Short-Term Effects of the Use of Non-Rigid Tools for Postural Control by Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos do sistema âncora sobre o controle postural de idosos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Developing an Anchor system to enhance postural control

This article uses an anchor metaphor to explain the dynamic interplay between the human body's active uses of nonrigid tools to mediate information about its adjacent environment to enhance postural control. The author used an anchor system (ropes attached to varying weights resting on the floor) to test blindfolded adults who performed a restricted-balance task (30 s one-foot standing). Participants were tested while holding the anchors under a variety of weight conditions (125 g, 250 g, 500 g, and I kg) and again during a baseline condition (no anchors). When compared with the baseline condition, there was a significant reduction in the amount of body sway across the anchor conditions. The author found that mechanical support provided by the anchor system was secondary to its haptic exploratory function and that an individual can use the anchoring strategy with a dual purpose: for resting and for reorientation after intrinsic disruptions.

Exercise programs improve mobility and balance in people with Parkinson's disease

Compromised balance and loss of mobility are among the major consequences of Parkinson's disease (PD). The literature documents numerous effective interventions for improving balance and mobility. The purpose of this study was to verify the effectiveness of two exercise programs on balance and mobility in people with idiopathic PD. Thirty-four participants, with idiopathic PD that ranged from Stage I to Stage III on the Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) scale, were assigned to two groups. Group 1 (n = 21; 67±9 years old) was engaged in an intensive exercise program (aerobic capacity, flexibility, strength, motor coordination and balance) for 6 months: 72 sessions, 3 times a week, 60 minutes per session; while Group 2 (n = 13; 69±8 years old) participated in an adaptive program (flexibility, strength, motor coordination and balance) for 6 months: 24 sessions, once a week, 60 minutes per session. Balance and basic functional mobility were assessed in pre- and post-tests by means of the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test. Before and after the interventions, groups were similar in clinical conditions (H&Y, UPDRS, and Mini-Mental). A MANOVA 2 (programs) by 2 (moments) revealed that both groups were affected by the exercise intervention. Univariate analyses showed that participants improved their mobility and balance from pre- to post-test. There were no differences between groups in either mobility or balance results. Both the intensive and adaptive exercise programs improved balance and mobility in patients with PD. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efeitos de tarefas cognitivas no controle postural de idosos: Uma revisão sistemática

Demanding attention in order to keep postural balance increases with aging and with the presence of concurrent tasks that require information processing. Several studies have demonstrated that motor performance can be related to the complexity of the task and aging process, presenting a possible interaction between these factors. The aim of this review was to identify and analyze published papers about the effects of cognitive tasks on the postural control of elderly individuals. A systematic search in the Web of Science, SportDiscus, CINAHL, Science Direct on line, Biological Abstracts, PsycINFO, and Medline databases was made and 444 articles were found. Eight were selected that studied the variables of interest. These studies showed that postural control seems to be influenced by the individual's attention processes and that deficits in such ability may be associated to an increased risk of falls. © FTCD/CIDESD.

Análise do equilíbrio postural de indivíduos diabéticos por meio de baropodometria

Objective of this study was to analyze the postural balance of neuropathic diabetic individuals through baropodometry, related to losses in the sensorimotor system. Twenty-eight healthy and 25 diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy were subjected to static evaluation (measurement of displacement of body center of pressure) and dynamic (temporal analysis of the stance phase of gait cycle). The tactile sensitivity of the feet was assessed by Semmes Weinstein monofilaments and isometric muscle strength of ankle dynamometry. Analyses of multivariânvia (MANOVAs) and variance (ANOVAs) indicated lower performance in tactile sensitivity, muscle strength and dynamic balance, but showed no difference for static equilibrium of diabetic neuropathy. With this study by regression analysis, one can infer that the equilibrium differences in gait of neuropathic insensitivity may result from tactile and muscle strength. © FTCD/FIP-MOC.

Instabilidade postural em indivíduos obesos com deficiência intelectual

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Funções cognitivas frontais e controle postural na doença de Alzheimer: efeitos do programa de intervenção motora com tarefa dupla

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação do equilíbrio postural em mulheres na pós-menopausa e sua relação com a densidade mineral óssea

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito da terapia hormonal sobre o equilíbrio postural em mulheres na pós-menopausa

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Relação entre depressão e desequilíbrio postural em idosos que sofreram acidente vascular encefálico

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of stroke it increases with the aging and each successive decade above 55 years leads to a doubling of stroke incidence. Among the current complications of stroke are the unbalance postural and depression. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and correlate the postural balance and depression in elderly with and without stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 38 subjects (19 with stroke and 19 without). The balance was evaluated by Berg Balance Scale and the depression by Yesavage Depression Scale. RESULTS: Elderly with stroke presented depression when compared with elderly without the disease (p < 0.0001). The risk of falling in elderly with stroke was 102 times higher than in elderly without stroke. There was a correlation between depression and balance (r = -0.55; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with sequels of stroke have unbalance and greater depression, when compared with elderly of same age without the disease.

