Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Journal

Studies have linked strong adverse effects of nicotine on musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, neural and endocrinal system. Studies have particularly shown that prolonged smoking severely impacts strength and endurances in various muscle groups with increase incidences of chronic pain syndromes. Our study used correlation design to see the effects of prolonged smoking on endurance of postural back muscles. Criteria based selection was done and 30 subjects were recruited with informed consent and then divided into two groups, group A (smokers) and group-B (Non-smokers). With adequate explanation and demonstration Sorenson’s endurance test was carried out to see the back extensor endurance time in two groups of subjects. The isometric hold time was recorded for both the groups. Data was obtained and smoking index was correlated subsequently.Results show that with high smoking index, mean endurance time for smokers was less than non-smokers.

Keywords: Nicotine, Smoking Index, Sorenson’s Endurance Test, Back Extensor Endurance, Mean Endurance Time.

Objective: This study was carried out to find the changes in functional status of chronic spinal cord injured patients with treatment of electromyography biofeedback. Methods: A sample of 30 subjects randomly allocated into group A and B participated in the study .Group A received electromyographic biofeedback training along with conventional exercise and Group B received conventional exercises only. The subjects were assessed for electromyographic amplitude, quadriplegic index of function and spinal cord independence measure scores. They were assessed before the treatment and after treatment. The total duration of the study was 3 weeks with 5 session of treatment in a week. Results: The study showed significant changes in all variables studied during a intra group analysis as well as intergroup analysis. There was a significant change in EMG amplitude scores of both upper extremities, quadriplegic index of function and spinal cord independence measure scores in both group A and group B after the treatment. There was significant difference in electromyographic amplitude values, quadriplegic index of function and spinal cord independence measure scores after the treatment between the groups. Conclusion: The electromyographic biofeedback can be used along with conventional exercises to improve the function in chronic spinal cord injury patients.

Keywords: Quadriplegia; Electromyography biofeedback; Functional performance.

Objective: This study was carried out to find the difference in haemodynamic responses of different balance training exercise in hypertensive elderly adults. Methods: Elderly adults between the age of 60-80 years (n=80) with controlled hypertension allocated into two groups. Group 1 underwent specific balance training and group 2 general balance training exercises for a single session. They were measured for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and rate pressure product before the exercise, immediately after the exercise and 5 minutes after the exercise. The hemodynamic responses were compared between the groups for difference. Results: The study showed a significant difference in all haemodynamic parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate and rate pressure product immediately except diastolic blood pressure and after 5 minutes of exercise between the groups. Conclusion: The general balance exercise is safe in terms of hemodynamic changes in elderly hypertensives.

Keywords: hypertension, elderly adults, balance exercises.

Question: Is there any significant difference in strengthening of gluteus maximus and rectus femoris on dynamic and static balance? Design: Experimental design comparative in nature. Participants: Thirty asymptomatic participants (mean age 21.39±1.99) of Sardar Bhagwan Singh Institute, Dehradun, India, with normal body mass index and right dominant lower extremity, were divided randomly in three groups of 10 participants in each. Intervention: Two week (5 sessions a week) close kinematic chain strengthening program of gluteus maximus (group c) and rectus femoris (group b) where gluteus medius (group a) is controlled. Outcome measures: Single limb stance time, star excursion balance test (sebt) in eight (Anterior, Anteriomedial, Medial, Posteriomedial, Posterior, Posteriolateral, Lateral, Anteriolateral) directions. whereas in sebt improvement for group c was greater (8.26±4.30, 7.13±4.48, 7.25±4.0, 10.62±5.31, 6.9±6.05, 8.38±3.11, 6.38±3.54) compare to group b (4.63±4.47, 6.63±3.81, 5.63±3.81, 4.5±1.85, 10.5±5.78, 7.5±5.4, 5.13±4.36, 4.5±3.02) and group a (2.25±3.57, 2±3.02, 2±3.30, 1.75±5.36, 2±5.04, 3.25±5.25, 2.62±5.85, 3.25±2.66) in all eight (Anterior, Anteriomedial, Medial, Posteriomedial, Posterior, Posteriolateral, Lateral, Anteriolateral) directions. Conclusion: This study provides idea that the strengthening program of rectus femoris and gluteus maximus has the effect on static as well as dynamic balance as the improvement of single limb balance and SEBT was documented in both the groups. Data analysis revealed that improvement was more in group in comparison to group B and group A (C>B>A) which stated that gluteus maximus strengthening has better effect on static (single limb stance) and dynamic (SEBT) balance in comparison to rectus femoris strengthening.

Objective: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is defined as the presence of pain around the patella, The goals of patellofemoral rehabilitation are to maximize quadriceps strength.. Backward locomotion may be a useful rehabilitation modality in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome.Methods: Study was conducted on 26 subjects for a period of 4 weeks in two groups. Outcome measures of pain and function were taken to assess the effect of intervention. Conclusion: Statistically significant improvements in pain and function outcome measures in the patients with patellofemoral pain following intervention comprising of backward walking on treadmill indicate its effectiveness when incorporated as a therapeutic regime in these patients and is therefore recommended in the rehabilitation of PFPS patients.

Keywords: PFPS; Backward walking; Retro treadmill.

Chest physiotherapy is an established and routinely used therapy to prevent and treat post operative pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) is an expiratory resistance breathing exercise which has been incorporated into the routine post-operative regime after open heart surgery. The present study was aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of routine physiotherapy and PEP in preventing post-operative pulmonary dysfunction in patients undergoing CABG. Methods: Subjects (n=18) who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting were included in the study. They were randomly assigned into 2 groups. Group 1 was given PEP therapy and Group 2 were administered routine chest physiotherapy .Arterial Blood Gas, PFT (FEV1, FVC, PEFR,) SPO2 and 2 min walk distance were measured pre and post cardiac surgery.Data analysis and Results: 16 subjects completed the study. Fishers exact t test, Mann Whitney ‘U’ test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test were used compare the parameters between and with the groups. There was no significant difference in any of the outcomes between the groups.Conclusion: Positive Expiratory Pressure clinically as well as statistically has equal effects in preventing postoperative pulmonary complications when compared with conventional physiotherapy.

Keywords: physiotherapy; Thoracic surgery; Coronary artery bypass graft; Post-operative pulmonary complications; Positive expiratory pressure; Breathing exercises; Incentive spirometery.