Effect of Swiss Ball Training on Balance and Postural Stability in Stroke Patient

Stroke is sudden loss of neurological function. It is caused by interruption in cerebral blood flow. Objectives: To analyze the difference in the balance and postural stability score pre &post swiss ball training in stroke patients. Study Design: Randomized control trial. Methodology: This study was performed on stroke patients which are selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were allocated randomly into two groups, experimental group with exercises being performed on swiss ball and control group with exercises performed as per conventional methods with no additional intervention. Statistical analysis: SPSS software, v 20 analyzed data. Independent samples t test and paired sample test were applied. Results: The results showed mean difference of Berg Balance Scale at pre-intervention level and post-interventional level was 0.15 and 14.15 with p values 0.653 and 0.000, respectively. The TIS also showed non-significant difference at pre-interventional level as shown by p value 0.170 , which was significant at post interventional level with a p value to be 0.000 . Paired sample statistics showed a significant improvement for both groups at pre-post level of measurement with a p value of 0.000. Conclusion: We concluded that in stroke patients performing exercises on swiss ball showed significant better outcomes as compared to control group in improving balance and postural stability. However, both groups improved significantly when tested at pre-post levels of measurement. Keywords: Swiss Ball, Stroke, Physical Therapy, Exercise Therapy and Balance.

Effect of Core Stability Exercises with Conventional Physiotherapy in Reducing Pain among Patients with Non-Specific Low Back Pain: RCT

Low backache is common among urban society. It is one of the main reasons for activity limitation and absenteeism from work Purpose: To compare role of swiss ball-based core stability exercise and conventional physiotherapy among patients of non-specific low backache in reducing pain and improving function Study Design: Randomized clinical trial Methodology: Current project was conducted at Ehsan Rehab Physiotherapy Clinic and Mumtaz Bukhtawar Trust Hospital, Lahore. Patients (n=74) aging between 25-50 years with nonspecific low backache were randomized into 2 groups. Thirty-seven patients were present in each of Group A and in Group B. Group A was treated with conventional physiotherapy treatment (Controlled Electrotherapy Treatment along with Conventional Exercises). Group B was treated with (Controlled Electrotherapy Treatment along with Core Stability Exercises on Swiss Ball). Oswestry disability index and numeric pain rating scale were used as outcome measuring tools Statistical analysis: The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS version 25 Results: There was a large improvement in pain intensity and improvement in functional limitation in both groups. However, group B showed that there was a more substantial improvement in pain and functional disability Conclusion: It was concluded that core stability based on Swiss ball exercises was more effective than conventional physiotherapy treatment in improving pain and function in patients of nonspecific low backache Key Words: Core Stability, Swiss Ball Exercises, Physical Therapy, Electrotherapy and Backache.

A study to analyze the effectiveness of Swiss ball exercise versus resistance training in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction and Aim: Diabetes is a disease rising all over the world affecting larger number of populations. In India largest number of diabetic patients are reported. Lack of physical activity, dietary pattern change, and sedentary life style are the major causes for concern. Aneffective lifestyle intervention including changes in dietary pattern, regular exercises would enhance in preventing or postponing the onset of diabetes. The aim of the study is to analyse the effectiveness of Swiss ball exercise and resistance training in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Materials and Methods:The study design is comparative type. The study was conducted in Faculty of Physiotherapy, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai. The study sample of 30 subjects both male and female were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were sorted into two groups.Inclusion criteria were patients with clear history of Type 2 diabetes, clinically diagnosed, an inactive lifestyle, age between 30-60 years. Exclusion criteria were uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, advanced retinopathy, neuropathy, severe orthopedic conditions. 30 subjects between the age group of 30-60 years were divided into two groups, group A and group B. Individuals in the group A (n=15) received the Swiss ball exercise and group B (n=15) received resistance training exercise for 5 session/ week for 12 weeks for 30 minutes. Results: On comparing pre-test and post-test within group A andgroup B on fasting, post prandial blood sugar level and diabetes distress screening scale show highly significant difference in mean values at P ? 0.001. Conclusion:The study concluded that both the groupshad substantial effect. On comparing Swiss ball exercise and resistance training, both the exercise programs were found to be equally effective.

Physical activity in stroke patients: A scoping review

Stroke is the second leading cause of disability and death worldwide with 5.9 million deaths annually. Stroke can be followed by various clinical problems. Impaired motoric function of the extremities is the most severe post stroke disorder experienced and impacts on limitations of daily activities. The main treatment is by doing regular physical activity exercises. This review was conducted to identify physical activities that can be performed by stroke patients. This scoping review was compiled using Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework. A total of three databases (i.e., Pubmed, Proquest, and DOAJ) was searched with relevant keyword "physical activity OR exercise AND stroke". The articles selected are published in the last 5 years, in English, and in full text. The literature search retrieved 164 studies to be screened based on the exclusion-inclusion criteria which finally resulted in the 11 studies included in the review. The remaining 11 studies were fully read and data were extracted regarding the type of physical activity, goals, settings and outcomes. Qualitative (i.e., theme analysis) methods have been used to synthesis the data. Based on the results of the review, there are several physical activities that stroke patients can do, such as progressive resistance and balance (PRB) exercises, locomotors exercises: (walking on a treadmill with body weight support and walking on the ground), selective movements of the upper and lower trunk body in the Supine and sit using a stable support / pad or unstable support (Swiss ball), core stability training, aerobic (AT) and resistance training (RT), aerobic training, walking exercises, and task-oriented training. Several physical exercises have been identified where each of these exercises has a purpose and benefit in the recovery of physical functional stroke patients. Physical activity should be done regularly and take into account the duration, intensity, and frequency of the exercise based on patient’s ability and stamina.

