ABSTRACT
Introducción: Las personas con síndrome de Down tienen dificultades de control postural, y muestran diferencias en cuanto a desplazamiento de su centro de presión y a su actividad muscular, en comparación con la población general. La investigación previa ha reflejado que el centro de la presión de desplazamiento es menos dependiente de las condiciones visuales en las personas con síndrome de Down, aunque se ha observado una mejora del equilibrio tras la realización de actividades físicas basadas en la danza. El objetivo del proyecto fue valorar el efecto de un programa de actividad física basado en la danza sobre la actividad muscular en adultos jóvenes con síndrome de Down. Material y métodos: Once participantes con síndrome de Down y 11 participantes sin síndrome de Down, como grupo control, siguieron un programa de danza de 18 semanas de duración. Se utilizó electromiografía de superficie para valorar la actividad del músculo del tobillo antes y después de la finalización del programa, con los ojos abiertos y cerrados. Resultados: Observamos un nivel superior de activación muscular en el grupo de síndrome de Down, que reflejó unas diferencias menores entre las diferentes condiciones visuales que el grupo control. No se observaron diferencias significativas previas y posteriores al entrenamiento en el grupo síndrome de Down. Sin embargo se observaron menores diferencias entre ambos grupos tras el entrenamiento, en relación a la situación previa al mismo. Conclusiones: Aunque no se observaron diferencias significativas en el grupo síndrome de Down tras el entrenamiento, sí se observó un descenso de las diferencias entre los grupos. Estas podrían guardar relación con ciertas adaptaciones posturales. En el futuro, sería interesante incrementar la muestra, y analizar también la posición del centro de presión en relación a los pies
Introduction: People with Down syndrome have difficulties in postural control and exhibit differences in the displacement of their centre of pressure and in muscle activity compared with the general population. Previous research has shown that centre of pressure displacement is less depending on visual conditions in people with Down syndrome, although improved balance has been observed following specific physical activities based on dance. The aim of the project was to assess the effect of a dance-based physical activity programme on muscle activity in young adults with Down syndrome. Material and methods: Eleven participants with Down syndrome and eleven participants without Down syndrome as the control group followed an 18-week dance programme. Surface electromyography was used to assess ankle muscle activity before and after completion of the programme in open and closed eyes conditions. Results: We observed a higher level of muscle activation in Down syndrome group. They showed minor differences between different visual conditions than control group. No significant differences were seen in pre- and post-training in Down syndrome group. Nevertheless, less differences were observed between both groups after training than before. Conclusions: Although no significant differences were observed in Down syndrome group after training, differences between groups were decreased. These could be related to some postural adaptations. In the future, it will be interesting to increase the sample and also analyze the position of centre of pressure in relation to feet
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Young Adult , Down Syndrome/complications , Dance Therapy/statistics & numerical data , Ankle Injuries/rehabilitation , Sensation Disorders/rehabilitation , Controlled Before-After Studies , Electromyography/methods , Evaluation of the Efficacy-Effectiveness of Interventions , Ankle/physiopathology , Musculoskeletal Abnormalities/rehabilitation , Case-Control Studies , Postural Balance/physiologyABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to compare postural control in static standing in young adults with and without Down syndrome (DS), with eyes closed and eyes open, before and after an 18-wk dance-based training program. The study included 11 young people with DS age 20.5 (1.3) yr and 11 without DS age 20.2 (2.0) yr. All parameters were recorded before and after the training program. Parameters related to center of pressure (COP; closed and open eyes) were recorded from a platform with the participant in bipedal standing position during 30 s. The results suggest that young people with DS have worse COP control in both visual conditions (closed and open eyes) and are affected by visual information in a different way than their peers without DS. In the group of young adults with DS, the dance-based training program improved some parameters related to the use of visual input in controlling COP.
