Lahore

Researchers are comparing the effectiveness of two topical ointments, lignocaine and 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), in reducing pain and aiding wound healing after hemorrhoidectomy surgery. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anal area, and surgery can cause significant postoperative pain that affects recovery. The study is a randomized clinical trial conducted at King Edward Medical University and Mayo Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, involving adult patients aged 18 to 60 with Grade III or IV hemorrhoids. Participants will undergo hemorrhoidectomy and then be randomly assigned to receive either lignocaine ointment or 0.2% GTN ointment, both applied locally to the anal wound three times daily after surgery. Along with the ointments, all patients will receive standard postoperative care including sitz baths, stool softeners, and paracetamol for pain control. The treatment period lasts throughout the postoperative recovery. During the study, patients' pain levels will be measured using a visual analog scale at multiple time points up to 28 days after surgery. Researchers will also track the time taken for complete wound healing and assess patient satisfaction six weeks after surgery using a 5-point scale. Data will be analyzed to compare pain relief, healing times, and patient comfort between the two ointment groups, with follow-up lasting six weeks post-surgery.

Road traffic accidents are a major global health problem causing many injuries and deaths. This trial evaluates the feasibility and acceptance of a group therapy called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress (EMDR-IGTP-OTS) aimed at reducing post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, and anxiety, while improving quality of life in adults aged 18 to 45 who have survived traffic accidents. The study uses a randomized control design to better understand trauma-focused treatment in diverse and resource-limited settings. Participants receive the EMDR-IGTP-OTS group intervention, which combines the standard eight-phase EMDR therapy with the Butterfly hug technique. The therapy is delivered in a group setting designed specifically for ongoing traumatic stress in road traffic accident survivors. The study timeline includes treatment sessions followed by assessments before, immediately after, and one month after treatment. During the study, participants are assessed using several tools including the DASS-21 for depression and anxiety, the Urdu Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and the WHOQOL-BREF for quality of life. These assessments occur at three time points: before treatment, after treatment, and at one month follow-up. The trial helps measure changes in stress symptoms and quality of life, aiming to provide evidence for effective trauma therapies in this population.

This research aims to compare two manual therapy techniques, Active Release Technique (ART) and Strain-Counterstrain (SCS), for treating non-specific neck pain. Non-specific neck pain is a common condition characterized by pain and stiffness in the cervical spine without a clear cause. It affects a significant number of people worldwide, including in Pakistan, where it impacts quality of life, work, and daily activities. The study focuses on evaluating pain, neck motion, posture angle, and disability in adults aged 18 to 45 with chronic neck pain. Participants will be randomly placed into two groups. One group will receive the Active Release Technique applied to four specific neck muscles for 15 minutes, while the other group will receive the Strain-Counterstrain technique targeting the same muscles for the same duration. Both groups will also receive additional treatments including hot packs, stretching of superficial neck muscles, and neck isometric exercises. The study duration includes assessments at the start and after four weeks of treatment. During the study, participants will undergo evaluations using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, measurement of craniovertebral angle, and cervical range of motion. These assessments will be done at baseline and after four weeks to track changes in pain, movement, posture, and disability. Data will be collected from Safi Teaching Hospital in Faisalabad, Pakistan, with ethical approval and informed consent. Results will be analyzed to provide insights into which technique might better improve symptoms and function in non-specific neck pain.

This research aims to explore how resistance training affects the brain and nervous system in healthy adults aged 18 to 35. The study focuses on understanding the nervous system's response to this type of exercise, which is well-known for improving muscle strength, power, speed, endurance, balance, and coordination. Researchers will include 100 healthy male and female participants who have not done resistance training in the past six months. Participants will be divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group will perform bench press exercises with 8-12 repetitions per set, using a controlled speed of 1.5 seconds lifting and 1.5 seconds lowering the weight, resting 90 seconds between sets, twice a week for two months. The control group will attempt their one-repetition maximum (1RM) lift by gradually increasing weight over five tries, also resting 90 seconds between attempts, twice a week for eight weeks. Throughout the study, participants will undergo assessments including motor nerve conduction studies, electroencephalography (EEG), muscle strength measurement with a dynamometer, and blood tests to estimate albumin and globulin ratios. These evaluations will occur at the start, mid-point, and end of the study to monitor changes. The total participation period is approximately two months, during which researchers will closely monitor nervous system adaptations and muscle performance.

Stroke often causes difficulties with walking and balance, leading to a lower quality of life. This research explores how adding functional muscle training to turning-based specific exercises might improve turning ability, balance, and overall quality of life in patients who have had a stroke, particularly those with subacute and chronic stroke conditions. The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial conducted in a rehabilitation hospital setting. Participants are divided into two groups: an experimental group receiving both turning-based specific training and functional muscle training, and a control group receiving only turning-based specific training. The functional muscle training focuses on strengthening lower body muscles such as hip abductors, adductors, flexors, extensors, and ankle muscles, using exercises with progressions including resistance bands. Turning exercises include 90-degree turns, figure of eight walking, step across body movements, braiding, and obstacle avoidance practiced over six weeks on alternate days. During the study, researchers assess participants' turning ability and balance using tests like the Standing Turn Test, Figure of 8 Test, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and Modified 4 Square Step Test. Measurements are taken at the start and after six weeks of intervention. The study also monitors cognitive status and ambulatory function to understand treatment effects. The total participation duration is six weeks, with ongoing evaluation to gauge improvements in gait and balance functions.

