Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences & Research

Background: The incidence of stroke escalates with age in both genders, with nearly 50% and 30% of cases reported in individuals over the ages of 75 and 85 years, respectively. This ... Read More Background: The incidence of stroke escalates with age in both genders, with nearly 50% and 30% of cases reported in individuals over the ages of 75 and 85 years, respectively. This pilot randomized clinical trial was designed to explore the effects of combined thermal and neuromuscular stimulations on dysphagia improvement. It also aimed to identify the most efficient dysphagia management plan for acute stroke patients. Methods: In this pilot randomized clinical trial study, twelve acute stroke patients were randomly and concurrently allocated into two groups. The control group received routine medical treatment without speech therapy counseling, while the intervention group underwent superficial and deep thermal neuromuscular stimulations. In the intervention group, one patient received treatment for two weeks, three patients for three weeks, and two patients for five weeks (five times a week). Patients in the intervention group were re-evaluated each week after five days of therapy using the Motility Function (MF) and Mann’s Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) tests to monitor consistent improvement. Based on the cutoff point of the MASA test, treatment was either continued or terminated. Accordingly, different follow-up periods were considered for the patients: one received treatment for two weeks, three for three weeks, and two for five weeks. Results: The results indicated a significant difference between the two groups regarding the mean MASA score after a 21-day intervention. The intervention group scored 166.5±3.53, while the control group scored 163±10.02 after 35 days (P=0.03). Furthermore, the intervention group reached the cutoff MASA score in the sixth MASA assessment after a 35-day intervention. Conclusion: According to the protocol proposed by speech-language pathologists, it is recommended to perform stimulations for approximately 21-35 days. Given the significant results obtained from this preliminary study, it is suggested that this protocol be implemented in a larger sample size.

The Effect of a Neuromuscular Training Program on Landing Kinematics in Young Soccer Players with Poor Landing Mechanics

Nezam Nemati; Ali Asghar Norasteh; Ali Shamsi Majelan

Volume 10, Issue 3 , September 2023, , Pages 145-150

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the Prevent Injury and Enhance Performance (PEP) program on knee valgus and knee flexion angles, as well as Landing Error Scoring ... Read More Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the Prevent Injury and Enhance Performance (PEP) program on knee valgus and knee flexion angles, as well as Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) test scores in young male soccer players with poor landing mechanics. The study identified how increased knee valgus, decreased knee flexion and poor landing patterns contribute as risk factors for these young athletes' anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.Methods: The present study utilized a quasi-experimental design. A total of 47 soccer players with poor landing mechanics were purposefully recruited and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=23 players, age= 12.69±0.70 years, height= 1.53±0.06 m, weight= 49.91±6.76 kg) or the control group (n=24 players, age= 12.55±0.64 years, height= 1.51±0.08 m, weight= 51.25±7.73 kg). The study measured Knee Valgus angle, Knee flexion angle, and LESS test scores at the baseline and the end of the 8-week study period. During the study, the intervention group used the Prevent Injury and Enhanced Performance (PEP) program as a warm-up routine, while the control group continued with their regular warm-up routine. The researchers used ANCOVA (Analysis of Covariance) and paired-sample t-test statistical analyses to evaluate the changes.Results: the intervention group significantly reduced knee valgus angle (p=0.001). Additionally, there were significant enhancements in knee flexion angle (p=0.003) and the LESS test scores (p=0.001). In contrast, the control group did not show significant improvements in knee valgus and knee flexion angles (p>0.05), except for LESS test scores (p=0.001), where they also demonstrated improvement. Moreover, the study found significant differences between the intervention and control groups in knee valgus angle (p=0.001), knee flexion angle (p=0.025), and LESS test scores (p=0.001).Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the PEP program effectively reduced dynamic knee valgus angles, increased knee flexion angles, and improved LESS test scores in young male soccer players. Therefore, it appears that this program can reduce the risk of ACL injuries in this population.

Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences & Research

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Keywords = Neuromuscular

Combined Thermal and Neuromuscular Stimulations for Stroke- Related Dysphagia: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

The Effect of a Neuromuscular Training Program on Landing Kinematics in Young Soccer Players with Poor Landing Mechanics

Abstract