MODIFICATION IN FOOT PRESSURE AND GAIT PATTERN AFTER ARTHROSCOPIC CARTILAGE REGENERATION FACILITATING PROCEDURES (ACRFP) IN PATIENTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS OF KNEE

Arthroscopic cartilage regeneration facilitating procedure (ACRFP) has been reported with satisfactory results, yet there is limited research on the biomechanics in these patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the change on the biomechanics after ACRFP, in terms of foot pressure and gait pattern. Patients with chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis and received ACRFP were recruited, and the knee joints in each patient were divided into either study or control group according to radiographical or symptomatic severity. Assessments were done with Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and dynamic foot pressure at the time before surgery, three months and six months postoperatively. A total of 24 patients completed the study. Significant improvement was found of KOOS, at both three and six months postoperatively. No much change in the gait parameters was noted, but there was a significant decrease of foot pressure over lateral side of hindfoot at six months postoperatively. In conclusion, significant clinical improvements could be achieved with surgical results of ACRFP, and shifting of the foot pressure medially may be related to decrease in the knee adduction moment, which is more favorable for the knee joints.

Download Full-text

Efficacy of axial TheraTogs on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy ◽

10.1186/s43161-021-00030-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shamekh Mohamed El-Shamy ◽

Ehab Mohamed Abd El Kafy

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Muscle Tone ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Gait Pattern ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract Background TheraTogs promotes proprioceptive sense of a child with cerebral palsy and improves abnormal muscle tone, posture alignment, balance, and gait. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of TheraTogs orthotic undergarment on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Thirty children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy were selected for this randomized controlled study. They were randomly assigned to (1) an experimental group that received TheraTogs orthotic undergarment (12 h/day, 3 days/week) plus traditional physical therapy for 3 successive months and (2) a control group that received only traditional physical therapy program for the same time period. Gait parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months of intervention using Pro-Reflex motion analysis. Results Children in both groups showed significant improvements in the gait parameters (P < 0.05), with significantly greater improvements in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions The use of TheraTogs may have a positive effect to improve gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Trial registration This trial was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT03037697).

Download Full-text

GaitVision: Real-Time Extraction of Gait Parameters Using Residual Attention Network

Complexity ◽

10.1155/2021/1589716 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Mohammad Farukh Hashmi ◽

B. Kiran Kumar Ashish ◽

Prabhu Chaitanya ◽

Avinash Keskar ◽

Sinan Q. Salih ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Gait Pattern ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Gait Patterns ◽

Softmax Classifier ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Unique Identity ◽

Access Authentication ◽

Deep Convolution Network ◽

Hierarchical Features

Gait walking patterns are one of the key research topics in natural biometrics. The temporal information of the unique gait sequence of a person is preserved and used as a powerful data for access. Often there is a dive into the flexibility of gait sequence due to unstructured and unnecessary sequences that tail off the necessary sequence constraints. The authors in this work present a novel perspective, which extracts useful gait parameters regarded as independent frames and patterns. These patterns and parameters mark as unique signature for each subject in access authentication. This information extracted learns to identify the patterns associated to form a unique gait signature for each person based on their style, foot pressure, angle of walking, angle of bending, acceleration of walk, and step-by-step distance. These parameters form a unique pattern to plot under unique identity for access authorization. This sanitized data of patterns is further passed to a residual deep convolution network that automatically extracts the hierarchical features of gait pattern signatures. The end layer comprises of a Softmax classifier to classify the final prediction of the subject identity. This state-of-the-art work creates a gait-based access authentication that can be used in highly secured premises. This work was specially designed for Defence Department premises authentication. The authors have achieved an accuracy of 90 % ± 1.3 % in real time. This paper mainly focuses on the assessment of the crucial features of gait patterns and analysis of gait patterns research.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Intraarticular Insulin on Chondral Defect Repair

Cartilage ◽

10.1177/1947603520938462 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 194760352093846

Author(s):

Eren Yildiz ◽

Ali Ersen ◽

Emre Yener ◽

Nil Comunoglu ◽

Cengiz Sen

Keyword(s):

Weight Bearing ◽

Cartilage Regeneration ◽

Negative Influence ◽

Knee Joints ◽

Cartilage Defects ◽

Control Group ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Insulin Group ◽

