Health Insights Today
January/February 2012, Volume 5, Number 1
Exercise and Fitness Report
(pdf) When reading reports on new research, it is important to remember that no single study should be seen as providing the whole truth. The following reports offer helpful clues but in most cases further research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Neither Ultrasound Nor Laser Adds to Exercise Benefit for Most Common Form of Shoulder Pain
Calis HT, Berberoglu N, Calis M. Are ultrasound, laser and exercise superior to each other in the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome? A randomized clinical trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. Mar 2 2011.
BACKGROUND: Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most common reason for shoulder pain. Ultrasound and laser are the physical therapy modalities, in conservative treatment of SIS. AIM: The aim of this study was to define and compare the efficacy of ultrasound, laser and exercise in the treatment of SIS. DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled trial with-pre and post-treatment evaluations SETTING: Out-patients referred to physical medicine and rehabilitation unit. POPULATION: This study was performed on 52 patients with SIS. The patients were randomly allocated into three groups METHODS: The patients were treated five days a week for three weeks with hotpack+ultrasound+exercise (the first group); hotpack+laser+exercise (the second group), or hotpack+exercise (the third group). The pre and post treatment ranges of motion were measured in the patients. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the severity of pain. Constant scoring was used to evaluate the shoulder functions and the results were compared after the treatment. RESULTS: When the post-treatment results of the groups were compared with the pretreatment results, there was a statistically significant improvement in each of the three groups, in the pain, the range of motion and the functional improvement at the shoulder (P<0.05). However, the inter-group comparison did not reveal any statistically significant difference in the parameters indicating improvement (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that ultrasound and laser treatments were not superior to each other in the treatment of SIS. Clinical Rehabilitation Impact. Exercise treatment forms the base for the conservative treatment.
Workplace Health Promotion Yields Weight Loss, Decreased Blood Pressure and Enhanced Fitness
Christensen JR, Faber A, Ekner D, Overgaard K, Holtermann A, Sogaard K. Diet, physical exercise and cognitive behavioral training as a combined workplace based intervention to reduce body weight and increase physical capacity in health care workers - a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 2011;11:671.
BACKGROUND: Health care workers comprise a high-risk workgroup with respect to deterioration and early retirement. There is high prevalence of obesity and many of the workers are overweight. Together, these factors play a significant role in the health-related problems within this sector. The present study evaluates the effects of the first 3-months of a cluster randomized controlled lifestyle intervention among health care workers. The intervention addresses body weight, general health variables, physical capacity and musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: 98 female, overweight health care workers were cluster-randomized to an intervention group or a reference group. The intervention consisted of an individually dietary plan with an energy deficit of 1200 kcal/day (15 min/hour), strengthening exercises (15 min/hour) and cognitive behavioral training (30 min/hour) during working hours 1 hour/week. Leisure time aerobic fitness was planned for 2 hour/week. The reference group was offered monthly oral presentations. Body weight, BMI, body fat percentage (bioimpedance), waist circumference, blood pressure, musculoskeletal pain, maximal oxygen uptake (maximal bicycle test), and isometric maximal muscle strength of 3 body regions were measured before and after the intervention period. RESULTS: In an intention-to-treat analysis from pre to post tests, the intervention group significantly reduced body weight with 3.6 kg (p < 0.001), BMI from 30.5 to 29.2 (p < 0.001), body fat percentage from 40.9 to 39.3 (p < 0.001), waist circumference from 99.7 to 95.5 cm (p < 0.001) and blood pressure from 134/85 to 127/80 mmHg (p < 0.001), with significant difference between the intervention and control group (p < 0.001) on all measures. No effect of intervention was found in musculoskeletal pain, maximal oxygen uptake and muscle strength, but on aerobic fitness. CONCLUSION: The significantly reduced body weight, body fat, waist circumference and blood pressure as well as increased aerobic fitness in the intervention group show the great potential of workplace health promotion among this high-risk workgroup. Long-term effects of the intervention remain to be investigated.
Interactive, Computerized Video Doctor Improves Diet and Exercise Response in Pregnant Women
Jackson RA, Stotland NE, Caughey AB, Gerbert B. Improving diet and exercise in pregnancy with Video Doctor counseling: a randomized trial. Patient Educ Couns. May 2011;83(2):203-209.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if an interactive, computerized Video Doctor counseling tool improves self-reported diet and exercise in pregnant women. METHODS: A randomized trial comparing a Video Doctor intervention to usual care in ethnically diverse, low-income, English-speaking pregnant women was conducted. Brief messages about diet, exercise, and weight gain were delivered by an actor-portrayed Video Doctor twice during pregnancy. RESULTS: In the Video Doctor group (n=158), there were statistically significant increases from baseline in exercise (+28 min), intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, avocado and nuts, and significant decreases in intake of sugary foods, refined grains, high fat meats, fried foods, solid fats, and fast food. In contrast, there were no changes from baseline for any of these outcomes in the usual care group (n=163). Nutrition knowledge improved significantly over time in both groups but more so in the Video Doctor group. Clinician-patient discussions about these topics occurred significantly more frequently in the Video Doctor group. There was no difference in weight gain between groups. CONCLUSION: A brief Video Doctor intervention can improve exercise and dietary behaviors in pregnant women. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The Video Doctor can be integrated into prenatal care to assist clinicians with effective diet and exercise counseling.