Electromyographical activity of erector spinae and glutens medius muscles in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis during gait

Background and Objectives: Understanding the muscle activity during gait in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis [AIS] is clinically important. The objectives of this study was to analyze electrical activity of erector spinae muscles at T6 [ESj[6]X T10 [ES[t]10] and L3 [ESu] levels as well as glutens medius [GM] muscle during walking in female adolescents with and without idiopathic scoliosis

Materials and Methods: Twenty female adolescents with right thoracic scoliosis and 18 healthy adolescent control females [all 11 to 17 years old] participated in this study. An imaging system synchronized with a MA300-16 electromyography system and bipolar surfece electrodes were used to measure electrical activities of ES[t6], ESno, ESu and GM muscles during gait. Repeated measure analysis of variance and MANOVA were used for the comparisons within and between groups

Results: During the right stance phase, the activity of right ESroand left GM muscles in scoliotic patients were significantly [1.8 and 1.4 times] greater than that of control group [P=0.03]. In the left stance phase, scoliosis group showed higher activity at right and left GM muscles than control group [NX04]. In the right and left swing phase, the EMG activity of right GM and right ES[t6] muscles of scoliotic patients was respectively greater than that of controls. The right over left ratio of ES[t6] muscle activity for scoliosis group was higher than that for control group at all phases of gait cycle excqit for the right swing phase

Conclusion: AIS patients displayed greater activity in the right ESt6 and the right and left GM muscles during walking. AIS patients presented asymmetrical muscle activity in ES-ra muscle. EMG assessment during gait might have clinical importance in the detection of scoliotic curvature progression

[ effects of antipronation insole on ground reaction force, impulse and loading rate during one leg landing]

Background and Aim: Measurement of ground reaction forces [GRF] in different physical activities is linked with risk of the injuries of lower limb joints. Insole may alter the amount of these forces. The objectives of this study were to analyze the effects of insole on GRF and time-to peak each reaction force, impulse, and loading rate during landing in normal individuals

Material and Methods: Thirteen healthy male subjects with mean age, mass and height of [21.9 +/- 1.6years], [67.18 +/- 12.6kg], and [175.38 +/- 4.9cm], respectively, participated in this study. Using a Kistler force plates [1000Hz] we measured GRF during landing with and without shoe insole. Then, maximum GRF and their related time-to-peak, impulse and loading rate were measured. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze the data. p<0.05 was considered significant

Results: Wearing insole decreased the peak vertical GRF at the moment of contact of the heel with the ground [P=0.009], peak horizntal GRF [P=0.011] and the loading rate [P=0.01]. But, the vertical impulse increased [P=0.0032]

Conclusion: Reduction of the vertical GRF and loading rate by means of insole may reduce the risk of lower extremity injuries during landing

Analysis of dynamic balance during walking in patients with Parkinson's disease and able-bodied elderly people

Purpose: Walking pattern in patients with Parkinson's disease [PD] is abnormal, and dynamic balance of these patients is not clear yet. The objective of this study was to analyze the dynamic balance of patients with PD during walking and comparing it with normal elderly individuals

Methods: This is an Ex-post - facto research study design. Twelve male patients with PD [mean age: 64.0 +/- 7.8 y; mean height: 165.0 +/- 7.0 cm; mean mass: 65.3 +/- 10.3 kg; and mean BMI: 24.1 +/- 3.6 kg/m2] and 12 healthy male subjects as the peer group with matched age, height, weight, and BMI participated in this study. All subjects were chosen using convenience sampling method. Vicon motion analysis system was used to analyze temporal variables and center of mass [COM] displacement of the subjects during walking. Data were analyzed in SPSS-19 using independent t test with P<0.05

Results: Stride length and walking speed was significantly smaller in patients with PD than that in peer group [P<0.05]. Mediolateral displacement of COM was not different between the two groups [P>0.05]. However, posterioanterior and vertical displacements of COM were significantly smaller in patients with PD

Conclusion: Stride length, walking speed, as well as the posterioanterior and vertical displacement of COM in patients with PD were lower than those variables in normal subjects. These changes might be considered as a compensatory response of neuromuscular system to the affected dynamic postural control in these patients

[ effect of exercise therapy on pain, disability and endurance of trunk flexor-extensor muscles in women with chronic idiopathic low back pain]

Exercise is a widely prescribed treatment for chronic low back pain. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks exercise on pain, disability and endurance of trunk flexor-extensor muscles in female with chronic idiopathic low back pain. This clinical trial study has been done on 12 patients who referred to the Arak city clinics. The function of trunk flexor-extensor muscles in cases was compared to function of 18 normal females. We use the Quebec pain questionnaire, Oswerstry disability questionnaire and Sorenson and Sit-Up tests. Exercise therapy was performed in three 45 minute's sessions per week. Each session was performed in 3 set. Exercises were repeated 8-12 point in each set. The data was analyzed using t-test. Endurance of trunk flexor-extensor muscles of patients was significantly lower than normal subjects [P<0.05]. Endurance of trunk flexor-extensor muscles of patients significantly improved after exercise therapy [P<0.05]. Low back pain of patients was decreased significantly after treatment [[P<0.05]. In addition, significant reduction of disability observed after exercise therapy [P<0.05]. Exercise therapy may increase endurance of trunk flexor-extensor muscles in women with chronic idiopathic low back pain. In addition, it can reduce law back pain and disability in this population

evaluation of deficits on dynamic postural sway control and its correlation with lumbar mobility in females with chronic low back pain

Previous studies on chronic low back pain [CLBP] have addressed the biomechanical performance of trunk, including its mobility, and the static balance performance in the related population. However, the onset of low back pain is commonly linked with dynamic activities and therefore, the evaluation of the balance performance in dynamic condition would be clinically important. The objectives of this study were to assess the dynamic postural control and its relationship with trunk mobility in chronic low back pain patients. Twenty-four female patients with chronic low back pain and 24 ablebodied females, all between 25 to 45 years old, voluntarily participated in this study. Dynamic postural control, lumbar mobility and back pain were measured by a Biodex system, Schober technique and Quebec questionnaire, respectively. Multivariate analysis of variance [repeated measure] and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for data analysis [alpha < 0.05]. Chronic low back pain patients had greater dynamic postural sway [P < 0.0001]. In chronic low back pain, the function of lower limbs and the trunk's proprioception were affected. This deficit was better observed in closed eyes condition. Lumbar mobility was significantly reduced in chronic low back pain group, However there was no significant relationship between the lumbar mobility and the postural control [P < 0.001]. Chronic low back pain is associated with greater postural sway and reduced lumbar mobility. These variables are independent and should be considered in both detection and treatment process separately. More studies are sequined to determine if these parameters are primary or secondary