Research and News
Research Updates
Thera-Band and Biofreeze TRAC Research Presentations
Aug 5th
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At the 13th annual TRAC meeting, 16 international researchers and clinical educators from 6 countries presented their original research on Thera-Band and Biofreeze products. The abstracts of their presentations can be viewed on the Academy website. In addition, proceedings of the meeting with the abstracts are available to download in PDF format from the Academy. The 26 research presentations included topics on EMG activation and clinical outcomes with Thera-Band exercises, as well as the effects of Biofreeze on patient populations:
- Muscle activation during squat exercise using the Thera-Band® Exercise Station
- Effect of whole body vibration exercise on muscle activity when using Thera-Band® resistance bands in younger and older adults
- EMG analysis of the triceps surae muscle complex during Achilles tendon rehabilitation program exercises
- EMG activation of gluteal musculature during therapeutic exercises with and without Thera-Band® resistance
- EMG analysis of the upper and lower trapezius during Thera-Band® elastic resistance exercises
- The effects of a home-care exercise kit on pain and disability for the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
- Effect of concurrent Thera-Band® Stability Trainer exercise with PSRP Shoulder rehab programme vs PSRP alone
- Comparison of Full Can Vs Empty Can in Rotator More >
Scientific Advisory Committee presents research on Thera-Band and Biofreeze
Aug 3rd
Performance Health, makers of Thera-Band® and Biofreeze® products, hosted the 13th annual meeting of their Scientific Advisory Committee to help direct efforts in research and education. This year’s meeting was held July 22-24 in San Francisco, California. The committee includes 16 researchers, educators, and clinicians from 6 countries with diverse backgrounds representing physical and occupational therapy, chiropractic, orthopedic surgery, exercise science, massage therapy, and athletic training. The 2011 committee included:
- Lars Andersen PhD (Denmark)
- Ashish Babhulkar MD (India)
- David Behm PhD (Canada)
- Bart Bishop PT (USA)
- Juan Colado PhD (Spain)
- Todd Ellenbecker PT (USA)
- Sue Falsone PT ATC (USA)
- Jeff Forman PhD MT (USA)
- Jay Greenstein DC (USA)
- Tom Hyde DC (USA)
- Andre Labbe PT (USA)
- Michael Rogers PhD (USA)
- Bob Topp PhD RN (USA)
- Pam Toto PhD OT (USA)
- Tim Tyler PT ATC (USA)
- Leo Wang PhD PT (China)
Since 1999, a select group of researchers and clinical educators has been appointed to the committee to support and facilitate Performance Health’s research agenda. Formerly known as “TRAC,” the committee’s research helps support the mission of Thera-Band Academy to support evidence-led practice through research and education. Each year, the committee meets for 3 days to present and discuss their original research using Thera-Band and Biofreeze products. This committee plays a vital role in providing cutting-edge research for More >
Thera-Band exercise program helps reduce knee pain
Jul 3rd
Patellofemoral pain syndrome results in chronic anterior knee pain, and is often associated with delayed and reduced activation of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle. Therapeutic exercise is often prescribed to help improve the strength and onset timing of the VMO. Patellar taping is also used in managing anterior knee pain, and is often worn by the patient throughout the day.
Researchers in Turkey wanted to see if an exercise program for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome could be effective with shorter tape application times (tape worn only during exercise sessions versus worn all day long). First, they compared the VMO muscle activation of 12 men with patellofemoral pain syndrome to 16 healthy controls. The patient group had significantly slower activation of the VMO compared to the control group, as well as significantly reduced strength and activation levels of the affected side compared to the unaffected side.
The 3 month home exercise program for patellofemoral pain syndrome used patellar taping only while exercises were performed, 3 times per day for 30 minutes per session. The progressive exercise program used Thera-Band® Exercise Bands and Stability Trainers. After the exercise program, the patellofemoral patients normalized their VMO activation timing and strength to symmetrical levels that were the same More >
USA Today features Thera-Band Neck and Shoulder Pain Exercise Research Study
Jun 30th
The USA Today featured a story on research from Dr. Lars Andersen in Denmark using Thera-Band® tubing to reduce neck and shoulder pain in office workers. For more information the study including links to download, visit the Academy’s webpage on Neck Pain Exercise here. You can also view the video of the exercise below:
Rotator cuff patients benefit from Thera-Band exercises
Jun 29th
Rotator cuff disease is the most common cause of shoulder pain in primary care (Ostor et al. 2005) and includes diagnoses such as bursitis, impingement, and rotator cuff tendinosis. Several studies featured in the Academy Blog have described how effective Thera-Band® exercises are in treating shoulder conditions, particularly when combined with manual therapy.
Researchers in Australia completed an extensive study on patients with rotator cuff disease over 3 ½ years and published their findings in the British Medical Journal. 120 patients in Melbourne meeting eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to either a home exercise and manual therapy or a placebo-controlled group receiving only sham ultrasound. 14 experienced physiotherapists at 12 centers were trained to provide both interventions.
The intervention program was published in a separate paper in 2007. Download their protocol here. The exercise and manual therapy group received 10 sessions of individualized standard treatment over 10 weeks including a twice-daily home exercise program with Thera-Band exercise bands. At the end of the first 10 weeks, there was no significant difference in pain or function between the experimental and control groups; they both significantly improved.
They continued the home exercise each day for 12 weeks after the initial 10 visits. After 22 weeks, the exercise More >
