Articles
Publication Date: 2025
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (15329283)45pp. 746-755
Background: Most COVID-19 patients who require mechanical ventilation (MV) often experience significant long-term sequelae following intervention. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) exercises on postural stability (PS), pulmonary function (PF), motor performance (MP), and quality of life (QoL) in recovered COVID-19 patients after weaning from mechanical ventilation. Methods: Twenty-three patients with COVID-19, with an average age of 50 years, were randomly divided into control (CON; n = 12) and intervention (INT; n = 11) groups. The INT group underwent DNS exercise, engaging in 40-min sessions three times per week for a total period of 6 weeks. PS was assessed using Biodex, PF with spirometry, MP with the timed up and go test (TUG), the functional reach test (FRT), and QoL using the SF-36 questionnaire before and one week after the intervention. Results: Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated a significant difference in PS, PF, MP, and QoL between the CON and INT groups (p ≤ 0.05) following DNS exercise. Conclusion: DNS exercises can be effectively integrated into physical exercise and rehabilitative programs to improve PS, PF, MP, and QoL in COVID-19 survivors with post-COVID symptoms. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd
Publication Date: 2024
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation (20521847)16(1)
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common disorder and is considered one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, resulting in adverse health, social, and economic outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effects and durability of 8-week Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) exercises on pain, functional disability, and quality of life in individuals aged 30 to 50 years with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Methods: This research employed a pre- and post-test design with a follow-up period, in which 29 participants (16 in the control group and 13 in the exercise group) remained until the end of the study. Pain intensity, functional disability, and quality of life were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index, and the SF-36 questionnaire, respectively, before intervention, immediately after, and two months post-intervention. The control group continued their routine daily activities, while the exercise group performed DNS exercises three times a week for 8 weeks. The data was analyzed using a mixed-design ANOVA (P ≤ 0.05). Results: The results showed improvements in pain (F (2,24) = 5.31, P = 0.01, η2 = 0.31), functional disability (F (2,24) = 4.17, P = 0.03, η2 = 0.26), and quality of life (F (2,24) = 4.70, P = 0.02, η2 = 0.28) in the exercise group at the Post-test compared to the Pre-test. However, the durability of the exercise effects at the follow-up assessment was not sustainable compared to the Post-test and Pre-test (P > 0.05). Conclusion: An 8-week period of DNS exercises can improve pain, functional disability, and quality of life in individuals with NSCLBP. However, a 2-month period of detraining can reduce the positive outcomes of these exercises. Trial registration: The researchers retrospectively registered this trial on 21/04/2024, with the identifier IRCT20240107060646N1 in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) at the following address: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir. © The Author(s) 2024.
