A programme of static positional stretches does not reduce hemiplegic shoulder pain or maintain shoulder range of motion - a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a programme of static positional stretches and positioning of the stroke-affected shoulder for maintaining shoulder external rotation and decreasing hemiplegic shoulder pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial with pretest and posttest design. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation unit. Subjects: Thirty-two participants ( 17 treatment, 15 comparison) with a first time stroke who were admitted for rehabilitation. Interventions: Treatment participants completed a programme of static positional stretches of the stroke-affected shoulder twice daily and positioned the stroke-affected upper limb in an armrest support at all other times when seated. Main measures: The main outcome measures were pain-free range of motion into external rotation, pain in the stroke-affected shoulder at rest and with movement, motor recovery and functional independence. Results: All participants demonstrated a significant loss of external rotation ( P = 0.005) with no significant group differences. All participants demonstrated a significant improvement in motor recovery ( P < 0.01) and functional independence ( P < 0.01) with no significant group differences. There were no significant effects for pain. The comparison group recorded a decrease in mean pain reported with movement from admission to discharge, and the treatment group recorded an increase. Conclusions: Participation in the management programme did not result in improved outcomes. The results of this study do not support the application of the programme of static positional stretches to maintain range of motion in the shoulder. The effect of increasing pain for the treatment group requires further investigation.

Control of posture and stability of the double-joint (Shoulder/Elbow) arm

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Control of posture and stability of the double-joint (Shoulder/Elbow) arm

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Effects of a resistance and stretching training program on forward head and protracted shoulder posture in physical education classes in students aged 15-17 years old

Purpose: This study aimed to characterize the postural alignment of the head and shoulder in the sagittal plane of Portuguese adolescents, 15-17 years old, and to evaluate the effects of a 32-week resistance and stretching training program applied in Physical Education classes on forward head posture and protracted shoulder posture of Portuguese adolescents. After 32-training weeks the detraining effects after a 16-week period were measured. Methods: This randomized and controlled study was conducted in two secondary schools in Portugal for 48 weeks. Prior the study 275 students aged 15-17 years old were evaluated. Sagittal head, cervical and shoulder angle were measured with photogrammetry and Postural Analysis Software. After this assessment 130 adolescents were considered to have forward head and protracted shoulder posture and were randomly assigned to a control group, an experimental group one or experimental group two. The control group (n=46) only did the Physical Education classes whereas the intervention group one (n=42) and two (n=42) performed a 16-week and 32-week stretching and strengthening program in addition to Physical Education classes, respectively. The postural angles were measured before and after the 16-week and 32-week time intervention period for the three groups and after a 16-week detraining period following the 32-week in intervention group two. Results: 68% of the adolescents studied revealed anteriorization of the head whereas 58% of them had protraction of the shoulder. Significant increases were observed in the cervical and shoulder angle in the experimental group (n=84) following the 16-week and in experimental group two (n=42)after the 32 week-intervention period. After the 16-week detraining period no significant differences were observed in the three postural angles in the intervention group two. Conclusions: Forward head and protracted shoulder are common postural disorders in Portuguese adolescents. The exercise intervention was successful ate decreasing forward head and protracted shoulder in adolescents. Detraining period of 16-week didn´t reduce the overall training effects.

An adaptive orientation misalignment calibration method for shoulder movements using inertial sensors : a feasibility study

Qualitative assessment of the progress in physical rehabilitation largely depends on accurate measurement of the range of movements and other kinematic parameters. In clinical practice, wearable inertial sensors have proved to be a potential candidate for such measurements, over the traditional marker based optical systems due to cost and space considerations. The accuracy of wearable sensors have a significant dependence on the initial orientation calibration and the assumption that the sensor will not slip or move with respect to the attached limb. This article introduces a novel calibration algorithm to correct initial orientation misalignment, as well as to track and correct subsequent alignment errors progressively throughout the experiment. The theoretical assertions are validated through controlled experiments with simulated accelerometer and gyroscope measurements.

Few geographic and socioeconomic variations exist in primary total shoulder arthroplasty: a multi-level study of Australian registry data

BACKGROUND:Associations between socioeconomic position (SEP) and the uptake of primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is not well understood in the Australian population, thus potentially limiting equitable allocation of healthcare resources. We used the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOA NJRR) to examine whether geographic or socioeconomic variations exist in TSA performed for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis 2007-11 for all Australians aged ≥40 years.

METHODS:Primary anatomical and reverse TSA data were extracted from the AOA NJRR which captures >99 % of all TSA nationally. Residential addresses were cross-referenced to Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 Census data to identify SEP measured at the area-level (categorised into deciles), and geographic location defined as Australian State/Territory of residence. We used a Poisson distribution for the number of TSA over the study period, and modelled the effects of age, SEP and geographic location using multilevel modelling.

RESULTS:During 2007-11, we observed 6,123 TSA (62.2 % female). For both sexes, TSA showed a proportional increase with advancing age. TSA did not vary by SEP or geographic location, with the exception of greater TSA among men in New South Wales.

CONCLUSIONS:Using a national registry approach we provide the first reliable picture of TSA at a national level. The uptake of TSA was equitable across SEP; however, there was some variation between the States/Territories. With an aging population, it is imperative that monitoring of major surgical procedures continues, and be focused toward determining whether TSA uptake correlates with need across different social and area-based groups.

Does an In-Season Detraining Period Affect the Shoulder Rotator Cuff Strength and Balance of Young Swimmers?

Aims: To compare the physical activity, sedentary activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in institutionalized vs. non-institutionalized elderly, and to establish a pattern of relationship and prediction of physical and sedentary activity with physical and mental components of HRQoL. Methods: The sample consisted of 383 elderly with ≥ 75 years old (n=187 institutionalized and n=196 non-institutionalized). Were administered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) for evaluated the physical and sedentary activity and HRQoL. Also was used the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) as exclusion criteria for cognitive problems in the elderly. Results: Differences between institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly were found in moderate-intensity activities and walking, a favour of non-institutionalized. The institutionalized elderly remain more minutes in sedentary activity. Also, were observed differences between both groups in physical component of HRQoL, a favour of non-institutionalized elderly. The mental component remained unchanged. The multivariate regression analyses showed that physical activity predicted the physical (8 to 12%) and mental (5 to 8%) components of HRQoL for institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly. Conclusions: Non-institutionalized elderly were more physically active, spent less time in sedentary activity and showed better perception physical component of HRQoL that institutionalized elderly. An important and encouraging result of this study was that physical activity is a predictor of improved physical and mental component of HRQoL for institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly.