Effectiveness of Low-Frequency Stimulation in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Techniques for Post Ankle Sprain Balance and Proprioception in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Stretching is an important part of post ankle sprain rehabilitation, as well as an effective exercise for improving general ankle-joint performance. But the combination of stretching alongside low-frequency stimulation has not yet been extensively studied. Therefore, the purpose of the present randomized controlled trial was to compare the combined effects of low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on strength, balance, and proprioception among individuals with post ankle sprain. Sixty male subjects with lateral ankle sprain were selected and randomly allocated to three groups: group 1, group 2, and the control group (CG). Subjects in group 1 received the PNF stretching technique combined with TENS. TENS stimulation was provided using two electrodes placed 5 cm apart directly on the triceps sural muscle of the affected leg and a biphasic current with a symmetrical waveform at 50 Hz for 15 seconds, tuned for a 3-second ramp up time and a 30-second rest time with a 250-microsecond pulse duration was given with PNF stretching. Subjects in group 2 received the PNF stretching technique alone. Both group 1 and group 2 received these treatments for 4 weeks (4 days/week); follow-up assessments were administered in the third and fifth weeks. CG received no treatment; outcome measures alone were assessed. Outcome measures comprised pain, balance, flexibility, proprioception, range of motion, muscle strength, and functional limitation. A mixed-model ANOVA showed significant interaction (time and group) and the time effect for all the outcome measures (p≤0.05). Group 1 (PNF-TENS) showed significant improvement for all the outcome variables compared to the other groups. The present study showed PNF stretching combined with TENS for the triceps sural muscle to trigger muscle contraction during the muscle contraction phase of the PNF stretch, compared against PNF stretching alone, produced significant improvements in ankle function for post ankle sprain subjects.

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Effect of vitamin D supplementation on growth parameters of children with vitamin D deficiency: a community based randomized controlled trial

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ◽

10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20174733 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 2070

Author(s):

Sagul R. Mugunthan ◽

Yashwant K. Rao ◽

Tanu Midha ◽

Anurag Bajpai

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Alkaline Phosphatase ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Vitamin D Supplementation ◽

Community Based ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Background: Vitamin D deficiency remains the most common cause of rickets globally and is highly prevalent in developing countries including India. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of vitamin D and calcium together with calcium alone on growth parameters of children with vitamin D deficiency in community based setting.Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in community based setting in Kanpur district. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select a total of 395 children between 2 years to 5 years from 5 villages of block Vidhunu. Of these, 138 children were randomized into two groups using balanced block randomization technique. Group 1 received vitamin D with calcium together and group 2 received calcium alone for a period of 12 months. Anthropometry, serum vitamin D, calcium, alkaline phosphatase levels were estimated at baseline and after 12 months. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20. Student’s t test was used to analyze the differences in growth and laboratory parameters in the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the effect of various factors on the growth parameters.Results: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 78.7%. Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. After 12 months, group 1 demonstrated significantly greater improvement in weight SD score (21.4%) and height SD score (10.3%) and growth velocity (9.1 cm/year) compared to group 2 (14.3%, 7.8% and 6.9 cm/ year respectively). Also subjects in group 1 showed significantly greater improvement in serum levels of vitamin D, calcium and alkaline phosphatase than group 2.Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation along with calcium improves the growth of children. Regular supplementation of all children with vitamin D can be considered as a policy for prevention of malnutrition.

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Effects of Personal Low-Frequency Stimulation Device on Myalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19020735 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 735

Author(s):

Yong-Soon Yoon ◽

Myoung-Hwan Ko ◽

Il-Young Cho ◽

Cheol-Su Kim ◽

Johny Bajgai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Therapy ◽

Short Form ◽

Therapy Group ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Control Group ◽

Mcgill Pain Questionnaire ◽

Low Frequency Stimulation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Frequency Stimulation

