Effects of Home-Based Boxing Training on Trunk Performance, Balance, and Enjoyment of Patients With Chronic Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 6 weeks of home-based boxing training on trunk performance, balance, fear of falling, and level of therapy enjoyment in individuals with chronic stroke. METHODS: Eighteen participants with chronic stroke were randomly divided into boxing and control groups (9 patients per group). The boxing group received home-based boxing training for 25 minutes plus balance and trunk exercise training for 15 minutes, while the control group received only home-based balance and trunk exercise training for 40 minutes, three days a week for 6 weeks. The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) were assessed at baseline, and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks post-training. The Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to determine differences between pre- and post-training within and between groups. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The TIS scores significantly increased from 13 to 17 points in the boxing group (p<0.05) compared to an increase from 15 to 17 points in the control group (p<0.05). The Mini-BESTest scores significantly increased from 14 to 22 points in the boxing group (p<0.05) compared to an increase from 17 to 20 points in the control group (p<0.05). There were no differences in the TIS, Mini-BESTest, ABC, and PACES scores between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Home-based boxing training with balance and trunk exercise training had a similar training effect compared to home-based balance and trunk exercise training.

Effects of task-oriented training on upper extremity functional performance in patients with sub-acute stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] The present study aimed to determine the effects of a task-oriented training on paretic upper extremity functional performance in patients with subacute stroke. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-eight subacute stroke sufferers (mean age: 50.07, standard deviation 9.31 years; mean time since stroke 11.11, standard deviation 6.73 weeks) were randomly allocated to task-oriented training (n=14) or conventional exercise program (n=14) group. They were trained as a hospital-based, individualized training 1 hour a session, 5 sessions a week for 4 weeks. Wolf Motor Function Test (primary outcome), motor portion of Fugl-Meyer assessment upper extremity, and hand function domain of Stroke Impact Scale were assessed at baseline, after 2 and 4 weeks of training. [Results] All participants completed their training programs. At all post-training assessments, the task-oriented training group showed significantly more improvements in all outcomes than the conventional exercise program group. No serious adverse effects were observed during or after the training. [Conclusion] Task-oriented training produced statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements of paretic upper extremity functional performance in patients with subacute stroke. These beneficial effects were observed after 2 weeks (10 hours) of training. Future investigation is warranted to confirm and expand these findings.

Applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to guide home health care services planning and delivery in Thailand.

Home health care is an essential service for home-bound patients in Thailand. In this action research study, we used the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework to modify home health care services provided by a university hospital. Staff responsible for delivering the services (physical therapist, nurses, and Thai traditional medicine practitioners) participated in the development of an ICF-based assessment tool and home health care service procedure. After an 8-month trial of implementing these changes, professional satisfaction and empowerment were high among the home health care team members. Patients and their caregivers were also satisfied with the services. In conclusion, the ICF is an effective means of guiding home health care.

Effects of an intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model on back muscle endurance, physical function and pain in rice farmers with chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain (LBP) can be managed by exercises which should be tailored to an individual's readiness to behavioral change. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of an intervention program based on the Transtheoretical Model of behavioral change (TTM) on back muscle endurance, physical function and pain in rice farmers with chronic LBP. METHODS: In a 32-week study, 126 rice farmers were allocated to the TTM (n= 62) and non-TTM (n= 64) groups. Modified Biering-Sorensen test, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire and visual analogue scale were used for evaluating back muscle endurance, physical function and severity of pain, respectively. The evaluations were performed at baseline and at weeks 8, 20 and 32 of the study. Data were analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA. RESULTS: The back muscle endurance was significantly greater in the TTM group than in the non-TTM group at week 32 (p= 0.025). Physical function and severity of pain were significantly improved in the TTM group when compared with the non-TTM group at weeks 20 and 32 (p< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A TTM-based intervention could improve back muscle endurance and physical function, and reduce the pain in rice farmers with LBP. Further studies should be considered to explore the long-term effects of this intervention.