scholarly journals Effects of Cervical Spine Mobilization on Respiratory Function and Cervical Angles of Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Ho Jung An ◽  
Shin Jun Park
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Respiratory Function ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

The forward head posture (FHP) of stroke patients has a negative impact on respiratory function. Cervical spine mobilization is a manual therapy technique that used to prevent and treat FHP and respiratory function. This pilot study investigated whether cervical spine mobilization can effectively improve outcomes following FHP and respiratory function of stroke patients. Twenty-four patients participated in our assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. All the participants received neurodevelopmental treatments (gait training and trunk rehabilitation). The experimental group additionally received 15-min sessions of cervical spine mobilization three times per week for 4 weeks. The control group received cervical spine sham mobilization during the same period. For the cervical angles, the cranial vertebral angle (CVA) and cranial rotation angle (CRA) were measured. A respiratory function test was performed to measure the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and chest circumferences (upper and lower chest sizes). Except for MIP, there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group. The CVA and CRA were significantly increased in the experimental group only. Cervical spine mobilization improved cervical angles and inspiratory function of the stroke patients in this study. However, a comparative study with a larger number of patients is needed to confirm this finding from our pilot study, which had a small sample size.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Myofunctional Therapy Associated with Voice Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Neurogenic Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: a pilot study

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (03) ◽  
pp. 225-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Fraga ◽  
Sheila Almeida ◽  
Márcia Santana ◽  
Mauriceia Cassol
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia ◽  
Oral Intake ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Swallowing Rehabilitation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Vocal Exercises ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Post Therapy

Introduction Dysphagia causes changes in the laryngeal and stomatognathic structures; however, the use of vocal exercises is poorly described. Objective To verify whether the therapy consisting of myofunctional exercises associated with vocal exercises is more effective in rehabilitating deglutition in stroke patients. Methods This is a pilot study made up of two distinct groups: a control group, which performed only myofunctional exercises, and an experimental group, which performed myofunctional and vocal exercises. The assessment used for oral intake was the functional oral intake scale (FOIS). Results The FOIS levels reveal that the pre-therapy median of the experimental group was 4, and increased to 7 after therapy, while in the control group the values were 5 and 6 respectively. Thus, the experimental group had a statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-therapy assessments (p = 0.039), which indicates that the combination of myofunctional and vocal exercises was more effective in improving the oral intake levels than the myofunctional exercises alone (p = 0.059). On the other hand, the control group also improved, albeit at a lower rate compared with the experimental group; hence, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups post-therapy (p = 0.126). Conclusion This pilot study showed indications that using vocal exercises in swallowing rehabilitation in stroke patients was able to yield a greater increase in the oral intake levels. Nevertheless, further controlled blind clinical trials with larger samples are required to confirm such evidence, as this study points to the feasibility of conducting this type of research.

Combined cognitive and motor training improves the outcome in the early phase after stroke and prevents a decline of executive functions: A pilot study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Mareike Eschweiler ◽  
Lara Bohr ◽  
Josef Kessler ◽  
Gereon R. Fink ◽  
Elke Kalbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Motor Training ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Motor Functioning

BACKGROUND: The negative impact of cognitive dysfunction on motor rehabilitation as a relearning-process is well known in stroke patients. However, evidence for combined cognitive and motor training (CMT) is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of combined CMT in early stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: In a controlled pilot study, 29 moderately affected stroke patients with low-level motor performance and cognitive impairment received motor therapy plus either cognitive (experimental group, EG) or low-frequency ergometer training (control group, CG) for eight days. RESULTS: Both groups improved their motor functioning significantly. After training, between-group comparison revealed significant differences for cognitive flexibility and trends for set-shifting, working memory, and reaction control in favor of the EG. Within-group effects showed improvement across all cognitive domains in the EG, which correlated with gains in bed-mobility, while the CG showed no significant improvement in cognition. Rather, a trend towards reaction control decline was observed, which correlated with less functional progression and recovery. Furthermore, a decline in cognitive flexibility, set-shifting, and working memory was descriptively observed. CONCLUSIONS: Combined CMT may enhance cognition and motor relearning early after stroke and is superior to single motor training. Further studies are needed to replicate these results and investigate long-term benefits.

