Gait Training with Wearable Hip-assist Robot Reduce Trunk and Leg Muscle Efforts and Metabolic Energy Consumption in Community Dwelling Elderly Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwang-Jae Lee ◽  
Su Hyun Lee ◽  
Won Hyuk Chang ◽  
Keehong Seo ◽  
Jusuk Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Wearable types of gait-assist robots have been developed to provide additional advantages such as being easily transportable, producing a more natural gait pattern, and being simple to control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensive gait training with a newly developed wearable hip-assist robot on gait function and cardiopulmonary metabolic energy efficiency in community-dwelling elderly adults. Methods: Total of 27 community-dwelling elderly adults with age-related problems completed in this intervention study (15 experimental group and 12 control group) . The experimental participants received an intensive gait training program with a total of 10 sessions involving five sessions of treadmill and five sessions of over-ground gait training with the wearable hip-assist robot. The control group received gait training without a wearable-hip assist robot. The primary outcomes were gait functions (spatio-temporal parameters and muscle effort). The secondary outcome was cardiopulmonary metabolic energy consumption. Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly greater improvements after intervention in spatio-temporal parameters (gait speed, cadence, and stride length) and reduced muscle efforts (trunk and lower extremity) with gait (p < 0.05). In addition, the reduction in oxygen consumption (ml/min/kg) was about 16.31% in the experimental group after intervention. Furthermore, the reduction in the aerobic energy expenditure measurement (Kcal/min) was about 17.36% in the experimental group after intensive gait training with wearable hip-assist robot. All cardiopulmonary metabolic energy consumption parameters in the experimental group were reduced significantly more than in the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The intensive gait training with a wearable hip-assist robot was effective in improving gait function and cardiopulmonary metabolic energy efficiency in community-dwelling elderly adults with age-related problems. Trial registration: NCT02843828, registration date: 07/14/2016 - retrospectively registered

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-144
Author(s):  
Maijke van Bloemendaal ◽  
Sicco A. Bus ◽  
Frans Nollet ◽  
Alexander C. H. Geurts ◽  
Anita Beelen

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).


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 52-60
Author(s):  
V. A. Voloshin ◽  
D. A. Matolinets ◽  
N. A. Morozkov ◽  
G. P. Maysak

The results of studies of the use of rhaponticum carthamoides for feeding dairy cows are presented. The experiment was carried out on Holstein cows of black-and-white breed in Perm Territory. Vitaminherbal fl our from green mass of rhaponticum carthamoides at a dose of 0.4 and 1.0 kg per head per day in the period of 10-16 days before calving and in the fi rst 30 days of lactation was introduced into the feeding rations of two experimental groups of cows. High sugar content in rhaponticum carthamoides (from 4.15 to 11.2% in dry matter and metabolic energy from 10.87 to 12.12 MJ/ kg) was noted. In the studied material from this plant, the content of the 20-hydroxyecdysone was 0.49% of active ingredients in the dry matter of the product at a rate of 0.25%. The introduction of rhaponticum carthamoides in the diet of feeding animals contributed to the increase in the intensity of metabolic processes in the body. A gradual increase in cholesterol levels in all experimental groups was noted. The most signifi cant growth was observed in cows of the second experimental group by 0.82 mmol / l or 29.50% (p <0.01). Compared with the fi rst experimental group, the increase was 0.13 mmol / l or 5.2%, and the control group – 0.36 mmol / l or 14.17%. Stimulation of metabolic processes in the body of cows of the experimental groups had a positive impact on reproduction, which was manifested in the reduction of the service period duration, compared with the control group.


