Study on the effects of the use of therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of osteoarticular diseases

Introduction. The use of therapeutic ultrasounds is a method that proved its efficiency in articu-lar and periarticular pathology, in the subacute and chronic stages. The biological effects of the ultrasound use are determined by their interaction with the cellular structures whereas the re-sults depend on the used parameters. The purpose of the survey is to evaluate / identify the ef-fects of using ultrasounds in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions (lumbar discopathy), knee osteoarthritis). Material and method. The survey was conducted on an outpatient basis in a period of 7 months and it is of the longitudinal type. It included 151 patients diagnosed with low back pain and knee osteoarthritis. The evaluated parameters were: pain, functional skills, articu-lar rigidity and the quality of life. Results. The effects of the use of ultrasounds is found in the decrease of pain, the stiffness of the joints and the contracture of the muscles, as shown by the re-sults of several surveys. Our survey proves that the use of ultrasounds decreases pain and in-creases the functional skills, it influences the physical function more obviously in patients with knee osteoarthritis, which is an aspect found in others surveys. Discussion. The use of a complex ultrasound treatment (in the pulsed way to avoid thermal effects) and kinesiotherapy enabled in our research the decrease of the pain and of the rigidity in the joints, the increase of the function-al skills and the quality of life, whereas these obtained results are in accordance with those of others surveys. Conclusions. The use of the therapeutic ultrasounds can have the following ef-fects: the decrease of the pain and of the joint rigidity, the improvement of the physical capacity for daily activities and the improvement of the quality of life. The use of low intensity ultra-sounds can determine biological effects with actions for a short period or for an average one. Keywords: therapeutic ultrasound, treatment, osteoarticular diseases, quality of life

Assessment of the physical and emotional health concerning the students' physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction. SARS CoV-2 caused the third global pandemic and by applying quarantine / isolation / lockdown, the movement was restricted, the physical contact between people was reduced, the physical activity was low, but the activities using electronic devices at home were frequent. The aim of the study was to assess the physical and emotional health in relation to the physical activities done during quarantine/ isolation during the pandemic. Material and method. The study was cross-sectional and consisted of completing an online questionnaire. It was conducted in a period of 6 months and it included 334 students. In order to point out the symptoms caused by quarantine / isolation/ lockdown, we considered it useful for students to participate by completing an online questionnaire about physical activities, physical health and emotional state, related to the implications of participating in online courses. Results. The questions in this questionnaire were grouped on the following aspects: physical activity, physical health, emotional state, all in the context of the pandemic period, including the period in which the academic activity was online. Thus, in the first year, there is a positive correlation between physical condition, physical activity, emotional signs and cognitive ones. In the second year, the positive correlation is present between the physical and the affective signs, whereas the negative correlation is between the affective signs, the cognitive ones and the physical activity. In the third year, the positive correlation is obvious between the affective signs, the cognitive ones and the physical activity, whereas the negative one between the physical and cognitive signs, as well as between the physical activity and the cognitive and physical signs. Discussions. There is a link between emotional and cognitive symptoms and physical health. Fear, anxiety, behavioral disorders, and limited physical activity among students during this period can be a public health issue. Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the physical and mental state, with a greater resonance for youth, especially pupils and students. Many of them had emotional, behavioral, physical and cognitive symptoms. These symptoms are found to a greater extent in students in the final years, due to the social impact, social and professional integration. Keywords: physical health, mental state, students,