Using Sensor Graphs for Monitoring the Effect on the Performance of the OTAGO Exercise Program in Older Adults

The OTAGO exercise programme is effective in decreasing the risk for falls of older adults. This research investigated if there is an indication that the OTAGO exercise programme has a positive effect on the capacity and as well as on the performance in mobility. We used the data of the 10-months observational OTAGO pilot study with 15 (m = 1, f = 14) (pre-)frail participants aged 84.60 y (SD: 5.57 y). Motion sensors were installed in the flats of the participants and used to monitor their activity as a surrogate variable for performance. We derived a weighted directed multigraph from the physical sensor network, subtracted the weights of one day from a baseline, and used the difference in percent to quantify the change in performance. Least squares was used to compute the overall progress of the intervention (n = 9) and the control group (n = 6). In accordance with previous studies, we found indication for a positive effect of the OTAGO program on the capacity in both groups. Moreover, we found indication that the OTAGO program reduces the decline in performance of older adults in daily living. However, it is too early to conclude causalities from our findings because the data was collected during a pilot study.

Download Full-text

Optimization of the Effects of Physical Activity on Plantar Sensation and Postural Control With Barefoot Exercises in Institutionalized Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2018-0016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 452-465

Author(s):

Karim Korchi ◽

Frédéric Noé ◽

Noëlle Bru ◽

Thierry Paillard

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Falls Prevention ◽

Control Group ◽

Noticeable Effect ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Somatosensory Information

Increasing somatosensory information from the foot by exercising barefoot can potentially optimize the effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on falls prevention in the older adults. This pilot study was then undertaken to explore the effects of increased somatosensory information from the foot by exercising barefoot on balance, gait, and plantar cutaneous sensitivity in institutionalized older adults involved in multimodal exercise intervention. Participants were assigned to three groups: a control group which did not perform any physical exercise and two groups in which they were involved in a multimodal exercise program performed barefoot or shod. Postural, gait, and plantar cutaneous sensitivity parameters were collected. The results showed that the exercise program produced larger effects on balance and plantar cutaneous sensitivity when exercises were performed barefoot, without any noticeable effect on gait. Hence, barefoot exercising could be a relevant means to optimize the fall-prevention exercise programs in institutionalized older adults.

Download Full-text

FRI0617-HPR GRADED MOTOR IMAGERY IN POSTTRAUMATIC STIFFNESS OF THE ELBOW: A PILOT STUDY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.2660 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 913.2-914

Author(s):

T. Birinci ◽

E. Kaya Mutlu ◽

S. Altun

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Motor Imagery ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Control Group ◽

Elbow Fracture ◽

Stiff Elbow ◽

Limb Fractures ◽

Upper Limb Fractures ◽

Graded Motor Imagery

Background:Elbow fracture is treated either conservatively or surgically followed by a period of immobilization with casting or splinting. A splint used to immobilize upper limbs for many weeks results in changes in both the peripheral musculature and the central nervous system. It is well known that common complaints after upper limb fractures include weakness, pain, and stiffness; therefore, pain management is important in the early stages of the rehabilitation of upper limb fractures.Objectives:This pilot study aimed to investigate the efficacy of graded motor imaginary (GMI) on pain, range of motion (ROM), and function in patients with posttraumatic stiff elbow.Methods:Fourteen patients with posttraumatic stiff elbow (6 women, mean age: 45.42 ± 11.26 years, mean body mass index: 24.29 ± 3.38 kg\m2and mean duration of immobilization: 4.75 ± 1.03 weeks) were randomly allocated to either GMI or control groups. The GMI group received GMI treatment in addition to a structured exercise program, and the control group received a structured exercise program (two days per week for six weeks) (Figure 1). The assessments included pain at rest and during activity using the visual analog scale (VAS), elbow active ROM with a digital goniometer (Baseline Evaluation Instrument, Fabrication Enterprises, Inc., White Plains, NY), and upper extremity functional status using the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH). The assessments were performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention.Figure 1.Graded motor imagery performed with mirror boxResults:After the 6-week intervention, there was a significant increase in elbow flexion-extension ROM and supination-pronation ROM, and improvement in DASH score in both groups (p<0.05). However, improvement in VAS-rest and VAS-activity was significantly higher in the GMI group than the control group (p=0.03 and p=0.01, respectively).Conclusion:A conservative treatment program consisting of GMI treatment in addition to a structured exercise program applied twice a week for 6 weeks, has been found more effective in decreasing pain in the posttraumatic stiff elbow. It could be concluded that GMI is an effective treatment method for elbow fracture in patients with predominant elbow pain.References:[1] Harris JE, Hebert A. Utilization of motor imagery in upper limb rehabilitation: a systematic scoping review. Clin Rehab. 2015:29(11):1092-1107.[2] Opie GM, Evans A, Ridding MC, Semmler JG. Short-term immobilization influences use-dependent cortical plasticity and fine motor performance. Neuroscience. 2016:330:247-256.[3] Birinci T, Razak Ozdincler A, Altun S, Kural C. A structured exercise programme combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching or static stretching in posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehab. 2019:33(2):241-252.Acknowledgments:The present work was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa (Project No: TDK-2019-33997).Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Download Full-text

