Background: Most non-pharmacological interventions for tension-type headache (TTH) focus on direct intervention in areas associated with headaches, with limited research exploring the indirect effects of interventions utilizing the fascia. Objectives: To investigate the effects of superficial back line (SBL) stretching and head-neck massage interventions on the range of motion (ROM) and neck disability index (NDI) of TTH. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The study participants were randomly allocated into three groups: SBL stretching group (n=9), head-neck massage group (n=9), and combined group (n=9). Prior to the intervention, measurements were taken for neck flexion ROM, straight leg raising test (SLRT) ROM, and NDI. The intervention consisted of 30-minute sessions conducted twice a week for 8 weeks. The second measurement took place 4 weeks after the intervention, followed by a third measurement conducted after an additional 4 weeks of intervention. Results: Comparing neck flexion ROM within each group, a significant increase was observed in the SBL stretching group after 8 weeks compared to before the intervention (P<.05). Regarding the comparison of SLRT ROM within each group, a significant increase was noted after 8 weeks compared to before the intervention in the SBL stretching, head-neck massage, and combined groups (P<.05). In terms of the comparison of NDI within each group, a significant decrease was observed in all three group after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<.05). Conclusion: 8-week intervention involving SBL stretching, head-neck massage, and their combined application demonstrated effectiveness in improving neck flexion ROM, SLRT ROM, and the NDI for individuals with TTH.
Background: Chronic back pain not only causes physical discomfort and decreased functionality but also affects emotional well-being, resulting in feelings of anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues. Studies have indicated that cognitive functional therapy and motor control exercises can alleviate chronic low back pain and associated psychological issues. Objectives: To investigated the effect of chronic low back pain on the cognitive functional therapy (CFT) and motor control exercises (MCE). Design: Quaxi-experimental study. Methods: Forty patients with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned and divided into 20 cognitive functional therapy group with motor control exercises group (CFTMG) and 20 patients in motor control exercises group (MCEG). After applying CFT with motor control exercises and motor control exercises for 8 weeks, changes in numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) were observed. Results: In the CFTMG, statistically significant changes were observed in NPRS, ODI, and FABQ before and after the intervention. In the MCEG, statistically significant changes were observed in VAS and ODI before and after the intervention. Conclusion: The application of CFTM and MCE in patients suffering from chronic low back pain has demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating pain, enhancing back function, and reducing kinesiophobia associated with the condition.
Background: Volleyball is a team sport that requires a lot of movement and explosive movement. Volleyball players have different roles depending on their position. The reason is that the spiker or center is tall and the libero or setter is relatively small compared to other positions. Objectives: To investigate a difference in basic physical fitness according to the positions of volleyball players and to examine the correlation between basic physical fitness items. Design: Correlational research designs. Methods: A total of 33 male professional volleyball players were recruited for each position by position: 15 spikers, 7 centers, 5 setters, and 6 liberos. Muscle endurance, power, agility, and balance ability were measured as basic physical fitness items. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in agility according to each position (P<.05), and a positive correlation was indicated in muscle endurance and power (P<.05). Conclusion: A training program can be developed based on the correlation between training and basic physical fitness according to the positions of volleyball players.
Background: The circuit exercise program is a continuous method that combines complex training types and is an exercise method that is performed to improve performance by improving basic physical strength such as strength, agility, endurance and muscular endurance. Objectives: To examine the effect of exercise program on pulmonary function of professional volleyball players. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: 22 professional volleyball players were divided into two groups of 11 each. A high intensity interval exercise program and circuit exercise program were performed twice a week for 45 minutes for 4 weeks. Results: The changes in pulmonary function in professional volleyball players were significantly different pre and post the intervention in both groups and the interval exercise program group showed a more significant difference before and after the intervention in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second/Forced Vital Capacity (FEV1/FVC) (P<.05). In addition, there was also a significant difference in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC between two groups (P<.05). Conclusion: The interval exercise program group was effective in improving pulmonary function for professional volleyball players.
Background: Incorrect postures of adolescents caused by the use of smart devices have been noted as a factor causing spinal diseases.
Objectives: To examine the effect of joint mobilization and stretching on Cobb’s angle and respiratory function in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
Design: Cluster-randomized controlled trial.
Methods: A total of 22 subjects with AIS were enrolled. They were allocated to two groups: the joint mobilization (n=11) and the stretching (n=11). All interventions were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for six weeks. Outcome measures were the Cobb’s angle and respiratory function. The Cobb’s angle and respiratory function measured using the X-ray and Micro- Quark.
Results: Joint mobilization group showed significant differences in Cobb’s angle and respiratory function, but stretching group showed significant differences Cobb’s angle. The differences in peak expiratory flow (PEF) between the two groups were significant.
Conclusion: This study proved that joint mobilization is a more effective intervention for AIS to improve Cobb’s angle and respiratory function, when compared to stretching.
Background: Stroke patients have leg muscle weakness and impaired balance resulting in compensatory changes. To restore balance in these patients, functional training using postural strategy is needed.
Objective: To examine the effects of ankle and hip strategy training on the center of pressure (COP) movement and limits of stability (LOS) in standing posture in stroke patients. Design: The study was an assessor-blinded and randomized-controlled clinical trial.
Methods: Thirty patients were randomly assigned to an ankle strategy training group and a ankle/ hip strategy training group. Patients in the ankle strategy training group underwent ankle strategy exercise for 30 min, and those in the ankle/ hip strategy training group underwent 15 min of ankle strategy exercise and 15 min of hip strategy exercise. Both groups underwent training thrice a week for four weeks. Forward, backward, paretic side, and non-paretic side COP movements and LOS were measured using BioRescue.
Results: After the intervention, except for the backward area in the ankle strategy training group, the COP movement area and the LOS were significantly improved in both the groups. In addition, these improvements were significantly higher in ankle/ hip strategy training group than that in the ankle strategy training group.
Conclusions: Ankle strategy training in addition to hip strategy training improves COP movement (forward-backward, paretic side area, and nonparetic side area) and LOS in stroke patients.
Background: Vibration exercise after ankle surgery improves proprioception and ankle muscle strength through vibration stimulation. Objective: To examine the effects of vibration exercise on the ankle stability. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blind) Methods: Twenty soccer players were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The Vibration exercise program was conducted 12 weeks and 3 times a week. Ankle joint proprioceptive sensory test and Isokinetic muscle strength test were performed using Biodex system pro Ⅲ to measure plantar flexion / dorsiflexion and eversion / inversion motion. Results: The result of isokinetic test of ankle joint is showed significant improvement in all measurement items, such as leg flexion, lateral flexion, external and internal muscle forces, compared to previous ones by performing vibration movements for 12 weeks. However, in the comparison group, plantar flexor (30°), eversion muscle (120°), inversion (30°) of limb muscle strength were significantly improvedcompared with the previous phase; was no significant difference in dorsi-flexion. There was no significant difference between groups in all the items. Conclusions: In this study, we analyzed the effects of rehabilitation exercise on soccer players who had reconstructed with an ankle joint ligament injury through vibration exercise device. As a result, we could propose an effective exercise method to improve the ability, and confirmed the applicability as an appropriate exercise program to prevent ankle injuries and help quick return.