scholarly journals The Effect of Hamstring Relaxation Program on Headache, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Range of Motion in Patients with Tension Headache: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author(s):  
Soon-Hyun Kwon ◽  
Eun-Jung Chung ◽  
Jin Lee ◽  
Sang-Woo Kim ◽  
Byoung-Hee Lee

The purpose of this study was to determine if the severity of headache is reduced by decreasing hamstring tension in patients with tension headache. Thirty patients participated in this study. The participants were randomly allocated to two groups: hamstring relaxation program (HR) group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). The participants in the HR group participated in a HR program for 25 min per day, three times per week, for a period of 4 weeks, and the control group participated in an electrotherapy for 25 min per day, three times per week, for a period of 4 weeks. Both groups participated in a self-myofacial release for 5 min per day, three times per week, for a period of 4 weeks. Headache was evaluated using the headache impact test (HIT-6) and visual analog scale (VAS). The pain pressure threshold (PPT) was evaluated using a digital pressure algometer. The range of motion (ROM) was evaluated using a goniometer and two special tests: straight leg raise test (SLRT) and popliteal angle test (PAT). The two groups showed no significant differences in terms of age, sex, height, and weight. The VAS and HIT-6 scores (p < 0.05) and neck and hamstring PPT showed significant improvements (p < 0.05). Neck flexion ROM and SLRT and PAT scores showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in both groups, and the HR group showed significantly more improvements than the control group. This study confirmed that the HR program has positive effects on tension headache and is a good intervention for alleviating headaches in patients with tension headache.

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (7) ◽  
pp. 911-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myrto D. Dounavi ◽  
Linda S. Chesterton ◽  
Julius Sim

Background Little evidence exists regarding parameter selection for hypoalgesia using interferential therapy (IFT). Objective This study investigated segmental and extrasegmental hypoalgesic effects of different IFT parameter combinations upon experimentally induced pressure pain threshold (PPT) in pain-free volunteers. Design The participants were randomly assigned to 6 groups: control, placebo, bipolar constant amplitude modulation frequency (AMF), bipolar sweep AMF, quadripolar constant AMF, and quadripolar sweep AMF. Setting The study was conducted in a university laboratory. Participants One hundred eighty adults who were healthy and pain-free participated in the study. Intervention Interferential therapy was delivered to all groups at high, to-tolerance intensity and at high AMF. Stimulation to the dominant forearm was delivered for 30 minutes, with monitoring for a further 30 minutes. Measurements Pain pressure threshold was measured at the area of first dorsal interosseous muscle of the dominant and nondominant hands (segmental measurements) and over the tibialis anterior muscle (extrasegmental measurement) at baseline and at 10-minute intervals using a pressure algometer. Square root transformed PPT data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results There was a significant change in PPT over time, but no significant between-subjects difference in segmental or extrasegmental PPT between any of the IFT groups and the placebo or control group. Thus, IFT delivered in any of these parameter combinations did not significantly affect the PPT of pain-free participants compared with the control or placebo group. Limitations Success of blinding was not evaluated. Conclusions This study showed that IFT delivered at high, to-tolerance intensity and high AMF does not produce significant segmental and extrasegmental hypoalgesic effects on PPT in participants who were healthy compared with a control or placebo group. Further research is warranted to investigate the hypoalgesic effect of different IFT parameter combinations and to explain its possible mechanism of action.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 2411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Victoria Espí-López ◽  
Anna Arnal-Gómez ◽  
Alba Cuerda del Pino ◽  
José Benavent-Corai ◽  
Pilar Serra-Añó ◽  
...  

Background: Isolated manual therapy techniques (MT) have shown beneficial effects in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) but the effect of the combination of such techniques, together with the well-stablished splint therapy (ST) remains to be elucidated. Objective: This study was conducted to ascertain whether a combined program of MT techniques, including intraoral treatment, plus traditional ST improves pain and clinical dysfunction in subjects with TMD. Methods: A preliminary trial was conducted. 16 participants were assigned to either the MT plus ST-Experimental Group (EG, n = 8) or the ST alone—Control Group (CG, n = 8). Forty-five minute sessions of combined MT techniques were performed, once a week for four weeks. Three evaluations were conducted: baseline, post-treatment, and one-month follow-up. Outcome measures were pain perception, pain pressure threshold (PPT), TMD dysfunction, and perception of change after treatment. Results: EG showed significant reduction on pain, higher PPT, significant improvement of dysfunction and significantly positive perception of change after treatment (p < 0.05 all). Additionally, such positive effects were maintained at follow-up with a high treatment effect (R2 explaining 26.6–33.2% of all variables). Conclusion: MT plus ST showed reduction on perceived pain (3 points decrease), higher PPT (of at least 1.0 kg/cm2), improvement of disability caused by pain (4.4 points decrease), and positive perception of change (EG: 50% felt “much improvement”), compared to ST alone.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096452842110395
Author(s):  
Sergio Montero Navarro ◽  
Sonia del Rio Medina ◽  
José Martín Botella Rico ◽  
María Isabel Rocha Ortiz ◽  
María Teresa Pérez Gracia

