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Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the modulation effects of Microcurrent Therapy (MT) and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of Metalloproteinases (TIMPs) expressions during healing of surgical wounds using appendectomy wound as a model. Methods Ninety patients who recently underwent appendectomy were randomly divided into 3 main groups of equal numbers. All cases in the three groups received ordinary medical therapy. Moreover, group A (MT group) received Microcurrent Therapy for 20 min. In addition to a designed physical therapy treatment protocol for 20 min. Group B (LLLT group) received Low-Level Laser Therapy for 20 min., plus the same designed physical therapy treatment protocol for 20 min. Group C (placebo group) received placebo shame LLLT for 20 min. plus the same designed physical therapy treatment protocol for 20 min. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western Blot Technique (WBT) were used to determine expression levels of MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 at the beginning of treatment and after the end of twelve successive sessions. Results Following therapies, results showed a statistically significant decrease in the MMP-8 and MMP-9 expressions with significantly increased expression levels of TIMP-1 in each group separately ( P  < 0.05). These changes in the expression levels towards proper healing of surgical wounds were more obvious in MT and LLLT groups compared to the placebo group, with significantly better effect in the LLLT group compared to the MT group . Conclusion Microcurrent therapy and low-level laser therapy have a notable impact in improving wound healing process as they can significantly affect the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases towards good prognosis of healing process and decreasing possible wound healing complication, with superior effect of low-level laser therapy.

Ankle instability is a common injury in athletes, affecting the quality of life, functional limitation, as well as static and dynamic balance. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of virtual reality and Biodex balance training in the treatment of ankle instability in adolescent athletes. Ninety football players were enrolled in this study after the assessment of their eligibility. Their age ranged from 12 to 16 years. They were randomly allocated to three groups of equal numbers. Group 1 received a guideline protocol, group 2 received the same guideline protocol in addition to Wii Sport Training, and group 3 received the same guideline protocol in addition to Biodex balance training. All groups received treatment protocols three times a week for 3 months. Outcome measures included the stability indices (overall stability, anteroposterior stability, and mediolateral) measured by the Biodex Balance System as well as ankle instability measured by the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool. Measurements were collected at the baseline and after 3 months of treatment. Post-treatment findings revealed a statistically significant decrease in the overall, anteroposterior, and mediolateral stability indices, as well as significant increase in Cumberland Ankle Instability outcomes of all groups ( < 0.05). On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences between the virtual reality and Biodex balance training groups. Virtual reality training has a significant effect which appears to be similar to the Biodex balance training in adolescent athletes with chronic ankle instability.

Structural abnormalities in the shoulder joint are a common complication post stroke, and the consequent pain and functional limitations become devastating quality of life problems for such patients. Shock wave therapy is a non-invasive method that can enhance the level of perfusion in ischaemic tissues, relieve inflammation, and promote healing. The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) on pain and disability levels in stroke patients with shoulder structural abnormalities. Thirty subacute stroke patients aged between 40 and 60 years were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups after signing an institutional consent form. The real rESWT group (GA) underwent rESWT in addition to a designed program of physical therapy to the shoulder joint. The control group (GB) received sham rESWT in addition to the same physical therapy program as for GA. The treatment protocol for both groups was 2 times per week for a month. Baseline and post-intervention findings in both groups were assessed and compared for primary outcomes including shoulder structural changes, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and shoulder disability, measured by ultrasonography (USS), a handheld algometer, and the shoulder pain disability index (SPADI), respectively. Significant reduction of all post-treatment SPADI scores (pain, disability, and total scores) in both groups with a remarkable decrease in the rESWT group (GA) ( < 0.05). In addition, USS scores and PPT findings showed notable preference in favour of the GA group, which was demonstrated as significant decrease in USS score with an increase in PPT findings only in the rESWT group (GA) ( < 0.05). The addition of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) to a designed physical therapy program is more efficient in reducing shoulder structural abnormalities, pain, and disability in subacute stroke patients.

IntroductionFemale obesity and infertility are frequently linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which has major consequences for metabolism and reproductive health. This study was designed to explore the effect of adding ultrasound cavitation (UC) to aerobic exercises on menstrual regularity, gonadotropin hormones, infertility-related stress, and cortisol levels in obese PCOS women.Material and methodsSixty obese women diagnosed with PCOS, age 20 to 35, were randomly distributed into control group A (n = 30) and cavitation group B (n = 30). All cases in both groups received moderate-intensity aerobic training for 50 minutes, five times weekly for 12 weeks. The cavitation group also received UC on the abdomen once a week. Body Mass Index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), menstrual regularity, gonadotropin hormones, viz. luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and LH/FSH ratio, infertility-related stress and cortisol levels were assessed pre-intervention and after 12 weeks.ResultsSignificant improvements post-treatment versus pre-treatment were noted within both groups in all outcome variables (BMI, WHR, LH, LH/FSH ratio, infertility-related stress, and cortisol) (p < 0.05). However, the cavitation group demonstrated more significant reduction improvements in BMI, WHR, LH, LH/FSH ratio, infertility-related stress, and cortisol levels compared to the control group post-treatment (p < 0.05).ConclusionsAdding UC to aerobic exercises should be suggested as an effective intervention for improving BMI, WHR, LH, LH/FSH ratio, infertility-related stress, and cortisol levels in PCOS women.

IntroductionCOVID-19 patients may arrive at the hospital with a variety of symptoms, from severe pneumonia and multiple organ failure to moderate upper respiratory symptoms, or no symptoms at all. The aim of the was to evaluate the respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity and sleep quality of young individuals who had COVID-19 infection and recovered without the need for hospitalization, and to compare them with asymptomatic individuals.Material and methodsFifty-five sedentary people aged 18 to 45 were recruited: 30 post-COVID-19, and 22 who had not contracted COVID. All COVID-19 patients had achieved a negative PCR test three months after infection, were not hospitalized during the disease, did not smoke and were not involved in any exercise program. A spirometer was used to measure pulmonary function, an electronic mouth pressure monitor was used to measure respiratory muscle strength, the six-minute walk test (6MWT) was used to measure exercise capacity, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale was used to measure sleep quality.ResultsThe individuals with COVID-19 infection had significantly lower measured and maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and 6MWT distances compared to the healthy individuals (respectively; p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.002). They also had lower sleep quality (p=0.003). Pulmonary function values (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF) of both groups were similar (p>0.05).ConclusionsOur study indicated that young individuals with a history of COVID-19 who had not required hospitalization during the period of infection had lower respiratory muscle strength and exercise capacity, as well as poorer sleep quality in the post-disease period compared to those without a history of COVID.