Balance and posture in the elderly: an analysis of a sensorimotor rehabilitation protocol.

Regular training programs are a concrete means to prevent and/or reduce functional decline due to aging. A multisensory training approach seems to obtain better results in the elderly with regard to both balance and quality of life. Forty subjects (age 65+/-10 years, height 165+/-4 cm, weight 73.0+/-4.6 kg) were randomized into two groups (GrHu and GrCl). Participants in the GrHu group received 3 months of balance and postural training, 3 sessions per week, with the use of a multisensory training approach. Those in the GrCl group received 3 months of training with a classical rehabilitation protocol that included isotonic training for the lower limbs and spine. With regard to walking, there was an improvement in step symmetry for participants in the GrHu group compared to baseline (0.93+/-0.09 vs. 0.84+/-0.1; p<0.05). Further, all subjects in the GrHu group showed a significant reduction in the energy used during a 4-min walk. Analysis of stabilometry data also showed a significant improvement in balance for those in the GrHu group, which was independent of age or gender. The multisensory training approach yields an improvement of balance in the elderly, which reduces the risk of falls. The observed improvement is significantly greater than that seen with the classical training program.

Jumper's knee treatment with extracorporeal shock wave therapy: a long-term follow-up observational study.

AIM: Jumper's knee affects more frequently athletes participating in jumping activities. This pathology is very difficult to treat: various therapeutic treatments are used, often based on the physician's personal experience rather than clinical evidence. The aim of this prospective study is to present our experience with the treatment of jumper's knee using extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in a group of patients followed up for 2 years after treatment. METHODS: In this study, we included 73 sports patients (83 knees), 54 males and 19 females, aged between 15 and 69 years (mean age: 32 years). All patients underwent clinical and instrumental diagnosis (ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and X-rays) in order to identify presence, location and seriousness of the specific tendinopathy. The symptomatology was classified using the visual analogical scale and according to a 6-stage clinical evaluation range. Shock wave treatment was applied with an electromagnetic shock wave generator. The protocol consisted in an average of 4 sessions (minimum 3, maximum 5), at a 2/7-day interval. In each sessions, 1,500-2,500 impulses were administered with an energy varying between 0.08 and 0.44 mJ/mm(2). RESULTS: We obtained satisfactory results in 73.5% of cases (54.2% excellent results and 19.3 good results). In performing athletes (16 tendons), treatment was satisfactory in 87.5% of cases, with an average time of resuming sport of approximately 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: The outcome of the described shock wave treatment appears to be satisfactory and confirms the role of this alternative treatment in the management of the tendon disorders.