IUSM research
IUSM of RomeIstituto Universitario di Scienze Motorie (University Institute of Sports Science)Università degli Studi in Rome for Sport and Movement |
The following data concern the application of the principles related to Pancafit® at the laboratory of Ergonomics and Posturology of IUSM in Rome exclusively following the instructions given together with the tool.
The application has therefore been carried out without adopting the whole Raggi Method® as an expert would do after attending the training courses held by Posturalmed scientific team.
I certify that at the laboratory that I personally manage four researches have been carried out taking into consideration four different areas of application of the tool called Pancafit® and the effectiveness of the method developed by its inventor, Dr. Daniele Raggi. In particular, our studies focused on the in-depth analysis of the following research fields:
- Prevention of sport traumas;
- Correction of the morpho-functional dystonias in infants and adolescents;
- Antalgic in the treatment of spine pain;
- Postural reactivation for the elderly.
The first study aimed to investigate the status of the myofascial tension of the quadratus lumborum muscle among a group of 14 male athletes practicing heavy athletics aged between 20 and 27 who suffered at least once a week pain at lumbo-sacral level.
The material used included:
- The tool Pancafit®;
- Electromyographic biofeedback Satem Modulab 800 with three main scales of measurement in mV: 0-10; 0-100; 0-1000; with a resolution respectively of 0,01 - 0,1 - 1; precision ± 2%.
The EMG device allows to measure the average electromyographic values on electrodes application times of: 1-2-4-6-8-10-30-60 seconds with a resolution of 0.001-0.01-0.1 mV. To carry out the research the electrodes have been placed on the quadratus lumborum muscles: the measurement has been done by calculating the average value of the data collected during a 60-second interval on a scale of 10 mV and a resolution of 0,01 mV.
The analysis of the myoelectric activity measured on this musculature, the subject lying down face up and legs stretched, carried out in a 60-second temporal interval, resulted in a maximum (Max) and a minimum (Min) value expressed in mV.
The analysis of the collected data showed the percentage of improvements and of stationary conditions. In particular, considering the minimum values before and after the treatment, the improvements were 9 (64%) and the stationary conditions 5 (36%). Considering the maximum values instead, the improvements were 11 (79%) and the stationary conditions 3 (21%).
The second research involved 54 persons, of which 24 males and 30 females, aged between 12 and 17. In particular, the examined subjects showed an accentuated curve at dorsal and/or lumbar level that could be due to para-morphic alterations at the lower limbs. At the end of the 12-week period of the treatment, always following the producer’s indications, a new control of the previously observed alterations was carried out. The collected data showed 41 improvements (76%), of which 25 were females (61%) and 16 males (39%). The other 13 showed stationary conditions (24%), 5 of which were females (38%) and 8 males (62%).
The analysis of the collected data stressed the percentage of improvements and stationary conditions. Particularly considering the minimum values before and after the treatment, there were 9 improvements (64%) and 5 cases of stationary conditions (36%). Considering the maximum values, instead, the improvements were 11 (79%) and the cases of stationary conditions 3 (21%).
The third research investigated the myotensive condition of the upper part of the trapezius muscle in 7 subjects aged between 45-58 suffering from cervical pain, and of the quadratus lumborum muscles in 15 subjects aged between 28-36 suffering from lumbar pain.
The material used was the same we used for the first research. The method concerning the quadratus lumborum muscles and the upper part of the trapezius muscle was the same and the subjects followed the given protocol for a 8-week period, after which the electromyographic data were collected again.The data highlighted for the 7 subjects who were suffering from colitis caused by cervical pain an improvement of the minimum values in 4 of them (57%) after the treatment and of the maximum values in 5 of them (71%). In the subjects suffering from lumbago there were instead respectively 9 (60%) and 11 (73%) improvements.
 |
 |
 |
 |
This research project shows that if the tool is used in a correct way, i.e. following the indications and the method, it helps remarkably, independently of the sport you practice or the para-morphisms which need to be re-educated (idiomatic scoliosis is still being tested in association with FKT – the results will then be published). It proved to be efficient both in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, leaving a sensation of wellness from the very first sessions of the treatment. Almost all the tested subjects experienced remarkable improvements in their problem, declaring that a constant use of this tool allowed them to make the reached improvements last in time.
The last research, which is still in progress, allows us to give only partial indications on its effects, although up to now the results seem to be positive in terms of results obtained on the specific problem.
In conclusion, though we need to wait for the ending of the research in order to give a general comment on the real efficiency of this tool, the data collected so far appear more than satisfactory and therefore we recommend its use according to the ways and times indicated by its producer.
Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Massara