Chondral Defects ◽

Healthy Cartilage

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of intraarticular insulin on the treatment of chondral defects. Design Twenty-four mature New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups as control (Group 1), microfracture (Group 2), and microfracture and insulin (Group 3). Four-millimeter full-thickness cartilage defects were created to the weight-bearing surface on the medial femoral condyles of each rabbit. In the first group, any additional interventions were not performed. Microfracture was performed on defects in groups 2 and 3. Additionally, 10 IU of insulin glargine was administrated into the knee joints of the third group. Three months after surgery, the knee joints were harvested and cartilage quality was assessed according to Wakitani and ICRS (International Cartilage Repair Society) scores histopathologically. Insulin injections were performed into the knees of 2 additional rabbits without creating a cartilage defect to evaluate the potential adverse effects of insulin on healthy cartilage (Group 4). Results The total ICRS and Wakitani scores of the insulin group were found to be significantly lower than the microfracture group but similar to the control group. No negative effects of insulin on healthy cartilage were detected. Intraarticular insulin after surgery has led to a statistically significant decrease in systemic blood sugar levels whereas the decrease observed after administration to intact tissues was not statistically significant. Conclusions Insulin had a negative influence on the quality of cartilage regeneration and had no effect on healthy cartilage. Intraarticular insulin administration does not cause significant systemic effects in intact tissue.

Download Full-text

131 Impact of Virtual Reality Training in Patients After HIP Arthroplasty on Pressure Distribution in Standing and Walking

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz164.131 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. iv28-iv33

Author(s):

Anna Hadamus ◽

Dariusz Białoszewski ◽

Edyta Urbaniak ◽

Aleksandra Justyna Kowalska ◽

Kamil Wydra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Pressure Distribution ◽

Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Training Programme ◽

Control Group ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Static Tests ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Vr Training ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract Introduction Patients after hip arthroplasty (THR) load the feet asymmetrically during standing or walking. Many reports indicate effectiveness of the Virtual Reality (VR) training in reeducation of postural stability, gait parameters and symmetry. The aim of this study was to assess if VR training programme based on non-walking exercises improve gait parameters or change foot pressure distribution. Materials and methods 56 patients after THR were randomly assigned to an experimental group (30 people) and a control group (26 people). The control group (CG) attended a standard post-operative rehabilitation programme, while 12 sessions of VR training were added to the standard programme in the experimental group (EG). Each patient performed standing with eyes opened and gait test on Zebris FDM-T treadmill. We calculated spatio-temporal parameters, foot pressure distribution and CoP displacement. The results were considered significant for p <0.05. Results In the static tests, the force on the forefoot and the rearfoot of the operated limb increased in EG (p<0.05). The force on the non-operated-side foot decreased and the force of the foot on the operated side increased in CG (p <0.05). No differences were found in the CoP movement in both groups. Most of the gait parameters improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05). However, EG obtained superior results in comparison to CG (p <0.05) after rehabilitation with regard to step time in the operated limb, stride time, cadence and maximum force in the midfoot area in the operated limb. Conclusions 1. The significantly better gait performance parameters obtained in the experimental group indicate a better movement capacity in these patients. This suggests that using VR in motor re-education in patients after THR may enhance the effects of rehabilitation. 2. Further studies are necessary to assess the influence of VR training on pressure distribution both in static and dynamic tests.

Download Full-text

Effects of Torso Pitch Motion on Energy Efficiency of Biped Robot Walking

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11052342 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 2342

Author(s):

Long Li ◽

Zhongqu Xie ◽

Xiang Luo ◽

Juanjuan Li

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Energy Consumption ◽

Biped Robot ◽

Gait Pattern ◽

Pattern Generation ◽

Biped Robots ◽

Pitch Motion ◽

Double Support ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Support Phase

Gait pattern generation has an important influence on the walking quality of biped robots. In most gait pattern generation methods, it is usually assumed that the torso keeps vertical during walking. It is very intuitive and simple. However, it may not be the most efficient. In this paper, we propose a gait pattern with torso pitch motion (TPM) during walking. We also present a gait pattern with torso keeping vertical (TKV) to study the effects of TPM on energy efficiency of biped robots. We define the cyclic gait of a five-link biped robot with several gait parameters. The gait parameters are determined by optimization. The optimization criterion is chosen to minimize the energy consumption per unit distance of the biped robot. Under this criterion, the optimal gait performances of TPM and TKV are compared over different step lengths and different gait periods. It is observed that (1) TPM saves more than 12% energy on average compared with TKV, and the main factor of energy-saving in TPM is the reduction of energy consumption of the swing knee in the double support phase and (2) the overall trend of torso motion is leaning forward in double support phase and leaning backward in single support phase, and the amplitude of the torso pitch motion increases as gait period or step length increases.