Author(s):  
V. G. Dvalivishvili ◽  
◽  
A. S. Khodov ◽  

The purpose of the research was a comparative study of the efficiency of feed use and the productivity of young sheep at different feeding levels, as well as clarifying the norms of metabolic energy and raw protein for growing young rams of Romanov breed with intensive rearing and fattening at the age of 3 to 10 months. Scientifi c and economic experiment has been carried out in the sheep breeding complex of the breeding farm in the OOO Farm “Pokrov” in the Zubtsovsky area in the Tver region. After weaning of sheep at the age of 3 months, 2 groups of young rams and 2 groups of young ewes have been formed, from twin litters per 15 heads in each. It has been found that the intensity of the growth of young rams was higher at both levels of rearing and fattening. The young rams of the 1st control group grew by 16,61 kg during the experimental feeding period, and the young ewes by 9,62 kg. In animals of the 2nd experimental group, the difference was 5,52 kg or 32,8 % in favor of the young rams. All indicators of the slaughter of young rams, depending on the level of feeding diff ered significantly. Thus, the difference in removable weight was 5,77 kg or 17,7 % in favor of animals of the 2nd experimental group. The difference between the groups by pre-slaughter weight was 5,74 kg or 19,2 % (P ≤ 0,001). By weight of the hot carcass, the sheep of the 2nd experimental group significantly exceeded the 1st control group by 2,82 kg or 21,3 % (P ≤ 0,01), by slaughter weight the difference was 3,97 kg or 29,0 % (P ≤ 0,01). The slaughter yield increased from 45,7 to 49,5 % or 3,8 abs.%. Age affects the efficiency of mutton production. Thus, the cost of 1 kg of mutton did not diff er from 7-month-old and 10–month-old rams, and feed expenditures increased significantly, therefore the prime-cost of mutton in older animals also increased, and the profitability of production decreased. Therefore, the slaughter of animals and the sale of mutton under intensive rearing is more effective at the age of 7 months.


Author(s):  
Ziyan Li ◽  
Mimi Tse ◽  
Angel Tang

Background: Chronic pain is a major health problem among older adults and their informal caregivers, which has negative effects on their physical and psychological status. The dyadic pain management program (DPMP) is provided to community-dwelling older adults and informal caregivers to help the dyads reduce pain symptoms, improve the quality of life, develop good exercise habits, as well as cope and break the vicious circle of pain. Methods: A pilot randomized controlled trial was designed and all the dyads were randomly divided into two groups: the DPMP group and control group. Dyads in the DPMP group participated in an 8-week DPMP (4-week face-to-face program and 4-week home-based program), whereas dyads in the control group received one page of simple pain-related information. Results: In total, 64 dyads participated in this study. For baseline comparisons, no significant differences were found between the two groups. After the interventions, the pain score was significantly reduced from 4.25 to 2.57 in the experimental group, respectively. In the repeated measures ANOVA, the differences in pain score (F = 107.787, p < 0.001, d = 0.777) was statistically significant for the group-by-time interaction. After the interventions, the experimental group participants demonstrated significantly higher pain self-efficacy compared with the control group (F = 80.535, p < 0.001, d = 0.722). Furthermore, the elderly increased exercise time significantly (F = 111.212, p < 0.001, d = 0.782) and reported developing good exercise habits. Conclusions: These results provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of a DPMP for relieving the symptoms of chronic pain among the elderly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiki Kutsuna ◽  
Yusuke Isobe ◽  
Takaaki Watanabe ◽  
Yusuke Matsunaga ◽  
Satomi Kusaka ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Elderly adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD) have multiple comorbidities, physical frailty, and functional dependence with activities of daily living (ADL). ADL difficulty is an early predictor of ADL dependency in community-dwelling elderly adults. However, the characteristics of ADL difficulty in patients undergoing HD have not yet been reported. The present study aimed to examine the current status and characteristics of physical function and ADL difficulty in ambulatory elderly patients undergoing HD. Methods In all, 136 elderly outpatients undergoing HD and 40 community-dwelling controls participated in the present study. The characteristics, physical function (SARC-F score, grip strength, five-times sit-to-stand test time, usual gait speed, maximum gait speed, and short physical performance battery score), and scores from the ADL difficulty questionnaires [difficulty related to upper limb (U/L) and lower limb (L/L) functions] were compared between the HD and control groups. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine whether the characteristics of physical function were able to discriminate ADL difficulty in the HD group. Results The HD group had a significantly greater SARC-F score, lower grip strength, longer five-times sit-to-stand test time, slower usual gait speed, slower maximum gait speed, lower short physical performance battery score, and lower U/L and L/L ADL difficulty scores compared to the control group (all P < 0.001). The distribution of U/L and L/L ADL difficulty scores showed a wider variation in the HD group than in the control group. The U/L ADL difficulty score was independently associated with the SARC-F score (β = −0.52, P < 0.001) and grip strength (β = 0.21, P = 0.02). The L/L ADL difficulty score was independently associated with the SARC-F score (β = −0.56, P < 0.001) and usual gait speed (β = 0.35, P < 0.001). Conclusions The elderly HD group had a poorer physical function and experienced stronger ADL difficulty than the control group. There was an association between ADL difficulty and sarcopenia or poor physical function among patients undergoing HD. These findings provide useful data for effective clinical management to prevent decline of ADL in ambulatory elderly patients undergoing HD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang ◽  
Chen ◽  
Wang ◽  
Liu

