2023 CiteScore: 0.5
pISSN: 2538-385X
eISSN: 2538-3868
Editor-in-Chief:
Kazem Malmir, Ph.D.
Vol 11 No 2 (2017)
Research Article(s)
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Introduction: Stroke patients often experience falls with potentially serious consequences. Associated factors with falling in stroke patients have already been identified. The present study was conducted to find a better assessment tool for measuring the risk of falling, Fear of Falling (FOF), and balance between Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS).
Materials and Methods: One hundred stroke patients were recruited from the physiotherapy clinics affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) based on inclusive criteria to administer two predictive scales; FES-I and BBS. In 16-item FES-I, face to face interview provide information on FOF in daily life activities. BBS is used to measure the FOF during sitting, standing, and postural changes (reaching, balancing on one limb and transferring). Data were analyzed on the basis of age, post stroke duration, history of falling since disease onset and in the last 6 months as well as risk of falling.
Results: Based on FES-I scale, the majority (69.8%) of old patients (50-64 years) showed low risk of falls and according to BBS, the majority of the stroke patients older than 64 years had high concern for falling. Both genders showed low concern for falling on FES-I and BBS scales and the results were not significant. On BBS, the falling concern was more among those who had one falling during the last 6 months.
Conclusion: BBS is more relevant to predict the risk of falls among Iranian stroke patients and is also easy to administer at the stroke centers with minimum equipment. -
Introduction: The knowledge of muscle function during various activities may affect medical and physical treatments. Recently, ultrasound has been used to assess the activity of skeletal muscles. The relationship between ultrasound data with Electromyography (EMG) and dynamometry has been evaluated in numerous articles. This study aims to review the papers in this topic.
Materials and Methods: By searching the papers in Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed and PEDro (Physiotherapy evidence database) and then checking the papers referenced to found studies, 28 related papers were chosen and evaluated.
Results: Regarding data recording methods in 28 papers, ultrasound and EMG had been used in 5 papers, ultrasound and dynamometry in 13 cases and all three methods in 10 papers.
Conclusion: Although the relationship between EMG and ultrasound data have been examined in many studies, there are shortages and in some cases lack of mathematical equations and predictive models representing the majority of skeletal muscles. Therefore, quantifying the relationship between ultrasound data with EMG and dynamometry and providing predictive models can be useful in using ultrasound (which is a noninvasive, cheap and available method) in both research and clinical fields. -
Introduction: This study aimed to assess the relationship between the parent reports of gross motor function of children with Cerebral Palsy in activities of daily living.
Materials and Methods: Sixty mothers of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) who were recruited by convenience sampling method were participated in this cross-sectional study. Children were between 6 to 12 years old. For assessing the participation of children with CP in life areas, the Children Participation Assessment Scale-Parent version (CPAS-P) was used and for assessing the gross motor function level of these children, the Gross Motor Function Classification System-family report was used. For data analysis, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and ANOVA tests were used. All statistical analyses were done by SPSS v.21.
Results: The mean age of children was 8.92 years (age range: 6-12 years). A total of 22 of them were males and 30 were females. The relationship between the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) of children with CP and their participation in all objective aspects of Activities of Daily Livings (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Livings (IADL) were moderate to good and this relationship was significant P<0.05. The difference of participation in ADL and IADL between levels of GMFCS was significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed a good relationship between gross motor function level of CP children with their participation in ADL and IADL. -
Introduction: With regard to unilateral pain in some patients with low back pain (LBP), it is advisable to evaluate asymmetrical thickness of lateral abdominal muscles. This study aimed to compare abdominal muscle thickness asymmetry in patients with non specific unilateral LBP during rest and practicing several stabilizing exercises with hollowing maneuver.
Materials and Methods: This research has a case-control design. Sixteen female subjects with left and right unilateral LBP and 8 healthy subjects participated in this study. Internal oblique, external oblique and transversus abdominal muscles thickness were evaluated by ultrasound imaging technique in both sides of the subjects’ bodies during rest and hollowing maneuver with 3 stabilizing exercises; bridging, four point kneeling and abdominal crunch.
Results: According to the findings, abdominal muscle thickness asymmetry during exercises was more than resting position in two groups but it is not statistically significant. Also, no significant difference was seen between case and control groups regarding abdominal muscle thickness asymmetry.
