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Background and Aim: Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems that can affect activity daily living of patients. Many studies have indicated postural control deficits in these patients but the effect of dual tasking on postural control has not been examined yet. The aim of this study is to investigat the effect of cognitive task on postural control in the female patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Materials and Methods: Postural stability in knee OA patients and healthy subjects (20 subjects in each group ) in four positions was measured using the Force plate. Positions included double leg stance with closed or opened eyes with and without cognitive task. Area of COP and mean velocity (Vm) were measured for as static postural stability.
Results: Area under the curve increased in the double leg stance position in the patients significantly (P<0.05). While mean velocity decreased by performing a dual task (P<0.05). The response to dual-tasking was not significant between the 2 groups(P>0.05).
Conclusion: Postural control deficits and increased of center of pressure’s sway were identified in participants with Knee osteoarthritis. Also performance of a cognitive task resulted in decrease of postural sway, but the dual- tasking did not change the postural performance of knee OA patients compared to healthy subjects.

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Background and Aim: Accurate control of movement is one of the multiple components in skillful motor performance that can be impaired by disease. Trackingtests quantify the effects oftreatments designed toimprovecontrol of movement and they are considered as anideal protocol forimproving motor control. The purpose of the present study was to examine reliability of the control error during target tracking tasks in trunk region in sagittal transverse torque plane in healthy subjects.

Materials and Methods: Nine healthy subjects (4 females and 5 males) randomly performed target tracking tasks at levels of 0% to 80% Maximum Voluntary Exertions (MVE) and twelve different directions (0 ̊, 30 ̊, 60 ̊, …, 330 ̊) twice in upright standing posture. In this study, the tracking system included a moving target circle, which moved on a straight line in specific direction from 0 to 80% of individual MVE with speed of 6% MVE/S.The direction of isometric trunk exertion was presented to participants in the online visual feedback by a computer monitor positioned in front of them. Trunk controllability was determined by computing the control errors (Absolute Value Error from the Target [AVET], Error from the Target Path [ETP] and Error from the Target in the Target Path [ETTP]) during each performance. Relative reliability (Intra-class Correlation Coefficient [ICC]) of the control error in each direction was determined. Also absolute reliability (Standard Error of Measurement [SEM]) and Minimal Detected Change (MDC95) were computed.

Results:The results have shown that ICC for AVET, ETP and ETTP ranged from 0.81 to 0.99, 0.71 to 0.98 and 0.7 to 0.99, respectively. Also SEM for these variables ranged between 0.003- 0.013, 0.001- 0.009 and 0.003- 0.011, respectively and finally MDC95 ranged between 0.008 to 0.036 for AVET, 0.003 to 0.025 for ETP and 0.008 to 0.03 for ETTP.

Conclusion: The study showed high and very high reliability for control error measures during target tracking tasks in sagittal transverse torque plane in asymptomatic subjects. Therefore this performance may be used as a test in trunk controllability assessment.

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Abstract

Background and Aim: Proprioceptive problems, visuospatial deficits and muscle weakness are the main causes of weight bearing asymmetry and postural control impairment in chronic hemiparesis patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between center of pressure parameters in quiet standing with eyes open and closed and functional balance tests and symmetry index in these patients.

Materials and Methods: In this correlation study, 16 stroke patients (mean age: 52.937±10.109 years), were selected by simple non-probability sapling. Force plate, Functional Reach and Timed Up and Go tests and scales were used in order to investigate postural sway parameters in quiet standing, functional balance and symmetry index, respectively.

Results: Moderate to high significant correlation was obtained between Timed Up and Go test and symmetry index and most of the postural sway parameters in eyes closed condition, while Functional Reach test had only moderate significant correlation with standard deviation of velocity (anterior-posterior) and phase plane total. Also symmetry index showed moderate correlation with most of the postural sway parameters.

Conclusion: Current study demonstrates the role of vision and task in correlation between center of pressure parameters, balance tests and symmetry index.

Key words: Correlation, Symmetric weight bearing, Postural sway, Functional Reach, Timed Up and Go, Force plate, Quiet standing

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Background and Aim: Proprioception is one of the most precise and delicate senses of the human body. It plays an important role in coordination and postural control by protecting the body against trauma and accidents. Although many studies have assessed the effect of fatigue on proprioception in the limbs and the low back region, but a few studies have investigated its possible effect on the cervical region.

