Monitoring gait parameters of the elderly as a support for caregivers and physiotherapists

Starzenie się społeczeństw rozwiniętych stawia nowe wyzwania w zakresie opieki nad seniorami. Monitorowanie codziennej aktywności, w tym parametrów chodu, daje istotne informacje o kondycji. Praca prezentuje pilotażowe pomiary aktywności seniorów Domu Pomocy Społecznej Św. Elżbieta w Rudzie Śląskiej. Pomiarom poddano 38 osób o zróżnicowanym poziomie sprawności i aktywności ocenianej według wiedzy ich opiekunów. Pozyskane dane pomiarowe poddano analizie celem wydzielenia czasów aktywności oraz wybranych parametrów chodu. Dzięki wyznaczanym wartościom liczbowym opiekun może zrewidować opinię o swoich podopiecznych. Otrzymane wyniki wskazują na przydatność takich rozwiązań w codziennej opiece nad seniorami oraz w planowaniu rehabilitacji.Aging of the developed societies creates new challenges for medical care of the elderly. Monitoring of daily activities provides useful information about patient's condition. This paper presents a pilot study of activity monitoring of seniors living in the residential home St. Elisabeth in Ruda Śląska. The study was performed on 38 seniors with various fitness and activity levels according to the knowledge of their caregivers. The obtained data allowed to determine the activity time and chosen gait parameters. The results enable caregivers to update opinion on their patients and show usefulness of such solutions in daily care of the elderly, as well as in rehabilitation planning

Home-Based Exercise to Improve Motor Functions, Cognitive Functions, and Quality of Life in People with Huntington’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Exercise in different settings has become a fundamental part of Huntington’s disease (HD) management. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effectiveness of home-based exercises (HBE) in HD. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of HBE on motor, cognitive, or health-related quality of life (QoL) outcomes in HD were included. Standardized mean difference (SMD), the 95% confidence interval, and p-values were calculated by comparing the outcomes change between HBE and control groups. Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The included RCTs prescribed different types of HBEs, i.e., aerobic strengthening, walking, balance, and fine motor exercises. The HBE protocol length was between 6 and 36 weeks. The meta-analyses showed a significant effect of HBE intervention on motor function measure by Unified Huntington Disease Rating and overall QoL measure by Short Form−36 post-treatment respectively, [SMD = 0.481, p = 0.048], [SMD = 0.378, p = 0.003]. The pooled analysis did not detect significant changes in cognition, gait characteristics, or functional balance scales. The current study shows the positive effect of HBE in HD, especially on motor function and QoL. No significant adverse events were reported. The current results support the clinical effect of HBE intervention on motor function and QoL in HD patients. However, these results should be taken with caution due to the limited available evidence. Well-designed clinical studies that consider the disease severity and stages are required in the future