Ground reaction force analysed with correlation coefficient matrix in group of stroke patients

Stroke is the third cause of death in contemporary society and causes many disorders. Clinical scales, ground reaction force (GRF) and objective gait analysis are used for assessment of patient’s rehabilitation progress during treatment. The goal of this paper is to assess whether signal correlation coefficient matrix applied to GRF can be used for evaluation of post-stroke patients status. Group of patients underwent clinical assessment and instrumented gait analysis simultaneously three times. The difference between components of patient’s GRF (vertical, fore/aft, med/lat) and normal ones (reference GRF of healthy subjects) was calculated as correlation coefficient. Patients were divided into two groups (“worse and better”) based on the clinical functional scales tests done at the beginning of rehabilitation process. The results obtained by these two groups were compared using statistical analysis. Increase of median value of correlation coefficient is observed in all components of GRF, but only in non-paretic leg. Analysis of GRF signal can be helpful in assessment of post-stroke patients during rehabilitation. Improvement in stroke patients was observed in non-paretic leg of the “worse” group. GRF analysis should not be the only tool for objective validation of patient’s improvement, but could be used as additional source of information

Gait changes in patients after reconstruction of facial bones with fibula and iliac crest free vascularized flaps

Patients with malignant tumours of the oral cavity require its surgical removal and reconstruction of the bone and soft tissues. The grafts are obtained either from leg (fibula) or pelvis (iliac crest). The removal of grafts from the locomotor apparatus can impair the gait. The aim of this study was to find out how the localization of donor site influences the gait pattern. Methods: Results obtained for 30 patients were analyzed (16 fibula graft, 14 iliac crest graft). Patients underwent instrumented gait analyses three times (VICON system): before surgery, 2–4 month after the surgery, and 4–8 months after the surgery. Results: In both groups several gait parameters were changed. Two parameters changed in both groups: gait speed and cadence. In patients receiving iliac crest graft the changed gait variables were: pelvic rotation, hip range in sagittal plane (operated side), knee range in sagittal plane (operated side), foot dorsiflexion in swing on both sides. In patients receiving fibula flap the changed gait variables were: tilt, range motion of the tilt, minimum hip flexion (operated side), time to maximum knee flexion (non-operated side), GGI (non-operated side) and step length (nonoperated side). Conclusions: The primary gait deviations occurring after surgery, and the compensatory mechanisms which subsequently arise depend on the localization of graft donor site. The results indicate that the patients in whom fibula flap was used have less problems with gait pattern after the surgery than the patients receiving iliac crest graft

Could lower leg Wartenberg test be used as a predictor of restrictions in temporomandibular joint movements in CP patients

Purpose: Patients with spasticity suffer not only from neurological problems but also from various dentistry problems due to spasticity of the jaw muscles. Measurements of motion in temporomandibular joints should reflect the amount of abnormal muscle tone of these muscles. The aim of this study was to find out if the measurements of temporomandibular joint movements performed with the ultrasound Zebris device are different in cerebral palsy patients than in healthy subjects; and to find out if the information on the degree of spasticity in the lower legs provided by the Wartenberg test could be used to predict the degree of spasticty in the jaw muscles. Method: Twenty five healthy subjects and 25 cerebral palsy patients participated in the study. Two types of measurements were performed: temporomandibular movements measured with Zebris device, and instrumented Wartenberg test. Results: The laterotrusion and opening movements are different in CP patients than in healthy subjects. Laterotrusion movement correlates with velocity measured during the Wartenberg test. Conclusion: This finding suggests that high spasticity in the lower legs could indicate jaw movement restrictions in CP patients

New data regarding the distribution and ichthyocoenological affinities of the Ukrainian brook lamprey, Lampetra (Eudontomyzon) mariae (Cephalaspidomorphi: Petromyzontiformes: Petromyzontidae), in southern Poland

Fifteen new localities of the Ukrainian brook lamprey, Lampetra (Eudontomyzon) mariae, were found within 2008–2010. The majority of them are located in the Nida River drainage. Additionally, the occurrence of that species in the StrwiÄ…ĹĽ River, a tributary of the Dniester, was confirmed. The cluster analysis performed suggests, that L. mariae exhibits strong affinity to the stone loach, Barbatula barbatula, and the Eurasian minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus. We believe that the distribution of L. mariae on the territory of Poland seems to be strongly underestimated