Malakand

Kyphosis, a condition marked by excessive forward curvature of the upper spine causing a rounded back, is increasingly common among office workers due to long hours at desks and poor posture habits. This study evaluates how physical therapy (PT), with and without the addition of spinal bracing, can improve posture, reduce pain, and enhance function in office workers with kyphosis. The goal is to find effective, non-surgical ways to manage this postural problem that affects physical health and quality of life. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving physical therapy combined with bracing, and the other receiving physical therapy alone. The physical therapy involves exercises focused on strengthening the upper back muscles and reducing tension by practicing upright posture and squeezing the shoulder blades together for several seconds. Both treatments aim to improve posture and alleviate symptoms over a four-week period. During the study, participants will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index and the Visual Analogue Scale to measure changes in disability and pain levels after four weeks. Researchers will monitor posture, pain, and functional outcomes to determine the benefits of each approach. The study includes office workers aged 30 to 45 who have experienced upper back or neck pain for at least three months and spend six or more hours seated daily at work.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of the McKenzie technique compared to manual therapy in adults aged 35 to 45 with nonspecific low back pain lasting more than 4 weeks. The goal is to find out which treatment better reduces pain and improves functional mobility in this group. The study focuses on comparing these two physical therapy approaches to address pain and disability related to low back pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the McKenzie technique or manual therapy. Both groups will undergo similar treatment components including soft tissue massage to relieve muscle tension, lumbar mobilization techniques like posteroanterior glides and side-lying rotational mobilizations, muscle energy techniques such as pelvic tilts and hip flexor stretches, and core stabilization exercises including bridge and dead bug exercises. Treatments include hot packs for relaxation and TENS therapy for pain relief before mobilization. These interventions will be delivered over a defined treatment period. During the study, participants will be closely monitored for changes in pain intensity and functional ability over a 6-month period. Assessments will include pain and disability scores to measure treatment impact. Researchers will track adherence to therapy and evaluate safety throughout the study. The total participation time will cover the treatment and follow-up phases to determine which therapy provides better outcomes for low back pain patients.

Researchers are evaluating whether adding mirror therapy to conventional physiotherapy can improve recovery of upper-limb motor skills, hand function, spasticity, and range of motion in patients with acute stroke. This randomized controlled trial focuses on adults aged 40 to 55 who have had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within the last month and experience unilateral weakness. Mirror therapy leverages the brain's ability to relearn motor skills by reflecting movements of the unaffected limb to create the illusion of normal movement in the affected limb. The experimental group receives 20-minute mirror therapy sessions twice a week for one week, where a mirror is placed to hide the affected arm and reflect the unaffected arm's movements while patients perform various bilateral upper limb exercises. This is followed by 20 minutes of conventional physiotherapy involving strengthening and functional tasks like squeezing theraputty, towel wringing, lifting small objects, and ball tossing. The control group receives only the conventional physiotherapy for the same duration and frequency. Participants will be assessed at 6 months for upper-limb function using the ARAT score, as well as motor ability, spasticity, and range of motion. The study includes tests like the Motor Assessment Scale, Modified Ashworth Scale, and goniometric measurements. Safety and rehabilitation progress are monitored throughout the study. Total participation involves initial screening, treatment period, and follow-up evaluations to measure motor recovery and hand function improvements.

Researchers are investigating different posture correction exercises to find the most effective way to improve forward head posture (FHP) in people who frequently use smartphones and laptops. FHP happens when the head leans forward beyond its natural position, causing strain on the neck, shoulders, and upper back, which can lead to pain, stiffness, headaches, and long-term posture problems. This problem is increasing among young adults due to prolonged use of digital devices without proper posture awareness. The study compares two types of exercise programs designed to correct FHP. One program includes chin tucks, cervical retraction with resistance bands, shoulder blade squeezes, and wall posture alignment. The other focuses on stretching tight muscles like the upper trapezius and levator scapulae and strengthening weaker muscles such as deep neck flexors and scapular stabilizers. Both groups receive hot pack therapy for muscle relaxation and TENS for pain relief before and after exercises. These supervised sessions occur three times a week for six weeks, targeting better muscle balance and posture. Participants aged 18 to 40 who use smartphones for at least 2-3 hours daily will take part in the study. Researchers will monitor changes in posture and measure improvements in neck range of motion over six months. Assessments include evaluating discomfort levels and posture alignment using standardized methods. This study aims to provide simple, exercise-based solutions to help reduce FHP and related discomfort for frequent digital device users.