THE THERAPIST (Journal of Therapies & Rehabilitation Sciences)

Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Neck Disability in Patients with Upper Trapezius Trigger Points: A Quasi-Experimental Study

2026-02-02T05:50:41+00:00

Myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius are a common trigger of mechanical neck pain that is often associated with functional impairment assessed through the NDI. IASTM is universally used in the treatment of myofascial dysfunction; nevertheless, the literature on its role in disability outcome in clinical practice is scarce. Objectives: To assess the utility of an IASTM-based protocol in terms of NDI in trigger point patients of the upper trapezius compared with traditional physiotherapy. Methods: A non-randomized controlled quasi-experimental study was conducted, participants were recruited and not randomly assigned to either Group A (IASTM; n=25) or Group B (conventional physiotherapy; n=25). Group A (IASTM; n=25) and Group B (conventional physiotherapy; n=25) were randomly allocated 50 participants who had active upper trapezius trigger points lasting 3 months or more, of neck pain, which were determined using G*Power 3.1. The assessment of NDI was conducted at baseline and also at the end of the intervention period. Between-group comparisons were done with a significant level of p less than 0.05. Results: The groups had no differences in baseline NDI scores (Group A: 31.28 ± 5.09; Group B: 30.96 ± 5.32; p=0.82). Group A experienced a much lesser degree of disability than Group B (9.04 + 4.03 vs 20.12 + 4.64; p<0.001). Group A (mean= 22.24points) showed a higher reduction in NDI compared to Group B (mean= 10.84 points). Conclusions: A program of IASTM led to much better neck-related disability (NDI) than traditional physiotherapy in the patients who showed upper trapezius trigger points.

Impact of Prolonged Sitting on Hamstring Flexibility and Lower Extremity Function in University Students

2026-01-23T08:08:24+00:00

Sedentary lifestyle is a usual practice among college students because of the academic requirements and screen time. This sedentary life can have an undesirable impact on hamstring and lower extremity performance, which can cause musculoskeletal problems. Objectives: To identify the effects of sitting on the Hamstring flexibility and lower extremity functionality of university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Lahore, which included 194 students aged 18-28 years, both male and female, who engaged in prolonged sitting for at least four hours daily. Structured questionnaire including demographic details and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) used for data collection. Hamstring flexibility was assessed using the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test and the Active Knee Extension (AKE) test. Data were analyzed using SPSS-23. Results: The prolonged sitting and sitting position have a significant influence on hamstring flexibility and lower extremity performance. Most of the participants spent more than 10 hours a day sitting, 60.8% of them always sat cross-legged, and 58.2% did not put their feet on the floor when sitting. The majority of them did not have stretching exercises (86.1%) during the working period. Foot contact during sitting was strongly positively related to both hamstring tests of flexibility, SLR (p<0.001) and AKE (p<0.001). Conclusions: The prolonged sitting, especially with young people using laptops, was identified to contribute to tight hamstrings, substandard flexibility, and anterior head posturing. Regular breaks and proper sitting poses, including feet on the ground, are some of the measures that could save musculoskeletal integrity and avoid related dysfunction.

Association of Body Shaming with Insomnia and Depression Among Female University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

2026-04-06T09:48:19+00:00

Body shaming is becoming more and more common, and especially with the advent of social media, there has been the emergence of unrealistic body images and perceptions of self. Objectives: To test the relationship between body shaming, insomnia, and depression in female university students and to test the predictive value of body shaming on insomnia and depression. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was carried out between July and December 2023 at GIFT University, Gujranwala. Two hundred unmarried female students between the ages of 18 and 30 years were selected. The instruments were validated for data collection: the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Goldberg Depression Scale (GADS). Correlation and regression analysis were done using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The average age of participants was 21 ± 2.3 years old, and most of the participants were in the 18-23 years old age bracket (86.5%). Body shaming was found to have a strong positive relationship with insomnia (r=0.91) and a significant relationship with depression (r=0.79). Regression analysis revealed that body shaming was a strong predictor of insomnia (R²=0.828) as well as depression (R²=0.633). There was no important difference between age groups in body shaming and insomnia, but there was a small difference in depression. Conclusions: There is a strong relationship between body shaming and increased prevalence of insomnia and depression among females at the university. Discussing body image issues can be a way of enhancing the mental health outcomes and preventing psychological distress in this group.

