BackgroundIn the currently available research publications on electrical therapy of low back pain, generally no control groups or detailed randomization were used, and such studies were often conducted with relatively small groups of patients, based solely on subjective questionnaires and pain assessment scales (lacking measurement methods to objectify the therapeutic progress). The available literature also lacks a comprehensive and large-scale clinical study. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of treating low back pain using selected electrotherapy methods. The study assesses the influence of individual electrotherapeutic treatments on reduction of pain, improvement of the range of movement in lower section of the spine, and improvement of motor functions and mobility.Material/MethodsThe 127 patients qualified for the therapy (ultimately, 123 patients completed the study) and assigned to 6 comparison groups: A – conventional TENS, B – acupuncture-like TENS, C – high-voltage electrical stimulation, D – interferential current stimulation, E – diadynamic current, and F – control group.ResultsThe research showed that using electrical stimulation with interferential current penetrating deeper into the tissues results in a significant and more efficient elimination of pain, and an improvement of functional ability of patients suffering from low back pain on the basis of an analysis of both subjective and objective parameters. The TENS currents and high voltage were helpful, but not as effective. The use of diadynamic currents appears to be useless.ConclusionsSelected electrical therapies (interferential current, TENS, and high voltage) appear to be effective in treating chronic low back pain.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of NMES program applied in male soccer players (after ACL reconstruction) on the quadriceps muscle. The 80 participants (NMES = 40, control = 40) received an exercise program, including three sessions weekly. The individuals in NMES group additionally received neuromuscular electrical stimulation procedures on both right and left quadriceps (biphasic symmetric rectangular pulses, frequency of impulses: 2500 Hz, and train of pulses frequency: 50 Hz) three times daily (3 hours of break between treatments), 3 days a week, for one month. The tensometry, muscle circumference, and goniometry pendulum test (follow-up after 1 and 3 months) were applied. The results of this study show that NMES (in presented parameters in experiment) is useful for strengthening the quadriceps muscle in soccer athletes. There is an evidence of the benefit of the NMES in restoring quadriceps muscle mass and strength of soccer players. In our study the neuromuscular electrical stimulation appeared to be safe for biomechanics of knee joint. The pathological changes in knee function were not observed. This trial is registered with Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613001168741.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema is one of the complications resulting from treatment. It is defined as arm oedema in the breast cancer patients caused by interruption of the flow of the axillary lymphatic system from surgery or radiation therapy, which results in the accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous tissue of the arm, with a decrease in tissue distensibility around the joints and an increased weight of the extremity.Decongestive lymphatic therapy is common management for lymphedema. A program combining skin care, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, and compression therapy (multilayer bandage or garment) is recognised as the best practice in lymphedema management.Kinesio taping (KT) for lymphatic drainage is a new choice in the field of physical therapy. The material and the original concept of the taping technique were introduced by Dr Kenso Kase in 1973. K-tape had been designed to allow 30-40% longitudinal stretch. It is composed of 100% cotton fibers and acrylic heat sensitive glue. Development of the technique for its administration is still ongoing.The paper discusses the case of a woman with breast cancer, in whom lymphedema occurred. The patient had three weeks of therapy. The treatment consisted of 12 manual lymphatic drainage, 12 pneumatic compressions and 3 applications of the KT method (due to the lack of standard multi-layer bandaging). During the measurement of oedema it was noted that KT had a significant effect on the reduction of lymphedema and accelerates healing effects compared to standard methods.

BackgroundKinesiology taping (KT) is a popular method of supporting professional athletes during sports activities, traumatic injury prevention, and physiotherapeutic procedures after a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries. The effectiveness of KT in muscle strength and motor units recruitment is still uncertain. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of KT on surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity and muscle flexibility of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM) muscles in healthy volleyball players.Material/MethodsTwenty-two healthy volleyball players (8 men and 14 women) were included in the study and randomly assigned to 2 comparative groups: “kinesiology taping” (KT; n=12; age: 22.30±1.88 years; BMI: 22.19±4.00 kg/m2) in which KT application over the RF muscle was used, and “placebo taping” (PT; n=10; age: 21.50±2.07 years; BMI: 22.74±2.67 kg/m2) in which adhesive nonelastic tape over the same muscle was used. All subjects were analyzed for resting sEMG activity of the VL and VM muscles, resting and functional sEMG activity of RF muscle, and muscle flexibility of RF muscle.ResultsNo significant differences in muscle flexibility of the RF muscle and sEMG activity of the RF, VL, and VM muscles were registered before and after interventions in both groups, and between the KT and PT groups (p>0.05).ConclusionsThe results show that application of the KT to the RF muscle is not useful to improve sEMG activity.

SummaryIntroduction: The primary lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency are important medical problems in women during menopause. Intermittent pneumatic compression has been accepted as a supplemental therapy for many years. However, due to the diversity of the clinical view of venous lymphedema and difficulties in the diagnosis, there is still no uniform and fully reliable treatment algorithm and international consensus.Aim of the study: To compare the efficacy of pneumatic compression of various pressure for the treatment of lower extremity venous lymphedema in menopausal patients.Material and methods: The study included 33 patients with chronic venous insufficiency and bilateral primary lymphedema of the lower limbs. Group A consisted of 10 patients aged from 46 to 56 years (mean age 51.2 years) who had used monthly therapy, treatments consisting of manual lymphatic drainage, multi-layer bandaging and intermittent pneumatic compression with a pressure of 120 mm Hg. Group B consisted of 10 patients aged from 45 to 58 years (mean age 53.3 years) who had identical basic treatment as group A, and intermittent pneumatic compression with a pressure of 60 mm Hg. Group C (control) consisted of 13 patients aged from 44 to 57 years (mean age 52.8 years) who were using only primary treatment without intermittent pneumatic compression.Results: It was found out that the greatest reduction in edema in patients undergoing compression settings with a pressure of 120 mm Hg. Comparison of the percentage reduction in edema showed a statistically significant advantage for group A to groups B and C, both for changes in the right (p = 0.01) and left limb (p = 0.01). Results in patients undergoing intermittent pneumatic compression with a lower pressure (60 mm Hg) were similar to those obtained in the control group.Conclusions: Intermittent pneumatic compression with a pressure of 120 mm Hg significantly helps to reduce the venous lymphedema in patients with menopause. It appears that the procedures with a pressure of 60 mm Hg are ineffective.