Modern Rehabilitation

Effects of ankle muscles fatigue on dynamic postural stability in healthy women athlete

Javad Saraf Zadeh

Background and aim: The ability to maintain upright stance is essential in gait and initiation of voluntary movements that are vital not only for sport but also for activity of daily living .Lateral ankle sprains are common in athletes and are most prevalent in jumping sports such as volleyball , football and basketball .Although these injuries are common after direct contact. It may occur in non contact mechanism such as landing from a jump. Neuromuscular control plays a major role in dynamic joint stability. Most of ankle joint injuries occur in jump-landing task and at the end of sport activitiesparticularly when the athlete is fatigued. Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of ankle muscle fatigue on dynamic postural stability in jump landing task.

Material and methods: Twenty two healthy women athletes (age:22.8±1.7 years, height:160.3±4.9 cm and weight:56.2±5.8 kg) volunteered to participate in this study .Two test sessions were done with a rest period of one week between them . During each session, effect of one group of ankle muscles (sagital or frontal movers) on dynamic postural stability was assessed. Postural stability was evaluated for 5 seconds after landing on force plate by postural stability indices ( Medial/Lateral, Anterior/Posterior, Vertical and Dynamic Postural Stability Indices) before and after isokinetic fatigue of ankle muscles.

Results: The finding indicate significant increase in all stability indices after isokinetic fatigue of ankle muscles (p<0.05).

Conclusion:These results indicate that isokinetic fatigue of ankle muscles significantly decrease postural control ability in healthy women athlete.

The relationship between different pencil grip patterns and legibility of handwriting in normal first-grade students

T Sadaghiani

Background and aim: Despite of necessity of legible handwriting for primary students, difficulties in handwriting present in 10-30% of these children. The purpose of this study was to determine relationship between the legibility of handwriting and different pencil grip patterns.
Material and methods: in this cross-sectional study, fifty-three first-grade students were randomly selected and divided into one of the following groups according to their types of pencil grip: dynamic tripod, lateral tripod, lateral quadruped and other types. The legibility of handwriting was scored by the handwriting legibility checklist of Persian language. Correlation between handwriting legibility and pencil grip was evaluated by chi-square test.
Results: Data analysis did not show any meaningful relationship between handwriting legibility and different types of pencil grip.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that different types of pencil grip have no considerable effect on legibility of handwriting during solving an illegible handwriting. Emphasis should be placed on the other factors rather than pencil grip.

Test-retest reliability and list equivalency of the Persian Quick Speech in Noise Test

Jamileh Fatahi

Background and aim: The main problem of people with hearing loss is difficulty of hearing in background noise. One of the best tests that are used to evaluate speech perception in background noise is Quick Speech in Noise Test. The purpose of current study is to assess test-retest reliability and list equivalency of the Persian version of Quick Speech in Noise Test in young people with normal hearing.

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 36 young (18-35 years old) individuals with normal hearing. Materials were presented via compact disk of Persian version of quick speech in noise test with standard earphone. Almost one week after test session, re-test was performed. All of the correct words were scored and then signal to noise ratio loss was calculated.

Results: The mean SNR Loss was -1.5±0.74 dB. there was significant difference between test- retest scores for lists 1(p<0/05) and no significant difference between test- retest scores for lists 2, 3 and 4(p>0/05). There was significant difference between mean results of list 4 with list 1(p<0/05). There was significant difference for test- retest Pearson's Correlation in all lists.

Conclusion: Lists 2 and 3 of Persian version of Quick Speech in Noise Test are reliable and equivalent for determining signal to noise ratio loss.

Effects of Volar-Dorsal Wrist/Hand Immobilization Splint on Range of motion, Spasticity and Function of affected upper extremity in stroke patients

Malek Amini

Background and aim: The most prominent problems that is produced after stroke are spasticity or increase in muscle tone, decrease in range of motion and function of upper extremity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Volar-Dorsal Wrist/Hand Immobilization Splint on function of upper extremity, range of motion of the elbow, wrist and metacarpophalengeal joints and spasticity of the elbow and wrist joints.

Material and methods: Fourteen patients were participated in these experiments. The patients were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and they had been given the splint after primary evaluation and were reevaluated after one month. Spasticity were evaluated with Modified Ashworth Scale.Range of motion were measured by goniometer. Fugl-meyer test were used to assess function of upper extremity. The splints were used 2 hours daily and whole night (6-8 hours) in one month.

Results: Comparison of data before and aft er the experiment showed significant mprovement in upper extremity function (P=0.04). Range of motion and spasticity were not significant (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Volar-Dorsal Wrist/Hand Immobilization Splint can improve the function of upper extremity. Although spasticity and range of motion showed a little changes in short-term use (1month) but the differences were not significant that will need more studies.

Determining of validity and reliability of speech situation checklist among the children with stuttering and non-stuttering

Mohammad Shah Bodaghi

Background and aim: Nowadays, importance of multidimensional approach in evaluating of stuttering is obvious. Stuttering aspects evaluation provided by speech situation checklist. In this study, validity and reliability of this checklist is performed on stuttering and non- stuttering (6-11 years old) pupils.

Material and methods: In this research, 43 stutterer and 45 non-stutterer pupils were evaluated.

After equalization of questionnaire to Persian language, emotional reaction & speech disruption questionnaire were completed according to their attitude . In order to test validity, four methods were used. Data were analyzed by parametric and non-parametric statistical tests

Results: Comparison of score average of speech disruption and emotional reaction tests showed significant difference between stutter and non-stutter groups for Persian language children (p<0.05). Emotional reaction and speech disruption checklist (Persian version) has high test-retest (p=0.000,Icc>0.86) and internal validity (p=0.000,α >0.93).

