Decreased Balance Function in School-Aged Children with Behavioral Problems

Children with behavioral problems have a high risk of impaired motor performance. However, the characteristics of balance functions and their associations with behavioral traits are unclear in this population. This study aimed to evaluate balance functions and their relationships with the degree of behavioral problems in school-aged children. A total of 209 children, aged 6–10 years, were divided into two groups, those with and those without behavioral problems, using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Physical assessments included the one-leg standing test (OLST), the two-step test, and the five-times-sit-to-stand test. We compared the data between groups and assessed for correlations in terms of total difficulties and the SDQ subscale scores. Children with behavioral problems showed significantly reduced the OLST results (p < 0.001) and the two-step test results (p = 0.008). The five-times-sit-to-stand test results did not show significant differences between groups. The OLST results were significantly correlated with emotional symptoms (r = −0.22, p < 0.001), hyperactivity/inattention (r = −0.29, p < 0.001), peer relationship problems (r = −0.22, p < 0.001), and total difficulties (r = −0.32, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the two-step test results showed no significant correlation with the SDQ scores. Children with behavioral problems have poor balance function, thereby increasing the risk for instability. This suggests that the balance function of children with behavioral problems needs to be considered.

A comparison of balance and fall risk in patients with unilateral and bilateral total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: Static or dynamic postural control cannot be fully restored in patients with knee osteoarthritis, even after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which may contribute to an increased risk of falls in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate balance and the fall risk before and after TKA in patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. Secondary outcomes were patient-reported and performance-based activity limitations. METHODS: A total of 45 patients were separated into two groups as unilateral TKA (UTKA, n= 24) and bilateral TKA (BTKA, n= 21) groups. All the patients received standard postoperative physical therapy for 3 months. Balance and fall risk (Biodex Balance System SD), patient-reported and performance-based functionality (WOMAC, 30-second chair-stand test, 9-step stair climbing test and 40-meter fast-paced walk test) and Short Form-12 (SF-12) were evaluated at preoperatively, and at 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups in postoperative fall risk and balance (p> 0.05). The BTKA group obtained better results in the sit-to-stand test and SF-12 physical dimension (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: UTKA and BTKA interventions and the standard postoperative rehabilitation were seen to improve balance and quality of life, and reduce the fall risk, patient-reported and performance-based activity limitations. However, despite improvements in balance, the risk of falling persists.

Impact of Exercise Modalities on Peripheral and Central Components of Cardiorespiratory Capacity in Heart Transplantation Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: To analyze the effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined training on peripheral and central components related to cardiorespiratory capacity after HTx. Materials and Methods: No time restriction was applied for study inclusion. MEDLINE/PubMed; EMBASE, CENTRAL, and PEDro databases were investigated. Studies reporting heart transplanted patients older than 19 years following aerobic, resistance, and combined training according. The outcomes included: V′O2 peak, VE/V’CO2 slope, heart rate (HR peak), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP peak), maximum repetition test(1RM), sit-to-stand test, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD). The studies were selected by consensus. Four hundred ninety-two studies initially met the selection criteria. Cochrane handbook was used for abstracting data and assessing data quality and validity. Independent extraction by two observers was applied. Results: Isolated aerobic training leads to a greater increase in V′O2 peak than combined training compared to the control group (p < 0.001, I2 = 0%). However, no significant differences were found in the subgroup comparison (p = 0.19, I2 = 42.1%). HR peak increased similarly after aerobic and combined training. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) was better than moderate continuous intensity to increase the V′O2 after long term in HTx. Still, there is scarce evidence of HIIT on muscle strength and FMD. No change on VE/V’CO2 slope, FMD, and SBP, DBP peak. 1RM and the sit-to-stand test increased after resistance training (p < 0.001, I2 = 70%) and CT (p < 0.001, I2 = 0%) when compared to control. Conclusions: Aerobic and combined training effectively improve VO2 peak and muscle strength, respectively. HIIT seems the better choice for cardiorespiratory capacity improvements. More studies are needed to examine the impact of training modalities on VE/V’CO2 slope and FMD.

An Investigation into the Effects of a Curcumin Extract (Curcugen®) on Osteoarthritis Pain of the Knee: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Curcumin, a phytochemical from the spice turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to have pain-relieving effects. In this 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 101 adults with knee osteoarthritis received either 500 mg twice daily of a standardised curcumin extract (Curcugen®) or placebo. Outcome measures included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), knee pain ratings, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score for Osteoarthritic Knees (JOA), PROMIS–29, and performance-based testing comprising the 40-m fast-paced walk test, 6-min walk test, timed up-and-go test, and 30-s chair stand test. Compared to the placebo, curcumin significantly reduced the KOOS knee pain score (p = 0.009) and numeric knee pain ratings (p = 0.001). Curcumin was also associated with greater improvements (p ≤ 0.05) than the placebo on the timed up-and-go test, 6-min walk test, and the JOA total score; but not the 30-s chair stand test or 40-m fast-paced walk test. Pain-relieving medication was reduced in 37% of participants on curcumin compared to 13% on placebo. The findings support the potential efficacy of curcumin for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee but studies of longer duration, varying treatment doses, differing curcumin extracts, and the use of other objective outcome measures will be helpful to expand on these findings.