Diet Therapy of Diabetes Type II by Paneer Dodi (Withania coagulans): A Review

2026-04-09T06:36:54+00:00

Globally, chronic non-communicable diseases are currently the leading cause of mortality and disability. People of various ages and socioeconomic backgrounds are affected by this diverse set of illnesses, which includes diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Paneer Dodi is a member of the Solanaceae family and is scientifically known as Withania coagulans. Patients with diabetes, particularly those with type-2 diabetes, can benefit greatly from this enchanted herb. It aids in controlling oxidant status, kidney pro-inflammatory indicators, and blood sugar levels. The plant contains free amino acids, esterases, alkaloids, and a variety of withanolides, including withanolide A, withanolide D, withanolide E, coagulins, and withacoagulins. W. Coagulans is a potential natural substitute for synthetic drugs, which often have adverse effects, given the high incidence of diabetes mellitus. It works as an efficient antidiabetic by inhibiting the enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase, stimulating insulin secretion, increasing glucose absorption, and regenerating pancreatic β-cells. In diabetic patients, these measures help control hyperglycemia and improve lipid profiles. According to the review, W. coagulans shows promise for research and development of novel therapeutic products, such as antidiabetic tea, for diabetes diet therapy.

Warm-Up Programs as a Key Strategy for Injury Prevention in Youth Sports

2026-03-31T11:23:53+00:00

Sports injuries are common injuries that happen when you’re playing a sport or doing something athletic. Participation in athletic activities naturally increases the likelihood of injury. Involvement in sports is a primary cause of injuries among children and teenagers. Preventing injuries is crucial for athletes to avoid long-term problems and continue enjoying their favorite sports.

Common sports injuries stem from preventable circumstances such as poor training practices, improper gear, or a lack of warming up. This causes sprains, strains or tears mostly in joints and tendons. To prevent sports-related injuries, warm-up intervention programs can help reduce and minimize injuries. A warmed-up muscle is less likely to be strained than a cold one. Warm-ups prepare the body for exercise by increasing heart rate and improving blood flow to skeletal muscles [1, 2].

Warm-up activities consist of a sequence of exercises carried out prior to engaging in more intense physical activity. There are two types of warm-up techniques: passive and active. While passive warm-up is defined by a rise in muscle or core body temperature by external techniques, such as hot baths, saunas, or heating pads, active warm-up includes running, stretching, calisthenics, and some resistance workouts [1, 2].

According to a 1998 World Health Organization study on school-age children's health habits, sports and playground activities accounted for 21.8% of injuries among children aged 11, 13, and 15 [3]. According to a separate survey, falls and sports-related injuries were the most common injury categories among male pupils between the ages of 10 and 14 [4]. In order to reduce the societal and personal costs associated with treatment and rehabilitation, initiatives aimed at preventing sports injuries in schools for kids and teenagers are essential.

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis by Ding et al. summarizes the results of 15 high-quality studies that included more than 21,500 children and adolescents. The combined statistics indicate a significant reduction in the number of sports injuries- about 36 percent in total- proving that warming-up exercise is a quantifiable preventive measure. These interventions focused on neuromuscular control, balance, and strength were most effective, especially with middle school-aged participants and in sport-specific, non-school environments. Compliance was found to be a major moderator, and it is important to have a structured and consistent implementation to realize significant injury reductions [5].

The effectiveness of warm-up interventions holds significant clinical and practical relevance for physical therapists, physical education instructors, coaches, trainers, school officials, and community sports organizations involved in youth sports. The warm-up activities lowered the incidence of sports injuries (like acute or overuse injuries), consequently minimizing the related personal, social, and economic expenses, such as injury management, treatment, and rehabilitation.

In conclusion, warm-up programs are important for keeping children and adolescents safe during sports. Regular and simple warm-up routines can help reduce injuries and support healthy physical activity. Coaches, teachers, and parents should make warm-ups a standard part of sports, as they are an easy and effective way to protect young athletes and improve performance.