ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: An integral part of the recovery process after mastectomy involves the consideration of restorative options, including external prosthesis use; however, only few studies regarding the influence of breast prostheses on functional status have been done. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether wearing an external breast prosthesis affects gait in women after a mastectomy. METHODS: Spatiotemporal gait parameters were collected in 40 women, postmastectomy, aged 37 to 70 years, divided into age subgroups of 37 to 54 years and 55 to 70 years, and in 38 healthy controls, women aged 38 to 69 years. Gait parameters were assessed with and without the breast prosthesis, including walking velocity, cadence, step length, step time, and left-right step time asymmetry. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the gait parameters of the younger age group with and without a prosthesis. No significant differences were found in the women of the older group with and without the prosthesis. CONCLUSION: Gait parameters of the younger age group were closer to those of the healthy control group when they were wearing an external prosthesis, as compared with when they were not. This suggests a positive influence of breast prosthesis use on the functional status of women after mastectomy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Clinical practitioners should be aware of the study results suggesting a positive influence of breast prosthesis use on gait parameters after mastectomy surgery, which could improve the patient's functional status after surgery; however, further research is still needed on factors affecting changes in gait with a larger study population.
Subject(s)
Gait , Mammaplasty/nursing , Mastectomy/nursing , Prostheses and Implants , Walking , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Body Mass Index , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Mammaplasty/adverse effects , Mastectomy/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Prostheses and Implants/adverse effects , Reproducibility of Results , Risk Factors , SiliconesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hippotherapy has been shown to produce beneficial effects by improving the most difficult motor functions, such as sitting, running, jumping, coordination, as well as balance and muscle strength in children with motor developmental delays. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of hippotherapy on spatiotemporal parameters of gait in cerebrally palsied children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 16 ambulatory cerebrally palsied children (GMFCS Level I-III; Female: 10, Male: 6; Age: 5.7-17.5 years old) qualified for hippotherapy were investigated. Basic spatiotemporal parameters of gait, including walking speed, cadence, step length, stride length and the left-right symmetry, were collected using a three-dimensional accelerometer device (DynaPort MiniMod) before and immediately after a hippotherapy session. The Wilcoxon test was used to verify the differences between pre- and post-session results. RESULTS: Changes of walking speed were statistically significant. With the exception of step length, all spatiotemporal parameters improved, i.e. were closer to the respective reference ranges after the session. However, these changes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: One session of hippotherapy may have a significant effect on the spatiotemporal parameters of gait in cerebrally palsied children.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Palsy/rehabilitation , Equine-Assisted Therapy/methods , Gait/physiology , Postural Balance/physiology , Range of Motion, Articular/physiology , Adolescent , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Horses , Humans , Male , Muscle Strength/physiology , Pilot Projects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Aging brings about a number of degenerative changes in the body. The aging process in-creases its pace after the menopause. Women notice functional limitations in their daily lives, including mobility problems, as early as in their forties. Gait is one of the most reliable parameters reflecting the body's overall function and condition. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of menopause on gait patterns in healthy women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a group of 48 healthy women (divided into Group A of pre-menopausal women and Group B of post-menopausal women). Gait parameters were acquired by a DynaPort MiniMod accelerometer. The pre- and post-menopausal women's gait data, including spatio-temporal parameters, gait cycle phases and the variability, were analysed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between Group A and B in walking speed, step length, cadence, and gait phase duration. Significant differences were only noted in gait cycle phases with regard to the onset of single-support of the right limb, the 1st double-support of the right limb and the 2nd double-support of the left limb. Gait variability did not show any significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: 1. A prolonged stance phase during the gait cycle observed in the post-menopausal women in this study is a typical finding in aged people. 2. However, stride-to-stride variability of gait was not affected in the study.
