Pain improvement after three weeks of daily self-executed cross-friction massage using a fascia ball in a patient with recent-onset plantar heel pain: a case report.

Background: Plantar heel pain is described as sharp pain at the medial plantar aspect of the calcaneus and medial longitudinal arch of the foot. There are various treatment options that usually need a clinician or a therapist for application. The present case report aimed to describe the outcomes of self-executed cross-friction massage using a fascia ball in a patient with recent-onset plantar heel pain.

Efficacy of Mirror Therapy in Patients with Phantom Pain after Amputation of a Lower Limb: A Systematic Literature Review.

Up to 80% of patients after amputation are affected by phantom limb pain. This may be due to various mechanisms of cortical reorganisation. Non-surgical treatment of the neuropathic phantom limb pain involves mirror therapy.

[Development and validation of a questionnaire to assess physiotherapists' postural-structural-biomechanical-oriented beliefs about pain].

Background: Therapists frequently use the postural-structural-biomechanical (PSB) model in clinical practice to explain the symptom of pain using biomechanical deficits. Adequate knowledge about pain encompasses not only the neurophysiology of pain but also knowledge that existing PSB-oriented explanations of the development and enhancement of pain are outdated. There is no assessment to evaluate physiotherapists' PSB-oriented beliefs about pain.

Network Meta-analysis of Combined Strength and Power Training for Countermovement Jump Height.

Combined strength and power training in a training program is considered to improve the vertical jump, which is frequently quantified using the countermovement jump height. It is not yet clear whether one of the different training set structures, such as complex training, contrast training, compound training and traditional training, is superior to another. The aim of this review is to describe and assess the comparative effects of the set structures on countermovement jump height in healthy subjects.

Sensorimotor or Balance Training to Increase Knee-Extensor and Knee-Flexor Maximal Strength in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Critically Appraised Topic.

Clinical Scenario: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a complex progressive synovial joint disease that results in impaired muscle function, including a considerable loss of maximal strength and power. Exercise therapies, such as sensorimotor or balance training and resistance training, are frequently used to improve muscle function, mobility, and quality of life, but their impact on maximal muscle strength in patients with KOA is not well understood.

Focused Clinical Question: Does sensorimotor or balance training improve knee-extensor and knee-flexor maximal muscle strength compared with strength training or no intervention in patients with KOA?

Summary Of Key Findings: Results from 4 fair- to good-quality randomized controlled/clinical trials (level 1b) revealed inconsistent grade B evidence regarding the effect of sensorimotor or balance training to improve knee-extensor and knee-flexor maximal muscle strength in patients with KOA.

Comparison of Dynamic Balance and Unilateral Hop Performance Between Women and Men Handball Players After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pilot Study.

Context: After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), long-term functional deficiencies can occur, with controversial results reported when comparing women and men. Dynamic balance and unilateral hop test performance are considered important indicators for the risk of reinjury of the lower extremity. Although both sexes seem to have a similar risk to experience a second anterior cruciate ligament injury, sex-specific differences of dynamic balance and unilateral hop performance in handball players following ACLR are unknown.

[Perception and mindfulness-based occupational therapy in people with mental disorders-A retrospective observational study on the SELWA-treatment].

During occupational therapeutic treatment of clients with mental disorders, perception and mindfulness-based techniques are used. However, little is known regarding relevant outcomes. Aim of the present study is to describe the results of a perception and mindfulness-based occupational therapeutic intervention (self-control techniques using perception-based methods (SELWA®) by S.

Leg length discrepancy: A systematic review on the validity and reliability of clinical assessments and imaging diagnostics used in clinical practice.

Background: A variety of assessments to determine leg length discrepancy (LLD) is used in clinical practice and evidence about validity and reliability may differ.

Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to identify and describe the validity and reliability of different assessments and imaging diagnostics for the determination of LLD.

Materials And Methods: The review was conducted following the recommendations of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).

Comparison of Plantar Sensitivity, Dynamic Balance, and Lower Extremity Joint Range of Motion Between Experienced Female Ballet Dancers and Female Non-Dancing Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Ballet dancers may increasingly use plantar sensory feedback to control foot position and movement during dance activities. Balance and joint range of motion (ROM) are important factors in ballet and may be related to plantar sensation in ballet dancers. Data on related functions of female ballet dancers compared to female non-dancing athletes are sparse.