  

Material and Methods: Seventeen (8 women, 9 men) young and healthy volunteers were asked to perform the Cervicocephalic Relocation Test (CRT) to the neutral head position by relocating the head on trunk after actively rotating the head to right and left sides, in two conditions before and after muscular fatigue. Absolute, constant and variable errors were used to evaluate cervical joint repositioning accuracy.

  

Results: Fatigue had no effect on cervical joint position sense, Furthermore no considerable difference was seen between male and female subjects (p>0.05).

  

Conclusion: The results suggest that following isometric fatigue of upper trapezuis muscles, no change is produced in the repositioning accuracy of both sexes. Furthermore, sex had no effect on cervical joint proprioception.

  

Key Words: Cervical joint position sense, Fatigue, Proprioception, Cervicocephalic Relocation Test (CRT).

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Background and Aim: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is one of the most important elements in normal musculoskeletal function during gait cycle and serve as a shock absorber during heel strike and load transfer from lower limbs to trunk. Its stabilizing is the product of osseous, ligamentus and muscular elements which muscle activity of these muscles (Gluteus Maximus, Biceps Femoris, Multifidus, Erector Spinea, and Latissimus Dorsi) is important in load transfer through SIJ. It seems that the function of the given muscles in sacroiliac joint pain subjects is interrupted. So, the aim of the present study is to compare muscle activity during different events of stance phase of gait cycle during preferred and slow speed between sacroiliac joint pain and healthy subjects.

  

Methods and Materials: Thirteen SIJ pain subjects (12 females, 1 male) and thirteen healthy subjects (11 females, 2 male) participated in this study. Muscle activity based on RMS from selected muscles was recorded during different events of stance phase of gait either preferred or slow speed by EMG Data-link Biometrics and normalized according to muscle activity during a 500 ms period in rest position before starting walking called Baseline Correction.

  

Results: Significant statistical differences were found between two groups in muscle activity based RMS during different events of stance (p=0/006), but there was no significant difference in effect of speed on RMS between two groups (p=0/37). Significant Statistical differences were also seen between selected muscles in each group separately during slow speed of walking (p=0/003) but no significant statistical difference during preferred speed in SIJ pain group (p=0/14).

  

Conclusion: SIJ subjects have showed increased levels of muscle activity during different events of stance phase of gait with preferred and slow speeds. These increased levels can be interpreted as a mechanism to control trunk movements effectively, provide sufficient support and transfer load to lumbar area efficiently.

  

Key words: Muscle activity, Sacroiliac joint, Gait, Trunk muscle, Lower limb muscles

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Background and Aim: Many studies investigated the effect of ankle-foot orthosis on reducing the incidence of sprain. In this study the influence of elastic and semirigid stirrup type orthosis on the onset latency of peroneus longus muscle activity as the most important support of ankle- foot region in response to sudden perturbation was assessed in healthy group and athletes with functional ankle instability.

 

Materials and Methods: Thirteen healthy female athletes and 10 female athletes with functional ankle instability (17 to 27 years old) were perturbed unexpectedly by a custom made ankle perturbation system in frontal plane under three conditions of without orthotics, using elastic orthosis, and using semirigid stirrup-type orthosis. Simultaneous recording of electrical activity of peronus longus muscle was performed with surface electromyography.

 

Results: The results showed the significant differences between muscular latency of injured and control groups without orthosis (P=0.018). The onset latency reduced using each type of the orthoses in injured group but it was not significant (P>0.05).

 

Conclusion: Although the latency time of peroneus longus muscle response delay didn’t show significant reduction using orthoses in injured group, it seems that using orthoses leads to proprioception improvement and sensiomotor control increasement by stimulation of cutaneous mechanoreceptors.

 

Key words: Functional ankle instability, Invertory perturbation, Electromyography, Orthosis

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Background and Aim: Presently, lecturing is widely used as a teaching method at all Universities particularly, if the aim is to convey the materials to a large class of students. However, nowadays recording the voice of the lecturer has become a common practice and has introduced as a new learning technique. There are studies in which researchers acknowledged this method and have mentioned many advantages for it. On the other hand, many others have declared that this method which might be used for students with certain disabilities may cause distraction and reduces the learning that can occur. The purpose of this study was to compare the method of recorded lectures with note-making in class on undergraduate physiotherapy students’ learning.

