Research and News
Archive for December, 2009
Comparing Biofreeze® Pain Reliever and Ice
Dec 22nd
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The December issue of Training and Conditioning magazine featured Dr. Phil Page discussing the differences between Biofreeze® topical pain reliever and Ice. Research recently posted on this blog by Dr. Bob Topp and Dr. Bart Bishop was featured in the article as well.
Click here to view a short video that demonstrates Dr. Topp’s research protocol
Thera-Band continuing education courses help raise money for PT students
Dec 21st
The Thera-Band® Academy sponsored 2 continuing education courses for physical therapists and PTAs with local physical therapy schools in Shreveport, Louisiana and Oklahoma City. The one-day workshop, “Beyond Bands: Evidence-Based Progression of Elastic and Proprioceptive Exercises” features the scientific basis for clinical application of elastic resistance and balance exercises. Phil Page, PhD, PT, ATC, Director of Education and Research for Thera-Band Academy, stated, “We developed this hands-on workshop to help support evidence-based practice with readily available equipment like bands and exercise balls.” The Thera-Band Academy has partnered with 10 PT and PTA schools to host the workshops through April, 2010 at various locations.
Mark Anderson, PhD, PT, ATC of Oklahoma University’s Physical Therapy School hosted the Oklahoma City course that raised nearly $3000 for the students. “In addition to raising money, this course helps fill a gap in the education of most physical therapists about the proper use of elastic resistance. This course supports both evidence-based practice and philanthropy, which is a great learning experience for our students.” Most of the money raised by the students will go toward supporting the Foundation for Physical Therapy’s Miami-Marquette Challenge, which helps raise money for PT research.
Thera-Band Academy instructor, Andre Labbe PT, led the workshop in More >
Thera-Band® Exercises Increase Muscle Size in Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Dec 21st
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often have leg weakness due to reduced muscle size. Researchers in the UK examined the effects of a 10 week training program of progressive strengthening of the plantar flexors in 13 children with spastic CP. The children began with Thera-Band-resisted plantar flexion in long-sitting and progressed to standing heel raises. They performed 3 to 4 sets of exercises at a 6-12 Repetition Maximum (RM) resistance with a 2-minute rest between sets. Once subjects were able to perform 6 calf raises, they continued that exercise until they could perform 12. Each session started and ended with calf stretches in standing. Exercises were performed 4 times per week, including 3 sessions at home. After the 2 ½ month training program, muscle volume increased 14-17% and was maintained 3 months after training. Interestingly, while the participant’s strength increased, their functional measures did not. The authors concluded that strengthening interventions may be one of the most important interventions in the short term for children with CP in order to support long-term functional gains.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Cerebral Palsy Center Here
McNee AE, et al.. 2009 . Increases in muscle volume after plantarflexor strength training in children with spastic cerebral palsy . Dev Med More >
Home Exercises with Thera-Band® Beneficial for Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Dec 17th
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects 100,000 in the UK, and about 250,000 in the US. Approximately 75% of MS patients have difficulty walking, which is often caused by weakness of the anterior lower muscles. This weakness in the tibialis anterior muscle leads to “foot drop,” a condition noted by the inability to lift the foot properly during ambulation. Thera-Band® Resistance Bands are often used to strengthen the tibialis anterior in patients using a foot drop exercise. Researchers in the UK investigated the effects of electrical stimulation to the anterior tibialis muscle compared to a home exercise program on walking performance in MS patients with foot drop. In the 18 week study, 44 MS patients were randomly assigned to either home exercise with simple equipment including Thera-Band Resistance Bands and cuff weights, or a group receiving functional electrical stimulation (FES). During FES, the muscle is stimulated with each step during ambulation, triggered by a foot switch. The exercise program was designed by physical therapists to improve pelvic and trunk stability, lower limb muscle length and strength, and balance and control of movement. Exercises were performed at home every day for 30 minutes, 1 to 2 times per day.
Download the Exercise Program for MS Patients with Foot More >
Exercise program for Leukemia successful
Dec 11th
Leukemia, cancer of the blood cells and bone marrow, accounts for 10% of new cancer cases in the US. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy treatment for leukemia is quite debilitating, causing fatigue, nausea, and loss of body mass. Exercise has been shown beneficial in several types of cancer, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer; however, few studies if any have investigated exercise in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the same time.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill completed a study to determine the feasibility of providing in-hospital exercise to acute leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy, and to evaluate its effects. 8 patients completed the program 3 to 4 times per week over 3 to 5 weeks. They also continued aerobic exercises at home upon returning home from the hospital. The patients used elastic bands, dumbbells, and exercise balls.
Download the leukemia exercise protocol here
The patients had a significant reduction in total fatigue and depression, as well as a significant increase in cardiorespiratory endurance. They also were able to maintain their muscular endurance over the course of treatment. The authors pointed out that the low loss of muscle mass in the patients was clinically significant because extreme weight loss is a strong predictor of poor treatment outcomes.
