Papers by Amir Massoud Arab
Resumo Objetivou-se verificar o valor preditivo, sensibilidade e especificidade das queixas audit... more Resumo Objetivou-se verificar o valor preditivo, sensibilidade e especificidade das queixas auditivas de pacientes avaliados em clínica de fonoaudiologia de uma universidade. O estudo, de delineamento transversal, foi realizado em Canoas, RS, de 1998 a 2002. Foram analisados 795 indivíduos que realizaram o exame audiométrico. Os resultados mostraram que a queixa de perda auditiva apresentou sensibilidade de 80,9%, especificidade de 69,6%, valor preditivo positivo de 86,5% e negativo de 60,4%. O exame audiométrico é um exame confiável, apesar da sua subjetividade, devendo ser utilizado devido ao seu baixo custo em relação às novas tecnologias.
Physical Treatments - Specific Physical Therapy
To determine whether Myofascial Release (MFR) technique in upper cervical region is more effectiv... more To determine whether Myofascial Release (MFR) technique in upper cervical region is more effective than using conventional exercises to improve cervical muscle strength in patients with cervicogenic headache. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: An outpatient physical therapy clinic, University of social welfare and rehabilitation science, Iran. Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled, and single blinded trial on 34 patients with cervicogenic headache, aged 15-75 years, which assigned randomly to exercise group (n=17, mean(SD) age=38(11.31) years) and suboccipital myofascial release group (n=17, mean(SD) age=38.88(9.38) years). Ten treatment sessions, 6 times a week for each group were applied. Outcome measures were isometric cervical muscle strength (flexors, extensors, right and left rotators and lateral flexors) measured by force gauge. Results: Statistical analysis (paired t test) revealed a significant improvement in cervical muscle strength after treatment in the MFR and exercise groups compared with before treatment (P<0.05). Based on ANCOVA results, pretest scores as controlling factor, no significant difference was found between two groups after 10 treatment sessions with regard to all variables (P>0.05) except cervical flexors strength (P=0.021) and cervical left rotators strength (P=0.031). Conclusion: Pain and myofascial stiffness can be an impediment for full muscle interference in contraction and application of suboccipital MFR and common exercises can be effective techniques in restoring cervical muscle strength, especially in cervical rotatory movements.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 2014
Altered muscular activation pattern has been associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Some prev... more Altered muscular activation pattern has been associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Some previous studies have demonstrated muscle weakness or tightness in athletes who have sustained hamstring (HAM) injuries. However, no study has clinically investigated the muscular activity pattern in subjects with HAM strain injuries. To investigate the activity pattern of the ipsilateral erector spinae (IES), contralateral erector spinae (CES), gluteus maximus (GM), and medial and lateral HAM muscles during the prone hip extension (PHE) test in athletes with and without history of HAM strain injury. Cross-sectional non-experimental study design. A convenience sample of 20 soccer athletes participated in the study. Subjects were categorized into two groups: those with history of HAM strain injury (n=10, mean age = 22.6 ± 3.74) and without history of HAM strain (n =10, mean age = 22.45 ± 3.77). Three repetitions of the PHE were performed by each subject, and the electromyographic (EMG) output...
