Foot pronation affects the postural stability at stability level four and not affects stability level eight compared with those in the control group.

Background. To investigate the effect of adding r-ESWT to a standard exercise program of chronic non-specific LBP on electrical muscle activity (EMG), pain and function. Materials and methods. Our single-blind randomized controlled trial enrolled 30 patients with chronic non-specific LBP randomly allocated to an r-ESWT (n=15) group and a control group (n=15). All patients received a standard exercise program, while r-ESWT was additionally administered in the r-ESWT group. EMG activity, pain and function were assessed before and after 6 weeks of treatment. Results. After treatment, all outcome measures were significantly different (p < 0.05). The addition of r-ESWT produced a significant increase in EMG activity (of all muscles tested) and a reduction in pain intensity and functional disability scores (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Conclusions. 1. A standard intervention offered either alone or with r-ESWT increased EMG activities, reduced pain, and enhanced function in patients with chronic non-specific LBP. 2. Adding r-ESWT to the standard intervention program might produce better results.

IntroductionPressure pain threshold has been quantified by using a gold standard algometer in patients with bruxism. However, the expense associated with quantifying pressure pain threshold to detect trigger points with a gold standard algometer precludes its use in the clinic. This study aimed to measure the reliability and validity of the more accessible Egyptian algometer for pressure pain threshold evaluation in patients with bruxism.MethodsA descriptive repeated-measures study was performed among 100 participants with bruxism. Pressure pain threshold values were collected from the left temporalis, right temporalis, left masseter, and right masseter muscles with the participants sitting. Pressure pain thresholds were assessed over 2 sessions separated by a 1-week interval.ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) determined the intra-rater reliability and Pearson correlation analysis determined the validity of the Egyptian algometer. ICC equalled 0.878, 0.785, 0.896, and 0.903 for the right masseter, left masseter, right temporalis, and left temporalis muscles, respectively. The standard error of measurement ranged from 0.24 to 0.5, the minimal detectable difference ranged from 0.66 to 1.41, ICC ranged from 0.785 to 0.903. Pearson correlation values were 0.673, 0.670, 0.408, and 0.705 for the right masseter, left masseter, right temporalis, and left temporalis muscles, respectively.ConclusionsHigh ICCs indicated a strong agreement between the measurement systems, suggesting that the Egyptian algometer is a reliable and valid device for quantification of pressure pain threshold in patients with bruxism.

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The aim of this study was to examine the effects of combining extracorporeal shock wave therapy or local corticosteroid injections with a conventional physical therapy (CPT) program for patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Design: This was a prospective single-blinded, randomized controlled study. Methods: Sixty patients with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome >3 mos were allocated to group A (a 4-wk program of CPT plus a single local corticosteroid injection of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide mixed with 1% xylocaine, n = 20), group B (CPT only, n = 20), and group C (CPT plus extracorporeal shock wave therapy, 2000 impulses, 0.2-0.3 mJ/mm 2 , one session per week for 3 wks, n = 20). Subacromial space, shoulder pain and disability index, and shoulder range of motion were assessed at baseline and 4 and 12 wks posttreatment. Results: There were no between-group differences at 4 wks. At the 12-wk follow-up, no significant differences were found between groups A and B. There was a significant difference in favor of group C compared with group A with the expectation of shoulder internal rotation and subacromial space. Group C was also superior to group B in all outcomes except for subacromial space. Conclusion: The addition of extracorporeal shock wave therapy to CPT induced more noticeable intermediate-term effects than CPT plus local corticosteroid injection or CPT alone.