Current practices in clinical gait analysis in Europe: A comprehensive survey-based study from the European society for movement analysis in adults and children (ESMAC) standard initiative.

BACKGROUND: Clinical gait analysis (CGA) is a systematic approach to comprehensively evaluate gait patterns, quantify impairments, plan targeted interventions, and evaluate the impact of interventions. However, international standards for CGA are currently lacking, resulting in various national initiatives. Standards are important to ensure safe and effective healthcare practices and to enable evidence-based clinical decision-making, facilitating interoperability, and reimbursement under national healthcare policies. Collaborative clinical and research work between European countries would benefit from common standards. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review the current laboratory practices for CGA in Europe. METHODS: A comprehensive survey was conducted by the European Society for Movement Analysis in Adults and Children (ESMAC), in close collaboration with the European national societies. The survey involved 97 gait laboratories across 16 countries. The survey assessed several aspects related to CGA, including equipment used, data collection, processing, and reporting methods. RESULTS: There was a consensus between laboratories concerning the data collected during CGA. The Conventional Gait Model (CGM) was the most used biomechanical model for calculating kinematics and kinetics. Respondents also reported the use of video recording, 3D motion capture systems, force plates, and surface electromyography. While there was a consensus on the reporting of CGA data, variations were reported in training, documentation, data preprocessing and equipment maintenance practices. SIGNIFICANCE: The findings of this study will serve as a foundation for the development of standardized guidelines for CGA in Europe.

Performance of a Mobile 3D Camera to Evaluate Simulated Pathological Gait in Practical Scenarios.

Three-dimensional (3D) cameras used for gait assessment obviate the need for bodily markers or sensors, making them particularly interesting for clinical applications. Due to their limited field of view, their application has predominantly focused on evaluating gait patterns within short walking distances. However, assessment of gait consistency requires testing over a longer walking distance. The aim of this study is to validate the accuracy for gait assessment of a previously developed method that determines walking spatiotemporal parameters and kinematics measured with a 3D camera mounted on a mobile robot base (ROBOGait). Walking parameters measured with this system were compared with measurements with Xsens IMUs. The experiments were performed on a non-linear corridor of approximately 50 m, resembling the environment of a conventional rehabilitation facility. Eleven individuals exhibiting normal motor function were recruited to walk and to simulate gait patterns representative of common neurological conditions: Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebellar Ataxia. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine statistical differences between the measurement systems and between walking conditions. When comparing walking parameters between paired measures of the systems, significant differences were found for eight out of 18 descriptors: range of motion (ROM) of trunk and pelvis tilt, maximum knee flexion in loading response, knee position at toe-off, stride length, step time, cadence; and stance duration. When analyzing how ROBOGait can distinguish simulated pathological gait from physiological gait, a mean accuracy of 70.4%, a sensitivity of 49.3%, and a specificity of 74.4% were found when compared with the Xsens system. The most important gait abnormalities related to the clinical conditions were successfully detected by ROBOGait. The descriptors that best distinguished simulated pathological walking from normal walking in both systems were step width and stride length. This study underscores the promising potential of 3D cameras and encourages exploring their use in clinical gait analysis.

Physical fitness and its association with fatigue in patients with low-grade glioma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate physical fitness and its association with fatigue in patients with low grade glioma (LGG). METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Muscle strength was measured with a digital dynamometer, cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), maximal workload (MWL)) by cardiopulmonary-exercise-testing, and fatigue by using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included, mean age of 44.1 (SD11.2) years, and 67% were men, 31.2 (SD18) months post-diagnosis. Muscle strength (p < 0.01), and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak, MWL) (p < 0.01) were significantly decreased compared to predicted values based on age and gender. Thirty percent of the patients experienced severe physical fatigue, and severe mental fatigue was reported in 57% of the patients. Cardiorespiratory fitness showed weak to moderate (r - 0.46 to r - 0.52) but significant (p < 0.01) correlations with physical fatigue, not with mental and general fatigue. Muscle strength was not associated with fatigue. A lower VO2peak was independently associated with a higher level of physical fatigue, adjusted for Karnofsky Performance Status (R2 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: Physical fitness (muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness) is reduced in patients with LLG, and a lower level of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) is independently associated with a higher level of experienced physical fatigue. Trials to explore the benefit of exercise programs to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and, consequently, fatigue are warranted.Implications for rehabilitationPhysical fitness (muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness) is reduced in patients with low-grade glioma.Patients with low-grade glioma should be screened for fatigue with the multidimensional fatigue inventory, to differentiate between mental and physical fatigue.Patients with low-grade glioma with severe physical fatigue should be screened for reduced physical fitness, especially cardiorespiratory fitness by objective cardiopulmonary-exercise-testing.Rehabilitation exercise programs to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and, consequently, (physical) fatigue could be warranted in patients with low-grade glioma.