Biomechanical analysis of single-leg stance using a textured balance board compared to a smooth balance board and the floor: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Previous research showed that standing on textured surfaces can improve postural control by adapting somatosensory inputs from the plantar foot. The additional stimulation of plantar cutaneous mechanoreceptors by a textured surface during single-leg stance on a balance board may increase afferent information to the central nervous system to accelerate muscular responses and to enhance their accuracy. The additional impact of textured surface during single-leg stance on a balance board on postural control and muscle activity is unknown.

THE INFLUENCE OF SENSORIMOTOR TRAINING MODALITIES ON BALANCE, STRENGTH, JOINT FUNCTION, AND PLANTAR FOOT SENSITIVITY IN RECREATIONAL ATHLETES WITH A HISTORY OF ANKLE SPRAIN: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED PILOT STUDY.

Background: Ankle sprains frequently result in persistent sensorimotor deficits. Sufficient evidence of effects of sensorimotor training using unstable devices on physical functions is lacking. There is no insight as to whether simultaneous tactile stimulation of plantar foot mechanoreceptors using textured surfaces may influence outcomes in people with a history of ankle sprain.

Electromyographic analysis of balance exercises in single-leg stance using different instability modalities of the forefoot and rearfoot.

Purpose: To investigate the activity of lower extremity muscles in response to single-leg stance on a training device, destabilizing the forefoot while the rearfoot stands on a fixed plate and vice versa compared with a balance pad and the floor.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University's laboratory.

Pain and functional outcomes after outpatient physiotherapy in patients with low back pain.

Background: Physiotherapy treatment programs are recommended in the rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). Rehabilitation institutions are increasingly asked to demonstrate the outcomes of their intensive physiotherapy services.

Aim: To describe pain and functional outcome measures following a 6-month outpatient physiotherapy treatment program in patients with LBP.

Textured and stimulating insoles for balance and gait impairments in patients with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to investigate if using textured or other types of stimulating insoles improve gait characteristics and balance/postural control in patients with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Primary outcomes for balance were the center of pressure (CoP) displacement and CoP velocity/sway rate. Primary outcomes for gait were the cadence, velocity, and step length.

RELIABILITY, COMPARABILITY, AND VALIDITY OF FOOT INVERSION AND EVERSION STRENGTH MEASUREMENTS USING A HAND-HELD DYNAMOMETER.

Background: There are conflicting results with respect to the validity and reliability of lower extremity strength measurements using a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) in the healthy population. Previous studies exploring foot inversion and eversion strength using a HHD were carried out with predominantly clinically affected participants in different positions. The question arises whether HHD measurements of isometric foot inversion and eversion strength performed with participants in different positions are valid, reliable and comparable and can be used alternatively.

Cold versus cold compression therapy after shoulder arthroscopy: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Purpose of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of a cold compression bandage on pain, swelling and skin-surface temperature after the first 24 h after arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder in a stationary setting and to compare it with cold therapy using only a cold pack. It was hypothesized that using the bandage is more effective in reducing pain and swelling after 24 h compared with using only a cold pack.

Methods: Fifty-two patients (53 ± 12.

Biomechanical comparison of 3 ankle braces with and without free rotation in the sagittal plane.

Context: Various designs of braces including hinged and nonhinged models are used to provide external support of the ankle. Hinged ankle braces supposedly allow almost free dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot in the sagittal plane. It is unclear, however, whether this additional degree of freedom affects the stabilizing effect of the brace in the other planes of motion.

Are diurnal changes in foot sole sensation dependent on gait activity?

The foot sole is loaded during stance and gait and plantar cutaneous mechanoreceptors sense the local stress distribution. It is not clear whether the perception thresholds of these mechanoreceptors change during the day and how they respond to walking activities. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate diurnal changes of plantar sensitivity.

Long distance running and acute effects on plantar foot sensitivity and plantar foot loading.

The plantar surface of the foot senses local pressures during stance and locomotion. These foot loading characteristics may be affected by long distance running. Little is known about the physiological effects of sports-related loading on plantar sensitivity and their relationship with plantar foot loading.