Kinesiotherapy Research Articles

The Efficiency of Kinesiotherapy versus Physical Modalities on Pain and Other Common Complaints in Fibromyalgia

Due to its variety of signs and symptoms, there have been numerous attempts to treat fibromyalgia (FM), but a cure has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a complex kinetic therapy program and a combined physical modality program on pain and other common symptoms of FM. Patients and methods: A total of 78 female patients were included in this study; 39 subjects underwent a kinesiotherapy (KT) intervention (combining aerobic and Pilates exercises), and 39 participated in a physical modality (PM) program (including electrotherapy (TENS and low-laser therapy) and thermotherapy). Results: Regarding the parameter of pain assessment, kinesiotherapy demonstrated its superiority both during the treatment period and in the evaluation 3 months after therapy cessation. Both in terms of patient-reported pain (inter-group comparisons: p = 0.000 at T3) and the examination of tender points (inter-group comparisons: p = 0.000 at T3), as well as the algometric assessment, pain was alleviated by the two forms of applied kinetic therapy. The observed functional impairment was statistically significantly influenced (p = 0.001) at the end of the kinetic program application, while for the perceived functional impairment, neither therapy proved superiority over the other at any point of evaluation (inter-group comparisons: p = 0.715 at T3). Regarding the influence of the emotional consequences implied by fibromyalgia, neither the forms of kinesiotherapy nor the chosen physical modalities proved superiority at any point of evaluation (HAQ anxiety inter-group comparisons: p = 0.000 at T3). In conclusion, even though kinesiotherapy had superior influences on fibromyalgia pain in the studied group, the current research lends credence to the significance of non-pharmacological therapy in managing fibromyalgia. Participants demonstrated positive advancements in subjective and objective pain assessments, as well as improvements in functional and emotional well-being.

НОВЫЙ ПРИБОР «СИСТЕМА ОЧИСТКИ ДЫХАТЕЛЬНЫХ ПУТЕЙ YANG KUN YK-800» В КИНЕЗИТЕРАПИИ ДЕТЕЙ С ХРОНИЧЕСКИМИ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЯМИ ЛЕГКИХ

Cystic fibrosis (CF) and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in children are both accompanied by copious amounts of infected sputum. Kinesitherapy (KT) eliminates mucostasis by providing bronchial drainage. KT methods are being constantly improved. The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness and safety of the new vest airway clearance system (ACS) chest vibration therapy machine model YK800 by Zhengzhou Yangkun Medical Instrument Co., Ltd. (Zhengzhou, China) in children with CF and PCD. The ACS consists of a compressor and a vest and creates high-frequency oscillation of the chest promoting drainage of problematic parts of the respiratory tract, small- and medium-caliber bronchi. Materials and methods used: in a study based on the National Medical Research Center for Children’s Health (Moscow, Russia) the KT included 5 sessions with the Yangkun YK800 in 15 patients aged 5 to 17 y/o: 8 with CF and 7 with PCD. Objective criteria: measurement of external respiratory function (ERF) and saturation, monitoring of chest excursion, and the 6-minute walk test. Subjective criteria: complaints, well-being, comfort. Results: objective criteria - improved ERF indicators in % (FVC p=0.004; r=0.829; FEV1 p=0.023; r=0.973; FEF25% p=0.018; r=0.840; FEF50% p=0.016; r=0.827; FEF75% p=0.015; r=0.867), especially high-speed indicators (FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75%) that indicate the cleansing of mucus in the medium and small respiratory tracts; saturation improved (p=0.020; r=0.548); chest excursion increased (p=0.002; r=0.779). According to the 6-minute walk test, there was a significant increase in the distance traveled (p=0.000; r=0.535), 13 (86.6%) patients at the end of the course rated it as easier. Subjective criteria - 80% of patients noted sen-sations of productive coughing, easier expectoration of sputum: improvement in general condi-tion - 15, reduction in fatigue - 12, increased physical activity - 12, easier expectoration of phlegm - 13, reduction in episodes of paroxysmal cough - 13. Comfort in the use of the vest was rated at 4.4 points, noting mild vibration. Conclusion: the Yangkun YK800 vest airway clearance system as part of the KT has shown its effectiveness and safety in children with CF and PCD.

