Abstract Title: The use of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and rehabilitation in the treatment of back pain: effect on health-related quality of life. Abstract Source: Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Jul-Sep;22(3 Suppl):45-50. PMID: 19887043 Abstract Author(s): M Ranieri, M Sciuscio, A M Cortese, A Santamato, L Di Teo, G Ianieri, R G Bellomo, M Stasi, M Megna Article Affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences Department, Aldo Moro University, Bari 70124, Italy. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Abstract: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and the beneficial effect of physical exercise on positive sensory symptoms and neuropathic pain in patients with compressive radiculopathy syndrome from disc-nerve root conflict. Often these painful syndromes after the acute event, tend to recurr becoming subacute or chronic syndromes that become for the period of interest disabiling is an event very important in these cases proper prevention, based on a maintenance drug therapy and the strengthening exercises of paravertebral muscles, flexibility exercises on the spine and when needed on the reduction of body weight. In this Observational Cohort, two-arm trial, 203 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups, the first, ALA and GLA group, (n = 101) received oral dose of 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and 360 mg of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and a rehabilitation program for six weeks, the second (n = 102) treated with only rehabilitation program. Patients were recruited at the centre of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, they underwent a physiatric examination at the primary outcome (t0) and secondary outcomes were recorded at monitoring visits scheduled at two weeks = t1, four weeks = t2, six weeks = t3, and at the same has been administered the following scale: VAS scale, SF-36, Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, Aberdeen Back Pain Scale (ABPS), Revised Leeds Disability Questionnaire (LDQ), Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire. Significant improvements was noted in the ALA and GLA group for paresthesia, stabbing and burning pain, as showed by VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale; also, improvements of quality of life has been noted, in the same group, as showed by SF-36, LDQ (Revised Leeds Disability Questionnaire), Roland and Morris disability questionnaire. All these outcome measure showed statistically significant decreases. Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) for six weeks in synergy with rehabilitation therapy improved neuropathic symptoms and deficits in patients with radicular neuropathy. Article Published Date : Jul 01, 2009

Abstract Title: The immediate effect of musculoskeletal physiotherapy techniques and massage on pain and ease of breathing in adults with cystic fibrosis. Abstract Source: J Cyst Fibros. 2009 Jan;8(1):79-81. Epub 2008 Aug 20. PMID: 18718820 Abstract Author(s): Annemarie Lee, Melissa Holdsworth, Anne Holland, Brenda Button Abstract: The optimal treatment approach to musculoskeletal pain in cystic fibrosis remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effect of a combination of musculoskeletal physiotherapy techniques and massage therapy on musculoskeletal pain and ease of breathing. A single treatment session was associated with reduction in pain and improvement in ease of breathing in adults with cystic fibrosis. Article Published Date : Jan 01, 2009