Effects of phantom exercises on pain, mobility, and quality of life among lower limb amputees; a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background The objective of the current study is to evaluate the effects of phantom exercises on phantom limb pain, mobility status, and quality of life in lower limb amputees treated with mirror therapy and routine physiotherapy. Methods It is a randomized controlled trial in which 24 unilateral lower limb amputees (above and below the knee) were randomly assigned to two equal groups i.e., control group (mirror therapy and conventional physical therapy) and experimental group in which, phantom exercises were given, additionally. Physical therapy included conventional therapeutic exercises while phantom exercises include imagining the movement of the phantom limb and attempting to execute these movements Data were collected at baseline, after 2 and 4 weeks of intervention using VAS (pain), AMP (mobility) and RAND SF-36 Version 1.0 (QOL) questionnaires. All statistical analyses were done with IBM SPSS 25.0 with 95% CI. Results Twenty-four amputees (17 males and 7 females) participated in this trial. The Mean age of the participants in experimental and control groups was 45.3 ± 11.1 years and 40.5 ± 12.5 years respectively. After the intervention, the pain (VAS score) was significantly lower in the experimental group (p = 0.003). Similarly, the experimental group demonstrated a significantly better score in the “bodily pain” domain of SF-36 (p = 0.012). Both groups significantly (p < 0.05) improved in other domains of SF-36 and ambulatory potential with no significant (p > 0.05) between-group differences. Conclusions The Addition of phantom exercises resulted in significantly better pain management in lower limb amputees treated with mirror therapy and routine physiotherapy. Trial registration This study is registered in the U.S National Library of Medicine. The clinical trials registration number for this study is NCT04285138 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier) (Date: 26/02/2020).

Download Full-text

Effectiveness of Hydrogalvanic Bath on Improving Pain, Disability, and Quality of Life in Individuals with Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/7974816 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Mastour Saeed Alshahrani ◽

Jaya Shanker Tedla ◽

Ravi Shankar Reddy ◽

Faisal Asiri

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Pain Disability ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Neck Disability ◽

Experimental Group

Background. Neck pain is one of the world’s leading factors in years lived with disability. Ambiguity in the effect of electrotherapy modalities for the treatment of chronic nonspecific neck pains (CNSNP) needs to be examined further. This study sought to elucidate the effectiveness of hydrogalvanic bath on improving pain, disability, and quality of life among individuals with CNSNP. Methods. Thirty-four individuals with a diagnosis of CNSNP were selected through convenient sampling and randomly divided into two groups by block randomization. The control group treatment underwent low Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and exercise, and the experimental group was subjected to hydrogalvanic bath therapy (HGBT) and exercise. Individuals were evaluated for pain using a visual analog scale (VAS), disability with the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and quality of life with Short Form-36 (SF-36). These measures were applied at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results. The pretreatment and posttreatment results for VAS, NDI, and SF-36 were compared for both control and experimental groups. We found that all the three variables showed significant differences between the two time points with p < 0.05 in both the groups but the experimental group improvements were more significant than the control group with p < 0.05 . Conclusion. Twelve weeks of low TENS or HGBT along with exercises can decrease pain and neck disability and increase the quality of life in individuals with CNSNP. However, HGBT along with exercise has superior effects relative to low TENS along with exercise. This randomized controlled trial was registered in the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trials Number-ISRCTN29695190 and registered on 05/02/2020. This study is a retrospective registration.

Download Full-text

Factors affecting quality of life in lower limb amputees

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.1177/0309364610397087 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 90-96 ◽

Cited By ~ 117

Author(s):

Richa Sinha ◽

Wim JA van den Heuvel ◽

Perianayagam Arokiasamy

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

General Population ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Short Form ◽

Treatment Protocol ◽

Phantom Limb ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Prospective Longitudinal ◽

Lower Limb Amputees

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is increasingly being recognized as an important outcome for rehabilitation programs, and has mainly been used to compare the efficacy of interventions or to compare amputees with other diseased populations. There is relatively a limited number of studies primarily focusing on analyzing the multitude of factors influencing QoL in amputees.Objectives: To identify important background and amputation related factors which affect quality of life (QoL) in lower limb amputees, and to compare QoL profile of amputees’ to that of general population.Study design: Cross-sectional.Methods: Lower limb amputees 18 years and above from a rehabilitation centre, a limb-fitting centre and four limb-fitting camps were interviewed ( n = 605). Structured questionnaires included patient background and amputation characteristics, and the MOS short-form health survey (SF-36) for assessing QoL. The SF-36 was administered to a general adult population using purposive sampling ( n = 184).Results: SF-36 PCS and MCS scores were found to be significantly lower for amputees when compared to those for the general population. In this study, employment status, use of an assistive device, use of a prosthesis, comorbidities, phantom-limb pain and residual stump pain were found to predict both PCS and MCS scores significantly, and explained 47.8% and 29.7% of variance respectively. Age and time since amputation accounted for an additional 3% of variance in PCS scores.Conclusions: The abovementioned factors should be addressed in order to ensure holistic reintegration and participation, and to enable the amputees to regain or maintain QoL. Prospective longitudinal studies are recommended to systematically study the change in QoL over time and to assess its determinants.Clinical relevanceProper appraisal of abovementioned factors in the rehabilitation programme would assist in establishing a treatment protocol, which would adequately address QoL in amputees.

