Ardalan Shariat

Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Impact of Aquatic Exercise Training on Functional Capacity, Balance, and Perceptions of Fatigue in Female Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

OBJECTIVEnTo assess the effects of an 8-week aquatic exercise training program on functional capacity, balance, and perceptions of fatigue in women with multiple sclerosis (MS).nnnDESIGNnRandomized controlled design.nnnSETTINGnReferral center of an MS society.nnnPARTICIPANTSnWomen (N=32; mean age ± SD, 36.4±8.2y) with diagnosed relapsing-remitting MS. After undergoing baseline testing by a neurologist, participants were allocated to either an intervention (aquatic training program, n=17) or a control group (n=15).nnnINTERVENTIONSnThe intervention consisted of an 8-week aquatic training program (3 supervised training sessions per week; session duration, 45-60min; 50%-75% estimated maximum heart rate).nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASURESnSix-minute walk test (6-MWT), balance (Berg Balance Scale [BBS]), and perceptions of fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale; [MFIS]) at baseline and after the 8-week intervention. Differences over time between the experimental and control groups were assessed by a 2×2 (group by time) repeated-measures analysis of variance.nnnRESULTSnThirty-two women completed the 8-week aquatic training intervention (experimental group, n=17; control group, n=15). All outcome measures improved in the experimental group: 6-MWT performance (pretest mean ± SD, 451±58m; posttest mean ± SD, 503±57m; P<.001); BBS (pretest mean ± SD, 53.59±1.70; posttest mean ± SD, 55.18±1.18; P<.001), and MFIS (pretest mean ± SD, 43.1±14.6; posttest mean ± SD, 32.8±5.9; P<.01). A significant group-by-time interaction was evident between the experimental and control groups for 6-MWT (P<.001, partial eta2 [ηp2]=.551), BBS (P<.001, ηp2=.423), and MFIS (P<.001, ηp2=.679).nnnCONCLUSIONSnAquatic exercise training improved functional capacity, balance, and perceptions of fatigue in women with MS.

Neck pain and low back pain in relation to functional disability in different sport activities

This population-based, cross-sectional study aimed to determine the frequency of neck pain, low back pain (LBP) and also the LBP related functional disability in five sport categories including football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and other sports in one of the Iranian sport Olympiads. The prevalence of neck pain and LBP in different time points was evaluated with the use of an interview questionnaire. A visual analogue scale was used to evaluate the athlete’s current pain. Furthermore, the functional disability related to LBP was assessed by the Athletes Disability Index Questionnaire (ADI). A total of 452 male athletes aging between 12 and 20 were screened. Three hundred seventy-seven participants responded to the questionnaires in which their mean age (standard deviation) was 15.95 (1.25). Collectively, the life-time prevalence of neck pain and LBP in all the athletes was 38.8% and 42.0%, respectively. The highest risk of neck pain at all-time points was observed among basketball players compared to other sport groups (P<0.05). The risk of LBP in most time points was the least among wrestlers (P<0.05). The ADI score was significantly higher among basketball players (13.89%) compared to volleyball players and wrestlers (P<0.05). Our study revealed a high prevalence of neck pain and LBP among Iranian young male athletes. A higher risk of neck pain and LBP among basketball players predisposes this sport at high risk of developing spine injuries which needs further consideration.

Acute effects of one session dry needling on a chronic golfer’s elbow disability

A 40-year-old retired male elite athlete with more than 20 years’ experience in wrestling and bodybuilding with mild elbow pain and disability of 2 years presented to our clinic reporting an acute pain in medial aspect of the elbow. Physical examination revealed symptoms of left Golfer’s elbow during target-directed movements. The results of sonography in left elbow showed low level of hypo echo irregularity and increased blood flow in color Doppler mode in the common flexor origin. The pain amplitude was moderate at rest and extremely high during kinetic and intentional movements. During last 2 years, the patient tried different types of therapy including manual therapy, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and also received a variety of injections none of which were effective for reducing pain and disability. This is the first study showed that one sessions of dry needling improved both pain and disability and helped to return to a normal life and exercise training.

Effects of stretching exercise training and ergonomic modifications on musculoskeletal discomforts of office workers: a randomized controlled trial

Highlights • Ergonomic modification and exercise improve discomfort for office workers.• Introduce a package of exercise training that can be used as a treatment for MSDs.• Office workers should spend at least 15 min each day to do some exercises.

Effects of whole body vibration training and mental training on mobility, neuromuscular performance, and muscle strength in older men

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise, mental training (MT), and the concurrent effect of WBV and MT on lower body balance, neuromuscular performance, and leg muscle strength in elderly men. In a randomized control trial study with parallel group design, 42 older men (mean±standard deviation age, 68±5.78 years) were randomly divided into four groups: WBV (n=11), MT (n=12), WBV+MT (n=10), and control (n=9) groups. The protocol of training consisted of three sessions per week for 8 weeks and about 30 min for each session. The WBV exercise was performed on a vibration machine. In MT group, participants were asked to mentally visualize to do the Timed Up and Go and relaxation technics. postural stability, the Timed Up and Go test, 5-repetition chair-rising test, 6-m tandem gait test, 10-m walking, and leg isometric strength were measured in baseline and after 8-week intervention. Repeated measures-analysis of variance followed by post hoc was used to analyses the data. The results of this study showed that there were significant improvements (P<0.05) in postural stability, Timed Up and Go, 5-repetition chair-rising, 6-m tandem gait test, 10-m walking, and leg isometric strength in WBV, MT, and WBV+MT in comparison with baseline and in comparison with control group. It seems that older adults can take benefit from WBV and MT and WBV+MT exercise as a cost-effective and practical way without side effects to improve postural control, mobility, and functional performance.

Office/home-based exercise rehabilitation is useful for computer-based workers in today’s world

It can be said that in today’s world, any person from a 10-yearold child to a 70-year-old man or woman uses a smartphone or laptop or PC for different purposes such as communication, entertainment, doing business, and other daily duties. The lifestyle predominates not only in developed countries but also in developing countries where individuals spend so much time (around 8 hr/ day) for sitting on their chair. Office workers will often not have enough time for participation in physical activities. In addition to decrease in the range of motion, muscles slowly get weak and can atrophy especially the multifidus muscles. Chronic pains in neck, shoulder, and lower back can lead to insomnia. Following insomnia, cognitive performance, physiological performance and mood will be affected as well. Exercise rehabilitation is an established therapy in developed countries and in recent decades it is slowly getting known in developing countries. Exercise is a nonpharmacological treatment for individuals who suffer from physical, physiological or psychological issues. Exercise rehabilitation is not only effective on physical issues but also can improve physiological and psychological aspects of individuals in the workplace and home. Unfortunately, most of the prescriptions have focused on exercise rehabilitation for specific diseases undertaken under supervision of a clinic-based therapist with specific equipment. There is a lack of knowledge about different standard packages of feasible exercise rehabilitation for individuals of different gender in different ages who do not have a time to go to gym or visit a therapist. The home or office-based packages should be easy to do without need for specialist equipment or instruments and come with clear instructions. The Editorial Board of the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation invites scientists and therapists to submit the results of their studies with critical thinking, and introduces their suggested exercise rehabilitation protocols for computer-based workers with an international perspective.