Nevin Manimala

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Apr;38:459-463. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.12.008. Epub 2024 Feb 10.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Bowen Therapy (BT) is a non-invasive manual therapy used to treat muscle pain and discomfort, poor flexibility and imbalances in the body’s tissues. Globally, the BT profession comprises a small, but widely dispersed, network of practitioners. While a small pool of preliminary clinical research has begun to investigate the effectiveness of BT for a range of conditions, the investigation of the practice of BT remains extremely limited.

METHODS: This study employs secondary analysis of a national cross-sectional workforce survey of complementary medicine practitioners, to describe the characteristics of BT professionals and their practices in Australia. The study sampled data collected from individuals with qualifications in Bowen Therapy involved in the Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative (PRACI). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Study participants (n = 80), primarily female (71.3%) and with a mean age of 52.9 years, reported commonly using a range of assessment tools, discussing a range of health topics with their clients, and using diverse manual therapy techniques in their practice. Participants most commonly reported consulting with clients reporting stress (84.9%), neck pain (75.0%) and sciatica (66.0%). Participants reported treating middle aged (93.4%) and older people (63.3%) most frequently.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: BTs provide care to a range of clients experiencing a number of conditions and symptoms. Further research should explore the rich details and establish the outcomes of BTs’ care with a view to helping inform safe, effective, coordinated patient care across the wider primary care team.

PMID:38763593 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.12.008

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Apr;38:454-458. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.11.065. Epub 2024 Feb 9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is a common disorder in people of active ages and significantly affects their quality of life. Different structures in the lumbar area can cause LBP. The lumbar muscle disorders, including the psoas major (PM) muscles, have an essential role in LBP. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been introduced as a safe and useful instrument for investigating the morphological properties of skeletal muscle. In general, PM morphology changes may be one reason for the pain and disability experienced in CNLBP patients. Thus, this study aimed to assess the relationship among the PM’s Cross-sectional area (CSA), medial-lateral (ML), and anterior-posterior (AP) diameters, with disability index and pain score in patients with CNLBP.

METHOD: One hundred twenty patients with CNLBP (60 men and 60 women) participated in this cross-sectional study. Axial MRIs were obtained from L3/L4 and L4/L5 disc levels. Then, patients filled out Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaires, demographic data forms, and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Image J software was used to analyze the images. Using Linear Regression and the Pearson test, the correlation between muscle CSA and diameters, as well as data obtained from questionnaires and NPRS, was analyzed.

RESULTS: Results from the statistical analysis showed no statistically significant relationship among morphological characteristics of the psoas major muscle in L3/L4 and L4/L5 disc levels with disability index and pain score (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant relationship between the PM morphological characteristics and disability index and pain score. Therefore, muscle CSA and diameters are insufficient to determine the cause of CNLBP.

PMID:38763592 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.11.065

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Apr;38:417-424. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.028. Epub 2024 Feb 7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in many countries around the world and is linked to numerous complications. In addition to conventional pharmacological treatments, complementary and alternative medicines like massage and dry cupping are employed to help manage the disease and its symptoms. This study aimed to compare the effects of massage and dry cupping on dysrhythmia in patients with heart diseases.

METHODS: This randomized parallel controlled clinical trial study was conducted in two critical care units of Shafa hospital in Kerman, southeastern Iran, in 2019-2020. A total of 90 eligible patients were allocated into three groups: massage (n = 30), dry cupping (n = 30), and control (n = 30) using a stratified block randomization method. In the massage group, the head and face were massaged for three consecutive nights, while the dry cupping group received dry cupping between the fifth cervical vertebra and the second thoracic vertebra for the same duration. Each intervention session lasted 15 min. Data collection tools included a socio-demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, a form for hemodynamic parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation), and a form for assessing dysrhythmia using electrocardiogram readings. Dysrhythmia in the participants was evaluated after each session.

RESULTS: The results within each group indicated a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of dysrhythmia in the dry cupping group after the intervention (P < 0.05), but this difference was not statistically significant in the massage and control groups. However, when comparing between the groups, no significant difference was found among the three groups. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the type of dysrhythmia between the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: While there was no difference in the type of dysrhythmia between the three groups, the additional reduction of dysrhythmia in the dry cupping group could hold clinical significance. Further studies are recommended to validate or refute the findings of the present study.

PMID:38763587 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.028

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Apr;38:399-405. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.10.006. Epub 2024 Jan 16.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the effectiveness of aquatic physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise in the physical and functional performance of patients with chronic low back pain.

METHODS: Twenty-six participants were randomized into 3 groups, namely an aquatic physiotherapy group (AG), a therapeutic exercise group (EG), and a control group (CG). The pain, disability, and quality of life were compared before and after the exercise protocols for 2 months, twice a week, on alternate days, for 60 min. For statistical analyses, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to test the difference between the groups; the Wilcoxon test and the effect size were used for before-and-after comparisons.