Real-time daily fatigue, sleep, physical activity, and health-related fitness in adults with cerebral palsy.

AIM: To explore whether subgroups of adults with cerebral palsy (CP) with different fatigue diurnal profiles can be discerned, and to explore whether sleep, physical activity, or health-related fitness are associated with these profiles. METHOD: Thirty-two adults (median age 29 years 8 months; range 20-54 years; 11 males, 21 females) with spastic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-III) with physical activity-related fatigue complaints participated. Real-time fatigue and physical activity were assessed for 7 consecutive days by short message service text four times during the day and by wearing an accelerometer respectively. Sleep was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and fitness by assessing body composition and aerobic capacity. Latent class growth modelling was used to classify subgroups according to their diurnal profiles of real-time fatigue. Univariable multinomial logistic regression analysis explored whether participant characteristics, sleep, physical activity, or health-related fitness were associated with diurnal profiles. RESULTS: Three distinct fatigue diurnal profiles were identified: stable low (n = 10), increasing (n = 14), and stable high (n = 8). Only aerobic capacity was associated with fatigue profiles (odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.34; p = 0.05). INTERPRETATION: Fatigue in adults with CP may be low or high stable or may increase during the day. These findings indicate the relevance of assessing fatigue variability. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: We found three patterns of daily fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Only aerobic capacity was associated with fatigue profiles in adults with CP. Moment-to-moment variations in fatigue can help with personalized fatigue management.

Quantification of the development of trunk control in healthy infants using inertial measurement units.

Trunk motor control is essential for the proper functioning of the upper extremities and is an important predictor of gait capacity in children with delayed development. Early diagnosis and intervention could increase the trunk motor capabilities in later life, but current tools used to assess the level of trunk motor control are largely subjective and many lack the sensitivity to accurately monitor development and the effects of therapy. Inertial measurement units could yield an objective quantitative assessment that is inexpensive and easy-to-implement. We hypothesized that root mean square of jerk, a proxy for movement smoothness, could be used to distinguish age and thereby presumed motor development. We attached a sensor to the trunks of six young children with no known developmental deficits. Root mean square of jerk decreases with age, up to 24 months, and is correlated to a more established method, i.e., center-of-pressure velocity, as well as other standard inertial measurement unit outputs. This metric therefore shows potential as a method to differentiate trunk motor control levels.

The relationship between mental fatigue, cognitive functioning, and employment status in patients with low-grade glioma: a cross-sectional single-center study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate fatigue and cognitive functioning in patients with low-grade glioma and to assess whether cognitive functioning and employment status differ between patients with severe and non-severe mental fatigue. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Fatigue was measured with the multidimensional fatigue inventory, objective cognitive functioning with a neuropsychological test battery, and mood with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients, mean age 44 ± 11, mean time post-diagnosis 2.5 ± 1.4 years, participated. Severe mental fatigue was present in 55% and depression in 36% of the patients. Attention deficits were observed in 75% (Stroop's test), memory deficits in 36% (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test), and executive functioning deficits in 42% (Stroop's test). Severe mental fatigue patients demonstrated significantly worse scores on Stroop's test-Card-II (p = 0.043), Trail Making Test-B (p = 0.014), Trail Making Test-B/A (p = 0.014), and Digit-Span (p = 0.046), compared to non-severe mental fatigue patients. Severe mental fatigue patients worked significantly less hours per week (p = 0.013) and had more changes in their employment status (p = 0.009) after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low grade glioma show high rates of fatigue, especially in the mental domain, which might be associated with deficits in cognitive functioning and changes in employment status.Implications for rehabilitationThe majority of patients with low grade glioma suffers from severe mental fatigue and has deficits in cognitive functioning, which may affect employment status.Patients with low grade glioma should be screened for fatigue with the multidimensional fatigue inventory, to differentiate between mental and physical fatigue.Patients with low grade glioma with severe mental fatigue should be screened for problems in cognitive functioning with an objective neuropsychological test battery.Cognitive and vocational rehabilitation programs should aim at coping with severe mental fatigue and attention deficits in patients with low grade glioma.

