Efficacy of Selected Electrical Therapies on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Comparative Clinical Pilot Study
Background: In the currently available research publications on electrical therapy of low back pain, generally no control groups or detailed randomization were used, and such studies were often conducted with relatively small groups of patients, based solely on subjective questionnaires and pain assessment scales (lacking measurement methods to objectify the therapeutic progress). The available literature also lacks a comprehensive and large-scale clinical study. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of treating low back pain using selected electrotherapy methods. The study assesses the influence of individual electrotherapeutic treatments on reduction of pain, improvement of …
Efficacy of Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Prospective Randomized 3-Month Follow-Up Study.
BACKGROUND Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a modern physiotherapeutic method that is useful for treating musculoskeletal conditions. There are still limited data from well-designed studies evaluating the clinical efficiency of ESWT in low back pain (LBP). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the focused ESWT (fESWT) in reducing pain and improving the functional status of patients with chronic LBP. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 40 patients with L5-S1 discopathy with chronic LBP pain who were randomized into 2 groups: group A (n=20, mean age of 42.3±13.1 years) and group B (n=20, mean age of 45.4±14 years). Group A was an experimental group treated …
A Randomised-Controlled Clinical Study Examining the Effect of High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on the Management of Painful Calcaneal Spur with Plantar Fasciitis.
Calcaneal spur and plantar fasciitis are the most common causes of plantar heel pain. There are many effective physical modalities for treating this musculoskeletal disorder. So far, the are no clear recommendations confirming the clinical utility of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in the management of painful calcaneal spur with plantar fasciitis. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of HILT in pain management in patients with calcaneal spur and plantar fasciitis. A group of 65 patients was assessed for eligibility based on the CONSORT guidelines. This study was prospectively registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry platform (registration number ACTRN1…
EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY (ESWT) IN CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIALS
Background: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has become a popular tool to treat musculoskeletal disorders and chronic low back pain. Aim of the study: To review the current scientific literature and assess the utility of ESWT in treating chronic low back pain. Methods: This systematic review was conducted from November 2019 to January 2020. Its purpose was to determine what the effectiveness is of the various forms of ESWT for the treatment of chronic low back pain. The critical review of the literature on the use of ESWT in chronic low back was made using the scientifically recognized medical databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Web of Science Core…
Symmetry function in gait pattern analysis in patients after unilateral transfemoral amputation using a mechanical or microprocessor prosthetic knee
AbstractBackgroundAbove-knee amputations (AKAs) contribute to gait asymmetry. The level of asymmetry is affected by the type of knee prosthetic module. There is limited evidence suggesting that more technically advanced solutions (microprocessor modules; MicPK) are superior to less advanced ones (mechanical modules; MechPK). The study aimed to evaluate the variable range of hip and pelvic joint movements during gait and look for differentiating areas with an increased level of asymmetry of the gait cycle in individuals who underwent an AKA and are equipped with MicPK or MechPK.MethodsTwenty-eight individuals participated in the study; 14 were assigned to a study group of individuals who und…
The Current State of Knowledge on the Clinical and Methodological Aspects of Extracorporeal Shock Waves Therapy in the Management of Post-Stroke Spasticity—Overview of 20 Years of Experiences
In many patients after stroke, spasticity develops over time, resulting in a decrease in the patient’s independence, pain, worsening mood, and, consequently, lower quality of life. In the last ten years, a rich arsenal of physical agents to reduce muscle tone such as extracorporeal shock therapy (ESWT) wave has come through. The aim of this narrative review article is to present the current state of knowledge on the use of ESWT as a supplement to the comprehensive rehabilitation of people after stroke suffering from spasticity. The PubMed and PEDro databases were searched for papers published in English from January 2000 to December 2020, 22 of which met inclusion criteria for clinical stud…
Immediate Effects of Kinesio Taping on Rectus Abdominis Diastasis in Postpartum Women-Preliminary Report.