Electrotherapy is commonly used for myalgia alleviation. Low-frequency stimulation (LFS) is primarily used for controlling acute and chronic pain and is a non-invasive therapy that can be easily performed with electric stimulation applied on the skin. However, little evidence exists regarding the pain alleviation effects of personal low-frequency stimulation device for home use. Moreover, no studies have compared myalgia alleviation effects between personal low-frequency stimulation (PLS) and physical therapy (PT), which are most commonly used for patients with myalgia in hospitals and clinics. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the pain alleviation effects of PLS in patients with myalgia and compare these effects with those of conventional PT (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation + ultrasound). In total, 39 patients with myalgia in the neck, shoulder, back, and waist areas were randomly assigned to the personal low-frequency stimulation group (PLSG: n = 20) and physical therapy group (PTG: n = 19). Both groups were treated for 3 weeks (20 min per session and 5 sessions per week). Patients were assessed for pain intensity by surface electromyography (sEMG), visual analogue scale (VAS) and a short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) before and after the intervention period. Our results showed that PLSG showed a tendency of muscle relaxation with a significant decrease in sEMG in the neck (p = 0.0425), shoulder (p = 0.0425), and back (p = 0.0046) areas compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference in waist area. Additionally, VAS scores significantly decreased between pre- and post-treatment in both PTG (p = 0.0098), and PLSG (p = 0.0304) groups, but there was no significance difference between the groups. With respect to SF-MPQ, the PLSG showed greater pain alleviation (5.23 ± 0.25) effects than the PTG (6.23 ± 0.25). Accordingly, our results suggest that PLS treatment using a home device might offer positive assistance in pain alleviation for patients with myalgia that is as equally effective as conventional PT treatment. However, further detailed studies are required considering larger samples to fully claim the effectiveness of this device.

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Comparison of intrauterine insemination and timed intercourse following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in unexplained infertility: a randomized controlled trial

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20190876 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 1035

Author(s):

Sayanti Paul ◽

Saumen Mandal ◽

Arghya Pal ◽

Sumit Ranjan Pramanik

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Intrauterine Insemination ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation ◽

Unexplained Infertility ◽

Clinical Pregnancy ◽

Ovarian Hyperstimulation ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Background: Being a diagnosis of exclusion the treatment options of unexplained infertility are often empiric. There is significant dilemma regarding the superiority of one over another. Despite increasing use of intrauterine insemination (IUI) in adjunct to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) there is scarcity of randomized controlled trials (RCT) from developing countries. Objective was to compare IUI and timed intercourse (TI) in super ovulated cycles among couples with unexplained infertility over one year.Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial total 85 patients were randomly assigned into group 1 (COH with IUI, N= 44) and group 2 (COH with TI, N=41). Patients underwent COH using sequential Clomiphene Citrate and injection human menopausal gonadotrophin followed by IUI in group 1 and timed intercourse in group 2. Either protocol was repeated for three consecutive cycles. Finally, both groups were compared for clinical pregnancy rate, adverse effects and acceptability of the treatment process and outcome. Comparison was done by Student’s unpaired t test for continuous and 2-tailed chi square test for categorical variables.Results: Clinical pregnancy rates following COH/IUI and COH/TI were 13.64% and 19.51% respectively. There was observable difference in the acceptability of the outcome (38.64% in IUI and 56.09% in TI group). All the results including complications and side effect rates were statistically insignificant.Conclusions: Present study failed to show any improvement of pregnancy rates following addition of IUI over TI and it raised the probability that the outcome of the procedure may not be well accepted.

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Effect of Chlorhexidine Cleansing of Umbilical Cord for Prevention of Infection

Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.3329/bjid.v4i2.37683 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 35-39

Author(s):

Md Khairuzzaman ◽

MA Mannan ◽

Abdul Matin ◽

Mst Monjuman Ara Sarker ◽

Nihar Ranjan Sarker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Umbilical Cord ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Care Group ◽

