Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Journal

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique to stimulate the cortical regions of the brain. rTMS can be used as a therapeutic adjunct to improve motor recovery following stroke, because of its potential to modulate cortical excitability. Depending on essential parameters of the stimulation frequency and number of trains of stimuli, rTMS can produce lasting up or down- regulation of the corticospinal system. At lower frequency (1-Hz) rTMS can suppress the excitability of the motor cortex causing an inhibitory effect; whereas at higher frequencies (>1 Hz) rTMS can increase cortical excitability causing facilitation. Many studies suggest that following stroke, there is exaggerated interhemispheric inhibition of the ipsilesional hemisphere, by the contralesional hemisphere. We report findings of a few stroke patients, where rTMS was given over the contralesional hemisphere to see its effect on the affected hand function.

Keywords: rTMS; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; Stroke; Ipsilesional hemisphere; Contralesional hemisphere; Hand function.

Objective: To establish whether college going males and females having normal body mass index perceive themselves as normal and are satisfied with their body image perception and to know prevalence of the joint pain episodes in them. Materials and Methods: Database was collected from population of 200 people including 100 girls and 100 boys between the age group of 18- 25years of age by stratified purposive random sampling in North Delhi. Subjects were informed about filling up of the questionnaire, they were provided with instruction to fill that on consenting to participate. Results: The frequency of self perception differed significantly (p<0.001) between the two genders. Also, frequency of joint pain episode was significantly (p<0.05) different. Conclusion: It is thus concluded that gender differences related to perceived weight related to BMI are consistent among young adults. Females are most likely to perceive themselves as too fat or little fat while males perceives themselves as too thin or a little thin despite of having a normal BMI. Also frequency of joint pain episodes are higher in females than in males. Findings of present study are expected to contribute to obesity and body image concern research by underscoring the importance of sociocultural influences of shaping realistic body image and having implications for prevention and early intervention for establishing healthy behavior pattern during adolescence.

Keywords: BMI; Body image; Joint pains; Weight perception.

Aim & Objective: Ischemic heart disease is among the most common causes of death and disability in the world. The Indian subcontinent has among the highest rates of cardiovascular disease globally, which is estimated to be six fold higher in the urban areas. This has led to an increase in number of Coronary artery revascularization surgeries. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any effect of recovery positions on heart rate recovery and myocardial oxygen consumption in patients undergoing CABG following six minute exercise test. Methods: This experimental study was based on the pre operative assessment for inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients were randomly assigned to the two groups. Two six minute walk tests were performed each on the day before surgery and following CABG on fourth and seventh postoperative day and the dependent variables were measure. Conclusion: The study thus concluded that there is improvement in the heart rate measures and functional capacity following CABG. The heart rate recovery was found to vary with different recovery positions and was better in the supine lying position, when compared to sitting position.

Keywords: Autonomic nervous system; Phase I cardiac rehabilitation; Six minute walk test; Revascularization; Hear rate recovery.

This paper discusses the value of radial shock wave diathermy in treatment of various musculoskeletal disorders. Radial shock-wave therapy (RSWT) is a pneumatically generated, low- to medium-energy type of shock-wave therapy.
Shockwaves have been used for 15 years as an alternative treatment for musculoskeletal disorders. The treatment consists of mechanical acoustic waves that are transmitted through liquid and gaseous media.Their biological effect comes from the mechanical action of (mechanical) ultrasonic vibrations on tissues.
Shockwaves can be focal or radial. Focal shockwaves have high tissue penetration power (10 cm) and impact force (0.08–0.28 mj/mm2). They produce mechanical and biological effects of greater intensity, including destruction of fibrosis and stimulation of neovascularization in treated tissues.

Keywords: Radial shockwave diathermy & musculoskeletal disorders.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the effect of integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique (INIT) in the treatment of MTrP of upper trapezius using pressure pain threshold (PPT) and visual analog scale (VAS). Method: Fifteen participants who came to manipal hospital, eight of them were randomized into INIT group and seven of them were randomized into conventional group. Two outcome measures were 1) Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) and 2)Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) taken at baseline and after 2 weeks. Results: When PPT was compared between the group there was no significant change demonstrated, the mean change score between the group was 1.33 lbf/cm2 (p-value>0.05) but the mean change score of VAS between the group was 14.61 mm (p-value<0.05), there was a significant improvement in VAS observed between the group. Conclusion: INIT is effective in relieving pain in participants with upper trapezius MTrP.

Keywords: Myofascial trigger point; Integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique; Upper trapezius; Vapocoolant spray-stretch and pressure pain threshold.

This paper discusses the benefits of Robotic therapy for upper limb rehabilitation in patients post stroke. Rehabilitation robotics is a field of research dedicated to understanding and augmenting rehabilitation through the application of robotic devices. Robots can be used to generate objective measures of patient’s impairment and therapy outcome, assist in diagnosis, customize therapies based on patient’s motor abilities, and assure compliance with treatment regimens and maintain patient’s records. It is shown in many studies that there is a significant improvement in upper limb motor function after stroke using robotics for upper limb rehabilitation.

Keywords: Cerebro-vascular accident; Upper limb rehabilitation; Robotic therapy.