No abstract

Aim This study aimed to determine the effect of plantar reflexology on the severity of labor pain and childbirth experience (primary outcomes) and the duration of labor stages (secondary outcomes). Methods This single‐blind randomized controlled trial was performed on 90 women in Al‐Zahra and Taleghani hospitals in Tabriz‐Iran. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups; Intervention 1 (two 30‐min massages at the effective point of pain for each sole), intervention 2 (one 30‐min massage at the effective point of pain and one 30‐min massage at the heel for each sole), and control (two 30‐minute heel massages). Massage was performed once in 4‐cm dilatation and the second time in 7‐cm dilatation. The severity of pain and childbirth experience were measured by Visual Analogue Scale and Labor Agentry Scale, respectively. Partograph chart was used to measure the length of labor stages. Results The severity of pain in intervention group 1 was significantly lower than the control group (AMD: −1.7; 9% confidence interval: −2.8 to −0.6; p = 0.001), but there was no significant difference between intervention groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.066) and intervention group 2 and control (p = 0.336). A significant difference was observed between groups in terms of length of the third stage of labor (p = 0.04). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of mean childbirth experience score (p = 0.217), duration of active phase (p = 0.099), and second stage of labor (p = 0.114). Conclusion The results of the study showed that plantar reflexology can reduce the severity of labor pain and the length of third stage of labor.

Background: Positional release therapy (PRT) has been suggested as an effective treatment for myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Considering the mechanism of PRT, a new modified technique, known as Manual Passive Muscle Shortening (MPMS), is introduced for the treatment of MTrPs. Objectives: To compare the effects of MPMS and PRT on the sensitivity of latent MTrPs in the upper trapezius and determine the active cervical lateral flexion range. Methods: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 30 female university students, who were identified with latent MTrPs of the upper trapezius, were recruited from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. The participants were randomly allocated into experimental (n, 15) and control (n, 15) groups. The experimental group was treated with the MPMS technique, while the control group received PRT. The participants took part in 3 treatment sessions, as well as a follow-up session 1 week after the third session. During each session, the second physiotherapist, who was blind to the pretreatment information, applied the appropriate technique. The visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and bilateral active range of cervical lateral flexion were recorded to assess the effects of treatment. The first physiotherapist, who was blind to the treatment approach for the participants, recorded the outcomes before treatment, during the first session, after treatment (third session), and in the follow-up. Results: A total of 30 participants were included in the data analysis. In the follow-up, intergroup changes indicated a significant increase in PPT (P = 0.000), a significant decrease in VAS scores (P = 0.002), and a significant increase in the right lateral flexion (P = 0.012) in the experimental group. Left lateral flexion also increased in this group, although it was not statistically significant (P = 0.254). At the end of the study, there were no significant differences between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results, both MPMS and PRT were effective techniques in immediate pain relief of upper-trapezius MTrPs. Therefore, MPMS may be used as a new technique in the treatment of MTrPs.

Background:One of the most common disabilities after stroke is impaired balance, so improving balance is essential for performing daily activities through rehabilitation. A task-oriented exercise program is an effective approach to improving balance. Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a task-oriented exercise program on balance in patients with hemiplegia following stroke. Iranian patients with hemiplegia following stroke were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 10) and control groups (n = 10). The experimental group received a 4-week task-oriented exercise program, and the control group received 4-week conventional physiotherapy, respectively. The patients were evaluated before and after the exercise intervention. Clinical measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) while laboratory measures included the plantar pressure distribution, the center of pressure path length (COP path length), and the center of pressure confidence ellipse area (COP area). Results:Significant improvement was observed in the BBS after completion of the exercise program in both the experimental and the control groups (50.5 ± 1.08 and 46.8 ± 3.96, P < 0.05, respectively). Significant improvement was showed in the COP path length and area after the task-oriented exercise program (171.14 ± 52.15 and 65.44 ± 69.79, P < 0.01, respectively). The COP area also improved after completion of conventional therapy (114.9 ± 88.99, P < 0.05), but the COP path length in the conventional therapy group and the plantar pressure distribution in both groups were not improved significantly after treatment (P > 0.05). The BBS, COP path length, and COP area improved significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group following intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusions:A task-oriented exercise program is associated with an improvement in balance in patients with hemiplegia following stroke.

No abstract