholds, suggesting that there is central sensitization; the pain is principally related with peripheral venous reflux and with the pain and functional limitation induced by knee or hip osteoarthritis; b) the use of the Pain Matcher device seems to be a valid technique for assessing chronic venous pain; c) applying standardised bandaging with KT in postmenopausal women at short-term risk of severe CVI can reduce the specific venous symptomatology, pain and clinical severity and increase the bioelectric activity of the gastrocnemius muscle; d) the method of mixed KT-peripheral compression seems to improve ankle dorsiflexion during walking, gait parameters, peripheral venous flow, specific venous symptomatology, foot and malleolar oedema, pain, clinical severity and quality of life,while it increases the general state of health slightly, in postmenopausal women at risk of short-term severe CVI; and e) KT can have a placebo effect on venous pain. Our findings help to clarify the mechanisms involved in pain from CVI and support the use of KT as an alternative bandaging technique for managing the symptoms associated with venous pathology in initial stages.Tesis Univ. Granada. Departamento de Medicina Legal, Toxicología y Antropología Física

Association of core body temperature and peripheral blood flow of the hands with pain intensity, pressure pain hypersensitivity, central sensitization, and fibromyalgia symptoms

Our aim was to analyse body core temperature and peripheral vascular microcirculation at skin hypothenar eminence of the hands and its relationship to symptoms in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). A total of 80 FMS women and 80 healthy women, matched on weight, were enrolled in this case–control study. Thermography and infrared thermometer were used for evaluating the hypothenar regions and core body temperature, respectively. The main outcome measures were pain pressure thresholds (PPTs) and clinical questionnaires. Significant associations were observed between overall impact [β = 0.033; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.003, 0.062; p = 0.030], daytime dysfunction (β = 0.203; 95%CI = 0.011, 0.395; p = 0.039) and reduced activity (β = 0.045; 95%CI = 0.005, 0.085; p = 0.029) and core body temperature in FMS women. PPTs including greater trochanter dominant (β = 0.254; 95%CI = 0.003, 0.504; p = 0.047), greater trochanter non-dominant (β = 0.650; 95%CI = 0.141, 1.159; p = 0.013), as well as sleeping medication (β = −0.242; 95%CI = −0.471, −0.013; p = 0.039) were also associated with hypothenar eminence temperature. Data highlighted that FMS women showed correlations among body core temperature and hand temperature with the clinical symptoms

Predictive Ability of Serum Amino Acid Levels to Differentiate Fibromyalgia Patients from Healthy Subjects

Background Fibromyalgia is a complex illness to diagnose and treat. Objectives To evaluate a broad range of circulating free amino acid (AA) levels in fibromyalgia patients as well as the ability of the AAs to differentiate fibromyalgia patients from healthy subjects. Design We carried out a case-control study to evaluate AA levels in 62 patients with fibromyalgia and 78 healthy subjects. This study adheres to the STROBE guidelines. Methods AAs content was assayed by HPLC in serum samples. The predictive value of AA levels in fibromyalgia was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and forward binary logistic regression analyses. Results Fibromyalgia patients showed higher serum levels of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, aminoadipic acid, asparagine, histidine, 3-methyl-histidine, 5-methyl-histidine, glycine, threonine, taurine, tyrosine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, leucine, ornithine, lysine, branched chain AAs (BCAAs), large neutral AAs, essential AAs (EAAs), non-essential AAs (NEAAs), basic AAs, EAAs/NEAAs ratio, phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio, and global arginine bioavailability ratio than the controls. Serum alanine levels were lower in patients than in controls. According to ROC analysis, most of these AAs may be good markers for differentiating individuals with fibromyalgia from healthy subjects. Results of logistic regression showed that the combination of glutamic acid, histidine, and alanine had the greatest predictive ability to diagnose fibromyalgia. Conclusions Our results show an imbalance in serum levels of most AAs in patients with fibromyalgia, which suggest a metabolic disturbance. The determination of serum levels of these AAs may aid in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, in combination with clinical data of the patient