This study aims to investigate the effect of a preoperative telerehabilitation (PT) program on muscle strength, knee range of motion (ROM), and functional outcomes in candidates for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Sixty patients (all women, mean age 70.53 ± 2.7 years) scheduled for bilateral TKA participated in this study. The PT and preoperative patient education (PE) groups participated in a 3-week intensive exercise program (30 min/session, 2 times/day, 5 days/week), whereas the control group received the usual care before TKA. Quadriceps muscle strength, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), ROM of knee flexion, pain, and time up-and-go (TUG) test time were evaluated at 4 weeks preoperatively, post-interventionally, and 6 weeks after TKA. Significant differences were found in the time-by-group interaction for 60°/s extension peak torque [F(4, 100) = 2.499, p < 0.047, η2p = 0.91], 180°/s extension peak torque [F(4, 100) = 3.583, p < 0.009, η2p = 0.125], ROM [F(4, 100) = 4.689, p < 0.002, η2p = 0.158], TUG time [F(4, 100) = 7.252, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.225], WOMAC pain [F(4, 100) = 9.113, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.267], WOMAC functional outcome [F(4, 100) = 6.579, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.208], and WOMAC total score [F(4, 100) = 10.410, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.294]. The results of this study demonstrate the early benefits of a PT program in elderly female patients with end-stage osteoarthritis. The PT program improved muscle strength, ROM, and functional outcomes before TKA, which contributed to better functional recovery after TKA.

Chronic low back pain that lasts more than 12 weeks causes mental and physical distress. This study investigated the effects of pain neuroscience education combined with lumbar stabilization exercises on strength, pain, flexibility, and activity disorder index in female patients with chronic low back pain. Thirty-five female patients with chronic low back pain were randomly divided into two groups: the pain neuroscience education (PNE) combined with lumbar stabilization exercises (LSEs) group (n = 18, experimental group) and the lumbar stabilization exercises alone group (n = 17, control group). The experimental group underwent PNE combined with LSEs for 30 min per session, twice per week for 8 weeks, and the control group underwent LSEs only. The primary outcomes were strength (sit-up and back-up movements), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Korean Pain Catastrophizing Scale (K-PCS), and Tampa Scale of Kinesio-phobia-11 (TSK-11) for pain. The secondary outcomes were modified–modified Schober’s test (MMST) and finger to floor test (FFT) for flexibility and activity disorder (Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire index). A significant difference was observed in the primary outcomes after intervention in the abdominal muscle strength (group difference, mean, −7.50; 95% CI, −9.111 to –5.889, F = 9.598; ANCOVA p = 0.005), the back muscle strength (group difference, mean, −9.722; 95% CI, −10.877 to –8.568, F = 7.102; ANCOVA p = 0.014), the NPRS (group difference, mean, 1.89; 95% CI,1.65 to 2.12, F = 24.286; ANCOVA p < 0.001), K-PCS (group difference, mean, 7.89; 95% CI, 7.02 to 8.76, F = 11.558; ANCOVA p = 0.003), and TSK-11 (group difference, mean, 16.79; 95% CI, 13.99 to 19.59, F = 13.179; ANCOVA p = 0.014) for pain. In the secondary outcomes, there was a significant difference in the FFT (group difference, mean, −0.66; 95%CI, −0.99 to −0.33, F = 4.327; ANCOVA p = 0.049), whereas the difference in flexibility (MMST) and activity disorder index of the secondary outcomes did not reach significance. Therefore, this study confirmed that PNE combined with LSEs is an effective intervention compared to LSE alone in improving muscle strength and pain in female patients with chronic low back pain.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is used to treat end-stage osteoarthritis. However, this surgical procedure affects the mechanical receptor function and impairs the ability to balance. Dynamic balance training has been reported to improve stability and self-confidence and safely yield increased physical activity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of dynamic balance training on physical function, the ability to balance and quality of life among patients who underwent TKA. Thirty-eight participants were assigned to either the progressive dynamic balance training (PDBT) with physical therapy group (n = 19) or the control group (n = 19). The experimental group undertook a dynamic balance program with physical therapy for 30 minutes per day, five times per week for six weeks, while the control group undertook physical therapy only. A continuous passive motion exercise was performed for 20 minutes after training by both groups. The outcomes were evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index, pain pressure threshold (PPT), range of motion (ROM), Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living (KOS-ADLS), Multifunction Force Measuring Plate, timed up and go (TUG) test and Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). Physical function (WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index, ROM and KOS-ADLS score) and the ability to balance (TUG test score, confidence ellipse area, path length and average velocity) significantly improved (p < 0.05) in the experimental group compared with the control group. In contrast, the physical component summary score for the SF-36 regarding quality of life significantly improved (p < 0.05); however, the mental component summary score for the SF-36 and PPT did not significantly differ between the groups. Therefore, we suggest that PDBT with physical therapy has positive effects on physical function, the ability to balance and quality of life among patients who underwent TKA.