Dry needling technique decreases spasticity and improves general functioning in incomplete spinal cord injury: A case report
Context: Spasticity in neurological disorders (i.e. stroke patients and cerebral palsy) is positively improved by dry needling. However, reports are scarce regarding the potential effects of dry needling in reducing spasticity and improving functionality in patients with an incomplete spinal cord injury. The aim of this case report was to study the immediate, short-term effects of dry needling treatment (10 weeks) on spasticity, dynamic stability, walking velocity, self-independence, and pain in a single patient with an incomplete spinal cord injury. Findings: The dry needling treatment resulted in immediate, short-time effects on basal spasticity in the upper (reduction from 2 to 0 point m…
Does the educational level of women influence hand grip and pinch strength in carpal tunnel syndrome?
Abstract Background Grip and pinch strength are relevant functional variables for various activities of daily life and are related to the quality of life of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Objective The main aim was to analyze the relationship between grip and pinch strength and the educational level in women with CTS. Study design Cross-sectional study. Methods Thirty-one female patients with CTS awaiting surgery were assigned to the low education group if they only had primary education level (completed or not) and the high education group for those having higher education level. The assessments included: grip strength, pinch strength, Visual Analogue Scale, Quick DASH Questio…
The Relevance of Dual Tasking for Improving Trunk Muscle Endurance After Back Surgery
Abstract Objective To determine the effect of dual tasking on trunk muscle endurance in patients after lumbar diskectomy. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Rehabilitation hospital setting. Participants Individuals (N=14) undergoing primary lumbar diskectomy. Intervention Using a randomized design on 2 separate days, muscle endurance was evaluated during prone bridging and Biering-Sorensen tests. Each test was randomly performed under 2 cognitive conditions: single task without cognitive condition and self-regulated dual task (ie, mathematical task). Main Outcome Measures The primary outcomes were time to failure and pain assessed by the visual analog scale from 0 to 100 mm. The secondar…
Carpal tunnel syndrome and pain
Abstract Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a compressive peripheral neuropathy characterized by pain, tingling sensation, and paresthesia in the region of the median nerve. The patient’s medical history, the presence of risk factors, and the characteristics of the symptoms are key aspects for establishing a suitable differential diagnosis. Conservative or surgical treatment of CTS may be indicated depending on both the severity and temporality of the condition. The conservative treatment of mild and moderate CTS includes, among the most common treatments in physiotherapy and occupational therapy, the use of orthoses, physical agents, manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, education, ergonomic…
Effectiveness of Dry Needling in the Management of Spasticity in Patients Post Stroke.
Abstract Objective: To determine the effectiveness of the dry needling technique (DNT) in the treatment of spasticity for individuals with stroke. Design: We reviewed the Embase, Pubmed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. We also performed a manual search of the references that are included in the selected articles. Studies included were: i) randomized clinical trials (RCTs); ii) involving patients with a diagnosis of stroke; and iii) using DNT alone or in a multimodal treatment. Muscular spasticity was the primary outcome of the study. The additional outcomes included were: pressure pain sensitivity, range of motion and perception…
Effects of Cognitive and Mental Health Factors on the Outcomes Following Carpal Tunnel Release: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of the cognitive and mental health factors on the outcomes following carpal tunnel release (CTR). DATA SOURCES Embase, Pubmed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases from inception to August 14, 2021. STUDY SELECTION Randomized controlled trials and observational studies of patients with CTR were included. The included studies aimed to determine the effect of the cognitive (catastrophic thinking, kinesiophobia and self-efficacy) or mental health factors (symptoms of anxiety and depression) on the outcomes at least three months post-CTR. DATA EXTRACTION Two independent reviewers performed data e…
Feasibility of the 30 s Sit-to-Stand Test in the Telehealth Setting and Its Relationship to Persistent Symptoms in Non-Hospitalized Patients with Long COVID
Fatigue, dyspnea and pain are the main limitations of patients with long COVID. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of the 30 s sit-to-stand (30s-STS) test in the telehealth setting and its relationship to persistent symptoms in a sample of non-hospitalized patients with long COVID. A cross-sectional study was conducted in community patients with long COVID. Data collection and assessments were performed by videoconference and consisted of the fatigue assessment scale (FAS), London activity of daily living scale (LCADL), post-COVID-19 functional status (PCFS) and European quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), including the pain/discomfort dimension. The 30s-STS test w…
A single preoperative pain neuroscience education: Is it an effective strategy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome?
Patients undergoing carpal tunnel release surgery may continue to experience pain despite the intervention. This symptom may be modulated by psychosocial factors including depression, catastrophic thinking, and kinesiophobia. Pain neuroscience education (PNE) has been found to be effective when combined with therapeutic exercise in patients with chronic pain, but this strategy has not been evaluated in patients with persistent hand pain. The findings of this study indicate that a single preoperative PNE session in combination with therapeutic exercise does not provide added benefits in comparison to standard preoperative care plus therapeutic exercise. Future studies should evaluate if pati…
Thresholds of handgrip strength for all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality: A systematic review with dose-response meta-analysis.
Background While handgrip strength is associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality, whether such associations are dose-dependent is largely unknown. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review on the dose-response relationship of handgrip strength with all-cause mortality, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. Methods The data source included three electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus) from inception to 8 February 2022. Prospective cohort studies of healthy adults with objective measures of handgrip strength were included. Two researchers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. We used estimates regarding handgrip stren…