Effectiveness of Core Muscle Strengthening using Swiss Ball vs Traditional Core muscle Strengthening Exercises on Functional Impairments in Amateur Marathon Runners with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Background: Devashee S Mistry discovered that the prevalence of anterior knee pain in marathon runners is 68% in the age group of 15-30 years.(11) There are many literatures that shows correlation between core muscle instability and pain associated with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). Although, there are many studies done to study the effectiveness of core muscle strengthening program on pain and functional impairment in general population with PFPS, there are only few literatures which evaluates its effectiveness on marathon runners. Study purpose/ Research Question: The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of core muscle strengthening using Swiss ball versus traditional core muscle exercises on mat for managing the functional impairments in the amateur marathon runners with PFPS. Material and methodology: Amateur marathon runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome (n = 32) having anterior knee pain were included in this study. A comparative study was done where two group were made. Group A (n= 16) received core strengthening exercises using swiss ball and group B (n = 16) received traditional core strengthening exercises using mat. Both groups received conventional Physiotherapy intervention which included hot moist pack applied on anterior aspect of knee (10 minutes), strengthening for lower limb muscles and stretching for lower limb muscles, 10 seconds hold for each muscle for 3 repetitions. Treatment was given for 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. Pain and other functional impairment such as squatting, stair climbing, walking and running were assessed using VAS and Patellofemoral Pain Severity Scale. Results: Group A showed significant decrease in pain and functional impairments as compared to group B. Mean pre VAS of group A was 6.94 which was significantly higher than mean post VAS 1.60 (p< 0.001). Mean pre VAS of group B was 6.88 which was significantly higher than mean post VAS 2.71 (p<0.001). Mean pre Patellofemoral pain Severity Scale of group A was 72.56 which is significant higher than post Patellofemoral Pain Severity Scale 15.87 (p<0.001). Mean pre Patellofemoral Pain Severity Scale of group B was 74.31 which is significantly higher than post mean Patellofemoral Pain Severity Scale 33.12 (p< 0.001) Conclusion: Core muscle strengthening using swiss ball is more effective than traditional core muscle strengthening using mat in amateur marathon runners for reducing pain and functional impairments having PFPS KEY WORD: Anterior knee pain, Marathon runners, Patellofemoral, Runner’s knee.

To Study the effect of Traditional Back Exercises vs Exercise Ball Exercise on Pain Intensity, Core Endurance and Limitation of Activities in Individuals with Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Comparative Study

Aims: Non specific Low back pain is defined as pain without any known pathology which affects almost all the leading occupation where body's awkward posture, twisting and stress forces are commonly encountered across the globe and it is highly prevalent 60% to 70% in a year. Studies have shown various exercise regimen individual effect on the same but superiority of regimen out of these is not clear. Study Design: Comparative Study Place and Duration of Study: Ahmedabad Institute of Medical Sciences, Duration 2013-15 Objective: To assess and compare the effect of core stability exercise, back school program and Swiss ball exercise on Pain, core endurance and Functional disability. Methodology: A group of 24 patients having non-specific low back pain between age groups 18-40 were randomly selected and allocated in to two groups. Group A(n=12) received traditional exercise whereas Swiss ball exercise was given to Group B(n=12). The subjects were treated for two weeks. Baseline data for VAS, Core endurance and MODI were taken on day1 and at the end of two weeks Result: The results were analyzed by wilcoxon signed rank test within both groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in VAS, core endurance and MODI at the end of 2weeks.Comparison between both the Group A and Group B was done by Mann- whitney U test and statistically no significant difference was seen in VAS, core endurance and MODI between the groups Conclusion: The study concluded that both the exercises are equally effective in reducing pain intensity, improves core endurance and functional status in subjects with non specific low back pain

The Effect of Floor and Swiss Ball Exercises Using Circuit Training Methods towards Balance, Strength, Flexibility and Muscle Endurance

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of floor exercises and swiss ball exercises with the circuit training method on balance, strength, flexibility and muscle endurance. This research uses a quasi-experimental, floor exercise treatment and Swiss ball exercise using the circuit training method with 10 training posts. The population in this study was students of physical education and sports of STKIP PGRI Jombang 2015, with a total population of 80 male students, with an average age of ±19 years, height ± 166.31cm, weight ± 58.63kg. From the test of each group (paired sample) obtained a significant difference between the pretest and posttest on each variable (p-value> 0.05). Meanwhile, from the ANOVA test was found out that there was a difference in the average results of the physical condition of each variable in each exercise method. The study concluded that: 1) there was an effect of floor and swiss ball exercises aided circuit training method, there is a significant enhancement of balance, strength, flexibility and muscle endurance; 2) in conventional training there was also a significant enhancement on balance, strength and flexibility. There was no significant enhancement in abdominal muscle strength, abdominal muscle endurance, and leg muscle endurance; and 3) there were significant differences between the three groups in balance, strength, flexibility and muscle endurance.