scholarly journals Manual Therapy (Postisometric Relaxation and Joint Mobilization) in Knee Pain and Function Experienced by Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Clinical Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mateusz Wojciech Romanowski ◽  
Maja Špiritović ◽  
Wojciech Romanowski ◽  
Anna Straburzyńska-Lupa

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of manual therapy on the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with knee pain. Materials and Methods. This was a small, randomized clinical pilot study. Subjects were 46 patients with diagnosed RA, randomly assigned to the manual therapy group (postisometric relaxation and joint mobilization) or control group (standard exercise). Subjects in each group had 10 sessions of interventions, once a day with one day break after the sixth day. Outcomes included the pain intensity of knee, Knee Society Score, Oxford Knee Score, and Health Assessment Questionnaire. Results. There were no statistically significant differences between groups, except for the pain intensity of the knee. Conclusions. This study suggests that manual therapy (postisometric relaxation and joint mobilization) may have clinical benefits for treating knee pain and function in rheumatoid patients. Further extended studies are expected to determine the effectiveness of manual therapy in RA patients with knee pain.

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Manuel Albornoz-Cabello ◽  
Jose Sanchez-Santos ◽  
Rocio Melero-Suarez ◽  
Alberto Heredia-Rizo ◽  
Luis Espejo-Antunez

Subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) is a prevalent condition that results in loss of function. Surgery is indicated when pain and functional limitations persist after conservative measures, with scarce evidence about the most-appropriate post-operative approach. Interferential therapy (IFT), as a supplement to other interventions, has shown to relieve musculoskeletal pain. The study aim was to investigate the effects of adding IFT electro-massage to usual care after surgery in adults with SAPS. A randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial was carried out. Fifty-six adults with SAPS, who underwent acromioplasty in the previous 12 weeks, were equally distributed into an IFT electro-massage group or a control group. All participants underwent a two-week intervention (three times per week). The control group received usual care (thermotherapy, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and ultrasound). For participants in the IFT electro-massage group, a 15-min IFT electro-massage was added to usual care in every session. Shoulder pain intensity was assessed with a 100-mm visual analogue scale. Secondary measures included upper limb functionality (Constant-Murley score), and pain-free passive range of movement. A blinded evaluator collected outcomes at baseline and after the last treatment session. The ANOVA revealed a significant group effect, for those who received IFT electro-massage, for improvements in pain intensity, upper limb function, and shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation (all, p < 0.01). There were no between-group differences for shoulder extension (p = 0.531) and adduction (p = 0.340). Adding IFT electro-massage to usual care, including manual therapy and exercises, revealed greater positive effects on pain, upper limb function, and mobility in adults with SAPS after acromioplasty.


Author(s):  
Maria Elizabeth Pereira Passos ◽  
Leandro Borges ◽  
Laiane Cristina dos Santos-Oliveira ◽  
Amanda Lins Alecrim-Zeza ◽  
Tiago Bertola Lobato ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the impact of a 16-week dance-based aerobic exercise program on lymphocyte function in healthy and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) women. We enrolled 23 women: 11 with T2DM and 12 non-diabetic controls. Initially, we performed anthropometry and body composition measurements, afterwards, plasma levels of C-reactive protein, lipids, and glucose were determined. We used flow cytometry to measure the CD25 and CD28 expression in circulating lymphocytes, T-regulatory (Treg) cell percentage, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokines released by cultured lymphocytes. The T2DM group had a lower proportion of CD28+ cells and a higher percentage of Treg lymphocytes and proliferative capacity at the baseline compared with the control group. After 16 weeks of the program, differences in lymphocytes between the T2DM and the control groups disappeared. The dance program promoted IL-10 increase in both groups. We found decreased IL-4, IL-2, and IL-6 secretion in lymphocytes from the control group and increased IL-17 secretion and IL-10/IL-17 ratio in the T2DM group after the program. The program promoted marked changes in lymphocytes in diabetic women, leading to a balance between the different profiles.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minji Park ◽  
Yuri Choi ◽  
Hyeonhae Choi ◽  
Ju-Yearn Yim ◽  
Jaesook Roh

