Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the commonest chronic joint problems presenting with pain and stiffness. As a consequence, activities of daily living are limited and decline the quality of life. Kinesio tape (KT) has been popular in worldwide by its positive effects including reducing pain, relieving stiffness and improving function. However, the therapeutic application tension, direction and technique have not been identified yet and still weak evidence in OA knee. Aims: To find out the effectiveness of Kinesio taping in the management of OA knee. Study Design: Hospital based randomized control trial. Place and duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Outpatient Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in both Mandalay Orthopedics Hospital and 300 Bedded Teaching Hospital, Mandalay. It was started from May, 2017 to August, 2018. Methodology: A total of 60 patients were randomly assigned into group A and group B. Group A (intervention group) received KT plus conventional exercise and group B (control group) received conventional exercise alone. Both groups were assessed in week 0 (before study), week 2 (during study) and week 3 (end of study). Assessments measures were VAS, WOMAC index and TUG test. The amount of analgesic consumptions was recorded in week 2 and week 3 assessments. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics of patients between the two groups. The intragroup analysis showed significant difference in VAS, WOMAC index and TUG test (p<0.05) in both groups. However, intergroup analysis showed more significant improvements of VAS, WOMAC index and TUG test in intervention group than control group in week 2 and week 3 (p<0.05). Conclusion: KT plus conventional exercise is more effective than conventional exercise alone in terms of relieving pain, reducing stiffness and improving function in patients with OA knee.

Objective: Neck pain is a common cause of disability and costly problem, especially in the working population. However, there is a paucity of studies examining the efficacy of pressure-biofeedback guided craniocervical flexion exercise (CCFE) in neck pain. Therefore, this study aims to find out the efficacy of Pressure-Biofeedback guided CCFE on the treatment of neck pain. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 60 participants with neck pain who were randomly assigned to the experimental group ([Formula: see text]) and control group ([Formula: see text]). The experimental group received pressure-biofeedback guided CCFE for four times per week for four weeks, whereas the control group received physical therapy agents (PTA) (radiant heat and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). Outcome measures included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Results: The baseline demographics and outcome measurements were not significantly different between the two groups. More significant reduction in VAS of the experimental group was found in comparison with control group at week 2 and week 4, respectively ([Formula: see text]). Regarding the NDI, there was a more significant reduction in the experimental group than the control group at week 4 ([Formula: see text]). Conclusion: Pressure-biofeedback guided CCFE was useful for improving pain and functional disability of neck for the management of neck pain.

Background: Patients receiving total hip arthroplasty (THA) without a rehabilitation program could develop functional limitation within one year after surgery. Exercise for balance control is critical for mobility, physical function, and prevention of falls. Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of balance training among THA patients.Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of early balance exercises on THA.Methods: This study was a randomized control study for 30 patients undergoing unilateral THA. The postoperative rehabilitation program was started at the second postoperative day for every patient. All the postoperative patients were randomly assigned and equally allocated to balance and conventional groups. Patients in the balance group received typical exercises and balance exercises while those in the conventional group received typical exercises alone. Assessments were taken at postoperative day 2 (baseline) and week 5 using Breg Balance Scale for balance and Times Up and Go Test for ambulatory function. The differences between the two groups were analyzed.Results: Statistically significant improvements were noted at the end of treatment by all outcome measures in both groups (p<0.05). However, the balance group showed better improvement in all outcome measures than the conventional group after the intervention period (p<0.05)Conclusion: Early balance exercises added to typical exercises were more effective than conventional exercises in terms of improving balance and ambulatory function among patients with THA.