The Preliminary Criterion Validity of the Activ8 Activity Monitor to Measure Physical Activity in Youth Using a Wheelchair.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the criterion validity of the Activ8 to detect "active wheelchair use" and to distinguish 6 types of wheelchair activities using video recordings as a gold standard. METHODS: Ten participants who use a manual wheelchair were participants in this study. Data of 2 participants were used for adapting the algorithm and data of 7 participants were used for assessing the criterion validity. RESULTS: Criterion validity for detecting "active wheelchair use" had a relative time difference of 7.4%, agreement of 96%, sensitivity of 98.3%, and positive predictive value of 90%. Results for distinguishing 6 types of wheelchair activities had an agreement of 73%, sensitivity of 67.1%, and positive predictive value of 65.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The Activ8 is able to detect "active wheelchair use" in youth using a manual wheelchair. Further development of the algorithm is necessary to distinguish between different types of wheelchair activities.

Long-term employment status and the association with fatigue in patients with grade II glioma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate employment status and return to work in relation to fatigue in patients with World Health Organization (WHO) grade II glioma. DESIGN: Exploratory cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Patients with grade II glioma, who underwent surgery between 2005 and 2016. METHODS: A postal survey was sent in 2019, which included the Short Form-Health and Labour Questionnaire and the Multi-dimensional Fatigue Index. Outcomes of fatigue in subgroups of (not-)return to work were compared using independent t-tests and χ2 tests. The association between fatigue and return to work was analysed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 73 patients were included in the study (age at diagnosis 41.0 years (standard deviation (SD) 9.2 years), time post-diagnosis 8.0 years (interquartile range (IQR) 6-11 years). At diagnosis, 61 patients were employed and 32 returned to work during follow-up. The return to work group was significantly younger than the not-return to work group (p = 0.007). The proportion of patients who indicated that the consequences of glioma had affected return to work, in terms of demotion or reduced working hours, was 68.7%. The not-return to work group reported significantly more fatigue in all domains than the return to work group (p < 0.05). Mental fatigue (p = 0.023) and physical fatigue (p = 0.065) were independently associated with return to work, adjusted for age, sex and the use of anti-epileptic drugs. CONCLUSION: Long-term fatigue is associated with return to work in patients with grade II glioma. Patients who were able to work in the long term were less fatigued, younger, more often male, and used less anti-epileptic drugs than the patients who did not return to work.

The Activ8 activity monitor: Validation of posture and movement classification.

INTRODUCTION: To set up and guide interventions with the aim to increase physical activity and lower sedentary behavior valid monitoring of physical behavior is essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the single-unit Activ8 activity monitor to classify several body postures and movements. METHODS: Twelve healthy adults performed a series of activities, representative for everyday life, according to a standard protocol. Activ8 was both worn in the trouser pocket (prescribed location) and fixated to the front of the thigh. Activities were video recorded and analyzed thereafter. Postures and movements that were analyzed were lying/sitting, standing, walking, cycling, and running. RESULTS: The agreement between Activ8 output and video analysis was 89.7% (inter-subject range: 66.0 to 96.6%) for the pocket location and 91.9% (range 85.5 to 95.1%) for the thigh location. Sensitivity and positive predictive value scores for both locations were all above 80%, except for standing (69% or higher). Differences in classified duration of separate postures and movements were within 20% for walking, sitting and running. CONCLUSION: The Activ8 is a valid instrument to quantify a defined set of body postures and movements. Because of the smaller time difference, the thigh location is preferred for research purposes.

Does Activity-Based Rehabilitation With Goal Attainment Scaling Increase Physical Activity Among Younger Knee Arthroplasty Patients? Results From the Randomized Controlled ACTION Trial.

