Research and News
Posts tagged rehabilitation
Physical therapy with Thera-Band products effective after surgical repair of ankle fracture
May 4th
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After surgery to repair an ankle fracture, physical therapy exercise is usually prescribed; however, no randomized, controlled studies have evaluated the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program after removing the post-operative cast. A prospective, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) was published by researchers in Sweden to evaluate a standardized, but individually-suited training program supervised by a physiotherapist.
105 patients were randomly assigned to a control group or physical therapy group after an average of 6 weeks in a plaster cast. The control group received “usual care”: advice and self-directed exercise. While 76% of subjects in the control group also attended physical therapy sessions on their own, their exercises were not the standardized program of the experimental group.
The physical therapy program began 1 week after cast removal and lasted 12 weeks, with 2 sessions per week. Patients also performed exercises at home between physical therapy visits. The neuromuscular training program consisted of range of motion (ROM) exercises, strengthening, balance training, and closed-kinetic chain exercises. Patients used Thera-Band® resistance bands for ankle strengthening exercises as well as wobble board and mini-trampoline exercises for balance training. Download the article and More >
Introducing the New Thera-Band Shoulder Pulley
May 2nd
Akron, Ohio – April 30, 2010 – Performance Health / Hygenic Corporation announces the introduction of the new Thera-Band® Shoulder Pulley, an essential tool for patients undergoing shoulder rehabilitation in regaining and maintaining range of motion.
“Unlike conventional pulleys, the Thera-Band Shoulder Pulley features a unique rope that’s divided into sections by distinct black marks. By referencing the position of these marks during exercise, patients get immediate feedback on progress. This visual feedback validates that they are improving, which is key to patient motivation,” stated Anna Schrock, Product Manager for Performance Health / Hygenic Corporation. “The marked rope also allows the rehab professional to set precise goals and limitations so that patients know how far to go and where to stop.”
“The ability to move the shoulder joint is vital for functionality in everyday physical activities, and anyone from weekend athletes to gardeners to do-it-yourself painters can experience shoulder problems,” added Phil Page, PhD, PT, ATC, CSCS, director of clinical education and research for the Thera-Band Academy. “We commonly see limited range of motion in post-operative rotator cuff tear repairs, shoulder reconstruction, and frozen shoulder, or ‘adhesive capsulitis’ patients. Physical therapy and therapeutic exercise are the keys to successful outcomes in these patients, More >
Thera-Band exercises beneficial after surgery to correct hallux valgus
Apr 28th
Many patients undergoing surgery to correct hallux valgus (bunion) continue to have difficulty with walking. Few studies, however, have evaluated the effect of exercise after hallux valgus surgery. Australian researchers published a descriptive study on the outcomes of 30 patients after osteotomy to correct mild to moderate hallux valgus. The researchers were interested in the plantar pressures of patients, particularly at the first ray. Despite improvement in clinical and radiographic measures, hallux valgus patients often lack the proper function of the first ray and great toe; this may alter gait patterns well after surgery.
At 4 weeks post-op, patients performed a multi-modal rehabilitation program once a week for 4 to 6 weeks. The treatment protocol included edema control, joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and gait training. In addition, patients performed exercises with Thera-Band® resistance bands. The specific exercises were designed to reduce pressure on the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints. Patients had to flex the MTP joints without bending the distal and proximal interphalangeal (IP) joints; then the exercise was combined with active pronation.
After rehabilitation, patients improved in range of motion and plantar pressure distribution; however, the study was limited by the lack of a control group. Subsequent studies should include a control group More >
Thera-Band exercises effective for acute ankle sprains
Apr 20th
Ankle sprains are the most common injury in sports. Rehabilitation exercise after ankle sprains include active and resisted exercises, often performed with a Thera-Band® elastic band. Reduced ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) is considered to be a sign of significant injury and can affect gait and function.
Researchers at the Mayo clinic in Rochester, Minnesota recruited patients with acute (within 4 days) Grade I or II ankle sprains. They were prescribed a 4 to 6 week home exercise program that included cold and compression, along with progressive resisted exercises using an elastic band. Patients performed resisted dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion with a yellow Thera-Band resistance band, completing 3 sets of 10-20 repetitions, one to two times per day. The patients progressed through the remainder of the Thera-Band color-coded progression (red, green, blue, black, and silver) as they improved in strength. Once the patients could perform 3 sets of 10-20 repetitions of resisted plantar flexion, they began calf raises. They also performed single-leg balance exercises including standing on foam pads. In addition to the Thera-Band and balance programs that the patients received, participants were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups of stretching the Achilles tendon on increase dorsiflexion. Each group performed 3 More >
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
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