LSVT® BIG versus progressive structured mobility training through synchronous telerehabilitation in Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative illness associated with motor symptoms. AIM: The aim of study was to compare the effects of synchronous telerehabilitation-based Lee Silverman Voice Treatment® BIG (LSVT® BIG) protocol and progressive structured mobility training in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Thirty-two patients diagnosed with PD (aged 40-72 years, Hoehn-Yahr stage 1-3) were randomly allocated into LSVT® BIG (Group 1) and Progressive Structured Mobility Training (Group 2) groups. Exercises were performed in both groups for 60 min a day, 4 days a week, for 4 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist with synchronous online videoconference method. Dynamic balance was assessed with Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) as a primary outcome measure. The secondary outcome measurements were Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), spatiotemporal parameters of gait from Kinovea® software, and postural stability from the Biodex Balance System. Other outcome measures were Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale-Short Form (ABC-SF), Parkinson's Activity Scale (PAS), and Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-39). RESULTS: This study showed significant group-by-time interactions on Mini-BEST (p = 0.042), ABC-SF (p = 0.029), and PAS (p = 0.022) in favor of group 1. Also, TUG (p < 0.01), spatiotemporal parameters of gait (p < 0.01), and PDQ-39 (p < 0.01) were improved in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both synchronous telerehabilitation-based exercise protocols enhanced balance and gait, as well as activity level and quality of life in patients with PD. LSVT® BIG may be preferred to improve dynamic balance, balance confidence, and activity status in the early stages of PD. These results should be confirmed in future studies with more robust methodology. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04694872.

What are the determinants of explicit and implicit motor imagery ability in stroke patients?: a controlled study.

Purpose: The purposes of the study were to (a) investigate both explicit and implicit motor imagery ability (MIA) impairment after stroke, (b) examine predictive effects of clinical characteristics for MIA after stroke.Materials and Methods: Forty one patients with stroke (PwS) (mean age 59.41 ± 10.19 years; %41 female) and 36 healthy participants (mean age 62.47 ± 9.29 years; %47 female) completed Chaotic Motor Imagery Assessment-Hand Rotation for implicit MIA and Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3) and Box and Block Test (BBT) for explicit MIA. The severity of motor and sensory impairments were determined by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMAUE) scores. The Turkish version of Motor Activity Log-28 was used to assess amount of use (AUS) and quality of movement in daily life.Results: Our results indicated that both implicit and explicit MIA (except kinaesthetic imagery of MIQ-3) in PwS were statistically impaired compared to controls (p < 0.05). The sensorimotor impairment level, amount of use and movement quality of the affected upper limb were found to be correlated with MIA in various degrees. Total motor scores in FMAUE and AUS were significant predictors of explicit MIA (p < 0.01). Additionally, explicit MIA scores of stroke subgroups were statistically different between severely and mildly impaired patients, in favour of mildly impaired group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: In conclusion, both motor impairment level and amount of daily use of upper extremity were found to be predictive factors for explicit MIA. Further investigation with brain imaging techniques is needed to explore the validity of these findings in establishing MIA.

Which cognitive dual-task walking causes most interference on the Timed Up and Go test in Parkinson's disease: a controlled study.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that cognitive load has a negative effect on the gait of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it is not clear which type of cognitive activities are more likely to affect dual-task abilities in this patient group. AIMS: To compare the cognitive dual-task abilities in patients with PD and control subjects and to analyze the effect of different cognitive activities on the walking ability of patients with PD. METHODS: The Hoehn and Yahr scale, the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Functional Reach Test were used to include and exclude the patients. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was applied under single and dual-task conditions. RESULTS: The completion time of TUG was found to be increased in the PD group compared with the healthy controls under single- and dual-task conditions (p < 0.05). The completion time of TUG was significantly increased in dual-task conditions with complex attention activity (serial subtractions test) compared with other dual-task conditions in patients with PD (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The gait performance of both healthy subjects and patients with PD was impaired with cognitive activity during walking, and patients with PD showed more impairment under different cognitive dual tasks. Among the other cognitive tasks, the 'serial sevens' test, a measure of complex attention, significantly increased the completion time of TUG. CONCLUSIONS: While assessing the dual-task ability of patients with early-stage PD, tasks that increase the demand for complex attention seem to be more sensitive to showing impaired dual-task ability.

Effects of Nintendo Wii-Fit® video games on balance in children with mild cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: This study compared the effects of Nintendo Wii-Fit® balance-based video games and conventional balance training in children with mild cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: This randomized controlled trial involved 30 ambulatory pediatric patients (aged 5-18 years) with CP. Participants were randomized to either conventional balance training (control group) or to Wii-Fit balance-based video games training (Wii group). Both group received neuro-developmental treatment (NDT) during 24 sessions. In addition, while the control group received conventional balance training in each session, the Wii group played Nintendo Wii Fit games such as ski slalom, tightrope walk and soccer heading on balance board. Primary outcomes were Functional Reach Test (forward and sideways), Sit-to-Stand Test and Timed Get up and Go Test. Nintendo Wii Fit balance, age and game scores, 10 m walk test, 10-step climbing test and Wee-Functional Independence Measure (Wee FIM) were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: After the treatment, changes in balance scores and independence level in activities of daily living were significant (P < 0.05) in both groups. Statistically significant improvements were found in the Wii-based game group compared with the control group in all balance tests and total Wee FIM score (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Wii-fit balance-based video games are better at improving both static and performance-related balance parameters when combined with NDT treatment in children with mild CP.

