Purpose. The study was to assess the effectiveness of strain-counterstrain (SCS) techniques, after treatment and after a 6-week follow-up, on pain, range of motion (ROM), and disability in patients with acute nonspecific low back pain with mobility deficits. Methods. Overall, 84 patients diagnosed with nonspecific low back pain with mobility deficits were divided into 2 groups; 42 received SCS techniques (group A) and 42 (group B, control group) were advised to be active. The pressure pain threshold (PPT), lumbar flexion ROM, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used for assessment. All patients were assessed before treatment, after treatment, and after a 6-week follow-up. The treatment program was applied for 2 weeks, 2 sessions per week. Results. Statistical analysis revealed that there were significant increases in PPT on both sides of L5 and lumbar flexion ROM. In addition, a significant reduction in ODI scores was observed (p < 0.05) in the pre-vs. post-treatment evaluation, in the pre-treatment vs. post-6-week evaluation, and in the post-treatment vs. post-6-week evaluation with regard to both groups. As for between-group effects, multiple pairwise comparisons revealed significant increases in PPT on both sides of L5 and lumbar flexion ROM, in addition to a significant reduction in ODI scores (p < 0.05) in favour of group A as compared with group B after treatment and after the 6-week follow-up. Conclusions. SCS is preferable to be advised in the treatment of acute nonspecific low back pain with mobility deficits.

Introduction. To determine the influence of ultraviolet radiation on vitamin d plasma levels and quality of life in postmenopausal women with vitamin d deficiency. Methods. in a single-blinded randomized controlled trial design, 30 postmenopausal women were chosen suffering from a progressive, generalized muscle weakness, associated with decrease in physical function and poor quality of life. The subjects were aged 45-65 years and were randomly assigned into group A, treated by ultraviolet radiation in addition to regular aerobic exercises; and group B, receiving solely aerobic exercises. All participants had 3 sessions per week for 3 months. outcome measures determined before and after the 3 months of intervention were vitamin d level and the results of the short form (SF-36) of a specific quality of life questionnaire. Results. A significant increase in vitamin d was observed along with an improvement in quality of life in group A compared with group B after the treatment period. Conclusions. The 12-week program of ultraviolet radiation in addition to regular aerobic exercises yielded more improvement in vitamin d and quality of life than aerobic exercises alone in the management of postmenopausal chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

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IntroductionPurpose: The study was conducted to investigate the influence of pulsed magnetic field therapy on hand function, grip and pinch grip strength in post flexor tendon repair patients.Material and methodsMethods: Fifty male patients with flexor tendon repair took part in this research, with ages ranging from 25 to 50 years. They were assigned randomly into two groups: Group A (experimental) received pulsed magnetic therapy together with exercise, whereas Group B (control) received only exercise. Evaluation of hand grip strength with Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer, pinch strength with Baseline pinch gauge and hand function with Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, all measurements were made before and after the treatment. They were received 16 sessions for 8 weeks (2 sessions/week).ResultsResults: 2 x2 mixed design MANOVA revealed that no significant difference between both groups pre- treatment and post treatment in MHOQ total, function, aesthetic (p>0.05) and in hand grip strength while there was a significant difference across groups after treatment in the strength of pinch grip, MHOQ ADL, pain and satisfaction p <0.05), there was also a significant difference between pre- and post-treatment within groups in all outcome measures. (p <0.05).ConclusionsConclusion: PMF increases the efficiency of physical therapy treatment and it also increases the strength of both hand grip and pinches grip in patients after flexor tendon repair in zone II.

IntroductionThe aim of the study was to determine the effect of low level laser applied for 3 months, 2 sessions per week, on pelvic floor muscles and fascia compared with a pelvic floor exercise program in patients with stress urinary incontinence.MethodsThe randomized controlled trial involved 30 patients with stress urinary incontinence and with pelvic floor muscle strength not less than grade 1 on the Oxford scale. They were assigned to 2 equal groups. The experimental group received low level laser for 15 minutes and a pelvic floor muscle exercise program for 30 minutes, 2 sessions per week, for 12 weeks; the control group only received the pelvic floor muscle exercise program for 30 minutes, 2 sessions per week, for 12 weeks. The pelvic floor muscles were evaluated before and after treatment with a Neen Peritone perineometer and the Modified Oxford Grading Scale. The Revised Urinary Incontinence Scale served to assess incontinence severity before and after treatment.ResultsThe statistical analysis indicated a significant increase in pelvic floor muscle strength (<i>p</i> < 0.05), a significant improvement of the grade muscle test of pelvic floor muscles (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and a significant reduction of Revised Urinary Incontinence Scale score (<i>p</i> < 0.05) after treatment compared with pre-treatment status in both groups. Also, there was a significant improvement in all dependent variables in favour of the experimental group.ConclusionsLow level laser may be an effective intervention in treating stress urinary incontinence and improving pelvic floor muscle strength and fascia.