Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is among the conservative treatments for Achilles tendinopathy. Unfortunately, no optimal application parameters have been determined that would ensure ESWT effectiveness in this condition. The aim of the paper is to use research reports on ESWT in patients with Achilles tendinopathy to help practising physiotherapists establish the most effective intervention parameters. A search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science. The papers were checked for relevant content and were included based on the following criteria: full-text article published in English and including comprehensive description of shock wave application. Twenty-two articles met the inclusion criteria. Most studies on the effectiveness of ESWT for Achilles tendinopathy included in this narrative review were randomized controlled trials. Two case-control studies, a case series study, prospective audit, clinical trial protocol, and a pilot study were also considered. The majority were prospective studies. Only a few authors presented the findings from retrospective observations. The two modalities of shock wave therapy used for Achilles tendinopathy are focused shock waves and radial shock waves. The literature contains reports presenting mainly beneficial effects of ESWT in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of Kinesiology Taping (KT) for treating breast cancer-related lymphedema. Sixty-five women with unilateral stage II and III lymphedema were randomly grouped into the KT group (K-tapes,n=20), the Quasi KT group (quasi K-tapes,n=22), or the MCT group (multilayered compression therapy group,n=23). Skin care, 45 min pneumatic compression therapy, 1 h manual lymphatic drainage, and application of K-tape/Quasi K-tapes/multilayered short-stretch bandages were given every treatment session, 3 times per week for 1 month. Patient evaluation items included limb size and percentage edema. Comparing the changes in K-tapes with quasi K-tapes changes, there were no significant differences (P>0.05). The edema reduction of multilayered bandages was much better than in results observed in taping groups. The KT appeared to be ineffective at secondary lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. The single-blind, controlled pilot study results suggest that K-tape could not replace the bandage, and at this moment it must not be an alternative choice for the breast cancer-related lymphedema patient. The trial is registered withACTRN12613001173785.

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of laser therapy (at different wavelengths: 940, 808, and 658 nm) for treating pressure ulcers. The primary endpoint in this trial included both the percentage reduction of the ulcer surface area and the percentage of completely healed wounds after one month of therapy (ulcer healing rate). The secondary endpoint was the ulcer healing rate at the follow-up evaluation (3 months after the end of the study). In total, 72 patients with stage II and III pressure ulcers received laser therapy once daily, 5 times per week for 1 month using a (GaAlAs) diode laser with a maximum output power of 50 mW and continuous radiation emission. Three separate wavelengths were used for the laser treatment: 940 nm (group I), 808 nm (group II), and 658 nm (group III). An average dose of 4 J/cm²was applied. In group IV, a placebo was applied (laser device was turned off). The laser therapy at a wavelength of 658 nm appeared to be effective at healing pressure ulcers. The wavelengths of 808 and 940 nm did not have any effect in our study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mirror therapy on arm and hand function in subacute stroke in patients. The study included 60 hemiparetic right-handed patients after ischemic stroke 8-10 weeks after onset. They underwent stationary comprehensive rehabilitation in the rehabilitation centre. They were divided into two randomly assigned groups: mirror (n=30) and control (n=30). For both groups, two subgroups were created: one that included patients with right arm paresis (n=15) and the other that included patients with left arm paresis (n=15). The mirror group received an additional intervention: training with a mirror for 5 days/week, 2 sessions/day, for 21 days. Each single session lasted for 15 min. The control group (n=30) underwent a conventional rehabilitation program without mirror therapy. To evaluate self-care in performing activities of daily living, the Functional Index 'Repty' was used. To evaluate hand and arm function, the Frenchay Arm Test and the Motor Status Score were used. Measurements were performed twice: before and after 21 days of applied rehabilitation. No significant improvement in hand and arm function in both subgroups in Frenchay Arm Test and Motor Status Score scales was observed. However, there was a significant improvement in self-care of activities of daily living in the right arm paresis subgroup in the mirror group measured using the Functional Index 'Repty'. Mirror therapy improves self-care of activities of daily living for patients with right arm paresis after stroke.

Objective: International guidelines recommend the use of ultrasound (US) and electrical stimulation (ES) for treating chronic and recurrent pressure ulcers (PUs). The methodology of these procedures, however, still needs elaboration and confirmation by clinical studies. This parallel-group, randomised, single-blind, prospective, controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine whether by using high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) and high-voltage monophasic pulsed current (HVMPC), the rate of change in the area of older patients' PUs can be accelerated.Method: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either: standard wound care (SWC) involving supportive care and topical treatments; SWC+US (1MHz; 0.5 W/cm²; 20%; 1–3 minutes/cm2); or SWC+ES (HVMPC, 154 µs, 100 pps, 100 V, 250 µC/sec, 50 minutes/day). US and ES were administered once a day, 5 days a week. The primary outcome was change in PU surface area measured against baseline after 6 weeks of treatment with SWC, SWC+US, and SWC+ES.Results: We recruited 77 patients, aged 60–95 years (80% aged over 70 years of age), with 88 Category II, III and IV PUs were enrolled in the study. The percentage reduction in the surface area of PUs at the end of treatment was significantly greater in the SWC+US group (mean ± standard deviation, 77.48±11.59 %; p=0.024) and the SWC+ES group (76.19±32.83%; p=0.030) versus the control group (48.97±53.42%). The SWC+ES group also had a significantly greater proportion of PUs that decreased in area by at least 50% or closed than the control group (p=0.05 and 0.031, respectively). The SWC+US and SWC+ES groups were not statistically significant different regarding treatment results. Clinical side effects were not recorded.Conclusion: The results show that HFUS and HVMPC are comparable regarding their effectiveness in reducing the size of PUs in older people.Declaration of interest: The authors have nothing to disclose. All research activities were funded by the Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.

Background. Studies show that anode and cathode ES promote the healing of wounds, but specific protocols for both electrodes are not available Objective. To compare the effectiveness of cathodal versus cathodal+anodal ES in the treatment of Category II-IV pressure ulcers (PrUs) Design. Prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical study Setting. Three nursing and care centers Patients. 63 participants with PrUs were randomly formed into a cathodal ES group (CG/N = 23) mean age of 79.35; SD 8.48), a cathodal+anodal ES group (CAG/N = 20; mean age of 79.65; SD 11.44) and a placebo ES group (PG/N = 20; mean age of 76.75; SD 12.24) Intervention. All patients were treated with standard wound care and high-voltage monophasic pulsed current (HVMPC; twin-peak impulses; 154 μs; 100 pps; 0.25 A; 250 μC/sec) for 50 minutes per day, five times a week, for 6 weeks. The CG, CAG and PG received, respectively, cathodal, cathodal plus anodal, and sham ES through electrodes placed on a moist gauze pad. The treatment electrode was placed on the wound, the return electrode was positioned on healthy skin at least 20 cm from the PrU. Measurements. Measurements were made at baseline, and after each of the six weeks of treatment. Primary outcome was percentage wound surface area reduction at week 6. Results: In the CG, wound surface area decreased by 82.34% (95% confidence interval [CI] 70.06-94.63) and in the CAG by 70.77% (95%CI 53.51-88.04). These reductions were significantly greater than in the PG (40.53%; 95%CI 23.60-57.46). The CG and CAG were not statistically significant different regarding treatment results. Limitations: The time of treatment proved insufficient for PrUs to close Conclusion: Cathodal and cathodal+anodal HVMPC similarly reduced the area of Category II-IV PrUs