scholarly journals Effects of Task Oriented Exercises with Altered Sensory Input on Balance and Functional Mobility in Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Kuberan ◽  
Vijaya Kumar K ◽  
Abraham M Joshua ◽  
ZK Misri ◽  
M Chakrapani

Background: Stroke subjects presented with greater postural instability which lead to challenge their balance control in sensory conflict conditions. Studies have shown that deficits of sensorimotor integration and an inability to select the appropriate sensory input are associated with balance measures following stroke.However, limited studies have been focused to sensorimotor integration in balance rehabilitation.Objective: Our study aimed to evaluate the Task Oriented Training (TOT) with sensory manipulation to enhance balance and functional mobility in chronic stroke subjects.Design: Randomized controlled pilot study.Setting: Department of Physiotherapy in a Tertiary care Hospital.Subjects: A convenience sample consisting of 26 hemi paretic subjects at least 6 months post stroke duration with Brunnstrom’s recovery stage ?5 for the lower limb and Berg Balance Score of 40 or above were randomly assigned control group (n=13) and in experimental group (n=13).Interventions: Control group received the conventional physical therapy and in the Experimental group received TOT with manipulations of sensory inputs and provision of sensory conflict for the trunk and lower limb focusing on balance and mobility were implemented for 15 sessions, 5 days a week for 3 weeks with each session of 45-60 mints duration.Outcome measures: Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) and Fall Efficacy Scale (FES) were analyzed before and after the training.Results: Post training there was a significant improvement in all the outcome measurements for both the groups. However components 3, 4 and 5 of DGI, TUGT and FES of experimental group had a highly significant statistical difference between-group analysis with p<.05.Conclusion:Task oriented exercises with altered sensory input was found to be effective in improving functional mobility in terms of dynamic balance and reduction in their fear of fall levels after a 3 week training program.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(2) 2017 p.307-313

2021 ◽  
pp. 154596832110050
Author(s):  
Mandy Yuen ◽  
H. X. Ouyang ◽  
Tiev Miller ◽  
Marco Y. C. Pang

Background Effective and sustainable exercise training methods for improving balance poststroke are needed. Objective To evaluate the effect of Baduanjin Qigong for improving balance after stroke. Methods This was a single-blinded randomized controlled study in which only the assessor was blinded. Fifty-eight people with chronic stroke (mean age: 62.5 ± 11.8 years) were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 29) or control group (n = 29). The experimental group underwent 8 weeks of supervised Baduanjin training (3 sessions per week). This was followed by home-based practice of the same exercises 3 days a week for another 8 weeks. The control group underwent 2 sessions of supervised conventional fitness training in the first week, followed by home-based exercise practice 3 days a week until the end of week 16. All outcomes were measured at baseline, week 8, and week 16. Results Significantly greater improvements in the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), composite equilibrium score (Sensory Organization Test), 5 Times Sit to Stand, and Timed Up and Go test were detected at week 8 in the experimental group than in the control group ( P < .017). Further improvement in the Mini-BESTest was observed from week 8 to 16 in the experimental group ( P < .001). Other outcomes (Limit of Stability, Fall-Efficacy Scale, Modified Barthel Index, Stroke-Specific Quality of Life) showed no significant results. Conclusion Baduanjin is effective in improving balance, leg strength, and mobility and is a safe and sustainable form of home-based exercise for people with chronic stroke.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Luís Fischer Eichinger ◽  
Antonio Vinicius Soares ◽  
Fabrício Noveletto ◽  
Yoshimasa Sagawa Júnior ◽  
Pedro Bertemes Filho ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Hemiparesis post-stroke usually results in locomotor limitations. As conventional rehabilitation is monotonous, the Serious Games (SG) represents an excellent treatment strategy, allowing to perform physical training in an interesting and enjoyable way. Objective: To evaluate the effects of an exercise program using the SG developed for hemiparetic stroke patients’ locomotor rehabilitation. Method: Non-Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Twenty-four hemiparetic stroke patients with subacute or chronic stroke (twelve men), mean age of 57.8 ± 10.4 years (injury time of 16.8 ± 19.6 months) participated in the study. The experimental group (n = 16) participated in an exercise program with the SG for lower limb rehabilitation. The control group (n = 8) received conventional treatment (kinesiotherapy). The intervention consisted of sessions twice a week for ten weeks. The following parameters were assessed: muscle strength (dynamometry), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go Test - TUGT), and the gait speed (GS). Results: Both groups showed improvements, but the experimental group was better in all the studied variables, the muscular strength of the lower limb paresis and of the quadriceps femoris (p = 0.002; d = 0.7); and for the hamstrings (p < 0.001; d = 1.3), TUGT (p < 0.001; d = 0.4), and GS (p = 0.001; d = 0.4). Conclusion: The exercise program with the SG was useful for the patients treated in this study. The results showed a superiority of the SG regarding the conventional treatment in all the controlled variables. This was probably because of the greater repeatability of the exercises and the increased attention and motivation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liselot Thijs ◽  
Eline Voets ◽  
Evelien Wiskerke ◽  
Thomas Nauwelaerts ◽  
Yves Arys ◽  
...  