  

Materials and Methods : In a descriptive- cross sectional study 29 undergraduate physiotherapy students classified in two groups according to studying methods one group used the method of note-making in class and the other one utilized the method of the voice recording . Four dependent variables including written exam grades, teacher’s evaluation scores, course satisfaction scores, and students’ grades on difficult questions were measured.

  

Results: There were no significant differences between two groups in written exam grades (P=0.92), teacher’s evaluation scores (P=0.55), course satisfaction scores (P=0.57), and on difficult questions grades (P=0.53).

  

Conclusion: Using voice recorders had no significant effect on students’ learning. The results are related to one specific course and can not be extended to other courses.

  

Key words: Lecturing, Voice recording, written exam grades, Teacher’s evaluation scores

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Background and Aim: The number of elderly population in the world and also in Iran has increased due to health improvements and therefore, the quality of life has been focused in this group of population. Physical disabilities and particularly balance disturbances are among the consequences of the ageing process and hence, would affect the quality of life in elderly population. Mental practice is in fact the cognitive review of a physical skill without performing obvious bodily movements. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mental practice of a movement skill on improvement of the quality of life in elderly men (60-80 yrs).

  

Materials and Methods: This was a Single blind Randomized controlled trial (RCT) study. The study was approved by the research ethics committee of the Tehran university of medical science (Irct ID: IRCT201107041722N3). The elderly population was 44 elderly men (60-80 yrs.) who were living in Kahrizak Nursing Home. They were randomly assigned in two groups and entered the study based on inclusion criteria. After baseline assessment, the quality of life of all of participants were assessed by SF36 test and also at 3 various stages (i.e. respectively, before the beginning of ,baseline assessment two weeks after intervention ,short term follow up and 3 months after intervention, long term follow up). Elderly population in the intervention group did mental practice of one movement skill for 4 weeks and during this periods, the control group did no mental practice.

  

Results: The results of our study showed the scores of SF36 in physical component, after the intervention of mental practice, have had a significant difference between the control and intervention groups. Although test scores in mental component and the whole test score showed no significant difference between the case and control groups at 3 stages of assessments.

  

Conclusion: The results of this study showed the significant effects of mental practices on physical component of SF36 in elderly population. However, these results also showed that this type of mental practice had no significant effects on mental component and total score of SF36.

  

Key Word: Quality of life, Balance, Mental practice, Elderly men

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Background and Aim : The aim of this study was to determine the effects of fatigue due to plyometric training on vertical jump ability and activity pattern of rectus femoris of dominant leg of high jump of active girls .

 

Materials and Methods : Seventeen females , mean age (21.5 ± 0.76 years ) were randomly assigned to two experimental (n = 10 ) and control ( n = 7) groups. Experimental group performed plyometric training and control group had no activity. Before and after training , vertical jump test using Ergo jump and electrical activity of rectus femoris muscle of dominant leg using electromyography were tested . The results of vertical jump test showed a decrease in performance (p: 0.04, F: 4.5) and fatigue process was confirmed . The raw EMG signal based on deep jump phases was divided in three phases and only 2 phases of the first were analyzed . In every phase, the maximum activity , amplitude and total time were obtained .respectively. M ultivariate analysis of variance (2×2) was used to compare of post-test of two groups.

 

Results : After one session training , rectus femoris maximum activity of the experimental group showed a significant decrease in pre-activation phase of motor program .

 

Conclusion : This study showed that neural fatigue due to plyometric training can occur in motor program (especially in pre-activation phase of motor program ).

  

Keywords : Deep jump, Plyometric training, Vertical jump, Electromyography, Rectus femoris muscle.

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Background and Aim: Shifting paradigms about how to assess the support needs of person with intellectual disability, in 1980, posed necessity of design and development of appropriate tools more than ever. In this regard, American Association on intellectual and developmental disabilities developed the supports Intensity scale to respond the lack of an appropriate tool. The aim of this study was to do the cultural adaptation and evaluation of psychometric properties of supports intensity scale in adult people with intellectual disability.

 

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive – analytic study, 43 adult persons with intellectual disability participated. Translation and adaptation of the SIS through International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA ) protocol was done. Validity of the test was evaluated by qualitative content validity. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were used for evaluation of reliability.

