Effects of a core stability exercise program on balance and coordination in children with cerebellar ataxic cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a core stability exercise program on balance, coordination, and severity of ataxia in children with cerebellar ataxic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Forty children with cerebellar ataxic CP (mean age: 6.75±1.35 years) were randomly assigned to a control group and an intervention group for 2 months of follow-up. The control group received a standard physical therapy program three times weekly (1 h per session), while the intervention group received a core stability program for 30 min, in addition to the selected physical therapy program. Both groups were evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia, the Balance Error Scoring Systems scale, Bruininks-Oseretsky tests of motor proficiency, and HUMAC balance system scores. RESULTS: We found statistically significant reductions in the severity of ataxia, as well as improved balance and coordination in both groups, with stronger effects observed in the intervention group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The core stability program can improve balance and coordination in children with cerebellar ataxic CP when incorporated with a standard physical therapy program.

Inspiratory Muscle Training and Physical Fitness in Children With Down Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on physical fitness in children with Down syndrome (DS). DESIGN: Randomized control trial. SETTING: The study was conducted in a private physical therapy center. PARTICIPANTS: Forty boys and girls with DS aged between 7 and 10 years were enrolled in this study (N=40). They were randomly and equally divided into 2 groups (A and B). INTERVENTIONS: All participants received 30 minutes of aerobic exercise training 3 times per week for 12 weeks, whereas group B received an additional 30 minutes of IMT before each aerobic exercise session. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP); maximal expiratory pressure (MEP); submaximal aerobic endurance; muscular strength; endurance. RESULTS: Among the group undergoing IMT, there were significant improvements in MIP, MEP, and submaximal aerobic endurance using the six-minute walk test (6MWT); strength and endurance using the curl-up, dumbbell press, trunk lift, standing long jump, seated push-up, pull-up, and flexed-arm hang; and back saver sit and reach tests (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Inspiratory muscle training and aerobic exercise training demonstrated more significant improvements in physical fitness than in those children who received only aerobic exercise training.

Effect of Core Stability Exercises and Treadmill Training on Balance in Children with Down Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Core stability exercises and treadmill training play a crucial role in physical therapy interventions and have an effect on balance in children with Down Syndrome (DS); however, whether core stability exercises or treadmill training has more effect on improving balance has not been investigated yet. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of core stability training versus treadmill exercises on balance in children with Down Syndrome. METHODS: Forty-five children aged 4-6 years with Down Syndrome were included in the study. The children were equally divided randomly into three groups. Group A received traditional physical therapy intervention strategies to facilitate the balance of participating children. Group B received the same as group A and additional core stability exercise training. Group C received the same intervention strategies as group A in conjunction with a treadmill exercise program. The children's balance was evaluated using the Berg balance scale and the Biodex Balance System. Treatment sessions were for 60 min, thrice a week, for 8 consecutive weeks. RESULTS: There were significance improvements in the three groups in functional balance and over all stability indices in favor of groups B and C. CONCLUSIONS: Core stability and treadmill training improved balance in children with Down Syndrome and should be applied in conjunction with physical therapy programs.

Corrigendum to "Functional Stretching Exercise Submitted for Spastic Diplegic Children: A Randomized Control Study".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2014/814279.].

Cryolipolysis versus laser lipolysis on adolescent abdominal adiposity.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive body contouring is one of the fastest growing segments of the cosmetic aesthetic industry. There is increased public demand for procedures with fewer side effects and shorter recovery times. Cryolipolysis and Laser lipolysis have been used as treatments for localized body contouring. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of Cryolipolysis versus Laser lipolysis on adolescent's abdominal adiposity. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Forty-five obese adolescents of both sexes ranged in age from 13 to 16 years participated in this study were to be categorized into three groups of equal number (each group 15 subjects) randomly selected from population. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to three groups. Group A was received (Cryolipolysis and diet), Group B was received (Laser lipolysis and diet), Group C was received (only diet) all groups were observed for 8 weeks. Weight and height scale for (change in weight), tape measurement for (waist-hip ratio), skinfold caliper, and MRI. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between three groups post-treatment in BMI and body weight P-value were (0.2, 0.42, 0.67), respectively. There was a significant improvement for Cryolipolysis group in waist-hip ratio, Suprailiac skin fold, and subcutaneous adipose tissue than other groups P-value (0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cryolipolysis has a favorable effect than Laser lipolysis in the reduction of waist-hip ratio, skin folds at Suprailiac level and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), there is no significant difference between them in the reduction of BMI and body weight. All groups did not have an effect on VAT.

Functional stretching exercise submitted for spastic diplegic children: a randomized control study.

Objective. Studying the effect of the functional stretching exercise in diplegic children. Design. Children were randomly assigned into two matched groups. Setting. Outpatient Clinic of the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University. Participants. Thirty ambulant spastic diplegic children, ranging in age from five to eight years, participated in this study. Interventions. The control group received physical therapy program with traditional passive stretching exercises. The study group received physical therapy program with functional stretching exercises. The treatment was performed for two hours per session, three times weekly for three successive months. Main Outcome Measure(s). H∖M ratio, popliteal angle, and gait parameters were evaluated for both groups before and after treatment. Results. There was significant improvement in all the measuring variables for both groups in favor of study group. H∖M ratio was reduced, popliteal angle was increased, and gait was improved. Conclusion(s). Functional stretching exercises were effectively used in rehabilitation of spastic diplegic children; it reduced H∖M ratio, increased popliteal angle, and improved gait.