Background: Patellar taping has long been reported to be effective in relieving pain in patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Yet, there is lack of knowledge that supports its use in knee osteoarthritis (OA) management. Purpose: This study examined the effect of therapeutic patellar taping on concentric and eccentric quadriceps muscle peak torques, VAS pain scores, 6-minute walking distance and stair climbing time in patients with knee OA. Methods: A total of 30 female patients with symptomatic knee OA with mean age 51.8 ± 6.3 years and BMI 32.56 ± 3.26 m2/kg participated in the study. They were tested under three taping conditions that were tested randomly; therapeutic, placebo and no-tape. Results: Repeated measure MANOVA revealed that the quadriceps muscle peak torques and 6-minute walking distance increased significantly (p < 0.05) and the VAS scores and stair climbing time decreased significantly with therapeutic tape use compared with the other two tapes. Moreover, the quadriceps muscle peak torques increased significantly and the VAS scores decreased significantly with placebo tape use compared with no-tape use, with no significant difference (p > 0.05) in between for the 6-minute walking distance and stair climbing time. Conclusion: The findings indicate that therapeutic patellar taping is effective in improving quadriceps strength and functional performance and reducing pain in patients with knee OA.
Context: Upper limb activities require a repetitive movement of the shoulder external rotator and abductor muscles. The malfunction of the proximal part of the upper limb kinetic chain tends to change the mechanics of the distal part and increase the risk of injuries. Objectives: To compare the normalized eccentric peak torque (NEPT) of the shoulder external rotator and abductor muscles among healthy athletes and those with tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Design: An experimental cross-sectional study. Setting: Isokinetic laboratory, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University. Participants: A total of 30 male athletes participated voluntarily in this study. Intervention: Participants were distributed into 3 groups: healthy group, tennis elbow group, and golfer’s elbow group. Main Outcome Measures: NEPT of shoulder abductors and external rotators. The Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer was used to measure the variables of interest. Results: There was a significant increase in the NEPT of shoulder abductors and external rotators in healthy control group compared with both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow groups at an angular velocity of 60°/s (P < .05). Moreover, there was a significant increase in the NEPT of shoulder external rotators and abductors at an angular velocity of 120°/s in healthy control group compared with tennis elbow group and in golfer’s elbow group compared with tennis elbow group (P < .05). Conclusion: Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are associated with decreased NEPT of shoulder external rotators and abductors compared with those of healthy athletes. This tends to decrease the external stability of the shoulder joint and put high stress on the distal joints of the upper kinetic chain.
Fuzzy logic, unlike the crispy logic in Boolean theory, deals with uncertain or imprecise situations. Afuzzy control algorithm for a process control system embeds the intuition and experience of an operator, designer and researcher. The control does not need accurate mathematical model of a plant, and therefore, it suits well to a process where the model is unknown or illdefined. The fuzzy control also works well for complex nonlinear multidimensional system, system with parameter variation problem, or where the sensor signals are not precise /1/(1995), /2/(1994). Fuzzy logic is recently finding wide popularity in various applications that include management, economics and process control. In this paper, the basic configuration of the fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is introduced and the component functions are illustrated. The proposed block diagram of the PVBD hybrid system control is configured. The system controller manipulated variable as well as the actuators were clearly defined where all the system disturbances are included in the proposed block diagram. The system operation algorithm as well as the FLC algorithm is introduced. The FLCinputvariables membership fimctions as well as the output consequences are illustrated with their universe of discourses. The FLC is tested and simulatedbyfuzzy logic toolbox under MatLab using first order with delay time process model under variables input signals. The FLC is implemented in the 805 1 series microcontroller based on the low level language (assembly) usage. The normalization of the input sensed signals, output commands as well as the signal conditioning circuits are developed and implemented.
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