[Purpose] This study aimed to identify the impact of physiotherapy using complex manual
therapy as a part of an integrated treatment for sequelae in the musculoskeletal system of
torture survivors. [Subjects] This study reviewed 30 male torture survivors presenting
with chronic low back pain. They were randomly selected and divided into two groups: an
experimental group and a control group. [Methods] For the experimental group, complex
manual therapy was performed twice a week for 8 weeks to improve the physical sequelae of
patients. Improvement was measured using the PDS-K for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain examination, the Korean Oswestry Disability
Index (KODI) for back function assessment, and the Balance System SD as a dynamic balance
test. The total period of the intervention for both groups was 8 weeks. [Results] For the
experimental group, PDS-K, VAS, KODI, and the dynamic balance test all showed significant
improvements after the intervention, which they did not for the control group. In the
comparison of the groups, PDS-K, VAS, KODI, and the dynamic balance test all showed
significant differences. [Conclusion] Complex manual therapy for torture survivors with
chronic low back pain contributes to functional recovery by reducing back pain. The
treatment can be considered to have positive effects on sequelae in the musculoskeletal
system of torture survivors as they age.
[Purpose] This study is designed to compare the effects of abdominal drawing-in exercise
and myofascial release on pain, flexibility, and balance of elderly females. [Subjects and
Methods] Forty elderly females aged 65 or older who had complained of low back pain for
three months or longer were selected as the subjects. They were randomly and equally
assigned to either an abdominal drawing-in group or a myofascial release group. The
subjects conducted exercise three times per week, 40 minutes each time, for eight weeks.
As evaluation tools, visual analogue scale for pain, remodified schober test for
flexibility, and upright posture with eye opening on hard platform, upright posture with
eye closing on hard platform, upright posture with eye opening on soft platform, upright
posture with eye closing on soft platform using tetrax for balance were used. [Results]
The abdominal drawing-in exercise group saw significant difference in pain and balance
after the exercise compared to before the exercise. The myofascial release group saw
significant difference in pain and flexibility after exercise compared to before the
exercise. [Conclusion] The above study showed that abdominal drawing-in exercise affected
elderly females regarding pain and balance and myofascial release influenced their pain
and flexibility.
[Purpose] This study compared the differences in electrophysiological characteristics of
normal muscles versus muscles with latent or active myofascial trigger points, and
identified the neuromuscular physiological characteristics of muscles with active
myofascial trigger points, thereby providing a quantitative evaluation of myofascial pain
syndrome and clinical foundational data for its diagnosis. [Subjects] Ninety adults in
their 20s participated in this study. Subjects were equally divided into three groups: the
active myofascial trigger point group, the latent myofascial trigger point group, and the
control group. [Methods] Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), endurance, median
frequency (MDF), and muscle fatigue index were measured in all subjects. [Results] No
significant differences in MVIC or endurance were revealed among the three groups.
However, the active trigger point group had significantly different MDF and muscle fatigue
index compared with the control group. [Conclusion] Given that muscles with active
myofascial trigger points had an increased MDF and suffered muscle fatigue more easily,
increased recruitment of motor unit action potential of type II fibers was evident.
Therefore, electrophysiological analysis of these myofascial trigger points can be applied
to evaluate the effect of physical therapy and provide a quantitative diagnosis of
myofascial pain syndrome.
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