Stepping towards health: a scoping review of square-stepping exercise protocols and outcomes in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE) is a type of physical-cognitive exercise. Such exercise has been used as an exercise approach in different studies with older adults. This scoping review provides an overview of the protocols and outcomes of studies employing the SSE in older adults. METHODS: We searched in the PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, CABI Global Health, and Web of Science databases for articles published between 2006 (first research article published on SSE) to December 2023 that met a robust inclusion criterion. The search yielded 424 articles, and after inclusion criteria being applied, 37 articles were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: A total of 37 studies were included in the final analysis. Thirty-three out of the 37 studies focused on apparently healthy older adults, while four were conducted with older adults with neurological disease (i.e., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke). Most studies (n = 25) adopted an experiment (i.e., randomized controlled trial) or quasi-experimental approach, while 12 were classified as non-randomized (i.e., cross-sectional, mixed methods). The studies were conducted in different parts of the globe and adopted three major formats of intervention delivery, namely in-person, online, and home-based. Frequency, SSE session duration and intervention length significantly varied among studies, and reported outcomes were in the domains of physical and cognitive function. CONCLUSION: This review comprehensively described the characteristics of 37 studies employing SSE in apparently healthy older adults and older adults with neurological diseases. The findings demonstrated that SSE has been used by researchers across the globe, adopting a variety of forms of delivery, and to particularly improve physical and cognitive function of different segments of the older adult population. The review further identified important gaps in research, including the restricted outcomes, and the lack of studies combining SSE with more traditional exercise modalities to address potential combinatory effects.

[Virtual reality-brain computer interface hand function enhancement rehabilitation system incorporating multi-sensory stimulation].

Stroke is an acute cerebrovascular disease in which sudden interruption of blood supply to the brain or rupture of cerebral blood vessels cause damage to brain cells and consequently impair the patient's motor and cognitive abilities. A novel rehabilitation training model integrating brain-computer interface (BCI) and virtual reality (VR) not only promotes the functional activation of brain networks, but also provides immersive and interesting contextual feedback for patients. In this paper, we designed a hand rehabilitation training system integrating multi-sensory stimulation feedback, BCI and VR, which guides patients' motor imaginations through the tasks of the virtual scene, acquires patients' motor intentions, and then carries out human-computer interactions under the virtual scene. At the same time, haptic feedback is incorporated to further increase the patients' proprioceptive sensations, so as to realize the hand function rehabilitation training based on the multi-sensory stimulation feedback of vision, hearing, and haptic senses. In this study, we compared and analyzed the differences in power spectral density of different frequency bands within the EEG signal data before and after the incorporation of haptic feedback, and found that the motor brain area was significantly activated after the incorporation of haptic feedback, and the power spectral density of the motor brain area was significantly increased in the high gamma frequency band. The results of this study indicate that the rehabilitation training of patients with the VR-BCI hand function enhancement rehabilitation system incorporating multi-sensory stimulation can accelerate the two-way facilitation of sensory and motor conduction pathways, thus accelerating the rehabilitation process.

Empower Veterans Program (EVP): a chronic pain management program demonstrates positive outcomes among veterans.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a highly prevalent health condition among veterans. Traditional pharmacological interventions present unique challenges for chronic pain management including prescription opioid addiction and overdose. In alignment with the 2016 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and VA's Stepped Care Model to meet veterans' pain management needs, the Offices of Rural Health and Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMOP) funded an enterprise-wide initiative to implement a Step 3 integrated tele-pain program: Empower Veterans Program (EVP). EVP provides veterans with chronic pain self-care skills using a whole health driven approach to pain management. OBJECTIVES: The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act prompted the strategic approach to offer non-pharmacological options to meet veterans' pain management needs. EVP, a 10-week interdisciplinary group medical appointment, leverages Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindful Movement, and Whole Health to provide veterans with chronic pain self-care skills. This evaluation was conducted to describe participant characteristics, graduation, and satisfaction rates; and assess pre-post patient-reported outcomes (PRO) associated with EVP participation. METHODS: A sample of 639 veterans enrolled in EVP between May, 2015 and December, 2017 provided data to conduct descriptive analyses to assess participant demographics, graduation, and satisfaction rates. PRO data were analyzed using a within-participants pre-post design, and linear mixed-effects models were used to examine pre-post changes in PRO. RESULTS: Of 639 participants, 444 (69.48%) graduated EVP. Participant median program satisfaction rating was 8.41 (Interquartile Range: 8.20-9.20). Results indicate pre-post EVP improvements (Bonferroni-adjusted p < .003) in the three primary pain outcomes (intensity, interference, catastrophizing), and 12 of 17 secondary outcomes, including physical, psychological, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), acceptance, and mindfulness measures. DISCUSSION: Data suggest that EVP has significant positive outcomes in pain, psychological, physical, HRQoL, acceptance, and mindfulness measures for veterans with chronic pain through non-pharmacological means. Future evaluations of intervention dosing effect and long-term effectiveness of the program is needed.

