Background: The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TNES) is the most used non-invasive treatment method in physical therapy. As the mobile TENS (MTENS) has become popular, patients with pain have started using MTENS to reduce pain. Objectives: To evaluate pain, range of motion, and muscle strength before and after using MTNES in patients with wrist pain. Design: Quasi-experimental research. Methods: We conducted an experiment with 80 patients; 15 patients were dropped out, and 35 and 30 patients were evaluated in the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG), respectively. Before and after using MTENS for 4 weeks, patients were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS), grip power, range of motion (ROM), and digital infrared thermography imaging (DITI). In the EG, electricity was applied for the MTENS device, while electricity was not applied in the CG. Results: A significant difference in pain reduction was observed between the EG and CG. In the EG, a significant difference in grip strength was also noticed before and after using the MTENS; patients showed significantly increased power grip and tip pinch. A significant difference was observed in pre-rest and post-test wrist ROM and DITI values. Conclusion: MTENS is an appropriate procedure for patients with wrist pain.

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal pain condition of the upper extremities. LE is often related to forceful grip activities that require isometric contraction of the wrist extensors. A previous study evaluated the effect of the diamond taping technique on grip strength and pain; however, there has been no report on the change in the electromyography (EMG) findings of wrist extensors. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diamond taping technique, using a rigid tape, on the EMG activities of the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) during grip activities. Methods: Twenty-four healthy subjects (mean age = 21.50 ± 2.76 years) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform forceful grip activities with and without diamond-type taping on the origin area of the ECR. Grip strength tests were performed at 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% for maximal isometric contraction force. EMG data were collected from the ECR. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used to analyze the effect of grip force and taping (with and without). Statistical significance levels were set at α = 0.05. Comparison of the results with and without taping at different grip force were analyzed using independent t-test. Statistical significance levels were set at α = 0.01. Results: Statistically significant association was observed between the taping application and forceful grip activity as revealed by the EMG data of the ECR (p < 0.05). EMG of the ECR significantly reduced for all muscle strength levels (p < 0.01) after taping. Conclusion: This study shows an impressive effect of the diamond taping technique, using rigid tape, on wrist extensors during grip activities. Decreasing muscle activity via this taping approach could be utilized to enhance pain-free grip force and reduce pain in patients with LE. Our study suggested that this taping technique could be considered as an effective management strategy of LE.

Individuals who propel wheelchairs have a high prevalence of upper extremity injuries (i.e., carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow/shoulder tendonitis, impingement syndrome). Musculoskeletal injuries can result from overuse or incorrect use of manual wheelchairs, and can hinder rehabilitation efforts. To better understand the mechanisms of upper extremity injuries, this study investigates the motion of the wrist during wheelchair propulsion. This study also examines changes in the variables that occur with fatiguing wheelchair propulsion to determine how the time parameters of wheelchair propulsion and the state of fatigue influence the risk of injury. A two dimensional (2-D) analysis of wrist movement during the wheelchair stroke was performed. Twenty subjects propelled a wheelchair handrim on a motor-driven treadmill at two different velocities (50, 70 m/min). The results of this study were as follows; The difference in time parameters of wheelchair propulsion (cadence, cycle time, push time, recovery time, and PSP ratio) at two different velocities was statistically significant. The wrist kinematic characteristics had statistically significant differences at two different velocities, but wrist radial deviation and elbow flexion/extension had no statistically significant differences. There were statistically significant differences in relation to fatigue in the time parameter of wheelchair propulsion (70 m/min) between initial 1 minute and final 1 minute. The wrist kinematic characteristics between the initial 1 minute and final 1 minute in relation to fatigue had statistically significant differences but the wrist flexion-extension (50 m/min) had no statistically significant differences. According to the results, the risk of musculoskeletal injuries is increased by fatigue from wheelchair propulsion. To prevent musculoskeletal injuries, wheelchair users should train in a muscle endurance program and consider wearing a splinting/grove. Moreover, wheelchair users need education on propulsion posture, suitable joint position, and proper recovery patterns of propulsion.