Effects of kinesiotherapy versus hidrokinetic therapy on the rehabilitation of patients with amputation

The study aimed to highlight quality of life and identify impact differences in balance rehabilitation for patients with lower limb amputation performing hydrokinetic therapy versus kinesiotherapy programmes. The research participants were 16 male patients aged 40-60 years with lower limb amputation for 6-12 months, who were divided into two groups: the hydrokinetic therapy (HKT) group and the kinesiotherapy (KT) group, whose names reflect the contents of rehabilitation programmes implemented over a 2-week period. The study included two testing phases, an initial and a final one, and used the Four Square Step Test to assess balance and the TAPES questionnaire to assess quality of life. Analysis of the results for the Four Square Step Test aimed at balance rehabilitation indicated 6.125 seconds for the HKT group and 6 seconds for the KT group. It is also found that the rehabilitation of balance and quality of life is effectively achieved by implementing both HKT and KT programmes. The research findings highlight that more attention is paid to changes in the medical condition of patients and how they manage different daily situations and use the prosthesis. We can state that the use of the prosthesis and the medical condition determine a better quality of life than the type of rehabilitation programme applied.

The impact of the biodex 4 pro system dynamometer in the rehabilitation of ankle sprain in youth football players

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify impact differences in the rehabilitation the second-degree ankle sprain, more specifically the restoration of agonist-antagonist muscle balance, static and dynamic balance, and motor control in junior soccer players will have a different impact on patients who perform the recovery program with the help of Biodex 4 Pro and myofascial therapies compared to those who perform physical therapy using classical methods. (2) Methods: the study included 22 subjects divided into two equal groups in accordance with the agreement to practice modern therapies (MT) and kinesiotherapy (KT): the experimental group that performed the myofascial therapies and exercises with Biodex 4 pro and the control group that performed the KT. The parties' evaluations included: the Biodex 4 Pro for a range of motion assessment and the PodoSmart device for gait assessment. (3) Results: analysis identifies significant improvements for the subjects in the experimental group, respectively for the subjects in the control group, as follows: after completing the therapeutic plan for four weeks, the subjects gained 35.8° of flexion and 36.4° of extension compared to the initial results. In the PodoSmart gait analysis, the experimental group progressed between tests by 14.8% for the foot symmetry parameter, which was 3.8% more than in the control group, whose symmetry progress between tests was 11%. (4) Conclusion: the combined therapeutic plan containing Biodex technology and myofascial therapies is a current effective option in the rehabilitation of athletes.

P328 Body composition in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) who participate in sports and/or active kinesitherapy (KST)

An active physical activity is very important in CF.

EVALUATION OF KINESIOTHERAPY ON PAIN CONTROL AND SWELLING FOR THIRD MOLAR TOOTH REMOVAL: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative effects of kinesiotherapy (KT) on pain control and swelling for third molar tooth removal through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Study Design The systematic review (SR) was conducted in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, SciELO, Web of Science, LILACS, IEEE Xplore, OpenGrey, and Open Access Thesis and Dissertations using the PICOT strategy to answer the question: “Does the use of kinesiotapes change pain and postoperative edema in patients undergoing extraction of third molars?” Treatment effects were defined as a standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% CI were established. The GRADE tool was used to assess the quality of SR evidence. Results For the meta-analysis, 6 studies were included. In our study, we observed the effectiveness of KT for edema control in the initial postoperative period (SMD = −0.88, 95% CI, −1.41 to −0.35, P = .001). The initial postoperative pain control showed advantages of using kinesiotape with a statistically significant difference (SMD = −1.55, 95% CI, −2.05 to −1.05, P < .001). Conclusions KT can be an important third molar postoperative adjunctive treatment to slightly reduce pain and moderately reduce edema. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative effects of kinesiotherapy (KT) on pain control and swelling for third molar tooth removal through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The systematic review (SR) was conducted in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, SciELO, Web of Science, LILACS, IEEE Xplore, OpenGrey, and Open Access Thesis and Dissertations using the PICOT strategy to answer the question: “Does the use of kinesiotapes change pain and postoperative edema in patients undergoing extraction of third molars?” Treatment effects were defined as a standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% CI were established. The GRADE tool was used to assess the quality of SR evidence. For the meta-analysis, 6 studies were included. In our study, we observed the effectiveness of KT for edema control in the initial postoperative period (SMD = −0.88, 95% CI, −1.41 to −0.35, P = .001). The initial postoperative pain control showed advantages of using kinesiotape with a statistically significant difference (SMD = −1.55, 95% CI, −2.05 to −1.05, P < .001). KT can be an important third molar postoperative adjunctive treatment to slightly reduce pain and moderately reduce edema.