BACKGROUND: Especially in younger knee osteoarthritis patients, the ability to perform physical activity (PA) after knee arthroplasty (KA) is of paramount importance, given many patients' wish to return to work and perform demanding leisure time activities. Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) rehabilitation after KA may improve PA because it uses individualized activity goals. Therefore, our aim was to objectively quantify PA changes after KA and to compare GAS-based rehabilitation to standard rehabilitation. METHODS: Data were obtained from the randomized controlled ACTION trial, which compares standard rehabilitation with GAS-based rehabilitation after total and unicompartmental KA in patients <65 years of age. At 2 time points, preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively, 120 KA patients wore a validated 3-dimensional accelerometer for 1 consecutive week. Data were classified as sedentary (lying, sitting), standing, and active (walking, cycling, running). Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare PA changes over time. RESULTS: Complete data were obtained for 97 patients (58% female), with a mean age of 58 years (±4.8). For the total group, we observed a significant increase in PA of 9 minutes (±37) per day (P = .01) and significant decrease in sedentary time of 20 minutes (±79) per day (P = .02). There was no difference in standing time (P = .11). There was no difference between the control group and the intervention group regarding changes in PA, nor between the total KA group and the unicompartmental KA group. CONCLUSION: We found a small but significant increase in overall PA after KA, but no difference between GAS-based rehabilitation and standard rehabilitation. Likely, enhanced multidisciplinary perioperative strategies are needed to further improve PA after KA.

Detection of body postures and movements in ambulatory adults with cerebral palsy: a novel and valid measure of physical behaviour.

BACKGROUND: Accurate measurement of physical behaviour is paramount to better understand lifestyle, health, and functioning, particularly in adults with physical disability as they may be at higher risk of sedentary lifestyle and subsequent negative health consequences. This study aimed: 1) to evaluate the criterion validity of a novel and clinically applicable activity monitor (AM, Activ8), in the detection of body postures and movements in adults with spastic cerebral palsy (CP); and 2) to evaluate the extent that the AM's positioning affects validity. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 14 ambulatory adults with CP [9 men; mean (SD) age, 35.4 (13.1) years] performed standardized activities while wearing three Activ8 monitors - frontolateral thigh (primary position), frontal thigh, and pant pocket - and being video recorded (criterion measure). AM activity output was compared to synchronized video recordings. Absolute (seconds) and relative [(video time-AM time)/mean time, %] time differences between methods were calculated. Relative time differences of < 10% were indicative of good validity. Comparison of AM attachment positions was completed using Spearman Rho correlation coefficients and Meng's tests. RESULTS: Criterion validity of the AM (frontolateral thigh) was good (average relative time differences: 0.25% for sitting, 4.69% for standing, 2.46% for walking, 1.96% for upright activity, 3.19% for cycling), except for running (34.6%). Spearman Rho correlation coefficients were greater between video/frontolateral thigh position than video/frontal thigh position and video/pant pocket position for body posture and movement categories sitting, standing, walking, and upright activity (p < 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The AM, positioned on the frontolateral thigh, demonstrated good criterion validity in ambulatory adults with CP. Though the Activ8 offers potential as an objective measure of physical activity, appropriate positioning is paramount for valid measurement.

A Novel Tool for Quantifying and Promoting Physical Activity in Youths With Typical Development and Youths Who Are Ambulatory and Have Motor Disability.

BACKGROUND: Several device-based instruments have been validated in the pediatric population, but none of these are clinically applicable and provide real-time feedback on actual physical activity in terms of postures and movements. A new device (Activ8) is promising for that purpose. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate the criterion validity of the Activ8 for measuring static (sitting, standing) and dynamic (walking, bicycling, running) activities, and for separating postures and movements within basic and complex activities in children and adolescents (youths) with typical development (TD) and peers with motor disability (not typical development [NTD]). DESIGN: This was a criterion validation study. METHODS: Ten participants with TD (mean age [standard deviation] = 14 [2.5] years) and 10 participants with NTD (mean age = 12.9 [2.1] years) performed a standardized series of basic and daily life (complex) activities. The Activ8 measured postures and movements, while camera recording served as a reference. The outcome measures were the mean time differences between the Activ8 output and video data for the merged categories "static" and "dynamic" and for the separate postures and movements. RESULTS: For the merged categories static and dynamic, the criterion validity was found to be excellent both in participants with TD and participants with NTD within basic activities, and was found to be good to excellent in participants with TD and moderate to good in participants with NTD within complex activities. The detection of separate postures and movements was found to be poor to excellent in both groups within complex activities. LIMITATIONS: The sample of youths with NTD was small and limited to youths who could be considered to be at least ambulatory within a household. CONCLUSIONS: Activ8 is a valid tool when the merged categories static and dynamic are used to interpret physical activity in daily life in both youths with TD and youths with NTD and mild motor impairment. To optimize the quantification of separate postures and movements, adjustment of the existing algorithm is required.

