Kinematic head and trunk strategies used by hemiplegic stroke patients crossing over obstacles of different heights.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare kinematic data regarding the head, trunk, and pelvis strategies used by individuals with hemiplegia when crossing over obstacles of different heights. [Subjects and Methods] Nine adults with hemiplegia from stroke (7 males and 2 females) participated in this study. A motion analysis system with six infrared cameras was used to measure the kinematic data of the head, trunk, and pelvis while the subjects crossed over obstacles of different heights. Repeated measures ANOVA analysis was performed to compare the resulting kinematic data. [Results] An increase in the magnitude of the kinematic data of the head, trunk, and pelvis of the hemiparetic stroke patients was observed when the height of the obstacles, which they crossed over, increased. [Conclusion] This study described the kinematic strategies, with regard to the head, trunk, and pelvis, used by hemiplegic patients crossing over obstacles of different heights. The results indicate that these kinematic strategies primarily change when the obstacle height was 20% of the height of the subjects.

The mechanical effect of kinesiology tape on rounded shoulder posture in seated male workers: a single-blinded randomized controlled pilot study.

STUDY DESIGN: Single-blinded randomized controlled pilot study. OBJECTIVES: To examine the changes in pectoralis minor length (PML), the supine measurement of rounded shoulder posture (RSP), and the total scapular distance (TSD) in seated male workers with RSP, after rounded-shoulder-taping (RST) using kinesiology tape with (experimental taping) and without stretch (placebo taping). BACKGROUND: RSP, a postural impairment, is a known cause of upper quarter pain. METHODS: Fourteen men with RSP, who worked for at least 7 h/d in a seated position, were selected for RST, with the shoulders randomly assigned to two kinesiology taping methods: (1) with 35-40% stretch of its original length; and (2) without stretch. The PML, supine measurements of RSP, and TSD, before and after kinesiology taping, with and without stretch, were assessed. RESULTS: Kinesiology taping with stretch significantly increased the PML and significantly decreased the supine measurement of RSP and TSD; kinesiology taping without stretch did not increase the PML significantly and did not decrease the supine measurement of RSP and TSD. CONCLUSION: RST using kinesiology tape with stretch produces immediate mechanical correction of RSP in seated male workers.

Comparison of plantar pressure between flat and normal feet when crossing an obstacle at different heights.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare the plantar foot pressure and the center of pressure (COP) pathway of normal and flat feet while crossing an obstacle at different heights. METHODS: Nineteen subjects (10 normal feet, 9 flat feet) participated in this study. The plantar foot surface was divided into the following seven regions for pressure measurement: two toe regions, three forefoot regions, one midfoot region, and one heel region. A one-way ANOVA with repeated measurements was used to compare the plantar foot pressure of normal and flat feet according to the obstacle height. RESULTS: The trend analysis showed a quadratic trend during level walking for the normal foot group, but a linear trend appeared as the obstacle height increased. In the flat foot group, the trend analysis showed a linear trend regardless of the obstacle height. In the 2nd-3rd metatarsal head region, the plantar pressure of the flat foot group increased more than the normal foot group as the obstacle height increased; however, in the 4th-5th metatarsal head region, the plantar pressure in flat feet was lower than in normal feet. In the heel region, the plantar pressure in both groups generally increased as the obstacle height increased, but the plantar pressure in the flat foot group was lower than in the normal foot group. CONCLUSION: We believe that, due to a loss of longitudinal arch, the COP path and plantar pressure of flat feet may be different from normal feet when crossing obstacles of different heights.

Effects of kinesiology taping on repositioning error of the knee joint after quadriceps muscle fatigue.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of kinesiology taping on repositioning error of the knee joint after quadriceps muscle fatigue. [Subjects] Thirty healthy adults with no orthopaedic or neurological problems participated in this study. [Methods] The repositioning error of the knee joint was measured using a digital goniometer when the subjects extended their dominant-side knee to a random target angle (30°, 45°, or 60°) with their eyes closed, before and after a quadriceps muscle fatigue protocol, and after application of kinesiology tape. [Results] We found that repositioning errors of the dominant-side knee joint increased after quadriceps fatigue compared with no-fatigue conditions. However, kinesiology taping of the quadriceps muscle and patella after quadriceps fatigue significantly decreased repositioning errors of the knee joint. [Conclusion] These results suggest that quadriceps fatigue increases the repositioning error of the knee joint, whereas application of kinesiology tape decreases fatigue-induced joint repositioning error.

