BackgroundIn the currently available research publications on electrical therapy of low back pain, generally no control groups or detailed randomization were used, and such studies were often conducted with relatively small groups of patients, based solely on subjective questionnaires and pain assessment scales (lacking measurement methods to objectify the therapeutic progress). The available literature also lacks a comprehensive and large-scale clinical study. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of treating low back pain using selected electrotherapy methods. The study assesses the influence of individual electrotherapeutic treatments on reduction of pain, improvement of the range of movement in lower section of the spine, and improvement of motor functions and mobility.Material/MethodsThe 127 patients qualified for the therapy (ultimately, 123 patients completed the study) and assigned to 6 comparison groups: A – conventional TENS, B – acupuncture-like TENS, C – high-voltage electrical stimulation, D – interferential current stimulation, E – diadynamic current, and F – control group.ResultsThe research showed that using electrical stimulation with interferential current penetrating deeper into the tissues results in a significant and more efficient elimination of pain, and an improvement of functional ability of patients suffering from low back pain on the basis of an analysis of both subjective and objective parameters. The TENS currents and high voltage were helpful, but not as effective. The use of diadynamic currents appears to be useless.ConclusionsSelected electrical therapies (interferential current, TENS, and high voltage) appear to be effective in treating chronic low back pain.

Background. Interdisciplinary physical therapy together with pharmacological treatment constitute conservative treatment strategies related to low back pain (LBP). There is still a lack of high quality studies aimed at an objective evaluation of physiotherapeutic procedures according to their effectiveness in LBP.

The modified Pilates program was more effective in improving body balance control in the hearing impaired people than standard physical education classes. Modification of physical activity recommendations for hearing impaired students may be considered; however, further research is required. Implications for Rehabilitation Hearing impairment impacts the mental, social and, physical spheres of life as well as deteriorates equivalent reactions and the way body posture is maintained. In hearing impaired people, control of body balance and muscle coordination is often disturbed, thus more attention should be paid to exercises associated with balance which may improve the ability to learn and develop motor skills. Modified Pilates program was significantly more effective in improving body balance control than standard physical education classes in hearing impaired people.

Background: and study aim: Each sports activity, particularly combat sports, involves various injuries and overloads. Injuries are a result of impact of sudden large for ceson tissues, while overloads are caused by small but repetitive forces, which lead to some dysfunction, pain. The aim of this study was to compare injuries and overloads in two combat sports, namely judo and Thai boxing. Material and methods: The study was conducted on 34 judokas (from MaKo Judo Wrocław Sports Club) and 34 Thai boxers (from Puncher Wrocław Sports Club). The group of Thai boxers consisted of 29 men and 5 women, where as the judoka group was comprised of 23 men and 11 women. The average age of participants was 22.6 years. Internship competes patients was 3 years. The training period was similar for Thai boxers and judokas: Thai boxers trained on average for 8.5hper week, while judokas trained for 6.9h per week. Results: The study demonstrated that the most common injuries in Thai boxers occurred in lower limbs, while in judokas– in shoulder joints, knee joints and the spine. Thai boxers most frequently developed overloads in lower limbs, whereas judokas– in shoulder joints and the spine. Conclusions: Thai boxers considerably more frequently sustained injuries of feet, elbow joints and thighs, compared to judokas, who sustained more knee joint injuries. Judokas considerably more frequently suffered from injuries of shoulder joints and the spine compared to Thai boxers. Thai boxers more often developed overloads of lower limbs and elbow joints compared to judokas. On the other hand, judokas considerably more frequently sustained overloads of the spine and shoulder joints compared to Thai boxers.

Damage to the rotator cuffs within the shoulder girdle is one of the many causes of the painful shoulder syndrome. The main symptom is the accompanying pain limiting partial or complete mobility in the shoulder joint. Weakness and atrophy of the deltoid and supraspinous muscles of the shoulder are secondary symptoms caused by immobilization of the upper limb. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the use of physical therapy in women with damaged rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder girdle. The study involved 30 women aged 45-70, who were divided into two groups: professionally active (n = 15) and professionally inactive (n = 15). The muscle strength of the shoulder joint rim, strength of the hand grip and pain assessment according to the VAS scale were analyzed. The assessment of upper limb fitness was assessed before and after 20 physiotherapy procedures. Professionally active women returned to physical fitness faster, gaining greater strength of the shoulder girdle, strength of the hand grip and reduction of perceptible pain.