Journal of Physiotherapy & Physical Rehabilitation

Due to multiparity, woman face abdominal weakness due to consecutive increase of size of uterus and hormonal changes and this can be measured using peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). That force of expiration is less in multipara women than uniparous or nulliparous women since abdominal muscle are responsible for it. To evaluate the presence of abdominal muscle weakness in multipara woman by measuring peak expiratory flow rate. 100 participants were selected who were multipara women from 18-45 years of age and with postpartum period of at least one year women who were known case of hernia, stress incontinence, musculoskeletal disorder of spine, respiratory disorder or facial palsy. Material-Airflow® Peak flow meter, Peak flow meter measurement and Manual Muscle testing of abdominal muscle were done and then the results were co related. By the acquired statistics it was concluded that there is no co-relation between the measurement of PEFR and prediction of abdominal weakness in multipara women. In future PEFR can be used as a test to detect abdominal weakness and further preventive measures can be taken.

Objective: The main objective of this study is the construction of a tool to diagnose a specific type of knee injuries, the meniscus injury, without the aid of imaging modalities. This tool exploits physician’s knowledge and experience and extracts all information needed for a diagnostic procedure.
Methods: A specific type of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps, which is named Dynamic Fuzzy Cognitive Networks, is used for the implementation of diagnostic process. This method simulates the physician’s way of thinking and making decisions in order to conclude to a final diagnosis and will constitute the background of a user interface platform, named “KneeD,” designed especially as a supportive tool for the physician. It exploits information about patient history and clinical examination and the arisen symptoms and risk factors constitute the main attributes that contribute to injury identification.
Results: A pilot sample of 17 patients with knee injuries who arrived at the University Hospital of Patras, in Greece, was examined by the orthopedic clinician and the diagnoses confirmed with MRI were compared to our platform’s outcomes. Results concerned a) the initial distinction between “meniscus injury” and “other disease” and b) discrimination between acute and degenerative injury for patients positive to meniscal tear from the first level. Both levels provided us with very satisfactory results in total agreement with MRI outcomes.
Conclusion: The outcome of a close collaboration between engineers and medical doctors was a platform for real time diagnosing of knee injuries, which is simple, user friendly, real-time, easily accessible, fast, reliable, and low-cost. Furthermore, it could also be used as a patient storage database. The obtained results have been evaluated by orthopedic surgeons who found them very satisfactory.

Background: Hamstring group of muscle are postural muscle and as they are biarticular, they has tendency to shorten even under normal circumstances. Since they are superficial two joint muscle, they tend to become very tight leading to muscle imbalance, which can give rise to number of postural problems and leave us with open muscle injury.
Prevalence & incidence of Hamstrings tightness in normal individuals in day today life is high due to limited activity and lack of regular exercise. It has been observed that 75% of boys and 35% of girls aged 10 revealed reduced flexibility of hamstrings.
Aim & Objectives: To study and compare the effectiveness of Mulligan Bent Leg Raise technique and Hold Relax PNF technique in High school going students with hamstring muscle tightness.
Methodology: Sixty students were selected from high schools and study group were formed by alternate method of sampling. Group A underwent mulligan bent leg raise (BLR) and Group B underwent Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) hold relax technique. The two groups were evaluated on the basis of Active knee extension test (AKE) test. Intervention used to improve AKE range of motion consisted of 15 session conducted over duration of 3 weeks. Each session lasted for 15 minutes consisting of 3 repetitions respectively done on 5 consecutive days per week. The two groups were compared and results obtained using unpaired t test and repetitive measure ANOVA test.
Results: In Group A 43.3% were male and 56.7% were females, in Group B 53.3% were male 46.7% were female. Comparison of baseline values of mean AKE ROM of Right side in Group A was 135.2 and in Group B was 138.8. For left side the mean AKE ROM value in Group A was 136.3 and in Group B were 140.3. There is no significant statistical difference between baseline values. Comparison of mean of difference in AKE ROM from post intervention value of right side the mean of difference on 5 day for group A was 19.1 and for group B it was 6.93. On day 10 for Group A, it was 33.16 and for Group B it was 19.9, on day 15 for Group A it was 42.5 and for Group B it was 33.76. Comparison was done with unpaired t-test. On comparison there was statistically significant difference between group A and B p-value <0.0001. Mean of difference in AKE ROM from pre intervention value of left side the mean of difference on 5 day for Group A was 18.8 and for Group B it was 7.13. On day 10 for Group A it was 33.13 and for Group B it was 20.5. On day 15 for Group A it was 42.36 and for Group B it was 34.67. Comparison was done with unpaired t-test. On comparison there was statistically significant difference between Group A and B, p-value <0.0001.
Conclusion: Effect of Mulligan Bent Leg Raise Technique shown more reduction in hamstring tightness, and improves Active knee extension range of motion compare to PNF hold relax technique.