Safety and effectiveness of fascial therapy in the treatment of adult patients with hemophilic elbow arthropathy: a pilot study

Efficacy of rehabilitation interventions on functioning in patients with hemophilic arthropathy: A systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hemophilic arthropathy is a detrimental condition that crucially affects functional outcomes in hemophilic patients. In recent years, due to the advances in systemic therapies, growing attention has been raised in the rehabilitation field in order to improve functional outcomes of hemophilic patients. However, the optimal rehabilitation modalities in these patients are far from being fully characterized.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to assess the effects of different rehabilitation interventions on physical functioning and health-related quality of life of hemophilic arthropathic patients.

METHODS

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Five databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until June 22nd, 2023. The selection criteria included adult patients with hemophilia A and B receiving rehabilitation interventions. The outcomes were muscle strength, physical function, pain intensity, physical performance, and health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

Out of 1,743 identified records, 17 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Rehabilitation interventions were categorized into exercise intervention, fascial therapy, and multimodal intervention. The findings suggested positive outcomes in terms of muscle modifications, range of motion improvements, joint health enhancements, pain intensity reduction, and quality of life improvements. More in detail, meta-analyses showed significant improvements in pain intensity [ES: -1.10 cm (-1.37, -0.82), p< 0.00001], joint health [ES: -1.10 (-1.38, -0.82), p< 0.00001], In accordance, exercise interventions showed significant benefits in terms of joint health [ES: -2.54 (-3.25, -1.83), p< 0.00001)] and quality of life [ES: 1.17 (0.48, 1.86), p< 0.0000)].

CONCLUSION

Rehabilitation interventions have a positive impact on functional outcomes and health-related quality of life of hemophilic arthropathic patients. Further studies are needed to better elucidate the role of a comprehensive intervention combining different rehabilitation approaches to treat hemophilic arthropathy.

Physical therapy for end-stage hemophilic arthropathy: a case report

This report introduces a young adult who has been in bed for more than ten years with end-stage hemophilic arthropathy. He didn't have access to factor VIII (FVIII) in the early stage of hemophilia due to the high costs of clotting replacement therapy. As a result, he is experiencing some difficulties, such as joint contracture, muscular atrophy, severe pain, and poor function of cardiopulmonary. He came to visit us for a comprehensive rehabilitation program, and, finally, he achieved the basic goal of self-care in daily life.

Effects of Physical Therapy on Joint Pain, Joint Range of Motion, Joint Health, Strength, and Mobility in Patients With Hemophilia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of physical therapy, including exercise, manual therapy, and physical agent modality, on joints, muscle strength, and mobility of patients with hemophilia.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception to September 10, 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing pain, range of motion, and health of joints, as well as muscle strength and mobility (timed up and go test) between physical therapy and control groups were included.

RESULTS

Fifteen randomized controlled trials with 595 male patients with hemophilia were included. In comparisons between physical therapy and control groups, physical therapy significantly reduced joint pain (standardized mean difference = -0.87; 95% confidence interval, -1.14 to -0.60), increased joint range of motion (standardized mean difference = 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.35), enhanced joint health (standardized mean difference = -1.08; 95% confidence interval, -1.38 to -0.78), improved muscle strength (standardized mean difference = 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.69), and timed up and go test performance (standardized mean difference = -1.25; 95% confidence interval, -1.89 to -0.60). The comparisons demonstrate moderate to high evidentiary quality grades.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical therapy is effective in reducing pain, increasing joint range of motion, enhancing joint health, as well as improving muscle strength and mobility in patients with hemophilia.

TO CLAIM CME CREDITS

Complete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry.org/JournalCME.

CME OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) Recognize the overall effectiveness of physical therapy for patients with hemophilia; (2) Determine how therapeutic exercise can help improve various outcomes of major joints in these patients; and (3) Appraise that physical therapy is safe and can be implemented in clinical practice for these patients.

LEVEL

Advanced.

