The effects of gait speed on plantar pressure variables in individuals with normal foot posture and flatfoot

Purpose: It is not known how gait speed affects plantar pressure characteristics in flatfoot. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of gait speed on plantar pressure variables in flatfoot by comparing it to normal foot posture. Methods: Thirty individuals with flatfoot and 30 individuals with normal foot posture were recruited. Plantar pressure variables were obtained by a pressure-sensitive mat at self-selected slow, normal, and fast speeds. All assessments were performed on the dominant foot, and three satisfactory steps were obtained for each gait speed condition. The order of gait speeds was randomized. Results: In the flatfoot group, the contact area was higher in the midfoot, third metatarsal, and hallux at all speeds, also in the second metatarsal at slow and normal speeds than the normal foot posture group (p < 0.05). The maximum force was higher in the midfoot and hallux at all speeds in the flatfoot group (p < 0.05). Also, the maximum force was lower in the first metatarsal at normal and fast speeds, and in the lateral heel at fast speed (p < 0.05). In the flatfoot group, the peak pressure was found to be higher in the hallux at slow speed, but to be lower in the first metatarsal at fast speed (p < 0.05). Further, plantar pressure distribution was affected by gait speed in both feet. Conclusions: Analysis of plantar pressure variables should be performed at different gait speeds

Gender differences in health anxiety and musculoskeletal symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: Health anxiety is often associated with musculoskeletal symptoms and gender, but there are limited studies that investigate these relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic

The effects of gait speed on plantar pressure variables in individuals with normal foot posture and flatfoot

Purpose: It is not known how gait speed affects plantar pressure characteristics in flatfoot. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of gait speed on plantar pressure variables in flatfoot by comparing it to normal foot posture. Methods: Thirty individuals with flatfoot and 30 individuals with normal foot posture were recruited. Plantar pressure variables were obtained by a pressure-sensitive mat at self-selected slow, normal, and fast speeds. All assessments were performed on the dominant foot, and three satisfactory steps were obtained for each gait speed condition. The order of gait speeds was randomized. Results: In the flatfoot group, the contact area was higher in the midfoot, third metatarsal, and hallux at all speeds, also in the second metatarsal at slow and normal speeds than the normal foot posture group ( p &lt; 0.05). The maximum force was higher in the midfoot and hallux at all speeds in the flatfoot group ( p &lt; 0.05). Also, the maximum force was lower in the first metatarsal at normal and fast speeds, and in the lateral heel at fast speed ( p &lt; 0.05). In the flatfoot group, the peak pressure was found to be higher in the hallux at slow speed, but to be lower in the first metatarsal at fast speed ( p &lt; 0.05). Further, plantar pressure distribution was affected by gait speed in both feet. Conclusions: Analysis of plantar pressure variables should be performed at different gait speeds

Is the pain pressure threshold linked to the transversus abdominis in women with chronic neck pain?: a preliminary report

Purpos

Investigation of balance performance under different sensory and dual-task conditions in patients with chronic neck pain

Background: Most studies suggest that people with chronic neck pain (CNP) have decreased balance abilities. However, balance performance during performing concurrent tasks is not clarified. Objectives: To investigate balance performance under different sensory and dual-task conditions in people with and without CNP. Method: Twenty-two women with CNP and twenty-two asymptomatic women were tested using the Biodex Stability System. Overall stability index (OSI), anterior/posterior stability index (APSI), medial/lateral stability index (MLSI) were obtained in two sessions: eyes-open and eyes-closed. Both sessions consisted of four conditions: quiet standing, rotating head, counting backward, standing on foam. Higher index scores mean poorer balance. Design: Case-Control study. Results: A mixed factorial ANOVA (2 x 8 design) showed that there was a main effect of CNP on OSI, APSI, and MLSI (p < 0.001), which indicates that CNP causes poor balance. Further, there was an interaction between CNP and test conditions for only OSI (p < 0.05). Simple effects tests showed that patients with CNP had higher OSI in all conditions except standing on foam with eyes-open, and quiet standing and counting backward with eyesclosed (p < 0.05). The largest effect size was obtained during rotating head with eyes-open (12:0.301), followed by counting backward with eyes-open and quiet standing with eyes-open (12:0.267 and 0.245). Performing a concurrent task, closing eyes, or standing on foam mostly increased OSI in both groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with CNP have poorer balance under different sensory and dual-task conditions. Addressing balance assessment while performing concurrent tasks, especially head rotations, may offer new insights into the management of CNP

