Physical therapy
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Muscle activation during selected strength exercises in women with chronic neck muscle pain.
Muscle-specific strength training has previously been shown to be effective in the rehabilitation of chronic neck muscle pain in women. The aim of this study was to determine the level of activation of the neck and shoulder muscles using surface electromyography (EMG) during selected strengthening exercises in women undergoing rehabilitation for chronic neck muscle pain (defined as a clinical diagnosis of trapezius myalgia). ⋯ The lateral raise and upright row may be suitable alternatives to shrugs during rehabilitation of chronic neck muscle pain. Several of the strength exercises had high activation of neck and shoulder muscles in women with chronic neck pain. These exercises can be used equally in the attempt to achieve a beneficial treatment effect on chronic neck muscle pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Therapeutic effect of an implantable peroneal nerve stimulator in subjects with chronic stroke and footdrop: a randomized controlled trial.
Footdrop, characterized by a person's inability to raise the foot at the ankle, is a common problem in patients with stroke. A randomized controlled trial was performed to determine the therapeutic effect of using a new implantable, 2-channel peroneal nerve stimulator for 6 months versus an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). ⋯ Functionally, no therapeutic effect of implantable peroneal nerve stimulation was found. However, the significantly increased voluntary muscle output of the TA and GS muscles after the use of FES suggests that there was a certain extent of plasticity in the subjects in this study.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of education on return-to-work status for people with fear-avoidance beliefs and acute low back pain.
People with acute low back injury and fear-avoidance beliefs are at risk for remaining off work for an extended period of time. However, the effectiveness of intervention strategies for improving return-to-work status in people with acute low back pain and fear-avoidance beliefs has not been reported. The objective of this study was to determine whether education and counseling on pain management, physical activity, and exercise could significantly decrease the number of days that people with low back injury are off work. ⋯ Education and counseling regarding pain management, physical activity, and exercise can reduce the number of days off work in people with fear-avoidance beliefs and acute low back pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Hydrotherapy versus conventional land-based exercise for the management of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized clinical trial.
This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of hydrotherapy in subjects with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee compared with subjects with OA of the knee who performed land-based exercises. ⋯ Both water-based and land-based exercises reduced knee pain and increased knee function in participants with OA of the knee. Hydrotherapy was superior to land-based exercise in relieving pain before and after walking during the last follow-up. Water-based exercises are a suitable and effective alternative for the management of OA of the knee.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effectiveness of an extension-oriented treatment approach in a subgroup of subjects with low back pain: a randomized clinical trial.
The purpose of this multicenter randomized clinical trial was to examine the effectiveness of an extension-oriented treatment approach (EOTA) in a subgroup of subjects with low back pain (LBP) who were hypothesized to benefit from the treatment compared with similar subjects who received a lumbar spine strengthening exercise program. ⋯ An EOTA was more effective than trunk strengthening exercise in a subgroup of subjects hypothesized to benefit from this treatment approach. Additional research is needed to explore whether an EOTA may benefit other subgroups of patients.