Effect of whole-body vibration on freezing and flexibility in Parkinson's disease-a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Symptoms are treated by medication, physio-, exercise, and occupational therapy. Alternative methods have been used in exercise therapy for a few years now. The effect of whole-body vibration as an alternative training method has been investigated for several symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Since freezing and flexibility have not yet been investigated, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different frequencies of application for these two symptoms. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to a frequency (6, 12, or 18 Hz) or the control group. Before and after the treatment of 5 × 60 s with a rest of 60 s each, the Sit and Reach test (flexibility) and the 360° turn test (freezing) were performed. RESULTS: Only the Sit and Reach test showed a significant improvement at 18 Hz (improvement from - 5.75 to - 1.89 cm, F(3,30) = 5.98**). At 360° turn, no significant differences were found. Weak to high effect sizes (standardized mean differences) were determined for the different frequencies, both for the Sit and Reach (from .01 to .64) and for the 360° turn (from - .72 to - 1.25). The highest effect size is observed for 18 Hz and the lowest for 6 Hz. CONCLUSIONS: Higher frequencies seem to be more effective than lower ones. Freezing, age, and gender also seem to play a role. Therefore, this should be investigated in further studies.

The utility of physical education according to students from germany and chile / Lutilité de léducation physique, selon des étudiants allemands et chiliens / A utilidade da educação física segundo estudantes da alemanha e do chile / La utilidad de educación física según escolares de alemania y chile

Resumo O presente estudo tem o objetivo de determinar a forma como estudantes de diferentes culturas percebem a utilidade das aulas de Educação Física. Foram entrevistados 2.748 estudantes (1.373 da região da Araucanía, Chile; e 1.375 do Estado de Sarre, Alemanha). Tanto os alunos chilenos como os alemães reconhecem mais uma utilidade "esportivo-recreativa" que uma "socioeducativa", e os chilenos apresentam valores mais altos que seus pares alemães; por outro lado, ambos os grupos manifestam seu desacordo com a opinião de que a Educação Física não lhes serve para nada. Os estudantes consideram que suas aulas de Educação Física foram úteis, o que surge como uma oportunidade para reforçar a geração de experiências positivas nas aulas e consolidar as aprendizagens.

Abstract The aim of this study is to show how the students of different cultures perceive their physical education classes. 2748 students (1373 from the Araucania Region in Chile and 1375 from Saarland in Germany) have been surveyed. The students of both countries agree that the "sportive-recreational" aspect is more important than the "social-educational" one, while the Chilean students present higher values than the German students do. In addition, the students of both countries disagree to the statement that physical education is useless for them. The Chilean and German students think that their physical education class is useful. This knowledge can be used as an opportunity to reinforce the generation of positive experiences in class and to consolidate the learning processes.

Résumé L'objectif de cette étude est de déterminer la façon dont des étudiants issus de cultures différentes perçoivent l'utilité des classes d'Éducation Physique. 2748 élèves (1373 de la région d'Araucania, au Chili; et 1375 de l'État de Sarre, en Allemagne) ont été interrogés. Les étudiants chiliens et allemands reconnaissent une utilité plus "sportive-récréative" que "socio-éducative", les valeurs présentées par les Chiliens sont cependant plus élevées que chez les allemands. En outre, les deux groupes expriment leur désaccord quant à l'opinion que l'éducation physique ne leur apporte rien. Dans l'ensemble, les élèves considèrent que les cours d'Éducation Physique ont été utiles, ce qui représente une opportunité pour renforcer les expériences positives en classe et pour consolider les apprentissages.

Resumen El presente estudio tiene como propósito determinar cómo escolares de diferentes culturas perciben la utilidad de las clases de Educación Física. Fueron encuestados 2748 escolares (1373 de la Región de La Araucanía, Chile; y 1375 del Estado de Sarre, Alemania). Tanto los escolares chilenos como los alemanes reconocen una utilidad "deportivo-recreativa" por sobre una utilidad "socioeducativa", siendo los chilenos quienes presentan valores más altos que sus pares alemanes; además, ambos grupos manifiestan su desacuerdo en que la Educación Física no les ha servido para nada. Los escolares consideran que sus clases de Educación Física les han sido útiles, lo que se presenta como una oportunidad para reforzar la generación de experiencias positivas en las clases y consolidar los aprendizajes.

Analysis of the Effects of Whole-Body Vibration in Parkinson Disease - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Because of discrepant published results, there is a need to systematically analyze the literature that has evaluated the effectiveness of harmonic whole-body vibration (WBV) and randomized WBV in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of harmonic versus randomized WBV on motor symptoms, balance, gait, and mobility in people with PD. TYPE: Meta-analysis. LITERATURE SURVEY: Established databases PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, Trip, and PEDro; library of the Saarland University; and electronic library of journals, including publications from 1960 to November 2017, were scanned by using "Parkinson" and "vibration" as combined search terms. METHODOLOGY: First, data were extracted from the full-text version, including number of participants, severity of disease, medication status, study design, use of vibration treatment, duration of study, number of treatment sessions and trials per session, vibration frequency and amplitude, duration of trials and rest periods, and pre- and posttest data. Qualitative analysis was performed by using the PEDro score. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to verify the efficacy of harmonic versus randomized WBV on mobility, balance, gait, and motor symptoms. SYNTHESIS: From 244 publications found in online databases, 17 eligible studies fulfilled eligibility criteria and were further analyzed qualitatively. Out of those, 7 studies attained moderate to high quality (mean PEDro score 4.6 points, SD 2.9) and were then further analyzed quantitatively. A large variation, between no effects (SMD = 0.06, 95% CI = -0.78 to 0.90) and weak effects (SMD = 0.46, 95% CI = -0.51 to 1.43), was found for motor symptoms, balance, gait, and mobility. CONCLUSIONS: There is no clear evidence of a PD symptom-reducing effect (motor symptoms, balance, gait, and mobility) of WBV compared with respective control conditions. Only a few studies found significant group differences for mobility and motor symptoms. Therefore, the overall effects of vibration therapy on PD remain somewhat inconsistent. Further high-quality studies should determine the efficacy of harmonic versus randomized WBV. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

