Localised application of vibration improves passive knee extension in women with apparent reduced hamstring extensibility: a randomised trial

QuestionDoes the localised application of vibration over the hamstrings improve hamstring extensibility?DesignRandomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis, and assessor blinding.Participants30 non-athletic females (aged 18–22 yrs) with limited hamstring extensibility bilaterally.InterventionThe experimental group received 3 sessions of localised application of vibration per week for 8 weeks. At each session, 3 sets of vibration were applied over the left and right hamstring muscles. The control group continued their usual daily activities. Both groups were asked to perform no specific exercises during the 8-week intervention period.Outcome measuresHamstring muscle extensibility was measured bilaterally at baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention period by measuring passive knee extension in supine with 90 deg of hip flexion.ResultsAt baseline, the mean lack of knee extension was 27 deg (SD 9) in the experimental group and 24 deg (SD 8) in the control group. At 8 weeks, this had changed to 13 deg (SD 5) in the experimental group and 23 deg (SD 9) in the control group. This was a significant treatment effect: mean between-group difference of 13 deg (95% CI 11 to 16).ConclusionAn 8-week regimen of localised application of vibration over the hamstring muscles significantly reduces knee extension lack in women with reduced range on the passive knee extension test.Trial registrationIRCT201011031254N6

Acute effects of static stretch on the static and dynamic balance indices in the young healthy non-athletic females

Introduction: Applying static stretch before sport activities has been emphasized to improve range of motion, flexibility and muscle performance and also to reduce pain and muscle stiffness. Regarding to the controversies about the effect of static stretch and the importance of the balance control to prevent injuries during sport activities, this study was designed to investigate the effect of short and long duration static stretch on the static and dynamic balance indices. Materials and Methods: 45 young healthy non-athletic females were assigned to one of the three; a) 15 seconds static stretch, b) 45 seconds static stretch and c) control groups. Three set of 15 or 45 seconds static stretch exercise were applied over the Hamstring, Quadriceps and Gastrocnemius muscles of both lower limbs of the experimental groups, while no static stretch was applied for the control group. Before and after the intervention, static and dynamic balance indices including; overall, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral balance indices, were measured in all groups by Biodex SD machine.Results: Our findings showed decreased overall, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral dynamic balance indices in the 45 second stretch group compared to the 15 seconds stretch group (P<0.0001) and also the control group (P=0.003), while no significant differences in balance indices were seen between 15 seconds and control groups. Conclusion: The results may indicate that long duration static stretch exercises may disturb the function of the dynamic balance and so may cause sport injuries in athletics. Further studies are needed to investigate the specific effect of static stretch in the different type of sport activitie

Rate of bacterial contamination of electrotherapy pads used in the physiotherapy clinics

Introduction: Careful planning on health care may prevent the spread of disease and reduce theexpense for treatment. Regarding the importance of health care in the clinical centers includingphysiotherapy clinics, this study was designed to investigate the rate of bacterial contamination ofelectrotherapy’s pads which use in the physiotherapy clinics of Semnan University of Medical Sciences(Iran).Material and Methods: 20 electrotherapy’s pads were sampled from three physiotherapy clinics. Inorder to find any contamination, the samples were cultured in the Medical School’s microbiologylaboratory. A questionnaire was used to collect data about the method of washing and sterilizing used inthe physiotherapy clinics.Results: The laboratory results showed all sampled pads were infected, while different pattern ofcontamination were seen among clinics. Normal skin flora of bacteria was found in the sampled padsfrom two clinics that used normal washing method and Whitex sterilizing method, while more varieties ofcontamination including; Klebsiella, Serratia and Enterobacteria were found in the other clinic that usedjust normal washing method.Conclusion: The results indicated that the all sampled pads were contaminated and this could beconsidered as a potential factor for transfer contamination between patients and therapists. These resultsconfirm the importance of using substituting methods such as disposable pad, sterile electrolyte jell, andor using standard sterilizing method to disinfect the electrotherapy pads. More research is needed tocontrol and prevent the ways of transfer contaminations in the physiotherapy clinics

Internal evaluation of physiotherapy department of Semnan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction : The internal evaluation which is done by the members of the different departments is the best way to judge about quality of education and to identify its strong and weak areas. With regard to the important role of evaluation in the quality of education, the aim of this study was to conduct an internal evaluation of the department of physiotherapy in order to optimize the educational quality of the different parts of the department. Materials and Methods : This descriptive-cross sectional study was done to evaluate some variables such as: educational goals, optimal leading of the department, instrumental and physical equipments, clinical educational environment, and student measures about educational style and teaching quality of practical and theoretical courses of scientific members of physiotherapy department. To collect data, questionnaires and checklists was provided by the faculty members of the department of physiotherapy. These instruments were given to the faculty members (to evaluate themselves) and the students (sophomore and senior students of physiotherapy to evaluate the theoretical courses and the junior and senior students were asked to evaluate the clinical courses). After collecting each instrument, results were categorized according to the modified Gourman scoring scale. Results : According to the modified Gourman scale, means were obtained from internal evaluation of physiotherapy as in follow: professional–theoretical lessons were in good ranking, clinical courses were in good ranking, educational and physical equipments (evaluated by scientific members and students) were in more than satisfied ranking and evaluation of head of group and scientific members were in good ranking. Conclusion : Generally, results showed physiotherapy group was in good category. Obviously, to reach an ideal level, we should make some changes, for example, encouraging and strengthening weak areas and maintaining strong areas