Cord Care ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

To Receive ◽

Level Hospital ◽

Group 1

Background: Chlorhexidine cleansing of the cord can reduce neonatal mortality among newborns.Objective: The aim of study was to determine the effect of cord cleansing with chlorhexidine in reduction of umbilical infection among newborns in hospital settings.Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was carried out between April 2013 to July 2014 and 510 newborns were randomly assigned within a tertiary level hospital in Bangladesh to receive 1 of 3 cord care regimens single cord cleansing with 4% chlorhexidine(Group-1), multiple cord cleansing with 4% chlorhexidine (Group-2) and clean and dry cord care (Group-3 : control).Results: The risk of umbilical cord infection (omphalitis) was significantly reduced in both the single (Relative risk [RR] 0.15 [95% CI] 0.008-0.93) and multiple chlorhexidine cleansing group (RR 0.37 [95% CI] 0.04- 0.99) compared to the dry cord care group. The risk of omphalitis was not significantly different between multiple and single chlorhexidine cleansing group (RR 3.14 [0.13-76.54]). Conclusion: Chlorhexidine significantly reduce the risk of umbilical infection in both single and multiple cord cleansing neonates.Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2017;4(2):35-39

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Single versus repetitive injection of lignocaine in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome – a randomized controlled trial

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) ◽

10.1177/1753193413517326 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 179-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Akarsu ◽

Ö. Karadaş ◽

F. Tok ◽

H. Levent Gül ◽

E. Eroğlu

Keyword(s):

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Electrophysiological Findings ◽

Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Group 2 ◽

Single Versus ◽

Group 1

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of single versus repetitive injection of lignocaine into the carpal tunnel for the management of carpal tunnel syndrome. The 42 patients included were randomly assigned to two Groups: group 1 was injected with 4 mL of 1% lignocaine once and Group 2 was injected with 4 mL of 1% lignocaine twice a week for 2 weeks. Clinical and electrophysiological evaluations were performed at the study onset, and at 6 and 12 weeks following the final injection. Initially, the groups were similar with respect to clinical and electrophysiological findings. All parameters in Group 2 improved 6 weeks post treatment ( p < 0.05), and these improvements persisted at 12 weeks post treatment ( p < 0.05). Repetitive local lignocaine injection was effective in reducing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and improving electrophysiological findings.

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Effectiveness of Low-Frequency Stimulation in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Techniques for Post-Ankle-Sprain Balance and Proprioception in Adults- a Randomized controlled trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-29932/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

KHALID A ALAHMARI ◽

Paul Silvian Samuel ◽

Irshad Ahmad ◽

Ravi Shankar Reddy ◽

Jaya Shanker Tedla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Ankle Sprain ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract BackgroundStretching is an important part of post-ankle-sprain rehabilitation, as well as an effective exercise for improving general ankle-joint performance. But the combination of stretching alongside muscle stimulation has not yet been extensively studied. Therefore the purpose of the present research is to compare the baseline, post- and follow-up effects of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching technique combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), as compared against the effects of the PNF stretching technique alone.MethodsSixty subjects with lateral ankle sprains were selected and randomly allocated to three groups: Experimental Group One (EG 1), Experimental Group Two (EG 2), and the Control Group (CG). Subjects in EG 1 received the PNF stretching technique combined with TENS. Subjects in EG2 received the PNF stretching technique alone. Both experimental groups received these treatments for 4 weeks (4 days/week); follow-up assessments were administered in the third and fifth weeks. CG received no treatment; outcome measures alone were assessed. Outcome measures comprised pain, flexibility, proprioception, range of motion, muscle strength, physical activity, and balance. A mixed-model ANOVA was used to analyze the effects of time factors and groups on these outcome measures.ResultsThere was significant interaction (time and group), and the time effect for all the outcome measures (p < 0.05). Physical activity, dorsiflexion, and balance in the medial, lateral, anterolateral, and anteromedial directions did not show a significant difference between the groups. EG 1 showed significant improvement for all the outcome variables between pre- and post-treatment and follow-up when compared to the other groups.ConclusionsThe present study showed that a 12-session treatment program of 3 weeks’ duration that combines PNF stretching with low-frequency TENS for post-ankle sprain subjects, compared against PNF stretching alone, produced significant improvements in balance, proprioception, strength, and range of motion. The study also showed that the treatment effect was sustained even after treatment was ceased after the follow-up assessment in the fifth week.Trial Registration:Human Research Ethics Committee approval for the trial (approval no.: (ECM#2019-26)Clinical trial was also registered in the Clinical Trials Registry – ISRCTN 18013941