Background: Rectus abdominis diastasis (RAD) is an excessive divarication of the rectus abdominis muscle with concurrent stretching and thinning of the linea alba, which occurs due to mechanical and functional disturbances in the anterior abdominal wall and the whole body. The primary objective of this study is a palpation assessment of RAD in postpartum women before and after the application of KT tapes and a subsequent comparison of the results with those from a sham intervention group. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Physical Therapy Department at Wroclaw Medical University. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the KT group (intervention…
Impact of selected magnetic fields on the therapeutic effect in patients with lumbar discopathy: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Background. Interdisciplinary physical therapy together with pharmacological treatment constitute conservative treatment strategies related to low back pain (LBP). There is still a lack of high quality studies aimed at an objective evaluation of physiotherapeutic procedures according to their effectiveness in LBP. Objectives. The aim of this study is to carry out a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, and placebocontrolled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of magnetic fields in discopathy-related LBP. Material and methods. A group of 177 patients was assessed for eligibility based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. In the end, 106 patients were randomly assigned into 5 comp…
Analysis of Selected Body Composition Parameters and Ergonomic Safety among Professionally Active Nurses in Poland: A Preliminary Prospective Monocentric and Observational Study
Nurses consist of an occupational group that is particularly exposed to harmful work-related factors such as prolonged working hours, severe stress, fatigue, and excessive strain on the musculoskeletal system. According to nurses, the limitation of the application of ergonomic principles of work may contribute to the occurrence of numerous dangerous behaviors, improper eating habits, or deficiency of systematic physical activity. The most common consequences are nutritional disorders and musculoskeletal system dysfunctions. This prospective observational study was aimed at evaluating selected parameters of the body composition of professionally active nurses and at determining work-related …
Effect of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Pain Intensity, Functional Efficiency, and Postural Control Parameters in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, placing a significant economic burden on healthcare systems. Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) is useful in the rehabilitation of orthopedic diseases
Effect of laser therapy on expression of angio- and fibrogenic factors, and cytokine concentrations during the healing process of human pressure ulcers
Objective: To evaluate the effect of laser irradiation at different wavelengths on the expression of selected growth factors and inflammatory mediators at particular stages of the wound healing process. Methods: Sixty-seven patients were recruited, treated, and analyzed (group A - 940 nm: 17 patients; group B - 808 nm: 18 patients; group C - 658 nm: 16 patients; group D - sham therapy: 17 patients). Patients received a basic treatment, including repositioning and mobilization, air pressure mattress and bed support surfaces, wound cleansing and drug therapy. Additionally, patients received laser therapy once a day, 5 times a week for 1 month in use of a semiconductor lasers (GaAIAs) which em…
The Effectiveness Of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Prospective, Randomized, Single-Blinded Pilot Study
Karolina Walewicz,1 Jakub Taradaj,2,3 Katarzyna Rajfur,1 Kuba Ptaszkowski,4 MichaÅ Tomasz Kuszewski,2 MirosÅaw Sopel,5 Robert Dymarek5 1Faculty of Physiotherapy, Opole Medical School, Opole, Poland; 2Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland; 3College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; 4Department of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland; 5Department of Nervous System Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, PolandCorrespondence: Robert DymarekDepartment of Nervous System Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, Bartla 5, Wroclaw 51-618, PolandTe…
Photobiomodulation using high- or low-level laser irradiations in patients with lumbar disc degenerative changes: disappointing outcomes and remarks
Jakub Taradaj,1,2 Katarzyna Rajfur,3 Barbara Shay,2 Joanna Rajfur,3 Kuba Ptaszkowski,4 Karolina Walewicz,3 Robert Dymarek,5 MirosÅaw Sopel,5 Joanna RosiÅczuk5 1Department of Physiotherapy Basics, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland; 2College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; 3Public Higher Medical Professional School, Opole, Poland; 4Department of Clinical Biomechanics and Physiotherapy in Motor System Disorders, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland; 5Department of Nervous System Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland Background: Laser therapy seems to be a beneficial physical agent for chronic low back pain (LBP), …