Immediate Effects of Lower Limb with Open Chain Weight-adding on Joint Position Sense and Gait Symmetry in Stroke Patients / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To investigate the immediate effects of lower limb with open chain weight-adding on joint position sense and gait symmetry in stroke patients. Methods From January, 2016 to January, 2017, 39 stroke patients were included. Their joint position sense and gait symmetry were compared before and after weight-adding. The joint position senses of active reproduction of active positioning (ARAP) and passive reproduction of passive positioning (PRPP) were assessed during lower limb straight leg raise. The gait symmetry was also as-sessed and three indexes were recorded including the symmetry of foot rotation angle, step length and percentage of single leg support phase. Results After weight-adding, the position sense of PRPP did not improve (t=0.832, P=0.832), nor of the symmetry of foot rotation an-gle (t=-0.704, P=0.483) and percentage of single leg support phase (t=0.381, P=0.702);the position sense of ARAP improved (t=3.158, P=0.011), as well as the symmetry of step length (t=2.022, P=0.041). Conclusion The lower limb with open chain weight-adding could im-prove the active joint position sense and symmetry of step length.

Effects of open chain exercises on muscle strength and function in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to verify the effectiveness of an eight week quadriceps strengthening program on pain, function and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Material and methods: A hundred patients were randomized into two groups. Experimental Group- A performed open chain exercises in form of isometric quadriceps and straight leg exercises 5 days a week for 5 days whereas Control Group - B did not perform any exercise. The outcome measures or dependent variables selected for this study were pain intensity, isometric quadriceps strength, and knee function. All the measurements were taken at baseline (week 0) and at the end of the trial at week 5. Results: In between group comparisons, the maximum isometric quadriceps strength, reduction in pain intensity, and improvement in function in the isometric exercise Group - A at the end of the 5 th Conclusion: The 5 week isometric quadriceps exercise program showed beneficial effects on quadriceps muscle strength, pain, and functional disability.