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Effects of Water Restriction and Supplementation on Cognitive Performances and Mood among Young Adults in Baoding, China: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13103645 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 3645

Author(s):

Jianfen Zhang ◽

Guansheng Ma ◽

Songming Du ◽

Shufang Liu ◽

Na Zhang

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Hydration Status ◽

Water Restriction ◽

Operation Span ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Baseline Test ◽

Group 2 ◽

Water Supplementation ◽

Group 1

The brain is approximately 75% water. Therefore, insufficient water intake may affect the cognitive performance of humans. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of water restriction and supplementation on cognitive performances and mood, and the optimum amount of water to alleviate the detrimental effects of dehydration, among young adults. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 76 young, healthy adults aged 18–23 years old from Baoding, China. After fasting overnight for 12 h, at 8:00 a.m. of day 2, the osmolality of the first morning urine and blood, cognitive performance, and mood were measured as a baseline test. After water restriction for 24 h, at 8:00 a.m. of day 3, the same indexes were measured as a dehydration test. Participants were randomly assigned into four groups: water supplementation group (WS group) 1, 2, or 3 (given 1000, 500, or 200 mL purified water), and the no water supplementation group (NW group). Furthermore, participants were instructed to drink all the water within 10 min. Ninety minutes later, the same measurements were performed as a rehydration test. Compared with the baseline test, participants were all in dehydration and their scores on the portrait memory test, vigor, and self-esteem decreased (34 vs. 27, p < 0.001; 11.8 vs. 9.2, p < 0.001; 7.8 vs. 6.4, p < 0.001). Fatigue and TMD (total mood disturbance) increased (3.6 vs. 4.8, p = 0.004; 95.7 vs. 101.8, p < 0.001) in the dehydration test. Significant interactions between time and volume were found in hydration status, fatigue, vigor, TMD, symbol search test, and operation span test (F = 6.302, p = 0.001; F = 3.118, p = 0.029; F = 2.849, p = 0.043; F = 2.859, p = 0.043; F = 3.463, p = 0.021) when comparing the rehydration and dehydration test. Furthermore, the hydration status was better in WS group 1 compared to WS group 2; the fatigue and TMD scores decreased, and the symbol search test and operation span test scores increased, only in WS group 1 and WS group 2 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between them (p > 0.05). Dehydration impaired episodic memory and mood. Water supplementation improved processing speed, working memory, and mood, and 1000 mL was the optimum volume.

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Comparison of Single Antibiotic Paste Nitrofurantoin and Calcium Hydroxide Paste as Intracanal Medicaments in Alleviating Post-Operative Pain in Patients with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis -A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i46a32891 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 484-494

Author(s):

Hira Abbasi ◽

Abhishek Lal ◽

Ammara Shamim Jaffrani

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Calcium Hydroxide ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Pain Scores ◽

Post Operative Pain ◽

Group 2 ◽

Irreversible Pulpitis ◽

Group 1

Aims: This study aims to compare the efficacy in alleviating pain between intracanal medicaments, namely Nitrofurantoin and Calcium Hydroxide Paste. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Operative Dentistry, Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences, Pakistan, between January 2021 and May 2021. Methodology: 60 patients were randomly divided into 3 groups, each group having 20 patients as following: Group 1: Nitrofurantoin, Group 2: Calcium Hydroxide and Group 3: Control. Preoperative pain was recorded using a numerical pain scale. After access preparation, chemomechanical preparation was performed with subsequent placement of intracanal medicaments. Pre-operative pain score was initially recorded, followed by post-operative pain at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. Root canal treatment was performed in single rooted teeth with patients suffering from symptomatic irreversible pulpitis Results: Majority of the patients in all 3 groups were initially presented with moderate to severe pre-operative pain. After 72 hours post-operatively, 50% patients in Group 1 reported no pain, while 5% patients in both Group 2 and 3 had no pain. Pain significantly subsided in Group 1 as compared to Group 2 and 3. Regarding age and gender, both had no significant relationship with the pain scores in all of the 3 groups Conclusion: Nitrofurantoin has been proven to be an effective intracanal medicament in alleviating immediate post-operative pain in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis as compared to calcium hydroxide. While the control group with no intracanal medicament showed little reduction in pain scores. So, nitrofurantoin can be used as a substitute to currently available standard intracanal medicaments.

