International Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 

About: International Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Rehabilitation. It has an ISSN identifier of 2329-9096. Over the lifetime, 1576 publications have been published receiving 5383 citations.

The Application of Medicinal Plants in Traditional and Modern Medicine: A Review of Thymus vulgaris

Abstract: Medicinal plants have played an essential role in the development of human culture. Medicinal plants are resources of traditional medicines and many of the modern medicines are produced indirectly from plants. This study illustrates the importance of traditional and modern medicines in the treatment and management of human diseases and ailments. It has been confirmed by WHO that herbal medicines serve the health needs of about 80 percent of the world’s population; especially for millions of people in the vast rural areas of developing countries. Meanwhile, consumers in developed countries are becoming disillusioned with modern health care and are seeking alternatives. Thymus vulgaris is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiacea. Thymus is a widely used medicinal plant in food and pharmaceutical industries. Among different species of Thymus, Thymus vulgaris is used more than other species in therapeutic dosage forms. In Traditional medicine T. vulgaris is cultivated in many countries by most people especially in rural areas depending on herbal medicines to treat many diseases including inflammation-related ailments such as rheumatism, muscle swelling, insect bites, pains, etc. Also the modern medicine in essential oil of thyme has demonstrated that the compounds have shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. In this review the objective is to consider the past and present value of medicinal plants such as Thymus vulgar is used in traditional and modern medical practices as bioactive natural compounds.

Low-Load Bench Press Training to Fatigue Results in Muscle Hypertrophy Similar to High-Load Bench Press Training

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the training responses observed with low-load resistance exercise to volitional fatigue translates into significant muscle hypertrophy, and compare that response to high-load resistance training. Nine previously untrained men (aged 25 [SD 3] years at the beginning of the study, standing height 1.73 [SD 0.07] m, body mass 68.9 [SD 8.1] kg) completed 6-week of high load-resistance training (HL-RT) (75% of one repeti-tion maximal [1RM], 3-sets, 3x/wk) followed by 12 months of detraining. Following this, subjects completed 6 weeks of low load-resistance training (LL-RT) to volitional fatigue (30% 1 RM, 4 sets, 3x/wk). Increases (p < 0.05) in magnetic resonance imaging-measured triceps brachii and pectorals major muscle cross-sectional areas were similar for both HL-RT (11.9% and 17.6%, respectively) and LL-RT (9.8% and 21.1%, respectively). In addition, both groups increased (p < 0.05) 1RM and maximal elbow extension strength following training; however, the percent increases in 1RM (8.6% vs. 21.0%) and elbow extension strength (6.5% vs. 13.9%) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower with LL-RT. Both protocols elicited similar increases in muscle cross-sectional area, however differences were observed in strength. An explanation of the smaller relative increases in strength may be due to the fact that detraining after HL-RT did not cause strength values to return to baseline levels thereby producing smaller changes in strength. In addition, the results may also suggest that the consistent practice of lifting a heavy load is necessary to maximize gains in muscular strength of the trained movement. These results demonstrate that significant muscle hypertrophy can occur without high-load resistance training and suggests that the focus on percentage of external load as the important deciding factor on muscle hypertrophy is too simplistic and inappropriate.

Understanding Spatial and Temporal Gait Asymmetries in Individuals Post Stroke

Abstract: Gait asymmetry in spatial and temporal parameters and its impacts on functional activities have always raised many interesting questions in research and rehabilitation. The aim of this topical review is threefold: 1) to examine different equations of asymmetry of gait parameters and make recommendations for standardization, 2) to deepen the understanding of the relationships between sensorimotor deficits, spatiotemporal (step length, swing time and double support time) and biomechanical (kinematic, kinetic, muscular activity) parameter asymmetries during gait and, 3) to summarize the impacts of gait asymmetry on walking speed, falls, and energy cost in individuals post stroke. In light of current literature, we recommend quantifying spatiotemporal asymmetries by calculating symmetry ratios. However, for other gait parameters (such as kinetic or kinematic data), the choice will depend on the variability of the data and the objective of the study. Regardless of the selected asymmetry equation, we recommend presenting the asymmetry values in combination with the mean value of each side to facilitate comparisons between studies. This review also revealed that sensorimotor deficits clinically measured are not sufficient to explain the large variability of spatiotemporal asymmetries (particularly for step length and double support time) in individuals post stroke. Biomechanical analysis has been identified as a relevant approach to understanding gait deviations. Studies that linked biomechanical impairments to spatiotemporal asymmetries suggest that a balance issue and an impaired paretic forward propulsion could be among the important factors underlying spatiotemporal asymmetries. In our opinion, this paper provides meaningful information to aid in better understanding gait deviations in persons after stroke and establishes the need for future studies regrouping individuals post stroke according to their spatiotemporal asymmetries. Furthermore, further studies targeting efficacy of locomotor rehabilitation and the impacts of gait asymmetry on risk of falls and energy expenditure are needed.

Evaluation of the Mental Fatigue Scale and its relation to Cognitive and Emotional Functioning after Traumatic Brain Injury or Stroke

Abstract: Objective: After traumatic brain injury (TBI) or stroke, long-term mental fatigue may occur with significant impact on work and social interactions. With the intention to measure mental fatigue irrespective of neurological illness, we developed the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS). The scale incorporates affective, cognitive and sensory symptoms, duration of sleep and daytime variation in symptom severity. In this study, we evaluated the MFS and its relationship to cognitive and emotional functions. Participants: Healthy controls and well-rehabilitated subjects suffering from mental fatigue after mild TBI, TBI or stroke (age 19-69) were included in the study. Results: The results showed MFS to be invariant to age, gender and education. A cutoff score at 10.5 is suggested. Of the cognitive functions measured, information processing speed was found to be a significant predictor for the rating on MFS. We found that a significant effect on depression between controls and brain injured subjects can be a misleading conclusion if the effect of mental fatigue is not considered. Conclusions: We suggest MFS to be linked to mental impairment after brain injury. This study also demonstrated that mental fatigue must be treated as a separate construct and should not be mixed up with depression or anxiety.

Rating of Perceived Exertion for Quantification of the Intensity of Resistance Exercise

Abstract: Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is widely used in exercise tests using cycle ergometers (incremental aerobic exercise) for patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, RPE has also been used widely for determining the intensity of resistance exercise for healthy subjects. RPE anchoring is associated with percentage of 1 repetition maximum or the percentage of maximal voluntary contraction. This short communication explains a concrete method of RPE to quantify the intensity of resistance exercise. Physicians, physical therapists, and medical staff should use RPE for determining the intensity of resistance exercise in clinical practise.