Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system of unknown reason or definite cure, heavily impacting the patient's mobility and overall quality of life. Purpose Through this study the authors propose safe, alternative phototherapies for the early management of MS. Study design This is a repeated-measures randomized control trial. Materials and methods Twenty-four patients with relapsing remitting MS, of both sexes, aged 25–45 years, completed the study; they were randomly assigned to four groups. Seven patients in the control group (group 1) received monthly intravenous infusion of 1 g solu-medrol therapy for MS; six patients in group 2 received solu-medrol plus low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) at 850 nm; six patients in group 3 received solu-medrol plus broadband ultraviolet B radiation (BB-UVBR) (280–320 nm); five patients in group 4 received solu-medrol and scanner LILT and BB-UVBR. All three groups received a total of 12 sessions over a period of 3 days/week. Expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and H-reflex latency were assessed before treatment, after treatment, and at 3 months’ follow-up. Results There was statistically significant reduction (P = 0.009∗∗) in H-reflex latency but not in H/M ratio (P ≥ 0.05) in the LILT group (group 2), whereas EDSS was significantly reduced (P = 0.011∗) by 1 point in the BB-UVBR group (group 3). These results were maintained 3 months after treatment. Conclusion This study suggests that LILT can efficiently reduce spasticity in the short term in patients with relapsing remitting MS. While BB-UVBR therapy alone is more efficient in ameliorating the disability status (EDSS), and combining LILT with UVBR, surprisingly, might have an undermining effect.

Background: Diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) is a frequent concern following childbirth, particularly following a cesarean section (CS). Mobile exercise applications offer promising opportunities for enhancing physical therapy services, with potential positive outcomes. Purpose: This study compared the effect of a specific DRA-targeted mobile app-based exercise program on inter-recti distance (IRD) and multiple clinical measures to a traditional abdominal exercise program in post-CS mothers with DRA. Methods: This two-armed, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial involved 40 primiparous women undergoing CS; they were classified into two equal groups. Group A participated in Just Fit, a mobile app-based abdominal exercise program, while Group B received a traditional abdominal exercise program. Both exercise programs lasted 30 min, 3 times/week, for 8 weeks as a home program with follow-up sessions once weekly at an outpatient physical therapy clinic. Ultrasonography was used to measure IRD, a manual muscle test assessed abdominal muscle strength, a tape measure gauged circumferences, and a questionnaire evaluated satisfaction. Results: Both programs showed significant improvements in pre- and post-treatment measures of IRD, muscle strength, and girth (p ≤ 0.001 for all comparisons). Women in Group A exhibited significant post-treatment improvements in IRD above the umbilicus, abdominal muscle strength, girth measurements, and satisfaction compared with those in Group B. However, there were non-significant differences in IRD below the umbilicus and hip circumference between the two groups. Conclusions: The mobile app-based exercise program was associated with greater improvements in IRD above the umbilicus, abdominal muscle strength, waist and umbilical circumferences, and patient satisfaction compared with the traditional exercise program for post-CS DRA. These findings suggest that mobile app-guided rehabilitation may serve as an effective and accessible adjunct to traditional post-CS exercise programs, although larger trials are recommended to confirm these results.