Research and News
Thera-Band Elastic Resistance
APTA Endorses Thera-Band Latex-free Resistance bands
Apr 9th
ALEXANDRIA, VA, April 7, 2010 — The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has endorsed the new and improved Thera-Band® Latex-Free Professional Resistance Bands, an important complement to the market-leading Thera-Band® Latex Professional Resistance Bands from Performance Health/Hygenic Corporation.
The endorsement is in response to requests by physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and their patients for a product that is as effective as the Thera-Band latex band system, but is appropriate for people who experience allergic reactions to latex. The new and improved latex-free bands use the same recognized colors and offer the same resistance levels as Thera-Band Professional Latex Resistance Bands that continue to be endorsed by APTA, as they have since 1995.
“The new latex-free resistance bands were endorsed by a unanimous vote by the APTA Endorsement Committee,” said APTA President R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD. “This new product underwent significant clinical field testing with great results. We are proud to add the new Thera-Band Latex-Free Professional Resistance Bands to our endorsed product line.”
The Latex-Free Professional Resistance Bands are part of the total Thera-Band® solution that includes clinical research, education, support tools, and a broad portfolio of progressive exercise products. Each part of the Thera-Band solution is researched and engineered to More >
Study published in Physical Therapy journal on Thera-Band resistance vs. dumbbells
Apr 1st
In an Academy blog post in February, Thera-Band® resistance or dumbbells? New research supports both in the clinic, we reviewed a new research article published online in the Physical Therapy journal. The article is now available in print at the journal’s website. The landmark study showed that Thera-Band elastic resistance was as effective as dummbells at activating muscles during therapeutic exercises. In addition, the article validated the use of the Borg RPE scale in dosing the intensity of resistive exercises. For more information, read the press release here.
If you’d like to learn more about this study and other biomechanics behind elastic resistance training that will help your patient exercise prescription, attend one of our remaining “Beyond Bands” courses in Virginia or Kansas. In the course, healthcare professionals can learn the scientific and clinical application of elastic resistance and balance training.
Exercises with elastic resistance more effective than passive shockwave treatment
Mar 24th
Shoulder impingement is a common cause of shoulder pain that responds well to active, therapeutic exercise. A more passive “shockwave treatment” has recently been used to treat impingement. This passive modality was compared with an active exercise treatment in shoulder impingement patients in Norway. The study published in the British Medical Journal compared 12 weeks of physiotherapy and home exercise using elastic tubing with 4 to 6 treatments of Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatment (REST).
64% of the exercise patients and only 36% of the shockwave treatment patients had significant improvement in pain and disability, and more patients in the exercise group returned to work. Interestingly however, there were no significant differences between groups in function or range of motion.
This study is consistent with the findings of other studies that show elastic resistance exercises are effective as part of an active care approach to shoulder impingement that includes both clinic- and home-based exercises. Thera-Band® elastic resistance and patient kits are ideal to facilitate both clinical and home exercise programs.
Engebretsen K, et al. Radial extracorporeal shockwave treatment compared with supervised exercises in patients with subacromial pain syndrome: single blind randomised study. BMJ. 2009;339:b3360.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Shoulder Impingement Center Here
More >Systematic review supports use of elastic resistance exercise for shoulder impingement
Mar 9th
Shoulder impingement is a common cause of chronic shoulder pain that can be treated with exercise. Impingement can be caused by a structural narrowing of the space between the humeral bone and acromion of the scapula, or by a muscle imbalance of the rotator cuff and/or scapular stabilizer muscles. These types of impingement are referred to as structural and functional, respectively.
Thera-Band® resistance band exercises are commonly used in rehabilitation of shoulder impingement. In fact, nearly 75% (9 out of 13) of the studies in a systematic review of physiotherapy exercises for impingement included elastic resistance exercise for the rotator cuff and scapula. In their review, Kromer and colleagues found that passive treatments (such as modalities only) are not effective and cannot be justified when treating shoulder impingement.
The authors found that physiotherapist-led exercises were as effective as surgery for shoulder impingement. In addition, home-based exercises were as effective as physiotherapy interventions, although manual therapy in the clinic may provide additional short-term relief. Based on these conclusions, Thera-Band resistance band exercises in the clinic or home can be an effective and safer alternative to surgery.
Kromer TO, et al. Effects of physiotherapy in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome: a systematic review of the literature. J Rehabil Med. 2009;41(11):870-80.
Elastic bands effective at treating neck pain and whiplash
Mar 8th
“Whiplash” injuries are defined as sudden acceleration-deceleration of the head resulting in damage to the cervical spine. While most common in motor vehicle accidents (MVA), whiplash can occur as a result of other high-speed activities such as sports. Usually characterized by long-standing chronic neck pain and disability, studies have shown that patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) have specific patterns of muscle weakness and tightness. Exercise for whiplash and neck pain have been shown effective. Previous research by Dr. Jari Ylinen in Finland has shown that Thera-Band® resistance band exercises are effective at reducing chronic neck pain for up to 2 years. Click here to view Dr. Ylinen’s Thera-Band resistance band exercise protocol here.
Researchers in Norway wanted to compare 2 types of exercise programs on patients with whiplash. 25 patients were randomly assigned to a strength and endurance group or a “motor control” exercise group during 6 weeks of physical therapy. The motor control group performed 10 repetitions of deep neck flexor activation against an inflatable blood pressure cuff. The strengthening group used elastic bands to strengthen their neck muscles and dumbbells to strengthen the upper body. Each exercise was performed for 1 set of 15 to 20 repetitions; each session included a 5 minute More >