Effect of posterior pelvic tilt taping in women with sacroiliac joint pain during active straight leg raising who habitually wore high-heeled shoes: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess whether a 1-day application of posterior pelvic tilt taping (PPTT) using a kinesiology tape would decrease anterior pelvic tilt and active straight leg raising test scores in women with sacroiliac joint who habitually wore high-heeled shoes. METHODS: Sixteen women (mean age, 23.63 ± 3.18 years) were enrolled in this study. Anterior pelvic tilt was measured using a palpation meter before PPTT application, immediately after PPTT application, 1 day after PPTT application, and immediately after PPTT removal after 1 day of application. Active straight leg raising scores were measured at the same periods. Posterior pelvic tilt taping was applied in the target position (posterior pelvic tilt position). RESULTS: The anterior pelvic tilt was decreased during and after 1 day of PPTT application (before and after kinesiology tape removal) compared with the initial angle (all P < .05). Active straight leg raising scores were decreased during and 1 day after PPTT application (before and after kinesiology tape removal) compared with the initial score (all P < .05). CONCLUSION: The results of this preliminary study suggests that PPTT may temporarily decrease anterior pelvic tilt and active straight leg raising score in women with sacroiliac joint pain who habitually wear high-heeled shoes.

Effects of Local Muscle Vibration on the Displacement of Center of Pressure during Quiet Standing.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of local vibration stimuli on body balance (trace area, trace length, and velocity) in healthy adults during double-leg standing. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-nine subjects (10 male, 29 female) participated in this study. They were asked to keep their balance while holding four positions: standing with their eyes open, with and without vibration stimuli, and standing with their eyes closed, with and without vibration stimuli. The vibration stimuli, which had a duration of 30 sec, and a frequency of 60-80 Hz, were applied to the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle belly during double-leg standing. Balance measurement was performed using the Balance Trainer 4 (HUR Labs Oy, Tampere, Finland). All subjects provided informed consent prior to participation in this study. [Results] In the open-eyes position, there were no significant differences in trace area, trace length, and velocity of the center of pressure (COP) either with or without vibration stimuli. However, in the closed-eyes position, the vibration stimuli significantly decreased trace area, trace length, and velocity of the COP compared with when no vibration stimuli were applied. [Conclusion] These results suggest that vibration stimuli applied to the lower leg improve balance when a person's eyes are closed during double-leg quiet standing.

The Effect of Motor Learning of Serial Reaction Time Task (SRTT) Through Action Observation on Mu Rhythm and Improvement of Behavior Abilities.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was investigate whether an action observation would have an effect on the action that requires task understanding in humans. METHODS: Participants who met the criteria for this study (n = 36). To evaluate the performance, reaction time and performance accuracy, the stimulus scheduling software was employed. For the electroencephalogram, the equipment QEEG-8 was used. RESULTS: Concerning the reaction time of the groups of different learning methods a significant difference was found after the learning among the three groups. Regarding the accuracy among the groups of different learning methods, significant difference was found in the action performance accuracy among the three groups. The relative mu power during the SRTT implementation was compared in the CZ, C3 and C4 regions before, during, and after the learning for each group. In the CZ and C4 region, a significant difference was found in the action observation group. In the C3 and C4 region a significant difference was found in the actual practice group. CONCLUSIONS: The result suggests that imitation and learning are involved even in the action that requires task understanding in humans. KEYWORDS: Accuracy; Mirror neuron system; Mu Rhythm; Reaction time; SRTT.

Risk factors affecting Tests of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) in pre-term infants at post-conceptional age of 40 weeks.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to correlate clinical factors with the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) in pre-term infants at a post-conceptional age of 40 weeks. METHODS: The study enrolled 80 pre-term infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Data on birth weight, multiple birth, sex, delivery type, Apgar scores at 1 minute and 5 minutes, neonatal seizures and Intraventricular Haemorrhage (IVH) as assessed by echoencephalography were retrospectively analysed through a review of relevant medical records. RESULTS: IVH was the clinical factor most strongly correlated with the TIMP scores. Other clinical factors which significantly affected the TIMP scores were caesarean section, neonatal seizures, low birth weight and multiple births. CONCLUSIONS: When pre-term infants exhibit risk factors of developmental delay, it is suggestd that TIMP is performed early in life among pre-term infants and the results can be used to select infants for early interventions.