Correction: Gender-Related Differences in Reliability of Thorax, Lumbar, and Pelvis Kinematics During Gait in Patients With Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain

In this article, the affiliation of the first author should be changed.

Gender-Related Differences in Reliability of Thorax, Lumbar, and Pelvis Kinematics During Gait in Patients With Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate test-retest reliability of trunk kinematics relative to the pelvis during gait in two groups (males and females) of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) using three-dimensional motion capture system. METHODS: A convenience sample of 40 NCLBP participants (20 males and 20 females) was evaluated in two sessions. Participants were asked to walk with self-selected speed and kinematics of thorax and lumbar spine were captured using a 6-infrared-cameras motion-analyzer system. Peak amplitude of displacement and its measurement errors and minimal detectable change (MDC) were then calculated. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were relatively constant but small for certain variables (lower lumbar peak flexion in female: inter-session ICC=0.51 and intra-session ICC=0.68; peak extension in male: inter-session ICC=0.67 and intra-session ICC=0.66). The measurement error remained constant and standard error of measurement (SEM) difference was large between males (generally ≤4.8°) and females (generally ≤5.3°). Standard deviation (SD) was higher in females. In most segments, females exhibited higher MDCs except for lower lumbar sagittal movements. CONCLUSION: Although ICCs were sufficiently reliable and constant in both genders during gait, there was difference in SEM due to difference in SD between genders caused by different gait disturbance in chronic low back pain. Due to the increasing tendency of measurement error in other areas of men and women, attention is needed when measuring lumbar motion using the method described in this study.

[ validity study of the modified Tardieu scale in measruing poststroke knee extensor spasticity]

The Modified Tardieu Scale [MTS] is a clinical scale for measuring the degree of muscle spasticity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the MTS in measuring poststroke knee extensor spasticity. This was a cross-sectional study performed in 2012 at a university clinic of neurological physiotherapy in Tehran, Iran, with repeated measurements. In the present study, 15 poststroke patients with a mean age of 53.8 +/- 14.0 years and mean time since stroke of 40.0 +/- 32.2 months participated. The knee extensor muscle spasticity was assessed using the MTS to calculate the R2-R1 as the main clinical measure. To calculate the work, an isokinetic dynamometer was used to quantify torque-angle data during passive movements at 4 speeds [60°, 120°, 180°, and 240°/sec]. The linear regression was used to calculate the slope for the work-velocity data [Joule/[degree/sec]]. There were significant differences between works done by the dynamometer at four speeds; as the speed increased the work decreased [P < 0.01]. Mean [standard deviation] slope for the work-velocity data was -0.76 [0.78]. There was no significant correlation between the dynamic component of MTS [R2-R1] and slope for the work-velocity data. The results indicate that the MTS might not be a valid measure for assessing knee extensor muscle spasticity in this sample of patients after stroke

Impaired ipsilateral upper extremity dexterity and its relationship with disability in post-stroke right hemiparesis

Background: The objectives of this study were to compare manual dexterity [gross and fine] and coordination performance of the ipsilateral upper extremity of the right hemisphere stroke patients with the same side of a healthy group, and to determine the relationship of ipsilateral upper extremity dexterity and disability

Methods: In a non-randomized analytical study, 30 individuals with a unilateral first-ever stroke from outpatient rehabilitation clinics and 30 age and sex-matched adults without history of neurological disorders were enrolled. Purdue Pegboard, Box and Block, and Finger to Nose tests were used to measure dexterity [fine and gross] and coordination performance of the stroke group compared with the same hand of the healthy group. The Barthel index was also used to assess disability or dependency of stroke patients in basic activities of daily living

Results: Results showed that stroke individuals with involvement of ipsilateral hand had less coordination and dexterity when compared to the same hand of normal subjects [P=0.001]. In addition, the relationship of gross and fine manual dexterity performance of the ipsilateral upper extremity with disability, including dependence in basic activities of daily living, were significant respectively [r=0.376, r=0.391]

Conclusion: People with right stroke had significant ipsilateral upper extremity impairments [manual dexterity and coordination tasks], and this hand dexterity deterioration had an impact on their dependence in basic activities of daily living

Relationship between quality of life and hypertonia in young adults with spastic cerebral palsy

Background: The complications associated with spastic cerebral palsy can affect the physical ability and quality of life of individuals suffering from this motor disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between quality of life and hypertonia in adults with spastic cerebral palsy

Methods: In an analytical cross sectional study, 70 subjects with the diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy from three Ra'ad Rehabilitation Goodwill complexes in Tehran and Karaj cities took part in this study through convenient sampling. The severity of spasticity and contracture of the knee flexors were measured by Modified Tardieu Scale. Also the quality of life was assessed through World Health Organization quality of life-BREF questionnaire. To analyze data, Pearson and spearman correlation coefficient were used

Results: Participants of this study were 42.9% male, 57.1% female with mean age 26.24 +/- 5 years. No correlation existed between quality of life with knee flexor muscles spasticity. However, psychological and environmental domains showed low correlations with knee extension range [respectively r=0.26 and r=0.28; p< 0.05]

Conclusion: The influences of the mechanical component of hypertonia [contracture] on the quality of life are more prominent than neural factors such as spasticity

Test-retest reliability of Motricity index strength assessments for lower extremity in post stroke hemiparesis

The Motricity Index was used to measure strength in upper and lower extremities after stroke. The weighted score based on the ordinal 6 point scale of Medical Research Council was used to measure maximal isometric muscle strength. There is dearth of articles dealing with the reliability of this method. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the test retest reliability of Motricity Index strength assessments for paretic lower limb in 20 chronic stroke patients with one week interval. In a cross sectional study, intrarater reliability of lower extremity Motricity Index strength assessments with one week interval were measured. The SPSS 18 was used for analysis of data. Two-way random-consistency model of ICC was used for assessment of test-retest reliability. The ICC values showed high reliability of strength measurement of Motricity Index [ICC=0.93]. The Motricity Index can be a reliable instrument for measuring the strength of involved lower extremity when assessment is done by one rater following chronic stroke

Association between spasticity and the level of motor function with quality of life in community dwelling Iranian young adults with spastic cerebral palsy

Consequences of cerebral palsy in adulthood can affect physical, psychological capabilities and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between quality of life with spasticity and level of motor function in Iranian young adults with spastic cerebral palsy who were community dweller. In an analytical cross sectional study, 77 participants with spastic cerebral palsy [44 women¡ 33 men] with age range of 20 to 40 years; [mean age 26.19 +/- 5 yr] took part in this study. They were enrolled from three Raad Rehabilitation Goodwill complexes in Tehran and Karaj cities. All subjects were recruited through convenient sampling. Severity of Spasticity for knee flexors was measured with Modified Tardieu Scale. In addition, the level of motor function, and quality of life were assessed respectively through Gross Motor Function Classification System and World Health Organization Quality of life questionnaire [WHOQOL- BREF]. To analyze data, Pearson and spearman correlation coefficient was used. No correlation found between quality of life with knee flexor muscles spasticity and level of motor function [p> 0.05]. Quality of life as a multi dimensional concept has been impacted by many factors such as physical status, environmental issues and culture. Possibly, severity of spasticity and level of function have a less pronounced effect on quality of life in community dwelling adults with cerebral palsy