  

Results: Based on the IQOLA protocol, The SIS had easy translation and relatively good quality. According to results, all items of the test had content validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficients fall in the range (.80-.99) and ICC ranged from .90 to .99

 

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the Persian version of the SIS has good validity and reliability for identifying pattern and intensity of needed supports in adult people with intellectual disability.

 

Key words: Adaptation, Validity, Reliability, Intellectual disability, Supports Intensity Scale

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Background and Aim: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common and expensive musculoskeletal problem in industrialized societies. One in ten people suffers from LBP once in his life. It is self-limited up to 90%, but it is common to repeat. By the way, sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is the origin of low back and pelvic pain in many cases and one of the most important elements in normal musculoskeletal function during gait cycle. Muscles are important to stabilize this joint plus to bones and ligaments. Some of the muscles (Gluteus Maximus, Biceps Femoris, Multi Fidus, Erector Spinae) contributing in gait cycle are important to transfer load through SIJ. The aim of this present study is to compare muscle activity timing during initial and mid stance phase of gait cycle.

  

Methods and Materials: Sixteen low back pain cases and fifteen healthy subjects participated in this study. A footswitch is placed beneath foot at the suffered side in LBP cases and dominant foot in control group. Two markers were on the 5^th metatarsal bone and lateral maleolus. Electrodes are placed on selected muscles according to SENIAM. Digital camera and EMG Datalink were turned on simultaneously and subject started to walk with his own favorite speed in a specific direction and path. Onset and time to peak of selected muscles were recorded during gait by Datalink and processed by its software.

  

Results: Low back pain cases showed delayed muscle onset, although it was not significant (P=0.4). Time to peak of all selected muscles in loading response event in LBP group was longer and significant (P=0.01). There was also significant difference in time to peak of all selected muscles during mid-stance event (P= 0.005) except biceps femoris muscle.

  

Conclusion: Delayed onset and longer time to peak during initial and mid stance phase of gait can be interpreted as a compensatory strategy to control trunk movements effectively, provide sufficient stability and transfer load to lumbar area efficiently.

  

Key words: Muscle activity, Low back pain, Gait, Trunk muscles, Lower Limb Muscles

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Background and Aim: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common and expensive musculoskeletal problem in industrialized societies. One in ten people suffers from LBP once in his life. It is self-limited up to 90%, but it is common to repeat. By the way, sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is the origin of low back and pelvic pain in many cases and one of the most important elements in normal musculoskeletal function during gait cycle. Muscles are important to stabilize this joint plus to bones and ligaments. Some of the muscles (Gluteus Maximus, Biceps Femoris, Multi Fidus, Erector Spinae) contributing in gait cycle are important to transfer load through SIJ. The aim of this present study is to compare muscle activity timing during initial and mid stance phase of gait cycle.

  

Methods and Materials: Sixteen low back pain cases and fifteen healthy subjects participated in this study. A footswitch is placed beneath foot at the suffered side in LBP cases and dominant foot in control group. Two markers were on the 5^th metatarsal bone and lateral maleolus. Electrodes are placed on selected muscles according to SENIAM. Digital camera and EMG Datalink were turned on simultaneously and subject started to walk with his own favorite speed in a specific direction and path. Onset and time to peak of selected muscles were recorded during gait by Datalink and processed by its software.

  

Results: Low back pain cases showed delayed muscle onset, although it was not significant (P=0.4). Time to peak of all selected muscles in loading response event in LBP group was longer and significant (P=0.01). There was also significant difference in time to peak of all selected muscles during mid-stance event (P= 0.005) except biceps femoris muscle.

  

Conclusion: Delayed onset and longer time to peak during initial and mid stance phase of gait can be interpreted as a compensatory strategy to control trunk movements effectively, provide sufficient stability and transfer load to lumbar area efficiently.

  

Key words: Muscle activity, Low back pain, Gait, Trunk muscles, Lower Limb Muscles

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Background and Aim: Postural control is the ability of maintaining of the body posture in space. Peripheral and central factors have important role in muscle fatigue. Repetitive muscle contraction leads to muscle fatigue. If strength is educed up to 30% of maximum contraction can be disturbed stance control of subjects. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of lumbar muscle fatigue on postural control in athlete and non-athlete subjects.

  

Materials and Methods: Fifteen men as athlete subjects and other fifteen matched men as non- athlete subjects participated in this study. Trunk extensor muscle fatigue was produced by dynamometer. Stance postural sways were evaluated by force platform device in bipedal stance with open eye.

