Reliability and responsiveness of a tissue hardness meter and algometer for measuring tissue hardness and pressure pain threshold in upper trapezius myofascial trigger points.

Background: Tissue hardness meter and algometer (THA) are used to assess tissue hardness (TH) and pressure pain threshold (PPT), particularly in the evaluation of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). This study introduces a side-lying protocol designed to comprehensively measure all portions of the upper trapezius (UT) muscle.

Purpose: The objective was to determine the reliability and responsiveness of THA to measure TH and PPT in patients with MTrPs in the UT muscle.

Reliability and Validity of the Streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test for Chronic Stroke.

Background: The present study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test for Chronic Stroke (SWMFT-C), a shortened and redesigned version of the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) to determine upper extremity (UE) motor abilities.

Methods: Twenty individuals with chronic stroke were included in a cross-sectional study design. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) were used to assess impaired motor recovery of the UE in these patients.

The Effectiveness of Dual-Task Training on Upper Extremity Functions in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Patients with chronic stroke have difficulty in the simultaneous performance of upper extremity (UE) motor tasks while maintaining balance. The dual-task training (DTT) may help them improve their UE functions, trunk performance, and health-related quality of life. To compare the effects of DTT with dose equivalent conventional physical therapy (DECPT) on UE functions at baseline, week 2, and week 4 of the intervention in these patients.

Magnetic Resonance Elastography of Upper Trapezius Muscle.

The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of positioning a soft flexible tube-based actuator parallel or orthogonal to the principle muscle fibre direction, on measurements of the stiffness of upper trapezius (UT) muscle obtained using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). The effects of using three different vibration frequencies (60 Hz, 80 Hz and 100 Hz) and studying left and right sides of the body were also investigated. The relevant MRE datasets were acquired on a 1.

Randomised control trial to compare the efficacy of traditional Thai massage and ultrasound therapy for treating plantar heel pain.

Background: Massage is suggested to be an effective treatment for chronic plantar heel pain (PHP). There is, however, no scientific evidence to support this claim. In the present study Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) has been compared with Ultrasound therapy (US) for treating PHP.

Standardised 25-Step Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) Protocol for Treating Office Syndrome (OS).

Traditional Thai massage (TTM) is a unique form of whole body massage practiced to promote health and well-being in Thailand since ancient times. The goal of the present study was to create a standardised TTM protocol to treat office syndrome (OS) diagnosed based on the identification of the palpation of at least one so-called myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in the upper trapezius muscle. The new 90 min TTM protocol, which was developed following appropriate review of the literature and in consultation with relevant experts, has 25 distinct steps (20 pressing steps, 2 artery occlusion steps, and 3 stretching steps).

The benefits of Shuai Shou Gong (SSG) demonstrated in a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) study of older adults in two communities in Thailand.

Introduction: Shuai Shou Gong (SSG) is a type of Arm Swing Exercise (ASE) developed and practiced especially by older people in China for over one thousand years to maintain physical health and well-being. Until now the potential benefits of SSG have not been investigated in a Randomised Control Trial (RCT).

Materials And Methods: Fifty six older women were recruited from each of two urban communities in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Different Protocols for Low Whole-Body Vibration Frequency for Spasticity and Physical Performance in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

Background: Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a therapeutic exercise tool that can be used in children with cerebral palsy (CP). A low vibration frequency with different protocols has been suggested, but no optimal dose has been explicitly indicated. We aimed to determine the superiority of a gradually increased 7-18 Hz WBV protocol over a static 11 Hz WBV and the immediate and short-term effects of WBV training on improving spasticity, functional strength, balance, and walking ability in children with spastic CP.

A 6-Week Nine-Square Exercise Programme for Collegiate Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have poor postural stability, functional limitations and low quality of life. Although nine-square exercise can improve postural control, there is limited evidence demonstrating whether it can function as an alternative CAI rehabilitation programme. This study aimed to determine the effects of nine-square exercise on postural stability and self-reported outcomes in individuals with CAI.

Determination of light pressing pressure for improving foot skin blood flow in type 2 diabetic patients.

Objective: Traditional Thai massage is one of the alternative treatments for diabetic feet. However, the specific amount of pressing pressure applied to the foot during Thai foot massage is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of light pressing pressure on foot skin blood flow in type 2 diabetic patients.

Responsiveness of the Mini-Balance Evaluation System Test in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy.

Background: Mini-BESTest is an instrument for assessing the balance impairment; however, the use of the Mini-BESTest in type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy is not well documented in the literature. The aim of this study was to examine the responsiveness and the minimal important change (MIC) of the Mini-BESTest after four weeks of the balance exercises.

Methods: A prospective single group pretest-posttest design was applied, and forty-eight type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy were participated (mean age of 59.

Quadriceps Electromyographic Activity in Closed and Open Kinetic-Chain Exercises with Hip-Adductor Co-Contraction in Sedentary Women.

Background: Different closed and open kinetic-chain exercises with hip-adductor co-contraction have different effects on quadriceps activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in quadriceps activity during the squat (SQ) and knee extension (KE) and straight leg raise (SLR) exercises with and without hip adduction in sedentary women.

Methods: Twenty-eight sedentary women aged 44.