Objectives: To evaluate the changes in pain pressure threshold (PPT) and active cervical range of motion (ACROM) after the application of superficial dry needling (DN) or deep DN in myofascial trigger point (MTrP) 1 of the upper trapezius versus a simulated DN technique in the gastrocnemius muscle (control group). Design: Double-blind, randomized controlled trial with 7-day follow-up. Participants: Asymptomatic volunteers (n = 180; 76 men, 104 women) with a latent MTrP 1 in the upper trapezius were randomly divided into three groups: G1, receiving superficial DN in the upper trapezius; G2, receiving deep DN in the upper trapezius; and G3, control group, receiving simulated DN technique in the gastrocnemius muscle. Main outcome measures: While sitting in a chair, each subject underwent measurements of PPT and ACROM (ipsilateral and contralateral side flexion and rotation, flexion and extension) preintervention, (immediately) postintervention, and at 24 h, 72 h and 7 days. Results: Superficial and deep DN produced an increase in PPT at 7 days with respect to preintervention levels. Furthermore, superficial and deep DN produced a decrease in cervical flexion at 24 h and an increase in ipsilateral rotation until 72 h, increasing to 7 days in the case of deep DN. On the contrary, superficial DN produced an increase in ipsilateral and contralateral side flexion after intervention, unlike deep DN that produced a decrease at 24 h. Furthermore, superficial DN produced an increase in contralateral rotation at 24 h and deep DN decreased extension at 72 h. Conclusion: A single intervention of superficial or deep DN did not produce statistically significant changes in PPT or goniometry measurements. Trial registration number: NCT03719352 ( ClinicalTrials.gov )


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Cruz ◽  
Davi Rodrigues Martins ◽  
Richarlison Amaral ◽  
Rodrigo Manhães ◽  
Mairkon Almeida Soares

Dry Needling (DN) is a technique indicated to treat injuries of muscle origin and widely used in the deactivation of myofascial trigger points (PGMs). Its application almost always produces immediate effect, decreasing pain and increasing range of motion. The main objective of the present study was to verify the effectiveness of Dry Needling in the deactivation of myofascial trigger points. A search was carried out through three distinct databases and 10 articles dating from the last ten years were selected, with a score greater than or equal to six, in the classification of the PEDro platform (Physiotherapy Evidence Database). All selected articles were classified as randomized controlled trials, where eight are blind randomized clinical trials and two double blind randomized clinical trials. Outcomes ranged from decreased trigger points, increased range of motion, pain intensity and pain pressure threshold. The studies included in this review suggest that Dry Needling has a fundamental role in the treatment of PGMs, mainly increasing the pressure pain threshold, thus suggesting trigger point deactivation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026921552110491
Author(s):  
Ertugrul Yuksel ◽  
Bayram Unver ◽  
Vasfi Karatosun

Objective To investigate the effects of kinesio taping and cold therapy on pain, edema, range of motion, muscle strength, functional level and quality of life in patients with total knee arthroplasty. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting A university hospital. Subjects One-hundred patients were included. Intervention Patients were allocated into three groups; control group, kinesio group and cold therapy group. The control group received a standard rehabilitation program. Kinesio taping group received two fan-shaped kinesio taping bands and cold therapy group received cold packs in addition to the standard rehabilitation program. Main measures The outcome measures were pain, edema, range of motion, muscle strength, functional level and quality of life. Participants were assessed at preoperative, discharge and postoperative third month. Results The groups were similar at preoperative. A significant difference was determined in terms of pain in kinesio taping group compared to the control group at the discharge. Cold therapy was efficient in reducing postoperative swelling but kinesio taping had no significant effects on swelling control. There was no difference between the groups in terms of range of motion, muscle strength, functional level and quality of life. The groups were similar in all parameters at the postoperative third month measurements. Conclusion Fan-shaped kinesio taping is an effective technique in terms of postoperative pain relief. Cold therapy is an effective method in terms of edema control. Kinesio taping and cold therapy has no specific beneficial effect on functional level, muscle strength and quality of life compared to control group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 10650
Author(s):  
Isabel Gómez-Calcerrada ◽  
Ana Myriam Lavín-Pérez ◽  
Santos Villafaina ◽  
Juan Carlos Rueda-Rubio ◽  
Beatriz Rivera-Martín ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Despite the scientific evidence of the positive effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is not still considered an evidence-based practice for this population. The proposed study will aim to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted therapy program on gait, posture, and communication skills. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 adults with ASD will participate in this non-randomized controlled trial. The experimental group will involve 12 participants who will receive AAT for 10 weeks, at two sessions per week. The focus of these sessions will be conducting different activities and physical exercises, facilitated by dogs. The control group will receive treatment as usual. The outcome measures will be the ability to walk and climbing stairs, balance, risk of falls and communication skills. Conclusions: The role of dogs as facilitators of the movement may lead to relevant benefits in the gait, posture and communication skills of adults with ASD, improving their ability to perform activities of daily living.