Intramuscular botulinum toxin prior to comprehensive rehabilitation has no added value for improving motor impairments, gait kinematics and goal attainment in walking children with spastic cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: Botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) is widely used in combined treatment for spastic cerebral palsy, but its added value preceding comprehensive rehabilitation for motor impairments, gait, and goal attainment has not been studied. DESIGN: A comparative multi-centre trial, in which two groups underwent comprehensive rehabilitation (i.e. high-intensive functional physiotherapy, and indicated casting/orthoses). One group received intramuscular BoNT-A prior to rehabilitation, and the other group did not receive BoNT-A. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Children with spastic cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-III, age range 4-12 years, indicated for BoNT-A treatment regarding mobility problems. METHODS: Sixty-five children participated (37 boys), mean age 7.3 years (standard deviation (SD) 2.3, range 4-12 years), equally distributed across GMFCS levels. Forty-one children received BoNT-A+ comprehensive rehabilitation and 24 received comprehensive rehabilitation only. Functional leg muscle strength, passive range of motion, angle of catch, cerebral palsy-related pain, walking speed, kinematic gait parameters, goal attainment, and proxy-reported general functioning were assessed at baseline, primary end-point (12 weeks) and 24-week follow-up. Statistical analyses were performed with linear mixed models. RESULTS: At the primary end-point there were no statistically significant differences in treatment effects between the groups, except for the angle-of-catch of the rectus femoris, which was in favour of comprehensive rehabilitation without BoNT-A (12° difference, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2:23, p = 0.025). Results at follow-up were similar. CONCLUSION: At the group level, treating with BoNT-A prior to comprehensive rehabilitation did not add to the clinical effectiveness of rehabilitation. Thus, BoNT-A prescription and use should be critically reconsidered in this cerebral palsy age- and GMFCS-subgroup.

The Accuracy of the Detection of Body Postures and Movements Using a Physical Activity Monitor in People after a Stroke.

BACKGROUND: In stroke rehabilitation not only are the levels of physical activity important, but body postures and movements performed during one’s daily-life are also important. This information is provided by a new one-sensor accelerometer that is commercially available, low-cost, and user-friendly. The present study examines the accuracy of this activity monitor (Activ8) in detecting several classes of body postures and movements in people after a stroke. METHODS: Twenty-five people after a stroke participated in an activity protocol with either basic activities or daily-life activities performed in a laboratory and/or at home. Participants wore an Activ8 on their less-affected thigh. The primary outcome was the difference in registered time for the merged class “upright position” (standing/walking/running) between the Activ8 and the video recording (the reference method). Secondary analyses focused on classes other than “upright position”. RESULTS: The Activ8 underestimated the merged class “upright position” by 3.8% (775 s). The secondary analyses showed an overestimation of “lying/sitting” (4.5% (569 s)) and of “cycling” (6.5% (206 s)). The differences were lowest for basic activities in the laboratory and highest for daily-life activities at home. CONCLUSIONS: The Activ8 is sufficiently accurate in detecting different classes of body postures and movements of people after a stroke during basic activities and daily-life activities in a laboratory and/or at home.

Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior During Cardiac Rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To objectively measure changes in both moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) during and after standard cardiac rehabilitation (CR). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient CR center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=135) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who completed CR. INTERVENTIONS: Multidisciplinary CR according to current guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of time spent in MVPA and SB was objectively measured with an accelerometer. The distribution of time in MVPA and SB was also determined (eg, average length of time periods spent in MVPA and SB). All measurements were obtained before CR, after CR, and at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Patients' time in MVPA during waking hours increased by .65% (≈5min) during CR (P=.002) and remained increased at 1-year follow-up (P=.037). The MVPA distribution did not change. During CR, time spent in SB decreased by 2.49% (≈22min; P<.001), and SB time became more fragmented with more breaks and shorter SB periods (P<.001). These SB improvements were maintained at 1-year follow-up (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ACS achieved a small improvement in MVPA time during CR, but MVPA distribution remained unchanged. More substantial improvements occurred for SB time and distribution. However, by the end of CR, patients still spent relatively little time in MVPA and a long time in SB, which is known to be detrimental to cardiovascular health. Although CR programs have the potential to improve physical behavior, our findings highlight the need to develop adjusted CR targets that address the amount and distribution of MVPA and SB.