[Suicide attempts with a violent method: Experience of a transdisciplinary psychiatric ward combining psychiatric and somatic care]. / Prise en charge des tentatives de suicide graves : expérience d'un service transdisciplinaire de psychiatrie.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young adults. Suicide attempts by violent methods predict later completed suicide and premature mortality. Suicide prevention is a major public health issue in this specific population. The French Student Health Foundation (FSEF) developed a psychiatric ward that includes psychiatric and somatic approaches. This transdisciplinary unit provides mixed psychiatric and rehabilitation treatments for those persons who have attempted suicide and have severe somatic injuries. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including all subjects admitted into the transdisciplinary unit from 1st January 2011 to 31 December 2017, after a suicide attempt by jumping from a height, in front of a moving object, or by crashing of a motor vehicle. Data was obtained from the medical and administrative records of the clinic. RESULTS: In total, 215 persons were admitted into the transdisciplinary unit after a suicide attempt by a violent mean. Among them, 91.6% had jumped from a height, 7.4% had jumped in front of a train or a metro and 0.9% had crashed a motor vehicle. They were on average 25.5years old and 50.2% were men. 45.1% had a diagnosis of schizophrenic disorders and 34.4% of mood disorders. A total of 35.6% presented at least one previous suicide attempt, and among them 40.3% had previously attempted suicide with a violent mean. Substance abuse, mostly alcohol and/or cannabis, featured in 40.8% of subject history. The subjects hospitalised in the transdisciplinary unit had multiple, severe injuries: 78.1% had spine fractures, 69.8% had lower limb fractures, 47.9% had pelvic fractures and 43.3% had upper limb fractures. Moreover, 25.5% of them had sacral root damages. The length of stay averaged 184days and varied in a large range (less than a month to more than two years). The Activities of Daily Living scores were higher than 3 (out of a maximum score of 4) reflecting an important need of assistance. These scores decreased significantly during the hospitalisation for dressing, feeding, continence and locomotion but remained high for comportment and communication. At discharge, the physical sequelae were still important: 61% of people hospitalised had pain that required step 2 or 3 analgesics, 44% had analgesics for neuropathic pain, 80% had lower limb impairments, most often with walking limitation, and 26% had continence disorders. The psychotropic treatments at discharge were related to the psychiatric disorders observed and included 42% antidepressants, 63% neuroleptics and 16% mood stabilizers. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the severity of the somatic and psychiatric disorders affecting people who are admitted into this transdisciplinary unit. These subjects who have attempted suicide require particular care with multidisciplinary management in order to promote their rehabilitation, reintegration and prevent a suicide reattempt.

Functional Reeducation in Cognitively Impaired Condition.

Intellectual Abilities, as defined in the twelfth edition of the classification manual of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, are a fundamental part of the rehabilitation process, also understood as functional rehabilitation or the rehabilitation of specific more or less complex functions, in a paradoxical game of mirrors even in the rehabilitation of intellectual functions themselves. Intellectual Disability changes the rules of the game, all the more radically the more severe it is, exacerbating the importance of multidimensional assessment of residual abilities and impaired functions on the basis of which to define realistic goals and choose the tools of rehabilitation and the ways of implementing therapeutic programs in a team effort that consists of the professionals, family and care givers, as well as the disabled person to the extent that he or she is able to actively participate in conducting his or her own rehabilitation.

A comparison of functional and radiological outcome of combine compression antegrade intertrochanteric nail (InterTan) and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation II (PFNA-II) in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures.

