Content - Volume 22, Issue 1

The relative efficacy of Neuro-Developmental Treatment (N. D. T. ) versus the Brunnstrom method was studied from the perspective of the functional recovery of stroke patients. An alternating treatment design (B-C-B-C) was used. Each intervention phase lasted 5 weeks. The functional recovery of the patients was assessed every week by using the Barthel Index and the Action Research Arm test, by regi ...

Two hundred and seven stroke patients were tested with Standardized Practical Equipment (SPE) three months after a stroke. One year after the stroke 183 survivors from this stroke population were tested with the equipment. The SPE test consists of 12 common daily activities, which the patient was asked to perform. The construct validity of SPE was estimated by factor analysis from the results of o ...

Patients with large transmural infarctions (MI) and signs of congestive heart failure (CHF) are often excluded from physical training, because of the risk of malignant arrhythmia or cardiac overloading. From a non-selected MI population less than 65 years we enrolled 37 high-risk patients in a two-year comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programme, including health education, follow-up at a post- ...

Spinal mobility was measured in thirty-five adolescents (21 boys and 14 girls) with bronchial asthma. Comparisons were carried out with an equal number of healthy controls matched for sex, age, weight, and height. Thoracic spinal movements of rotation and lateral flexion in girls and of rotation in boys were significantly greater in asthmatics as were the sagittal lumbar movements with the excepti ...

It has been claimed that the diadynamic currents have either analgesic or other beneficial effects during the treatment of various painful musculoskeletal disorders. However, no experimental or controlled clinical results have been presented to support these claims. In this study, the possible analgesic effect of the DF (diaphase fix)-current on experimental pain was evaluated. An ischemia was exp ...

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of prolonged forced running on rat lower limb muscles with acrylamide neuropathy. Twenty-four 4-week-old rats were divided into three groups of eight rats. Acrylamide was given to two groups of sixteen rats to induce mild paralysis. Eight rats with acrylamide injections were forced to run 3,200 m/day on a treadmill for five weeks. Running activities ...

Quadriceps strength and size was measured in a small group of subjects (n = 7) 1 to 5 years after full mobilisation following some form of unilateral lower limb trauma. The mean maximum voluntary isometric force (MVC) was significantly lower for the injured (I) compared to the uninjured (UI) leg (369 N +/- 139 vs. 535 N +/- 131, p less than 0. 01). Electrical stimulation superimposed on the volunt ...

Eight below-knee amputees performed isokinetic training of knee extensor- and knee-flexor muscles for a period of 8-12 weeks at angular velocities of 60 degrees/s, 180 degrees/s and 240 degrees/s. Before and after training isokinetic and isometric knee extensor/flexor strength was measured. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis and the cross-sectional area of the thigh muscles was m ...

Walking ability was assessed in twenty patients before and one year after knee replacement with a cemented unicompartmental, Brigham prosthesis (mean age 63. 4 years, nine women). All patients had moderate medial gonarthrosis. One year after surgery, knee function, assessed by the BOA score, self-selected and maximal walking speed as well as single limb support of the involved leg were increased. ...

The effect of an immobilized knee joint or of an unstable ankle joint on the walking capacity has been assessed with 50 walking tests in ten healthy subjects. The knee joint was immobilized in extension with a standard splint and an unstable ankle joint was simulated by a modified shoe. A significant decrease in convenient walking speed was found. The energy cost of walking as assessed by oxygen c ...

Eight patients with stationary, spastic paraparesis were treated with long-term stretch of the hip adductor muscles to improve walking ability. Gait pattern, walking speed and perceived exertion of walking were assessed. Walking efficiency was assessed before and after treatment by measuring oxygen consumption and blood lactate level. After treatment walking pattern was improved. Perceived exertio ...