RESULTS: Twenty participants completed the study. There was a significant difference improvement in pain between the AG and the EG (p = 0.004), between the EG and the CG (p = 0.05), and in social role functioning between the groups (p = 0.02). No differences were observed in the other analyzed variables between the groups. Compared to the pre-treatment state, there were significant improvements in the AG in terms of pain (p = 0.02), functionality (p = 0.03), and general health status (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION: The AG group showed significant and clinical improvement in pain, disability, and quality of life. Improvements related to social aspects were found in the EG compared to the CG. The water provides a safe environment that facilitates the onset of exercise, so aquatic physiotherapy could be considered the first recommendation for patients with low back pain.

PMID:38763585 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.10.006

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Apr;38:350-367. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.025. Epub 2024 Jan 29.

ABSTRACT

Physical therapists and physiotherapists (PPTs) perform and repeat physical tasks that can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). The aim was to study the main research concerning this problem, i.e. the risk factors, activities that exacerbate WMSD symptoms, alterations in work habits and the proposed responses, and to estimate mean value (±standard deviation, STD) for the most studied parameters. This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. Five databases (Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Medeley and Science.gov) were scanned to identify works investigating the different aspects of WMSD among PPTs. Two reviewers independently selected relevant studies using inclusion/exclusion criteria, critically appraised, and extracted data. To homogenize the data, prevalence were reported to the total sample studied when necessary. Among the 9846 articles identified, 19 articles were included. The WMSD prevalence was over 50 %. The areas most affected were the lower back, neck and thumb. An exhaustive list of parameters were constructed for job risk factors (n = 19), activities that exacerbating symptoms (n = 13), altered work habits (n = 15), responses and treatments (n = 26). The mean prevalence (±STD) was calculated for the major parameters. Nine main job risk factors were extracted with an average prevalence of about 30 % and a relatively high variability. Seven activities exacerbating WMSD symptoms and five altered work habits were identified with a homogeneous rate (5-20 %). Three main responses and treatments were found with heterogeneous prevalence. This review provides useful results for the development of future protocols to prevent the occurrence of WMSD among PPTs and meta-analyses.

PMID:38763580 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.025

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Apr;38:339-345. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.10.004. Epub 2024 Feb 5.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of Pilates exercises on lumbo-pelvic alignment in non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) patients.

METHODS: Twenty-two patients (Male:7; Female:15) with NSLBP aged 20-65 years were recruited and classified based on a modified O’Sullivan’s classification system into flexion pattern (FP) or active extension pattern (EP) groups. Oswestry Disability index (ODI), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) as well as radiographic lumbar global range of motion (ROM) and lumbo-pelvic alignment were measured Pre- and immediately post-intervention and at 6- and 12-month. The intervention included supervised six-weeks Pilates program with 60 min per session and up to two sessions per week.

RESULTS: Lumbar lordosis, sacral slope and sacral inclination were found to be significantly different between the FP and EP groups based on the O’Sullivan’s classification system. However, despite the significant changes in RMDQ (p = 0.001), no significant changes were found for any of the alignment parameters (p > 0.05) post intervention for both groups. For lumbar global ROM, a statistically significant change was observed for the EP group (p = 0.028) but not for the FP group (p = 0.249). No significant correlations were identified between any of the self-reported outcomes, radiographic alignment and ROM parameters.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients self-perceived long-term functional improvements based on responding to questionnaires after Pilates exercises were not reflected in significant changes in lumbo-pelvic alignment or lumbar ROM. This may be due to the current cohort demonstrating within normal ranges due to the lesser severity of their condition, but further research is needed for clarification.

PMID:38763578 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.10.004

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Apr;38:289-298. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.017. Epub 2024 Jan 28.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Eutony, Holistic Gymnastics, and Pilates on hamstring flexibility and back pain in pre-adolescent girls.

METHODS: This randomized prospective quantitative clinical trial compared the effects of Eutony, Holistic Gymnastics, and Pilates on hamstring flexibility and back pain. The sample consisted of 80 pre-adolescent girls aged 10-13 years and divided into three groups: Eutony, with 26 girls; Holistic Gymnastics, 27 girls; and Pilates, 27 girls. The participants underwent ten 1-h weekly interventions. Hamstring flexibility was evaluated using fingertip-to-floor, sit-and-reach, and hip angle tests; back pain was evaluated using the Body Posture Evaluation Instrument questionnaire and the way they carried their backpack by the Layout for Assessing Dynamic Posture. Descriptive statistical analysis, analysis of variance, and Kruskal-Wallis test were performed at a 5 % significance level (p < 0.05).