Download Full-text

Efficacy of task-specific circuit training on physical activity levels and mobility of stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial

Neurorehabilitation ◽

10.3233/nre-203207 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 451-462

Author(s):

Júlia Caetano Martins ◽

Sylvie Nadeau ◽

Larissa Tavares Aguiar ◽

Aline Alvim Scianni ◽

Luci Fuscaldi Teixeira-Salmela ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Secondary Outcomes ◽

Experimental Group

BACKGROUND: Impaired mobility is related to low physical activity (PA) levels observed after stroke. Therapeutic approaches, such as task-specific circuit training (TSCT), used to improve mobility in individuals with stroke, could also improve PA levels. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of TSCT, focused on both upper (UL) and lower (LL) limbs, in improving PA levels and mobility (primary outcomes), as well as muscle strength, exercise capacity, and quality of life (secondary outcomes) in subjects with stroke. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with 36 subjects with chronic stroke was conducted. Experimental group: TSCT, involving both UL and LL. Control group: global stretching, memory exercises, and education sessions. Both groups received 60 minute sessions/week over 12 weeks. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-intervention and 16 week follow-up. RESULTS: No changes were found for primary and secondary outcomes (0.11≤p≤0.99), except for quality of life, which improved in the experimental group post-intervention and 16 week follow-up (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: TSCT focused on both UL and LL was not effective on PA levels and mobility of individuals with chronic stroke, however, improvements in quality of life were observed. Since this is the first study to investigate this combined training aimed at improving PA levels, future studies are necessary to better understand the impact of this type of intervention.

Download Full-text

Web-Based Intervention to Improve Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Patients’ Shock-Related Anxiety and Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Clinical Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/1054773817741427 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 150-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tuğba Yardımcı ◽

Hatice Mert

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Web Based ◽

Cardioverter Defibrillator ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Shock Anxiety

In spite of its effectiveness, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients face psychological problems such as shock-related anxiety due to device shocks. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a web-based intervention program for ICD patients would reduce shock-related anxiety and improve quality of life compared with usual care. This was a randomized controlled trial study including a total of 76 patients. Data were collected using Turkish versions of the Florida Shock Anxiety Scale and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) at 0 (baseline), 3, and 6 months. Following intervention, there was a significant decrease in shock anxiety levels of patients and a statistically significant increase in social functioning, role-physical, mental health, vitality, and bodily pain subdimensions of SF-36. While no statistically significant difference was found between groups in terms of summary scores of SF-36, our results suggest that web-based interventions can be useful for ICD patients.

Download Full-text

Perceptions of phantom limb pain in lower limb amputees and its effect on quality of life: a qualitative study

British Journal of Pain ◽

10.1177/2049463715590884 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 70-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Esmé G Trevelyan ◽

Warren A Turner ◽

Nicola Robinson

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Phantom Limb Pain ◽

Phantom Limb ◽

Limb Pain ◽

Lower Limb Amputees

Download Full-text

Use of Auricular Acupressure to Improve the Quality of Life in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2014/343608 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Shaoqing Wang ◽

Zhaohui Chen ◽

Ping Fu ◽

Li Zang ◽

Li Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Kidney Diseases ◽

Short Form ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Chronic Kidney Diseases ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Auricular Acupressure ◽

Sf 36

Background. Diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suffer from low quality of life (QOL). We aim to assess the effectiveness of auricular acupressure for QOL improvement in these patients.Materials and Methods. Sixty-two participants were randomly assigned to an auricular or a control arm in a randomized controlled trial. Participants in the auricular arm were instructed to perform auricular acupressure 3–5 times per day for 3 months, when they were receiving conventional treatments. Participants in the control arm received conventional treatments only. The primary outcome was the summarized score of Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short-Form (KDQOL-SF) at 3 months after randomization. The secondary outcomes included the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Results. The summarized KDQOL differed significantly between the acupressure (76.6, 95% CI, 72.2 to 81.0) and the control group (61.8, 95% CI, 57.7 to 65.9). Similar results were found in the SF-36 scores. HbA1c and eGFR were not found to be significantly different between the arms and neither were the adverse events.Conclusion. Auricular acupressure was well tolerated in diabetic patients with chronic kidney diseases receiving hemodialysis. Future research is needed to confirm these results.