Internet-based basic body awareness therapy in fibromyalgia syndrome: A report of three cases.

Previous literature has shown that basic body awareness therapy (BBAT) may be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). This study constitutes the first case study evaluating internet-based BBAT for FMS. The purpose of this case study was to describe the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of an internet-based BBAT training for a total of 8 weeks in three patients with FMS. The patients underwent a synchronous individual internet-based BBAT training. Outcomes were assessed using Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised, Awareness-Body-Chart, Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and plasma fibrinogen level. These measures were administered at baseline and after the treatment. Patient satisfaction with the treatment was evaluated using a structured questionnaire. At the post-treatment evaluation, each patient showed improvements in all outcome measures. All patients had clinically significant changes in Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised. The SF-MPQ total score in Patients 1 and 3 exceeded the minimal clinically important difference. All patients' pain severity exceeded the minimal clinically important difference for Visual Analogue Scale (SF-MPQ). Besides, we found some benefits in body awareness and the level of dysautonomia. At the end of the treatment, patient satisfaction with the programme was very high. Based on this case study, the application of internet-based BBAT seems feasible and promising for clinical benefits.

The Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE) was originally developed in English to determine the level of fear of falling and its interactions with activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the SAFE instrument into Turkish and investigate its psychometric properties. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eleven older adults (72 females) with a mean age of 69 years (SD = 7.22; range, 60-87) were included. METHODS: For cross-cultural adaptation, 2 bilingual translators used the back-translation procedure. Within a 5- to 7-day period after the first assessment, the participants completed the Turkish version of the SAFE (SAFE-T) to evaluate test-retest reliability. Cronbach's α was used to assess internal consistency. The correlation with the Turkish version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-T) was determined to check the validity. RESULTS: The SAFE-T had excellent internal consistency (α = 0.96) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC2,1] = 0.96 for activity level, ICC2,1 = 0.95 for fear of falling, and ICC2,1 = 0.86 for activity restriction subscales). The SAFE-T activity level and SAFE-T activity restriction subscales were moderately correlated with the FES-I (ρ = -0.51, P < .001; ρ = 0.55, P < .001, respectively). A strong positive correlation was found between the SAFE-T fear of falling subscale and the FES-I (ρ = 0.75, P < .001), indicating good concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the SAFE-T is semantically and linguistically adequate to assess the fear of falling in adults older than 60 years. Excellent internal validity and test-retest reliability of the SAFE-T were defined to evaluate the fear of falling among Turkish speaking older adults.

The effects of body weight-supported treadmill training on static and dynamic balance in stroke patients: A pilot, single-blind, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare effectiveness of isolated body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) with conventional and combined training on balance, mobility, and fear of falling in stroke patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 2014 and November 2015, a total of 45 post-stroke patients (32 males, 13 females; mean age 53.1±13.2 years; range, 19 to 73 years) were randomly assigned to combined training group (CombTG), conventional training group (CTG), and BWSTT group (BWSTTG). The CombTG received 45 min conventional therapy for five days a week along with 45 min of BWSTT twice a week. The CTG received only conventional therapy for five days a week. The BWSTTG received only BWSTT twice a week. Training duration was six weeks for all groups. Primary outcome measures were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), affected and non-affected side Single Leg Stance Test (e-SLST/n-SLST), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) results. Secondary outcomes were the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI), Comfortable 10-m Walk Test (CWT), and Stair Climbing Test (SCT) results. RESULTS: The mean change of outcome measures demonstrated that the improvements between groups were significantly different among the three groups, except for the CWT (p=0.135). In subgroup analysis, except for the RMI and CWT, all primary and secondary outcome measures improved significantly in favor of the CombTG, compared to the CTG and BWSTTG (p<0.016). However, no statistically significant difference was found in the mean change of the CTG and BWSTTG (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that combined training has considerable effects on balance, mobility, and fear of falling parameters, while lower frequency of isolated BWSTT is as much effective as higher frequency of conventional training in ambulatory post-stroke patients.

Physical Activity Level of Ambulatory Stroke Patients: Is it Related to Neuropsychological Factors?

INTRODUCTION: Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for stroke and stroke recurrence. There is insufficient knowledge about the physical activity (PA) level in stroke patients who are ambulatory in the subacute phase. Our aim was to compare the PA level between ambulatory stroke patients and a population of the same age and to investigate neuropsychological factors that could affect the PA level in the same stroke group. METHODS: Eighty-five subacute stroke patients and 58 healthy subjects were included. Patients' demographic features, disease-related features, and comorbidities were recorded. The PA level was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Version and a pedometer (OMRON Walking style II). The Apathy Rating Scale was applied to determine the apathy level. Depression level was investigated by the Geriatric Depression Scale. The standardized Mini-mental State Examination was performed to assess the cognitive status. RESULTS: The PA level was significantly higher in the healthy group than in the stroke group (p<0.001). Step count and walking distance were significantly higher in healthy group (p=0.001 and p=0.04, respectively). The PA level of men was significantly higher than that of women (p=0.03). Participants who were classified as level 4 had a lower PA level than those who were classified as level 5 according to the Functional Ambulation Category. There was no relationship between the PA level and the apathy, cognitive, and depression levels in the stroke patients (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Subacute stroke patients have a lower PA level than healthy subjects. This is not related to neuropsychological factors. The reasons for minor deficits related to ambulation should be researched further while developing strategies for increasing the PA level of subacute stroke patients.