Physical therapy
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Use of electrical stimulation to enhance recovery of quadriceps femoris muscle force production in patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Electrical stimulation has been shown to be effective in aiding the recovery of quadriceps femoris muscle force production after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The actual dosage of stimulation (training intensity) has not been well described. The purpose of this investigation was to establish a dose-response curve for electrical stimulation regimens designed to improve quadriceps femoris muscle recovery in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. ⋯ These results support the use of high-intensity electrical stimulation and do not support the use of low-intensity or battery-powered stimulators when the goal is recovery of quadriceps femoris muscle force production in the early phases of rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. [Snyder-Mackler L, Delitto A, Stralka SW, Bailey SL. Use of electrical stimulation to enhance recovery of quadriceps femoris muscle force production in patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Assessing change over time in patients with low back pain.
This study compared the ability of the Roland-Morris (RM), Oswestry (OSW), and Jan van Breemen Institute (JVB) pain and function questionnaires to detect change over time. ⋯ Based on the latter finding, we believe the RM questionnaire may be the preferred instrument for assessing change over time in patients with low back pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Efficacy of high voltage pulsed current for healing of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injury.
The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of high voltage pulsed direct current (HVPC) for healing of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injury. Seventeen patients having pressure ulcers in the pelvic region were randomly assigned to either an HVPC group or a placebo HVPC group. Treatments were given for 1 hour a day for 20 consecutive days. ⋯ Percentage of change compared with pretreatment ulcer size was calculated for each measurement time. Ulcers in the HVPC group demonstrated significantly greater percentage-of-change decreases from their pretreatment size than did ulcers in the placebo group at days 5, 15, and 20. The results suggest that HVPC, in conjunction with good nursing care, can significantly increase the healing rate of pelvic ulcers in patients with spinal cord injury.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of auricular, somatic, and the combination of auricular and somatic acupuncture points on experimental pain threshold.
This study compared the effects of high intensity, low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of auricular, somatic, and combined auricular and somatic acupuncture points on experimental pain threshold measured at the wrist. Sixty-seven healthy adults, aged 18 to 39 years, were assigned randomly to one of four groups: 1) the Auricular Group (n = 17) received TENS to auricular acupuncture points, 2) the Somatic Group (n = 17) received TENS to somatic acupuncture points, 3) the Combined Group (n = 17) received TENS to both auricular and somatic acupuncture points, and 4) the Control Group (n = 16) received no TENS and served as controls. ⋯ The Control Group demonstrated no statistically significant change in pain threshold. The results indicate that TENS applied to any of the three sets of acupuncture points equally increases pain threshold, thus possibly increasing options in choosing stimulation sites for treating patients with pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Changes in innominate tilt after manipulation of the sacroiliac joint in patients with low back pain. An experimental study.
The purposes of this study were to 1) propose a method to detect sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD), 2) test the interrater reliability of the method on a group of patients with low back pain (LBP), and 3) document changes in innominate tilt after manipulation of the sacroiliac joint. Criteria for SIJD were established by the authors. Twenty-six patients with unilateral LBP were examined independently for presence of SIJD by two examiners. ⋯ Data were analyzed using a mixed three-factor analysis of variance. The data analysis revealed that the manipulation procedure resulted not only in an altered innominate tilt of the same side but also in an equal and opposite tilt of the opposite side (F = 67.07; df = 1.18; p less than .05). The results indicate that SIJD can be identified reliably in patients with LBP and that a manipulative procedure purported to be specific to the sacroiliac joint changes innominate tilt bilaterally and in opposite directions.