JOURNAL WATCH Journal Watch

THE EFFECTS OF MASSAGE THERAPY ON PAIN MANAGEMENT IN THE ACUTE CARE SETTING. Adams R, White B, Beckett C. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork: Research, Education and Practice 2010;3(1)

This preliminary study evaluated the effect of the use of massage therapy on inpatient pain levels in the acute care setting. Pain management is a critical issue for any rehabilitation programme. This study concentrated on an acute care setting of a hospital, which provided an excellent opportunity for the integration of massage therapy for pain management into the team-centered approach of patient care. Pain levels before and after massage therapy were recorded using a 0 – 10 visual

analog scale. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used for analysis of this descriptive study. Fifty three inpatients from medical, surgical, and obstetrics units participated in the research by each receiving one or more massage therapy sessions averaging 30 minutes each. The number of sessions received depended on the length of the hospital stay. Before massage, the mean pain level recorded by the patients was 5.18. After massage, the mean pain level was 2.33. The observed reduction in pain was statistically significant. Qualitative data illustrated improvement in all areas, with the most significant areas of impact reported being overall pain level, emotional wellbeing, relaxation, and ability to sleep.

sportEX comment

Pain is pain. It matters not that it was studied here in a hospital environment. It could just as well have been an early stage recovery for an injured athlete. This study shows that integration of massage therapy into the acute care setting creates overall positive results in the patient’s ability to deal with the challenging physical and psychological aspects of their health condition. The study demonstrated not only significant reduction in pain levels, but also the interrelatedness of pain, relaxation, sleep, emotions, recovery, and finally, the healing process.

Apparently left-handed individuals make up about 10% of the general USA population, yet left-handers comprise approximately 30% of the pitching staffs in Major League and Division I college baseball. The distinction between right- and left-handed pitching mechanics has not been documented in the literature at any level of play.

Kinematic parameters related to pitching

mechanics and resultant kinetics on the throwing shoulder and elbow, were calculated. A total of 28 left-handed collegiate pitchers were matched with 28 right-handed pitchers for age, height, mass, and ball velocity of their pitches. Data from three-dimensional, high- speed video of fastball pitches were collected.

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CLINICAL MASSAGE AND MODIFIED PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION STRETCHING IN MALES WITH LATENT MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER

POINTS. Trampas A, Kitsios A, et al. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2010;11(3):91-98

The plan for this randomised, assessor-blind study was to determine the immediate effects of modified proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching (group I) versus myofascial trigger point (MTrP) therapy plus modified PNF stretching (group II), in comparison to a control group receiving no treatment. Thirty physically active males with tight hamstrings and at least one latent MTrP on muscles innervated by the lumbosacral, sciatic, tibial and common peroneal nerves were tested for knee range of motion (ROM), stretch perception, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and subjective pain intensity. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, immediately after treatment, at 10 and 30 min. The results were that significant changes over time occurred for group II.

sportEX comment

It might be in the interests of research but what are the ethical implications for a no treatment group. These are patients with problems! That aside the work on the trigger points appears to enhance the treatment so another positive result for soft tissue therapy.

THROWING ARM DOMINANCE IN COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PITCHING: A BIOMECHANICAL STUDY. Werner SL, Guido JA, et al. American Journal of Sports Medicine 2010:38:1606-1610

Paired t-tests were used to compare the kinematic and kinetic parameters. Six parameters were found to have

statistically significant differences between the two groups. Passive non-throwing shoulder external rotation, elbow flexion at stride- foot contact, and shoulder abduction during acceleration were greater in left-handed pitchers. Shoulder abduction at stride-foot contact, shoulder horizontal abduction at stride-foot contact, and peak horizontal adduction angular velocity were less for the left-handed pitchers.

sportEX comment

It is reasonable to predict that there will also be differences in other

throwing sports. The implications are that left-handed pitchers may be at increased risk for certain shoulder injuries compared with their right-handed counterparts and probably vise versa.

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