scholarly journals Effect of proprioceptive sensation and feedback required for motor learning on function, activity, and daily life behavior of patients after nerve injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 474-481
Author(s):  
Jung-Ho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Proprioceptive Sensation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Upper Extremity Function ◽  
Function Activity ◽  
Experimental Group

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of modified mirror therapy and taping therapy for providing feedback on upper extremity function, activity, and daily activities of stroke patients. Methods: This study was conducted with 20 stroke patients and randomly assigned 10 subjects to the experimental group and 10 to the control group. In the experimental group, after proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulation treatment, the mirror therapy program was implemented. In the control group, upper extremity taping was performed before proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation treatment. In this study, a prior evaluation using JTT, FIM, and MAL was performed before intervention to evaluate the patient's function and daily life behavior. Post-tests were performed after the last treatment. Results: In the paired-sample T-test used for within-group comparison of JTTs, FIM, and MAL, there was a significant difference between pre- and post-test for all groups. But there was no statistically significant difference between experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 in an independent t-test conducted to compare the effect sizes of treatments. Conclusion: In other words, by applying mirror therapy and taping therapy that can increase proprioceptive sensation and feedback information in stroke patients, upper extremity function and daily activities can be increased.

scholarly journals Effects of virtual reality-based treadmill training on the balance and gait ability in patients after stroke

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-102
Author(s):  
Maruša Kržišnik ◽  
Barbara Horvat Rauter ◽  
Nataša Bizovčar
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Treadmill Training ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Lateral Asymmetry ◽  
Subacute Stroke ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

Gait and balance impairments contribute significantly to long-term disability after stroke. Modern concepts of stroke rehabilitation recommend a task-specific repetitive approach, such as using treadmill training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using virtual reality-based treadmill training to improve balance and gait in subacute stroke patients. Twenty-two stroke patients were randomly stratified into two groups: the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). Parameters associated with balance and gait were measured using the 6-minute walk test, the 10-meter walk test, the timed “up and go” test, the functional gait assessment, and the four square step test. Gait analysis using the zebris Rehawalk® treadmill system was also performed. Patients in the experimental group received virtual reality-based treadmill training five times a week for a period of four weeks, while those in the control group received treadmill training at the same frequency, duration, intensity, and structure, along with a progressively more difficult task demands. Significant improvements were observed in selected outcome measures in both groups after training. Patients in the experimental group experienced improvements in all of the spatiotemporal gait parameters, but there was a significant difference before and after training in duration of double support and lateral asymmetry. The findings of this pilot randomized controlled trial support the benefits of using a virtual reality-based treadmill training program to improve gait and balance in subacute stroke patients.

Idiopathic coccygodynia as a ‘mask’ of lesions caused by overload in sports associated with the art of movement

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 110-114
Author(s):  
O.S. Vasilyev ◽  
◽  
S.P. Levushkin ◽  
E.E. Achkasov ◽  
O.A. Sultanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Physical Rehabilitation ◽  
Pain Severity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rhythmic Gymnastics ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Muscle Hypertonia ◽  
Experimental Group

In this study, we analyzed specific manifestations of idiopathic coccygodynia in children and adolescents involved in rhythmic gymnastics and choreography. The experimental group consisted of 34 individuals aged 10 to 14 years with complaints of discomfort and/or pain in the pelvis, sacrum, coccyx, and hip joints, increasing during professional movements and who had no history of injuries. The control group comprised 12 healthy adolescents from the same teams. We evaluated local muscle hypertonia, pain severity (using a visual analog scale) in all study participants. In addition to that, they have undergone sports and choreographic testing and isokinetic examination (using the multiarticular complex ‘Biodex System 4 Pro’). Individuals in the experimental group had a 2-week rehabilitation course that included modification of training; intramuscular injections of 2.0 mL of 0.1% lidocaine solution into the area of muscle hypertonia; application of ointment (2.2 mL); manual therapy; special exercises to relax spasmed muscles). We identified significant difference in pain severity when performing basic choreographic elements between the two groups in the beginning of the study. We also observed a significant decrease in pain in the experimental group after the rehabilitation course. We obtained an indirect proof of the hypothesis that local muscle hypertonia is the leading cause of discomfort and pain. The results of isometric examination suggest that the number of patients with a bilateral difference (according to two of the three parameters studied) significantly differed between participants in the experimental group after a course of physical rehabilitation and controls. This fact can serve as an indirect evidence that hypertonia affects functional activation of muscles, and a 2-week course of physical rehabilitation is not sufficient. The introduction of the concept of ‘sports coccygodynia’ will allow orthopedic traumatologists and sports medicine doctors to focus on several therapeutic and diagnostic measures and to avoid unnecessary instrumental examination, which will significantly increase the effectiveness of patient rehabilitation. Key words: children and adolescents, muscle hypertonia, coccygodynia, lesions caused by overload, choreography, rhythmic gymnastics

