Modern Rehabilitation

Study of neurofeedback effects on academic achievement of

Faranak Aliabadi

Background and Aim : Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder is a common disorder in children. ADHD leads to poor academic achievement. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of neurofeedback on academic achievement of 8-10 years old children with ADHD.

Material and Methods : It was a single subject study, was done on two 8 and 10 years old boys with ADHD with IQ=90-100. In addition to medication, each of them received 24 sessions of neurofeedback during 8 weeks. In each three sessions, one of the dictation or math tests was taken. Also the scores of class exam and final exam were used to assess treatment efficacy .

Results: Neuro feedback treatment is effective on increasing math and dictation scores of ADHD children in both clinic and school. Increase of the scores of final exams which were taken three months after treatment represents stability of treatment effect.

Conclusion: Neuro feedback treatment was an effective complementary method on increasing academic achievement in these children.

Key word: Attention deficit / Hyperactivity disorder, Neuro feedback, Academic achievement

The relationship between sensory processing and behavior in children with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity 7 to 10 years old

Mehdi Alizadeh Zare

Background and Aim : Investigating the relationship between sensory processing and behavior in 7 to 10 years old children with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity

Objective: This study examined the association between behavioral problems and emotional status of children with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity

Materials and Methods : In this descriptive-analytic study, 24 children with ADHD and 24 normal matched children in the age range of 7- 10 years old were participated. After completing a demographic questionnaire and consent informed Letter , The children's parents were asked to complete Sensory Profile Questionnaire (SP) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).

Results: Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16 software. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test are used to assess compliance of each variable distribution with normally distributed variables. T-test were used to compare variables (CBCL and SP scores) in the 2 groups. T-test results show that the difference between the means of two groups in sensory seeking, emotional reactivity, and low endurance /muscle tone.

Inattention / distractibility, poor sensory registration, fine movement/ perception and emotional reactivity are significant. The calculated t value is lower from the t-critical (1.96) and the probability error (CI 5%). But in variables such as the oral sensory sensitivity, sensory sensitivity and sedentary difference between the two groups’ averages is not significant.

There are significant correlations between some of Child Behavior Checklist questionnaire variables and sensory profile in sensory seeking and emotional reactivity variable, low endurance / muscle tone variables, the variable inattention and distractibility, fine movements/ perception and sensory registration.

Conclusion : our study suggest that behavioral problems in the Child Behavior Checklist grows by increasing these problems in sensory profile questionnaire .

Key words : Sensory processing, Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, Behavioral problems.

The relationship between demographic variables, disease severity and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Neda Hassanpour

Background and Aim : The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of demographic variables and disease characteristics on the quality of life scores and the distribution of the scores at different stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) .

Materials and Methods: One hundred patients with COPD participated in this cross-sectional study. Interview and the validated Persian version of the clinical COPD questionnaire (PCCQ) were used for data collection. The method of data collection for the study was interview with a demographic and validated Persian version of the clinical COPD questionnaire (PCCQ).

Results: Six percent of patients were revealed as mild COPD, 34 percent of patients as moderate COPD, 49 percent of patients as severe COPD and 11 percent of patients as very severe COPD. Significant differences were observed for total score and the component scores of the PCCQ among four stages of the disease. The age and length of the disease correlated significantly with the total PCCQ score (P<0.05). In order to compare between the CCQ total score and three domains of male and female groups , the results showed that women compared to men had lower quality of life in CCQ total score and functional areas (P<0/5).

Conclusion: Distribution of the quality of life scores in patients with different stages of COPD patients showed that there is an overlap quality of life scores in the mild, moderate , severe and very severe stages of COPD patients. As a result, classifying the disease using spirometry cannot distinct patients with COPD according to impairments in their health status. In adittion, the age, sex and length of the disease are the main factors that may affect the quality of life.

Keywords: Quality of life, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Demographic information, Clinical COPD questionnaire

Effects of perturbation training on ground reaction force and function in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Nastaran Ghotbi

Background and Aim: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is common in sports competition and training. Following ACL rupture, neuromuscular system performance is disrupted. Perturbation training can improve the function of patients with ACL reconstruction. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of perturbation training on ground reaction force and functional status of these patients .

Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with ACL reconstruction were randomly assigned into intervention (mean age: 24/2 ±3/4 years) and control (mean age: 27/1 ± 2/5 years) groups. The intervention group performed ten sessions perturbation training with rocker board, wobble board and Bosu. Peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF) and time to peak vertical GRF were recorded by KISTLER force plate during single leg landing from a 30cm height step. In addition, cross hop test also was evaluated as a functional test.