Objective: To compare the functional and radiological outcome of combine compression interlocking intramedullary nail (InterTan) and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation II (PFNA-II) in the treatment of elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures. Methods: As a retrospective cohort study, records of 88 patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated in our hospital from January 1st, 2019 to July 31st, 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. According to treatment records, it included 45 patients treated with InterTan (Group-A) and 43 patients treated with PFNA-II (Group-B). The operation safety and functional rehabilitation of the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results: This study included 88 patients with intertrochanteric fractures (mean [SD] age, 68.72 [0.10] years at baseline), of whom 52 (59.09%) were males and 36 (40.91%) were females. Operation time and intraoperative blood loss in Group-B were less than Group-A, while fracture healing time was shorter in Group-A. The fracture separation distance was measured four weeks after the operation. The widening rate of the fracture line in Group-A was lower than Group-B (4.4% vs.18.6%; P<0.05). The incidence of complications in Group-A was lower than Group-B (4.4% vs.18.6%; P<0.05). At three, six and twelve months after the operation, the Harris hip score of the two groups was higher than at discharge (P<0.05), with no significant difference between groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: We found no significant difference in the functional outcome in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated with InterTan and PFNA-II. Early fracture healing and reduced complication rate however has been noted with InterTan.

Immediate Weightbearing and Ankle Motion Exercise After Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair.

The incidence of Achilles tendon rupture is increasing. Postoperative rehabilitation after repairing acute Achilles tendon rupture is very important because the choice of treatment during the rehabilitation period can influence the results. Moreover, the method of functional rehabilitation varies and is developing steadily. Recent studies recommend a functional rehabilitation protocol, and this approach is accepted widely. This study aimed to introduce our most accelerated functional rehabilitation protocol following surgery for acute Achilles tendon rupture and to review the results retrospectively. From July 2014 to July 2016, 67 patients underwent surgery for acute Achilles tendon rupture by one surgeon. Age, sex, body mass index, injury mechanism, rehabilitation method and progress, time to return to previous physical activity, and complications were evaluated. The mean time to be able to squat fully was 10 ± 4.7 (4-20) weeks. Full squatting was possible in 92.8% (52 patients). The mean time to perform a single-limb heel rise and repetitive single-limb heel rise was 12.6 ± 3.9 (6-24) and 23.3 ± 7.7 (8-40) weeks, respectively. The mean time to return to sports was 20.6 ± 5.2 (12-32) weeks. The major complication rate was 3.5% (one re-rupture and one tendon elongation). The mean pre- and postoperative Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score was 29.5 ± 3.7 (20-38) and 79.3 ± 18.5 (20-98) points, respectively. The increase was significant (p < .01). In conclusion, immediate full weightbearing and ankle motion exercise after repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture can provide a good rehabilitation option with a low re-rupture rate and satisfactory functional results.

Exergame for the functional rehabilitation of adults over 55 with neurological diseases.

SUMMARY: Rehabilitation based on Exergame is showing a rapid evolution, with interesting applications for the recovery of mobility, balance, postural control, coordination and fine motor skills, and including home-based training. At present, there are no precise indications for Exergamebased rehabilitation of people over 55 affected by stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis. This review examines the proposed modalities and the effectiveness of Exergame-based rehabilitation interventions for adults over 55 with stroke, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis, highlighting the limitations, advantages, controversies and impact of this approach. We examined randomized controlled trials published between 2016-2020, with search in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, RehabData, selecting 24 studies. The study of patients with chronic or subacute stroke in outpatient treatment, and with small sample sizes, prevails. Wide variability characterizes the rehabilitation methods, the technological platforms used, the type and dose of exercise administered, the outcome measures. The adequacy and efficacy of Exergames remains uncertain in the neurological elderly, and the functional improvement in the neurological adult patient is not yet attested using this type of approach.

