Functional Pathologies of the Musculoskeletal System in Physiotherapy Students

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study map the occurrence of functional pathologies of the musculoskeletal system in students of the bachelor's program of physiotherapy of the Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and aim on improvement of them.

Detailed Description
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The aim of this study is to map the occurrence of functional pathologies of the musculoskeletal system in students of the bachelor's program of physiotherapy of the Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and to examine their postural functions. Another goal is to teach the students of the experimental group how to remove functional pathologies of the musculoskeletal system and how to change their motor behaviour and postural functions so that the development of functional disorders no longer occurs.

Official Title
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Occurrence and Characteristics of Functional Pathologies of the Musculoskeletal System in Physiotherapy Students and the Possibility of Influencing Them

Conditions
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Low Back Pain, Postural

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Differential diagnostic


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Bachelor's study of physiotherapy at the Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University The presence of functional pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (verification by means of Trigger Points) Exclusion Criteria: Serious cardiovascular or orthopedic dysfunction Neurological disease Reduced cognitive functions complicating examination and subsequent therapy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Screening
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: individual outpatient physiotherapy<br>individual outpatient physiotherapy (7 times in two and a half months, approx. 90 minutes) aimed at correcting functional pathologies of the musculoskeletal system assessed by differential diagnosis (removal of trigger points, stretching of shortened muscles and mobilization of joint blockages) and changing of motor program that led to the occurrence of the functional disorder by means of Motor Programmes Activating Therapy | Diagnostic Test: Differential diagnostic<br>* Physiotherapy aimed at correcting functional pathologies of the musculoskeletal system assessed by differential diagnosis (removal of trigger points, stretching of shortened muscles and mobilization of joint blockages)<br>|
| Active Comparator: Without changing the current habits<br>It will not change the existing habits. At the same time, however, these are physiotherapy students who will participate in the classes. Their motor behaviour can thus be influenced in a natural way. | Diagnostic Test: Differential diagnostic<br>* Physiotherapy aimed at correcting functional pathologies of the musculoskeletal system assessed by differential diagnosis (removal of trigger points, stretching of shortened muscles and mobilization of joint blockages)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Trigger Points at 3 months | Local hypertonic change in muscle function arising as a manifestation of pathogenic tension, 0 no trigger point, 2 maximal tiger point (higher value, worse function) | Pre-assessment (baseline testing), Post-assessment (immediately after the end of three months). | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in the Foot posture index at 3 and 15 month | Clinical examination of the foot type ranging from significantly pronated (values 6 - 12) to significantly supinated (values from -1 to -12) one according to the 6-item, higher value (both negative or positive) means worse function. | Pre-assessment (baseline testing), Post-assessment (immediately after the end of three months), Follow up (at 15 months). | 
| Change in Foot morphology and flexibility at 3 and 15 month | examination by means of the full foot 3D scanner Footscan® and the software 3D scanner 7.7 while sitting and standing still. Arch high index defines two kinds of pathologies: hypermobility under 0,6, norm 0,7 - 0,8, rigidity 0,9 - 1,3 | Pre-assessment (baseline testing), Post-assessment (immediately after the end of three months), Follow up (at 15 months). | 
| Change in Postural stability at 3 and 15 month | evaluation of the level of postural stability using the total path of displacement of the centre of pressure of the body on the mat in mm and the maximum displacement obtained in the latero-lateral and in the anteroposterior direction in mm (lower number means better function), measurement using the RS Footscan® tensiometric plate, higher value means worse function. | Pre-assessment (baseline testing), Post-assessment (immediately after the end of three months), Follow up (at 15 months). | 
| Change in the subtalar joint flexibility at 3 and 15 month | mobility of the subtalar joint during the initial phase of walking (software evaluation after walking barefoot on the Footscan® tensiometric plate). Under 5.5° means normal range of pronation and normal function. Higher values mean worse function and pathologic pronation during initial phase of gait. | Pre-assessment (baseline testing), Post-assessment (immediately after the end of three months), Follow up (at 15 months). | 
| Change in the foot progression angle at 3 and 15 month | rotation of the foot during walking (software evaluation after walking barefoot on the Footscan® tensiometric plate). Normal angle 0-5.4°, in-toeing (inwards rotation) under 0°, out-toeing (outward rotation) above 5.5°. | Pre-assessment (baseline testing), Post-assessment (immediately after the end of three months), Follow up (at 15 months). | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial, Motor Activity, Physiotherapy