Effectiveness of Pelvic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Techniques on Balance and Gait Parameters in Children with Spastic Diplegia: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Cerebral Palsy is a spacious term which highlights an extensive gamut of motor affliction which has a stagnant tendency. The estimated Cerebral Palsy is indeed very prevalent in developed nations 2 out of the next 1000 live births and neonatal survivors. Among several Cerebral Palsy comes in a variety of manifestations. Spastic Diplegia is common in a majority of Preterm babies. Several treatment strategies of Physical therapy are utilized for Spastic Diplegia. This research focusses on assessing the Efficiency of Pelvic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) techniques over the Dimensions of Balance and Gait in children with Spastic Diplegia. Objective: To evaluate the Effectiveness and impact of the techniques of Pelvic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on Balance, Gait Parameters and Pelvic Asymmetry in children having Spastic Diplegia. Methods: In this Randomized Clinical Trial, subjects (n= 40) having Spastic Diplegia will be selected and segregated in two groups using simple random sampling method with 1:1 allocation ratio. The allocation will be done through sequentially numbered opaque sealed envelope (SNOSE). Subjects in the experimental group will receive Pelvic PNF techniques like Rhythmic initiation and Slow reversal with Task- Oriented training which will contain sit to stand exercises, walking on the ground and reaching tasks for improving the balance and those in the other group will be given only Task- Oriented training for 4 weeks following baseline assessments. Throughout the treatment session and following 4 weeks follow up will be taken by assessing the Balance and Gait parameters of the subjects. The study duration will. be of 1 year. Subjects with Spastic Diplegia with an age group of 8 to 12 years who are able to do independent sitting, who are coming under GMFCS level I to III and those who are having pelvic asymmetry will be included in the study while subjects who had any surgery of spine or lower limb in past 6 months, who are having fixed deformities of spine or lower limb or any fracture or dislocation of spine or lower limb will be excluded from the study. Results: Results will be recorded by using the outcome measures and instruments such as Pediatric Balance Scale, Gait Parameters and Palpation meter device at the end of the intervention and the effects of Pelvic PNF techniques will be compared with the other group which will receive Task oriented training. The statistical analysis will be done by using paired t test but if the data does not follow a normal distribution then Wilcoxon sign rank test will be used. Discussion: The intention and motive of the study is to check the Effectiveness of Pelvic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation techniques on Balance and Gait Parameters in children with Spastic Diplegia. Conclusion: The conclusion of this research is to acquire the fruitfulness of Approaches of Pelvic PNF on Balance and Gait Parameters in children having Spastic Diplegia.

How Can a Music Therapy Student Facilitate Contributions by Adolescent Clients Who Have Psychiatric Disorders in Group Music Therapy?

<p>This study explored ways in which a music therapy student could modify and improve her own clinical practice in order to facilitate client contribution in group music therapy in an acute adolescent inpatient unit. Through cycles of observation, evaluation, planning, and action, the music therapy student was able to examine her facilitation techniques in detail and modified them accordingly. There were six fortnightly cycles and in each cycle, the research journal, research notes, and video-recording were systematically reviewed by the music therapy student herself, and themes were drawn out to contribute to the planning of the next cycle. The results suggested that while direct questions predominated at the start of study, the music therapy student was able to adopt a variety of other techniques by the end of the research period, including self-disclosure, appropriate eye contact, and the shifting of responsibility. The music therapy student also found that her own anxiety level, which was often caused by periods of silence in music groups, also had an important impact on her ability to facilitate. The discussion addressed other factors that are believed to have contributed to the student's ability to facilitate in group music therapy.</p>

How Can a Music Therapy Student Facilitate Contributions by Adolescent Clients Who Have Psychiatric Disorders in Group Music Therapy?

<p>This study explored ways in which a music therapy student could modify and improve her own clinical practice in order to facilitate client contribution in group music therapy in an acute adolescent inpatient unit. Through cycles of observation, evaluation, planning, and action, the music therapy student was able to examine her facilitation techniques in detail and modified them accordingly. There were six fortnightly cycles and in each cycle, the research journal, research notes, and video-recording were systematically reviewed by the music therapy student herself, and themes were drawn out to contribute to the planning of the next cycle. The results suggested that while direct questions predominated at the start of study, the music therapy student was able to adopt a variety of other techniques by the end of the research period, including self-disclosure, appropriate eye contact, and the shifting of responsibility. The music therapy student also found that her own anxiety level, which was often caused by periods of silence in music groups, also had an important impact on her ability to facilitate. The discussion addressed other factors that are believed to have contributed to the student's ability to facilitate in group music therapy.</p>

The Role of Self-Interest in Deliberation: A Theory of Deliberative Capital

How do successful deliberations unfold? What happens when they unravel? In this article, I propose that we think of the dynamics of participant engagement within deliberation as series of self-interested and reciprocal investments in and divestments from deliberative capital. This article has three parts. First, I draw on the literatures on deliberative democracy and social capital to outline a theory of deliberative capital. I highlight the important role self-interest plays in the process of those initial investments – instances of engagement in positive deliberative behaviours. Second, drawing from my experience as a facilitator, I give an account of the particular indicators of investments and divestments that we might expect to see in a given deliberative engagement. Third, I briefly outline two innovative facilitation techniques that can be utilized at the beginning or during a deliberative process that trigger self-interest, which incentivizes investments and discourages divestments.

Best Practices in the Measurement and Evaluation of Track Two Dialogues: Towards a “Reflective Practice Model”

Measuring the impact of Track Two dialogues has proven a difficult challenge for the field over many years. Each dialogue is different, which makes a standardized test difficult to achieve. Moreover, different actors wish to measure different things: “value” for money; impact on the conflict; how certain facilitation techniques work; and others. In this article, we present a model that can be used to measure the impact of a dialogue over time, while also encouraging reflective practice in the field. This “Reflective Practice Model” can be used to provide a snapshot of a particular moment – or as a vehicle for the accumulation of a series of such moments – thereby providing a means to observe and measure changes as the dialogue goes on.