Impact of Kinesiotherapy and Hydrokinetic Therapy on the Rehabilitation of Balance, Gait and Functional Capacity in Patients with Lower Limb Amputation: A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to identify impact differences in the rehabilitation of balance, gait and functional capacity in patients with lower limb amputation performing hydrokinetic therapy and kinesiotherapy programs during the pre-prosthetic and prosthetic phases. The study included 16 male patients aged 40–60 years with amputated lower limbs for 6 to 12 months, which involved transfemoral amputation (TFA), transtibial amputation (TTA), traumatic and vascular amputation, who were divided into the following two groups: the hydrokinetic therapy (HKT) group and the kinesiotherapy (KT) group, named after the content of the rehabilitation programs that were implemented for 2 weeks in the pre-prosthetic and prosthetic periods. The initial and final evaluation of the participants included the following tests: the Berg Scale and the four square test for the evaluation of the balance; the PodoSmart device for gait assessment; through the walking test over 6 min, we evaluated the functional capacity. The results were processed in SPSS 24. Analysis of the results on balance rehabilitation through the Berg Scale highlighted that the progress related to the mean of the total score was 7.62 points, p = 0.00 for the HKT group and 7.50 points, p = 0.00 for the KT group, while in the four square step test, the mean of progress was 6.125 s, p = 0.00 for the HKT group and 6 s, p = 0.000 for the KT group. The PodoSmart gait analysis revealed that the HKT group showed a progress mean of 4.875%, p = 0.00, for the foot symmetry parameter, which was 1.875% less than the score achieved by the KT group whose symmetry progress mean was 6.75%, p = 0.00, while the average progress mean for the cadence parameter was 2.75 steps/min higher for the KT group than the HKT group. The comparative analysis of the impact of these two programs on the patients’ functional capacity indicated that the score recorded by the KT group was a progress mean of 15.12 m, p = 0.00 better than the HKT group for the travelled distance parameter; the implementation of the hydrokinetic therapy program led to better exercise adaptation for the HKT group compared to the KT group at an average HR (HRavg) with 0.50 BPM, p = 0.00. After analyzing the results, it has been found that hydrokinetic therapy programs have a greater impact on balance rehabilitation and exercise adaptation, while kinesiotherapy programs have a greater impact on gait rehabilitation and functional capacity optimization for the travelled distance parameter.

The effect of kinesio taping and kinesio therapy on dynamic gait parameters in children with hyperpronation syndrome

The effect of kinesio taping and kinesio therapy on dynamic gait parameters in children with hyperpronation syndrome

Physical activity in patients with nonspecific low back painin therapy

Introduction. Kinesitherapy (KT) – one of the leading areas of patient care with chronic nonspecific (musculoskeletal pain) low back pain. For chronic lumbar pain, a standard KT is commonly used, that includes group sessions with a medical specialist. Often not taking into account the individual characteristics of patients, their attitude to KT, does not use a backpain education program in combination with KT (extended KT). Physical activity and hypodynamia are compared in patients with chronic nonspecificlow back pain in standard KT and extended KT.Aim of study is to assess the effectiveness of the standard and extended KT in the enhancement of physical activity.Materials and methods. 71 patients were observed (17 men and 54 women, average age 55.09 ± 13 years) with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Patients received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as painkillers. 34 patients received a standard KT, 37 patients – an extended KT. Patients were asked to complete the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) at baseline, after 7 days and 90 days.Results and discussion. In the extended KT group, physical activity increased from 11 (7–16) points to 16 (13–19) points after 7 days (p = 0.001) and up to 23 (15–26) points after 3 months (p = 0.0002). There has been a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of patients with hypodynamy (p = 0.0015). There is no statistically significant increase in physical activity in the standard therapy group. The use of NSAIDs in non-specific low back pain is discussed, the effectiveness of the use of dexketoprofen (Dexalgin) during lumbar pain is noted.Conclusion. In the case of nonspecific low back pain, the extended KTimprovesphysical activity and reduce hypodynamy.