Anterior cruciate ligament rupture is associated with abnormal and asymmetrical lower limb loading during walking.

OBJECTIVES: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) deficiency may result in abnormal lower limb loading with increased foot pronation. This study evaluated spatiotemporal parameters and plantar pressure distribution during walking in participants with and without an ACL rupture. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: Plantar pressure was measured in 42 unilateral ACL deficient (ACLD) participants and 32 healthy controls while walking barefoot. Spatiotemporal parameters, pressure distribution and center of pressure (CoP) during foot roll off were determined. Differences in spatiotemporal parameters and pressure distribution were analyzed using a Linear Mixed Model. CoP position was analyzed with one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: ACLD participants had a longer contact time and earlier forefoot contact compared to controls. The ACLD side showed a shorter contact time and a faster roll off toward the forefoot compared to the ACL intact side. Compared to controls, ACLD participants had increased pressure under the medioproximal side of the midfoot. Within ACLD participants, the ACLD side had decreased pressure under the heel and increased pressure under the forefoot. Foot pronation was not different between groups or within ACLD participants. CoP of the ACLD participants was significantly more toward the toes during initial contact and toward the heel during foot flat. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in lower limb loading during barefoot walking in ACLD participants are due to changes in roll off pattern, most likely in order to reduce anterior shear forces on the knee. Dynamic plantar pressure measurements may assist in evaluating and guiding interventions aimed at normalizing lower limb and knee biomechanics in ACL deficiency.

Accelerometric assessment of different dimensions of natural walking during the first year after stroke: Recovery of amount, distribution, quality and speed of walking.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the course of walking behaviour over a period of 1 year after stroke, using accelerometry, and to compare 1-year data with those from a healthy group. DESIGN: One-year follow-up cohort study. SUBJECTS: Twenty-three stroke patients and 20 age-matched healthy subjects. METHODS: Accelerometer assessments were made in the participants' daily environment for 8 h/day during the 1st (T1), 12th (T2) and 48th (T3) weeks after stroke, and at one time-point in healthy subjects. Primary outcomes were: percentage of time walking and upright (amount); mean duration and number of walking periods (distribution); step regularity and gait symmetry (quality); and walking speed. RESULTS: Time walking, time upright, and number of walking bouts increased during T1 and T2 (p < 0.01) and then levelled off (p > 0.30). Mean duration of walking periods showed no significant improvements (p > 0.30) during all phases. Step regularity, gait symmetry and gait speed showed a tendency to increase consistently from T1 to T3. At T3, amount and distribution variables reached the level of the healthy group, but significant differences remained (p < 0.02) in step regularity and gait speed. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, different outcomes of walking behaviour showed different patterns and levels of recovery, which supports the multi-dimensional character of gait.

Do laterally wedged insoles or valgus braces unload the medial compartment of the knee in patients with osteoarthritis?

BACKGROUND: The results of conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) are generally evaluated in epidemiological studies with clinical outcome measures as primary outcomes. Biomechanical evaluation of orthoses shows that there are potentially beneficial biomechanical changes to joint loading; however, evaluation in relation to clinical outcome measures in longitudinal studies is needed. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked (1) is there an immediate effect on gait in patients using a laterally wedged insole or valgus knee brace; (2) is there a late (6 weeks) effect; and (3) is there a difference between subgroups within each group with respect to patient compliance, body mass index, and OA status? METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of data from a previous randomized controlled trial of patients with early medial knee OA. A total of 91 patients were enrolled in that trial, and 73 (80%) completed it after 6 months. Of the enrolled patients, 80 (88%) met prespecified inclusion criteria for analysis in the present study. The patients were randomized to an insole or brace. Gait was analyzed with and without wearing the orthosis (insole or brace) at baseline and after 6 weeks. Measurements were taken of the knee adduction moment, ground reaction force, moment arm, walking speed, and toe-out angle. Data were analyzed with regression analyses based on an intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: A mean reduction of 4% (±10) (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.147 to -0.03, p=0.003) of the peak knee adduction moment and 4% (±13) (95% CI, -0.009 to -0.001, p=0.01) of the moment arm at baseline was observed in the insole group when walking with an insole was compared with walking without an insole. A mean reduction of 1% (±10) (95% CI, -0.002 to -0.001, p=0.001) of the peak knee adduction moment and no reduction of the moment arm were measured after 6 weeks. No reduction of knee adduction moment, moment arm, or ground reaction force was seen in the brace group at baseline and after 6 weeks. Subgroup analysis showed no differences in biomechanical effect for obesity, stage of OA, and whether patients showed a clinical response to the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Laterally wedged insoles unload the medial compartment only at baseline in patients with varus alignment and by an amount that might not be clinically important. No biomechanical alteration was seen after 6 weeks of wearing the insole. Valgus brace therapy did not result in any biomechanical alteration. Taken together, this study does not show a clinically relevant biomechanical effect of insole and brace therapy in patients with varus medial knee OA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Is physical behavior affected in fatigued persons with multiple sclerosis?