Researchers are evaluating the combined effects of Mulligan mobilization and core strengthening exercises in women experiencing sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) after childbirth. SIJD is a common issue for postpartum women caused by hormonal and biomechanical changes during pregnancy, leading to pelvic instability and pain. Mulligan mobilization is a manual therapy that aims to correct joint alignment and restore pain-free movement, while core strengthening targets muscles that support pelvic stability to reduce stress and symptoms in the sacroiliac joint. The study involves two main treatment approaches over four weeks. Mulligan mobilization with movement (MWM) is applied to improve joint mechanics through therapist-assisted glides combined with active patient movements, progressing from pain relief techniques to functional integration and self-mobilization. Concurrently, core and pelvic floor exercises focus on activating and strengthening deep stabilizing muscles through a phased exercise program, starting with gentle activation and progressing to functional movements enhancing pelvic and lumbar support. Participants will undergo assessments at the beginning and after four weeks to measure pain intensity, sacroiliac joint disability, and lumbar range of motion. Researchers will monitor changes in joint function and symptoms to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined treatments. The study includes postpartum females aged 20 to 40 years, and safety and progress are observed throughout the treatment period to support recovery and improved quality of life.

Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a painful condition caused by progressive fibrosis and tightening of the shoulder joint capsule, leading to pain and restricted shoulder motion. This condition mostly affects people aged 40 to 60 years and is more common in females. The study aims to evaluate the added effects of the Niel-Asher technique combined with sleeper stretch and conventional physical therapy on reducing pain, improving shoulder range of motion, and enhancing functional ability in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Participants will receive either the Niel-Asher technique plus sleeper stretch alongside conventional physical therapy or sleeper stretch with conventional therapy alone. The Niel-Asher technique is a manual soft tissue release applied three times per week for four weeks, targeting muscle adhesions and trigger points to reduce pain and improve motion. The sleeper stretch is performed passively with a 30-second hold repeated twice per session, three times weekly. Conventional therapy includes shoulder joint glides, active and assisted range of motion exercises, isometric and pulley exercises, and ischemic pressure on trigger points. Throughout the four-week treatment, researchers will assess changes in pain using a Visual Analogue Scale, shoulder function using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and range of motion with a goniometer. Participants will be monitored for improvements in pain, motion, and disability. The study carefully tracks adherence to therapy and evaluates outcomes related to shoulder mobility and pain relief to understand the benefits of adding the Niel-Asher technique to standard care.

Adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder, causes shoulder pain, limited range of motion (ROM), and significant difficulty in daily activities. Traditional treatments focus mainly on the shoulder joint itself, but this research explores how adding therapy to the thoracic spine, which supports shoulder movement, might improve outcomes. The study aims to see if combining thoracic spine mobilization with shoulder joint mobilization can better reduce pain, improve movement, and decrease disability compared to shoulder treatment alone. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. One group will receive thoracic spine mobilization using specific oscillatory movements while lying face down, followed by shoulder joint mobilization involving rhythmic movements repeated in sets. The other group will receive only the shoulder joint mobilization using the same technique. These treatments are designed to enhance shoulder mobility and reduce stiffness by addressing both the shoulder and the supporting spine. Throughout the study, researchers will measure pain using a numeric rating scale, assess functional disability with a shoulder pain and disability questionnaire, and evaluate shoulder range of motion using a goniometer. Measurements will be taken before and after treatment over a four-week period. The study will analyze these results to determine if adding thoracic spine mobilization improves pain relief, shoulder movement, and function for people with adhesive capsulitis.

Researchers are studying overweight and obese children with Down syndrome, a condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, to understand how aerobic exercise alone compares to aerobic exercise combined with a low calorie diet in reducing body fat and improving body mass index (BMI). This randomized controlled trial will take place at Rehab Clinic and Ghurki Trust and Teaching Hospital in Lahore over 10 months with a total of 22 participants aged 8 to 16 years. Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will perform aerobic exercise along with following a low calorie diet, while the other group will do aerobic exercise without the diet. The aerobic exercise includes moderate intensity brisk walking. Measurements such as weight, height, waist circumference, and BMI will be taken. Fitness levels will be evaluated using a 6-minute walk test. Various tools like a digital weight scale, stadiometer, skin-fold caliper, and food frequency questionnaire will be used during the study. During the study, participants will be assessed at the beginning and after 12 weeks for changes in weight and other health indicators. Researchers will monitor aerobic fitness, abdominal obesity, and BMI. Parents will provide consent and physician approval will be obtained. Data will be analyzed using statistical software to compare the effects of the two interventions and to provide guidance on the best approach for managing weight in children with Down syndrome.

Researchers are comparing the effects of two popular warm-up routines, FIFA 11+ and RAMP, on agility and sprint speed in young male soccer players aged 8 to 15. The study aims to provide clear evidence to help coaches choose the best warm-up method to improve performance and reduce injury risks during key developmental years. This randomized clinical trial addresses a gap in sports science by directly evaluating these two protocols in a youth soccer context. The trial involves 34 male players randomly assigned to either the FIFA 11+ or the RAMP warm-up group for six weeks. The FIFA 11+ program is a 20-minute routine including running, stretching, strength, plyometric, balance exercises, and high-intensity running drills. The RAMP program is a four-phase warm-up lasting 20 minutes, consisting of cardiovascular activities, dynamic mobility exercises, joint mobilization, and high-intensity explosive drills. Both groups perform their assigned warm-ups before soccer training sessions. Participants will be tested at the start and end of the six-week period using the Illinois Agility Test to measure agility and a 30-meter sprint test to assess speed. Researchers will monitor performance improvements and compare results between the groups. Data analysis will use SPSS software to ensure accurate comparisons. The study focuses on understanding how each warm-up affects young players' athletic abilities over the six-week intervention.