There are studies that show the better balance after dry needling in lumbar pain. However, the postural control effects after foot dry needling are unknown. Our objective was to check if dry needling ...reduces postural control. Eighteen subjects with flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle Myofascial trigger point were evaluated pre‐ and post‐deep dry needling. We measured stabilometric variables in a pre‐post study. We have found significant differences in three stabilometric variables: surface with eyes closed (29.36–53.21 mm2) (p = 0.000), medium speed of the laterolateral displacement with eyes closed (1.42–1.64 mm/s) (p = 0.004), and medium speed of the anteroposterior displacement with eyes closed (1.30–1.53 mm/s) (p = 0.025). Dry needling therapy application in FDB muscle reduces standing postural control with eyes closed.
After flexor digitorum brevis muscle, dry needling standing balance is reduced. Surface with eyes closed, laterolateral and anteroposterior medium speed of the center of pressure variables worsened after Flexor brevis dry needling. It is necessary to recommend rest and measures to avoid falls after dry needling.
New treatments based on peripheral stimulation of the sensory-motor system have shown to be promising in rehabilitation strategies for patients with neurological disorders, including Parkinson's ...disease (PD), especially in regards to reducing gait impairment, and hence, the incidence of falls. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in several gait parameters measured by sensor inertial measurement in PD patients after acute plantar stimulation, under the distal phalanx of the big toe, and underneath the head of the first metatarsal joint of both feet, using a 3D printing insole. In order to assess whether the effects are selective for PD patients, we compared the effect of the treatment in a control group (age-matched) consisting of patients with other neurological disorders which also displayed gait and balance impairment, and a similar cognitive function, depressive symptoms, body mass index, and comorbidity burden observed in the PD group. Plantar foot stimulation in PD patients eliminated the significant (
< 0.05) alterations existing in stride asymmetry and in stride variability. When comparing the effects of post-plantar stimulation with the respective basal level, considered as 100% in both groups, we observed a significant (
= 0.019, Mann-Whitney test) increase in stride length compared to basal in the PD group and control group. No significant effects of foot plantar stimulation were observed in any of the gait parameters in the control group. Plantar foot stimulation has a positive effect on the step and stride length, and has a positive effect on walking stability, measured by the increase in stride length. No significant effect was observed on bradykinesia because it did not improve walking velocity. These findings indicate that foot plantar stimulation using a 3D printing insole seems to generate a more stable walking pattern in PD patients, with an interesting applicability, and a low-cost, for reducing gait impairment in PD patients.
Abstract
Foot problems are highly prevalent conditions, being a frequent reason for medical and podiatric consultation. The aim of this study was to compare the differences of quality of life (QoL) ...related to foot health in people with and without the presence of foot problems. A case–control study was carried out in an outpatient centre, where a clinician recorded data related to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. In addition, self-reported data on foot health-related quality of life were recorded using the Spanish version of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire. The sample consisted of 498 participants (249 cases and 249 controls), with a median age of 30 years and an interquartile range of 23 years. The differences between the groups were statistically significant for gender, age, footwear, general health, foot health, and physical activity. Cases showed lower scores for the domain of footwear, physical activity and vitality compared to controls. Foot pathologies have a negative impact on quality of life related to foot health, and the domains of footwear, general health and physical activity seem to be the factors that are associated with the presence of alterations and foot deformities.
the aim of this study was to compare the echotexture of patients with soleus muscle injury and age matched controls.
a sample of 62 athletes was recruited at the private clinic and was divided in two ...group: a healthy group (n = 31) and a soleus pathology group whose athletes had soleus muscle injury, located in the central tendon (n = 31). The muscle thickness (MTh), echointensity (EI) and echovariation (EV) were analyzed. An intra-rater reliability test (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient-ICC) was performed in order to analyze the reliability of the values of the measurements.
