The Efficacy of Muscle Energy and Mulligan Mobilization Techniques for the Upper Extremities and Posture after Breast Cancer Surgery with Axillary Dissection: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Breast cancer surgeries affect the upper extremities and posture. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of muscle energy and Mulligan mobilization techniques on the upper extremities and posture after breast cancer surgery with axillary dissection. Methods: A total of 90 female participants who had undergone breast cancer surgery with axillary dissection were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups. Group A received a combination of the Mulligan and muscle energy techniques, while Groups B and C received either the Mulligan or muscle energy techniques for six weeks, respectively. The study measured the shoulders' range of motion, posture, and upper-extremity disabilities. Outcome measurements were taken at three different time points: baseline, post-intervention, and at eight-week follow-up. Results: All the interventions significantly improved the study outcomes. The combination of the Mulligan and muscle energy techniques was significantly better than a single intervention. Mulligan mobilization was superior to the muscle energy techniques in terms of improving the shoulders' range of motion and disability. The interventions showed a significant effect pre-post-treatment and pre-follow-up but not post-follow-up. Conclusions: The Mulligan mobilization and muscle energy techniques have been found beneficial in improving the postural changes and shoulder outcomes after breast cancer surgery with axillary dissection. The superior effectiveness of the combined interventions points out the importance of integrating multiple therapeutic approaches for optimal outcomes. Regular examination and long-term follow-up assessment are important for studying the effect of rehabilitation interventions in people after the late stages of breast surgery.

Isokinetic training enhanced by kinesio tape for quadriceps muscle weakness post lower limb healed burn

Objective: To investigate the effect of isokinetic training enhanced by Kinesio tape (KT) on weak quadriceps muscle following healed lower limb burn. Design: A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient, Kasr El Aini Hospital, and Orabi Hospital. Participants: Sixty patients with weak quadriceps of dominant lower limb following healed partial thickness burn. Thirty to forty percent of their total body surface area (TBSA) was affected by burn including the anterior thigh. They were distributed randomly into two groups; the isokinetic training and Kinesio tape group, and the isokinetic training group. Intervention:  group (A); 30 patients who received isokinetic training (concentric and eccentric contraction exercises) of the quadriceps muscle (dominant side) at an angular velocity of 90°/s, three times per week, and Kinesio tape was applied twice per week, group (B): 30 patients who received isokinetic training in the form of (concentric and eccentric contraction exercises) of the quadriceps muscle (dominant side) at an angular velocity of 90°/s, three times per week. All groups were evaluated pre-treatment and after 8 weeks from the beginning of the treatment. 

High Versus Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation On Chronic Venous Lower Limb Ulceration Randomized Controlled Trial

The major objective of the current paper is to trace and investigate which method is more effective whether the high or the low Transcutaneous electric Nerve Stimulations (TENS) on venous ulcers. A single-blinded, randomized, and controlled trial was done successfully. Sixty venous ulcer patients were divided randomly into three groups; Group (A): control group, Group(B): High-TENS group, and Group(C): Low-TENS group. Group (A), contains twenty participants who received routine medical care and dressing. As for group (B), includes twenty participants who obtained high-frequency TENS; Frequency (80-120) HZ, Intensity (15 - 30 amp), Pulse duration 250 Micro sec, 60 min per session with routine medical care and dressing. The third group (c) L-TENS, encompasses twenty participants who received low-frequency TENS (1-5) HZ; Intensity (30 -80 amp), Pulse duration 250 Micro sec, 60 min per session with routine medical care and dressing. All the participants were examined before and after two months of intervention; four weeks (post1), then after eight weeks (post2). Participants were examined by using (image j) to measure the ulcer area. Saline was used for measuring the ulcer volume, and a visual analog scale was adopted to evaluate pain. After drawing a comparison among the three groups after four weeks and after eight weeks of treatment, a statistically significant decrease (P <0.05) in wound surface area, wound volume, and pain in favor of L-TENS was noticed. It has been found that L- TENS is more effective than H -TENS and is highly recommended in the treatment protocol for such debilitating conditions.

