Impact of a 12-month multifaceted neurological physiotherapy intervention on gross motor function in women with Rett syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological syndrome that affects mostly females. The syndrome leads to severe impairments impacting all areas of the affected persons' life, including speech, mobility, eating, and breathing impairments. The most distinct symptoms include stereotyped hand movements, ataxia, and atrophy of the lower limbs, and signs of autism. METHODS: According to the principle of convenience sampling, the quantitative research included five females diagnosed with Rett syndrome subject to their personalized goal oriented neurological physiotherapy. Changes in gross motor function were assessed by the Gross Motor Function Measure 88 and Rett syndrome Gross Motor Scale. RESULTS: It was found that the 12-month multifaceted neurological physiotherapy intervention had statistically significant improvements in both Gross Motor Function Measure 88 (p = 0.005) and Rett syndrome Gross Motor Scale (p = 0.012). Despite positive improvements, the absence of control group made it difficult for a comparative evaluation to determine what interventions had the best possible outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative research demonstrates neuro-developmental treatment sessions, hippotherapy, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, a walking program, endurance exercises, active-assisted exercises, and coordination exercises, had a significant impact on improving gross motor function status. Current multifaceted intervention program leads to good improvement of gross motor skills above what can be expected from late motor deterioration.

Correlation between timed up and go test and skeletal muscle tensiomyography in female nursing home residents.

OBJECTIVES: Tensiomyography (TMG) derived contraction time (Tc) and amplitude (Dm) are related to muscle fibre composition and to muscle atrophy/tone, respectively. However, the link between mobility and TMG-derived skeletal muscle contractile properties in older persons is unknown. The aim of the study was to correlate lower limb skeletal muscle contractile properties with balance and mobility measures in senior female residents of retirement homes in Austria. METHODS: Twenty-eight female participants (aged from 67-99 years) were included in measurements of contractile properties (TMG) of four skeletal muscles: vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius medialis. Their balance and mobility performance was measured using a timed up and go test (TUG). RESULTS: Time needed to complete TUG is negatively correlated to biceps femoris (r= -0.490; p= 0.008), vastus lateralis (r= -0.414; p=0.028) and vastus medialis (r= -0.353; p=0.066) Dm and positively correlated to vastus lateralis Tc (r=0.456; p=0.015). Overall, vastus lateralis Tc and vastus medialis Dm explained 37% of TUG time variance. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that TMG-derived quadriceps muscle contractile parameters are correlated with the balance and mobility function in female nursing home residents.

Electrodermal activity and heart rate variability for detection of peripheral abnormalities in type 2 diabetes: A review.

Modern medicine exhibits an upward trend towards non-invasive methods for early detection of disease and long-term monitoring of patients' health. Diabetes mellitus and its complications are a promising area for implementation of new medical diagnostic devices. One of the most serious complications of diabetes is diabetic foot ulcer. The main causes responsible for diabetic foot ulcer are ischemia caused by peripheral artery disease and diabetic neuropathy caused by polyol pathway-induced oxidative stress. Autonomic neuropathy impairs function of sweat glands, which can be measured by electrodermal activity. On the other hand, autonomic neuropathy leads to changes in heart rate variability, which is used to assess autonomic regulation of the sinoatrial node. Both methods are enough sensitive to detect pathological changes caused by autonomic neuropathy and are promising screening methods for early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy, which could prevent the onset of diabetic ulcer.