Background: Balance is the foundation of performing daily activities, and has been proven to be improved by various compression materials. As a new and never-before-seen means, the floss band improves joint range of motion, increases muscle flexibility, and affects balance. Several studies using the short-term application of a floss band to the ankle have been conducted. However, long-term effects of the floss band on the knee warrant further research. Objectives: This study aims to examine the long-term benefits of strength exercises with a floss band applied to the knee for static and dynamic balance. Design: Quasi-experimental design. Methods: A total of 28 participants (four men and 24 women, aged 20–60 years) with no orthopedic knee conditions were recruited and randomized into two groups, with 14 in the group using the strength exercises with floss bands applied to the knee (the floss band group), and 14 in the group using internal rotation of the tibia during mobilization with movements (MWM; the MWM group). A physical therapist with 10 years of clinical experience applied the intervention 10 times, measuring static and dynamic balance before and after the intervention using the Balance Trainer 4. Independent t-tests and paired t-tests were used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of ⍺=.05. Results: Statistically significant effects for static balance and dynamic balance were observed in the comparison from pre- to post-intervention between the floss band and MWM groups (P<.05). Additionally, a statistically significant effect for dynamic balance was noted in the pre- to post-intervention comparison in the floss band group (P<.05). Conclusion: The strength exercises with floss bands applied to the knee are expected to have a long-term effect on improving dynamic balance.
Background: Despite its high prevalence, interventions in plantar fasciitis remain inconclusive. To improve the daily life of plantar fasciitis patients, it is necessary to identify appropriate interventions to improve pain and foot pressure and balance. Improving the interventions for plantar fasciitis is one of the main goals for rehabilitation.
Objectives: To investigate the changes in pain and static-dynamic foot pressure and balance through the evaluation of 42 plantar fasciitis patient before and after the foot stretching and joint mobilization interventions.
Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Methods: The 42 subjects of the study were divided into a stretching group and a joint mobilization group with 21 subjects being assigned to each group. The results before and after the experiment were analyzed by applying stretching and joint movement interventions for a total of 6 weeks.
Results: Before and after the intervention, there were significant improvements in the pain index and static-dynamic foot pressure and static balance in both stretching and joint mobilization groups. However, the between-group comparison indicated no significant differences.
Conclusion: The stretching and the joint mobilization can improve the pain and static-dynamic foot pressure and static balance in plantar fasciitis patients.
Background: Mobilization and cranio-cervical flexion exercise has been reported in reducing pain from cervical part and improving its motor function; also, has been represented that alleviate of neck pain and recover of neck muscles improve the normal gait performance. However, few studies have identified the effects of mobilization and exercise on pain and gait parameters with preceding issues.
Objective: To examine the effects or changes of pressure pain threshold (PPT) and gait parameters in patients with chronic neck pain.
Design: Cross-Sectional Clinical Trials
Methods: Twenty patients with the history of neck pain (>3 months) performed the cervical mobilization and cranio-cervical flexion exercise. Gait parameters were assessed with wireless device and collected data were transmitted to the personal computer via Bluetooth. The PPT was measured posteroanterior direction at the prone position and the mean of subsequent three PPT measurements was used for the final analysis.
Results: Both cervical central posteroanterior mobilization (CCPAM) (p<.000) and sling-based cranio-cervical flexion exercise (SBCCFE) (p<.000) group showed a significant increase in the PPT and the gait parameters, cadence (p<.023), was significantly increased in the CCPAM group, however slightly increased in the SBCCFE group. The comparison between the CCPAM and the SBCCFE groups after treatment did not show significant differences for the score on the PPT and gait parameters.
Conclusions: This study suggests that CCPAM and SBCCFE increase PPT, cadence, and gait speed.
Background: The prevalence of neck pain and neck dysfunction is high in general population. However, there is little literature on the relationship and factors affecting neck pain and neck dysfunction. Objective: To investigate the correlation between neck and shoulder pain, headaches, neck and shoulder dysfunction, and sleep quality in adults with chronic neck pain, and factors affecting neck pain and neck dysfunction.
Design: Cross-sectional study
Methods : The sample included 114 subjects, who had complained of chronic neck pain for more 12 weeks. We conducted a Pearson’s correlation between neck and shoulder pain, headaches, neck and shoulder dysfunction and sleep quality and a regression analysis of the related variables, thereby analyzing factors affecting neck pain and neck dysfunction.
Results : In the present study, in adults with chronic neck pain, neck pain was positively correlated with the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)-Pain score, and SPADI-Total score (p<.05). The NDI was positively correlated with neck pain, SPADI-Pain score, and SPADI-Total score, as well as with Pittsburgh Sleep Qulity Index(PSQI-K) (p<.05). Among the factors affecting neck pain, shoulder disability as assessed by the SPADI was a significantly associated with neck pain, while shoulder pain and shoulder disability determined by the SPADI were identified as significant variables among the factors affecting neck disability.
Conclusion : These results indicated that as neck pain worsened , shoulder pain and neck and shoulder dysfunction also increased, which suggested that shoulder disability affected neck pain. In addition, as the neck dysfunction increased, neck pain and shoulder pain and shoulder dysfunction increased, and sleep quality deteriorated, which suggested that shoulder pain and shoulder disability affected neck disability.