scholarly journals Effects of Internet-Based Support Program on Parenting Outcomes for Primiparous Women: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4402
Author(s):  
Lingling Huang ◽  
Qu Shen ◽  
Qiyu Fang ◽  
Xujuan Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Postnatal Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Support Program ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Primiparous Women

(1) Background: Some primiparous women are usually confronted with many parenting problems after childbirth, which can negatively influence the wellbeing of some mothers and infants. Evidence identified that internet interventions can include more tailored information, reach a larger research group, and supply more anonymity than face-to-face traditional interventions. Therefore, the internet-based support program (ISP) was designed to improve the parenting outcomes for Chinese first-time mothers. (2) Methods: A multicenter, single-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. From May to October 2020, a total of 44 participants were recruited in the obstetrical wards of two tertiary hospitals in China. Eighteen women in the control group received routine postnatal care; while eighteen women in the intervention group accessed to the ISP and routine postnatal care. The duration of intervention was not less than three months. Intervention outcomes were assessed through questionnaires before randomization (T0), immediately after intervention (T1), and three months after intervention (T2). The Self-efficacy in Infant Care Scale (SICS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Postpartum Social Support Scale (PSSS) were included to measure MSE, postpartum depression (PPD), and social support, respectively. (3) Results: No significant difference between the two groups were found in terms of the baseline social-demographic characteristics; and the scores of SICS, EPDS and PSSS at T0 (p > 0.05). Repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance found that women in the intervention group had a higher MSE score at T1 (6.63, p = 0.007), and T2 (5.75, p = 0.020); a lower EPDS score at T1 (3.11, p = 0.003), and T2 (2.50, p = 0.005); and a higher PSSS score at T1 (4.30, p = 0.001); and no significant difference at T2 (0.35, p = 0.743), compared with women in the control group. (4) Conclusion: The effect of ISP was evaluated to significantly increase primiparous women’s MSE, social support, and to alleviate their PPD symptoms. However, the small sample in pilot study restricted the research results. Therefore, the ISP should be further investigated with a larger, diverse sample to confirm whether it should be adopted as routine postnatal care to support primiparous women on parenting outcomes and mental wellbeing in the early stage of motherhood.

scholarly journals Effects of a combination of scapular stabilization and thoracic extension exercises for office workers with forward head posture on the craniovertebral angle, respiration, pain, and disability: A randomized-controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-299
Author(s):  
Na-Yeon Kang ◽  
Sang-Cheol Im ◽  
Kyoung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neck Disability Index ◽  
Office Workers ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group Comparison ◽  
Forward Head Posture ◽  
Head Posture ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Craniovertebral Angle ◽  
Experimental Group

Objectives: This study aims to investigate how exercise programs not directly applied to the cervical spine affect office workers with forward head posture (FHP). Patients and methods: Between March 2018 and June 2018, a total of 32 office workers with FHP (13 males, 19 females; mean age 36.63 years; range, 23 to 57 years) were randomized either to experimental (n=16) or control groups (n=16). Scapular stabilization and thoracic extension exercises were applied to the experimental group and cervical stabilization and stretching exercises to the control group. The results of the pre-intervention and after six weeks measurement of the craniovertebral angle (CVA), respiration, pain, and disability were compared and analyzed. Results: For intra-group comparison, both groups showed significant differences (p<0.05) in CVA, forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV1), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and neck disability index at pre- and post-intervention, while only the experimental group showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and forced vital capacity. For inter-group comparison, a significant difference (p<0.05) between FEV1 and VAS was observed. Conclusion: The combination of scapular stabilization and thoracic extension exercises, not directly applied to the cervical spine, has an effect on improving the posture, respiration, neck pain, and disability in office workers with FHP.