Feasibility of the modified 30-second sit-to-stand test in an isolation ward of moderate COVID-19

BACKGROUND The recovery after prolonged immobilization during hospitalization because of COVID-19 is the primary goal of moderate to severe COVID-19 rehabilitation. Lower extremity muscle function assessment after immobilization is needed before starting mobilization. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the modified 30-second sit-to-stand test (m30STS) as one of the prospective tools of functional capacity assessment in moderate COVID-19. METHODS This cross-sectional study recruited the subjects consecutively. All eligible subjects with oxygen saturation (SaO2) ≥95% with or without oxygen supplementation performed the m30STS following the Bohannon’s guidelines. The score of m30STS was calculated based on the number of stands completed within 30 sec. A higher score of the m30STS indicated better lower extremity function. RESULTS Mean score of m30STS was 13.3. No subjects had oxygen desaturation or increased heart rate, and no fall incidents occurred. CONCLUSIONS The m30STS is feasible and safe to evaluate lower extremity for moderate COVID-19 patients with SaO2 >95%. The absence of oxygen desaturation and increase in heart rate showed no increased oxygen consumption during the test.

Relationship between muscle mass and neuromuscular function in the muscular strength of elderly women practicing and non-practicing physical activities

Objective. To verify the correlation between muscle mass and neuromuscular function in muscle strength of women practicing and not practicing physical activities. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with older women (60 and over), physically active (fa) and physically inactive (fi). The muscle strength of the upper limb (handgrip strength - hgs; resisfor test) and lower limb (30 second chair stand test) were evaluated; as well as muscle mass (calf circumference - cc); and neuromuscular activity (semg) of the following muscles: flexor carpi radialis (fcr) and biceps brachii (bb) (upper limb); vastus lateralis (vl), vastus medialis (vm) and tibialis anterior (ta) (lower limb). The student t test and multiple linear regression were used (95%; p <.05). Results. Overall, 59 women were evaluated (71.5 ± 7.1 years), 31 fa and 28 fi. Fa women had significantly better values ​​in dynamic muscular strength tests of the upper (p=.001) and lower limbs (p<.0001). There was no significant difference in muscle mass between groups. After adjustment for covariates, there was relationship between cc and activity of fcr muscle with hgs (r2adj.= 0.64), and cc with the 30 second chair stand test (r2adj.= .39) in fa women. Among fi women, there was significant correlation between activity of fcr muscle and hgs (r2adj.= .35) and cc and neural activity of fcr with resisfor (r2adj.= .66). Conclusion. Physical exercise was related to higher dynamic muscle strength. Differences in the relationship between muscle mass and neuromuscular activity with strength in each test indicate physiological differences for each strength exercise applied.

Reliability of Sit to Stand Test in Fall Identification in Knee Osteoarthritis- A Literature Review

Osteoarthritis is the second most prevalent degenerative illness as well as the most frequent joint condition in India. It is one of the most common degenerative disorder of the articular cartilage and surface of weightbearing joints causing disability in elderly patients. Gait, stair-climbing, unipedal stance, and the sitting-to-standing (STS) task have all been shown to be altered in research. Most of the research article had proved that sit to stand test, we can use to physiotherapy department to identify the risk of fall in knee OA patients. Most of the patients had severe knee pain and reduced lower limb muscle strength so, during the test patient may take a long time to complete the test and there is a loss of balance. Due to pain and reduced endurance and loss of balance, the patient may not be capable of completing the test. So, the test is reliable to determine the risk of a fall in knee OA patient.

Investigating the lower extremity–related anaerobic exercise capacity and functional status in adult patients with familial Mediterranean fever

ABSTRACT Objectives No studies examined the lower extremity–related anaerobic exercise capacity or functional status in adult patients with FMF. Methods Twenty-four patients with FMF (12 males) and 24 age–sex-matched healthy controls (13 males) were included in the study. Lower extremity–related anaerobic exercise capacity was assessed by using Wingate Anaerobic Test. Lower extremity–related functional status was examined by using 9-Step Stair Climb Test, 10-Repetition Chair Stand Test, and Six-Minute Walking Distance. Muscle strength of hip flexors, hip extensors, knee flexors, and knee extensors were evaluated by using a hand-held dynamometer. Results Patients with FMF had significantly poorer results in all anaerobic exercise capacity parameters and functional status assessments (P &lt; 0.05), except muscle strength measurements (P &gt; 0.05). Both average and peak anaerobic exercise capacities correlated significantly with all muscle strength measurements, 9-Step Stair Climb Test, 10-Repetition Chair Stand Test times, and Six-Minute Walk Distances (P &lt; 0.05) in patients with FMF. Conclusion Lower extremity–related anaerobic exercise capacity and functional status seem to be diminished in adult patients with FMF. Evaluating these parameters may be beneficial for planning more appropriate and individualized treatment regimens such as patient education and exercise counselling for patients with FMF.