Stabilization and Balance Exercise Benefits in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case Report

Background: ALS is the most devastating form of motor neuron disease, and the chance of survival is 3 to 5 years after the diagnosis is made. The pathogenesis of the disease is unknown. Several upper and lower motor neuron symptoms such as weakness, gait bradykinesia, and muscle atrophy have been reported. The core muscles are considered to be the center of the functional kinetic chain due to the links with upper and lower limbs. Methods: The patient in this case study was a 42 year-old woman suffering from ALSfor two years prior to the study. She had typical upper and lower motor symptoms, but her chief complaints were inability to walk, standing balance impairment, and a tendency to fall posteriorly. She performed core stabilization exercises, which were done three times per day. She was followed for three months. Results: Core stabilization exercises improved her quality of life, and she could walk independently after three months of exercise. In addition, her tendency toward falling posteriorly was completely alleviated. Conclusion: Core stabilization exercises were beneficial to the patient, and she was satisfied because her quality of life had improved

Comparison of breathing pattern and diaphragmatic motion in patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy and asymptomatic group

Abstract Background The associations between neck pain and respiratory dysfunction were clarified in patients with neck pain. There is dearth of evidence on pulmonary dysfunction and diaphragmatic excursion in patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy (CR). The purpose of this study was to compare the breathing pattern and diaphragmatic excursion in patients with unilateral CR with those in an asymptomatic group. Methods Twenty-five patients with unilateral CR and 25 asymptomatic individuals aged between 30 and 55 participated in this study. Diaphragmatic motion, breathing pattern, active cervical range of motion and kinesiophobia were investigated in both groups by using fluoroscopy, manual assessment of respiratory motion (MARM), cervical range of motion device, and Tampa scale of kinesiophobia. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to sex, age and body mass index. The mean excursion of the hemi diaphragm on the involved side (the side of CR) was significantly lower than that on the uninvolved side in patients with unilateral CR with a large effect size. The excursion of the involved hemi diaphragm in patients was reduced compared to the matched hemi diaphragm in the control group. There was no significant difference between the hemi diaphragms excursion in the control group. The results of the MARM variables showed that the volume of breathing and the percentage rib cage motion in normal and deep breathing were significantly different between the two groups, but there was no significant difference in the balance of breathing between the two groups. Additionally, the active cervical range of motion was reduced in these patients in comparison to the control group, and it was less on the involved side than on the uninvolved side. Conclusion The results of this study revealed a dysfunctional breathing pattern in normal and deep breathing and a unilateral reduction in diaphragmatic excursion on the side of radiculopathy in patients with unilateral CR compared to the control group

The Effect of Manual Acupressure (Point BL32) on Pain Associated with Intramuscular Injections of Magnesium Sulfate

The aim of this study was determining the effect of acupressure on the severity of pain associated with intramuscular injections of magnesium sulfate administered by the Z-track technique in patients with eclampsia and preeclampsia. Forty-eight patients participated in this single-group clinical trial, which was conducted in three stages. For each patient, three intramuscular injections were administered by the Z-track technique. The first injection was administered by the conventional method. The second injection at a sham control point and the third injection using acupressure (BL32) were administered. Pain severity was measured on a visual analogue scale. The mean pain intensity was 7.22 in the first, 4.75 in the second and 1.94 in the third injections (p < 0.001). The results of the study showed that acupressure at the BL32 point before intramuscular injection of magnesium sulfate significantly reduced the injection-related pain. Keywords: acupressure, eclampsia, intramuscular, magnesium sulfate, pain, Z-track techniqu