Physiotherapy treatment approaches for the recovery of postural control and lower limb function following stroke

This study determined the effectiveness of a 3-month group-based multicomponent exercise program in the mobility, balance confidence, and muscle performance of older adults. A total of 40 participants (mean age=70.60±6.25 years completed pre- and posttest clinical intervention measures of mobility using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, balance confidence using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, upper limb strength (handgrip dynamometer), and lower limb function (30-sec chair rise test). Data were analyzed using paired t-test and based on TUG criteria for risk of fall (low- and high-risk groups). Significant improvements were found in all measures (All P<0.05) following the 3-month program. Measures according to the risk of fall categories were also significantly improved (P<0.01), except the left handgrip strength (P>0.05). The low-risk group showed a higher improvement in mobility (14.87% vs. 11.74%), balance confidence (34.21% vs. 26.08%), and lower limb function (96.87% vs. 21.20%) but was not significantly different from the high-risk group (P>0.05). A group-based multicomponent exercise program benefited the physical functions of older adults at low- or high risk of falls.

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Instrumented staircase for kinetic analyses of upper-and lower-limb function during stair gait

Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing ◽

10.1007/bf02351027 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 43 (5) ◽

pp. 552-556 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

S. Chapdelaine ◽

B. J. McFadyen ◽

S. Nadeau ◽

G. St-Vincent ◽

E. Langelier

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Limb Function ◽

Lower Limb Function

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Construction and pilot assessment of the Lower Limb Function Assessment Scale

Neurorehabilitation ◽

10.3233/nre-141171 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 729-739 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Etienne Allart ◽

Julie Paquereau ◽

Caroline Rogeau ◽

Walter Daveluy ◽

Odile Kozlowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Assessment Scale ◽

Limb Function ◽

Function Assessment ◽

Lower Limb Function

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Facilitate Lower Limb Recovery Following Stroke: Current Evidence and Future Directions

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci10050310 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 310

Author(s):

Samuel Gowan ◽

Brenton Hordacre

Keyword(s):

Direct Current ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Cortical Neurons ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Limb Function ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Lower Limb Function

Stroke remains a global leading cause of disability. Novel treatment approaches are required to alleviate impairment and promote greater functional recovery. One potential candidate is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which is thought to non-invasively promote neuroplasticity within the human cortex by transiently altering the resting membrane potential of cortical neurons. To date, much work involving tDCS has focused on upper limb recovery following stroke. However, lower limb rehabilitation is important for regaining mobility, balance, and independence and could equally benefit from tDCS. The purpose of this review is to discuss tDCS as a technique to modulate brain activity and promote recovery of lower limb function following stroke. Preliminary evidence from both healthy adults and stroke survivors indicates that tDCS is a promising intervention to support recovery of lower limb function. Studies provide some indication of both behavioral and physiological changes in brain activity following tDCS. However, much work still remains to be performed to demonstrate the clinical potential of this neuromodulatory intervention. Future studies should consider treatment targets based on individual lesion characteristics, stage of recovery (acute vs. chronic), and residual white matter integrity while accounting for known determinants and biomarkers of tDCS response.

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