Magnetic-laser therapy in multidisciplinary rehabilitation of patients with chronic non-specific dorsalgia with high intensity pain syndrome in outpatient care

The effectiveness of the analgesic impact of magnetic-laser therapy (MLT) and its combinations with other methods with have a aproved analgesic effect used for multidisciplinary rehabilitation of patients with chronic nonspecific dorsalgia (CNSD) with marked pain syndrome in a polyclinic has been studied. 107 patients with high intensity pain syndrome (on a VAS scale from 6 to 8 points is severe pain) in CNSD exacerbation phase were included. The patients were divided into five homogeneous groups. All patients were treated with kinesiotherapy (KT). In addition, patients of the 1st group were treated with MLT; patients of the 2nd group were treated with sinusoidal modulated currents (SMT); patients of the 3rd group were treated with ultraphonophoresis with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (UPP NSAID); patients of the 4th group were treated with complex of MLT and SMT; patients of the 5th group were treated with MLT and UPP NSAID. Pain dynamics was assessed using VAS, while patient functional capabilities - using FAS-9 questionnaire. MLT application in 1st group patients decreased pain and altered functions very slightly (p&gt;0.05). Ten sessions of SMT or UPP together with KT caused transition of severe pain to moderate - from (5.67±0.37) to (3.30±0.26) and from (5.75±0.34) to (3.72±0.31) points, respectively (p&lt;0.001), which allowed to increase significantly the activity of KT. MLT and SMT combination after 8 sessions has caused two-fold pain decrease – from (5.96±0.39) to (2.82±0.25) points (p&lt;0.001) and significantly improved movement biomechanics. SMT or UPP combination with MLT potentiates antinociceptive effect of both modalities, so patient functional capabilities regenerate earlier. This fact allows to apply KT from the first day of rehabilitation, which leads to the reduction of rehabilitation time. Keywords: chronic non-specific dorsalgia, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, kinesiotherapy, magnetic- laser therapy, sinusoidal modulated currents, NSAID ultraphonophoresis.

Recursos fisioterapêuticos nos desvios posturais da coluna vertebral: uma revisão integrativa

INTRODUÇÃO: Este estudo vai averiguar quais são as possibilidades de tratamento descritas na literatura para a escoliose, definida como curva lateral na coluna vertebral, apresentando uma leve rotação das vértebras. OBJETIVO: Identificar na literatura atual as principais técnicas fisioterapêuticas e seus benefícios para o tratamento da escoliose. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura sobre os métodos fisioterapêuticos no tratamento da escoliose. Foram selecionados para esta revisão artigos publicados de 2009 a outubro de 2019 nas bases de dados eletrônicas Medline, Lilacs e SciELO, apenas artigos com tradução para o português foram considerados para esta revisão. RESULTADOS: Após a análise foram selecionados para esta revisão sete artigos para leitura na íntegra. Foram identificadas as seguintes condutas: técnica de pilates, reeducação postural global (RPG), isostretching, método klapp e cinesioterapia. Com os seguintes benefícios: melhora na postura, alinhamento da coluna vertebral torácica, melhora da flexibilidade, melhora da assimetria do tronco, diminuição da intensidade da dor, redução da curva escoliótica, melhora postural no alinhamento de cabeça, ombros, escápulas, ângulo de Talles, tronco, abdômen e pelve, aumento da força dos músculos flexores e extensores de tronco e redução do ângulo de Cobb da escoliose. CONCLUSÃO: Existem diversos métodos da fisioterapia com benéficos para o tratamento da escoliose, destacando o RPG e o pilates para a melhora da força, flexibilidade, dor e redução da curva escoliótica.