Effects of stabilization exercises on disability, pain, and core stability in patients with non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Many studies have emphasized the importance of stabilization exercises (SE) for the management of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), yet there is no study assessing all aspects of core stability in comparing SE and other exercises

The effects of the addition of motor imagery to home exercises on pain, disability and psychosocial parameters in patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Context: Patients who have suffered from persistent symptoms often undergo lumbar spinal surgery (LSS). Motor imagery should be added to postoperative home exercises to reduce patient complaints. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of home exercise plus motor imagery and only home exercise in patients undergoing LSS. Design: A randomized controlled study. Settings: This study was designed by researchers at Dokuz Eylul University. Participants: Thirty-seven patients undergoing LSS were randomized to motor imagery group (n = 19) and control group (n = 18). Main outcome measures: Pain was measured by Visual Analogue Scale, disability related to low back pain by Oswestry Disability Index, pain-related fear by Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, depression by Beck Depression Inventory, quality of life by World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF). All assessments were repeated in the preoperative period, three weeks after and six weeks after the surgery. Interventions: Motor imagery group underwent home exercise plus motor imagery program applied by voice recording. Control group underwent only home exercise program. Exercise program compliance was monitored by exercise diary and telephone calls once every week. Results: There was a significant improvement in pain at rest and during activity, disability, kinesiophobia, depression, physical health and psychological sub-parameters of WHOQOL-BREF between preoperative period, and the third week and sixth week in both groups (p < 0.05). When comparing groups for gain scores, there was a more significant improvement in pain during activity in motor imagery group (p < 0.05). Motor imagery should be addressed as an effective treatment after LSS. 0 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Investigation of the effects of flat cushioning insole on gait parameters in individuals with chronic neck pain

Purpose: Individuals with chronic neck pain (CNP) walk with a stiffer spine known to cause an increase in dynamic loading on the spine. They also exhibit altered spatiotemporal gait variables, however, it is still unclear whether flat cushioning insole, which reduces dynamic loading on the musculoskeletal system by absorbing the ground reaction force, affects gait parameters in individuals with CNP. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of flat cushioning insole on neck pain during walking and gait parameters in individuals with CNP. Methods: Twenty-one individuals with CNP and 21 asymptomatic controls were included. Assessments of gait parameters and pain were conducted in two sessions, standard shoe only and standard shoe with flat cushioning. In both sessions, all participants performed the 10-meter walk test in two walking conditions: preferred walking, walking at maximum speed. The force sensitive insoles and the video analysis method were used to assess plantar pressure variables and spatiotemporal gait variables, respectively. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale. Results: Our results indicated that flat cushioning reduced the maximum force and force-time integral in both groups (p 0.05). Conclusions: These results have suggested that the use of flat cushioning insole may improve neck pain during walking and spatiotemporal gait variables in individuals with CNP

Investigation of the effects of flat cushioning insole on gait parameters in individuals with chronic neck pain

Individuals with chronic neck pain (CNP) walk with a stiffer spine known to cause an increase in dynamic loading on the spine. They also exhibit altered spatiotemporal gait variables, however, it is still unclear whether flat cushioning insole, which reduces dynamic loading on the musculoskeletal system by absorbing the ground reaction force, affects gait parameters in individuals with CNP. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of flat cushioning insole on neck pain during walking and gait parameters in individuals with CNP. Methods: Twenty-one individuals with CNP and 21 asymptomatic controls were included. Assessments of gait parameters and pain were conducted in two sessions, standard shoe only and standard shoe with flat cushioning. In both sessions, all participants performed the 10-meter walk test in two walking conditions: preferred walking, walking at maximum speed. The force sensitive insoles and the video analysis method were used to assess plantar pressure variables and spatiotemporal gait variables, respectively. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale. Results: Our results indicated that flat cushioning reduced the maximum force and force-time integral in both groups ( p 0.05). Conclusions: These results have suggested that the use of flat cushioning insole may improve neck pain during walking and spatiotemporal gait variables in individuals with CNP