Postural changes in elderly hemiplegic patients and age matched normal subjects

The purpose of this study was to assess the age-related postural changes in elderly hemiplegic patients and age matched normal subjects. One hundred and twenty subjects were randomly selected for this study. Group-I included 60 elderly stroke hemiplegic patients [39 males and 21 females], with the mean age of 63.7 +/- 3.4 years. Group-II included 60 age matched elderly normal subjects [44 males and 16 females], with the mean age of 64.6 +/- 3.2 years. Hanon Formeteric System was used for assessing the postural changes in stroke hemiplegic patients and elderly normal subjects. The trunk inclination, trunk imbalance, lateral deviation, pelvic tilting, and pelvic inclination were measured in both groups. Evaluation of the spine was done for both groups when standing in their usual relaxed posture. The statistical analysis using independent t-test revealed that there were significant differences in the assessment of the postural changes in the elderly hemiplegic patients in comparison with elderly normal subjects. Hypokinesia or decreased activity can be a functional cause of loss of flexibility. Older individuals who remain sitting or immobile for long periods of time may develop tightness in those muscles that are shortened in that particular position and may form collagenous adhesions. Loss of flexibility in the aging adult with disability may be even more dramatic. The aging process is associated with significant postural changes. These postural changes are aggravated in the elderly hemiplegic patients with significant increases in trunk inclination, trunk imbalance, lateral deviation, and pelvic tilting

new trend in Erb's palsy management

In order to study the effect of photobiostimulation [He-Ne laser] on infantile Erb's palsy, 40 infants with a mean age of 15 days +/- 5 days with Erb's palsy presenting at birth, were divided into two matched groups. Group one consists of 20 infants received therapeutic exercises in the form of gentle passive exercise, followed by tapping on the muscles, approximation and PNF techniques. Group two consists of 20 infants, received laser, followed by the same therapeutic exercises program. Evaluation performed by using electromyography [EMG]. Brachial latency studies immediately before starting physical therapy program, three months and six months after treatment, respectively. Comparing pre- and post-treatment in both groups revealed a statistically significant improvement. Moreover, group two infants with a combination treatment of laser and therapeutic exercises had a significant improvement than that of group one. There was a statistically significant improvement and increase in interference pattern recorded from the tested muscles. Brachial latency studies [stimulation at Erb's point and picking up the response from the deltoid and the biceps muscles] showed a statistically significant improvement and decrease in brachial latency. The difference between pre- and post-treatment in both groups represents a physiological response to the physical modalities used during the study. The application of laser treatment in new-born infants with Erb's palsy is an efficient modality of treatment without any side effects and the earlier the administration of the new physical modality [laser] the better the results achieved

Static magnets: effects on balance of elderly hemiparetic patients

Static magnets are those whose force is always present and constant. Static magnets are commonly being used as an alternative therapy for many conditions. There are many published studies showing the therapeutic benefits of static magnets on balance, fatigue, stress, insomnia, reaction time, and headaches. The purpose of this study was to determine if static magnetic insoles will help in increasing balance of elderly hemiparetic patients. Sixteen hemiparetic subjects were participated in this study, nine males and seven females with the mean age of 62.56 [4.03 years old. All subjects were admitted with an initial Berg Balance Test Score [BBT] of less than 56. Qualified subjects were tested twice using the Berg Balance Test [BBT] and functional reach test [FR]. Both the investigators and the subjects were blinded as to whether the placebo or real magnets were inserted into their shoes with the help of a non - bias volunteer. The results of this study showed that hemiparetic patients with balance problems cannot immediately benefit from increased balance by application of static magnetic shoe inserts

Relaxation therapy as stress management in post traumatic head concussion following road traffic accident

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a simple physiological, relaxation technique [Mitchell's technique] with a previously validated technique [Jacobson's progressive relaxation] and compare both techniques with a control supine lying position. Thirty subjects diagnosed as post-traumatic head concussion following road traffic accidents [RTA] were randomly assigned to three groups of equal number, each group received a three weeks program of daily 25 minutes session of either Mitchell's relaxation technique, Jacobson's progressive relaxation technique and control supine lying. The results showed a significant reduction after the relaxation techniques. For Mitchell's technique, the difference was as follows: Systolic blood pressure [SBP] 18.08, diastolic blood pressure [DBP] 9.3, heart rate [HR] 5.24 and respiratory rate [RR] 5.14. For Jacobson's technique, the difference was SBP 17.98, DBP 9.02, HR 4.9 and RR 4.89. These differences were statistically significant

Measurement of sitting stability in selected subjects with spinal cord injury

The purpose of this study was to measure the differences of sitting balance among certain patients with different levels of spinal cord injury [SCI]. Forty subjects with spinal cord injuries were divided into two groups based on injury level. Group one consisted of 20 subjects with T1-4 paraplegia and group two consisted of 20 subjects with T10-12 paraplegia. Subjects were seated on similar mat table with backboard set at 80 degrees for support. Each subject was asked to reach forward as maximum as possible without loosing balance. There was a difference in reach distance between group one and group two. Test-retest reliability was high with modification of the functional reach test [FRT] with a single rater. The modified FRT appears to provide reliable measurements of sitting balance in non- standing persons with SCI

Measurement of sitting stability in selected subjects with spinal cord injury

This study aimed to examine the possibility that functional reach test [FRT] could provide reliable measurement of sitting stability in subjects with spinal cord injury [SCI] who are unable to stand. Forty subjects with spinal cord injuries were divided into two groups based on injury level: Group I consisted of 20 subjects with TI-4 paraplegia and group II consisted of 20 subjects with T10-12 paraplegia. Subjects were seated on similar mat table with backboard set at 80C for support. Each subject was asked to reach forward as maximum as possible without loosing balance. The results indicated that difference in reach distance occurred between groups I and II. Test-retest reliability was high with modification of the functional reach test [FRT] with a single rater. The modified FRT provides reliable measurements of sitting balance in non-standing persons with SCI

Relaxation therapy as stress management in post traumatic head concussion following road traffic accident

This study aimed to compare the effect of a simple physiological relaxation technique [Mitchell's technique] with a previously validated technique [Jacobson's progressive relaxation] and compare both with a control supine lying position. Thirty subjects diagnosed as post-traumatic head concussion following road traffic accidents [RTA] underwent a baseline pre and post-intervention measurement of systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], heart rate [HR] and respiratory rate [RR]. Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups of equal number, each received a three-week-program of daily 25 minutes session of either Mitchell's relaxation technique, Jacobson's progressive relaxation technique or control supine lying