Efeitos do método pilates na funcionalidade e qualidade de vida na doença de Parkinson

Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos do Método Pilates sobre a funcionalidade e qualidade de vida (QV) em indivíduos com a Doença de Parkinson (DP). Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo piloto randomizado, do tipo duplo cego e controlado. A amostra inicial foi composta por 20 indivíduos com a DP, de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 64,5 + 7,2 anos, subdivididos em: Grupo Pilates (GP), submetidos a um protocolo baseado no método Pilates, e Grupo Controle (GC) submetidos a um protocolo de cinesioterapia, ambos trabalhavam os mesmos grupos musculares e realizaram duas sessões semanais, com duração de 45 minutos, totalizando 10 sessões. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Unified Parkinson`s Disease Scale (UPDRS), Questionário de Qualidade de vida PDQ-39, e a Escala de Hoehn &amp; Yahr (HY - Degree of Disability Scale). Resultados: Apenas 12 participantes concluíram o protocolo, GP=7 e GC=5. Foram observadas diferenças intragrupos nos aspectos clínicos gerais da DP (UPDRST) do GP (p=0.046), sem interferir de forma significativa sobre a funcionalidade (UPDRSII e UPDRSIII) e a QV. Conclusão: O Método Pilates, comparado à cinesioterapia, apresentou melhores efeitos sobre os aspectos clínicos gerais da DP mas não influenciou a funcionalidade e a QV nos participantes analisados.

The influence of whole body cryotherapy on the functional efficiency in patients with spondyloarthrosis of the lumbar spine

Background: Osteoarthrosis (OA) is considered as the most common disease affecting mankind. The aim of the study was to present the impact of whole body cryotherapy (WBCT) together with kinesiotherapy (KT) and with KT alone on functional efficiency in patients with OA. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 120 patients. They were randomly divided into two groups. Patients from the study group underwent a series of WBCT combined with KT, while patients from the control group underwent KT alone. Each patient was examined before and after the therapy by VAS, ODI and functional tests. Results: After the therapy the VAS decreased by 33% in both study groups. Functional efficiency improved by 17% (ODI) in the study group, while in the control group by 10% (p<0.0001). The Schöber test result increased after the therapy in the study group by 0.32±0.1 cm, while in the control group by 0.4±0.1 cm. In the Thomayer test spinal ROM increased after the therapy by 3.09±0.1 cm in the study group and increased by 2.63±0.1 cm in the control group (p<0.0001). Conclusion: WBCT as well as kinesiotherapy decreases LBP and slightly increases lumbar spine ROM. Improvement in functional efficiency measured by ODI was higher in patients after WBCT combined with kinesiotherapy.

Kinesioterapia en varón con tétano generalizado

Kinesioterapia en varón con tétano generalizado

Análise da abordagem fisioterapêutica no tratamento da disfunção temporomandibular: revisão integrativa

Objetivo: Analisar a abordagem fisioterapêutica no tratamento da disfunção temporomandibular, descrevendo os objetivos e resultados das técnicas e recursos utilizados. Métodos: Este estudo trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura realizada a partir da inserção de descritores específicos nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO e LILACS, onde foram incluídos estudos publicados na íntegra, entre 2010 a 2018, na língua portuguesa e inglesa, e foram excluídos resumos, textos incompletos, periódicos pagos, relatos e estudos de caso, revisões e trabalhos sem fundamentação científica Resultados: A partir da inserção de descritores encontrou-se 169 estudos, os quais, após a filtragem por ano, idioma, gratuidade e texto completo disponível findaram-se em apenas 56. Estes, tiveram seus títulos, resumos e metodologia avaliados, resultando em 7 ensaios clínicos, com amostras entre 10 e 60 pacientes, que utilizaram recursos e técnicas fisioterapêuticas para o tratamento da DTM. Conclusão: Através dos resultados deste estudo, pode-se concluir que a fisioterapia através da eletroterapia, termoterapia e cinesioterapia são eficazes na redução da dor, na mobilidade articular e na melhora da sensibilidade, dessa maneira, contribuindo significativamente para o tratamento da DTM.

Whole-Body Cryotherapy Decreases the Levels of Inflammatory, Oxidative Stress, and Atherosclerosis Plaque Markers in Male Patients with Active-Phase Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Absence of Classical Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Objective The aim of the study was to estimate the impact of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Material and Methods We investigated the effect of WBC with subsequent kinesiotherapy on markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid profile, and atherosclerosis plaque in male AS patients (WBC group). To assess the disease activity, the BASDAI and BASFI were also calculated. The results from the WBC group were compared with results from the kinesiotherapy (KT) group. Results The results showed that in the WBC group, the plasma hsCRP level decreased without change to the IL-6 level. The ICAM-1 level showed a decreasing tendency. The CER concentration, as well as the BASDAI and BASFI, decreased in both groups, but the index changes of disease activity were higher in the WBC than KT patients. Additionally, in the WBC group, we observed a decrease in oxidative stress markers, changes in the activity of some antioxidant enzymes and nonenzymatic antioxidant parameters. In both groups, the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, sCD40L, PAPP-A, and PLGF levels decreased, but the parameter changes were higher in the WBC group. Conclusion WBC appears to be a useful method of atherosclerosis prevention in AS patients.

