Adesola O Ojoawo

Comparative effects of proprioceptive and isometric exercises on pain intensity and difficulty in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomised control study

PURPOSE The study compared the effects of isometric quadriceps exercise and proprioceptive exercise on pain, joint stiffness and physical difficulties of patients with knee osteoarthritis. SUBJECTS Forty-five patients with history of knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated into two groups; A with 23 subjects and B with 22 subjects. METHODS All subjects received infrared radiation for 20 minutes and kneading massage with methyl salicylate ointment. Group A underwent proprioceptive exercises while Group B had isometric quadriceps exercise. Each exercise session lasted for 10 minutes according to standard protocol, twice in a week for six weeks. Pre-treatment, 3rd week and 6th week pain intensity, joint stiffness and physical difficulties were assessed using Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17 was used to analyse the data while descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarise the result. RESULTS Proprioceptive exercises reduced pain intensity significantly (F = 4.76; p = 0.00) at 6th week with effect size of 2.79, and physical difficulty (F = 3.69; p < 0.04) with effect size of 7.53 better than isometric exercises. There was a significant reduction in the pain intensity (F = 12.08; p < 0.001), and physical difficulties (F = 3.69, p = 0.04) in pre-treatment, 3rd week and 6th week in both Group A and B. CONCLUSION Both exercises are effective but proprioceptive exercises may be more effective in the management of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) than isometric exercises.

Comparative effects of pulsed and continuous short wave diathermy on pain and selected physiological parameters among subjects with chronic knee osteoarthritis

PURPOSE The purposes of this study were to compare the effects of pulsed and continuous short wave diathermy on pain, range of motion, pulse rate and skin temperature in subjects with chronic knee osteoarthritis. METHODS 24 Participants with grade 111 OA of the knee were randomly selected into CSWD and PSWD groups. Pre and post treatment parameters were recorded at onset and the end of 4th week. ANO VA, independent, paired t-test and chi-square were used to analyze the data. RESULTS The pain experienced by participants in the CSWD group was significantly lower than that of the PSWD groups (P < 0.03) after 4 weeks. Also, both active and passive knee range of motions significantly increased in the CSWD group compared to that of PSWD group (p < 0.01 and 0.002). Across the groups, there was no significant difference in the initial pulse rate at onset of treatments and at the end of 4 weeks. There was an increase in skin temperature within a range of 0.61 to 0.63°C and 0.31 to 0.35°C of participants within both the CSWD and PSWD group respectively. The skin temperature of participants who had continuous SWD was significantly higher after 4 weeks (F=8.38, p < 0.001) but the difference was insignificant within the pulse group. However, there was no significant difference in body temperatures of the 2 groups. CONCLUSION This study concluded that CSWD was more effective than PSWD in alleviating pain and in increasing knee flexion range of motion among subjects with chronic knee OA. Also, a mild elevation of skin temperature was able to elicit physiological effects that could exert therapeutic effects.

Transverse oscillatory pressure in management of cervical radiculopathy: A randomised controlled study

Background: Cervical radiculopathy is an important subgroup of neck disorders causing severe pain and disability. Objectives: The study assessed the effect of transverse oscillatory pressure (TOP) on pain intensity and functional disability of patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Twenty-six individuals with unilateral radiating neck pain were randomly allocated into Group A (8 males and 5 females) and Group B (6 males and 7 females). Participants in the two groups received kneading massage, cryotherapy, and active isometric exercises to the posterior paraspinal muscles, trapezuis, and sternomastoid muscles. TOP was administered to Group A, whereas Group B served as control. Treatment was applied three times per week for 4 weeks, making 12 treatment sessions for each participant. Visual analogue scale and Neck Disability Index were used to assess pain intensity and neck disability, respectively, at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Data were analysed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: There was a significant improvement in pain intensity and neck functional disability of patients between baseline, 2nd week, and 4th week of treatment sessions in Groups A and B (p < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in pain intensity in Group A (f = 7.08, p < 0.05) at the 2nd week and 4th week compared with Group B. Conclusion: It can be concluded that TOP reduces pain faster in patients with cervical radiculopathy.