Download Full-text

Modulation of the human immune status by spinal thermal massage: a non-randomized controlled study

10.22514/sv.2021.144 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Experimental Group

Thermal and massage therapies have long been used to control pain. Although spinal thermal massage (STM) has been used worldwide, its effectiveness has not been proven in a controlled clinical study. We here conducted a non-randomized controlled trial to assess the pain-relieving and immunomodulatory effects of STM in old-aged patients experiencing pain or disability. The experimental group was treated with STM five times a week for 8 weeks and rehabilitative regular care (RRC). The control group was treated with only RRC. Pain and immunological parameters were tested before treatment and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The scores of three pain parameters were lowered by STM, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant at the two time points (p < 0.01). Quality of life determined using the 3-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire scores was significantly higher in patients in the experimental group than those in the control group. Effect sizes (ES) were in the range of medium to large in the pain-related measures (0.54–1.22). The total leukocyte counts and the proportions of lymphocytes and subsets were not significantly different between the groups, whereas the proportions of monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells were higher in the experimental group than in the control group after 8 weeks (p < 0.05). The production of interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon γ in T cells was not significantly different between the groups, whereas the production of IL-2 was high in the control group. However, there was a significant increase in IFN-γ production by NK cells in the experimental group (at 4 weeks, p < 0.05). ES were medium in the immunological measures (0.53–0.68). No significant difference was observed in the production of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, or IL-6 between the groups. In conclusion, STM treatment has a positive effect on subjective pain and quality of life. It also enhanced NK cell proportion and activity, suggesting that STM may be beneficial in the prevention of viral diseases and cancer in old-aged people.

Download Full-text

Effects of Virtual Reality Associated With Serious Games for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16509/v4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alicia Cuesta-Gómez ◽

Patricia Sanchez-Herrera Baeza ◽

Edwin Daniel Oña-Simbaña ◽

Alicia Martínez-Medina ◽

Carmen Ortiz-Comino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Serious Games ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Dexterity and activities of daily living limitations on the upper limb (UL) represent one of the most common problems in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the specially developed Serious Games that make use of the Leap Motion Controller (LMC) as main user interface for improving UL grip muscle strength, dexterity, fatigue, quality of life, satisfaction and compliance. Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. The sample was randomized into two groups: an experimental group who received treatment based on serious games designed by the research team using the developed LMC based Serious Games for the UL plus conventional rehabilitation, and a control group who received the same conventional rehabilitation for the UL. Both groups received two 60 min sessions per week over a ten-week period. Grip muscle strength, coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross UL dexterity, fatigue, quality of life, satisfaction and compliance were assessed in both groups pre-treatment, post-treatment and in a follow-up period of one month without receiving any treatment. Results : In the experimental group compared to the control group, significant improvements were observed in the post-treatment assessment for coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross UL dexterity. Also, significant results were found in the follow-up in coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross for the more affected side. Conclusions: An experimental protocol using an LMC based Serious Games designed for UL rehabilitation showed improvements for unilateral gross manual dexterity, fine manual dexterity, and coordination in MS patients with high satisfaction and excellent compliance.

Download Full-text

Music to improve sleep quality in adults with depression related insomnia (MUSTAFI): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

10.21203/rs.2.10219/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Helle Nystrup Lund ◽

Inge Nygaard Pedersen ◽

Søren Paaske Johnsen ◽

Agnieszka Maria Heymann-Szlachcinska ◽

Maryla Tuszewska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Pharmacological Intervention ◽

Music Listening ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Treatment Of Depression ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract Background Insomnia is a common sleep disorder for adults with depression with major impact on the quality of life. Previous trials suggest that music listening may be helpful in the treatment of sleep disturbances in healthy populations including students and elderly. In addition, small studies with clinical populations of traumatized refugees, adults with chronic insomnia and adults with depression insomnia add to the evidence base. However, the impact of music listening in the treatment of depression related insomnia is not well documented. Objective To examine the efficacy of music listening on sleep quality, symptoms of depression and quality of life in adults with depression related insomnia. Method A single center randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a two arm parallel group design is conducted and reported according to the Consort guidelines. The trial consists of an experimental group and a standard care control group. Both groups receive standard treatment for depression following Danish guidelines in an outpatient unit in psychiatry. The experimental group listen to music minimum 30 minutes at bedtime in four weeks. Discussion This study will provide information on the efficacy of music intervention as a non-pharmacological intervention in the treatment of depression related insomnia. This study will provide novel knowledge concerning music medicine as an evidence based treatment of depression in psychiatry. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov. ID NCT03676491, registered on 19th of September 2018.

Download Full-text