  

Results: In pre-fatigue state there is no significant difference between two groups. Fatigue had significantly effect on postural sways in both group after Lumbar muscle fatigue specially in non-athlete group (P ≥ 0.05) .

  

Conclusion: The postural control of athletes after muscle fatigue was better than non athlete subjects probably due to better proprioception in athlete subjects.

  

Keywords: Muscle fatigue, Postural control, Force plattform.

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Background and Aim : Trauma or micro-trauma over prolonged period of time can lead to

  pathoanatomical changes and passive instability of the sacroiliac joint. These subjects often reluctant to bear full weight through the impaired side of the pelvis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise therapy on symmetric distribution of weight in sacroiliac joint instability in standing and walking through Alfoot device.

 

Materials and Methods : In this study, 17 subjects with sacroiliac joint instability with age range of 20-40 years were selected by simple sampling. Subjects performed a single session of training that involve five tasks in 3 sets, including sitting on gym ball, lying on gym ball, quadruped, standing near wall and standing on tilt board. Before, immediately after, 5 and 10 minutes after intervention , scanning the both feet were recorded during standing and walking.

 

Results : The amount of weight on both feet in bipedal stance position were significantly different before and immediately after the intervention. But this difference , 5 minutes (p =0.058) and 10 minutes (p =0.110) was not significantly different after exercise therapy. The pressure on the middle part of the foot during walking significantly increased immediately after the intervention and it continues up to 10 minutes .

  

Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that training of lumbopelvic muscles can be an effective way to improve weight distribution on the affected side in patients with sacroiliac joint instability .

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Background and Aim: The calculated parameters of the center of pressure (COP) are suitable indicators for evaluating balance in patients after rehabilitation. Therefore, determining the reliability level of each parameter is a matter of great importance. This study tried to determine the reliability of some parameters of the COP sway in patients with myofascial neck pain in different postural situations.

  

Materials and Methods: The present study is a test-retest reliability design. Twenty patients with myofascial neck pain performed a single and a double leg test with open and closed eyes on a force plate and with open eyes on foam in three sessions with a 30 minute intervals for 30 seconds. Antero-posterior and medio-lateral sway range, mean velocity and mean area of sway were calculated.

  

Results: The mean velocity showed high reliability (0.98) in all situations, but the other parameters were variable in different situations.

  

Conclusions: The results showed that some COP parameters are highly reliable in assessment of patients with myofascial neck pain.

  

Keywords: Reliability, Myofascial neck pain, Center of pressure, Force plate

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Background and Aim: One of the most common complaints of gait disorders in children is intoeing gait. The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of gait plate insole on gait angle of intoed children.

  

Materials and Methods: Angle of gait was measured in 17 children aged 4 to 10 years with intoeing gait in 3 modalities: barefoot, ordinary shoes and gait plate insole with ordinary shoes for 3 times consecutively with Rs scan pressure platform.

 

Results: Gait plate insole with ordinary shoes as well as ordinary shoes alone caused a significant increase (p<0.05) in angle of gait in intoed children. As gait plate insole with ordinary shoes and ordinary shoes increase angle of gait 11.16 and 3.85 degrees respectively versus barefoot.

 

Conclusion: Use of gait plate insole in association with ordinary shoes can improve gait appearance in children with intoeing gait.

 

Keywords: Intoeing gait, Gait plate insole, Angle of gait, Gait angle

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Background and Aim: Acquaintance about different stretching methods and applying of the most effective them is necessary to improve sport skills, prevent sport injuries and accurate treatment. Several techniques of stretching exercises are recommended to improve flexibility and among them static, dynamic and PNF techniques have been widely used. The purpose of present study was to compare immediate 24 and 48 hours effects of static, dynamic and PNF stretching techniques on boy students hamstring flexibility.

 

 

 

 

 

Materials and Methods: The study was Quasi Experimental with one pre-test and 3 post test. One hundred and sixty eight high school students (age, 15.7 ± 0.07 years height, 171.2 ± 0.56 cm weight 63.9 ±1.14 kg) participated in this study. Participants randomly assigned into for groups.  Group one performed static, group two dynamic, group three PNF techniques of stretching and fourth group considered as a control group. The groups participated during 3 days on this study. To measure hamstring flexibility sit and reach test was administered pre and post intervention.