Author(s):  
Wilawan Kanhachon ◽  
Yodchai Boonprakob

Modified-active release therapy (mART) was developed to treat patients experiencing upper quarter pain. The objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the mART in treating pain, promoting function, and measuring emotions in patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) and masticatory myofascial pain (MMP). A stratified-randomized controlled trial was employed in 38 participants separated into two groups. All participants underwent the same series visual analog scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), mouth opening (MO), maximum mouth opening (MMO), craniovertebral angle (CV-angle), and pain catastrophizing scale Thai version (PCS-Thai-version) at the baseline. The mART group underwent the mART program three times a week for 4 weeks with a hot pack and an educational briefing while the control group received only a hot pack and the educational briefing. After treatment, both groups showed significant improvement (p < 0.05) in all parameters except MO, MMO, and CV-angle. When comparing outcomes between the groups, the mART group showed a statistically significant greater number of improvements than did the control group. In conclusion, the mART program can improve pain experienced by patients with SCS and MMP and it can be used as an adjuvant technique with conservative treatment.


Cephalalgia ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Bono ◽  
F Antonaci ◽  
G Sandrini ◽  
E Pucci ◽  
G Nappi ◽  
...  

Pain perception threshold (PFT) in the head was assessed with a pressure algometer in 58 cluster headache (CH) patients (52M, 6F; 41 episodic and 17 chronic). Fourteen patients in cluster period were retested in remission. Thresholds were assessed at 10 symmetrical points on each side of the head and at the deltoid. Compared with controls ( n = 80), CH patients had lower PPT in the head and in the deltoid. PPT was lower on the symptomatic side than on the non-symptomatic side in patients with episodic CH during a cluster period ( p<0.001) and in patients with chronic CH ( p<0.05). This pattern was more evident during a cluster period than during remission ( p<0.05). A reduced PPT did not correlate with illness duration and pain side. The lowest PPT mean values were found at the anterior and intermediate levels of the temporal muscle on the symptomatic side. These results imply a central mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of CH.


Author(s):  
Angela Chu ◽  
Tyler M Rose ◽  
Danielle A Gundrum ◽  
Tressa E McMorris ◽  
Eytan A Klausner ◽  
...  

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose Pharmacists report high levels of burnout. Mindfulness approaches have been demonstrated to have positive results in the general population and in other healthcare professions. However, limited studies have been performed evaluating mindfulness approaches in student pharmacists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of daily use of a mindfulness mobile application in improving student pharmacists’ perceived stress, burnout, and mindfulness. Methods This study was a randomized, longitudinal, waitlist-controlled trial. The intervention group was asked to meditate using the mindfulness application Headspace daily for at least 6 weeks. The waitlist control group was asked to abstain from using the application for the entire study. Stress, burnout, and mindfulness were assessed using validated survey instruments at baseline, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks. A secondary outcome was to assess the persistence of application use after the intervention period. Results Fifty-six participants completed the study. The intervention group reported significantly lower scores on stress and burnout at 6 weeks compared to the control group. The intervention group also reported significantly higher scores on mindfulness. The differences in stress, burnout, and mindfulness persisted at follow-up. The mean percentage of students in the intervention group who used the application each day was 90% over the intervention period and 62% over the follow-up period. Conclusion A mindfulness mobile application significantly improved student pharmacists’ stress, burnout, and mindfulness with daily use. Most participants continued to use the application for 4 weeks after the end of the intervention. Positive effects on stress and mindfulness persisted even with decreased use.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Sadat Hashemi ◽  
Mahboobeh khorsandi ◽  
Mohsen Shamsi ◽  
Rahmatollah Moradzadeh

Abstract Background: In order to prevent oral diseases, the use of appropriate educational methods at childhood is one of the most important determinants of the public health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of training through animations and games on oral health self-efficacy and self-care behaviors in students aged 6-12 years old. Methods: In this interventional study, 82 students were selected using cluster random sampling (38 subjects in the case group and 44 in the control group). The case group received 4 sessions of blended learning per week including animations and games while the control group received routine school education. Data were collected in six domains, including demographics, self-care, knowledge, attitude, behavior and self-efficacy before and 5 months after the intervention using a questionnaire. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Results: Five months after the intervention, the mean score of self-care increased from 3.8 to 4.8 of 5, the mean score of self-efficacy increased from 36.8 to 48.9 of 70, and the mean score of behavior increased from 17.07 to 18.29 of 32, indicating significant changes (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in these variables in the control group (p >0.05) Conclusion: Use of combined methods for oral health self-care education has positive effects on the students' performance and self-efficacy. IRCT registration number: This trial has been registered at IRCT. IRCT2017042133565N1 Registration date: 2017-05-17 https://en.irct.ir/trial/25851


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