The Effect of Respiratory Phase on Abdominal Muscle Activity During Stable and Unstable Sitting Positions in Individuals With and Without Chronic Low Back Pain
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2020
OBJECTIVE The aim was to assess the abdominal muscle activities during inspiration and expiration... more OBJECTIVE The aim was to assess the abdominal muscle activities during inspiration and expiration at different sitting positions in individuals with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS This study was conducted on 36 participants (18 with CLBP and 18 healthy controls). Ultrasound imaging was used to assess thickness changes of the transverse abdominis, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, and external oblique muscles. Muscle thickness was measured during inspiration and expiration under 3 different stability levels: sitting on a chair, sitting on a gym ball, and sitting on a gym ball with lifting the left foot. The muscle thickness measured in these positions was normalized to the actual muscle thickness at rest in supine lying and presented as a percentage of thickness change. RESULTS Both groups displayed greater abdominal muscle activities as the stability of the surface decreased during both respiratory phases. However, compared with the healthy controls, the CLBP group showed smaller muscle thickness changes in all abdominal muscles, except the external oblique, in both respiration phases while sitting on a gym ball with lifting the left foot. The CLBP group displayed overactivity of the rectus abdominis muscle relative to the healthy controls while sitting on a chair in both respiratory phases. CONCLUSION The findings of the study indicate that as the stability of the support surface decreases, individuals with CLBP had more difficulty activating all abdominal muscles in a similar manner compared to healthy controls in both respiratory phases, which might affect both respiration and postural stability.
Ultrasound measurement of pelvic floor mobility in subjects with and without functional constipation
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2018
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2019
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hip extensor strengt... more Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hip extensor strength and back extensor length in patients with low back pain (LBP) and healthy controls. Methods: In 266 patients with LBP and 215 matched controls, back extensor length and hip extensor strength were measured and compared in the 2 groups using an independent t test. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine correlation between these 2 variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test the risk of sustaining LBP with having these muscle insufficiencies. Results: A significant difference in hip extensor strength was found between patients with LBP and controls (P b .001). Back extensor length was different in healthy men compared with the patients with LBP (P b .001) but was not significant between women with and without LBP (P = .34). The results showed a significant relationship between back extensor length and hip extensor strength in men with LBP (r = 0.6, P = .01). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that having a weak hip extensor (P = .001) or shortened back extensor (P = .01) could increase the risk of LBP occurrence. Conclusion: The findings support the assumptions of the presence of muscle imbalance of hip extensor weakness and back extensor tightness in male patients with LBP and that each muscle impairment may contribute to LBP.
Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 2018
Objectives: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the long-term clin... more Objectives: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the long-term clinical effect of dry needling with two-week and three-month follow up, on individuals with myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Methods: A sample of convenience (33 individuals) with a trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle, participated in this study. The individuals were randomly assigned to two groups: trigger point compression (N = 17) or dry needling (N = 16). Pain intensity, neck disability, and disability of the arm, hand, and shoulder (DASH) were assessed before treatment, after treatment sessions, and at two-week and three-month follow ups. Results: The result of repeated measures ANOVA showed significant group-measurement interaction effect for VAS (p = .02). No significant interaction was found for NPQ and DASH (p > .05). The main effect of measurements for VAS, NPQ, and DASH were statistically significant (p < .0001). The results showed a significant change in pain intensity, neck disability, and DASH after treatment sessions, after two weeks and three months when compared with before treatment scores in both groups. There was no significant difference in the tested variables after two-week or three-month as compared to after treatment sessions between the two groups. However, pain intensity after treatment sessions was significantly different between the two groups (p = .02). Discussion: Dry needling and trigger point compression in individuals with myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle can lead to three-month improvement in pain intensity and disability.