Sociodemographic variables did not show statistically significant differences (
> 0.05). Ultrasound imaging measurements who reported statistically significant differences were EI (
= 0.001) and standard deviation (SD) (
= 0.001). MTh and EV variables did not show statistically significant differences (
= 0.381 and
= 0.364, respectively). Moreover, reliability values for the MTh (ICC = 0.911), EI (ICC = 0.982), SD (ICC = 0.955) and EV (ICC = 0.963). Based on these results the intra-rater reliability was considered excellent.
Athletes with a central tendon injury of soleus muscle showed a lower EI when they were compared to healthy athletes. The echogenicity showed by the quantitative ultrasound imaging measurement may be a more objective parameter for the diagnosis and follow-up the soleus muscle injuries.
The Spanish Foot and Ankle Outcome Score questionnaire (FAOS‐S) may be considered a health evaluation tool with 42 questions for assessing foot health disorders. To date, FAOS has been validated in ...different languages, but a Spanish version was lacking. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to translate and validate the Spanish version of the FAOS (FAOS es). A suitable method was developed for the translation protocol and cross‐cultural validation from Swedish to Spanish. Regarding the total marks from each domain, agreement degrees and confidence were analysed using the Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficient, respectively. In addition, the mean ± SD differences between pretest and posttests were calculated and completed using of the Bland and Altman distribution plots. Excellent agreement between the two versions based on Cronbach's α was demonstrated. Five domains consisting of pain, symptoms of foot disorders, activities of daily living, sports and recreation, and foot and ankle quality of life were added together to obtain the total score. Excellent retest reliability was shown for the total score. Test/retest reliability was excellent for the pain, stiffness, other foot disorder‐related symptoms, and quality of life domains. There were no significant differences among any domain (P > .05). There were no statistically significant differences (P = .000) for the mean ± SD differences between pretest and posttests (56.2524 ± 19.064 51.98–60.52 and 57.45 ± 21.02 52.74–62.16 points, respectively). Bland and Altman plots or clinically pertinent variations were not statistically significantly different. The FAOS is considered a strong and valid questionnaire with adequate repeatability in the Spanish community.
Diabetic neuropathy is defined as the presence of symptoms and signs of peripheral nerve dysfunction in diabetics. The aim of this study is to develop a predictive logistic model to identify the risk ...of losing protective sensitivity in the foot. This descriptive cross‐sectional study included 111 patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Participants completed a questionnaire designed to evaluate neuropathic symptoms, and multivariate analysis was subsequently performed to identify an optimal predictive model. The explanatory capacity was evaluated by calculating the R2 coefficient of Nagelkerke. Predictive capacity was evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and estimation of the area under the receiver operational curve. Protective sensitivity loss was detected in 19.1% of participants. Variables associated by multivariate analysis were: educational level (OR: 31.4, 95% CI: 2.5‐383.3, P = .007) and two items from the questionnaire: one related to bleeding and wet socks (OR: 28.3, 95% CI: 3.7‐215.9, P = .001) and the other related to electrical sensations (OR: 52.9, 95% CI: 4.3‐643.9, P = .002), which were both statistically significant. The predictive model included the variables of age, sex, duration of diabetes, and educational level, and it had a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 95.5%. This model has a high predictive capacity to identify patients at risk of developing sensory neuropathy.
Foot problems are very common in the community. Studies indicate that between 18% and 63% of people have foot pain or stiffness and that foot problems have a large impact on people's functional ...decline and a significant detrimental impact on measures of quality of life related to health. The general objective of this research was to compare foot health in people from the rural population compared to people from the urban population and its relationship with quality of life. A case–control descriptive study was developed with a sample of 304 patients, 152 patients from the rural population and 152 patients from the urban population. Quality of life was measured through the SF‐36 Health Questionnaire in its Spanish version. The rural population group had a mean age of 46.67 ± 13.69 and the urban population group 49.02 ± 18.29. Regarding the score of the lowest levels of quality of life related to foot problems, the rural population group compared to the urban population group showed: for body pain (52.21 ± 30.71 vs. 67.80 ± 25.28, p < 0.001); and for mental health (69.58 ± 18.98 vs. 64.60 ± 14.88, p < 0.006). Differences between groups were analysed using Student's t‐test for independent samples, which showed statistical significance (p < 0.05). This research offers evidence that the rural population presents better levels of mental health and lower levels of bodily pain in the domains of the SF‐36 Health Questionnaire comparing with the urban population.
