ABSTRACT
Introduction: Neuromuscular diseases are defined as disorders of the motor unit. They may be genetically determined, congenital or acquired. Unfortunately, most neuromuscular diseases [NMDs] are incurable diseases. However, an effective rehabilitation program can help maintain a patient's quality of life [QOL], as well as maximize the patient's physical and psychosocial functions
Aim: Our study was done is to assess the quality of life for patients with neuromuscular diseases
Subjects and Methods: This was prospective, interventional and uncontrolled study conducted at Abo Reesh teaching hospital between January 2014-2015. The study was carried on infants, children and adolescents suffering from neuromuscular diseases and they were attending neurology clinic throughout one year. Sixty patients were selected from outpatient clinic with well-known diagnosis of NMD variant. Written informed consent was obtained from parents after briefing of the study aims and benefits
Results: an individualized neuromuscular quality of life questionnaire program in an Arabic version submitted to patients with NMD who reported significantly lower QoL across all QoL. Domains, physical and psychosocial. With advancing age, patients reported decreased physical functioning and daily activities. While psychosocial functioning was impaired in a significant number of patients [60%], older patients did not tend to perceive lower psychosocial QoL despite their increased physical limitations
Conclusion: All treatment measures either medical or surgical should be directed to increase quality of life better than treatment of the cause of alleviating the symptoms. Measurement of treatment success is beyond the primary goal as modern directions in medicine targeting the whole individual not only the system affected, Psychological dimension is an important part of the disease process and treatment as well, physician should not omit this option during treatment planning
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Growing evidence that obese children are at greater risk for several metabolic disturbances, including glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, the metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus, as well as for cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. There are numerous therapies for obesity, including pharmacotherapy, acupuncture therapy, dietary therapy, exercise therapy, and surgical therapy. The auricular acupuncture therapy is one of the regional acupuncture therapies which have treated various diseases through a needle insertion on the auricle. Its effects can be explained by a relationship between the original functions of nerves distributed on the auricle and internal organs. Recent studies have indicated that acupuncture can reduce body weight in patients with simple obesity, as well as lower their Body Mass Index [BMI] and waist-to-hip ratio
Objective: The objective of this study is to study the effect of auricular acupuncture on weight reduction, BMI, BMIP, lipid profile, fasting insulin and lepin levels, in a sample of obese children
Sample: The study was conducted on 34 obese children [6-12] years attending the outpatient-s clinics of the National Research Center, these subjects were divided randomly into 2 groups Group A, were subjected to auricular acupuncture, balanced low caloric diet. Group B, were subjected to sham auricular acupuncture, balanced low caloric diet. In both groups, acupuncture and sham acupuncture were given twice weekly over the course of 12 weeks
Results: There were significant reductions in weight, BMI, HC, WC, Cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and insulin resistance in group A after treatment and they were more than reduction in group B [p value < 0.001]. There were significant reduction in insulin and leptin in group A after treatment and they were more than reduction in group B [p value 0.005], [p value 0.09] respectively. So acupuncture therapy in combination with diet restriction was found to be effective for weight loss and also reduction of the obesity- associated risks factors, such as dyslipidemia
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of therapeutic electrical stimulation [TES] of the anterior tibial group of muscles on spasticity, range of motion [ROM] of the ankle joint and gait patterns in children with spastic CP. The study was carried out at neurology outpatient clink of Alexandria University Children's Hospital [El-Shatby]. Sixty spastic cerebral palsied children were randomly selected. They were divided into three groups I, II, and III. Group [I] comprised 34 children with spastic hemiplegia. Group [II] comprised 19 children with spastic diplegia. Group [III] comprised 7 children with spastic quadriplegia. Patients of the three groups were treated by electrical stimulation of the anterior tibial group of muscles at a frequency of 30 Hz with pulse width of 100ns for 7 seconds contraction and 15 seconds relaxation for one hour every other day for 3 months. Re-assessment was done using the following parameters: self-concept assessment, spasticity assessment of the ankle joint, goniometry of the ankle joint and gait pattern assessment [step length and step width] was done at the end of the study period. The study showed that TES had a significant positive effect on spasticity reduction in all types of spastic CP. Also, TES had a significant positive effect on ankle joint angle where it increased the passive ROM in all types of spastic CP. Furthermore, TES had a significant positive effect on gait patterns in the form of an increase in step length and decrease in step width in all types of spastic CP. Also, it had a significant positive effect on self-concept score in all types of spastic CP. Therapeutic electrical stimulation [TES] of the anterior tibial group of muscles in children with spastic cerebral palsy is an effective modality in decreasing spasticity of the extensor group of muscles of lower limb and increasing ability of dorsiflexion of the foot which will increase joint range of motion, improve gait patterns. All these will raise the patients' self concept with better quality of life despite cerebral palsy