RESULTS: The three body practices increased hamstring flexibility in all fingertip-to-floor (7.77 cm), hip angle (5.58°), and sit-and-reach evaluations (9.07 cm). Before the intervention, 66.25 % of participants complained of back pain. After the intervention, only 37.50 % continued with the complaint. Moreover, 25 % of pre-adolescent girls started to carry their school backpack correctly.

CONCLUSION: Eutony, Holistic Gymnastics, and Pilates increased hamstring flexibility, reduced back pain complaints, and incentivized the girls to carry the school backpack correctly.

REGISTRY OF CLINICAL TRIALS: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials ReBEC (RBR-25w6kk).

PMID:38763572 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.017

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Apr;38:24-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.016. Epub 2024 Jan 22.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Various exercise programs are used to treat lateral abdominal muscle (LAM) impairments in people with low back pain. Factors comprising these programs include exercise type, session time, frequency, and program duration. However, specific clinical guidance about optimal exercise prescription is lacking.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a dose-response analysis on exercise prescription variables for LAM thickness and activation as measured by ultrasound imaging.

DESIGN: Systematic review METHOD: Databases were searched from their inception for studies examining the association between exercise interventions and LAM thickness/activation measured by ultrasound imaging in healthy individuals. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Brigg’s Institute critical appraisal tools. For each muscle, subgroup analyses were performed to determine the dose response of exercise prescription variables for LAM thickness and activation. Where there was insufficient data for subgroup analyses, data was narratively synthesised.

RESULTS: Fourteen studies comprising 395 participants were included. Statistical and narrative synthesis revealed specific local abdominal exercises, programs from four weeks duration, three sessions per week and sessions of ≥30 min were associated with greatest improvements to LAM thickness. Only the variables exercise type, program duration and session frequency showed a significant between groups difference for the subgroup analysis. The main limitation was inability to perform subgroup analyses for all variables across all muscles measured at rest and during contraction, due to non-reporting of data.

CONCLUSION: This review provides preliminary guidance to practitioners on how the LAM respond to different exercise dosages. Future research should trial these findings.

PMID:38763566 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.016

Soc Sci Res. 2024 May;120:103008. doi: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103008. Epub 2024 Mar 22.

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the existence and mechanisms of segmentation in the welfare assimilation process of first-generation immigrants in the Netherlands. Using longitudinal administrative data (2007-2015) from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), we estimate the welfare utilization trajectories of migrants over the working-age life course vis-à-vis two reference groups representing different economic segments from the population, namely: average Dutch natives and Dutch natives with low education level. Empirical evidence shows a predominant trend of mainstream assimilation; however, two findings with more concerning implications should be highlighted. Welfare assimilation into the economically disadvantaged segment is found to concentrate among first-generation immigrants characterized by structural and human capital disadvantages, despite the notable extent of upward intragenerational mobility observed. In the worst-case scenario, there seems to be a lack of welfare assimilation to the comparison segments, raising concerns over the prospective emergence of marginalized ethnic groups at the bottom of the economic ladder. The implications of this finding are twofold. Firstly, automatic closing of the migrant-native gap over time should not be presumed in the absence of a level playing field for all regardless of their migration backgrounds. Secondly, systematic discrepancies observed between refugees and other types of migrants in terms of welfare assimilation patterns and determinants point to the need to have a clear distinction between immigration policy and refugee policy, which explicitly avoids bundling all migrants as one homogenous group.

PMID:38763542 | DOI:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103008

Soc Sci Res. 2024 May;120:103013. doi: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103013. Epub 2024 Apr 5.

ABSTRACT

Subjective well-being (SWB) describes an individual’s life evaluation. Direct elicitation methods for SWB via rating scales do not force individuals to trade-off among life domains, whilst best-worst scaling (BWS) approaches only provide relative measures. This paper instead offers a dual-response BWS task, where respondents nominate areas of most and least importance and satisfaction with respect to 11 SWB domains, whilst also eliciting anchoring points to obtain an absolute measure of domain satisfaction. Combining domain satisfaction and importance produces a robust measure of individual SWB, but statistically unique relative to other life satisfaction measures utilizing single- and multi-item ratings, including global satisfaction and those aggregated over SWB domains, as well as eudemonia. Surveying 2500 Australians reveals anchored-BWS improves discrimination amongst domains in terms of importance and satisfaction, illustrating its value as a diagnostic tool for SWB measurement to focus services, policy, and initiatives in areas to most impact wellbeing. This includes highlighting a major discrepancy between health satisfaction and importance, whilst also reporting that SWB is significantly lower for Indigenous, unemployed, middle-aged, males and lower income groups.

PMID:38763532 | DOI:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103013