Physical therapy modalities in the rehabilitation of cats (Felis catus) with neurological and orthopedic conditions

ABSTRACT: This retrospective study described the therapeutic modalities used for the rehabilitation of cats with neurological and orthopedic diseases and provided data regarding the number of sessions, frequency, and treatment duration; the study also evaluated the modality acceptance by this species. Twenty cats were selected, 11 with neurological diseases and nine with orthopedic conditions. Acute spinal cord trauma and femoral fracture were the most frequently observed neurological (72.7%) and orthopedic (44.4%) conditions, respectively. Manual therapies comprised of passive stretching (PS), passive range of motion (PROM), and bicycle movement (BM) exercises were included in all the protocols.Therapeutic modality acceptance was positive for physical agents, thermotherapy, and hydrotherapy (100%);in manual therapies, it was positive in 40% and partially positive in 60% of cats; in kinesiotherapy, it was positive for all the assisted active exercises and negative for the active exercises. The number of physical therapy sessions significantly influenced the positive acceptance of PS (P < 0.05). The PS, PROM, and BM exercises were the most commonly used modalities; the number of physiotherapy sessions and duration of treatment were higher in cats with neurological diseases, and acceptance was positive in most therapeutic modalities.

In vivo assessment of the passive stretching response of the bi-compartmental human semitendinosus muscle using shear wave elastography

The semitendinosus muscle contains distinct proximal and distal compartments arranged anatomically in-series but separated by a tendinous inscription, with each compartment innervated by separate nerve branches. Although extensively investigated in other mammals, compartment-specific mechanical properties within the human semitendinosus have scarcely been assessed in vivo. Experimental data obtained during muscle-tendon unit stretching (e.g., slack angle) can also be used to validate and/or improve musculoskeletal model estimates of semitendinosus muscle force. The purpose of this study was to investigate the passive stretching response of proximal and distal humans semitendinosus compartments to distal joint extension. Using two-dimensional shear wave elastography, we bilaterally obtained shear moduli of both semitendinosus compartments from 14 prone-positioned individuals at ten knee flexion angles (from 90° to 0° [full extension] at 10° intervals). Passive muscle mechanical characteristics (slack angle, slack shear modulus, and the slope of the increase in shear modulus) were determined for each semitendinosus compartment by fitting a piecewise exponential model to the shear modulus-joint angle curves. We found no differences between compartments or legs for slack angle, slack shear modulus, or the slope of the increase in shear modulus. We also found the experimentally determined slack angle occurred at ~15-80° higher knee flexion angles compared to estimates from two commonly used musculoskeletal models, depending on participant and model used. Overall, these findings demonstrate that passive shear modulus-joint angle curves do not differ between proximal and distal human semitendinosus compartments, and provide experimental data to improve semitendinosus force estimates derived from musculoskeletal models.

Impact of passive stretching on vertical jump performance: a systematic review: a systematic review

Passive stretching is commonly used in sport by physiologists, fitness coaches, and coaches as part of a warm-up session before engaging in various sports. It is possible to find reports in the literature that performing passive stretching can improve performance in strength exercises and/or reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. However, scientific evidence has shown that stretching before power exercises can harm performance. This review aimed to investigate in the literature the effects of passive stretching on muscle performance in vertical jumps. The search was carried out in the SciELO database and also in the Google Academic search tool and the strategy used for the search was to look for titles that were relevant and linked to the desired subject, without language restrictions, but mainly languages were observed english, portuguese and spanish. The exclusion criterion for the studies was directed only to the literature review type and only 11 articles were selected for their use in the work, with no established chronological limit, however, giving preference to more current studies. In most studies, pre-exercise stretching harmed muscle performance and in others, they did not show differences or even an improvement, although statistically insignificant. Thus, it can be concluded that muscle stretching performed before strength exercise is not the most efficient form of warm-up or preparation for muscle performance.