Subject(s)
Dancing/physiology , Down Syndrome/physiopathology , Postural Balance/physiology , Disability Evaluation , Female , Humans , Male , Pressure , Vision, Ocular , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: People with Down syndrome present skeletal abnormalities in their feet that can be analyzed by commonly used gold standard indices (the Hernández-Corvo index, the Chippaux-Smirak index, the Staheli arch index, and the Clarke angle) based on footprint measurements. The use of Photoshop CS5 software (Adobe Systems Software Ireland Ltd, Dublin, Ireland) to measure footprints has been validated in the general population. The present study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of this footprint assessment technique in the population with Down syndrome. METHODS: Using optical podography and photography, 44 footprints from 22 patients with Down syndrome (11 men [mean ± SD age, 23.82 ± 3.12 years] and 11 women [mean ± SD age, 24.82 ± 6.81 years]) were recorded in a static bipedal standing position. A blinded observer performed the measurements using a validated manual method three times during the 4-month study, with 2 months between measurements. Test-retest was used to check the reliability of the Photoshop CS5 software measurements. Validity and reliability were obtained by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The reliability test for all of the indices showed very good values for the Photoshop CS5 method (ICC, 0.982-0.995). Validity testing also found no differences between the techniques (ICC, 0.988-0.999). CONCLUSIONS: The Photoshop CS5 software method is reliable and valid for the study of footprints in young people with Down syndrome.
Subject(s)
Down Syndrome , Foot Deformities/diagnostic imaging , Foot/diagnostic imaging , Photography , Software , Adult , Female , Foot/anatomy & histology , Humans , Male , Posture , Reproducibility of Results , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of an exercise program on a whole-body vibration platform (WBV) in improving body balance and muscle performance and preventing falls in institutionalized elderly people. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: A multicentre randomized parallel assessor-blinded clinical trial was conducted in elderly persons living in nursing homes. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to an exercise program performed either on a whole body vibratory platform (WBV plus exercise group) or on a stationary surface (exercise group). The exercise program for both groups consisted of static and dynamic exercises (balance and strength training over a 6-week training period of 3 sessions per week). The frequency applied on the vibratory platform was 30 to 35 Hz and amplitude was 2 to 4 mm. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome measurement was static/dynamic body balance. Secondary outcomes were muscle strength and number of falls. Efficacy was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis and per protocol. The effects of the intervention were evaluated using the t test, Mann-Whitney test, or chi-square test, depending on the type of outcome. Follow-up measurements were collected 6 weeks and 6 months after randomization. RESULTS: A total of 159 participants from 10 centers were included: 81 in the WBV plus exercise group and 78 in the control group. Mean age was 82 years, and 67.29% were women. The Tinetti test score showed a significant overall improvement in both groups (P < .001). No significant differences were found between groups at week 6 (P = .890) or month 6 (P = .718). The Timed Up and Go test did not improve (P = .599) in either group over time, and no significant differences were found between groups at week 6 (P = .757) or month 6 (P = .959). Muscle performance results from the 5 Sit-To-Stand tests improved significantly across time (P = .001), but no statistically significant differences were found between groups at week 6 (P = .709) or month 6 (P = .841). A total of 57 falls (35.8%) were recorded during the follow-up period, with no differences between groups (P = .406). CONCLUSION: Exercise program on a vibratory platform provides benefits similar to those with exercise program on a stationary surface in relation to body balance, gait, functional mobility, and muscle strength in institutionalized elderly people. Longer studies in larger samples are needed to assess falls.