A Case-Control Comparison of Single-Stage Bilateral vs Unilateral Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare postoperative pain, functional recovery, and patient satisfaction among patients receiving one-stage medial bilateral or medial unilateral UKA (unicompartmental knee arthroplasty). Our main hypothesis was that during the first 72 postoperative hours, patients who underwent medial bilateral UKA did not consume more analgesics than those who underwent medial unilateral UKA. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was undertaken involving 148 patients (74 one-stage medial bilateral vs 74 medial unilateral Oxford UKA). The primary outcome was evaluation of the postoperative total consumption of analgesics from 0 to 72 hours. Next, the postoperative evolution of pain scores and functional recovery were assessed. Oxford Knee Scores were assessed preoperatively at 6 and 12 months with the occurrence of clinical or radiological complications. Finally, patient satisfaction was evaluated at the final follow-up. RESULTS: The cumulative sums of analgesic consumption (0-72 hours) calculated in the morphine equivalent dose were 21.61 ± 3.70 and 19.11 ± 3.12 mg in the patient and control groups, respectively (P = .30). Moreover, there were no significant differences in terms of pain scores (P = .45), functional recovery (P = .59, .34), length of stay (P = .18), Oxford Knee Scores (P = .68, .60), complications (P = .50), patient satisfaction (P = .66), or recommendations for intervention (P = .64). CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo one-stage medial bilateral UKA do not experience more pain and do not consume more analgesics than those who undergo medial unilateral UKA. A bilateral procedure is not associated with a lower recovery or a higher rate of complications, as functional outcomes at 6 and 12 months are similar to those of unilateral management.

A Compact and Lightweight Rehabilitative Exoskeleton to Restore Grasping Functions for People with Hand Paralysis.

Millions of individuals suffer from upper extremity paralysis caused by neurological disorders including stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury. Robotic hand exoskeletons can substitute the missing motor control and help restore the functions in daily operations. However, most of the hand exoskeletons are bulky, stationary, and cumbersome to use. We have modified a recent existing design (Tenoexo) to prototype a motorized, lightweight, fully wearable rehabilitative hand exoskeleton by combining rigid parts with a soft mechanism capable of producing various grasps needed for the execution of daily tasks. Mechanical evaluation of our exoskeleton showed that it can produce fingertip force up to 8 N and can cover 91.5° of range of motion in just 3 s. We further tested the performance of the developed robotic exoskeleton in two quadriplegics with chronic hand paralysis and observed immediate success on independent grasping of different daily objects. The results suggested that our exoskeleton is a viable option for hand function assistance, allowing patients to regain lost finger control for everyday activities.

Multimodal physical exercise and functional rehabilitation program in oncological patients with asthenia. study protocol.

BACKGROUND: The increase in the survival of oncology patients include multiple side effects as cancer-related asthenia and dyspnea, which represents a serious health problem. An implementation of the conventional clinical practice, developed through multimodal physical exercise and functional rehabilitation program intervention, may be useful in controlling dyspnoea. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a multimodal exercise and functional rehabilitation program on fatigue, pain, functional capacity, and quality of life in cancer patients with cancer-related asthenia. METHODS: This is a protocol for an experimental, prospective, randomised study using a parallel, fixed assignment scheme, with an experimental group and a control group in patients from the oncology hospitalisation unit at the Salamanca University Hospital Complex in Spain, using consecutive sampling to select 50 participants with oncological asthenia who are hospitalised at the time of inclusion. After the baseline evaluation, the participants will be randomised into two groups. Both groups will receive standard clinical practice care and the normal health education program at discharge, but in addition, the participants assigned to the experimental group will also complete a multimodal exercise and functional rehabilitation program lasting one month. The primary outcomes will be basic activities of daily living (Barthel Index) and degree of asthenia (FACT-An scale). Additionally, physical performance will be evaluated with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), as will the attention and executive functions (Trail-Making Test), fear/avoidance of movement (TAMPA scale), pain (VAS scale), and body composition (waist, hip, brachial, thigh, wrist, and ankle circumferences). DISCUSSION: The results of this study may be translated to clinical practice, incorporating a specific autonomy recovery programme into comprehensive rehabilitation programmes of care for cancer patients with asthenia. The current study addresses to improve the conventional clinical practice by proposing a multimodal physical exercise and functional rehabilitation program intervention, which will be implemented by an interdisciplinary team, to try to improve the autonomy of cancer patients with cancer-related asthenia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; ID: NCT04761289. (February 18, 2021).  https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/ NCT04761289.

Effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on the performance of the activities of daily living and attention function after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to interrogate the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on the performance in activities of daily living (ADL) and attention function after stroke. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation hospital. SUBJECTS: We randomized 62 stroke patients with attention dysfunction who were randomly assigned into two groups, and two dropped out from each group. The TMS group (n = 29) and a sham group (n = 29), whose mean (SD) was 58.12 (6.72) years. A total of 33 (56.9%) patients had right hemisphere lesion while the rest 25 (43.1%) patients had left hemisphere lesion. INTERVENTIONS: Patients in the TMS group received 10 Hz, 700 pulses of TMS, while those in the sham group received sham TMS for four weeks. All the participants underwent comprehensive cognitive training. MAIN MEASURES: At baseline, and end of the four-week treatment, the performance in the activities of daily living was assessed by Functional Independence Measure (FIM). On the other side, attention dysfunction was screened by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), while the attention function was assessed by the Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A), Digit Symbol Test (DST) and Digital Span Test (DS). RESULTS: Our data showed a significant difference in the post-treatment gains in motor of Functional Independence Measure (13.00 SD 1.69 vs 4.21 SD 2.96), cognition of Functional Independence Measure (4.69 SD 1.56 vs 1.52 SD 1.02), total of Functional Independence Measure (17.69 SD 2.36 vs 5.72 SD 3.12), Mini-Mental State Examination (3.07 SD 1.36 vs 1.21 SD 0.62), time taken in Trail Making Test-A (96.67 SD 25.18 vs 44.28 SD 19.45), errors number in Trail Making Test-A (2.72 SD 1.03 vs 0.86 SD 1.03), Digit Symbol Test (3.76 SD 1.09 vs 0.76 SD 0.87) or Digital Span Test (1.69 SD 0.54 vs 0.90 SD 0.72) between the TMS group and the sham group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we demonstrate that TMS improves the performance in the activities of daily living and attention function in patients with stroke.

Restoration of arm and hand functions via noninvasive cervical cord neuromodulation after traumatic brain injury: a case study.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (tES) on upper limb functional rehabilitation in a patient with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to identify the optimum stimulation parameters of tES. Design: A preliminary case study. Methods: Two successive interventions: Phase I-voluntary physical training (vPT) and Phase II - tES along with vPT (tES+vPT). tES was delivered at C3 and C6 cervical regions. Clinical assessments presented the variation of muscle tone and motor functions, before and after each training phase, and evaluated at 1-month follow up after the last intervention. Results: Our results indicate that vPT alone contributed to a release of muscle spasticity of both arms of the patient with no significant improvement of hand function, while tES+vPT further reduced the spasticity of the left arm, and improved the voluntary motor function of both arms. The grip forces were also increased after the tES+vPT treatment. We found that 1 ms biphasic tES at 30 Hz produced optimum motor outputs. Conclusion: The study demonstrates, for the first time, the potential benefits of cervical tES in regard to improving upper limb motor functions in a patient with chronic TBI.

Changes in Knee and Trunk Alignment in People With Hip Pain and Healthy Controls When Using a Decline Board During Single-Leg Squat.

CONTEXT: Hip pain is associated with reduced hip muscle strength, range of movement (ROM), and decreased postural stability. Single-leg squat is a reliable and valid method to measure dynamic balance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of physical characteristics and use of a decline board on squat performance in a hip pain population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study setting. Clinical Patients: In total, 33 individuals scheduled for arthroscopic hip surgery were matched with 33 healthy controls. INTERVENTIONS: Hip and ankle ROM, hip strength, and trunk endurance were assessed, along with knee and trunk kinematics during squat on flat and 25° decline surfaces. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Between-group and surface differences in alignment, between-group strength and ROM, and associations between alignment and physical characteristics were assessed and determined using mixed model analysis of variance and Pearson R. RESULTS: The hip pain group had significantly less strength and ROM for all directions except abduction strength and ankle dorsiflexion (P > .02). No differences existed between the 2 groups for trunk (P < .70) or knee displacement (P < .46) during squat on either surface. When the 2 groups were combined (n = 66), decline squat significantly reduced knee medial displacement in both limbs by approximately 1 cm (P < .01). Decline squat reduced trunk lateral movement on 1 side only (P = .03). Reduced knee displacement during decline squat showed fair association with less hip-extension strength (r = -.29), hip-flexion strength (r = -.25), and less dorsiflexion (r = -.24). Strength and range were not associated with trunk displacement. CONCLUSIONS: Decline squat reduced medial knee and lateral trunk displacement regardless of hip pain. Reductions may be greater in those with lesser hip muscle strength and dorsiflexion. Use of a decline board during squat for improving knee and trunk alignment should be considered as a goal of exercise intervention.

