Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the range of motion recovery in hand proximal interphalangeal sprain

International audienceAim - To compare the effects of Active range of motion versus Neuromuscular electrical Stimulation superimposed to active motion on the range of motion recovery at the proximal interphalangeal joint following sprain. Patients and Methods – Twenty patients undergoing physical therapy to recover proximal interphalangeal range of motion participated voluntarily. Ranges of motion at the proximal interphalangeal joint were measured before and after each treatment with a finger goniometer. Results – Both treatments allow the range of motion recovery of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Moreover, the effectiveness of the Superimposed technique in improving the range of motion is significantly better than that observed after Active range of motion on its own. Conclusion – These findings highlighted the Superimposed technique as an effective method, which could be integrated in rehabilitation protocols for recovering the proximal interphalangeal joint range of motion following sprain

Cervicocephalic relocation test: a study of performance stability

Objective: The purpose of the present experiment is to determine the reliability of the cervicocephalic relocation test (CRT). Methodology: Thirteen young healthy adults were recruited to perform a CRT test-retest. The test-retest reliability was determined by repeatedly measuring cervicocephalic relocation to a neutral position after active movement, with trials approximately one hour apart. Each CRT involved 20 cervicocephalic relocations to a natural head position, 10 repositioning after right head rotation, 10 repositioning after left head rotation (with the order of rotation side s randomized). The performance of each subject for each CRT was the mean of the errors made during the 20 relocations (in degrees). Study Results: The mean rate of error of the first and second trials were respectively 3.2±1.1° and 2.9±0.9°. The Intra Class Correlation (ICC) coefficient was .81, and the standard error of measurement was .90°. Conclusion: Results show that CRT testing supports evidence of reliable cervicocephalic performance stability in healthy young adults. As a result, CRT shows promise as a relevant tool of assessment in head and neck proprioception

Cervicocephalic relocation test: a study of performance stability

Objective: The purpose of the present experiment is to determine the reliability of the cervicocephalic relocation test (CRT). Methodology: Thirteen young healthy adults were recruited to perform a CRT test-retest. The test-retest reliability was determined by repeatedly measuring cervicocephalic relocation to a neutral position after active movement, with trials approximately one hour apart. Each CRT involved 20 cervicocephalic relocations to a natural head position, 10 repositioning after right head rotation, 10 repositioning after left head rotation (with the order of rotation side s randomized). The performance of each subject for each CRT was the mean of the errors made during the 20 relocations (in degrees). Study Results: The mean rate of error of the first and second trials were respectively 3.2±1.1° and 2.9±0.9°. The Intra Class Correlation (ICC) coefficient was .81, and the standard error of measurement was .90°. Conclusion: Results show that CRT testing supports evidence of reliable cervicocephalic performance stability in healthy young adults. As a result, CRT shows promise as a relevant tool of assessment in head and neck proprioception

Prediction of falls with performance on Timed "Up-and-Go" and one-leg-balance tests and additional cognitive tasks

Objective: The first aim of this study was to determine whether ordinary postural clinical performance varied with an additional cognitive task. The second purpose was to valid the predictive value for falling of two clinical tests. Methodology: The sample comprised ninety-five women with osteoporosis who lived independently in the community and aged over 70 years (mean 73.4 ± 1.7 years). Timed “Up & Go” test (TUG) and One leg balance (OLB) were realised. Tests were randomly assigned. Trials were realised with or without a cognitive additional task (math task involving subtraction by twos or fives or addition by threes). Results: For both tests (TUG and OLB), performance decreased in the dual-tasks condition (p<0.05). On the other hand, performances were not different in old women with and without an history of fall whatever the test and with or without an additional cognitive load. Conclusion: Performs in Timed Up & Go test and in One leg of balance were less efficient when simultaneously performing a cognitive task. These tests realised without or with cognitive task did not predict falls in a sample of women who lived independently

Balance, aging, and osteoporosis: effects of cognitive exercises combined with physiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether performing cognitive tasks while exercising influenced the effects of an exercise program designed to reduce the risk of falling in elderly women with osteoporosis. METHODS: We included 68 osteoporotic women older than 70 years of age (mean age, 73.5 years+/-1.6) who followed a program of 12 sessions of balance, coordination, and ambulation exercises designed to lessen the risk of falling. The patients were divided into two groups based on proximity to the study centers. The groups were randomly allocated to the exercise program alone (N=31, single-task group) or to the same program combined with cognitive tasks performed while exercising (N=37, dual-task group). Timed up-and-go tests and one-leg balance (OLB) tests were done at baseline, at the end of the exercise program, and 3 months after the end of the exercise program. RESULTS: In both groups, the exercise program produced significant improvements in up-and-go and OLB times. Additional improvements occurred over the first 3 months following the program. Adding cognitive exercises did not provide added efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Balance was improved after the exercise sessions. The improvements were clinically significant and increased over time

Prediction of falls with performance on Timed "Up-and-Go" and one-leg-balance tests and additional cognitive tasks

Objective: The first aim of this study was to determine whether ordinary postural clinical performance varied with an additional cognitive task. The second purpose was to valid the predictive value for falling of two clinical tests. Methodology: The sample comprised ninety-five women with osteoporosis who lived independently in the community and aged over 70 years (mean 73.4 ± 1.7 years). Timed “Up & Go” test (TUG) and One leg balance (OLB) were realised. Tests were randomly assigned. Trials were realised with or without a cognitive additional task (math task involving subtraction by twos or fives or addition by threes). Results: For both tests (TUG and OLB), performance decreased in the dual-tasks condition (p<0.05). On the other hand, performances were not different in old women with and without an history of fall whatever the test and with or without an additional cognitive load. Conclusion: Performs in Timed Up & Go test and in One leg of balance were less efficient when simultaneously performing a cognitive task. These tests realised without or with cognitive task did not predict falls in a sample of women who lived independently

MASSAGE AND MOBILIZATION OF THE FEET AND ANKLES IN ELDERLY ADULTS: EFFECT ON CLINICAL BALANCE PERFORMANCE

1 Vaillant J et al. Manual Therapy (2009), doi:10.1016/j.math.2009.03.004 The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a session of plantar massage and joint mobilization of the feet and ankles on clinical balance performance in elderly people. A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial was used to examine the immediate effects of manual massage and mobilization of the feet and ankles. Twenty-eight subjects, aged from 65 to 95 years (78.8±8.5 years- mean±SD) were recruited from community nursing homes. Main outcome measures were the performances in three tests: One Leg Balance (OLB) test, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Lateral Reach (LR) test. Results demonstrated a significant improvement after massage and mobilization compared with placebo for the OLB test hal-00391434, version 1- 4 Jun 2009 (1.1±1.7 seconds versus 0.4±1.2 seconds, p&lt;0.01) and the TUG test (0.9±2.6 seconds versus 0.2±1.2 seconds, p&lt;0.05). Conversely, performances in the LR test did not improve significantly. These results emphasise the positive impact of a single session of manual therapy applied to the feet and ankles on balance in elderly subjects