Conclusion: Considering the appearance of asymmetry in healthy subjects, it seems that asymmetry in abdominal muscles cannot be interpreted as pathologic phenomena in LBP subjects. -
Introduction: Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain (NSCLBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders among different societies. Manual therapists use different approaches for NSCLBP management and or treatment. Comparing manual techniques is a considerable controversial debate among treatment approaches. This study aimed at comparing the immediate effects following Maitland mobilization technique and Mulligan Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG) on flexion and extension in patients with the NSCLBP.
Materials and Methods: Eighteen volunteers with NSCLBP were randomly divided into three groups: Posteroanterior (PA) mobilization, SNAG, and Sham SNAG. The PA mobilization techniques (Grade III) were performed on prone lying position (four sets of four repetitions; last 30 seconds for each technique). The SNAG techniques were performed accompanying with active flexion in sitting position (four sets of six repetitions). The sham SNAG technique was applied in sitting position while therapist touched gently patients’ backs (three sets of four repetitions). Flexion and extension Range of Motions (ROMs) were measured before and immediately after applied interventions (by inclinometer).
Results: Within group analysis showed significant changes of flexion and extension in ROMs in SNAG and PA mobilization groups. Between groups analysis pointed out significant difference between the SNAG and placebo groups after interventions.
Conclusion: Our results revealed increased flexion ROM following the SNAG technique and increased extension ROM after Maitland PA mobilization. However, our limited sample size might influence final results. More studies with larger sample size will be suggested. -
Introduction: Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) may be associated with impaired proprioception which can result in joint instability and balance deficit. However, wearing a lumbosacral belt may be helpful in this situation. This study aimed to identify postural control impairments in patients with CLBP and determine the effect of lumbosacral support on postural control strategies in these patients.
Materials and Methods: A total of 16 patients with CLBP and 16 healthy subjects participated in this study. Center of Pressure (COP) data were recorded for 30 seconds while wearing or not wearing a belt in four standing positions; double leg with open eyes, double leg with closed eyes, single leg with open eyes, single leg with closed eyes. Postural control was assessed using range, area and total mean velocity for each experimental condition.
Results: Patients with CLBP showed significantly larger mean COP range and mean area compared to the healthy controls in single leg stance with closed eyes (P<0.05). Lumbosacral belt reduced significantly mean COP range, mean COP area and mean total velocity during challenging conditions (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Individuals with CLBP had poorer postural control compared to the healthy controls as determined by changes in COP. Lumbosacral belt can improve postural control during challenging tasks. -
Introduction: The main purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between Locus of Control (LOC) with Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) among individuals with spinal cord injury.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Two hundred and ninety-one individuals with spinal cord injury were randomly selected as participants. The study variables were measured by posttraumatic growth assessed by the 21-item version of Post Traumatic Growth Inventory Scale (PTGI) and locus of control assessed by the 29-item version of Rotter’s internal-external locus of control scale. The collected data were analyzed with descriptive indexes and analytic tests, including the Levine’s test, independent t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Chi-square test, and Pearson test.
Results: Descriptive findings showed that the mean (SD) of LOC in the study population was 8.60(4.72) and PTG mean (SD) was 60.8(26.48). The Independent t test showed significant difference in PTGI score between internal and external LOC in the studied population (P<0.001), so that individuals with higher mean scores in PTG had more internal LOC (μ=08.75). Also the Pearson correlation coefficient showed a strong relationship between PTG with LOC (r=0.630, P<0.001).
Conclusion: The results suggest that the mean internal LOC scales in spinal cord injured patients with symptoms of PTG is higher. This study found that the LOC in spinal cord injury can affect individuals’ health and result in an increased possibility for PTG. -
Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effects of 4-week postural corrective exercise program on forward head posture in college-aged females.
Materials and Methods: This is a randomized controlled study. Twenty-one female students with craniovertebral angle measured less than or equal to 50 degrees were selected and randomly assigned to intervention (n=12) or control (n=9) group. Intervention group performed forward head posture corrective exercises in the form of stretching and strengthening exercises. The craniovertebral angle, active neck flexion range of motion and strength of lower and middle trapezius were measured before and after 4 weeks exercise program.
Results: After four weeks, significant increases were observed in the intervention group regarding the means of craniovertebral angle (P=0.0001), active neck flexion range of motion (P=0.04) and lower trapezius strength (P=0.03), while the mean strength of middle trapezius had not changed significantly (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Four week intervention protocol successfully improved postural alignment related to forward head posture. Thus, corrective exercise program for 4 weeks is effective to decrease forward head posture.
