Research and News
Archive for March, 2009
Research Presentations at APTA CSM 2009
Mar 31st
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Link to these research abstracts that were presented at the APTA’s Combined Section’s Meeting in 2009 in Las Vegas
ELECTROMYOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF THE GLUTEUS MEDIUS IN WEIGHTBEARING EXERCISES
PLYOMETRIC TRAINING OF THE CORE AND EFFECTS ON TRUNK AND SHOULDER OUTCOME MEASURES
Simple device to facilitate exercises in bed
Mar 31st
This simple device was developed by Dr. Wendy Anemaet, PT, PhD to attach Thera-Band resistance bands while exercising in bed for home health patients.
Simple PVC post for elastic resistance bed exercises
Exercise as good as surgery for knee arthritis
Mar 31st
Knee osteoarthritis affects millions around the world with pain and disability. There is no known cure for arthritis, and the course of treatment is based on symptom management through medication, surgery and physical therapy. Some arthritis sufferers believe that exercise may cause more harm than good, and typically opt for arthroscopic surgery to ‘clean-out’ the knee. In addition to the cost of surgery, there are obvious risks. Despite the high number of arthroscopic surgeries for knee arthritis (also known as “debridement”), little evidence supported its efficacy.
Researchers from the University of Western Ontario in Canada performed a randomized controlled trial (the highest level of evidence) on 190 patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis. Their goal was to determine if physical and medical therapy was as effective as arthroscopic surgery. The exercise program lasted for 12 weeks, including one hour per week supervised by a therapist, and daily exercise twice a day. After the 12 weeks, the patients continued their home programs unsupervised.
The researchers found that physical therapy, including Thera-Band exercises was as effective as arthroscopic surgery for treating knee osteoarthritis. Both groups had similar outcomes for pain and function after a 2 year follow-up. The results, published in the New More >
Recent study supports use of new Rehab Kits
Mar 30th
A new study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, finds that exercise as a treatment for chronic back and neck pain may be under utilized, according to a survey of individuals recently seen by their healthcare provider. The study’s authors note that exercise is “one of the few moderately effective therapies for the highly disabling illness of chronic back and neck pain.”
The study, published in the February edition of Arthritis Care & Research, was led by Timothy S. Carey and Janet K. Freburger of the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. It consisted of a telephone survey of 684 individuals with chronic neck or back pain who saw their physician, chiropractor or physical therapist in the past 12 months. Of the 684 subjects polled, only 48% were prescribed exercise. The results of this new survey suggest healthcare providers may need new and better solutions for their patients.
Download the entire press release on the article from Performance Health here.
Thera-Band Workshop Successful in China
Mar 25th
Thera-Band Academy Instructor, Yuling “Leo” Wang recently gave a 2-day workshop in Guangzhou, China. The hands-on workshop demonstrated how Thera-Band and Biofreeze products are used in treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, including case studies. Nearly 70 therapists, doctors, and trainers representing 18 cities in China attended the workshop sponsored by BioCom. More workshops are planned for 2009.
