Publications

@article{Krekoukias2021,

title = {Gait Kinetic and Kinematic Changes in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients and the Effect of Manual Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial},

author = {G Krekoukias and V Sakellari and E Anastasiadi and G Gioftsos and Z Dimitriadis and K Soultanis and I D Gelalis},

doi = {doi: 10.3390/jcm10163593},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

journal = {J Clin Med},

volume = {10},

number = {16},

abstract = {Patients with chronic back pain as a result of degenerated disc disease, besides pain, also present with impaired gait. The purpose of the article was to evaluate kinetic and kinematic characteristics during gait analysis in patients with chronic low back pain as a result of degenerated disc disease, before and after the application of physiotherapy, including manual therapy techniques. Seventy-five patients suffering from chronic low back pain were randomly divided into 3 groups of 25 each. Each group received five sessions (one per week) of interventions with the first group receiving manual therapy treatment, the second a sham treatment and the third, classic physiotherapy (stretching exercises, TENS and massage). The effectiveness of each treatment was evaluated using an optoelectronic system for recording and analysis of gait (kinetic and kinematic data). Patients overall showed an impaired gait pattern with a difference in kinetic and kinematic data between the left and the right side. Following the application of the above-named interventions, only the group that received manual therapy showed a tendency towards symmetry between the right and left side. In patients suffering from chronic low back pain as a result of degenerated disc disease, the application of five manual therapy sessions seems to produce a tendency towards symmetry in gait.},

keywords = {chronic low back pain, gait, manual therapy, physiotherapy, spinal mobilization},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Tatsios2021,

title = {The effectiveness of manual therapy on musculoskeletal and respiratory parameters in patients with chronic low back pain: A systematic review},

author = {P Tatsios and G A Koumantakis and P Karakasidou and A Philippou},

doi = {doi: 10.1615/CritRevPhysRehabilMed.2021038977},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

journal = {Crit Rev Phys Rehabil Med},

volume = {33},

number = {2},

pages = {71-101},

abstract = {Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) exhibit respiratory dysfunction. Dysfunction in motor control of trunk muscles (diaphragm included) negatively affects the mechanics and biochemistry of breathing. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of manual therapy on musculoskeletal and respiratory parameters in patients with CLBP. Systematic search and selection of RCTs was performed using specific keywords in three scientific databases (Medline, Scopus, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, or PEDro) from inception to March 2021. Relevant studies published in English were extracted, evaluated, and independently rated for methodological quality by two assessors using the PEDro scale. Data extraction and methodological ratings were inspected by a third assessor. Out of 943 initially collected studies, 922 were excluded (did not meet inclusion criteria or were duplicates). Twenty-one clinical trials were finally included, though they were characterized by moderate methodological quality (PEDro scale). Meta-analysis was not performed due to differences in techniques utilized (targeting spinal joints or trunk or respiratory muscles) and the outcomes were assessed across studies. Overall, there was evidence, of moderate methodological quality, that manual therapy on the low back joints or trunk stabilization exercises, diaphragmatic release techniques, and respiratory exercises significantly improve musculoskeletal as well as respiratory parameters in patients with CLBP. More and higher-quality RCTs are required, especially those that will utilize respiratory reeducation and exercise of the respiratory muscles as therapeutic interventions contributing to the holistic management of patients with CLBP.},

keywords = {breathing education, breathing exercises, chronic low back pain, manual therapy, randomized controlled trials, respiratory dysfunction},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}