Abstract Insights in evidence on sitting balance and trunk rehabilitation have not resulted in specific device development. Hence, intensive one-by-one therapist-patient guidance is still required. We developed a novel rehabilitation prototype, specifically aimed at providing sitting balance therapy. In this study, we investigated if technology-supported sitting balance training was feasible and safe in chronic stroke patients and we evaluated whether clinical outcomes improved after a four-week programme when compared with usual care. Methods. In this parallel-group, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled pilot trial, we divided first event chronic stroke participants randomly into two groups. The experimental group received usual care plus additional therapy supported by rehabilitation technology consisting of 12 sessions of 50 minutes of therapy in four weeks. The control group received usual care only. We assessed all participants twice pre-intervention and once post-intervention. Feasibility and safety were descriptively analysed. Between-group analysis evaluated the differences in changes in motor and functional outcomes. Results. In total, 30 participants were recruited and 29 completed the trial (experimental group, n=14; control group, n=15). There were no between-group differences at baseline. Therapy was evaluated feasible by participants and therapist. There were no serious adverse events during sitting balance therapy. Changes in clinical outcomes from pre- to post-intervention demonstrated an increase in the experimental compared to the control group for trunk function; mean (standard deviation [SD]): 7.07 (1.69) versus 0.33 (2.35) points on trunk impairment scale (p<.000), maximum walking speed on 10-meter walk test (0.16 (0.16) m/s in the experimental group versus 0.06 (0.06) m/s in the control group; p=.003), and functional balance measured using Berg balance scale (median [interquartile range] 4.5 (5) points in the experimental group versus 0 (4) points in the control group (p=.014). Conclusions. Technology-supported sitting balance training in persons with chronic stroke is feasible and safe. A four-week, 12-hour programme on top of usual care suggests beneficial effects for trunk function, maximum gait speed and functional balance.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04467554, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04467554, date of Registration: 13 July 2020.


Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Cinone ◽  
Sara Letizia ◽  
Luigi Santoro ◽  
Salvatore Facciorusso ◽  
Raffaella Armiento ◽  
...  

Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) has been shown effective for poststroke lower limb spasticity. Following injections, a wide range of multidisciplinary approach has been previously provided. The purpose of this pilot, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was to determine whether BoNT-A combined with a regime of a four-week ankle isokinetic treatment has a positive effect on function and spasticity, compared with BoNT-A alone. Secondly, the validity of the use of an isokinetic dynamometer to measure the stretch reflex at the ankle joint and residual strength has been investigated. Twenty-five chronic stroke patients were randomized to receive combined treatment (n = 12; experimental group) or BoNT-A alone (n = 13; control group). Outcome measures were based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. An isokinetic dynamometer was also used for stretch reflex and strength assessment. Patients were evaluated at baseline (t0), after five (t1) and eight weeks after the injection (t2). The experimental group reported significantly greater improvements on lower limb spasticity, especially after eight weeks from baseline. Gait speed (10-m walk test) and walking capacity (6-min walking test) revealed statistically significantly better improvement in the experimental than in control group. Peak resistive ankle torque during growing angular velocities showed a significant reduction at the higher velocities after BoNT-A injections in the experimental group. Peak dorsiflexor torque was significantly increased in the experimental group and peak plantarflexor torque was significantly decreased in control group. Alternative rehabilitation strategies that combine BoNT-A and an intense ankle isokinetic treatment are effective in reducing tone and improving residual strength and motor function in patients with chronic hemiparesis.