ACCREDITATION

The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

180-degree immersive VR motion visualization in the treatment of haemophilic ankle arthropathy

BACKGROUND

Patients with haemophilic arthropathy suffer chronic pain that affects and restricts their quality of life. Visualization of movement through immersive virtual reality is used for pain management.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of 180-degree immersive VR motion visualization therapy in patients with haemophilic ankle arthropathy.

METHODS

Prospective, multicentre pilot study. Fifteen adult patients with bilateral haemophilic ankle arthropathy were recruited (mean age: 42.73 ± 12.36 years). The intervention lasted 4 weeks, with daily home sessions of 180-degree immersive motion visualization. The patients were given virtual reality glasses to use with their smartphones. From the YouTube mobile app® they accessed the recorded video with access from the He-Mirror App®. The study variables were joint state (Haemophilia Joint Health Score), pressure pain threshold (pressure algometer), muscle strength (dynamometry) and range of motion (goniometry). Three evaluations were performed: at baseline (T0), after the intervention (T1) and at the end of a 16-week follow-up period (T2).

RESULTS

No patient developed ankle hemarthrosis during the experimental phase. In the repeated measures analysis we found statistically significant differences in joint state (F = 51.38; η² _p = .63), pressure pain threshold of the lateral malleolus (F = 12.34; η² _p = .29) and range of motion (F = 11.7; η² _p = .28).

CONCLUSIONS

Therapy using immersive motion visualization does not cause hemarthrosis. This intervention can improve joint condition, pressure pain threshold and range of motion in patients with ankle arthropathy. Changes greater than the MDC were reported in more than 40% of patients for the variables pressure pain threshold, anterior tibialis strength and range of motion, which were considered clinically relevant.

Effectiveness of myofascial therapy on hemophilic arthropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Background

Recurrent hemarthrosis is one of the major complications affecting joint functions, and causing chronic pain in hemophilia patients.

Objective

To summarize the existing evidence of the effects of myofascial therapy (MFT) on joint status, joint pain, and hemarthrosis in hemophilic arthropathy.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis was done according to PRISMA checklist. Finally, four clinical trials included and were pooled using STATA 13. Standardized mean difference (SMD) considered as the effect size.

Results

All patients in the case group received 3 interventions of MFT over a 3-week period and were evaluated for 1-5 months. Joint pain with and without load was significantly decreased after three weeks in the intervention group compared to controls (SMD: -0.61, 95% CI: -1.02, -0.21 and 0.58, 95% CI: -0.88, -0.28 respectively). Also, joint status significantly improved three weeks later in patients with MFT compared to controls. (SMD: -0.49, 95% CI: -0.79, -0.19) and this improvement remained until the end of the follow-up period (SMD: -0.54, 95% CI: -0.84, -0.24).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis showed that MFT can be an effective intervention improving the joint status and decreasing pain perception in patients with hemophilic arthropathy. Consequently, it can play an important role in achieving higher functionality and quality of life in these patients. However, due to the small number of studies and other limitations, further well-designed trials and updated meta-analysis are needed for more accurate results and interpretation.

Musculoskeletal Changes in Hemophilia Patients Subsequent to COVID-19 Lockdown

(1) Background. The lockdown period due to the COVID−19 pandemic has drastically decreased levels of physical activity in the population. Hemophilia is characterized by hemarthrosis that leads to chronic, progressive and degenerative joint deterioration. (2) Methods. This observational study recruited 27 patients with hemophilia and arthropathy. Knee, ankle and elbow joints were assessed. The frequency of clinical hemarthrosis, pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, and joint ROM were evaluated. (3) Results. Following lockdown, a significant deterioration of joint condition, perceived joint pain and range of motion was noted in all joints. There were no changes in the frequency of knee hemarthrosis, while the frequency of ankle hemarthrosis significantly reduced. However, the frequency of elbow hemarthrosis increased. Depending on the degree of hemophilia severity, there were changes in pressure pain threshold in the elbow and in pain intensity and range of motion of the ankle joint. According to the type of treatment, i.e., prophylaxis vs. on-demand treatment, there were differences in the joint condition in elbows and the plantar flexion movement of the ankle. There were no differences in the knee joint based on the severity of the disease, the type of treatment or the development of inhibitors (4). Conclusions. Because of the COVID−19 lockdown, the musculoskeletal status of patients with hemophilia deteriorated. Joint condition, perceived pain, and range of motion were significantly affected. The frequency of clinical hemarthrosis did not increase during this period. A more active therapeutic model could prevent rapid deterioration in patients with hemophilic arthropathy during prolonged sedentary periods.