Download Full-text

Robot-Assisted Gait Training in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57070713 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (7) ◽

pp. 713

Author(s):

Cristiano Sconza ◽

Francesco Negrini ◽

Berardo Di Matteo ◽

Alberto Borboni ◽

Gennaro Boccia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crossover Trial ◽

Gait Training ◽

Treatment Session ◽

Control Group ◽

Walk Test ◽

Robot Assisted ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Before And After

Background and Objectives: Gait disorders represent one of the most disabling aspects in multiple sclerosis (MS) that strongly influence patient quality of life. The improvement of walking ability is a primary goal for rehabilitation treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in association with physiotherapy treatment in patients affected by MS in comparison with ground conventional gait training. Study design: Randomized controlled crossover trial. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven participants affected by MS with EDSS scores between 3.5 and 7 were enrolled, of whom seventeen completed the study. They received five training sessions per week over five weeks of conventional gait training with (experimental group) or without (control group) the inclusion of RAGT. The patients were prospectively evaluated before and after the first treatment session and, after the crossover phase, before and after the second treatment session. The evaluation was based on the 25-foot walk test (25FW, main outcome), 6 min walk test (6MWT), Tinetti Test, Modified Ashworth Scale, and modified Motricity Index for lower limbs. We also measured disability parameters using Functional Independence Measure and Quality of Life Index, and instrumental kinematic and gait parameters: knee extensor strength, double-time support, step length ratio; 17 patients reached the final evaluation. Results: Both groups significantly improved on gait parameters, motor abilities, and autonomy recovery in daily living activities with generally better results of RAGT over control treatment. In particular, the RAGT group improved more than control group in the 25FW (p = 0.004) and the 6MWT (p = 0.022). Conclusions: RAGT is a valid treatment option that in association with physiotherapy could induce positive effects in MS-correlated gait disorders. Our results showed greater effectiveness in recovering gait speed and resistance than conventional gait training.

Download Full-text

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Gait Training Assisted by Multichannel Functional Electrical Stimulation in Early Stroke Rehabilitation: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair ◽

10.1177/1545968320981942 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 131-144

Author(s):

Maijke van Bloemendaal ◽

Sicco A. Bus ◽

Frans Nollet ◽

Alexander C. H. Geurts ◽

Anita Beelen

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Functional Electrical Stimulation ◽

Step Length ◽

Gait Training ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Group ◽

Gait Symmetry ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Walking Capacity ◽

Experimental Group

Background. Many stroke survivors suffer from leg muscle paresis, resulting in asymmetrical gait patterns, negatively affecting balance control and energy cost. Interventions targeting asymmetry early after stroke may enhance recovery of walking. Objective. To determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of up to 10 weeks of gait training assisted by multichannel functional electrical stimulation (MFES gait training) applied to the peroneal nerve and knee flexor or extensor muscle on the recovery of gait symmetry and walking capacity in patients starting in the subacute phase after stroke. Methods. Forty inpatient participants (≤31 days after stroke) were randomized to MFES gait training (experimental group) or conventional gait training (control group). Gait training was delivered in 30-minute sessions each workday. Feasibility was determined by adherence (≥75% sessions) and satisfaction with gait training (score ≥7 out of 10). Primary outcome for efficacy was step length symmetry. Secondary outcomes included other spatiotemporal gait parameters and walking capacity (Functional Gait Assessment and 10-Meter Walk Test). Linear mixed models estimated treatment effect postintervention and at 3-month follow-up. Results. Thirty-seven participants completed the study protocol (19 experimental group participants). Feasibility was confirmed by good adherence (90% of the participants) and participant satisfaction (median score 8). Both groups improved on all outcomes over time. No significant group differences in recovery were found for any outcome. Conclusions. MFES gait training is feasible early after stroke, but MFES efficacy for improving step length symmetry, other spatiotemporal gait parameters, or walking capacity could not be demonstrated. Trial Registration. Netherlands Trial Register (NTR4762).