Effect of ultrasound-enhanced Nigella sativa seeds oil on wound healing: An animal model

Objectives

Nigella sativa oil, ultrasound, and moist-exposed burn ointment (MEBO) have been suggested as noninvasive treatments for a number of inflammatory conditions and to accelerate wound healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of pulsed and continuous modes of ultrasound either alone or through phonophoresis, with N. sativa oil, or MEBO ointment in the treatment of chemical burns.

Methods

Thirty-five local rabbits were randomly divided into seven equal groups: pulsed ultrasound, continuous ultrasound, topical N. sativa oil, pulsed phonophoresis, continuous phonophoresis, topical MEBO ointment, and control group. Wound surface area was measured on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 using metric graph paper and photographs.

Results

Significant differences were found between pre- and post-treatment wounds in all groups, except for the control group, in favor of the pulsed phonophoresis. In contrast, low results were found in favor of continuous ultrasound.

Conclusion

Ultrasound, topical application of N. sativa oil, phonophoresis, and MEBO ointment have the potential to accelerate wound healing induced by chemical burns. Such treatment modalities may be used to treat wounds.

Pulsed electromagnetic field with or without exercise therapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

[Purpose] To investigate the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field with or without exercise therapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty male patients aged 55–65 years with benign prostatic hyperplasia were invited to participate in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to Group A (n=20; patients who received pulsed electromagnetic field in addition to pelvic floor and aerobic exercises), Group B (n=20; patients who received pulsed electromagnetic field), and Group C (n=20; patients who received placebo electromagnetic field). The assessments included post-void residual urine, urine flow rate, prostate specific antigen, white blood cells count, and International Prostate Symptom Score were weighed, before and after a 4-week intervention. [Results] There were significant differences in Group A and B in all parameters. Group C showed non-significant differences in all measured variables except for International Prostate Symptom Score. Among groups, all parameters showed highly significant differences in favor of Group A. There were non-significant differences between Group A and B and significant difference between Groups A and C and between Groups B and C. [Conclusion] The present study demonstrated that electromagnetic field had a significant impact on the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Accordingly, electromagnetic field can be utilized alone or in combination with other physiotherapy modalities. Moreover, clinicians should have the capacity to perceive the advantages accomplished using extra treatment alternatives. Electromagnetic field is a safe, noninvasive method and can be used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Effects of a proposed physical activity and diet control to manage constipation in middle-aged obese women

BACKGROUND

Obesity is very common worldwide and is related to critical morbidity and mortality. It has a large number of impacts on the human body. Constipation has a prevalence from 4% to 29% in various parts of the world and is considered to be a major health problem, with an estimated incidence of 5% in males and 15% in females. There is a strong association between obesity and constipation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of physical activity and a low-calorie diet on constipation in middle-aged obese women.

METHODS

This study included 125 obese women (age 20-40 years) who had chronic constipation. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A included 62 women who received a suggested protocol of physical activity, a low-calorie diet, and the routine standard care for constipation, whereas Group B included 63 women who received only the standard medical care for constipation and a low-calorie diet. Both groups followed the program for 12 weeks. Changes in the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) and Patient Assessment Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) scores, and in the body mass index (BMI) were recorded in study subjects, both at baseline and at the end of the study program.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline characteristics of patients in the two groups. After 12 weeks of intervention, both groups showed significant intra-group differences (p < 0.05) in all of the measured variables, except the BMI which showed a nonsignificant difference (p > 0.05) in Group B. Between-groups comparison showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in all of the measured parameters in favor of Group A.

CONCLUSION

Physical activity and weight reduction improve PAC-SYM and PAC-QOL scores in middle-aged, premenopausal women with constipation in the short term (up to 12 weeks).