A novel balance exercise program for postural stability in older adults: A pilot study

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies ◽

10.1016/j.jbmt.2006.05.003 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 37-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

D.S. Kaesler ◽

R.B. Mellifont ◽

P. Swete Kelly ◽

D.R. Taaffe

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Balance Exercise

Download Full-text

Can Treadmill Slip-Perturbation Training Reduce Longer-Term Fall Risk Upon Overground Slip Exposure?

Journal of Applied Biomechanics ◽

10.1123/jab.2019-0211 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (5) ◽

pp. 298-306 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna Lee ◽

Tanvi Bhatt ◽

Xuan Liu ◽

Yiru Wang ◽

Shuaijie Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Center Of Mass ◽

Control Group ◽

Initial Training ◽

Single Session ◽

Control Groups ◽

Perturbation Training ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Better Than

The purpose was to examine and compare the longer-term generalization between 2 different practice dosages for a single-session treadmill slip-perturbation training when reexposed to an overground slip 6 months later. A total of 45 older adults were conveniently assigned to either 24 or 40 slip-like treadmill perturbation trials or a third control group. Overground slips were given immediately after initial training, and at 6 months after initial training in order to examine immediate and longer-term effects. The performance (center of mass stability and vertical limb support) and fall percentage from the laboratory-induced overground slips (at initial posttraining and at 6 mo) were measured and compared between groups. Both treadmill slip-perturbation groups showed immediate generalization at the initial posttraining test and longer-term generalization at the 6-month retest. The higher-practice-dosage group performed significantly better than the control group (P < .05), with no difference between the lower-practice-dosage and the control groups at the 6-month retest (P > .05). A single session of treadmill slip-perturbation training showed a positive effect for reducing older adults’ fall risk for laboratory-induced overground slips. A higher-practice dosage of treadmill slip perturbations could be more beneficial for further reducing fall risk.

Download Full-text

The Effectiveness of Input on Voiced and Unvoiced Consonant Sounds in a Native Arabic Speaking Context: An Action Research Project

English Language Teaching and Linguistics Studies ◽

10.22158/eltls.v2n3p1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. p1

Author(s):

Gareth Morgan

Keyword(s):

Action Research ◽

Control Group ◽

Action Research Project ◽

Research Project ◽

English Speaking ◽

The Difference ◽

Arabic Speaking ◽

Consonant Sounds ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Experimental Group

The paper describes the process and outcomes of an action research project with the aim of determining whether focusing classroom input on voiced and unvoiced consonant sounds has a positive effect on their production. Statistics were derived from English-speaking respondents listening to native Arabic speaking participants from an experimental group, who had received input on the difference between these sounds, and practiced their production, as well as to speakers from a control group who had received neither input nor practice. The rates of intelligibility were compared, with the conclusion being that the provision of limited input on this pronunciation issue does not, generally speaking, result in the ability to produce the sounds with greater clarity.

Download Full-text

Effects of Non-Pharmacological Treatment on Pain, Flexibility, Balance and Quality of Life in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomised Clinical Trial

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10173826 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (17) ◽

pp. 3826

Author(s):

Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla ◽

Abel Mejías-Gil ◽

Elisa María Garrido-Ardila ◽

María Jiménez-Palomares ◽

Jesús Montanero-Fernández ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Well Being ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Static Balance ◽