Physiological Index of the Elderly with Diabetes According to Dance Based Low Intensity Combined Kinesitherapy

Physiological Index of the Elderly with Diabetes According to Dance Based Low Intensity Combined Kinesitherapy

Robot-assisted upper limb therapy improves shoulder joint proprioception after stroke

Objective To explore the effect of robot-assisted therapy on the shoulder joint proprioception of convalescent stroke survivors. Methods Forty stroke survivors were enrolled and randomized into an experimental group (n=20) and a control group (n=20). Both groups received routine drug treatment and rehabilitation, including the traditional kinesitherapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy, but the experimental group was additionally provided with 20 minutes of robot-assisted upper limb therapy 6 times a week for 8 weeks. Before the intervention and at 4 and 8 weeks the multi-joint system (MJS) upper limb proprioception test system was used to evaluate the average trace error and test execution time of the upper limb. Shoulder joint proprioception was measured at 30° and 60° in intorsion and extorsion using an isokinetic dynamometer. Results Before the training there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of any of the assessments. After 4 and 8 weeks of training, significant improvement was observed in the measurements, and those of the experimental group were significantly better than those of the control group at the same time points. Conclusion Robot-assisted therapy can facilitate the recovery of shoulder joint proprioception after a stroke. It is worthy of application in clinical practice. Key words: Stroke; Upper limbs; Robots; Shoulders; Proprioception

Repeated magnetic stimulation improves the effectiveness of exercise therapy in relieving ankle spasticity after stroke

Objective To study the effect of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation combined with exercise on spasticity in the ankle plantar flexors among stroke survivors. Methods Sixty stroke survivors with spasticity in their ankle plantar flexors were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, each of 30. Both groups were given conventional kinesitherapy, while the treatment group were additionally provided with repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation for 4 weeks. The myoelectric activity of the agonist and antagonist muscles was recorded using surface electromyography during maximum isometric voluntary contractions of the ankle dorsiflexors and co-contraction ratios (CRs) were calculated. The motor function, walking ability and ankle plantar flexor spasticity were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), functional ambulation categories (FACs) and a composite spasticity scale (CSS). Results Before the intervention there was no signification difference between the two groups in terms of any of the assessments. After 4 weeks of treatment, the average integrated EMG of the anterior tibialis in the treatment group was significantly better than in the control group. That group′s average FMA-LE and FAC scores were also significantly better. The experimental group′s average spasticity score and co-contraction ratio during maximum isometric voluntary contractions of the ankle dorsiflexors had both decreased significantly. All of the improvements in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group. Conclusion Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation combined with the exercise therapy can effectively reduce ankle plantar flexior spasticity while improving motor function and walking ability. It is more effective than exercise alone. Key words: Magnetic stimulation; Exercise therapy; Stroke; Spasticity; Surface electromyography

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy vs. kinesiotherapy for osteoarthritis of the knee: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a degenerative, painful pathology, needing conservative treatment for symptoms' relief. Comparing the effects of Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and Kinesiotherapy (KIN) on perceived health and range of motion (ROM) of the affected knee. A pilot randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, intention-to-treat analysis. Forty participants, aged 40-75 with OA of the knee were randomized to an ESWT and a KIN groups. The ESWT group completed 5 interventions for 5 weeks, the KIN group completed the same number of interventions. All evaluations were performed at baseline and after the treatment for: perceived health (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities questionnaire - WOMAC), range of motion (ROM). After the intervention the statistical significant between groups differences favoring the ESWT were found in the WOMAC with regard to pain (p< 0.000), stiffness (p= 0.018), physical function (p< 0.000), total score (p< 0.000), extension and flexion of the affected knee (p= 0.015, p< 0.000) respectively. ESWT improves WOMAC and ROM better then KIN on the affected knee in patients with OA of the knee.