Psychophysiological biomarkers to assess the effectiveness of surface electromyography biofeedback as an alternative therapy to reduce chronic low back pain: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

The prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) among the Pakistani population is reported to be as high as 78%, leading towards different physiological and psychosocial alterations, with the worst cases suffering from disabilities. This study protocol will be a randomised controlled trial designed to compare the effectiveness of biofeedback surface electromyography (sEMG) for CLBP in the Pakistani population. This will be a single-centre study to be conducted on patients with CLBP randomised into two groups, namely, Group A (intervention group) and Group B (control group) to receive biofeedback sEMG therapy as an intervention or no intervention, respectively.

Determinants of Achilles tendon thickness and their influence on knee function and foot alignment in knee osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) significantly impacts the quality of life of individuals globally. However, the interconnections between Achilles tendon thickness, knee symptoms/functions, and foot alignment remain understudied in knee OA patients. This study determines the relationships between Achilles tendon thickness (ATT), knee symptoms/functions, and foot alignment in knee OA patients, considering their interconnected biomechanical nature.

Association of demographics, lumbar active range of motion and disability in chronic low back: a baseline data analysis of a randomized controlled trial from Pakistan.

Background: The disability and significant economic costs accredited to Low back pain (LBP) are likely to rise which is an essential problem in low and middle-income countries like Pakistan. The associated factors of LBP are age, sex, and race including physical activity, high spinal load, lifting, bending, and twisting occupations. The literature highlighted there is substantial differences in associated factors of LBP within available studies in developing countries.

Intrarater and interrater reliability of digital calipers in assessing Achilles tendon thickness in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the intrarater and interrater reliability of measuring Achilles tendon (AT) thickness using a digital caliper in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Physiotherapy Department of Rabia Moon Hospital, involving the recruitment of 61 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Measurements were taken in millimeters at a 90-degree angle, approximately 5 cm from the attachment to the calcaneus, precisely where the ankle joint joins the medial malleolus.

Effects of Physical Activity on Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Levels in Obese Metabolic Syndrome Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of multiple disorders that predispose an individual to risk of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), and insulin-resistance. Hypothyroidism is the most prevalent metabolic disorder causing obesity, followed by hypercortisolism and hypogonadism. Hence, this study aimed to determine the effects of various exercises on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in obese patients with metabolic syndrome.

Bilateral Asymmetrical Limb Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Effects on Pain, Multifidus Activity, Range of Motion, and Disability in Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of bilateral asymmetrical limb proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern exercises on lumbar multifidus (LM) activity, pain, disability, and lumbar range of motions (ROMs) compared to Swiss ball exercises in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Karachi, Pakistan, between March 2020 and January 2021. A sample size of 150 patients with CLBP was randomized into 2 groups.

Effect of nature-based physical activity on post-traumatic growth among healthcare providers with post-traumatic stress.

The purpose of this randomized control trial was to observe the effect of nature-based physical activity in achieving post traumatic growth and to estimate the combined effect of nature and physical activity on the psychophysiological outcomes. A 3-month therapy was provided to participants meeting eligibility criteria to receive the walk-in nature (experimental group) or sit-in nature (control group) in the 1:1 ratio. At baseline and 3-month follow-up, participants were assessed with Trauma Symptom Checklist 40, Traumatic Stress Scale, Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Cortisol, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) and heart rate variability.

Importance of Multifidus Muscle Activity as a Treatment Outcome Measure in Chronic Low Back Pain.

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Physiological biomarkers of chronic stress: A systematic review.

Objective: The basic objective of this systematic review was to identify potential biomarkers for chronic stress.

Methods: A systematic review of studies linking biomarkers in people with chronic stress was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. The last 40 years' studies were included in the systematic review with no age restrictions; animal studies were excluded from the study.

Effects of osteoanabolic exercises on bone mineral density of osteoporotic females: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: With the increase in the life expectancy of older adults, the scoring diagnosis of osteoporosis has been highly reported hence rising the incidence of fragility fractures due to decrease in bone mineral density (BMD), thereby significantly impacting the quality of life and health status of elderly population. The aim of this study is to identify the impact of different exercise regimes in improving the BMD among osteoporotic females.

Methodology: A trial was conducted on 93 diagnosed postmenopausal osteoporotic females aged 50-75 years screened on the basis of physical activity readiness-questionnaire and YOU form randomly divided equally into three groups', that is, aerobic, anaerobic, and osteoanabolic exercises using an envelope method.

Effects of spinal mobilization techniques in the management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis - A meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of diverse exercise regimes used in multiple Randomized Control Trials as the only conservative management strategy for increased Cobb angle among Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Methods: Database such as Google Scholar, Medline, and BioMed Central was reconnoitered for the purpose of research articles of interest. Studies in which the effects of conservative management of scoliosis on the magnitude of Cobb angle were calculated were scrutinized procedurally, studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were retrieved and encompassed in the present study.

Effect of exercise training program in post-CRET post-CABG patients with normal and subnormal ejection fraction (EF > 50% or < 50%) after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

The aim of the present study is to compare the effect of exercise training program in post-Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Training (CRET), post-CABG patients with normal & subnormal ejection fraction (EF >50% or <50%) who have undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The study was conducted on 100 cardiac patients of both sexes (age: 57-65 years) who after CABG surgery, were referred to the department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation between 2008 and 2010 at Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College, Karachi. The patients undertook exercise training program (using treadmill, Recumbent Bike), keeping in view the Borg's scale of perceived exertion, for 6 weeks.

The relationship between sleep and cognitive functioning in adult people.

The purpose of the current study is to find out if subjective sleep complaints will have less cognitive functioning in older people (50 years and above). Sleep was assessed with the subscale Sleep Problems of the Symptoms Checklist-90 (Arrendell & Ettema 1986). Cognitive performance was measured with the Mini Mental Status Examination (Folstein, et al 1975) which is used as a dependent variable.