Mechanically retained functional prosthetic rehabilitation of partial lip necrosis: A rare clinical report.

Prosthetic rehabilitation plays a crucial role in restoring patients with facial defects to normalcy. Although comprising a small proportion, lip defect plays a pivotal role in drastically diminishing the quality of life of the patient, both functionally and socially, with dwindling confidence and self-esteem. Patients may experience speech impairment, uncontrolled drooling, and unesthetic appearance. In addition, constant exposure of tissues to air leads to drying and crusting of lips. This rare case report of a patient with partial lip necrosis describes her functional, mechanically retained prosthetic rehabilitation, which improved phonetics, esthetics, and function without the need of additional retentive features, increasing convenience and ease of use by the patient and at the same time cutting down cost.

Comparison Between Early Functional Rehabilitation and Cast Immobilization After Minimally Invasive Repair for an Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the outcomes of patients with Achilles tendon rupture treated with minimally invasive repair and early functional rehabilitation with the outcomes of similar patients treated with cast immobilization. After undergoing minimally invasive surgery, a below-knee splint with the foot in 30° of plantarflexion was applied to each patient for the first week. Patients were then assigned to a cast immobilization group (IG; n = 25) or a functional group (FG; n = 16). Data were collected during outpatient checks at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Outcomes of interest included range of motion (ROM), heel height, calf circumference, pain and functional score, return to work and light sports activity, and complications. The time interval for return to work in the FG was faster than that in the IG (p = .026). There was no clinically important difference between the 2 groups with regard to heel height, ROM, return to sports, calf circumference, visual analog scale, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, or Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score at every outpatient check except ROM difference at 6 weeks and heel height at 3 months. Rerupture occurred in 2 patients (1 [4%] in the IG and 1 [6.25%] in the FG). Early functional rehabilitation seemed to be as safe as traditional postoperative immobilization with a similar functional result and complications, but it was advantageous for the early phase of rehabilitation only.

Early Functional Rehabilitation for Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: An Update Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of early functional rehabilitation in acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Eligible studies were identified from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library using the following search keywords: "Achilles tendon rupture" and "rehabilitation" or "function" or "functional" or "mobilization" and "randomized" or "random" or "blind" or "control" or "compare" or "comparative." A heterogeneity test based on I2 statistic and Cochran's Q test was conducted. The pooled risk ratio and weighted mean difference with 95% confidence interval was calculated for each outcome using the random-effect (p < .05 or I2 > 50% for significant heterogeneity) or fixed-effect (p > .05 or I2 < 50% for nonsignificant heterogeneity) model. A subgroup analysis was also performed. Fourteen randomized controlled trials were identified. Pooled data demonstrated no difference in the complication rates, time taken to return to sports, total number of patients returning to work or sports, and satisfaction rate between the early functional rehabilitation and conventional cast immobilization groups. Early functional rehabilitation significantly decreased the time taken to return to work (weighted mean difference -1.56; 95% confidence interval -3.09 to 0.04; p = .04]. Early functional rehabilitation for acute Achilles tendon ruptures appeared to be related to a shorter time taken to return to work; however, it did not affect the other variables between the groups.

Quantifying Functional Ankle Rehabilitation Progression Criteria Using GPS: A Preliminary Study.