Prenatal caffeine exposure adversely affects the development of the reproductive organs of male rat offspring. Thus, it is conceivable that peripubertal caffeine exposure would also influence physiologic gonadal changes and function during this critical period for sexual maturation. This study investigated the impact of high doses of caffeine on the testes of prepubertal male rats. A total of 45 immature male rats were divided randomly into three groups: a control group and 2 groups fed 120 and 180 mg/kg/day of caffeine, respectively, via the stomach for 4 weeks. Caffeine caused a significant decrease in body weight gain, accompanied by proportional decreases in lean body mass and body fat. The caffeine-fed animals had smaller and lighter testes than those of the control that were accompanied by negative influences on the histologic parameters of the testes. In addition, stimulated-testosterone ex vivo production was reduced in Leydig cells retrieved from the caffeine-fed animals. Our results demonstrate that peripubertal caffeine consumption can interfere with the maturation and function of the testis, possibly by interrupting endogenous testosterone secretion and reducing the sensitivity of Leydig cells to gonadotrophic stimulation. In addition, we confirmed that pubertal administration of caffeine reduced testis growth and altered testis histomorphology.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 510-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arsenia M. Asuncion ◽  
Consuelo Cagande ◽  
Sherry Schlagle ◽  
Barbara McCarty ◽  
Krystal Hunter ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Research suggests pediatrics practitioners lack confidence and skills in the end-of-life (EOL) care. Objective This pilot study explored the impact of a curriculum designed to prepare future pediatricians to manage pain and provide comfort for children and infants with life-threatening conditions and to be more confident and competent in their EOL discussions with families. Methods Participants included 8 postgraduate year (PGY)-2 residents in the study group and 9 PGY-3 residents in a control group. The EOL curriculum included 4, 1-hour sessions consisting of didactic lectures, videos, and small-group, interactive discussions. Topics included discussing EOL with families, withdrawal of care, and pain assessment and management. Curriculum evaluation used an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), self-assessment confidence and competency questionnaire, and a follow-up survey 18 months after the intervention. Results The OSCE showed no statistically significant differences between PGY-2 versus PGY-3 residents in discussing EOL issues with family (mean  =  48.3 [PGY-2] versus 41.0 [PGY-3]), managing withdrawal of care (mean  =  20.9 [PGY-2] versus 18.91 [PGY-3]), and managing adolescent pain (mean  =  30.97 [PGY-2] versus 29.27 [PGY-3]). The self-assessment confidence and competency scores improved significantly after the intervention for both PGY-2 residents (0.62 versus 0.86, P &lt; .01) and PGY-3 residents (0.61 versus 0.85, P &lt; .01). Conclusions An EOL curriculum for PGY-2 pediatrics residents delivered during the intensive care unit rotation is feasible and may be effective. Residents reported the curriculum was useful in their practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 414-418
Author(s):  
Amanda Hignell ◽  
Karen Carlyle ◽  
Catherine Bishop ◽  
Mary Murphy ◽  
Teresa Valenzano ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives St. Michael’s Hospital launched a volunteer cuddling program for all infants admitted into the neonatal intensive care unit in October 2015. The program utilizes trained volunteers to cuddle infants when caregivers are not available. This was a pilot study to assess the impact of a volunteer cuddle program on length of stay (LOS) and feasibility of implementation of the program. Methods A mixed methods approach was utilized to measure both quantitative and qualitative impact. A pilot cohort study with a retrospective control group assessed the feasibility of implementing a volunteer cuddling program for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Length of stay was used as a surrogate marker to measure the impact of cuddling on infants being treated for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Focus groups using semi-structured interviews were conducted with volunteers and nurses at the end of the pilot study. Results LOS was reduced by 6.36 days (U=34, P=0.072) for infants with NAS in the volunteer cuddling program. Focus groups with both bedside nurses and program volunteers described a positive impact of cuddling programs on infants, families, staff, and volunteers alike. Conclusions The study results suggest that the volunteer cuddling program may reduce LOS in infants with NAS and have potential economic savings on hospital resources. However, larger prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these results.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
E. Yu. Polishchuk ◽  
E. S. Filatova ◽  
A. E. Karateev ◽  
V. N. Amirdzhanova ◽  
V. A. Nesterenko

Objective: to study the effect of neuropathic pain symptoms (SNP) on the clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with moderate or high disease activity.Patients and methods. The 1st (main) group included 58 RA patients (84.5% of women, age 53.0±11.9 years), in whom SNP were identified using the DN4 (≥4) and PainDETECT (≥13) questionnaires. The 2nd (control) group included 43 patients with RA (79.1% women, age 48.8±14.4 years) who did not have SNP (DN4 ≤4 and PainDETECT ≤13). All patients received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (mainly methotrexate and leflunomide), 20% – biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. We compared groups 1 and 2 for RA activity (DAS28, CDAI, SDAI), pain intensity on a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0–100 mm), functional impairment (HAQ), patient global assessment (PGA, VAS), number of painful and swollen joints, quality of life (EQ-5D), signs of anxiety and depression (HADS), CRP level.Results and discussion. The RA activity in patients of the 1st and 2nd groups did not differ statistically significantly. Patients of the 1st group showed significantly higher indicators of the severity of pain, PGA and anxiety than patients of the control group: 71.0±12.5 and 54.7±17.5 mm, respectively (p<0.001); 61.0±13.1 and 53.7±15.3 mm (p=0.045); 62.1 and 28.6% (HADS ≥7; p<0.001), respectively.Conclusion. SNP are associated with higher rates of pain intensity, PGA, and anxiety in RA patients with moderate to high disease activity.