Author(s):  
Liselot Thijs ◽  
Eline Voets ◽  
Evelien Wiskerke ◽  
Thomas Nauwelaerts ◽  
Yves Arys ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Technology development for sitting balance therapy and trunk rehabilitation is scarce. Hence, intensive one-to-one therapist-patient training is still required. We have developed a novel rehabilitation prototype, specifically aimed at providing sitting balance therapy. We investigated whether technology-supported sitting balance training was feasible and safe in chronic stroke patients and we determined whether clinical outcomes improved after a four-week programme, compared with usual care. Methods In this parallel-group, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled pilot trial, we divided first-event chronic stroke participants into two groups. The experimental group received usual care plus additional therapy supported by rehabilitation technology, consisting of 12 sessions of 50 min of therapy over four weeks. The control group received usual care only. We assessed all participants twice pre-intervention and once post-intervention. Feasibility and safety were descriptively analysed. Between-group analysis evaluated the pre-to-post differences in changes in motor and functional outcomes. Results In total, 30 participants were recruited and 29 completed the trial (experimental group: n = 14; control group: n = 15). There were no between-group differences at baseline. Therapy was evaluated as feasible by participants and therapist. There were no serious adverse events during sitting balance therapy. Changes in clinical outcomes from pre- to post-intervention demonstrated increases in the experimental than in the control group for: sitting balance and trunk function, evaluated by the Trunk Impairment Scale (mean points score (SD) 7.07 (1.69) versus 0.33 (2.35); p < 0.000); maximum gait speed, assessed with the 10 Metre Walk Test (mean gait speed 0.16 (0.16) m/s versus 0.06 (0.06) m/s; p = 0.003); and functional balance, measured using the Berg balance scale (median points score (IQR) 4.5 (5) versus 0 (4); p = 0.014). Conclusions Technology-supported sitting balance training in persons with chronic stroke is feasible and safe. A four-week, 12-session programme on top of usual care suggests beneficial effects for trunk function, maximum gait speed and functional balance. Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04467554, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04467554, date of Registration: 13 July 2020.


Author(s):  
Héctor Guerrero-Tapia ◽  
Rodrigo Martín-Baeza ◽  
Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso

Background. Abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability alterations may be the origin of lower limb injuries, such as adductor pathology in soccer players. Imbalance can be caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial over 8 weeks, 25 female footballers were randomly allocated to an experimental group (isometric abdominal training and gluteus medius-specific training) or a control group (isometric abdominal training). Evaluations were performed at baseline, at the end of the intervention and after a 4-week follow-up period. The exercise protocol in common for both groups included three exercises: Plank, Lateral plank and Bird dog. Specific exercises for the gluteus medius were: Pelvic drop and Stabilization of the gluteus medius in knee valgus. Outcome measures were lumbar-pelvic stability and adductor strength. Results: After the intervention, there was an increase in lumbo-pelvic stability in both groups, being greater in the control group than in the experimental group (mean differences [MD]: 4.84 vs. MD: 9.58; p < 0.01) with differences in the analysis of repeated measures (p < 0.001), but not in group interaction (p = 0.26). Changes were found in adductor strength in the experimental group (MD: −2.48; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −1.48; p < 0.01 in right adductor) and control group (MD: −1.68; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −2.05; p < 0.001 in the right adductor) after the intervention, with differences in the analysis of repeated measures in left (p < 0.001) and right (p < 0.001) adductor strength. Conclusions: An abdominal and gluteal training protocol shows no advantage over a protocol of abdominal training alone for lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor strength, while improvements in both variables are maintained at four weeks follow-up.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamekh Mohamed El-Shamy ◽  
Ehab Mohamed Abd El Kafy

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).


