Search

Background and Objectives: Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy offers a promising approach to treating inflammatory diseases. Its notable anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects and enhancement of microcirculation in the nasal mucosa make it a valuable treatment option. Despite its potential, the use of PEMF for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is still in its early stages, with limited exploration of its effectiveness. This study aimed to assess the impact of PEMF on alleviating symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, sinus opacifications, and ostiomeatal complex issues associated with CRS. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven patients of both genders with CRS, aged 19 to 40 years, were involved in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to either a magnetic or a control group. The magnetic group underwent a 10 min PEMF session with a 20-gauss magnetic field strength at 7 Hz thrice a week for a month. The control group received the same PEMF application as an inactive device. Before and after the intervention, researchers assessed fatigue levels with a visual analog fatigue scale (VAFS), headache intensity via a numerical pain-rating scale, and the status of sinus opacifications and ostiomeatal complex obstructions by computerized tomography (CT). Results: The study findings showed a significant reduction in fatigue and headache scores in the magnetic group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a notable improvement in sinus opacifications and ostiomeatal complex obstructions among participants who received PEMF therapy. Conclusions: PEMF therapy effectively reduces fatigue, headaches, and sinus opacifications in CRS patients, suggesting its potential for inclusion in CRS management guidelines to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. The results of this study indicate that PEMF represents a noninvasive and cost-effective approach for treating adults with mild-to-moderate CRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a simple and feasible tool for assessing dynamic balance in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). It has an advantage as it replicates dynamic balance better than other static balance tools. This study aims to determine how reliable SEBT is among people with end-stage KOA, as well as how responsive it is and how well it correlates with performance-based outcome measures after TKA. Methods: Patients on the waiting list for TKA performed SEBT in the anterior, posteromedial and posteriorlateral directions twice within 7 days. The measurements were repeated 6 and 12 months after TKA. The participants completed performance-based outcome measurements (PBOMs) and the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) before and after TKA to estimate correlation. Results: In all directions, the intraclass correlation coefficient range (ICC) was 0.998–0.993, and there were no significant differences between the test and re-test mean SEBT scores. The standard error of measurement (SEM) ranged from 0.37% to 0.68%, and the minimum detectable change (MDC) ranged from 1.02% to 1.89%. The post TKA SEBT results show significant improvement, with a large effect size. There were large-to-medium correlations between SEBT and PBOMs before and after TKA, while OKS correlated only before surgery. The magnitude of change in SEBT, PBOMs and OKS did not correlate. Conclusions: SEBT is an extremely reliable tool for assessing dynamic balance in all three directions of severe KOA patients. It is sensitive enough to detect balance changes at 6 and 12 months post TKA. SEBT cannot be used to reflect the change in functional outcome improvement after TKA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Hamstring shortening is a significant musculoskeletal condition affecting the posture and mobility of the spine and lower extremities. This study examined the impact of incorporating neurodynamic slump stretch and suboccipital muscle inhibition into passive static stretching on hamstring flexibility in individuals with short hamstrings. Methods: 117 female participants were classified into three groups: the control group, which received passive static stretch of the hamstring muscle; the neurodynamic slump group, which received neurodynamic slump stretch with passive static stretch; and the suboccipital muscle inhibition group, which received suboccipital muscle inhibition with passive static stretch, for three sessions a week, 10 min each, for four weeks. The outcome measures were the popliteal angle test (PAT), straight leg raising (SLR) test, and forward bending test (FBT) at baseline, immediately following the first session and after four weeks. Results: Statistically significant differences were found within groups (p < 0.001) for all outcome measures. Between the groups, there was a more significant improvement in the PAT and the SLR tests, favoring the neurodynamic slump and suboccipital muscle inhibition groups in comparison with the passive static stretch group (p < 0.001) with no significant difference between the two groups after the first session and at four weeks of treatment. However, the FBT showed no significant differences immediately following the first session or at four weeks of treatment (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study found that incorporating neurodynamic slump stretch and suboccipital muscle inhibition into passive static stretch techniques effectively treats short hamstrings in healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Many noninfectious pulmonary complications occur immediately within the first few weeks after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chest physical therapy (CPT) performed during the pre-transplant period in terms of spirometric values and respiratory muscle strength (RMS) in patients waiting for allo-HSCT. Material and methods: Fifty patients aged 40 to 55 years who were scheduled for allo-HSCT were randomly allocated into two equal-sized groups, a CPT group and a control group. The CPT group (n = 25) received CPT in addition to routine medical treatment, while the control group (n = 25) received routine medical treatment only. Patients in both groups received standard physical therapy during the inpatient waiting period. Interventions were conducted daily for 3 weeks before allo-HSCT. Pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC) was measured by spirometry, and RMS was measured by a respiratory pressure meter. A baseline assessment was done 3 weeks before allo-HSCT (T0), then at the end of treatment immediately before allo-HSCT (T1) and the last assessment at 3 weeks after allo-HSCT (T2) for all measured variables. Results: In comparing the two groups at T1 and T2, the mean spirometric values and RMS, maximal inspiratory pressure, and maximal expiratory pressure were all improved significantly in the CPT group in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Adding a 3-week CPT intervention to the pre-transplant rehabilitation program seems to be effective and safe for allo-HSCT recipients, as it improves pre-transplant pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength and prevents their post-transplant decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]