2000 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 39-41
Author(s):  
T. K. Kolapo Hamzat

People with physical disabilities often experience difficulty in different activities of daily living. Emphasis is usually placed on their medical rehabilitation, and there is often little attempt on meeting the healthcare needs after they are discharged from rehabilitation facilities. Recognition of the health care needs is required to provide effective treatment and facilitate health promotion activities. Decreased muscle strength in the lower limbs in victims of poliomyelitis often result in difficulties in mobility. As part of a larger study to evaluate the impact of regular aerobic exercise on the quality of life of individuals with physical disabilities, this pilot study attempted to obtain information on some immediate responses to the nine-minute walk/run test among a group of people with physical disabilities due to poliomyelitis. Compared to an age-matched control group, there was a higher cardiovascular demand on individuals with poliomyelitis. The outcome was suggestive of a need to assist the subjects in conserving energy during ambulation by improving endurance. Thus individuals with poliomyelitis are likely to benefit from regular aerobic exercise.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
de la Cruz Peña Maria José ◽  
Luis Ignacio Gonzalez-Granado ◽  
Inmaculada Garcia-Heredia ◽  
Lucia Maestre Carballa ◽  
Manuel Martinez-Garcia

Abstract Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the dominant antibody found in our mucosal secretions and has long been recognized to play an important role in protecting our epithelium from pathogens. Recently, IgA has been shown to be involved in gut homeostatic regulation by `recognizing´and shaping our commensal microbes. Paradoxically, yet selective IgA-deficiency is often described as asymptomatic and there is a paucity of studies only focused on the mice and human gut microbiome context fully ignoring other niches of our body and our commensal viruses. Here, we used as a model the human oral cavity and employed a holistic view and studied the impact of IgA deficiency on both the human virome and microbiome. Unexpectedly, metagenomic and experimental data in human IgA deficiency indicate minimal-moderate changes in microbiome and virome composition compared to healthy control group and point out to a rather functional, resilient oral commensal viruses and microbes. However, a significant depletion (2-fold) of bacterial cells (p-value < 0.01) and viruses was observed in IgA-deficiency. Our results challenge the view of an irreplaceable IgA role for regulating the composition and function of our commensal microbiota and pose the question whether other “back-up” Ig-independent mechanisms might exist for maintaining a functional commensal microbiome.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingyue Zeng ◽  
Meng Li ◽  
Mohan Zheng ◽  
Tianci Liu ◽  
Rui Kang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective. We aimed to illustrate the changes of follicular helper (TFH) and follicular regulatory (TFR) cells in rheumatoid arthritis using the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model and clarity the impact of anti-inflammatory treatment on TFH and TFR cells.Methods. We established 10-week-old CIA model and used flow cytometry to analyze the changes of TFH and TFR cells in peripheral blood and spleen at different time points (5w, 7w, 10w,13w). The expression of TIGIT, CD226, ICOS and PD-1 characterizing the functions of TFH and TFR were also analyzed. The function of spleen TFH and TFR cells from CIA was further analyzed. The effects of anti-inflammatory antibody treatments on the subpopulation and function changes of TFH and TFR were also analyzed in CIA mice.Results. The levels of TFH and TFR were significantly increased in spleen and peripheral blood of CIA mice. After treatment, TFH and TFR cells decreased significantly. TIGIT+ and TIGIT+CD226-TFH cells in CIA mouse spleen were elevated and PD-1 and ICOS expression on TFH and TFR cells in the spleen were also significantly increased. The ability of TFH to secrete IL-21 and help B cells, and TFR to secrete IL-10 and inhibit TFH were both enhanced in CIA mouse spleen. After antibody treatment, cell subsets and functions were significantly recovered.Conclusion. In the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, TFH and TFR cells in the germinal center increases and their functions are enhanced. After the treatment by inflammatory factor antibodies, TFH and TFR subsets and their functions can be significantly recovered.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiana Fatholahnezhad ◽  
Amir Letafatkar ◽  
Malihe Hadadnezhad

BACKGROUND forward head and round shoulder posture is believed to alter scapular kinematics and muscle activity placing increased stress on the shoulder, leading to shoulder pain and dysfunction. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a six-week combined treatment consisting of manual therapy and stabilizing exercises, with a one-month follow-up, on neck pain with forward head and rounded shoulder postures. METHODS A total of 60 women aged 32-42 years of age with neck pain, and forward head and rounded shoulder postures were randomized into three groups: group 1 performed stabilizing exercises and received manual therapy (n=20), group 2 performed stabilizing exercises (n=20), and group 3 (control group) performed home exercises (n=20) over six weeks.The follow-up time was one month after the post test. The craniocervical and rounded shoulder angles, pain, and function were measured before and after six-week interventions, and a one-month follow- up. RESULTS The results showed significant positive changes within the experimental groupsin all variables, but there were minor changes in the control group in all variables before and after the intervention. Also, there were significant function and pain improvement in the experimental group 1 comparing to group 2. There were no differences between post intervention and one-month follow-up on posture and function in the experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that both interventions were significantly effective for reducing neck pain, and improving function and posture in patients with chronic neck pain, and forward head and rounded shoulder postures. However, the improvement in function and pain was more effective in group 1 than those of group 2 suggesting that manual therapy can be used as a supplement method to the stabilizing intervention in the treatment of neck pain. More research is needed to confirm the result of this study.


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