Afsaneh Seifolahi; Tahere Rezaeian; Zahra Mosallanezhad; Sedigheh Sadat Naimi
Volume 23, Issue 2 , 2021
Abstract
Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the most frequent causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain which is characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Hence, it is of crucial importance to identify practical approaches for the treatment of these points. Upper trapezius muscle (UT) ...
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Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the most frequent causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain which is characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Hence, it is of crucial importance to identify practical approaches for the treatment of these points. Upper trapezius muscle (UT) is highly susceptible to the development of MTrPs that are commonly resulted from overuse and micro-trauma.
Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effects of dry needling (DN) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) regarding the reduction of pain and muscle thickness and improvement of the range of motion (ROM) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) in patients with latent MTrPs (LTrPs) in their UT muscles.
Methods: In total, 60 patients with LTrPs in UT muscle participated in this randomized clinical trial. The subjects were randomly divided into two treatment groups of DN and LLLT. The PPT was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and algometer while ROM and muscle thickness were assessed using goniometer and ultrasonography, respectively. It should be noted that the variables were evaluated before the first and after the sixth sessions. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests.
Results: Based on the results, the VAS and muscle thickness significantly reduced, while the PPT and cervical ROM increased in both groups after treatment (P<0.001). The independent t-test revealed a statistically significant improvement in the DN group in terms of PPT (9.9-14.17, P=0.009) and ROM (37.33-42.67, p=0.005), compared to the LLLT group. Nevertheless, no significant difference was found between the two groups regarding VAS and muscle thickness variables (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The DN and LLLT effectively improved symptoms in the UT muscles of patients with LTrPs. However, the DN was more effective in the improvement of ROM and PPT variables.
Mehdi Ahmadi; Mohsen Amiri; Tahere Rezaeian; Amir Mansour Rezadoost; Enayatollah Bakhshi; Iraj Abdollahi
Volume 22, Issue 7 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders that can disturb pa- tients respiratory indices. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole are currently the most common treatment in the patients. PPI-refractory GERD is a clinical problem ...
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Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders that can disturb pa- tients respiratory indices. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole are currently the most common treatment in the patients. PPI-refractory GERD is a clinical problem constituting around 30% of patients with GERD.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing (DB) and omeprazole on respiratory indices (RI) and diaphragmatic excursion (DEX) in patients with GERD.
Methods: This is a clinical trial conducted for eight weeks among 40 patients with severe GERD in Tehran in 2018. The block ran- domization method was designed to randomize 40 patients into two groups (DB and control) that resulted in equal sample sizes. The control group received omeprazole 20 mg once daily, and the DB group, in addition to omeprazole, performed DB. Respiratory indices, including (Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)), and DEX were evaluated before, immediately, and six weeks after the end of intervention by spirometry and ultrasonography; respectively. Results: There was no significant difference in the RI and DEX before the intervention between groups. FVC (P = 0.04) and PEF (P = 0.02) significantly changed in the control group, but FEV1 (P = 0.001), FVC (P = 0.002), PEF (P = 0.001) and DEX (0.001) significantly changed after DB. There was a significant difference in terms of RI between before and followed up in DB.
Conclusions: Diaphragmatic breathing with omeprazole had more effects on RI and DEX than omeprazole alone. The positive effects of DB remain at least six weeks after the end of the intervention