 

 

 

 

 

Results: ANOVA with repeated measures were used to analyze the data. The finding revealed significant differences between pre and post tests for all three stretching techniques immediately after stretching exercises while no changes was reported for control group (P&le0.05). Tokays fallow up tests indicated that 24 and 48 hours post intervention effects of static and PNF stretching were remained while dynamic stretching effect was disappeared 24 hours post intervention.

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion:  Based on the finding of this study all three stretching techniques improved immediately hamstring flexibility while the effect of static and PNF techniques of stretching remained up to 48 hours post stretching. As a result, static and PNF stretching are more efficient than dynamic stretching.

 

 

 

 

 

Keywords: PNF stretching, Static stretching, Dynamic stretching, Flexibility    

 

 

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Background and Aim: Researches had shown that the high levels of shear and compression stresses that appear in the articular cartilage after meniscectomy are partly responsible for cartilage pathologies, such as osteoarthrosis . In this study, we probe to determine the stress distribution of the medial and lateral meniscus and to choose the appropriate region of meniscectomy.

 

Materials and Methods: Biomechanical 3D finite element model of the knee joint was generated from CT-scan images. Mimics modeled the bony structure of knee and Solidworks developed the medial and lateral meniscus.

  

Results: Under an axial femoral compressive load, the maximal contact stress in the articular cartilage after meniscectomy was about twice that of a healthy joint. The maximal contact pressures took place in the posterior region of the medial meniscus, with average values of 1.622 MPa and in the anterior horn of the lateral menisci with 1.159 MPa.

  

Results: Critical regions determine the allowed region of menisectomy for surgeon. Not only stress distribution doesn`t change by increasing of body weight or meniscectomy, but also the rate of stress increase after meniscectomy.

 

 

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Background and Aim: There are many studies about differences between children who stutter and normal pairs in language and cognition domains. On the other hand, a variety of treatment approaches is suggested for stuttering therapy in children. One of them is prolongation (a fluency shaping approach). The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of prolongation approach on phonological working memory in children with mild and moderate stuttering.

Materials and Methods: Twenty five children who stutter 4 to 6 years old were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then non-word repetition test, pre and post treatment were conducted. Intervention process was based on Hedge’s treatment protocol (prolongation). Their score in non word repetition test and stuttering severity was calculated by SSI, pre and post intervention and compared by SPSS soft ware (version 18) And Wilcoxon singed – rank test .

Results: Severity of stuttering was diminished significantly after and before treatment (p<0.05). In non word repetition test, the number of correct non word including single syllable, two syllable and three syllable, pre and post treatment showed significant differences (p<0.05).  There was no relationship between children’s age and their improvement (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Results revealed that prolongation approach had significant effect on improving non word repetition ability and diminishing severity of stuttering. This approach as a form of fluency shaping which usually is based on motor theories had significant effect on increasing phonological working memory capacity.

Key words: Stuttering, Phonological working memory, Fluency shaping, Prolongation approach

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Background and Aim: Rotator cuff tendon rupture is the most frequent cause of shoulder pain and disability, especially in middle and old age. Physiotherapy is known as non-surgical or conservative treatment for it. The goal of this research was to investigate the effect of physiotherapy treatment in full-thickness tear of Supraspinatus tendon on shoulder pain and shoulder active range of motion.

Materials and Methods: In this before and after clinical trial, 17 patients (5 men and 12 women) with average age of 54.35±7.13 years old whom had full-thickness tear of Supraspinatus tendon were treated within 30 physiotherapy clinical sessions. The physiotherapy protocol for patients was included of heat, ultrasound and electrical stimulations modules and exercise therapy program was consisted of three components of stretching, strengthening and endurance. Patients in the first, twentieth and at the end of the thirtieth session were evaluated for pain and range of motion. Pain variable by visual analogue scale and range of motion variable by goniometer were evaluated.

Results: Within subjects ANOVA (parametric) and Friedman (nonparametric) tests showed a significant difference in pain and range of motion between before and after physiotherapy (P <0.01).

Conclusions: This study showed that physiotherapy may reduce pain and improve range of motion of shoulder in surgery candidate patients with full-thickness tear of Supraspinatus tendon and decrease client needs to surgery. However, studies with longer follow-up are recommended to evaluate this outcome.

Keywords: Supraspinatus tendon tears, Physiotherapy, Pain, Range of motion, Visual analogue scale, Goniometer