Subject(s)
Accidental Falls/prevention & control , Exercise Therapy/methods , Patient Outcome Assessment , Postural Balance/physiology , Vibration/therapeutic use , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Analysis of Variance , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Gait/physiology , Geriatric Assessment/methods , Homes for the Aged/organization & administration , Humans , Male , Muscle Strength/physiology , Nursing Homes/organization & administration , Patient Safety , Quality of Life , Reference Values , Risk Assessment , Single-Blind Method , SpainABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Institutionalized older persons have a poor functional capacity. Including physical exercise in their routine activities decreases their frailty and improves their quality of life. Whole-body vibration (WBV) training is a type of exercise that seems beneficial in frail older persons to improve their functional mobility, but the evidence is inconclusive. This trial will compare the results of exercise with WBV and exercise without WBV in improving body balance, muscle performance and fall prevention in institutionalized older persons. METHODS/DESIGN: An open, multicentre and parallel randomized clinical trial with blinded assessment. 160 nursing home residents aged over 65 years and of both sexes will be identified to participate in the study. Participants will be centrally randomised and allocated to interventions (vibration or exercise group) by telephone. The vibration group will perform static/dynamic exercises (balance and resistance training) on a vibratory platform (Frequency: 30-35 Hz; Amplitude: 2-4 mm) over a six-week training period (3 sessions/week). The exercise group will perform the same exercise protocol but without a vibration stimuli platform. The primary outcome measure is the static/dynamic body balance. Secondary outcomes are muscle strength and, number of new falls. Follow-up measurements will be collected at 6 weeks and at 6 months after randomization. Efficacy will be analysed on an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis and 'per protocol'. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated using the "t" test, Mann-Witney test, or Chi-square test, depending on the type of outcome. The final analysis will be performed 6 weeks and 6 months after randomization. DISCUSSION: This study will help to clarify whether WBV training improves body balance, gait mobility and muscle strength in frail older persons living in nursing homes. As far as we know, this will be the first study to evaluate the efficacy of WBV for the prevention of falls. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01375790.
Subject(s)
Exercise Therapy/methods , Frail Elderly , Quality of Life , Accidental Falls/prevention & control , Aged, 80 and over , Exercise Therapy/instrumentation , Gait , Humans , Muscle Strength , Postural Balance , Research Design , VibrationABSTRACT
Objetivos. Estimar la proporción de estudiantes de una escuela de ciencias de la salud con una conducta académica deshonesta y conocer su opinión respecto a la realización de esta conducta. Método. Se utilizó un cuestionario autoadministrado, anónimo y voluntario, que se entregó a todos los estudiantes de la Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Nutrición Blanquerna, en febrero de 2004. El cuestionario tenía 3 bloques: en el primero se pretendía valorar la conducta académica durante los exámenes, las prácticas y la presentación de trabajos; en el segundo, la opinión de los estudiantes respecto al hecho de copiar, y en el tercero, el conocimiento que los estudiantes tenían acerca de la conducta deshonesta de sus compañeros. Resultados. Se recogieron 468 cuestionarios (participación del 42,5%). Un 28% (120/468) (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 19,11-26,7) declaró haber copiado durante un examen. El 20% (IC del 95%, 16,6-23,9) dijo haber copiado textos idénticos de otras fuentes sin citar su origen. Dejar el trabajo a otros compañeros para que sirviera de modelo lo había hecho un 49,7% (IC del 95%, 45,1-54,2). Un 68% (IC del 95%, 64,1-72,5) dijo que en algún momento de la carrera todos tienen una conducta deshonesta. La única sanción que creen que se debería aplicar sería invalidar el trabajo, examen o ejercicio; un 20% consideró innecesaria ninguna sanción. Conclusiones. Los alumnos estudiados no difieren mucho de los de otros países en cuanto a copiar exámenes, plagiar trabajos o utilizar material de Internet como si fuera propio; aunque ellos no lo juzgan como conductas especialmente graves
Objectives. To determine the proportion of health sciences students who engage in academic misconduct and to identify their opinion of this behavior. Method. An anonymous, voluntary, self-administered questionnaire was given to all students in the Blanquerna School of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Nutrition, in February 2004. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: the first aimed to evaluate academic behavior during exams and practical sessions and when handing in coursework, the second was designed to determine students' opinion of copying, and the third aimed to determine their knowledge of academic misconduct among fellow students. Results. A total of 468 questionnaires were analyzed (participation rate 42.5%). Twenty-eight percent (120/468) (95% CI: 19.11-26.7) of the students reported they had copied during an exam. Twenty percent (95% CI: 16.6-23.9) admitted to copying entire texts from other authors without referencing the sources. Approximately 49.7% (95% CI: 45.1-54.2) gave their own work to other classmates to be used as a model. Sixty-eight percent (95% CI: 64.1-72.5) believed that all students cheated at some time during their university course. Students believed that the only punishment that should be applied was to invalidate the corresponding exam, exercise or test while about 20% considered no punishment was necessary. Discussion. Our students are similar those in other countries in terms of copying exams, plagiarizing texts or passing off material from the internet as their own. However, the students in this study tended to see academic misconduct as not especially serious