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Role of intermittent pneumatic compression in the treatment of breast cancer–related lymphoedema: a randomized controlled trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215519888792 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 220-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Engin Tastaban ◽

Aykut Soyder ◽

Elif Aydin ◽

Omer Faruk Sendur ◽

Yasemin Turan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Excess Volume ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression ◽

University Hospital ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Objective: To evaluate the role of intermittent pneumatic compression in the treatment of breast cancer–related lymphoedema. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic at a university hospital. Subjects: Seventy-six patients with lymphoedema. Interventions: Patients were allocated into Group 1 (complex decongestive treatment, n = 38) and Group 2 (complex decongestive treatment + intermittent pneumatic compression, n = 38). The complex decongestive treatment involved skin care, manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, and exercise for 20 sessions. Group 2 additionally received intermittent pneumatic compression. Main measures: Quantitative outcomes consisted of volumetric measures prior to and after the treatment. Clinical assessments included severity of pain, heaviness and tightness, disability, grip strength, and depression. Results: Lymphoedema was similar at baseline, but treatments significantly reduced the excess volume (from 373 mL to 203 mL in Group 1 and 379.5 mL to 189.5 mL in Group 2). Percentage excess volumes (PEVs) decreased in both groups. The percentage reduction of excess volume was better in Group 2 than Group 1, but the intergroup difference was not significant. The clinical scores reflected improvements, but the heaviness and tightness read significantly lower in Group 2 than Group 1. Conclusion: Intermittent pneumatic compression seems to add no benefit when combined with complex decongestive treatment of lymphoedema, but, may be functional in reducing the sensations of heaviness and tightness for the patients with pitting oedema.

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Oral tranexamic acid for an additional 24 hours postoperatively versus a single preoperative intravenous dose for reducing blood loss in total knee arthroplasty: results of a randomized controlled trial (TRAC-24)

The Bone & Joint Journal ◽

10.1302/0301-620x.103b10.bjj-2020-2308.r1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 103-B (10) ◽

pp. 1595-1603

Author(s):

Paul Magill ◽

Janet C. Hill ◽

Leeann Bryce ◽

Una Martin ◽

Al Dorman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Blood Loss ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

History Of ◽

Total Knee ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Aims In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), blood loss continues internally after surgery is complete. Typically, the total loss over 48 postoperative hours can be around 1,300 ml, with most occurring within the first 24 hours. We hypothesize that the full potential of tranexamic acid (TXA) to decrease TKA blood loss has not yet been harnessed because it is rarely used beyond the intraoperative period, and is usually withheld from ‘high-risk’ patients with a history of thromboembolic, cardiovascular, or cerebrovascular disease, a patient group who would benefit greatly from a reduced blood loss. Methods TRAC-24 was a prospective, phase IV, single-centre, open label, parallel group, randomized controlled trial on patients undergoing TKA, including those labelled as high-risk. The primary outcome was indirect calculated blood loss (IBL) at 48 hours. Group 1 received 1 g intravenous (IV) TXA at the time of surgery and an additional 24-hour postoperative oral regime of four 1 g doses, while Group 2 only received the intraoperative dose and Group 3 did not receive any TXA. Results Between July 2016 and July 2018, 552 patients were randomized to either Group 1 (n = 241), Group 2 (n = 243), or Group 3 (n = 68), and 551 were included in the final analysis. The blood loss did differ significantly between the two intervention groups (733.5 ml (SD 384.0) for Group 1 and 859.2 ml (SD 363.6 ml) for Group 2; mean difference -125.8 ml (95% confidence interval -194.0 to -57.5; p < 0.001). No differences in mortality or thromboembolic events were observed in any group. Conclusion These data support the hypothesis that in TKA, a TXA regime consisting of IV 1 g perioperatively and four oral 1 g doses over 24 hours postoperatively significantly reduces blood loss beyond that achieved with a single IV 1 g perioperative dose alone. TXA appears safe in patients with history of thromboembolic, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular disease. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(10):1595–1603.

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