Predictors of balance in individuals with Parkinson's disease: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Some previous studies investigated predictors of balance in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD). However, outcomes commonly evaluated in the rehabilitation of individuals with PD that could predict balance deficits have not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the variables muscle strength, physical activity and depression are predictors of balance in individuals with PD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study in which the investigated variables included: trunk and knee extensors' muscle strength (modified sphygmomanometer test - MST), physical activity level (Adjusted Human Activity Profile score) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 - PHQ-9). The outcome variable was balance, as assessed by the Mini-BESTest. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine which predictor variables explain the outcome variable. RESULTS: A total of 50 individuals with PD, mean age 67 ± 8.8 years, 68% male, 40% HY 2.5 were included. The mean value of the dominant limb extensor muscle strength was 139 ± 45 mmHg, and the mean trunk extensor muscle strength value was 81.9 ± 19 mmHg. More than half of the sample (52%, n = 26) was classified as moderately active. Most of the sample (78%) had mild depression. The average Mini-BESTest score was 21 ± 5.4. The physical activity level explained 29% of the balance variance. When depression was included in the model, the explained variance increased to 35%. The other independent variables were not included in the model. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study showed that the physical activity level and depression were able to explain 35% of the balance variation.

Validity of mHealth devices for counting steps in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Step quantification is a good way to characterize the mobility and functional status of individuals with some functional disorder. Therefore, a validation study may lead to the feasibility of devices to stimulate an increase in the number of steps and physical activity level of individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD). AIM: To investigate the validity of mHealth devices to estimate the number of steps in individuals with PD and compare the estimate with a standard criterion measure. METHOD: An observational study in a university laboratory with 34 individuals with idiopathic PD. The number of steps was measured using mHealth devices (Google Fit, Health, STEPZ, Pacer, and Fitbit INC®), and compared against a criterionstandard measure during the Two-Minute Walk Test using habitual speed. RESULTS: Our sample was 82% men with a Hoehn and Yahr mean of 2.3 ± 1.3 and mean walking speed of 1.2 ± 0.2 m/s. Positive and statistically significant associations were found between Google Fit (r = 0.92; p < 0.01), STEPZ (r = 0.91; p < 0.01), Pacer (r = 0.77; p < 0.01), Health (r = 0.54; p < 0.01), and Fitbit Inc® (r = 0.82; p < 0.01) with the criterion-standard measure. CONCLUSIONS: GoogleFit, STEPZ, Fitbit Inc.®, Pacer, and Health are valid instruments to measure the number of steps over a given period of time with moderate to high correlation with the criterion-standard in individuals with PD. This result shows that technology such as smartphone applications and activity monitor can be used to assess the number of steps in individuals with PD, and allows the possibility of using this technology for assessment and intervention purposes.

Validity of the modified sphygmomanometer test for the assessment of tip pinch strength in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: The tip pinch is one of the most delicate and precise movement of the hand, and it is used to manipulate small objects, commonly observed in the activities of daily living of any individuals. Individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD) with impaired manual dexterity, manipulative skills, and hand weakness have an important barrier for activities of daily life. However, the dynamometer usually used for measuring the tip pinch have a high cost, so, validate a sphygmomanometer can make this assessment more accessible. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity of the modified sphygmomanometer test in the evaluation of tip pinch strength when compared to the gold standard. METHODS: 50 individuals with idiopathic PD took part in the study. The muscle strength of tip pinch on the dominant and non-dominant side was measured by the modified sphygmomanometer test and the gold standard, the dynamometer. Concurrent validity was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: 50 individuals diagnosed with idiopathic PD, mean age of 67 ± 8.0 years, 68% male, mean time of diagnosis in months of 84 ± 66 and Hoehn and Yahr mean of 2.5 ± 0.6. There was a significant correlation of moderate magnitude between the modified sphygmomanometer test and the dynamometer in dominant side (r = 0.44; p < 0.01) and non-dominant side (r = 0.48; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The modified sphygmomanometer test showed adequate validity for assessing the muscle strength of the tip pinch in individuals with PD.

Google fit smartphone application or Gt3X Actigraph: Which is better for detecting the stepping activity of individuals with stroke? A validity study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the validity of the GT3X® ActiGraph accelerometer and the Google Fit® smartphone application in estimating stepping activity in people with chronic stroke. METHODS: Thirty-seven stroke survivors walked along a straight, 10 metre hallway over 5 min at their fastest speeds, wearing the GT3X® ActiGraph accelerometer and a smartphone on their paretic lower limb. The criterion-standard measurement made was the actual number of steps, counted by a trained examiner. RESULTS: The mean estimated steps measured by the GT3X® ActiGraph and Google Fit® respectively were 276.7 ±â€¯97.6 and 481.0 ±â€¯119.8; that calculated from the examiner's measurements was 472.0 ±â€¯93.9. Statistically significant associations were found between the actual steps and those estimated by the GT3X® ActiGraph (r = 0.56; p < 0.001) and Google Fit® (r = 0.89; p < 0.001). The Google Fit® application demonstrated the highest reliability coefficient (ICC[2,1] = 0.93; p < 0.001; p = 0.37), compared to that of the GT3X® ActiGraph (ICC[2,1] = 0.32; p < 0.001; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The GT3X® ActiGraph underestimated the data and may not be the most appropriate device to estimate the stepping activity of stroke patients. The findings support the validity of a smartphone application in estimating the stepping activity of individuals with stroke, when worn on the paretic side.