The Mean

Background: The functional deficits in people with fibromyalgia can be related to the level of physical activity performed. This study investigated the effectiveness of an active exercise programme versus exercise for well-being improving pain, flexibility, static balance, perceived exertion and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia; Methods: A randomised, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted. A total of 141 of women diagnosed with fibromyalgia were enrolled and randomised to an active exercise program group (n = 47), where they performed physical active exercises, an exercise for well-being group (n = 47), which performed the Qi Gong exercises named ‘the twenty Wang Ziping figures for health and longevity’, and a control group (n = 47), which did not receive any intervention, for a period of 4 weeks. Measures were taken at baseline and after the treatment. The primary outcome measures were static balance and centre of gravity (Wii-Fit Nintendo ©), flexibility (test de Wells and Dillon), pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and quality of life (Spanish-Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). The secondary outcome measure was the perceived exertion during activity (BORG Scale). Results: In total, 93 participants completed the study. The mean value of the age was 52.24 ± 6.19. The post intervention results showed statistically significant improvements in the exercise for well-being and the active exercise programme groups vs. the control group in relation to pain (p = 0.006 active exercise programme group, p = 0.001 exercise for well-being group), static balance (p < 0.001 active exercise programme group) and quality of life (p < 0.001 active exercise programme group, p = 0.002 exercise for well-being group). In addition, the mean scores related to perceived fatigue during the sessions were 6.30 ± 1.88 for the active exercise programme group and 5.52 ± 1.55 for the exercise for well-being group. These differences were not significant. Conclusions: The active exercise program and exercise for well-being improved flexibility, static balance, pain and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia. The participants of the active exercise programme achieved better results that those of the exercise for well-being.

Download Full-text

Prevalence of ADHD in children born by mothers consuming Frankincense during pregnancy

Advances in Pharmacology and Therapeutics Journal ◽

10.18502/aptj.v1i1.7959 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alimohammad Ranjbar ◽

Elahe Kamali Ardakani ◽

Rahele Zareshahi

Keyword(s):

Data Gathering ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Dsm V ◽

History Of ◽

The Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship ◽

The Brain ◽

Positive Effect

Aims: In Iranian culture, due to some narratives from the prophet Mohammad about the use of frankincense during pregnancy for increasing IQ in children, some women consume frankincense during expectancy. This study's goal is to evaluate the relationship between frankincense used during pregnancy and the incidence of ADHD. Methods: In this study, the case group comprised children 4-17 years old referring to Shahid Chamran Pharmacy in Yazd from summer to winter 2018 for receiving Methylphenidate, those with whom a psychologist had identified ADHD based on DSM-V factors. The control group included children of the same age group but without ADHD. For data gathering, a checklist was used with some questions on smoking, family history of ADHD, presence/absence of a specific disease during pregnancy, frankincense used during pregnancy, and a chemical medication consumed during pregnancy. Results: The main result demonstrated that the children whose mothers used frankincense during pregnancy were 0.67 times less likely to be affected by ADHD than those whose mothers did not use this substance. However, the difference failed to be statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Some studies report that frankincense can bear a positive effect on the development of the brain and possibly adequate formation of dendrites trees, axons and induce proper communication between them, so the impact of frankincense on the brain may be justified by its protective effect against the hyperactive child.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Theory-lead Intervention for Knee Osteoarthritis in Older Adults: A Cluster Randomized Trial

10.21203/rs.2.22689/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Limin Wang ◽

Hongbo Chen ◽

Han Lu ◽

Yunlin Wang ◽

Congying Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Transtheoretical Model ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Exercise Adherence ◽

Cluster Randomized Trial ◽

Knee Function ◽

Control Group ◽

Cluster Randomized

Abstract Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common joint disease in people over 60 years old. Exercise therapy is one of the most effective non-pharmacological treatments for KOA, but low exercise adherence needs to be improved. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the transtheoretical model-lead home exercise intervention (TTM-HEI) program on exercise adherence, KOA symptoms and knee function in older adults with KOA. Methods: A two-arm, superiority, assessor-blinded, cluster randomized trial was conducted. Community-dwelling older adults with KOA were recruited from 14 community centers in Beijing, China via print and social media advertisements from April to October 2018. The intervention was a two-stage and 24-week transtheoretical model-based exercise program, and the control group underwent a same length but non-theory-based exercise program. Exercise adherence was measured by an 11-point numerical self-rating scale at weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 after the program started. KOA symptoms (pain intensity and joint stiffness) and knee function (lower limb muscle strength and balance) were measured at baseline, week 24, and week 48. Latent growth model (GLM), repeated measures ANOVA and independent t-test were the main statistical tests.Results: A total of 189 older adults (intervention group: n = 103, control group: n = 86) were enrolled. Differences of any outcome measures at baseline were not significant between groups. The growth rate of exercise adherence in the intervention group increased 2.175 units compared with the control group (unstandardized coefficient of slope on group B2 = 2.175, p < 0.001), and the intervention program maintained participants’ exercise adherence with 5.56 (SD = 1.00) compared with 3.16 (SD = 1.31) in the control group at week 48. In addition, TTM-HEI program showed significant effects on relieving KOA symptoms and improving knee function.Conclusion: The TTM-HEI could improve the participants’ exercise adherence, knee osteoarthritis symptoms and knee function over time.

Download Full-text