We studied the effects of lower extremity strength as well gait and balance on occurrence falls in nursing home residents. Nursing residents with a history had less than half knee ankle nonfalling subjects residing same home. The differences were more prominent at knee, most pronounced dorsiflexors, where they one-tenth that controls. Also note was fact this group foilers slowed velocity (58% control) an impaired response to postural perturbation determined Postural Stress Test (55%...

Clinicians need a practical, objective test of postural control that is sensitive to mild neurological disease, shows experimental and clinical validity, has good test-retest reliability. We developed an instrumented sway (ISway) using body-worn accelerometer offer practical measure control. conducted two separate studies with groups subjects. Study I: sensitivity concurrent validity. Thirteen subjects early, untreated Parkinson's disease (PD) 12 age-matched (CTR) were tested in the...

Need for Better Balance and Gait Assessments in RehabilitationReliable, sensitive, clinically meaningful measures of balance gait are critical clinical assessment, as well studies rehabilitation intervention, patients with neurological disorders such Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis, stroke, other conditions frailty orthopedic that lead to high fall risk [1].In these patients, restoration function may require a prolonged course therapy can be difficult design because progress...

This perspective article will discuss the potential role of body-worn movement monitors for balance and gait assessment treatment in rehabilitation. Recent advances inexpensive, wireless sensor technology smart devices are resulting an explosion miniature, portable sensors that can quickly accurately quantify body motion. Practical useful monitoring systems now becoming available. It is critical therapists understand advantages limitations such emerging technology. One important advantage...

Objective . The purpose of this study was to explore the usefulness Mini-BESTest compared Berg Balance Scale in evaluating balance people with PD varying severity. We evaluated (1) distribution patients scores look for ceiling effects, (2) concurrent validity severity disease, and (3) sensitivity/specificity separating or without postural response deficits. Subjects Ninety-seven were tested deficits using Berg, Mini-BESTest, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating (UPDRS) III Hoehn & Yahr...

Difficulty turning during gait is a major contributor to mobility disability, falls and reduced quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Unfortunately, the assessment clinic may not adequately reflect typical function or its variability daily life. We hypothesized that mobility, rather than overall quantity activity, would be impaired people PD over seven days continuous recording.Thirteen subjects 8 healthy control similar age wore three Opal inertial sensors (on their...

Background and Purpose: Comparative studies of exercise interventions for people with Parkinson disease (PD) rarely considered how one should deliver the intervention. The objective this study was to compare success when administered by (1) home program, (2) individualized physical therapy, or (3) a group class. We examined if common comorbidities associated PD impacted each Methods: Fifty-eight (age = 63.9 ± 8 years) participated. People were randomized into individual class All arms...

The ability to turn while walking is essential for daily living activities. Turning slower and more steps are required complete a in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) compared control subjects but it unclear whether this altered strategy pathological or compensatory. aim of our study characterize the dynamics postural stability during continuous series turns at various speeds PD subjects. We hypothesize that slow their compensate impaired stability. Motion analysis was used compare gait...

People with Parkinson disease (PD) who show freezing of gait also have dysfunction in cognitive domains that interact mobility. Specifically, is associated executive involving response inhibition, divided attention or switching attention, and visuospatial function. The neural control impairments leading to recently been attributed higher-level, attentional cortical processes involved coordinating posture rather than lower-level, sensorimotor impairments. To date, rehabilitation for primarily...

Short‐term exposure to altered sensory input or destabilizing platform movement results in significant improvement sway control and inhibition of inappropriate motor responses, resulting improved balance during repetitive testing. In addition, there is recent evidence that strength function can be increased both active frail elderly who participate training programs. Therefore, the hypotheses tested are (1) alone, (2) alone will each capable significantly improving balance, gait, functional...

Postural instability and falls are increasingly recognized problems in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The purpose of this study was to determine whether FM patients, compared age-matched healthy controls (HCs), have differences dynamic posturography, including sensory, motor, limits stability. We further sought postural is associated strength, proprioception lower-extremity myofascial trigger points (MTPs); symptoms physical function; dyscognition; balance confidence; medication use. Last,...

Background and Purpose: It is well known that people with Parkinson's disease (PD) have significant difficulty turning, such related to freezing episodes falls. However, it unclear how clinicians should evaluate turning. The purpose of this exploratory study was determine whether the common clinical assessment instruments reflect turning deficits in persons PD compared an instrumented measure. Methods: Forty-six participants (23 mild PD, 23 severe PD), 40 healthy controls were assessed using...

. It is well documented that freezing of gait (FoG) episodes occur in situations are mentally challenging, such as dual tasks, consistent with less automatic control people Parkinson disease (PD) and FoG. However, most physical rehabilitation does not include challenges. The purpose was to determine (1) feasibility a cognitively challenging Agility Boot Camp-Cognitive (ABC-C) program (2) effects this intervention on FoG, dual-task cost, balance, executive function, functional connectivity.

Background Concussions result in transient symptoms stemming from a cortical metabolic energy crisis. Though this crisis typically resolves month, can persist for years. The symptomatic period is associated with gait dysfunction, the underpinnings of which are poorly understood. Quantifying prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity during may provide insight into post-concussion dysfunction. purpose study was to explore effects persisting concussion on PFC gait. We hypothesized that adults would have...

Background . It is widely believed that exercise improves mobility in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it difficult to determine whether a specific type of the most effective. The purpose this study was which outcome measures were sensitive intervention and explore effects two different programs for improving patients PD. Methods Participants randomized into either Agility Boot Camp (ABC) or treadmill training; 4x/week 4 weeks. Outcome grouped by International Classification...