CONTEXT: Contemporary developments in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology present a means of quantifying mechanical loading in a clinical environment with high ecological validity. However, applications to date have typically focused on performance rather than rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of GPS microtechnology in quantifying the progression of loading during functional rehabilitation from ankle sprain injury, given the prevalence of reinjury and need for quantifiable monitoring. Furthermore, to examine the influence of unit placement on the clinical interpretation of loading during specific functional rehabilitation drills. DESIGN: Repeated measures. SETTING: University athletic facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two female intermittent team sports players. INTERVENTION: All players completed a battery of 5 drills (anterior hop, inversion hop, eversion hop, diagonal hop, and diagonal hurdle hop) designed to reflect the mechanism of ankle sprain injury, and progress functional challenge and loading. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GPS-mounted accelerometers quantified uniaxial PlayerLoad for each drill, with units placed at C7 and the tibia. Main effects for drill type and GPS location were investigated. RESULTS: There was a significant main effect for drill type (P < .001) in the mediolateral (η2 = .436), anteroposterior (η2 = .480), and vertical planes (η2 = .516). The diagonal hurdle hop elicited significantly greater load than all other drills, highlighting a nonlinear progression of load. Only the mediolateral load showed evidence of progressive increase in loading. PlayerLoad was significantly greater at the tibia than at C7 for all drills, and in all planes (P < .001, η2 ≥ .662). Furthermore, the tibia placement was more sensitive to between-drill changes in mediolateral load than the C7 placement. CONCLUSIONS: The placement of the GPS unit is imperative to clinical interpretation, with both magnitude and sensitivity influenced by the unit location. GPS does provide efficacy in quantifying multiplanar loading during (p)rehabilitation, in a field or clinical setting, with potential in extending GPS analyses (beyond performance metrics) to functional injury rehabilitation and prevention.

Exercising on Different Unstable Surfaces Increases Core Abdominal Muscle Thickness: An Observational Study Using Real-Time Ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: The training of abdominal muscles has a positive impact on the functional capacity of healthy adults, being applied practically in fields of athletics and fitness through rehabilitation for lower back pain. OBJECTIVE: The study compares abdominal muscle activity while performing graded isometric exercises on stable and unstable surfaces. The authors also examined perceived stability and comfort for the different surfaces. METHODS: A total of 30 young, healthy adults performed 3 graded isometric exercises on a Pilates table, foam roller, and Oov (a newly developed tool). Ultrasound investigation measured transversus abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and external oblique abdominis thickness during each task, comparing muscle thickness between conditions using general linear modeling. RESULTS: Core abdominal activation was greater on the foam roller than the Oov and Pilates table during crook lying (bilateral leg support). Both Oov and foam roller elicited greater contralateral transversus abdominis and internal oblique abdominis thickness than the Pilates table during tabletop and straight leg raises (unilateral leg exercises). For transversus abdominis only, the foam roller elicited more muscle thickness than the Oov during straight leg raises. The Oov was rated more comfortable than the foam roller. DISCUSSION: Exercises performed on the Oov and foam roller elicit core greater abdominal muscle thickness than those performed on a Pilates table. Unilateral leg exercises in a supine position elicit more contralateral muscle thickness than those with bilateral leg support. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide information to support choices in exercise progression from flat stable to more unstable surfaces and from those with bilateral foot support to unilateral foot support. The Oov was more comfortable that the foam roller, and this may help with exercise adherence.

Validity of an On-Field Readaptation Program Following a Hamstring Injury in Professional Soccer.

CONTEXT: Despite the presence of various injury prevention programs, the rate of hamstring injuries and reinjuries is increasing in soccer, warranting the need for a soccer-specific rehabilitation program. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a new, functional on-field program for the rehabilitation and readaptation of soccer players after a hamstring strain injury through a panel of experts; and determine the usefulness of the program through its application in professional soccer players. DESIGN: A 13-item program was developed, which was validated by a panel of experts and later applied to professional soccer players. SETTING: Soccer training ground. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen strength and conditioning and rehabilitation fitness coaches with a professional experience of 15.40 (1.57) years in elite clubs and national teams in Europe validated the program. The program was later applied to 19 professional soccer players of the Spanish First Division (La Liga). INTERVENTIONS: Once a player sustained a clinically diagnosed injury, the player would first be subject to mobilization and strengthening exercises in the gym after undergoing treatment by percutaneous needle electrolysis. The player would then complete an on-field readaptation program consisting of 13 drills arranged in a progressive manner in terms of complexity. The drills integrated various aspects of repeated sprint abilities, retraining and reeducation of biomechanical patterns, and neuromuscular control of the core and lower limbs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Aiken's V for each item of the program and number of days taken by the players to return to play. RESULTS: The experts evaluated all items of the program very highly, as seen from Aiken's V values between 0.78 and 0.98 (0.63-0.99) for all drills, while the return to play was in 22.42 (2.32) days. CONCLUSION: This program has the potential to help a player suffering from a hamstring strain injury to adapt to real-match conditions in the readaptation phase through the application of sports-specific drills that were very similar to the different injury mechanisms.