Conclusion: Persian equalized speech disruption and emotional reaction tests have high validity and reliability. it might be useful to differentiate stuttering pupil among normal ones.

The Changes of median frequency and power of neck extensor muscles following dynamic fatigue in healthy men

Gholam Olyaei

Background and aim: Neck muscles contract dynamically in the majority of daily activities. Athletes, agricultures and industrial labors are predisposed to muscular fatigue. Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of dynamic fatigue on power and frequency domains of EMG spectrum.
Material and methods: In this study 20 healthy young men contracted neck muscles dynamically, until muscular fatigue occurs. Surface electromyography was recorded of levator scapula, neck paraspinals and upper trapezius, as neck extensors. The effects of dynamic contraction on frequency (Median Frequency) and Power domains(RMS) were compared before and after fatigue.
Results: The results of the present study indicated that MedF decreases following dynamic fatigue (P<0.05). After dynamic fatigue, RMS of levator scapula and upper trapezius increased significantly (P<0.05). Regarding to significant decrease of RMS and increase of MedF, paraspinals encountered with force reduction .
Conclusion: Changes of MedF and RMS indicated that a continuous dynamic contraction tends to exhaust levator scapula and upper trapezius but decreases paraspinals force.

Changes of motor control strategy of lumbar spine during complicated activities

Saeid Talebian

Background and aim: Muscles are involved in complex and three dimensional activities. Timing and response to onset of external trigger need to perception and processing of data in central nervous system. The propose of this study is to determine reaction time, pre motor time and motor time with and without external load in healthy subjects.

Material and methods: Twenty healthy subjects contributed in this study. Isoinertial dynamometer was used to assess complicated motions in sagital, frontal and transverse planes from full flexion, rotation and lateral flexion to right side to opposite direction inclusive full extension, rotation and lateral flexion to left side without and with 25 and 50% MVE. Reaction time, pre motor time, motor time, and maximum torque were also measured.

Results: Following combined motions, reaction time and pre motor time were increased by external load (25 and 50% MVE). Lateral flexion showed more changes than extension (P<0.001). By increasing load, particularly in extension time and maximum torque were changed (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Reaction time and pre motor time in combined motions are affected under extension and lateral flexion motions. Rotation has less effect on combined motions. Motions occur in sagital and frontal plane more than transverse plane.

The relationship between pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis with muscle tightness, and muscle strength in healthy female subjects

Nasrin Naseri

Background and aim: The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis with muscle tightness, muscle strength, BMI, and age in standing position.

Material and methods: In this study, 75 healthy female subjects participated with age range 20-70 years, mean (SD) = 40.66 (13.69). Pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis were measured in standing position with pelvic inclinometer and flexible ruler respectively. The length of muscles, including: erector spinae, iliopsoas, rectus femoris, hamstrings, tensor fascia lata & ilio tibial band, and gastrocnemius were assessed by Schober, Thomas, Ely, 90/90 SLR, Ober tests and passive dorsiflexion of foot, respectively. The strength of muscles, including: rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, left & right obliqus, Gluteus maximums & medius, and quadriceps were evaluated by manual muscle tests.

Results: The relationship between pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis with muscle strength, BMI, and age was poor. Muscle tightness and muscle strength had no significant effect on pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the evaluated variables including: pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis, have poor correlation with muscle tightness, muscle strength, BMI, and age.

The effect of task oriented training on upper extremity function in children with spastic diplegia (8-12 years old)

Hossein Bagheri

Background and aim: Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disorder in childhood that affects on motor performance and functional activity. Impaired hand function is the secondary problem in children with spastic diplegia.

Individuals with hand dysfunction encounter with difficulties in self care, educational and recreational activities. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of task oriented training on upper extremity function in children with spastic diplegia (8-12 years old).

Material and methods: Fifteen spastic diplegic children were participated in task oriented training three days weekly up to 8 weeks. The outcomes were measured with Jebsen-Ttaylor hand function test for upper extremity function, Purdue peg board test for hand dexterity, goniometer for range of motion and Ashworth scale for spasticity.

Results: The data showed significant improvement in upper extremity function (P≤0.0001) , hand dexterity (P≤0.001) , wrist and elbow range of motion (P≤0.0001) and wrist and elbow spasticity (P≤0.05) after interventions.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that task oriented training can improve upper extremity function in children with spastic diplegia.

Effects of Progressive Resistive Exercise on isometric strength of shoulder extensor and abductor muscles in adult hemiplegic

Mohammad Reza Hadian

Background and aim: Rehabilitation treatments have significant role in reducing the disabilities of Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA). Due to great role of upper limb in the function of individuals particularly in Activity of Daily Living and the effect of stability of shoulder girdle on hand function, the aim of this study was to study the effects of Progressive Resistive Exercise on shoulder extensor and abductor muscles isometric strengths in adult hemiplegic.

Material and methods: 17 adult hemiplegics patients (50-70yrs., mean =60.52, SD=7.22) with RT side dominancy and 6 months after stroke, participated in this study. All procedures were approved by ethical committee of TUMS and written consents were also taken. Patients were familiarized with the procedure and shoulder extensor and abductor muscles isometric strengths were measured by dynamometer.

Results: According to results of our study, shoulder extensor and abductor muscles isometric strengths showed significant differences between mean scores of pre and post intervention (P<0.05). Progressive Resistive Exercise improved 34% in shoulder extensor muscles isometric strength and 27% shoulder abductor muscle isometric strength.

Conclusion: Results of our research showed that progressive resistive exercise approach is a useful method for increasing the isometric strength of shoulder extensor and abductor muscles. Therefore, it might be concluded that improvement of strength of shoulder muscles could result in stability in shoulder girdle and consequently might affect on hand function in hemiplegic patients.