Results: Before perturbation training, both GRF and time to peak vertical GRF in reconstructed knee had not significant difference between two groups (P>0/05). In addition, functional test score had not significant difference between the groups (P=0/62). Following perturbation training, peak vertical GRF in reconstructed knee was greater than that in control groups (P<0/003).Although time to peak vertical GRF in reconstructed knee increased, there was not statistically significant difference between two groups (P=0/50). Furthermore, functional test score was statistically greater in intervention group (P=0/03).

Conclusion: This s tudy showed that perturbation training can improve functional status in patients with ACL reconstruction. In addition, force plate findings indicated that the patients tolerated more forces at longer time in single leg landing.

Key words: Perturbation training, Ground reaction force, ACL reconstruction, Function

Immediate Effect of gait plate insole on gait angle of Intoeing children

Hassan Saeedi

Background and Aim: One of the most common complaints of gait disorders in children is intoeing gait. The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of gait plate insole on gait angle of intoed children.

Materials and Methods: Angle of gait was measured in 17 children aged 4 to 10 years with intoeing gait in 3 modalities: barefoot, ordinary shoes and gait plate insole with ordinary shoes for 3 times consecutively with Rs scan pressure platform.

Results: Gait plate insole with ordinary shoes as well as ordinary shoes alone caused a significant increase (p<0.05) in angle of gait in intoed children. As gait plate insole with ordinary shoes and ordinary shoes increase angle of gait 11.16 and 3.85 degrees respectively versus barefoot.

Conclusion: Use of gait plate insole in association with ordinary shoes can improve gait appearance in children with intoeing gait.

Keywords: Intoeing gait, Gait plate insole, Angle of gait, Gait angle

The effect of Pilates training on improving the reaction time and balance of sedentary elderly men

Moslem Rahmani

Background and Aim: Physical and cognitive performance changes such as impairment in balance and reaction time occur with aging. In according to some studies, these disorders may be delayed by systematic physical activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Pilates training on the improvement of balance and reaction time of sedentary adulthood men in Kermanshah city.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 sedentary adulthood men, aged (72.15±6.74), selected and divided into two equal groups randomly. These old men lived in Elderly centers in Kermanshah. In order to measure the participants’ balance and reaction time, static balance test stork, timed up and go test and reaction time system was used. Participants participated in a course of 8-week Pilates exercise program such as stretching movements in the muscular joints balance practicing of legs, standing on one foot and deep breathing. After assurance of normality using K-S test, independent t-test was used

for data analysis.

Results : The results showed in comparison with control group, participation in Pilates protocol, could improve balance and reaction time in elderly men significantly (p<.0.05).

Conclusion: According to results of this study , Pilates training can improve balance and reaction time of the elderly . So to improve the cognitive and motor functions of the elderly , it can be recommended to participate in physical activities such as Pilates training .

Key Words: Pilates training, Elderly, Static balance, Dynamic balance, Reaction time

Investigating of risk factors related to chronic non-specific low back pain in military men

Ghorban Taghizade

Background and Aim : Chronic non-specific low back pain is one of the important health problem in military and different factors have been reported in its emergence. The aim of this study is to determine the association between low back pain and education level, Body Mass Index (BMI), exercise, smoking status ,work status and bad postures in military men.

Materials and Methods : In this non-experimental case-control study, 92 subjects (mean age= 29.16 year, SD= 8.55 year) with chronic non-specific low back pain and 93 subjects (mean age= 26.80 year, SD=9.22 year) without low back pain were selected by simple non-probability method from military centers in Tehran. Evaluation tools of this study included a self-administrated questionnaire, weighting scale and metal tape measure.

Results : According to the results of bivariate logistic regression, risk factors of exercise (P= 0.003), smoking status (P= 0.042), grade of BMI (P= 0.034), bad posture grades including heavy objects lifting movements (P= 0.007), bending movements (P= 0.003), rotating movements from the lumbar (P= 0.011), carrying bulky objects (P= 0.034), carrying heavy objects (P= 0.05) and working in squatting position (P= 0.005) had a significant association with low back pain. Job status (P= 0.999), education level (P= 0.056) and bad postures grades movements like wringing clothes (P= 0.958) had not a significant association with low back pain.

Conclusion : Doing regular exercise and having normal BMI decrease the risk of suffering from low back pain in the military while smoking and doing injurious physical activities during work (lifting heavy objects, bending movements and rotating from the lumbar, carrying bulky and heavy objects, and working in squatting position for a long time) increase the risk of suffering from low back pain.