Manual therapy reduces the frequency of clinical hemarthrosis and improves range of motion and perceived disability in patients with hemophilic elbow arthropathy. A randomized, single-blind, clinical trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of manual therapy in reducing the frequency of clinical hemarthrosis, increasing range of motion and improving the perception of disability in the upper limbs in patients with hemophilic elbow arthropathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-nine patients were randomized into experimental (N = 35) and control group (N = 34). The outcome measures were: frequency of clinical hemarthrosis, the elbow range of motion and the perception of disability in the upper limbs (DASH questionnaire). The intervention included one 50 min weekly session, for three weeks, of upper limb fascial therapy according to our treatment protocol.

RESULTS

There were differences (p < 0.001) in the repeated measures analysis for frequency of elbow clinical hemarthrosis (F = 20.64) and range of motion in flexion (F = 17.37) and extension (F = 21.71). No differences were found in the overall perceived disability (F = 0.91; p = .37). We found group interaction with the (p < 0.001) in the frequency of elbow clinical hemarthrosis, range of motion and overall perceived disability.

CONCLUSIONS

Manual therapy is safe in patients with hemophilia and elbow arthropathy. Fascial therapy reduces the frequency of hemarthrosis, increases the range of motion and improves the perceived disability in the upper limbs. Trial registration number: id NCT03009591IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONImpairments in the range of motion, pain and disability may occur in patients with hemophilic elbow arthropathy since early age.There is a need to validate safe and effectiveness protocols of rehabilitation to treat these patients.Prophylactic replacement is the most effective treatment for the prevention of hemarthrosis.Physiotherapists need to be trained in the specific management of patients with hemophilia.Manual therapy can be a safe and effective tool in the treatment of hemophilic arthropathy.

The effects of manual therapy and exercises on pain, muscle strength, joint health, functionality and quality of life in haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow joint: A randomized controlled pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Effective physiotherapy interventions are required for haemophilic arthropathy (HA) of the elbow due to its biomechanical differences and contribution to upper limb functionality.

AIM

To investigate the effects of manual therapy & exercises on bleeding frequency, pain, range of motion (ROM), strength, joint health, functionality and quality of life (QoL) in HA of the elbow.

METHODS

Seventeen participants with HA of the elbow were randomized as Manual Therapy & Exercises Group (MTEG = 9) and Home Exercises Group (HEG = 8). Soft tissue mobilization, joint traction (grade I-II) and Mulligan's mobilization with movement as manual therapy, and stretching/strengthening exercises were applied to MTEG, while HEG had only same exercises as home programme. The interventions lasted 3 days/weekly for 5 weeks. Bleeding frequency was evaluated with patients' records; pain with Numeric Pain Scale; ROM with goniometer; strength with digital dynamometer; joint health with HJHS; functionality with Quick-Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire; and QoL with Oxford Elbow Score.

RESULTS

Bleeding frequency and activity pain were decreased, while elbow ROMs and flexor strength were increased in MTEG (P ˂ 0.05). Also significantly improvements were seen in joint health, functionality and QoL in MTEG. HEG showed improvements in activity pain, QoL and some ROMs. MTEG had better results in ROMs, joint health and functionality (P ˂ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Manual therapy & exercises may be used without causing bleeding and pain to increase the functionality, joint health and QoL, and is superior to home exercise for joint health and functionality. Home exercises may be ameliorated in pain, QoL and some ROMs.