Integrative flexibility training to improve joint mobility and range of movement in jazz dancing girls

Flexibility is one of the physical capacities associated with improved performance in jazz dancers girls. However, jazz training being a complex physical activity is not only based on flexibility training, it also focuses on the development of motor skills, technique, posture, and rhythm. Therefore, it is important to demonstrate whether a passive stretching training, with minimum frequency, generates favorable results on flexibility. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of flexibility training on active and passive range of motion (ROM), as well as joint mobility in girls jazz dancers by chronological caracterizar la muestra age group. 30 jazz dancers with an average age of 8.5 ± 1.6 years with no more than four years practicing professional sports practice, enrolled in an integrative flexibility training program developed once a week for 12 weeks, and were assessed for active and passive hip joint mobility through goniometry in conjunction with six flexibility tests. There was an increase in all flexibility variables with a moderate size-effect, except for the joint ROM in active and passive left abduction and active right flexion, which had a high effect. In conclusion, training focused on static exercises can be considered an effective strategy to develop ROM, because it's possible to increase flexibility and stretch in lower extremities with a frequency of once a week in jazz dancing girls.

Passive repetitive stretching is associated with greater muscle mass and cross-sectional area in the sarcopenic muscle

Mechanical stimulation has benefits for muscle mass and function. Passive stretching is widely performed in clinical rehabilitation medicine. However, the hypertrophic effects of passive repetitive stretching on senescent skeletal muscles against muscle atrophy remain unknown. We used senescence-accelerated model SAM-P8 mice. The gastrocnemius muscle was passively repetitive stretched by manual ankle dorsiflexion for 15 min, 5 days a week for 2 weeks under deep anesthesia. We examined the effects of passive stretching on muscle mass, myofiber cross-sectional area, muscle fiber type composition, satellite cell and myonuclei content, signaling pathways involved in muscle protein synthesis, and myogenic regulatory factors. The gastrocnemius muscle weight and fiber cross-sectional area of the stretched side was found greater compared with that of the unstretched side. Passive repetitive stretching increased the mRNA expression level of Akt, p70S6K, 4E-BP1, Myf5, myogenin, MuRF1.The phosphorylation level of p70S6K significantly increased in the stretched muscles, whereas of Akt and 4E-BP1 remained unchanged, compared to the unstretched side. The Pax7+ cells and myonuclei content did not differ between the stretched and unstretched muscles. These findings suggest that the hypertrophic or suppressed atrophic observation in the stretched muscles are mainly attributable to the protein turnover provoked by stretching. These findings are applicable to clinical muscle strengthening and sarcopenia prevention.

Is it time to move from mandatory stretching? We need to differentiate “Can I” from “Do I Have To?”

The effects and usefulness of active and passive static stretching have raised heated debates. Over the years, the pendulum has swung from a glorified vision to their vilification. As most of the times, the truth often lies somewhere in-between. But even if there was no controversy surrounding the effects of static and passive stretching (which there is), and even if their effects were homogeneously positive (which they are not), that would not be sufficient to make stretching mandatory for practicing physical exercise, for most populations. Amidst the many discussions, an important issue has remained underexplored: the prerequisites to answer the question “Can I?” are not sufficient to answer the question “Do I have to?”, especially when alternative interventions are available. In this current opinion paper, we address four potential applications of stretching: (i) warm-up; (ii) cool-down; (iii) range of motion; and (iv) injury risk. We argue that while stretching can be used in the warm-up and cool-down phases of the training, its inclusion is not mandatory, and its effectiveness is still questionable. Stretching can be used to improve range of motion, but alternative and effective interventions are available. The role of stretching in injury risk is also controversial, and the literature often misinterprets association with causation and assumes that stretching is the only intervention to improve flexibility and range of motion. Overall, the answer to the question “Can I stretch?” is “yes”. But the answer to the question “Do I have to?” is “no, not really”.