Electromyographic reaction time in older female fallers and non-fallers after postural perturbation

O tempo de reação eletromiográfica (TRE) reflete a magnitude e a velocidade com que os músculos são ativados para realizar movimentos, evitar lesões ou posicionar uma articulação e pode ser avaliado após uma perturbação externa para análise do desempenho do controle postural e relacioná-lo com a possibilidade de quedas em idosos. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar o TRE dos músculos oblíquo interno (OI), reto femoral (RF), vasto lateral (VL), tibial anterior (TA), multífido (MU), glúteo máximo (GM), bíceps femoral (BF) e gastrocnêmio lateral (GL) em situações de perturbação do equilíbrio em idosos com e sem histórico de quedas. Para isso, foram avaliadas vinte e nove mulheres com 60 anos ou mais, fisicamente ativas e não-institucionalizadas e separadas em dois grupos de acordo com o relato de quedas nos 12 meses pregressos ao estudo: Grupo de Idosas Caidoras (GIC) (n=13; 72,4 ± 8,0 anos) e Grupo de Idosas Não-Caidoras (GINC) (n=16; 67,8 ± 6,8 anos). O TRE dos músculos avaliados durante o teste de desequilíbrio postural anterior e posterior não foram significativamente diferentes entre os grupos. Os resultados sugerem que a ativação muscular dos músculos avaliados, tanto durante o desequilíbrio anterior quanto no desequilíbrio posterior, não podem ser considerados um fator determinante para quedas.

Benefits of Multimodal Exercise Intervention for Postural Control and Frontal Cognitive Functions in Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease: A Controlled Trial

Objective To verify the effects of a systematized multimodal exercise intervention program on frontal cognitive function, postural control, and functional capacity components of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD).DesignNonrandomized controlled trial with pre- and posttraining tests in a training group and a control group.SettingKinesiotherapy program for seniors with AD, SAo Paulo State University.ParticipantsConvenience sample of older adults with AD (n=30) were assigned to a training (n=14; aged 78.67.1) and a control (n=16; aged 77.06.3) group.InterventionThe intervention program was structured with the aim of simultaneously promoting better balance and frontal cognitive capacity. The participants attended a 1-hour session three times a week for 16weeks, whereas the control group did not participate in any activity during the same period.MeasurementsFrontal cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Clock Drawing Test, the Frontal Assessment Battery, and the Symbol Search Subtest. Postural control (center of pressure area) was analyzed under four dual-task conditions. Functional capacity components were analyzed using the Timed Up and Go Test, the 30-second sit-to-stand test, the sit-and-reach test, and the Berg Functional Balance Scale.ResultsIntervention group participants showed a significant increase in frontal cognitive function (P<.001, partial (2)=0.838), with less body sway (P=.04, partial (2)=0.04) during the dual tasks, and greater functional capacity (P=.001, partial (2)=0.676) after the 16-week period.ConclusionIntervention participants performed better on dual-task activities and had better postural balance and greater functional capacity than controls.

Avaliação Postural em Sujeitos com Disfunção Temporomandibular Submetidos a Tratamento de Terapia Manual

Individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) often have signs and symptoms such as intra-articular pain, muscle spasm, neck pain radiating from others who interfere with this balance. Over time can lead to postural changes and correction of the cervical spine, anterior head and shoulder asymmetry. The aim was to verify the effects of manual therapy on posture in subjects with TMD. Materials and methods: 30 volunteers (mean: 21.43± SD:1.43) of both sexes who had TMD classified according to axis I of the Research Diagnostic Criteria participated in this study. These were photographed in the anterior frontal and sagittal planes for analysis of the following angles (acromion clavicular joint, sternoclavicular joint, orbicular external, corners of the mouthand and protruding head). After, the volunteers were divided into groups ATM (manual therapy in the treatment of temporomandibular joint), Cervical (manual therapy in the treatment of cervical joint) and Control. The Kolmogokov-Smirnov test, followed by ANOVA, considering a significance level of 5% was used. Results: Groups ATM, Cervical and Control were considered homogeneous with respect to the values of the angles measured. These also showed no significant difference between the 1st, 5th and 10th sessions, so the manual therapy techniques applied to the TMJ and Cervical groups were not sufficient to change postural alignment. Conclusion: The postural alignment, the TMD patients evaluated in this study did not change after attending the sessions proposals with manual therapy techniques in the cervical and TMJ.

Avaliação do controle postural e do tipo do pé de pessoas com deficiência visual

The balance changing in the visually impaired is target of investigations, as balance and vision are interrelated. Also, another important factor in the maintenance of postural control is the biomechanical aspect of the feet. This study aimed to evaluate postural control and feet type of individuals with visual impairments. For then 17 adults with visual impairment participated in this study and have been evaluated by the baropodometry system. The oscillation of the center of pressure data were analyzed using the software Conformat Research 5.8, and subjected to Mann-Whitney’s statistical test. The results showed no statistically significant difference in postural control when comparing individuals with and without visual residue and which normal and foot with biomechanical alterations, which demonstrates that the visual impairment was the main factor of changes in postural control for the participants of this study.