[Changes of Motor Balance in the Course of an Inpatient Psychosomatic Rehabilitation]. / Veränderung motorischer Gleichgewichtsfähigkeit im Verlauf einer stationären psychosomatischen Rehabilitationsmaßnahme.

Aim of the study For many rehabilitants both the motor balance and the feeling of being emotionally stable and in balance are essential preconditions for participation in employment and society. The goal of this study was to capture changes in motor balance in the course of an inpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation and to set them in relation to changes in mental variables. Methods 118 patients of a psychosomatic clinic (49.3±8.6 years; 75.4 % women) were examined at the beginning and the end of rehabilitation. To measure motor balance the balance test (GGT) of Bös, Wydra and Karisch, the timed up and go test (TUG), eight tasks of standing balance on an unstable surface as well as eight tasks on a stable surface were used. As psychological variables, self-esteem (MSWS), degree of depressive (BDI-II) and anxiety symptoms (BAI) were measured. Results The motor balance ability, assessed by the GGT (d=1,37), the TUG (d=0,56), tasks of standing balance on an unstable surface (d=1,48) as well as on a stable surface (d=0.67), increased significantly in the course of rehabilitation and was also reflected in the self-evaluation of motor balance (d=0,97). Correlations in the change of motor and mental variables were particularly evident between the balance tasks on an unstable and a stable surface and different scales of the MSWS. Conclusion In the course of rehabilitation, an improvement in psychological symptoms as well as the balance ability was found, however, contrary to our expectations, no significant correlations were observed. At the first view it seems like there would be no relationship between psychological factors and the motor balance of the patients. However it should be noted that motor balance was examined in a standardized situation in which the patients were not exposed to any particular psychological distress. Observations during the conduct of the study suggest that changes in motor balance could be shown rather in observable characteristics of postural control (for example in contraction and relaxation) than in the number of fulfilled tasks. The motor balance tests were not only accepted very well by the rehabilitants but often also provoked self-reflection processes on topics such as balance and stability in a psychosomatic sense. Further research both on the factors influencing the motor balance ability as well as on their relation to the improvement in activity and participation appears promising.

The effect of age on hamstring passive properties after a 10-week stretch training.

[Purpose] Degenerative changes take place in the musculoskeletal system of elderly people, resulting in a reduced range of motion. For this reason, stretch training is recommended for elderly individuals. To date, there have been no studies of the adaptations of the passive properties of muscles following long-term stretch training. The aim of this study is to investigate the hamstring elasticity of elderly people following a 10-week stretch training and compare the results to a younger cohort. [Subjects and Methods] The experimental groups consisted of 15 younger (24.0 ± 4.0 years) and 14 older (65.1 ± 7.9 years) individuals. Both experimental groups undertook a standardised 10-week static passive hamstring stretch training. Passive properties of the hamstring were measured with an instrumented Straight Leg Raise Test. [Results] After a 10-week stretch training, there were increases in range of motion, passive resistive force and passive elastic energy in both age groups. Passive elastic stiffness decreased. Changes of hamstring passive properties did not differ significantly between age groups after a 10-week stretch training. [Conclusion] Increasing age has a negative effect on muscle passive properties, but older individuals benefit from regular stretch training, just as younger individuals do.

[Relationship between balance control and psychological factors]. / Zusammenhang von motorischer Gleichgewichtsfähigkeit und psychischen Faktoren.

GOAL: The goal of the study was to capture the relationship between motor balance and psychological factors, using sport-motoric tests as well as subjective self-evaluations. METHOD: The balance control of 118 patients of a psychosomatic rehabilitation clinic was examined at the beginning and end of rehabilitation using various motor tests. Additionally, psychological variables including self-esteem (MSWS), degree of anxiety (BAI) and depressive symptoms (BDI) were assessed. To examine subjective self-evaluation a numerical analog scale and a questionnaire with open questions were used. Content analysis was performed on the questionnaire. RESULTS: In the area of physical self-esteem, especially sportiness, low to moderate correlations were found between self-esteem and balance. No significant relationship was found between anxiety or depressive symptoms and balance. In the open questions most patients described a distinct connection between emotional distress and balance. The participation in the tests was often a topic in their therapy. DISCUSSION: The expected relationship between psychological factors and motor balance could be only partially confirmed. A question is raised as to whether this relationship appears merely in situations of acute stress, as detected in the patients answers to the open questions. Addressing the study in psychotherapie an indication that balance tasks are well suited for the subjective experience and discussion of psychosomatic relationships.