Effect of various capital positions on hand grip strength in normal and cervical spondylotic subjects

This study was proposed to investigate the effect of variation of head position in normal as well as cervical spondylitic cases. In addition to examining the effect of the maintained position as one of the commonly assumed posture on hand grip strength. Sixty subjects participated in this study [thirty normal and thirty cervical spondylotic subjects]. Normal subjects were randomly assigned into male group with a mean age 26.2 +/- 5.09 years and female group with a mean age 24.13 +/- 7.08 years. Patient group was also classified into male group with a mean age 25.4 +/- 4.71 years and female group with a mean age 24.86 +/- 4.82 years. Jamar hand held Dynamometer, JA. Preston, [Inc. Jackson. Michigan] was used to measure the isometric hand grip strength. Each subject assume the same protocol concerning the starting position where the hand grip was measured in the standardized position for the arm, the head position was changed applying the neutral [normal] and non neutral; flexion and extension. Each position was maintained manually with the research staff for five minutes. The order of the tested position was randomized to avoid carryover from each position with two-minute rest interval. The results of this study revealed mean value of hand grip strength in female group lowered than in male and in the left hand compared to the right hand. The maintained position significantly lower the hand grip strength specially the maintained left flexion but the maintained extension still has a higher grip strength compared to flexion. The head position should be considered as an important factor that necessitate work station design that keep the head in the neutral position and the variation of posture or recovery time should be given for optimum hand function. Moreover, the neutral head position is a key factor in performance for normal or cervical spondylotic patient during hand function

Assessment of ground reaction force components in stroke patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ground reaction force components in stroke patients [mild and moderate spasticity] and to compare them with normal subjects' parameters. Fifteen normal subjects and thirty stroke patients were participated in this study. Stroke patients were assigned into two equal groups, group I with mild spasticity and group II with moderate spasticity. All components of ground reaction force [vertical and horizontal [anteroposterior and lateral]] were calculated both in normal subjects and stroke patients. Force platform with a computer system were used to calculate ground reaction force components. Results of the study showed varied significant reduction of ground reaction force in all parameters in both groups [I and II] of stroke patients compared with normal subjects. All ground reaction force parameters were significantly higher in patients with mild spasticity, compared to moderate once. So, assessment of ground reaction force should be considered as a useful evaluating tool for kinetic gait analysis of patients. It also helps in detecting the prognosis of stroke patients, by comparing the ground reaction force parameters of those patients with normal parameters