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of therapeutic structured limb exercises intended to improve psychomotor speed in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Forty-four patients with mild cognitive impairment who met the inclusion criteria were selected and assigned randomly to either an experimental group (22 patients) or a control group (22 patients). The numbers of participants were selected based on the calculated sample effect size (N = 38). The study involved a 10-week intervention, in which participants completed structured limb exercises during 60-min training sessions delivered three times per week. Forty-one subjects completed the experimental programme. Scores in the Finger Tapping Test (FTT), Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), along with electroencephalography (EEG) data, were collected before, during and after the intervention. The experimental and control groups were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The patients with MCI in the experimental group achieved significantly improved scores in the FTT, the PPT and all dimensions of the MoCA. Moreover, these patients exhibited significant increases in the alpha and beta EEG wave power values in all brain areas of MCI patients, indicating that limb exercise training positively influenced their brain functions. Conclusions: The results conclude that a structured therapeutic limb exercise intervention can effectively improve psychomotor speed in patients with MCI and mitigate declines in cognitive function. This training intervention appears to be effective as a treatment for community-dwelling patients with MCI.


2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (10) ◽  
pp. 1449-1462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Szturm ◽  
Aimee L. Betker ◽  
Zahra Moussavi ◽  
Ankur Desai ◽  
Valerie Goodman

Background Due to the many problems associated with reduced balance and mobility, providing an effective and engaging rehabilitation regimen is essential to progress recovery from impairments and to help prevent further degradation of motor skills. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and benefits of physical therapy based on a task-oriented approach delivered via an engaging, interactive video game paradigm. The intervention focused on performing targeted dynamic tasks, which included reactive balance controls and environmental interaction. Design This study was a randomized controlled trial. Setting The study was conducted in a geriatric day hospital. Participants Thirty community-dwelling and ambulatory older adults attending the day hospital for treatment of balance and mobility limitations participated in the study. Interventions Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. The control group received the typical rehabilitation program consisting of strengthening and balance exercises provided at the day hospital. The experimental group received a program of dynamic balance exercises coupled with video game play, using a center-of-pressure position signal as the computer mouse. The tasks were performed while standing on a fixed floor surface, with progression to a compliant sponge pad. Each group received 16 sessions, scheduled 2 per week, with each session lasting 45 minutes. Measurements Data for the following measures were obtained before and after treatment: Berg Balance Scale, Timed “Up & Go” Test, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance, and spatiotemporal gait variables assessed in an instrumented carpet system test. Results Findings demonstrated significant improvements in posttreatment balance performance scores for both groups, and change scores were significantly greater in the experimental group compared with the control group. No significant treatment effect was observed in either group for the Timed “Up & Go” Test or spatiotemporal gait variables. Limitations The sample size was small, and there were group differences at baseline in some performance measures. Conclusion Dynamic balance exercises on fixed and compliant sponge surfaces were feasibly coupled to interactive game-based exercise. This coupling, in turn, resulted in a greater improvement in dynamic standing balance control compared with the typical exercise program. However, there was no transfer of effect to gait function.


Author(s):  
Patcharee Kooncumchoo ◽  
Phuwarin Namdaeng ◽  
Somrudee Hanmanop ◽  
Bunyong Rungroungdouyboon ◽  
Kultida Klarod ◽  
...  

