Postural control: static and dynamic balance in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients

The aim of the present study was to assess and identify the effect of a specific balance program on the improvement of postural control for children with rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. Children with balance problems often have difficulty controlling posture in static and dynamic situations. Children with rheumatoid arthritis have reported fear of falling and thus reducing their physical activity level. The present study was conducted on 30 Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA] children of both sex, their ages ranged between 7 to 12 years [X9.5 +/- 2.5]. They were divided randomly into 2 groups of equal number [A] and [B]. The static and dynamic balance were tested at the start of the study and after 10 weeks. Both groups received the traditional treatment program for JRA 5 times/week. In addition, group [B] underwent a specific intervention program for balance. At the end of the study the results revealed a significant unproven tent in the static and dynamic balance [P<0.05] for group [A] and a highly significant improvement for group [B] in the same parameters measured [P<0.001]. It could be concluded that static and dynamic balance would be involved in physical therapy for JRA patients

Prolonged stretching: its effect on crouch gait of diplegic cerebral palsied children

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of prolonged stretching for both calf muscles simultaneously, using wooden stretcher, on improving diplegic gait of cerebral palsied children. This study included fifteen diplegic cerebral palsied children from both sexes with age ranged from 6 to 8 [X6.2]. They were selected from out patient clinic of Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo university, on a basic criteria. Hoffman reflex/myogenic response [H/M] ratio and gait pattern were assessed before and after treatment. The treatment program included prolonged stretching using wooden stretcher in addition to traditional physical therapy modalities. It was conducted for 4 months, 4 times/week. At the end of study the results revealed significant reduction in H/M ratio which in turn resulted in functional improvement of diplegic walking pattern. This improvement could be attributed to the cumulative effect of stretching protocol and traditional physical therapy modalities