Research and News
Cuff Weights
Elastic resistance exercise safe and effective for kidney failure patients on dialysis
Feb 11th
The kidneys serve an important function in filtering the blood. Patients with severe kidney disease or kidney failure don’t have the ability to clean their blood. This condition is known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and often requires hemodialysis that cleans the blood with a machine. In 2006, over 500,000 Americans had ESRD, with over 350,000 requiring dialysis.
Dialysis patients often have reduced physical function and quality of life because of their disease complications and lack of physical activity. Unfortunately, there is little research on exercise in dialysis patients. Researchers performed a multi-center randomized controlled trial in Spain to determine the effects of a resistance training program with ankle weights and elastic bands.
27 hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to a resistive-exercise group or a low-level aerobic exercise group. Both groups, supervised by physiotherapists, exercised 3 times a week for 6 months. Each session included 5 minutes of stretching as part of warm-up and cool down, and 25 minutes of either resistance training or stationary bike riding. The resistance training group performed training at an RPE of 12-14, and emphasized lower extremity exercise.
At the end of the study, the resistance training group significantly increased in physical function compared to the control group. The More >
Thera-Band® exercise program after hip fracture successful
Dec 7th
Hip fracture rates are estimated to increase to 650,000 people by 2030. As many as one-third of hip fracture patients die within a year of their injury. Researchers at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore have been conducting a long-term trial of a home-based exercise program after hip fracture. The Thera-Band Academy has supported the study for several years with Thera-Band products. A recent article in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation journal described the success of the program in terms of implementation and design. In the randomized, controlled trial, 180 frail elderly females over 65 years old were randomly assigned to a control group of non-exercise and an experimental exercise group. Exercise started after discharge from acute therapy, and included Thera-Band Resistance Bands and cuff weights. Patients performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise and gradually increased the resistance using the Thera-Band system of color progression. Sessions were held 5 times per week with some supervised sessions at home.
Download the hip fracture exercise protocol here
The authors noted that experts doubted that it would be possible to get frail older adults to exercise after hip fracture; however, the study was successful with an 82% participation rate and 78.5% compliance rate. The Baltimore Hip Study confirmed that More >
5 New Thera-Band Active Care Products Available
Apr 9th
The Hygenic Corporation / Performance Health Inc. is excited to announce the introduction of 5 new Thera-Band products that give healthcare providers new home exercise program options. Download the press release here.
Retail packaged, the Thera-Band® Foot Roller is an ideal tool for patients who are seeking an affordable, simple and effective solution to relieving foot pain caused by common conditions such as plantar fasciitis and over-activity. It features supple natural rubber, a ridged design, hollow core, and the ability to be chilled.
Packaged for practitioner resale and complete with an exercise poster, the 9” Thera-Band® Mini Ball can be used in-clinic or sold to patients for use as part of a home exercise program. This soft, tactile, non-slip PVC ball supports a range of varied and effective exercises designed to increase core strength.
Ideal for home exercise programs, the Thera-Band® Comfort Fit Ankle & Wrist Weight Sets feature adjustable straps, a soft terrycloth interior and reflective trim. They are available in three color-coded weight sets, ranging from red (two 1 lb. weights), to green (two 1.5 lb. weights), to blue (two 2.5 lb. weights).
Packaged for practitioner resale and complete with exercise instructions, the 13” Thera-Band® Stability Disc offers an unstable and sensory-stimulating surface designed More >
