Much evidence shows that electrical stimulation (ES) promotes the wound healing process. The inhibitory effect of ES on bacterial growth has been proposed as a mechanism to explain the useful effects of ES on wound healing. Bacterial burden has been associated with chronic wounds. The extensive use of antibiotics can lead to the spread of multiple drug resistant bacteria. Whether biophysical energies, such as ES, can be used as a treatment modality against pathogenic microorganisms remains an open question. The research literature provides evidence for useful effects of ES in terms of inhibition of bacterial growth. The type of ES, its polarity, and the intensity of the current play a major role in establishment of antibacterial effects. Both direct current (DC) and high voltage pulse current are more effective at inhibiting bacterial growth than are other types of ES. The exact mechanism underlying the antibacterial effects of ES is not clear. Available evidence indicates that microampere DC (μADC) is better than other ES types for inhibition of bacterial growth. The results of most studies also support the application of cathodal current for bacterial growth inhibition. The current intensity of ES would appear to be tolerable by humans if used clinically for treatment of infected wounds. The cathodal μADC appears to be more effective for inhibition of microorganism growth. Further research, especially, is necessary to clarify the inhibitory effects of ES on wound bacterial infections.

Resistance training is effective for improving bone formation and joint function in severe haemophilia A patients with osteoporosis.

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Physical activity (PA) helps to prevent osteoporosis, but older women are often sedentary. This study used a pre-post randomized controlled design to evaluate a 12-week exercise education intervention program based on the stages of change (SoC) and processes of change from the transtheoretical change model (TTM) to improve adherence with strength and balance training recommendations at levels sufficient to prevent osteoporosis in Iranian women aged 40-65 years. The home-based exercise prescription consisted of strength and balance training that was progressive, individually tailored and included a walking program. Individuals in the training group (n=61) had a positive, significant progression in psychological SoC (P<0.001), whereas no progression in stages occurred in the control group (n=55). After the intervention, the training group demonstrated significant improvements in PA, lower body muscle strength, static and dynamic balance, with no significant changes in the control group. These results support the applicability of the TTM for a PA intervention and indicate that this training program is very effective in improving balance and lower body strength in older women.

Introduction Overweight increases the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and serves as a major risk factor for arthropathy and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This condition is becoming increasingly prevalent among patients with haemophilia (PWH). Different forms of exercise training could favourably modify weight‐related complications, cardiovascular risk factors and the inflammation. Aim To investigate the effects of resistance, aerobic and combined exercises on the pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory markers in overweight patients with moderate haemophilia A. Methods Forty‐eight patients with moderate haemophilia A, aged 35‐55 years, and body mass index (BMI) of 25‐30 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to resistance training (RT, n = 12), aerobic (AT, n = 12), combined training (CT, n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. The patients participated in 45‐minutes exercise sessions three times a week for 6 weeks. Waist circumference (WC), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), fat mass, fat‐free mass, interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) were measured before and after the 6 weeks of training. Results There was significant decrease in WC, WHR, BMI and weight in the AT, RT and CT groups as compared to the control group. Total HJHS scores decreased in the AT, RT, CT groups compared to the control groups (P ≤ 0.001). The decrease in hs‐CRP, IL‐6 and TNF‐α in the CT group was significant compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.02). The increase in IL‐10 and adiponectin was not significant in the RT, AT and CT groups compared to the control group. Conclusion CT was the most effective training mode for decreasing the pro‐inflammatory cytokines and increasing anti‐inflammatory markers in overweight patients with haemophilia A.