Prevalence of Static Balance Impairment and Associated Factors of University Student Smartphone Users with Subclinical Neck Pain: Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of static balance impairment in university student smartphone users with subclinical neck pain and identify the associated risk factors. Because of rapid and widespread smartphones use, and the subsequent effect on neck pain in university students, it is essential to determine the prevalence of balance impairment and associated factors in this population. Simple random sampling was completed among eighty-one participants in this cross-sectional study.

Physical Performance Tests in Adult Neck Pain Patients with and without Clinical Myelopathic Signs: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Patients with neck pain may experience cervical myelopathy, this may be detected by clinical myelopathic signs, although they did not have any symptom of myelopathy, except having neck pain. Decreasing physical performance is one symptom of cervical myelopathy that can lead to reduced quality of life in the elderly, however, in adult neck pain with clinical myelopathic signs have not been evaluated. Therefore, this research aimed to compare physical performance in two groups of adult patients with neck pain: those with and without clinical myelopathic signs.

Reliability and Validity of Mini-Balance Evaluation System Test in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy.

Type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy is known to cause balance limitations in static, dynamic, and functional activity. The Mini-BESTest, a shortened version of BESTest, was evolved to identify balance disorders within a short duration. No prior studies have yet been conducted to assess the usefulness of Mini-BESTest in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI-THAI) questionnaire.

Background: This study developed a Thai version of the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI-THAI) questionnaire.

Methods: To determine construct validity, 200 participants with a history of lateral ankle sprain completed the IdFAI-THAI, the Modified Thai Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), the Visual Analog Scale of Instability (VAS-I), and the Thai Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Eight days later, 100 randomly selected participants refilled the IdFAI-THAI to assess test-retest reliability and internal consistency.

The Cut-Off Score of Four Clinical Tests to Quantify Balance Impairment in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability.

Background: Balance impairment is a common consequence of chronic ankle instability (CAI). This study aimed to assess the discriminative validity of four clinical tests for quantifying balance impairment in individuals with CAI.

Methods: Participants were screened for their balance using the single-leg balance test (SLBT) and were assigned to either the positive or the negative SLBT groups.

Development and validation of the dizziness symptoms questionnaire in Thai-outpatients.

Introduction: "Dizziness" is a common complaint in clinical practice that can occur with anyone. However, since the symptom is caused by a wide range of disorders, a general clinician usually faces some difficulty to detect the cause.

Objective: This study aimed to formulate and validate a simple instrument that can be used to screen and predict the most likely cause of dizziness in Thai outpatients.

Effect of Progressive Step Marching Exercise on Balance Ability in the Elderly: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Exercise may reduce the risk of falls in the elderly. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of a progressive step marching exercise (PSME) program on balance ability, lower limb muscle strength, aerobic capacity, quality of life, and fear of falling in the elderly. A cluster randomized controlled trial was selected where 30 elderly participants (aged 69 ± 3 years) from a community were supervised while performing a PSME program and 30 (aged 70 ± 3 years) from another community were assigned to a control group.

A Screening Tool for Patients With Lumbar Instability: A Criteria-related Validity of Thai Version.

Study Design: The study is a cross-sectional, diagnostic validity study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the performance characteristics and validity of an existing lumbar instability questionnaire as a screening tool for lumbar instability among chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar instability is an initial stage of more severe spinal pathology.

Immediate Effects of Self-Thai Foot Massage on Skin Blood Flow, Skin Temperature, and Range of Motion of the Foot and Ankle in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of self-Thai foot massages (STFMs) on the foot skin blood flow, the foot skin temperature, and range of motion (ROM) of the foot and ankle in type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. A randomized crossover study. Twenty five diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy were recruited.

Effects of mechanical bed massage on biochemical markers of exercise-induced back muscle fatigue in athletes: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Many previous studies have explored the effects of manual massage on back muscle fatigue, and most of the mechanical massage techniques imitate manual massage. However, it is unknown whether mechanical and manual massage have the same functions for exercise-induced back muscle fatigue.

Objective: To investigate the effects of mechanical bed massage on the biochemical markers of exercise-induced back muscle fatigue in male collegiate athletes.

Progressive decrease in leg-power performance during a fatiguing badminton field test.

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the changes in leg-power generation that accompany competitive badminton, as simulated in a badminton field test (FT). [Participants and Methods] Fifteen male badminton players with 1-2 years of experience performed five repetitions of an FT involving rapid and randomly assigned shuttle-run movements between markers distributed around a badminton court. Repetitions were separated by a 1-minute rest period.

The prevalence and work-related physical factors associated with knee pain in older Thai farmers.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of knee pain in older farmers and to identify the associated factors, including the demographic variables, behaviours and physical activity/exercise levels. [Participants and Methods] A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a total of 285 systematically randomized farmers who were 60 years and older. [Results] The results of this study showed that the overall prevalence of knee pain in this population was 54.

Characteristics and distributions of myofascial trigger points in individuals with chronic tension-type headaches.

[Purpose] To investigate the characteristics and distributions of the myofascial trigger point (TrP) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the active TrP in individuals with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). [Participants and Methods] Fifty-three CTTH patients and 53 age and gender-matched individuals without CTTH (CON) were recruited. The TrPs and tenderness points were first identified by manual palpation, and the PPTs of the active TrPs were determined by using a manual algometer.