The diabetes people show a significant presence of foot health problems are usually all over the world, causing in big economic effects for these persons, their families and world population
The ...purpose of this research is to evaluate and relate the impact of foot health associated with the quality of life (QoL) in a group of people with and without diabetes
A total of 150 persons of a mean age of 71.45 ± 11.93 years came to a foot and ankle specialist outpatient center. Self-reported data were medical records where persons'with and without diabetes was evaluated. All findings obtained was compared with scores quality of life using the tool Foot Health Status Questionnaire, spanish version
The diabetes group revealed a reduction of QoL linked to overall health and to foot health in particular. Differences among both groups were analyzed by means of a independent Student's t-test samples, displaying a p-value lower than 0.05 statistically significant for the domains of foot pain, foot function footwear and social capacity
Diabetes people recorded a negative influence on the QoL related with foot health, that seems to be linked with the presence of chronic disease in diabetes people.
•We have evaluated the impact of foot health related with QoL in a group of people with and without diabetes.•Diabetes people recorded a negative influence on the QoL related with foot health.•Preventive care in diabetes patients s are very important to ckeck foot health.
The Italian Selfcare diabetic foot questionnaire, (SDFQ‐IT) is considered a diabetic foot self‐care evaluation tool with 16 questions for assessing diabetic foot health disorders. To date, SDFQ has ...been validated in different languages, but an Italian version was lacking. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to translate and validate the Italian version of the SDFQ‐IT (SDFQ‐IT). A suitable method was developed for the translation protocol and cross‐cultural validation from Spanish to Italian. Regarding the total marks from each sub‐scale, agreement degrees, and confidence were analysed using the Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. In addition, the mean ± SD differences between pre and post‐tests were calculated and completed using the Bland and Altman distribution plots. Excellent agreement between the two versions based on Cronbach's α was demonstrated. Three sub‐scales consisting of knowledge of foot hygiene, the appropriate use of footwear and socks, and podiatric self‐care were added together to obtain the total score. Excellent retest reliability was shown for the total score. Test/retest reliability was excellent for the self‐care domain, and shock and shoe sub‐scales. There were no significant differences among any domain (P > .05). There were no statistically significant differences (P = .000) for the mean ± SDs differences between pre‐and post‐tests (92.9200 ± 12.914) 89.25‐96.59 and 92.9200 ± 13.012 89.22‐96.62 points, respectively). Bland and Altman plots or clinically pertinent variations were not statistically significantly different. The SDFQ‐IT is considered a strong and valid questionnaire with adequate repeatability in the Italian community.
Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is associated with a decrease of respiratory, physical, and psychological function, subsequently ...affecting quality of life. The aim of the present pilot study was to use ultrasound imaging (USI) to evaluate and compare the thickness of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles between individuals recently diagnosed with moderate Covid-19 infection and healthy individuals.
A cross-sectional observational pilot study was performed. A total sample of 24 participants were recruited from a private medical center (Madrid, Spain): Covid-19 (n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 12). The external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), transversus abdominis (TrA), rectus abdominis (RA), interrecti distance (IRD) and diaphragm thickness were assessed using USI during inspiration, expiration and during contraction.
USI measurements of the thickness of EO, IO, TrA, RA, IRD and the diaphragm did not differ significantly between groups during inspiration, expiration or during contraction (all P > 0.05).
These preliminary results suggest that the morphology of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm is not altered in people with a recent history of moderate Covid-19 infection.