ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Flat feet change lower extremity alignment, and it may change the load distribution on Achilles tendon during exercise. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the immediate effect of cumulative transverse strain via resistive ankle plantarflexion exercise on the Achilles tendon in individuals with flat feet. METHODS: Fourteen individuals with flat feet and 14 age-matched individuals with normal foot posture were enrolled in the present study. Achilles tendon thickness was measured by an ultrasonography device with a linear probe at 3 points: 1 cm (AT-1), 2 cm (AT-2), and 3 cm (AT-3) proximal to the superior aspect of the calcaneus. Ultrasonography measurements were performed before and after participants completed 90 repetitions of double-leg calf raise exercises which included moving the foot from full ankle dorsiflexion to full ankle plantarflexion. RESULTS: Achilles tendon thickness at all points measured was thinner in the flat feet group at both pre- and post-exercise conditions compared with that of the control group (p<0.05). Achilles tendon thickness at AT-1, AT-2, and AT-3 decreased after the exercise in both groups (p<0.001). The differences in Achilles tendon thickness at all points measured between pre- and post-exercise conditions were lower in individuals with flat feet than those of the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a significant decrease in Achilles tendon thickness after exercise in both groups; however, the tendon thickness markedly diminished in individuals with normal foot posture. The results are thought to result from changes in tendon structure and in load distribution on the Achilles tendon.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of family centered physiotherapy according to the neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) principles on mental and motor performance in premature infants. METHODS: A total of 156 infant, ≥24/36 week+6days gestational age included in the study. All the infants were diagnosed by a child neurologist and referred to psychology and physiotherapy department for their neurodevelopmental assessment and treatment. Bayley Scale of Infant II (BSI-II) was used for neurodevelopmental assessment and Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was used for assessing their motor performance. Seventy-eight of the infants were in the study group and 76 were recruited as age matched controls according to the classification of their gestational age. Family centered physiotherapy according to the neurodevelopmental treatment principles was used as an intervention and all the mothers are trained accordingly. RESULTS: Cognitive Development Scores and Motor Development Scores of Bayley II were recorded for the 3., 6., 9., and 12 months respectively. Between the 3. and 12. month of gestational age, within-groups measurements in both Cognitive Development Scores (p<0.001) and Motor Development Scores (p<0.001) were significantly increased. However, the improvements in both Cognitive Development Scores (p=0.059) and Motor Development Scores (p=0.334) between the groups was not different. CONCLUSION: Family centered physiotherapy with NDT principles may not be enough to improve motor and cognitive performance in preterm infants at the first year of age. For supporting the motor and cognitive development of the preterm infants other intervention modalities also should be considered.