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the joint angle of the lower extremities during sit-to-stand movements with wearable sensors based on a portable gait analysis system (PGAS), and the results were compared with a analysis system (MAS) to predict the clinical potential of it. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Sixteen persons with stroke (9 males, 7 females) participated in this study. All subjects had the MAS and designed PGS applied simultaneously and eight sensor units of designed PGAS were placed in a position to avoid overlap with the reflexive markers from MAS. The initial position of the subjects was 90º of hip, knee, and ankle joint flexion while sitting on a chair that was armless and backless. The height of the chair was adjusted to each individual. After each trial, the test administrator checked the quality of data from both systems that measured sit-to-stand for test-retest reliability and concurrent validity. Results: As a result, wearable sensor based designed PGAS and MAS demonstrated reasonable test-retest reliability for the assessment of joint angle in the lower extremities during sit-to-stand performance. The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for wearable sensor based designed PGAS showed an acceptable test-retest reliability, with ICCs ranging from 0.759 to 0.959. In contrast, the MAS showed good to excellent test-retest reliability, with ICCS ranging from 0.811 to 0.950. In concurrent validity, a significant positive relationship was observed between PGAS and MAS for variation of joint angle during sit-to-stand movements (p<0.01). A moderate to high relationship was found in the affected hip (r=0.665), unaffected hip (r=0.767), affected knee (r=0.876), unaffected knee (r=0.886), affected ankle (r=0.943) and unaffected ankle (r=0.823) respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that wearable sensor based designed PGAS showed acceptable test-retest reliability and concurrent validity in persons with stroke for sit-to-stand movements and wearable sensors based on developed PGAS may be a useful tool for clinical assessment of functional movement.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis. However, evidence of combined kinematic chain exercise (CCE) in early-phase rehabilitation after TKA remains lacking. This study investigated the effects of CCE training on physical function, balance ability, and gait in 40 patients who underwent TKA. Participants were randomly assigned to the CCE (n = 20) and open kinematic chain exercise (OKCE) groups (n = 20). The CCE and OKCE groups were trained five times a week (for 4 weeks) for 30 min per session. Physical function, range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait were assessed before and after the intervention. The time × group interaction effects and time effect as measured with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, ROM, Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living, balancing ability (e.g., confidence ellipse area, path length, and average speed), and gait parameters (e.g., timed up-and-go test, gait speed, cadence, step length, and stride length) were statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the group comparison of pre- and postintervention measurements for all variables, the CCE group showed substantial improvements compared to the OKCE group (p < 0.05). Both groups showed significant within-group improvement from baseline to postintervention. Our results suggest that CCE training positively affects physical function, balance ability, and gait as an early intervention for patients undergoing TKA.

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The Effects of Intensive Serratus Anterior and Lower Trapezius Muscle Training with Thera-band on Muscle Activation, Height of Shoulder in People with Rounded Shoulder • 25 Purpose This study was to investigated the effect of intensive serratus anterior muscle and lower trapezius muscle training with Thera band on muscle activation and height of shoulder in people with round shoulder. Method Sixteen students with rounded shoulder were recruited in D college and randomly allocated both groups. Both serratus anterior training group(n=8) and lower trapezius group(n=8) were performed intensive muscle training with Thera band for 6 weeks(10 sessions/time, 3times/week, total 18 times). We measured height of shoulder and muscle activation with EMG MR 3.8 software(NORAXON Desktop DTS, USA) for comparing the results of pre post training. Result There were significant difference on scapular height and muscle activation in both serratus anterior group and lower trapezius group(p<0.05). However, in correlation between height of shoulder and muscle activation, we could not find significant difference in both group(p>0.05). Conclusion This study indicated that both of serratus anterior muscle and lower trapezius muscle intensive training using Thera band effect the improvement rounded shoulder in college students.