[ comparision of effect of 8 weeks aerobic and yoga training on physiological cost index in multiple sclerosis patients]

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that results in many symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 8 weeks aerobic and yoga training on physiological cost index [PCI] in MS patients. Thirty women with MS [aged 19-54 years] with Expanded Disability Status Scale score of 1.0 to 4.0 [EDSS], were randomly assigned to one of three groups [n=10 in each group] lasting 8 weeks: treadmill training, yoga or a waiting-list control group. Treadmill training consisted of 8-weeks [24 sessions] of treadmill training [30 minutes], at 40 -75% of age-predicted maximum heart rate. Yoga group subjects participated in a thrice weekly 60-70 minute sessions of Hatha yoga intervention for 8-weeks. The control group followed their own routine treatment program. Energy expenditure was measured by PCI in the pre- and post-intervention. These results indicate both treadmill training [P=0.00] and yoga [P=0.03] produced a significant improvement on PCI. Furthermore, improvement in PCI was more significantly greater in treadmill training than yoga training group[P<0.01]. These results suggest that both training methods are effective in improving PCI in MS patients. However, aerobic treadmill training is more effective than yoga practice in improvement of PCI in people with mild to moderate MS

[Effects of movement practices in virtual environment on upper limb function of children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy]

Virtual Reality is a computer technology with virtual environment and objects, which people manipulate virtual environment through active participation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of practice in virtual environment on upper limb function of children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy. In this single blinded, randomized, controlled trial, 16 children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy were evaluated in a simple random sampling of Ahvaz city in 2 groups [virtual reality and control]. Treatment protocol consisted of one and half hours sessions of practice in virtual environment for 4-week, every other day. Measures were conducted pre, post and 3-month after the treatment period by Pediatrics Motor Activity Log and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor proficiency. Sample randomization and data analysis by analysis of variance with repeated measures were conducted by SPSS-16 software in alpha level set at 0.05. Subjects in virtual reality group showed significant improvement [p<0.01] in post-test measures [bruininks-oseretsky test of motor proficiency, speed and dexterity: mean change from 0.25 +/- 0.06 to 1.22 +/- 0.23]. Results were retained for both groups in follow up session. Virtual reality technology through intensive and repetitive practice in an interactive and motivational environment is a promising method to improve upper limb function of children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy

[Effects of star excursion balance training on ankle functional stability via agility hop test in patients with unilateral chronic ankle instability]

The high prevalence of Unilateral Chronic Ankle Instability [UCAI] in human society and particularly in athletes, and possibility of its related side effects to become chronic led to decrease their ability to fulfill the expected roles in different aspects of life. So, in order to return them back to sport activities, a reliable functional test is needed. Hence, the purpose of this research program was decided to study the effect of Star Excursion Balance Training [SEBT] on the distance reached by the uninvolved leg while standing on the involved leg, and its effect on dynamic balance of subjects with UCAI via agility hop test. Twenty four patients with UCAI, were randomly assigned to the study and were divided into two groups of 12 subjects. The control and test group participants underwent the conventional and modern physical therapy interventions respectively. Comparison of results regarding the SEBT scores of the test group is witness of improvement of dynamic balance in these patient. These results suggest that despite the improvement that was shown with respect to increase in the reached distance by the unaffected leg, the significant difference between two treatment methods, was evident only in 4 out of 8 directions of anterior, anteromedial, posterior and posteromedial [P

Functional balance in diabetic neuropathy

Proprioceptive loss in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients [DPN] has been known to cause postural imbalance, which may affect the quality of functions and activities of daily living of these patients. The aim of this study was to compare functional balance in diabetic neuropathic patients and normal subjects. Fifteen DPN patients whom neuropathy was diagnosed by Diabetic Neuropathy Examination [DNE] and 15 healthy gender-, age- and BMI-matched, subjects were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale [BBS]. In addition to the overall functional balance, five groups of BBS tests based on the probable effects of proprioceptive loss on various functions were taken into more consideration. These test groups were: The ability to control weight shifting [CWS], ability to transfer [T], and ability to control balance under different base of support [BOS] and visual [V] conditions. Comparison of the two groups showed significant decreases in BBS, CWS, T, BOS, and V scores the DPN patients, compared to healthy controls [P < 0.05]. There were significant negative [sig. level: 0.001] good to strong correlations between DNE score and BBS, CWS, T, BOS, and V, Scores [Pearson's correlation coefficient: -0.88, -0.91, -0.87, -0.76, and -0.70, respectively] in patients. To control their balance, DPN patients rely on visual information, and the current findings demonstrate that DPN results in a functional imbalance, exposing these patients to the danger of falling during of their daily living activities, the condition becoming more acute as severity of neuropathy aggravates