ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dual tasking on postural control in individuals with schizophrenia. METHODS: Fifteen outpatients with schizophrenia and 15 healthy controls were included. Postural control was assessed with postural sway velocity (PSV) using Balance Master System during three different tasks: single task (standing on a force platform), cognitive task (categorical verbal fluency) and motor task (holding a cup of water) in four conditions: on firm surface with eyes open (1) and closed (2), on foam surface with eyes open (3) and closed (4). RESULTS: Individuals with schizophrenia presented higher PSV during single standing on foam surface with eyes open and closed. During the cognitive task, they showed higher PSV on foam surface with eyes closed. During the motor task PSV in schizophrenia group was higher on firm surface with eyes closed and on foam surface with eyes open and closed. Individuals with schizophrenia showed higher PSV during cognitive task on firm surface with eyes closed compared to the single task. CONCLUSIONS: Dual tasking results in a deterioration in postural control in individuals with schizophrenia. A cognitive task specifically alters postural control in the absence of visual information suggesting a possible sensorimotor dysfunction in this population.
Subject(s)
Schizophrenia , Humans , Postural BalanceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that perceptual and cognitive asymmetries are present in the auditory system in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The Dichotic Listening (DL) paradigm was formerly performed in non-forced (NF) conditions only, and no study has examined the conditions of attention to one ear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perceptual and cognitive asymmetry in the auditory system in patients with AIS as well as the asymmetry changes according to the curvature characteristics of patients with AIS. METHOD: The DL paradigm was performed on 38 patients with AIS and 10 healthy individuals in all conditions (NF, Forced Right [FR], Forced Left [FL]). RESULTS: In the NF and FL conditions, the mean number of correct responses for the left ear was significantly lower in patients with AIS than in healthy individuals (p < 0.05). The correct responses for the right ear in the NF condition, right and left ear in the FR condition, and right ear in the FL condition did not show a significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Also, there was no difference between patients with AIS with both functional 3-curve and 4-curve (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates perceptual and cognitive asymmetry or lateralisation in the auditory system in patients with AIS. The asymmetry might be caused by the inability to direct their attention to the left ear, which is not affected by their curvature type. Further studies are needed to investigate perceptual and cognitive asymmetry behaviour models in the auditory system in patients with AIS. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Determination of perceptual and cognitive asymmetry in the auditory system may offer a new perspective on conservative treatment protocols for AIS patients. Besides, the DL paradigm can be easily used in patients with AIS as a non-invasive evaluation method in clinics.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In the relevant literature generalized hypermobility syndrome (GHS) has been shown to alter the kinetic and kinematic patterns of the human movement system. Although GHS affects the general body biomechanics of individuals, the body of knowledge in plantar pressure distribution in GHS is far from sufficient. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether individuals with joint hypermobility syndrome have abnormal plantar pressure distribution during normal gait compared to healthy individuals. METHODS: A total of 37 participants (mean age: 22.16 ± 2.58 years) diagnosed with GHS and 37 aged-matched participants (mean age: 23.35 ± 2.85 years) without GHS were included in the study. Dynamic plantar pressure distribution was obtained as each participant walked in barefoot at a self-selected pace over EMED-m system (Novel GmbH, Munich, Germany). Correlations between hypermobility score (HS) (Beighton score) and plantar pressure variables, and between group differences in peak pressure (PP), pressure-time integral (PTI), average pressure (AP) and maximum force (MxF) were computed for 10 regions under the sole. RESULTS: HS was significantly correlated with peak pressure under the mid-foot (MF) (r= 0.24, p= 0.043), 5th metatarsal head (MH5) (r= 0.33, p= 0.001), big toe (BT) (r= 0.44, p< 0.001), and second toe (ST) (r= 0.38, p= 0.001). A similar trend was observed for pressure-time integrals under hindfoot (HF) (r= 0.24, p= 0.04), MF (r= 0.30, p= 0.009), MH5 (r= 0.25, p= 0.033), BT (r= 0.37, p= 0.001) and ST (r= 0.34, p= 0.003). The only significant MxF detected was under the ST (r= 0.23, p= 0.048), and AP was determined to be significantly higher as HS increases indicated by APs under MH5 (r= 0.24, p= 0.042), BT (r= 0.32, p= 0.005) and ST (r= 0.40, p< 0.001). Peak pressure values under HF were significantly higher in the hypermobile group (p= 0.023), MH5 (p= 0.001), BT (p< 0.001) and ST (p= 0.003). AP and PTI were also found to be significantly higher in the hypermobile group under MH5 (p= 0.009), BT (p= 0.037), and ST (p= 0.003). MxF was higher only under MF5 (p= 0.029) and SF (p= 0.041) in the hypermobile group. CONCLUSION: The forefoot regions received a higher load in GHS during gait. This could be useful in clinical evaluation of the foot in GHS, preventing potential injuries of lower extremity, and also in processes related to decision making for foot orthotics and/or rehabilitation protocols.