Electromechanical-Assisted Training for Walking After Stroke.
Electromechanical-assisted training for walking after stroke.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jul 25; 7: CD006185
Mehrholz J, Elsner B, Werner C, Kugler J, Pohl M
Electromechanical and robotic-assisted gait training devices are used in rehabilitation and might help to improve walking after stroke. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2007.To investigate the effects of automated electromechanical and robotic-assisted gait training devices for improving walking after stroke.We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched April 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 2), MEDLINE (1966 to November 2012), EMBASE (1980 to November 2012), CINAHL (1982 to November 2012), AMED (1985 to November 2012), SPORTDiscus (1949 to September 2012), the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro, searched November 2012) and the engineering databases COMPENDEX (1972 to November 2012) and INSPEC (1969 to November 2012). We handsearched relevant conference proceedings, searched trials and research registers, checked reference lists and contacted authors in an effort to identify further published, unpublished and ongoing trials.We included all randomised and randomised cross-over trials consisting of people over 18 years old diagnosed with stroke of any severity, at any stage, or in any setting, evaluating electromechanical and robotic-assisted gait training versus normal care.Two review authors independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed methodological quality and extracted the data. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants walking independently at follow-up.In this update of our review, we included 23 trials involving 999 participants. Electromechanical-assisted gait training in combination with physiotherapy increased the odds of participants becoming independent in walking (odds ratio (OR) (random effects) 2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.67 to 3.43; P < 0.00001; I² = 0%) but did not significantly increase walking velocity (mean difference (MD) = 0.04 metres/s, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.11; P = 0.26; I² = 73%) or walking capacity (MD = 3 metres walked in six minutes, 95% CI -29 to 35; P = 0.86; I² = 70%). The results must be interpreted with caution because (1) some trials investigated people who were independent in walking at the start of the study, (2) we found variations between the trials with respect to devices used and duration and frequency of treatment, and (3) some trials included devices with functional electrical stimulation. Our planned subgroup analysis suggests that people in the acute phase may benefit but people in the chronic phase may not benefit from electromechanical-assisted gait training. Post hoc analysis showed that people who are non-ambulatory at intervention onset may benefit but ambulatory people may not benefit from this type of training. Post hoc analysis showed no differences between the types of devices used in studies regarding ability to walk, but significant differences were found between devices in terms of walking velocity.People who receive electromechanical-assisted gait training in combination with physiotherapy after stroke are more likely to achieve independent walking than people who receive gait training without these devices. Specifically, people in the first three months after stroke and those who are not able to walk seem to benefit most from this type of intervention. The role of the type of device is still not clear. Further research should consist of a large definitive, pragmatic, phase III trial undertaken to address specific questions such as the following: What frequency or duration of electromechanical-assisted gait training might be most effective? How long does the benefit last? HubMed – rehab
Neurorehabilitation in disorders of consciousness.
Semin Neurol. 2013 Apr; 33(2): 142-56
Giacino JT, Katz DI, Whyte J
Survivors of severe acquired brain injury often experience prolonged disturbance in consciousness following emergence from coma. Most individuals pass through the vegetative or minimally conscious states en route to eventual recovery of consciousness, although either condition may be permanent. Rehabilitation clinicians charged with the care of these patients face numerous challenges as there are many open questions concerning diagnostic and prognostic accuracy, the natural history of recovery, and the most effective approaches to prevent medical complications and facilitate functional recovery. The last 5 years have been witness to a marked increase in well-designed empirical investigations concerning the rehabilitation of patients with disorders of consciousness. In this article, the authors review recent evidence concerning key factors that influence the course of recovery, present a model of care designed to mitigate medical complications, describe a systematic approach to assessment, and review the effectiveness of treatment interventions utilized in the rehabilitation setting. HubMed – rehab
The effect of physiotherapy in addition to testosterone replacement therapy on the efficiency of the motor system in men with hypogonadism.
Medicina (Kaunas). 2013; 49(2): 71-7
Bacevi?ien? R, Valonyt? L, Ceponis J
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the addition of physiotherapy to testosterone replacement therapy provides added benefit in improving functional capacity of the motor system in men with hypogonadism. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study involved 3 groups of subjects: group 1, healthy men (n=20); group 2, men with hypogonadism who underwent testosterone replacement therapy with physiotherapy (TRT+PT) (n=8); and group 3, men with hypogonadism who underwent testosterone replacement therapy alone (TRT) (n=10). Physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]) and body composition (X-SCAN analysis) were analyzed; the vertical jump test (Leonardo Mechanography®) was applied. RESULTS. The application of testosterone replacement therapy together with physiotherapy for 6 months significantly increased the maximum and relative power of jump in the subjects in the TRT+PT group; however, in the TRT group, no statistically significant difference was observed. The maximum jump height for the subjects in the TRT+PT group significantly increased 6 months after the intervention; however, in the TRT group, this index remained unaltered. The lean body mass of the subjects in the TRT+PT group increased (P<0.05); however, in the TRT group, it did not change. The relative fat body mass in the TRT+PT group decreased significantly (P<0.05), but, in the TRT group, it had a tendency to increase, though insignificantly. CONCLUSIONS. Our results suggest that the application of testosterone replacement therapy together with physiotherapy (1 hour twice weekly) in men with hypogonadism may lead to earlier and better results in comparison with testosterone replacement therapy applied alone. HubMed – rehab
High power laser therapy treatment compared to simple segmental physical rehabilitation in whiplash injuries (1° and 2° grade of the Quebec Task Force classification) involving muscles and ligaments.
Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2013 Apr; 3(2): 106-11
Conforti M, Fachinetti GP
whiplash is a frequent post traumatic pathology caused by muscle, tendon and capsular elements over stretching. The authors conducted a short term prospective randomised study to test the effectiveness of a multi wave High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) versus conventional simple segmental physical rehabilitation (PT) included in Italian tariff nomenclature performance physiotherapy Study Design: prospective randomised study (Level II).the authors identified 135 homogeneous patients with whiplash grade 1 – 2 of the Quebec Task Force classification (QTFC). INAIL, the Italian National Workers Insurance, based in Milan, was reliable source for identifying patients. All patients with whiplash injuries grade 1 or 2 QTFC, were eligible for the study, starting from April 28 2010 to September 30 2010. Patients referred to a Coordinator (C.M.) who applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients who agreed to participate were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Dates for initial treatment session were arranged, including cervical spine X-ray, and assessment. Each patient gave informed consent for participation and agreed to adopt only the study treatment for 6 weeks. Group A (84 patients) was treated with High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT), Group B (51 patients) received conventional simple segmental physical rehabilitation (PT). During the treatment period, no other electro-medical therapy, analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs were allowed. All patients were assessed at baseline (T0) and at the end of the treatment period (T1) using a Visual Analogical Scale (VAS), (T2) the date of return to work was registered afterwards.there was a reduction in VAS pain scores at T1. Group A (VAS = 20) Group B (VAS = 34,8) (p =0.0048). Laser treatment allowed quick recovery and return to work (T2). Group A after 48 days against 66 days of Group B (p=0.0005).results suggest that High Power Laser Therapy – is an effective treatment in patients with whiplash injury, compared to conventional simple segmental physical rehabilitation. HubMed – rehab
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