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Background and Objective: Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease and associated with degeneration of the joint cartilage. Its high prevalence, particulary in the elderly, and the high rate of disability related to disease make it a leading cause of disability. The symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain, morning stiffness and joint limited motion. This study was carired out to compare the effects of physical modalities and home based exercise training on symptoms and function of knee osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, fourty patients with knee osteoarthritis according to the American college of rheumatology (ACR) criteria randomly divided into two treatment groups. The physical modality group (A) received TENS, US and Hot pack at pain areas. The exercise group (B) received isometric exercise of the knee. Each group received 3 treatment sessions per week for 4 weeks. Evaluating measuring tools were pain intensity (based on Visual Analogue Scale: VAS) and function was measured with koos questionnare. Results: Improvement in pain, quality of life, symptoms, sports and reduction, in pain intensity on VAS in the physical modality group after treatment were seen (P<0.05). Also significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life observed in the exercise group. Improvement in activity of daily life found in the physical modality group in comparison with exercise group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that physical modality and exercise training reduce pain and improve quality of life, activity of daily life and sport in patients with the same rate. While activity of daily life improve more in physical modality method.

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Background and Objective: The reduction of shoe heel height can increase abdominal muscles activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of low shoe heel height on the trunk muscle activity in young healthy females. Materials and Methods: In this quasi- experimental (Pre-post ) study, 48 healthy females were evaluated at University of social welfare and rehabilitation at 2009-2010. Females were selected in a non probability sampling manner and divided randomly into two groups. Subjects in the first group (12 females) were used low heel height shoes(less than 3.4 cm) for six months. The second group (12 female) was used standard heel shoes height (3.5-5 cm) for six months. After the end of the first step of study, females in first group were used standard heel shoes height (3.5-5 cm) for six months. The Kinsiologic Electromyography instrument was used to test the Electromyography magnitude of rectus abdominal and external oblique activity. Data was analyzed with Paired and independent T student and Kolmogorrov-Smirnov tests. Results: Muscle activity in first and second groups at external oblique was 9.72±3.15 μν and 7.87±2.47 μν and at rectus abdominal was 11.60±3.58 μν and 9.81±3.46 μν respectively. Muscle activity before and after using standard shoe heel height was significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that using lower heel shoes height increase the trunk muscle activity.