Key Words : Chronic non-specific low back pain, Military forces, Biomechanical risk factors, Exercise

To compare immediate, 24 and 48 hours effects of static, dynamic and PNF stretching techniques on hamstring flexibility

Saeed Eftekhari

Background and Aim: Acquaintance about different stretching methods and applying of the most effective them is necessary to improve sport skills, prevent sport injuries and accurate treatment. Several techniques of stretching exercises are recommended to improve flexibility and among them static, dynamic and PNF techniques have been widely used. The purpose of present study was to compare immediate 24 and 48 hours effects of static, dynamic and PNF stretching techniques on boy students hamstring flexibility.

Materials and Methods: The study was Quasi Experimental with one pre-test and 3 post test. One hundred and sixty eight high school students (age, 15.7 ± 0.07 years height, 171.2 ± 0.56 cm weight 63.9 ±1.14 kg) participated in this study. Participants randomly assigned into for groups. Group one performed static, group two dynamic, group three PNF techniques of stretching and fourth group considered as a control group. The groups participated during 3 days on this study. To measure hamstring flexibility sit and reach test was administered pre and post intervention.

Results: ANOVA with repeated measures were used to analyze the data. The finding revealed significant differences between pre and post tests for all three stretching techniques immediately after stretching exercises while no changes was reported for control group (P&le0.05). Tokays fallow up tests indicated that 24 and 48 hours post intervention effects of static and PNF stretching were remained while dynamic stretching effect was disappeared 24 hours post intervention.

Conclusion: Based on the finding of this study all three stretching techniques improved immediately hamstring flexibility while the effect of static and PNF techniques of stretching remained up to 48 hours post stretching. As a result, static and PNF stretching are more efficient than dynamic stretching.

Keywords: PNF stretching, Static stretching, Dynamic stretching, Flexibility

The finite element analysis of the effect of meniscectomy on human knee biomechanics by the accurate 3D model of knee joint

Nima Jamshidi

Background and Aim: Researches had shown that the high levels of shear and compression stresses that appear in the articular cartilage after meniscectomy are partly responsible for cartilage pathologies, such as osteoarthrosis . In this study, we probe to determine the stress distribution of the medial and lateral meniscus and to choose the appropriate region of meniscectomy.

Materials and Methods: Biomechanical 3D finite element model of the knee joint was generated from CT-scan images. Mimics modeled the bony structure of knee and Solidworks developed the medial and lateral meniscus.

Results: Under an axial femoral compressive load, the maximal contact stress in the articular cartilage after meniscectomy was about twice that of a healthy joint. The maximal contact pressures took place in the posterior region of the medial meniscus, with average values of 1.622 MPa and in the anterior horn of the lateral menisci with 1.159 MPa.

Results: Critical regions determine the allowed region of menisectomy for surgeon. Not only stress distribution doesn`t change by increasing of body weight or meniscectomy, but also the rate of stress increase after meniscectomy.

Reliability of the torque error during trajectory tracking tasks in trunk region in torque-time plane

Maliheh Hadizadeh

Background and Aim : The tracking tests are a known method to measure and quantify the performance of the neuromuscular system. They are also one of the accurate and flexible methods for measurement of the performance capacity of sensory-motor control or sensory-motor coordination. The purpose of the present study was to examine reliability of the torque error during trajectory tracking tasks in trunk region in torque-time plane in healthy subjects.

Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy subjects (7 female and 13 male) randomly performed target tracking tasks with two patterns (sinusoidal and saw shape). The sinus and saw tracking tasks had two periodic cycles included 10 seconds (3 cycles) and 15 seconds (2 cycles). The amplitude of the signal was set at about 30% to 70% of Maximum Voluntary Exertions (MVE) of each participant. The tracking tasks were performed in 6 directions of uniaxial exertion (flexion, extension, left and right rotation, and left and right lateral bending). Absolute error mean and the performance of the tracking task were determined by calculating Relative Root Mean Square Error (RRMSE) for each participant during each trial. Relative reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient: ICC) of the error mean and RRMSE for all participants was determined. Also absolute reliability (Standard Error of Measurement: SEM) and Minimal Detected Change ( MDC₉₅ ) were computed.

Results: The results have shown that ICC, SEM and MDC₉₅ for error mean ranged from 0.5 to 0.87, 0.002 to 0.006 and 0.007 to 0.016, respectively. Also these variables for RRMSE ranged between 0.5- 0.86, 0.05- 0.024 and 0.065- 0.139, respectively.

Conclusion: The repeatability analysis showed high and very high reliability for torque errors ( Error Mean, RRMSE ) measures during trajectory tracking tasks in torque time plane in asymptomatic subjects. Therefore this performance can be used for quantification of trunk controllability and also mentioned variables as reliable parameters in researches.

Keywords: Reliability, Trajectory tracking tests, Torque error, Isometric trunk exertion