Author(s):  
Eva Vegue Parra ◽  
Jose Manuel Hernández Garre ◽  
Paloma Echevarría Pérez

(1) Background: Currently, the scientific evidence on the benefits of assisted therapy with dogs in dementia is not clear. In this study, we want to evaluate such benefits through a randomized controlled clinical trial in multiple centers across the country. (2) Methods: The participants were people over 65 years old with dementia, residing in senior centers in Spain (n = 334). The experimental group underwent assisted therapy with dogs based on the Comprehensive Cognitive Activation Program in Dementia, for 8 months, with weekly sessions of 45 min. Data were collected at the commencement, middle, and end of the program, to evaluate the aspects using the Mini-Examination Cognitive, the modified Bartell Index, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. (3) Results: The results show significant improvements in the experimental group versus the control group in the affective (T1 = p 0.000; T2 = p 0.000) and behavioral (T1 = p 0.005; T2 = p 0.000) aspects, with the affective aspect displaying greater progress in participants with additional depressive (p = 0.022) or anxiety (p = 0.000) disorders, shorter institutionalization periods (r = −0.222, p = 0.004), and those undergoing complementary psychotherapy (p = 0.033) or alternative therapy (p = 0.011). (4) Conclusions: Dog therapy is effective in improving the affective and behavioral aspects of institutionalized patients with dementia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Njogu ◽  
Si Qin ◽  
Yujie Chen ◽  
Lizhen Hu ◽  
Yang Luo

Abstract Background Labor pain during childbirth can have devastating effects on the progress of labor, mother, and fetus. Consequently, the management of labor pain is crucial for the well-being of the mother and fetus. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non -pharmacological analgesic technique. It uses a low-voltage electrical current to activate descending inhibitory systems in the central nervous system to relieve pain. This study aimed to determine the effects of TENS therapy in the first stage of labor. Methods In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, we screened low-risk pregnant women who anticipated spontaneous vaginal delivery. Women were assigned (1:1) to either the experimental group (received TENS therapy in the first stage of labor) or the control group (received routine obstetric care). The women, midwives, and researchers working in the gynecology and obstetric department were aware of the treatment group, but statisticians analysis the data were blinded. The primary outcome was labor pain intensity, assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) immediately after the randomization, at 30, 60, and 120 min after TENS therapy, and 2–24 h post-delivery. We used SPSS 21.0 software in data analysis. An independent sample t-test compared the mean VAS scores and labor duration between groups. A Chi-square test was employed to compare categorical variables between the groups. A significant level of ≤0.05 was statistically significant. Results A total of 326 pregnant women were eligible: experimental group (n = 161) and control group (n = 165). The experimental group had statistically significantly lower mean VAS scores at a different time (30, 60, and 120 min post-intervention and 2–24 h post-delivery) than the control group (p < 0.001). The experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant shorter duration of the active labor phase than the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion This study indicates that TENS can be used as a non-pharmacological therapy to reduce pain and shorten the active labor phase. Trial registration ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN23857995. Registered on 11/12/2020, ‘retrospectively registered.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanta Pandian ◽  
Kamal Narayan Arya ◽  
Dharmendra Kumar

Background. Balance and functional abilities are controlled by both sides of the body. The role of nonparetic side has never been explored for such skills.Objective. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of a motor therapy program primarily involving the nonparetic side on balance and function in chronic stroke.Method. A randomized controlled, double blinded trial was conducted on 39 poststroke hemiparetic subjects (21, men; mean age, 42 years; mean poststroke duration, 13 months). They were randomly divided into the experimental group(n=20)and control group(n=19). The participants received either motor therapy focusing on the nonparetic side along with the conventional program or conventional program alone for 8 weeks (3 session/week, 60 minutes each). The balance ability was assessed using Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Functional Reach Test (FRT) while the functional performance was measured by Barthel Index (BI).Result. After intervention, the experimental group exhibited significant(P<0.05)change on BBS (5.65 versus 2.52) and BI (12.75 versus 2.16) scores in comparison to the control group.Conclusion. The motor therapy program incorporating the nonparetic side along with the affected side was found to be effective in enhancing balance and function in stroke.


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