The role of elastic bands (kinesiotapes) in complex therapy of patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis

Introduction. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrosis is a chronic disease, characterized by dystrophic and degenerative changes in TMJ with aseptic inflammatory process. The prevelence of TMJ arthrosis in patients with a history of other TMJ disorders varies between 32-39 % of cases. Complex treatment of TMJ arthrosis includes pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy for TMJ and massage of the masticatory muscles, manual therapy, prosthodontics, but these treatment methods are not always lead to a desired result.The aim of the study is to improve the traditional treament method of patients suffering from TMJ arthrosis by using elastic tapes (kinesiotapes).Materials and methods. 68 patients were examined at the «Galaxy» Beauty Institute Clinic (St. Petersburg) and FSBEI HE SamSMU MOH Russia (Samara). Comparison group of patients was prescribed pharmacotherapy, exercise therapy for TMJ and massage of masticatory muscles, while for the main group of patients the same therapy was enhanced by elastic bands. The effectiveness of therapy was evaluated using a visual-analog pain scale (VAS), mouth opening width and electromyography of the masticatory muscles.Results. Noticeable positive effect in the main group of patients was observed on the 21th day of treatment. By this time patients noticed significant decrease in pain intensity from 8,77±0,8 to 5,19±0,5 (Z1-4=-5,88; p1-4=0,0015) points as well as increase in mouth opening width from 21-23 to 33-35 mm. Similar changes in the comparison group of patients were achieved only by the beginning of fifth week of treatment (Z1-6=-5,58; p1-6=0,0015). The range of mouth opening width increased from 21-23 to 27-29 mm. Amplitude of masticatory muscles biopotentials in maximum intercuspation in patients of the main group almost approached to the normal results by the beginning of the fourth week. In patients of the comparison group the amplitude of masticatory muscles biopotentials remained reduced even by the end of observations (42 day of the study).Conclusion. Thus, the combination of elastic bands applications with conventional treatment methods of TMJ arthrosis greatly increases the effectiveness of therapy and allows to relief pain and normalize bioelectric activity of masticatory muscles in a relatively short time. Due to the simplicity of elastic bands application it is possible to teach patients the technique of self-applying bands and recommend to use them as a prevention of relapse of TMJ arthrosis.

Analysis of Compliance with Time under Tension and Force during Strengthening Exercises with Elastic Bands

Quantifying training variables of a physical exercise modality is essential for an appropriate dosage. In training with elastic bands, time under tension (TUT) and force represent the duration and intensity of this force-training modality. The aims of this study were to evaluate the degree of compliance to TUT prescription for three different scenarios of two exercises and the comparison of the force values obtained versus the estimate values. A total of 29 healthy volunteers were evaluated in a clinical environment under controlled conditions in 3 different scenarios (different velocities or ROMs) of both shoulder abduction and knee extension in 2 sets of 10 repetitions per scenario within a single session. Concentric and isometric phases showed a higher degree of compliance for their TUTs than the eccentric phase TUTs for all scenarios of both exercises, whereas the degree of compliance was higher for the total TUT than for the phases’ TUTs. Additionally, the eccentric phase showed a general tendency to develop for longer time periods than prescribed, whilst the fast scenario showed a higher degree of compliance for isometric phase TUTs and total TUTs than the extant two scenarios in both exercises. On the other hand, the force of the elastic bands tends to be overestimated according to the estimates of the manufacturers. These findings, both those related to the degree of compliance with TUTs and the force analysis, can be used by physiotherapists and other exercise professionals as a reference to achieve a good dosage of routine exercises with elastic bands.

Evaluation of Training with Elastic Bands on Strength and Fatigue Indicators in Paralympic Powerlifting

Background: Variable resistance training has recently become a component of strength and conditioning programs. Objective: This randomized counterbalanced cross-over study aimed to investigate the use of elastic bands (EB) and the traditional method (TRAD) and force indicators in a training session. Methods: 12 Paralympic athletes (age: 28.60 ± 7.60 years) participated in this three-week study. In the first week, the participants were familiarized with EB and TRAD and were tested for maximal repetition (1-RM). The research occurred in weeks 2 and 3, which included the pre-post training, during which the following measures were extracted: maximum isometric force (MIF), the peak torque (PT), rate of force development (RFD), fatigue index (FI), and time to MIF (Time). The athletes performed two tests, EB and TRAD, separated by a one-week interval. Results: Significant differences were found between the pre- and post-test for 1RM (p = 0.018, η2p = 0.412), MIF (p = 0.011, η2p = 0.415), PT (p = 0.012, η2p = 0.413), and RFD (p = 0.0002, η2p = 0.761). With the use of EB, there was a difference in RFD between TRAD before and EB after (p = 0.016, η2p = 0.761). There were significant differences in the before and after for FI between TRAD and EB (p < 0.001) and for Time (p < 0.001), indicating that training with the use of elastic bands promotes overload, characterized by increased fatigue and decreased strength. Conclusions: Training with EB did not decrease 1RM, PT, MIF or RFD, however, there was an increase in fatigue and time to reach MIF when compared to the method with fixed resistance.