Download Full-text

Evaluation of electroacupuncture for symptom modification in a rodent model of spontaneous osteoarthritis

Acupuncture in Medicine ◽

10.1177/09645284211020755 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096452842110207

Author(s):

Alexa P Spittler ◽

Maryam F Afzali ◽

Richard B Martinez ◽

Lauren A Culver ◽

Sarah E Leavell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rodent Model ◽

Knee Joints ◽

Control Group ◽

Disease Modification ◽

Inflammatory Biomarker ◽

Knee Oa ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Gene Transcripts ◽

Restricted Mobility ◽

Movement Parameters

Objective: Faced with the frustration of chronic discomfort and restricted mobility due to osteoarthritis (OA), many individuals have turned to acupuncture for relief. However, the efficacy of acupuncture for OA is uncertain, as much of the evidence is inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate electroacupuncture (EA) in a rodent model of OA such that conclusions regarding its effectiveness for symptom or disease modification could be drawn. Methods: Ten 12-month-old male Hartley guinea pigs—which characteristically have moderate to advanced OA at this age—were randomly assigned to receive EA for knee OA (n = 5) or anesthesia only (control group, n = 5). Treatments were performed three times weekly for 3 weeks, followed by euthanasia 2 weeks later. Gait analysis and enclosure monitoring were performed weekly to evaluate changes in movement. Serum was collected for inflammatory biomarker testing. Knee joints were collected for histology and gene expression. Results: Animals receiving EA had significantly greater changes in movement parameters compared to those receiving anesthesia only. There was a tendency toward decreased serum protein concentrations of complement component 3 (C3) in the EA group compared to the control group. Structural and antioxidant gene transcripts in articular cartilage were increased by EA. There was no significant difference in total joint histology scores between groups. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that EA has a positive effect on symptom, but not disease, modification in a rodent model of OA. Further investigations into mechanistic pathways that may explain the efficacy of EA in this animal model are needed.

Download Full-text

Quantitative analysis of static equilibrium in women after mastectomy

International Journal on Disability and Human Development ◽

10.1515/ijdhd-2013-0041 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 81-87

Author(s):

Maciej Rachwał ◽

Justyna Drzał-Grabiec ◽

Katarzyna Walicka-Cupryś ◽

Aleksandra Truszczyńska

Keyword(s):

Mean Amplitude ◽

Control Group ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Locomotor System ◽

Center Of Foot Pressure ◽

The Mean ◽

Almost All ◽

Posture Stability ◽

Mastectomy Group ◽

Better Than

Abstract Background: The post-mastectomy changes to the locomotor system are related to the scar and adhesion or to the lymphatic edema after amputation which, in turn, lead to local and global distraction of the work of the muscles. These changes lead to body statics disturbance that changes the projection of the center of gravity and worsens motor response due to changing of the muscle sensitivity. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the static balance of women after undergoing mastectomy. Methods: The study included 150 women, including 75 who underwent mastectomy (mean age: 60±7.6) years, mean body mass index (BMI): 26 (±3.6) kg/m2) and 75 who were placed in the control group with matched age and BMI. The study was conducted using a tensometric platform. Results: Statistically significant differences were found for almost all parameters between the post-mastectomy group and group of healthy women, regarding center of foot pressure (COP) path length in the Y and X axes and the mean amplitude of COP. Conclusions: First, the findings revealed that balance in post-mastectomy women is significantly better than in the control group. Second, physiotherapeutic treatment of post-mastectomy women may have improved their posture stability compared with their peers.

Download Full-text

Quantitative Effects of Repeated Muscle Vibrations on Gait Pattern in a 5-Year-Old Child with Cerebral Palsy

Case Reports in Medicine ◽

10.1155/2011/359126 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Filippo Camerota ◽

Manuela Galli ◽

Claudia Celletti ◽

Sara Vimercati ◽

Veronica Cimolin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Pelvic Tilt ◽

Step Length ◽

Gait Pattern ◽

Triceps Surae ◽

Knee Joints ◽

Global Improvement ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Effective Option ◽

Spatio Temporal

Objective. To investigate quantitatively and objectively the effects of repeated muscle vibration (rMV) of triceps surae on the gait pattern in a 5-year-old patient with Cerebral Palsy with equinus foot deformity due to calf spasticity.Methods. The patient was assessed before and one month after the rMV treatment using Gait Analysis.Results. rMV had positive effects on the patient's gait pattern, as for spatio-temporal parameters (the stance duration and the step length increased their values after the treatment) and kinematics. The pelvic tilt reduced its anteversion and the hip reduced the high flexion evidenced at baseline; the knee and the ankle gained a more physiological pattern bilaterally. The Gillette Gait Index showed a significant reduction of its value bilaterally, representing a global improvement of the child's gait pattern.Conclusions. The rMV technique seems to be an effective option for the gait pattern improvement in CP, which can be used also in very young patient. Significant improvements were displayed in terms of kinematics at all lower limb joints, not only at the joint directly involved by the treatment (i.e., ankle and knee joints) but also at proximal joints (i.e., pelvis and hip joint).

Download Full-text