High-Intensity Respiratory Muscle Training Improves Strength and Dyspnea Poststroke: A Double-Blind Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether high-intensity home-based respiratory muscle training, that is, with higher loads, delivered more frequently and for longer duration, than previously applied, would increase the strength and endurance of the respiratory muscles, reduce dyspnea and respiratory complications, and improve walking capacity post-stroke. DESIGN: Randomized trial with concealed allocation, blinded participants and assessors, and intention-to-treat analysis. SETTING: Community-dwelling patients. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with stroke, who had respiratory muscle weakness (N=38). INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group received 40-minute high-intensity home-based respiratory muscle training, 7 days per week, for 8 weeks, progressed weekly. The control group received a sham intervention of similar dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was inspiratory muscle strength (via maximal inspiratory pressure), whereas secondary outcomes were expiratory muscle strength (maximal expiratory pressure), inspiratory muscle endurance, dyspnea (Medical Research Council score), respiratory complications (hospitalizations), and walking capacity (6-minute walk test). Outcomes were measured at baseline, after intervention, and 1 month beyond intervention. RESULTS: Compared to the control, the experimental group increased inspiratory (27cmH2O; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 15 to 40) and expiratory (42cmH2O; 95% CI, 25 to 59) strength, inspiratory endurance (33 breaths; 95% CI, 20 to 47), and reduced dyspnea (-1.3 out of 5.0; 95% CI, -2.1 to -0.6), and the benefits were maintained at 1 month beyond training. There was no significant between-group difference for walking capacity or respiratory complications. CONCLUSION: High-intensity home-based respiratory muscle training was effective in increasing strength and endurance of the respiratory muscles and reducing dyspnea for people with respiratory muscle weakness post-stroke, and the magnitude of the effect was higher, than that previously reported in studies, which applied standard protocols.

Effect of high-intensity home-based respiratory muscle training on strength of respiratory muscles following a stroke: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory muscle training has shown to increase strength of the respiratory muscles following a stroke. However, low duration and/or intensity of training may be responsible for the small effect size seen and/or absence of carry-over effects to an activity, e.g., walking. Therefore, an investigation of the effects of long-duration, high-intensity respiratory muscle training is warranted. OBJECTIVE: This proposed protocol for a randomized clinical trial will examine the efficacy of high-intensity respiratory muscle training to increase strength and improve activity following a stroke. METHODS: This study will be a two-arm, prospectively registered, randomized controlled trial, with blinded assessors. Thirty-eight individuals who have suffered a stroke will participate. The experimental group will undertake a 40-min of respiratory muscle training program, seven days/week, for eight weeks in their homes. Training loads will be increased weekly. The control group will undertake a sham respiratory muscle training program with equivalent duration and scheduling of training. The primary outcome will be the strength of the inspiratory muscles, measured as maximal inspiratory pressure. Secondary outcomes will include expiratory muscle strength, inspiratory muscle endurance, dyspnea, respiratory complications, and walking capacity. Outcomes will be collected by a researcher blinded to group allocation at baseline (Week 0), after intervention (Week 8), and one month beyond intervention (Week 12). CONCLUSION: High-intensity respiratory muscle training may have the potential to optimize the strength of the respiratory muscles following a stroke. If benefits are carried over to activity, the findings may have broader implications, since walking capacity has been shown to predict physical activity and community participation on this population.

Estudo de seguimento da função motora de indivíduos pós-acidente vascular encefálico / Follow-up analysis of the motor function of post-stroke individuals / Estudio de seguimiento de la función motora de individuos post accidente cerebro vascular

Objetivou-se caracterizar e analisar mudanças nas variáveis relacionadas à função motora de hemiparéticos crônicos após um período médio de sete anos. Coletaram-se via telefone dados demográficos e clínicos de hemiparéticos avaliados em 2003. Todos foram convidados a participar da reavaliação, em que se coletaram medidas de força da musculatura respiratória, desempenho funcional, capacidade física e nível de atividade física. Estatísticas descritivas, testes t pareado ou Wilcoxon foram utilizados para análise dos dados. Dos 101 hemiparéticos avaliados presencialmente em 2003, contataram-se por telefone 65 deles ou seus familiares, sendo que 35 (64,6±10,6 anos) responderam às questões por telefone, 22 (56,8±13,3 anos) foram avaliados presencialmente e 8 faleceram. Após uma média de sete anos de seguimento, em relação às medidas realizadas presencialmente, nenhuma variável apresentou diferença significativa entre as avaliações (0,08

