Research and News
Posts tagged function
Biofreeze reduces pain and improves function in knee osteoarthritis patients compared to placebo
Oct 4th
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Dr. Robert Topp at Marquette University has published several studies on the mechanisms of Biofreeze® topical analgesic, as well as exercise interventions using Thera-Band resistance in knee osteoarthritis patients. At TRAC 2011, Dr. Topp presented research on the efficacy of Biofreeze in 20 patients with knee osteoarthritis. The patients had either Biofreeze or a placebo gel applied to their knee; each then performed 5 functional tasks and subsequently reported their pain levels.
The subjects performed significantly better on the 6-minute walk and timed chair-stand when Biofreeze was applied. Applying Biofreeze also significantly reduced pain during the timed chair stand, timed up-and-go, as well as going up and down stairs.
Dr. Topp concluded that Biofreeze topical analgesic resulted in 30% less pain than a placebo during high-load functional tests in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Read the abstract of his study here: The effect of 3.5 % menthol gel on knee pain and functioning among patients with knee osteoarthritis
Click here to learn more about all the research presented at TRAC 2011
Listen to a podcast interview with Dr. Topp about his project by clicking on the link below:
Standard Podcast More >
Improving functional ability in older adults with Thera-Band
Apr 14th
As the population continues to age, the number of functionally-impaired and disabled older adults will increase as well, leading to an increase in the need for institutionalization and associated increase in healthcare costs. Several research studies have shown that exercise is effective at improving function in older adults; however, few have examined the effects of exercise in functionally limited adults.
Researchers wanted to know if a progressive resistance training program using Thera-Band® elastic bands was effective at improving strength and function in a group of independent-living older adults with functional limitations. They recruited 87 subjects averaging 75 years old with functional limitations measured by the SF-36 test. They were randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a non-exercising control group.
The exercise participants performed 13 progressive Thera-Band exercises once per week in a group setting. Because they were using elastic resistance, the participants were instructed to perform the same exercises as home twice per week as well. All subjects were evaluated before, during, and after the 16 week program. Download the Thera-Band exercise program here.
By 9 weeks, nearly all had progressed in Thera-Band elastic resistance levels from red to blue bands. The exercise group significantly increased in upper body and lower body More >
Thera-Band exercises can improve fitness and function in older women
Jan 26th
As women age, the transition to menopause often results in an increase in body fat and a reduction in muscle mass. This change in body composition is also associated with a decline in function and an increase in physical disability. German researchers evaluated the effectiveness of an exercise program for community-dwelling older females they developed called “Senior Fitness and Prevention Study.” Their results were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
246 women (average age 69 years old) were randomly assigned to either a well-rounded, multi-component exercise program or a sedentary control group. The exercise group participated in an 18-month program consisting of 2 supervised sessions (60 minutes) and 2 home sessions (20 minutes) per week. Exercises included aerobic dance, stretching, balance exercises, and strengthening exercises with body weight and resistance bands. Intensity was increased throughout the program.
The attendance of the group exercise program was relatively high at 76%. Compared to the control group, the exercise group significantly improved in body composition, reducing fat and increasing muscle mass. In conclusion, the authors noted that the exercise program’s “minimal technological equipment ensured its successful implementation.” Older women can benefit from a well-rounded exercise program including Thera-Band® resistance bands to improve body composition, More >
Home exercise with Thera-Band® tubing reduces knee pain in older Japanese women
Oct 19th
It’s been suggested that 25% of people over the age of 25 experience persistent knee pain (Peat et al. 2001); furthermore, it’s estimated that one quarter of adults with mild to moderate knee pain will develop severe or disabling pain within 3 years (Jinks et al. 2008). Several studies have shown that exercises with elastic resistance such as Thera-Band® resistance bands reduce pain and improve function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (O’Reilly et al. 1999, Topp et al. 2002). Researchers in Japan investigated the effectiveness of home physical therapy exercises in community-dwelling females with mild knee pain.
42 elderly females with mild knee pain during activity were divided into 2 groups based on their home location (thus they were not randomized): non-exercising control group and a home exercise group. Each subject in the exercise group received 2 home visits by a physical therapist for instruction in an exercise program using Thera-Band resistance tubing for leg strengthening. Exercises were progressed as limited by pain and performed 3 times per week for 5 months.
After the program, the individuals in the exercise group significantly improved in their WOMAC score, which measures pain, stiffness and function in arthritis patients. In addition, they had less pain during More >
Thera-Band® Exercises Increase Muscle Size in Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Dec 21st
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often have leg weakness due to reduced muscle size. Researchers in the UK examined the effects of a 10 week training program of progressive strengthening of the plantar flexors in 13 children with spastic CP. The children began with Thera-Band-resisted plantar flexion in long-sitting and progressed to standing heel raises. They performed 3 to 4 sets of exercises at a 6-12 Repetition Maximum (RM) resistance with a 2-minute rest between sets. Once subjects were able to perform 6 calf raises, they continued that exercise until they could perform 12. Each session started and ended with calf stretches in standing. Exercises were performed 4 times per week, including 3 sessions at home. After the 2 ½ month training program, muscle volume increased 14-17% and was maintained 3 months after training. Interestingly, while the participant’s strength increased, their functional measures did not. The authors concluded that strengthening interventions may be one of the most important interventions in the short term for children with CP in order to support long-term functional gains.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Cerebral Palsy Center Here
McNee AE, et al.. 2009 . Increases in muscle volume after plantarflexor strength training in children with spastic cerebral palsy . Dev Med More >
