International journal of environmental research and public health
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Jul 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialManipulative Therapy Plus Ankle Therapeutic Exercises for Adolescent Baseball Players with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.
Manipulative therapies and exercises are commonly used for the management of chronic ankle instability (CAI), but there is no evidence regarding the efficacy of high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation (HVLA) in addition to ankle therapeutic exercise to improve CAI in adolescent baseball players (ABP). To compare the effects of HVLA plus ankle therapeutic exercise and ankle therapeutic exercise alone on ankle status, pain intensity, pain pressure threshold (PPT), range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, and balance ability in ABP with CAI, a single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 31 ABP with CAI were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 16) or control (n = 15) groups. ⋯ For ROM, there were significant group and time interactions on dorsiflexion (p = 0.006) and eversion (p = 0.026). The unipedal stance of the balance ability showed significant group and time interactions in path length (p = 0.006) and velocity (p = 0.006). Adding HVLA to resistance exercises may be synergistically effective in improving the ankle status, pain intensity, ROM, and balance ability in ABP with CAI.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · May 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of the Use of Air Purifier on Indoor Environment and Respiratory System among Healthy Adults.
Air purifiers have become popular among ordinary families. However, it remains controversial whether indoor air purification improves the respiratory health of healthy adults. A randomized crossover intervention study was conducted with 32 healthy individuals. ⋯ The air purification did not significantly improve the pulmonary function of the study subjects. In contrast, an increase in the indoor PM10-2.5 and O3 concentration led to a significant decrease in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0)/forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), respectively. In conclusion, air purification slightly improved the indoor PM2.5 concentrations in ordinary homes but had no demonstrable impact on improving health.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Jan 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialAlterations in Running Biomechanics after 12 Week Gait Retraining with Minimalist Shoes.
Purpose: The intervention of 12 week gait retraining with minimalist shoes was established to examine its effect on impact forces, joint mechanics, and vertical stiffness during running. Methods: Thirty male recreational runners were randomly assigned to the gait retraining + minimalist shoe (n = 15, GR) and minimalist shoe (n = 15, MIN) groups. The ground reaction force and marker trajectories were collected before and after intervention at a speed of 3.33 ± 5% m/s. ⋯ More importantly, such a combined program, compared to the training with only minimalist shoes, can avoid the peak impact force and decrease the loading rate more effectively, thus providing a potential means of reducing risk of running injury caused by impact forces. Moreover, the increased vertical stiffness of lower extremity after gait retraining may improve running economy and corresponding energy utilization. However, these observations also suggest that the sole use of minimalist footwear may have limited effects on reducing running-related impacts.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Aug 2019
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of a Community Health Worker-Led Multimedia Intervention on the Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening among South Asian Women: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
The utilization rate of cervical cancer screening services among South Asian women is low. Multimedia interventions conducted by community health workers (CHWs) could potentially enhance the cervical cancer screening uptake among these individuals. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a CHW-led multimedia intervention on cervical cancer screening uptake among this underprivileged group. ⋯ The intervention arm showed a statistically significant improvement in perceived benefits (p = 0.001) and perceived barriers (p = 0.02). However, no significant difference was noted in screening uptake and screening intention between arms. Our findings support the feasibility of CHW-led multimedia intervention and provide preliminary evidence of its effectiveness on enhancing the cervical cancer screening beliefs among South Asian women.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Jun 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyThe Functional and Morphological Changes of the Cervical Intervertebral Disc after Applying Lordotic Curve Controlled Traction: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study.
The newly developed cervical lordotic curve-controlled traction (C-LCCT) appears to be an ideal method to improve the treatment outcome in patients with cervical intervertebral disc disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment outcomes of C-LCCT including the functional and morphological changes of the cervical intervertebral disc compared to traditional traction (TT) with a randomized controlled trial design. A total of 40 patients with cervical intervertebral disc disease at the C5/6 level confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging were recruited and assigned to either the C-LCCT group or the TT group. ⋯ However, there was no significant improvement in the TT group (p < 0.05). The C-LCCT showed significant pain, functional, and morphological improvement compared to TT. C-LCCT could be effective in improving the treatment outcomes of the traction technique in patients with cervical intervertebral disc disease.