Research and News
Research Updates
More evidence that “prehab” works for total knee replacements
Oct 13th
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Total knee replacement is becoming more common for treating advanced knee osteoarthritis. Dr. Robert Topp and his colleagues at the University of Louisville continue to research the effects of “prehabilitation” by providing exercises before total knee replacement surgery. He presented his current results at the 2010 Thera-Band Research Advisory Committee (TRAC) meeting. “Pre-operative exercises for total knee replacement help speed post-operative recovery by increasing initial levels of strength and function,” Dr. Topp stated. The randomized controlled study examined 18 patients who were assigned either to a control group or a “prehab” group that performed Thera-Band strength and balance exercises, stepping exercises, and flexibility training. The prehab group performed significantly better than the control group on functional tests both before and after surgery. These findings suggest that exercises before total knee replacement surgery may help speed recovery, reduce recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs; their ongoing prehab study hopes to validate some of these answers.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Total Knee Replacement Resource Center Here
Thera-Band Exercise Station helps Older Adults Improve Functional Fitness
Oct 11th
It’s well-known that exercise is important for older adults to maintain health and function. Many studies have shown that Thera-Band® resistance is effective at improving strength and function in older adults. Dr. Michael Rogers, Chair and Professor at Wichita State University’s Department of Human Performance Studies, collaborated with researchers at Nagoya City University in Japan. He presented his findings at the 2010 Thera-Band Research Advisory Committee meeting. 39 older adults were randomly assigned to a control group or a group using the Thera-Band Exercise Station. The exercise group performed a 12-week circuit training program combining strength and aerobic exercises 3 days per week. After the program, the exercise group had significant improvements in functional fitness and in body composition, whereas the control group did not. Interestingly, the improvements seen with the Exercise Station group were similar to the results the researchers found in a separate study using hydraulic resistance machines. Dr. Rogers noted, “We got the same improvements in strength and function using the Thera-Band exercise station as we got with more expensive machines.” Their findings may have important implications in delivering cost-effective group-based exercise for older adults.
View the Thera-Band Academy Older Adult resource center here
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EMG evidence helps support evidence-based practice with Thera-Band
Oct 7th
Electromyography (EMG) is a helpful tool for clinicians to decide which exercise would be best for their patients rehabilitation. Many studies have investigated the muscle activation levels of elastic resistance, including Thera-Band® resistance bands. Dr. Todd Ellenbecker of Physiotherapy Associates in Scottsdale, Arizona, investigated the EMG levels of 2 Thera-Band exercises he uses in his clinic. “We use these exercises on our patients, yet we don’t exactly know the muscle activation levels,” Dr. Ellenbecker noted, “EMG testing will help us make better clinical decisions for exercise prescription.”
Dr. Ellenbecker presented his findings at the 2010 Thera-Band Research Advisory Committee (TRAC) meeting. 21 subjects performed an external rotation oscillation with the FlexBar® exerciser and a Thera-Band Band Loop Wall Walk. The researchers measured surface EMG levels of the deltoid, rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers. Interestingly, both exercises produced similar levels of activation. The most active muscle for both exercises was the infraspinatus of the rotator cuff, which had moderate activation levels. Interestingly, the ratios of the upper trapezius to lower trapezius were over 1:1 for both exercises. “That’s important because we like to bias the lower trapezius, which is usually weaker than the upper trapezius in shoulder patients,” said Dr. Ellenbecker. His research helps More >
Researchers learn more about how Biofreeze works
Oct 7th
University of Louisville researchers continue to explore the mechanisms behind pain relief provided by Biofreeze® Topical Analgesic. At the 2010 Thera-Band Research Advisory Committee (TRAC) Meeting, Dr. Robert Topp presented the findings from his latest investigations to understand Biofreeze’s mechanism of action. Previous TRAC research from Dr. Topp and his colleagues (recently published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine) found that Biofreeze applied to the forearm significantly reduced blood flow in the brachial artery, similar to the changes seen with ice application. This reduction in blood flow is seen as the body’s natural response to cold application, which is often used in the acute stages of injury and to reduce pain. In his more recent research, Dr. Topp combined Biofreeze with ice application to investigate their individual and combined effects on blood flow. “We knew that Biofreeze application reduced blood similar to ice,” Dr Topp noted, “but we wanted to know the effect of combining Biofreeze and ice application at the same time.” The subjects reported that the Biofreeze application was more comfortable than the ice application and both reduced blood flow similarly (26 – 28% reduction). When ice and Biofreeze were combined, the reduction in blood flow was even greater (40%). Read the More >
Biofreeze blood flow reduction study published in Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine
Sep 24th
Biofreeze® topical analgesic has been shown to provide pain relief in numerous patients, including those with back and neck pain. For almost 20 years, patients and clinicians have relied on its “cryotherapy” effects to manage the pain of arthritis, sprains and strains. Cryotherapy with ice is known to quickly decrease blood flow and is often used for immediate application following an acute injury, or to reduce joint pain after strenuous activity. Ice applications reduce the metabolic demand on injured tissues and help reduce pain. Unfortunately, little has been known about the specific mechanism of action of Biofreeze’s cryotherapy effects.
For those of you who follow our blog, you’ll recall Dr. Robert Topp and his research team at the University of Louisville have done extensive studies on the effects of Biofreeze and ice on blood flow. One of their studies was recently published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine. In their study, the researchers applied either ice or Biofreeze gel to the forearms of 12 healthy subjects. They measured the blood flow in the brachial artery before and after each application.
The researchers found a significant (35%) reduction in blood flow within 60 seconds for both the ice and Biofreeze applications. The reduced blood More >