No effect of passive stretching on neuromuscular function and maximum force-generating capacity in the antagonist muscle

Purpose The present study investigated whether or not passive stretching increases the force-generating capacity of the antagonist muscle, and the possible neuromuscular mechanisms behind. Methods To this purpose, the neuromuscular function accompanying the force-generating capacity was assessed in 26 healthy male volunteers after passive stretching and in a control session. Before and after passive intermittent static stretching of the plantar flexors consisting of five sets × 45 s + 15 s-rest, maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) and surface electromyographic root mean square (sEMG RMS) were measured in the tibialis anterior (the antagonist muscle). Additionally, evoked V wave, H-reflex, and M wave were elicited by nerve stimulation at rest and during MVC. Ankle range of motion (ROM) and plantar flexors MVC and EMG RMS were measured to check for the effectiveness of the stretching manoeuvre. Results No change in MVC [p = 0.670; effect size (ES) − 0.03] and sEMG RMS/M wave during MVC (p = 0.231; ES − 0.09) was observed in the antagonist muscle after passive stretching. Similarly, no change in V wave (p = 0.531; ES 0.16), H-reflex at rest and during MVC (p = 0.656 and 0.597; ES 0.11 and 0.23, respectively) and M wave at rest and during MVC (p = 0.355 and 0.554; ES 0.04 and 0.01, respectively) was observed. An increase in ankle ROM (p < 0.001; ES 0.55) and a decrease in plantar flexors MVC (p < 0.001; ES − 1.05) and EMG RMS (p < 0.05; ES − 1.72 to − 0.13 in all muscles) indicated the effectiveness of stretching protocol. Conclusion No change in the force-generating capacity and neuromuscular function of the antagonist muscle after passive stretching was observed.

Increased heart rate functions as a signal of acute distress in non-communicating persons with intellectual disability

Intellectual disability (ID) affects approximately 1% of the population. Some patients with severe or profound ID are essentially non-communicating and therefore risk experiencing pain and distress without being able to notify their caregivers, which is a major health issue. This real-world proof of concept study aimed to see if heart rate (HR) monitoring could reveal whether non-communicating persons with ID experience acute pain or distress in their daily lives. We monitored HR in 14 non-communicating participants with ID in their daily environment to see if specific situations were associated with increased HR. We defined increased HR as being > 1 standard deviation above the daily mean and lasting > 5 s. In 11 out of 14 participants, increased HR indicated pain or distress in situations that were not previously suspected to be stressful, e.g. passive stretching of spastic limbs or being transported in patient lifts. Increased HR suggesting joy was detected in three participants (during car rides, movies). In some situations that were previously suspected to be stressful, absence of HR increase suggested absence of pain or distress. We conclude that HR monitoring may identify acute pain and distress in non-communicating persons with ID, allowing for improved health care for this patient group.

Comparison of Calcaneal Taping and Low-Dye Taping for the Short-Term Management of Plantar Fasciitis

Background: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel and foot pain. Physical therapists have applied many techniques in an attempt to relieve the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, including various taping methods for which there is little existing evidence. Purpose of the study is to compare the effects of 2 different taping techniques in short-term management of plantar fasciitis. Study design was randomized pre- and post-test different subject experimental design. Methods and Measure: Subjects (n=30) were randomly assigned into 3 groups: (A) calcaneal taping and conventional treatment,(B) low-dye taping and conventional treatment, (C) conventional treatment only. Visual analog scale (VAS) for first-step pain and foot function index scale (FFI) for functional activities were measured pretreatment, 4th day and after 1 week of treatment, 7th day ( post-treatment). Result: Follow up analysis revealed that calcaneal and low-dye taping showed greater improvement on 2nd and 3rd session compared to conventional treatment. Conclusion: Subjects treated with calcaneal and low-dye taping along with ultrasound and passive stretching showed an additional and more significant improvement as compared to ultrasound and passive stretching only and also there was no significant difference found between calcaneal and low-dye taping groups in terms of reduction of pain on VAS and FFI. Hence, it can be concluded that both calcaneal and low-dye taping techniques are effective therapeutic option in short-term treatment of plantar fasciitis.