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Background and Aim: Treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome is a challenging problem for the physiotherapists and the conservative approach preferred for treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine and to compare the effects of stretching and nerve mobilization exercises on pain intensity and upper extremity functions in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. Materials and Methods: For this double-blind, randomized controlled trail, 20 patients with thoracic outlet syndrome aging 34.95±12.9 years were recruited from zahedan physiotherapy clinics. The patients were randomly assigned to either a stretching (n=10) or a nerve mobilization groups (n=10). Before and after three weeks treatment, shoulder range of motion (degree), pain intensity (ordinal), two point discrimination(mm) and shoulder function (ordinal) were measured using goniometer, visual pain scale, caliper and shoulder pain and disability index, respectively. Independent and paired T-tests were used for comparisons between and within groups, respectively. Results: The mean of shoulder pain and disability index decreased from 92.3±9.6 to 40.5±13.9 in the stretching exercises group and from 81.0±16.3 to 25.0±12.6 in the nerve mobilization group (P>0.05). After treatment, the mean of shoulder pain and disability index decrement was greater in the nerve mobilization group than the stretching one (P>0.05). The mean range of motion of shoulder increased in both groups (P>0.05). However, no significant difference was seen between two groups in measures of shoulder joint range of motion, pain intensity and two point discrimination (P<0.05). Conclusion: Both the stretching and nerve mobilization exercises decrease pain intensity and improve hand two point discrimination, shoulder function and joint ranges of motion. However, in order to improve shoulder function, the nerve mobilization exercises are more effective than other one.

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Background and Aim: Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common disabilities and has caused a lot of limitations in human. There are many methods proposed for its treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of grade one mobilization of patellofemoral joint on reducing the pain and joint stiffness and improving the physical function in knee osteoarthritis patients. Materials and Methods: This study was one side blind clinical trial which was carried out in physical therapy department of Sarcheshmeh copper town polyclinic. The patients were selected randomly. Outcome instrument was WOMAC index (sum of data resulted from WOMAC questionnaire form) and measurements were done before and after treatment nearly one week after final treatment session. 30 patients with diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, grade two or three, were divided into 3 groups randomly: Group 1: Mobilization + Exercise therapy, Group 2: Exercise therapy and Group 3: Mobilization. The ultrasound with the intensity below 0.2 w/cm2 in three minutes was used for all groups as placebo. The duration of treatment was 10 sessions for 3 weeks. To analyze the data, nonparametric tests were used at the significance level of 0.05. Results: In group one, WOMAC index decreased from 61.5+9.69 before treatment to 49.7+11.88 after treatment (P=0.005). In group two, WOMAC index decreased from 56.7+17.24 before treatment to 45.2+19.90 after treatment (p=0.022), and in group three, WOMAC index decreased from 59.6+16.51 before treatment to 47.7+19.72 after treatment (p=0.059). The difference of WOMAC index at the follow-up session, in comparison with the one before treatment, was significant only in group one which decreased to 50.1+11.73 (p=0.005). Conclusion: This study showed that grade 1 mobilization of patellofemoral joint can cause the effect of exercise therapy on reducing the pain and joint stiffness and improving the physical function in patients with grade 2 or 3 knee osteoarthritis continue at least for about one week.