scholarly journals Information Services Using Problem Based Learning (PBL) Methods To Increase The Emotional Quotient (EQ) Of Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-125
Author(s):  
Neci Yalisma ◽  
Neviyarni Neviyarni ◽  
Marjohan Marjohan
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Learning Method ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Emotional Quotient ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Experimental Group

Emotion is a feeling that arises in students, both positive and negative, a phenomenon that often occurs in schools that there are still students who have negative emotions, such as being angry with friends in class, in this study students should be able to regulate emotions so as not to have a negative impact on themselves nor other people. This study aims to increase the emotional quotient of class X and XI students. This research is experimental research, the type of research used is a quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group design. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The number of samples of  60 people who are categorized as low on the student's emotional quotient, the class sample is divided into two groups: 1) the experimental group of 30 people and 2) the control group of 30 people. The instrument used was a anemotional quotient questionnaire. The results of the emotional quotient show that there is an increase in the emotional quotient of students between the experimental group before and after the treatment of information services using the problem-based learning method is carried out, there is an increase in the emotional quotient of the control group students before and after being provided with information services without the problem-based learning method, there is a significant difference in the level students' emotional quotient between the experimental group that was provided with information services using the problem-based learning method and the control group that was provided with information services. Thus, information services using problem-based learning methods are effective in increasing students' emotional quotient.

scholarly journals Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Plus Upper Cervical Spine Mobilization on Forward Head Posture and Swallowing Function in Stroke Patients with Dysphagia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Yung Hyun Jeon ◽  
Kyun Hee Cho ◽  
Shin Jun Park
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Upper Cervical Spine ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Swallowing Function ◽  
Forward Head Posture ◽  
Head Posture ◽  
Upper Cervical ◽  
Experimental Group

After a stroke, forward head posture occurs, resulting in swallowing dysfunction. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with upper cervical spine mobilization has demonstrated enhanced recovery of the swallowing function in stroke patients. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of NMES in conjunction with upper cervical mobilization in stroke patients with dysphagia. Thirty-four stroke patients were recruited (in a randomized controlled clinical trial) and divided into an experimental group (n = 17; NMES plus upper cervical spine mobilization) and a control group (n = 17; NMES plus sham mobilization). Forward head posture was measured by craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) and craniovertebral angle (CVA). Swallowing function was measured by variations in video fluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) and penetration–aspiration scale (PAS) scores using the video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). All measurements were done at baseline and after four weeks of NMES plus mobilization. A significant increase was observed in CCFT, CVA, VDS (total VDS score, oral stage score, pharyngeal stage score), and PAS score in all variations in the experimental group. The CCFT, CVA, pharyngeal stage score, total VDS, and PAS score were significantly higher in the experimental group when compared to the control group. NMES plus upper cervical spine mobilization can be regarded as a promising method to improve swallowing function and forward head posture changes in stroke patients with dysphagia.

Efficacy of Circumferential Intensive Phototherapy in Treating Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Yang ◽  
Yingying Liu ◽  
Fang Zheng ◽  
Qiang Yao ◽  
Weinong Mo
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Transcutaneous Bilirubin ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

Objective The present study was aimed at developing a circumferential phototherapy unit using 3M reflective materials in the double-sided phototherapy unit and investigating its efficacy in treating neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Study Design Forty-two infants with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were selected from our hospital; they were randomly divided into control (n = 21) and experimental groups (n = 21). The experimental group was treated with the circumferential phototherapy unit, while the control group was treated with an ordinary phototherapy unit. Results No significant differences were noted between the two groups in the levels of transcutaneous bilirubin before phototherapy (p > 0.05). After 12 hours of phototherapy, the value of transcutaneous bilirubin decreased significantly in the experimental group compared with that of the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the two groups did not exhibit any significant difference in the side effects (p > 0.05). Conclusion Our results indicated that the circumferential phototherapy unit was more effective than the ordinary phototherapy unit in treating neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Key Points

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