Human Movement Science, 2017
Ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries among athletes and the general population. Most a... more Ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries among athletes and the general population. Most ankle injuries commonly affect the lateral ligament complex. Changes in postural sway and hip abductor muscle strength may be generated after inversion ankle sprain. Therefore, the consequences of ankle injury may affect proximal structures of the lower limb. The aim is to describe and compare the activity patterns of distal and proximal lower limb muscles following external perturbation in individuals with and without functional ankle instability. The sample consisted of 16 women with functional ankle instability and 18 healthy women were recruited to participate in this research. The external perturbation via body jacket using surface electromyography, amplitude and onset of muscle activity of gluteus maximums, gluteus medius, tibialis anterior, and peroneus longus was recorded and analyzed during external perturbation. There were differences between the onset of muscles activity due to perturbation direction in the two groups (healthy and functional ankle instability). In the healthy group, there were statistically significant differences in amplitude of proximal muscle activity with distal muscle activity during front perturbation with eyes open and closed. In the functional ankle instability group; there were statistically significant differences in amplitude of proximal muscle activity with distal muscle activity during perturbation of the front and back with eyes open. There were statistically significant differences in the onset of muscle activity and amplitude of muscle activity, within and between groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, in the presence of functional ankle instability, activation patterns of the lower limb proximal muscles may be altered. 1. Introduction Ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries among athletes and general the population (Gribble & Robinson, 2009). Excessive plantar flexion and inversion are the most common causes of injury of lateral ligament complex (Brown & Mynark, 2007; Clark & Burden, 2005). About 80% of the people will experience ankle sprain during their life span (Akhbari, Ebrahimi Takamjani,
Physical Treatments- Specific Physical Therapy, 2016
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of kinesio-taping on the range of motion ... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of kinesio-taping on the range of motion of cervical lateral flexion point in subjects with trigger point in upper trapezius muscle. Methods: A total of 32 subjects with myofascial trigger point in their upper trapezius muscles participated in this randomized controlled trial (RCT). The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: Kinesio-taping (KT) (n=16) and KT placebo (n=16). Their ipsilateral and contralateral cervical lateral flexion range of motion was measured before and immediately after treatment in both groups using a standard goniometer. Paired t-test was used to determine any significant difference in the range of motion after treatment sessions compared with pretreatment score in the control and experimental group. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was calculated to determine the significance of differences between two groups in posttest scores, with pretreatment scores used as covariates in the analysis. Results: Statistical analysis (paired t-test) revealed no significant increase in cervical lateral flexion range of motion in both ipsilateral and contralateral side immediately after KT application in both groups compared with pretreatment score (P>0.05). In the ANCOVA, with controlling pretest scores, no significant difference was found between the two groups (KT and placebo) after treatment sessions (P>0.05) Conclusion: Application of kinesio taping cannot immediately produces an improvement in cervical lateral flexion in subjects with trigger point in upper trapezius muscles.
Purpose: LBP is one of the most common health issues throughout the world and has multiple causes... more Purpose: LBP is one of the most common health issues throughout the world and has multiple causes which one of them is the defect in motor patterns. This study compared the effectiveness of stability, general and mixed exercises on the electromyographic activity of ipsilateral erector spinae muscle (IES), contralateral erector spinae muscle (CES), gluteus maximus (GM) and medial hamstring (MH) during prone hip extension (PHE) in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). The study used an interventional quasi-experimental design. Thirty patients with NSCLBP between the ages of 20 to 40 years were randomly divided into 3 groups (each with ten patients) including stability, general and mixed groups. The study was conducted in Spring and Summer of 2014 in Amir Physical Clinic in Isfahan. MVEA of the muscles was measured using surface electromyography (EMG) prior and after exercises during PHE. Exercises were done for 10 sessions and 3 times per week. The obtained data by SPSS (version 22) and using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Independent t-test Paired t test and ANCOVA were analyzed. Results: MVEA of GM (P=0.036) significantly increased in the group who practiced with mixed exercises. Also‚ the exercises decreased MVEA of IES‚ MH and CES. Besides, this decrease for IES (P=0.024) was significant but for MH (P=0.973) and CES (P=0.111) were not. However, the statistical results did not show any significance among any two and or all three groups. The findings of this study revealed that mixed exercises are more effective than stability and general exercises on the EMG activity of lumbo-pelvic muscles and could alter the electrical activity pattern of these muscles.
Relationship between Thoracic Kyphosis and Respiratory Capacities
Relative Effects of Mechanical Factors on Low Back Pain
KOWSAR MEDICAL …, 2004
7 : KOWSAR MEDICAL JOURNAL Spring 2004; 9(Part 1):67-76. RELATIVE EFFECTS OF MECHANICAL FACTORS O... more 7 : KOWSAR MEDICAL JOURNAL Spring 2004; 9(Part 1):67-76. RELATIVE EFFECTS OF MECHANICAL FACTORS ON LOW BACK PAIN ARAB AM*,NOURBAKHSHMOHAMMAD REZA,SALAVATI M. Objective. To collectively ...