OBJECTIVE: To study physical behavior in detail in fatigued persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Case-control explorative study. SETTING: Outpatient rehabilitation department and participants' daily environment. PARTICIPANTS: Fatigued persons with MS (n=23) were selected from a randomized controlled trial. Cases were matched by age and sex to healthy, nonfatigued controls (n=23). Eligible persons with MS were severely fatigued (Checklist Individual Strength fatigue domain mean score, 43.2±6.6) and ambulatory (Expanded Disability Status Scale mean score, 2.5±1.5). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements were performed using an accelerometer over 7 days. Outcomes included the following: amount of physical activity expressed in counts per day, counts per minute (CPM), and counts per day period (morning, afternoon, evening); duration of activity intensity categories (sedentary, light physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA]); and distribution of MVPA and sedentary periods over the day. RESULTS: Persons with MS had fewer counts per day (mean difference, -156×10(3); 95% confidence interval [CI], -273×10(3) to -39×10(3); P=.010), had fewer CPM (mean difference, -135; 95% CI, -256 to -14; P=.030), and were less physically active in the morning (mean difference, -200; 95% CI, -389 to -11; P=.039) and evening (mean difference, -175; 95% CI, -336 to -14; P=.034) than controls. Persons with MS spent a higher percentage of their time sedentary (mean difference, 5.6; 95% CI, .1-11.1; P=.045) and spent less time at the higher MVPA intensity (mean difference, -2.4; 95% CI, -4.7 to -0.09; P=.042). They had fewer MVPA periods (mean difference, 29; 95% CI, -56.2 to -2.6; P=.032) and a different distribution of sedentary (mean difference, .033; 95% CI, .002 to .064; P=.039) and MVPA periods (mean difference, -.08; 95% CI, -.15 to -.01; P=.023). CONCLUSIONS: Detailed analyses of physical behavior showed that ambulatory fatigued persons with MS do differ from healthy controls not only in physical activity level, but also in other physical behavior dimensions (eg, day patterns, intensity, distribution).

Acute effects of whole-body vibration on jump force and jump rate of force development: a comparative study of different devices.

The goal of this study was to compare the acute effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) delivered by 3 devices with different mechanical behavior on jump force (JF) and jump rate of force development (JRFD). Twelve healthy persons (4 women and 8 men; age 30.5 ± 8.8 years; height 178.6 ± 7.3 cm; body mass 74.8 ± 9.7 kg) were exposed to WBV for 15 and 40 seconds using 2 professional devices (power plate [PP; vertical vibration] and Galileo 2000 [GA; oscillatory motion around the horizontal axis in addition to vertical vibration]) and a home-use device [Power Maxx, PM; horizontal vibration]). The JF and JRFD were evaluated before, immediately after, and 5 minutes after WBV. The JF measured immediately after 40 seconds of vibration by the GA device was reduced (3%, p = 0.05), and JRFD measured after 5 minutes of rest after 40 seconds of vibration by the PM device was reduced (12%, p < 0.05) compared with the baseline value. The acute effects of WBV (15 or 40 seconds) on JF and JRFD were not significantly different among the 3 devices. In conclusion, our hypothesis that WBV devices with different mechanical behaviors would result in different acute effects on muscle performance was not confirmed.