ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe any effect of threshold pressure loaded inspiratory muscle training on the balance of persons with Parkinson′s disease (PD).Methods:Forty-eight persons with PD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 24. Both groups were given conventional neurological drug treatment and conventional rehabilitation training. The observation group additionally completed inspiratory muscle training using a threshold pressure load trainer, 5 days per week for 8 weeks. Before and after the treatment, both groups′ inspiratory muscle functioning was quantified using ultrasound to assess diaphragm mobility and thickness, and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP). Balance was quantified using Trunk Injury Scale (TIS) scoring, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), limits of stability (LOS), and the timed up and go test (TUGT). Walking was evaluated using the 10-metre walk test (10MWT) and the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI).Results:After the treatment all of the indicators had improved significantly in both groups, on average, but those of the observation group were then significantly better. Correlation analysis showed that the difference in MIP of the observation group before and after treatment was significantly negatively correlated with the TUGT and 10MWT times.Conclusion:Threshold pressure loaded inspiratory muscle training combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy significantly improves the inspiratory muscle strength, balance and walking of persons with PD.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the gait features under dual task walking and its relationship of fear of falling in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods A total of 168 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were selected.Patients were asked to complete the general information questionnaire,mini-mental state examination and fear of falling assessment.The gait parameters under normal and dual task walking were measured objectively and quantitatively by IDEEA,and the relationship between fear of falling and the gait parameters under dual task walking were explored.Results Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were more prone to gait abnormalities in dual task walking,and compared with those who are not fear of falling,the gait performance in dual task walking decreased significantly in the patients with fear of falling,such as lower velocity and step length,higher variability of stride time(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were more prone to gait disorders in dual tasking than normal walking.Normal walking test may overestimate the actual walking ability of patients.In contrast,dual task walking test can better reflect the challenges of daily life,and be closer to the patient walking patterns in real life,which might be better suited for assessing actual mobility of patients.In addition,elderly patients with type 2 diabetes who are fear of falling are more prone to gait abnormalities in dual tasking walking.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore gait features at usual speed of community-dwelling elderly people,and its relationship with history of falls in the past one year.Methods According to history of falls in the past one year,135elderly people in Hefei City were recruited and divided into fallers(23 cases) and non-fallers(112 cases).Self-designed questionnaires were completed by all participants to collect data including gender,age,frequency of exercise,BMI,Barthel Index,MMSE,fear of fall and so on.Gait parameters were measured by IDEEA LifeGait when participants walked for 10 meters at usual speed.Results Between fallers with non-fallers,the time of Timed Up and Go Test had statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Gait analysis results showed that swing power,foot fall,preswing angle,speed had statistically significant differences between two groups (all P＜0.05).Conclusion When community-dwelling elderly people are walking at usual speed,the shorter of the time of Timed Up and Go Test,the weaker of swing power,foot fall and pre-swing angle and the slower speed is,the more possible falls will occur.