Diaphragm thickness, thickness change, and excursion in subjects with and without nonspecific low back pain using B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that respiratory dysfunction has a potential assoc... more Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that respiratory dysfunction has a potential association with low back pain (LBP). Despite the role of the diaphragm for respiration and spinal stability, knowledge of the function of both sides of the diaphragm in subjects with LBP is still limited.Objective: This study aimed to compare the structural integrity and function of the right and left hemidiaphragm by ultrasonography (USG) in subjects with and without nonspecific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP).Methods: A total of 37 subjects with NS-CLBP and 34 healthy subjects participated in this case-control study. The thickness, thickness change, and excursion of the right and left hemidiaphragm were compared within and between the groups during quiet breathing (QB) and deep breathing (DB) through B-mode and M-mode ultrasound imaging.Results: The LBP group had a significantly smaller degree of right hemidiaphragm thickness change (P = .001) compared with the healthy control group, with a strong effect size. Nevertheless, there was no significant change for diaphragm thickness and excursion between the two groups. The result showed that, in the healthy group, the right hemidiaphragm had a significantly smaller thickness at expiration and larger thickness change compared with the left hemidiaphragm, with a moderate effect size. Based on the multivariate prediction analysis, the right hemidiaphragm thickness change might significantly predict LBP.Conclusion: We found that participants with LBP had a smaller degree of right hemidiaphragm thickness change. Also, the right hemidiaphragm thickness change might significantly predict LBP.
Journal of Rehabilitation
Objective: Demographic and epidemiological changes in the 21st century have created new challenge... more Objective: Demographic and epidemiological changes in the 21st century have created new challenges such as aging and the rising trend of non-communicable diseases. The high prevalence of disability (due to the growing aging population), non-communicable diseases, and accidents have increased the demand for rehabilitation services. However, there are not enough resources to meet all current needs in many parts of the world. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inequality in the utilization of rehabilitation services between Iranian households in urban and rural areas. Materials & Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design using the household expenditure, income survey data from the Statistics Center of Iran in 2018. The used instrument was a questionnaire surveying the expenditure and income of urban and rural households (social characteristics of household members, place of residence and main living facilities, food/non-food expenses, an...
Altered ultrasonographic activity of abdominal muscles during breathing in males with and without nonspecific chronic low back pain
Journal of Ultrasound
Dry Needling Versus Kinesio Taping on Myofascial Trigger Point in the Vastus Lateralis Muscle in Subject with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Journal of Musculoskeletal Research
Purpose and Hypothesis: Trigger points (TrP) is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal ... more Purpose and Hypothesis: Trigger points (TrP) is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal disorders. Myofascial trigger point in vastus lateralis muscle has been reported high prevalently in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dry needling and kinesio tape on trigger point in vastus lateralis muscle. Randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the effect of Dry Needling (DN) and Kinesio Taping (KT) on pain intensity and knee disability after session’s treatment in individuals with trigger point (TrP) in Vastus Lateralis (VL) muscle. Methods: 30 subjects with TrP in the VL muscle participated in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to a DN group ([Formula: see text]) or KT group ([Formula: see text]). Results: Statistical analysis (paired [Formula: see text]-test) revealed a significant improvement in VAS during activity and KOOS scores after three sessions treatment in both of groups compared w...
Automatic activity of deep and superficial abdominal muscles during stable and unstable sitting positions in individuals with chronic low back pain
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Stabilization exercise affects function of transverse abdominis and pelvic floor muscles in women with postpartum lumbo-pelvic pain: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial study
International Urogynecology Journal
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Papers by Amir Massoud Arab