Effect of neoprene dynamic orthosis on improvement of walking ability among children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

Improving the ability to walk is often a key target for the treatment of abnormal gait in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy [CP]. One of the goals of orthotic rehabilitation is to improve walking in this field. The aims of this study was to design and manufacture the dynamic neoprene orthoses and evaluate its impact on the gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy. This quasi-experimental study was done on 12 children with spastic CP at University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in Tehran, Iran during 2010-11. Initially neoprene dynamic orthosis is designed specifithy for each subject, this neoprene dynamic orthosis was used for six weeks and 6-8 hrs daily. For evaluating the walking speed and the gait variation, 10 meter walking test and visual analogue scale have been used. Modified Ashworth's Scale and electro-goniometre were used to assess muscle spasticity and the flexion degrees of knee joint. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Paired t-tests. The alteration of knee flexion angle, walking speed and walking distance following dynamic orthosis were -18.31 +/- 4.61 [degree], 0.50 +/- 1.82 [meter] and 4.18 +/- 1.51, respectively. The improvement in knee joint angle and walking following dynamic orthosis was significant [P<0.05], but the walking speed was not significant. This study showed that neoprene dynamic orthosis can improve knee flexion angle and walking distance among children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

[Effect of low shoe heel height on the trunk muscular activity among young healthy females]

The reduction of shoe heel height can increase abdominal muscles activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of low shoe heel height on the trunk muscle activity in young healthy females. In this quasi- experimental [Pre-post] study, 48 healthy females were evaluated at University of social welfare and rehabilitation at 2009-2010. Females were selected in a non probability sampling manner and divided randomly into two groups. Subjects in the first group [12 females] were used low heel height shoes[less than 3.4 cm] for six months. The second group [12 female] was used standard heel shoes height [3.5-5 cm] for six months. After the end of the first step of study, females in first group were used standard heel shoes height [3.5-5 cm] for six months. The Kinsiologic Electromyography instrument was used to test the Electromyography magnitude of rectus abdominal and external oblique activity. Data was analyzed with Paired and independent T student and Kolmogorrov-Smirnov tests. Muscle activity in first and second groups at external oblique was 9.72 +/- 3.15 microvolt and 7.87 +/- 2.47 microvolt and at rectus abdominal was 11.60 +/- 3.58 microvolt and 9.81 +/- 3.46 microvolt respectively. Muscle activity before and after using standard shoe heel height was significant [p<0.05]. It seems that using lower heel shoes height increase the trunk muscle activity

[ comparison of functional brace with/without patellar tendon bearing in patients with achilles tendon ruptures]

Rupture of Achilles tendon is a disabling condition and accounts for approximately 11-18% percent of all tendon ruptures. The goal of this study was to compare the functional brace with and without patellar tendon bearing in patients with Achilles tendon rupture. This was a semi-experimental study initially carried out on 17 patients with Achilles tendon rupture although 3 patients failed to complete the follow-up course and were removed from the study. The remaining 14 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The calf circumference and the power of plantar flexion were measured and also the degree of satisfaction in patients evaluated. The data were analyzed using independent t-test, Kolomogrov-Smironov test, and the mean difference by SPSS13. There was a significant difference between the pre-and post-intervention regarding the calf circumference and also the power of plantar flexion in each group. However, no significant difference between two groups following intervention was found when all 3 variables taken into account [p>0.05]. According to the findings of the present study, both kinds of orthoses used were effective on improving the plantar flexion power and reducing the calf circumference but no significant difference between the effects of both groups of orthoses on all variables after intervention was established

[ comparative study between the effect of functional foot orthosis and modified orthosis on improvement of pain in patients with plantar fasciitis]

Plantar fascia inflammation will result in plantar fasciitis. Nonsurgical treatments include the use of orthoses and physical therapy technics. The goal of this study was a comparative between the effect of functional foot orthosis and modified foot orthosis on improvement of pain in patients with plantar fasciitis. In this experimental study, 30 patients with plantar fasciitis including 7 male and 23 female with ranging age 25-45 yrs old [34 +/- 4.64, 35 +/- 5.02] selected by non probability sampling. Patients randomly allocated in two groups with 15 patients in each group. First group used functional foot orthosis and second group used modified foot orthosis. FAOS questionnaire was used for evaluating the pain. 2 stages included: once before intervention and the second stage after 4 weeks after intervention. Data analysis has been done with paired and independent T-Test, Smironov-Kolomogrov by SPSS13. Paired T-Test showed the difference between before and after intervention stages in group with functional foot orthosis was 0.001 and in group with modified foot orthosis was 0.229. Independent T-Test showed the difference between two groups after intervention was significant [p<0.05]. According to finding of this study, functional foot orthosis was more effective on improvement of pain in patients with plantar fasciitis