Chronic stroke leads to the impairment of lower limb function and gait performance. After in-hospital rehabilitation, most individuals lack continuous gait training because of the limited number of physical therapists. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a newly invented gait training machine (I-Walk) on lower limb function and gait performance in chronic stroke individuals. Thirty community-dwelling chronic stroke individuals were allocated to the I-Walk machine group (n = 15) or the overground gait training (control) group (n = 15). Both groups received 30 min of upper limb and hand movement and sit-to-stand training. After that, the I-Walk group received 30 min of I-Walk training, while the control followed a 30-minute overground training program. All the individuals were trained 3 days/week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome of the motor recovery of lower limb impairment was measured using the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA). The secondary outcomes for gait performance were the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT), the 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG). The two-way mixed-model ANOVA with the Bonferroni test was used to compare means within and between groups. The post-intervention motor and sensory subscales of the FMA significantly increased compared to the baseline in both groups. Moreover, the 6 MWT and 10 MWT values also improved in both groups. In addition, the mean difference of TUG in the I-Walk was higher than the control. The efficiency of I-Walk training was comparable to overground training and might be applied for chronic stroke gait training in the community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-243
Author(s):  
Roman Boichuk ◽  
Sergii Iermakov ◽  
Oleh Vintoniak ◽  
Tetiana Yermakova

Background and Study Aim. The work aim is to develop and experimentally test the combined impact method performance in the preparatory period of the annual macrocycle of 18–19 year old volleyball players (girls). Material and Methods. The study involved volleyball players (girls) aged 18–19 years old (n = 24, training experience – 9 years). Volleyball players (girls) were divided into control (n = 12) and experimental (n = 12) groups. Results. The method contributed to a higher rate of growth of most parameters of special readiness among volleyball players (girls) of the experimental group. A significant improvement in special readiness (p <0.05) was revealed for all parameters in both groups. In the experimental group, an improvement (p <0.001) was observed for 8 out of 11 parameters. In the control group, a significant improvement in the results (p <0.001) occurred in 3 cases out of 11. A significant improvement in speed and strength training parameters (p <0.001) was revealed: in 3 out of 4 cases (experimental group); in 1 out of 4 cases (control group). The quality of performance of the game basic techniques improved by: 4–22% (p <0.04–0.001 in experimental group) 4–11% (p <0.05–0.02 in control group). Conclusions. It is advisable to devote more time to the development of more significant motor abilities of volleyball players (girls) (speed, speed and strength, dexterity and coordination). It is advisable to improve endurance in combination with the development of other motor abilities and in the process of technical and tactical improvement. In the physical training of volleyball players (girls), it is advisable to use as many training means as possible, which are similar to the main game techniques according to spatio–temporal and dynamic characteristics. Movements with load contribute to the development of intermuscular coordination and allow to quickly form the correct idea of the trained motor action.  


2018 ◽  
pp. 64-68
Author(s):  
Ye. O. Anisimova ◽  
V. V. Pronin ◽  
L. V. Kletikova ◽  
N. N. Yakimenko

Age-related dynamics of hematological and functional parameters of Pekin duck blood during administration of organic selenium preparation DAFS-25k (at a 1.3 mg/kg dose) was presented. In order to study morphological parameters from the age of one day old to 120 days old blood was collected from axillary vein of birds prior to feeding each 15 days in the morning. To assess hematological parameters RBC and WBC count was performed, hemoglobin contents and hematocrit value were determined and color index of blood was calculated. The experiment demonstrated gradual increase in these parameters in the experimental and control groups. Birds from the experimental group demonstrated higher parameters than those of the control group. It was determined that hemoglobin contents was 9.86% higher in the experimental group in comparison with the control group due to selenium administration. The blood color index in this group was also higher (р ≤ 0.05). Biochemical blood analysis included the following parameters: total protein, albumin, uric acid, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, ALT and AST transaminase. The test results showed that during all age periods total protein and albumin contents in ducks of the experimental group exceeded those of the control group. The selenium-containing preparation had a positive influence on the carbohydrate metabolism ensuring high level of metabolic processes in birds, contributed to optimal calcium to phosphorus ratio which positively influenced mineral metabolism and development of the locomotor system. Obtained AST and ALT values in both groups are not beyond reference values which indirectly confirms absence of toxic effect on ducks’ organism if selenium is administered at the specified doses. It was determined that DAFS-25k has not affected hematological and functional parameters of Pekin duck blood and it contributed to mineral metabolism correction, reduction of stress factor effect within critical periods of development and improvement of the excretory system function.


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