The aim of this study was to characterize and analyze changes in the variables related to the motor function of chronic hemiparetic patients after a period of seven years. The demographic and clinical data of the participants, who were initially assessed in 2003, were collected by telephone. All individuals were invited to participate in the reassessments, which included data related to respiratory strength, functional performance, physical ability, and physical activity levels. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon or paired t-tests were used for analyses. Out of the 101 hemiparetic partcipants, who were initially assessed in 2003, 65 subjects or their relatives were contacted by telephone; 35 (64.5±10.6 years) answered the questions by telephone, 8 passed away, and 22 (56.8±13.3 years) were physically assessed. After a mean follow up of seven years, none of the physically assessed variables showed significant differences between the two assessments (0.08

Se buscó caracterizar y analizar cambios en las variables relacionadas a la función motora de hemiparéticos crónicos después de un período medio de siete años. Se colectaron por teléfono datos demográficos y clínicos de hemiparéticos evaluados en 2003. Todos fueron invitados a participar de reevaluación, donde se colectaron medidas de fuerza de la musculatura respiratoria, desempeño funcional, capacidad física y nivel de actividad física. Estadísticas descriptivas, tests t pareados o Wilcoxon fueron utilizados para análisis de los datos. De los 101 hemiparéticos evaluados presencialmente en 2003, se contactaron por teléfono 65 de ellos o sus familiares, siendo que 35 (64,6±10,6 años) respondieron las preguntas por teléfono, 22 (56,8±13,3 años) fueron evaluados presencialmente y 8 fallecieron. Después de una media de siete años de seguimiento, en relación a las medidas realizadas presencialmente, ninguna variable presentó diferencia significativa entre las evaluaciones (0,08

Isometric hand grip strength correlated with isokinetic data of the shoulder stabilizers in individuals with chronic stroke.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between isometric hand grip (HG) strength and isokinetic strength data of the glenoumeral and scapulothoracic muscles in 12 individuals with chronic hemiparesis due to stroke. Measures of maximal grip strength were obtained on the HG dynamometer Jamar(®). Isokinetic measures of peak torque and work during shoulder rotations and scapular protraction-retraction movements were obtained with the isokinetic dynamometer at a speed of 60°/s. Pearson correlation coefficients between isometric HG and isokinetic strength data ranged between 0.60 and 0.82 for the peak torque and between 0.59 and 0.86 for the isokinetic work. The findings suggested that, in absence of isokinetic dynamometers, isometric HG strength measurements could be clinically used to monitor strength levels of the shoulder stabilizers and to guide load progressions during strengthening interventions for people with chronic hemiparesis.

Eletroestimulação neuromuscular na pressão plantar, simetria e funcionalidade de hemiparéticos / Neuromuscular electrical stimulation on plantar pressure, symmetry, and hemiparetic functionality

Este estudo objetivou analisar os efeitos da Eletroestimulação Neuromuscular (EENM) na pressão plantar, simetria e funcionalidade de hemiparéticos. Participaram deste pacientes hemiparéticos crônicos, divididos em dois grupos: intervenção, composto por cinco pacientes, que receberam a corrente FES no tibial anterior, três vezes por semana, durante quatro semanas, por trinta minutos; controle, formado por dois pacientes que receberam, pelo mesmo período e no mesmo músculo, a corrente sham (50µs e 150Hz). Os sujeitos realizaram pré e pós tratamento avaliação da pressão plantar através do sistema de baropodometria computadorizada F-Scan?, análise da simetria e avaliação da funcionalidade, através da Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF). A média de idade da amostra estudada foi 58,85 anos, todos com diagnóstico de AVE isquêmico crônico. Em relação à pressão plantar e funcionalidade, não houveram diferenças estatisticamente significativas tanto no grupo FES quanto no grupo sham. Os índices de simetria do grupo intervenção aumentaram 140,58% após o tratamento. Já no grupo sham, esse ganho foi de 57,65%. Através deste constatou-se que a EENM pode influenciar positivamente na simetria de pacientes hemiparéticos crônicos, podendo acarretar uma marcha mais satisfatória.

This study has the objective of analyzing the effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NES) on plantar pressure, symmetry, and hemiparetic functionality. Seven chronic hemiparetic patients, subdivided into two groups participated in this study, as follows: the intervention group, which consisted of five patients who received the FES current on the anterior tibialis for thirty minutes, three times a week, for four weeks; and the control group, composed of two patients who received sham (50µs @ 150Hz) current for the same period, and on the same muscle. The subjects were evaluated pre- and post-treatment by means of baropodometry using the FSCANTM system, where the plantar pressures, the symmetry, and functionality were analyzed through the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). The average age of the studied sample was of 58.85 years, and all of them had the diagnosis of chronic ischemic stroke. Concerning the plantar pressure and functionality, there were statistically significant differences in relation to FES group, as well as sham group, when the pre- and post-treatment were compared. The symmetry indices of the intervention group increased 140.58% after the treatment. However, the sham group?s growth was only 57.65%. By means of the present study, it was found that NES was able to exert a positive influence on the symmetry of chronic hemiparetic patients, thus resulting in a more satisfactory gait.