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Objective  To compare the effect of supervised physical therapy versus video-assisted technique in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain. Materials and Methods  This is a comparative study. Forty-two patients were recruited in the study where they were randomized by simple random sampling. Group A (n  = 21) received supervised physical therapy, and Group B (n  = 21) received the video-assisted technique. The intervention was given 45 minutes per day for 15 days. The measures of visual analog scale (VAS) and Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) were taken both at baseline and after 15 days of intervention. Results  Comparison between the two groups using Mann–Whitney U test, supervised physiotherapy group showed significant improvement in VAS on activity, RMQ, and RMQ percentage (p  < 0.005). However, Group A, VAS on rest was not significant (p  > 0.005). Conclusion  Supervised physical therapy is effective in reducing pain on activity and improved the disability of patients with chronic mechanical low back pain than the video-assisted technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of very early mobilisation on functional status following acute stroke. Design: Single blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting: University hospital. Subjects: Eighty-six patients with acute stroke (42 men and 38 women) aged 30-80 years were randomized to an Intervention group and a Standard care group. Interventions: All participants received 45 minutes standard care once a day for seven days. In addition, the intervention group (n=43) performed very early mobilisation consisting of early and frequent out of bed activities which started within 24 hours of stroke onset for 5 to 30 minutes at least twice a day, for seven days. Outcome measures: Functional status was measured with Barthel ADL Index on admission, discharge and three months follow up. Results: Intervention group showed a significant improvement in Barthel Index change scores (discharge - admission) (median=35, IQR=30-38.75 versus median=17.50, IQR=10-30) than the standard care group. Intervention group showed a significant improvement in Barthel Index change scores (three month follow up - admission) (median=42.50, IQR=35-55) versus (median=30, IQR=20-35) than the standard care group. The Intervention group reported statistically significant improvement in functional status at discharge (P<0.001) and at three months follow up (P<0.001) compared with the Standard care group. Conclusions: The results indicate that very early mobilisation in addition to the standard care may be effective in improving the functional status following acute stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]