[Purpose] The objective of this observational study was to examine the effect of home
physiotherapy on pain and disability in participants with knee osteoarthritis.
[Participants and Methods] From January 2017 to December 2017, 139 participants who were
recipients of HealthCare atHome physiotherapy services across various locations were
included in the main analysis. The mean treatment cycle duration was 31.5 days (mean
number of sessions delivered, 19.7). Physiotherapy was performed for approximately
45–50 min in the form of electrotherapy, exercise therapy, and manual therapy. Visual
analog scale (VAS) scores were documented after each visit, whereas The Western Ontario
and Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) as an outcome were recorded weekly.
[Results] Statistically significant improvement in the visual analog scale and Western
Ontario and Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores were observed, with overall
% improvement of 52% and 43%, respectively. [Conclusion] The average scores in pain and
disability were reduced after home based physiotherapy.
Objective
Athletes with chronic ankle instability tend to develop hip abductor muscle weakness. Kinesio taping may help this muscle perform its functions, thus preventing injury. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Kinesio taping on hip abductor muscle strength and electromyography (EMG) activity.
Subjects
A total of 34 athletes, mean age 22.08 years (standard deviation 2.71 years) participated in the study.
Methods
A pre-test–post-test experimental design was used. For the experimental group, Kinesio tape, and for the control group, Micropore tape, was applied over the gluteus medius muscle. Gluteus medius muscle strength and EMG activity were noted in supine and during the single-leg squat test (SLST), respectively, before and after the intervention. Strength was measured through maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force with a handheld dynamometer, and muscle activation measured through EMG.
Results
In the experimental group, there was a significant increase in gluteus medius strength, by 10.27% (
p
= 0.00), and a significant decrease in EMG activity (
p
= 0.00), by 8.38%. In the control group, there was a significant increase in gluteus medius strength, by 2.89% (
p
= 0.01) and a not statistically significant decrease in EMG activity, by 0.80% (
p
= 0.15).
Conclusion
Kinesio taping is effective in increasing hip abductor muscle strength in athletes with chronic ankle instability.
LAY ABSTRACT
Athletes with chronic ankle instability tend to develop hip abductor weakness, which further predisposes them to injuries in the lower limb and hinders their athletic performance. Kinesio taping may help this muscle perform its functions. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Kinesio taping, applied over the hip abductors, on muscle strength and activation. A total of 34 athletes with chronic ankle instability were recruited to the study. Kinesio taping was found to be effective in increasing the strength of the hip abductor muscle and reducing its activation. Kinesio taping can be used by athletes with chronic ankle instability to prevent injury to the lower limb, for rehabilitation, and to enhance their athletic performance.
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