Responsiveness, minimal detectable change, and minimal clinically important difference of the sitting balance scale and function in sitting test in people with stroke.

Background: Limited studies have examined the responsiveness of the Sitting Balance Scale (SBS) and Function in Sitting Test (FIST). No studies have investigated the psychometric properties of these tools in skilled nursing facilities.Objective: The purposes of the study were (1) to examine responsiveness of the SBS and FIST, in people with stroke, receiving rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities; and (2) to estimate the MDC and MCID of these scales.Methods: Forty participants completed the FIST, SBS, and Barthel Index (BI) at admission and discharge. Internal responsiveness of the FIST and SBS was measured using Effect Size (ES) and Standardized Response Mean (SRM). Examining the association between the difference in scores on the SBS or FIST and the difference in scores on the BI determined external responsiveness. MDC and MCID were estimated for both measures.Results: The ES and the SRM for both scales were large (1.01-2.30) indicating excellent internal responsiveness. Both scales demonstrated satisfactory external responsiveness, showing good association with change in BI scores (p < .01). MDC90 of the SBS and the FIST were 2.3 and 3.9, respectively. Anchor-based MCID estimates were 4.5 and 3.5, and distribution-based were 3.5 and 4.8 for the SBS and FIST, respectively.Conclusions: Both scales demonstrate sufficient responsiveness in the skilled nursing setting. Our findings suggest a change of 5 on the SBS and 4 on the FIST are clinically important, and clinicians may use these values to assess patient progress.

Isometric elbow extensors strength in supine- and prone-lying positions.

The purpose of this study was to compare isometric strength of elbow extensors measured in supine- and prone-lying positions at elbow flexion angles of 45 and 90 degrees. Twenty-two male subjects under single-blind procedures participated in the study. Each subject participated in both supine-lying and prone-lying measuring protocols. Calibrated cable tensiometer was used to measure isometric strength of the right elbow extensors and a biofeedback electromyography was used to assure no substitution movements from shoulder girdle muscles. The mean values of isometric strength of elbow extensors measured from supine-lying position at elbow flexion angles of 45 and 90 degrees were 11.1  ±  4.2 kg and 13.1  ±  4.6 kg, while those measured from prone-lying position were 9.9  ±  3.6 kg and 12  ±  4.2 kg, respectively. There is statistical significant difference between the isometric strength of elbow extensors measured from supine-lying position at elbow flexion angles of 45 and 90 degrees compared to that measured from prone-lying position (p  <  0.05). The results suggest that in manual muscle testing starting position can affect the isometric strength of elbow extensors since supine-lying starting position is better than prone-lying starting position.

The risk factors of CVA in Jordan.

This study aimed to identify the main risk factors of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in Jordan. Identification of risk factors may help to reduce the incidence of CVA. A form was prepared for data collection which consisted of two parts to gather biodata and the incidence of risk factors. A sample of 200 patients with CVA (60% men) were randomly selected from various areas of Jordan. An age, region distribution, and gender-matched sample were selected to serve as control. Hypertension in the experimental group (66%) was significantly higher than the control group (32%) p  <  0.001. Half of the subjects with stroke had diabetes compared to 22% of the control group (p  <  0.001). Cardiovascular diseases were found in 29% of subjects with CVA compared to 14% in the control group (p  <  0.001). About 27% of the CVA group had hyperlipidemia in comparison to 13% in the controls (p <  0.002). Smokers represented 54% of the experimental group compared to 30% of the control group (p <  0.05). An important finding in the present study was that about half of the selected subjects with strokes were under the age of 60 years. In conclusion, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia, and smoking are risk factors for CVA in Jordan.