Modern Rehabilitation

The effect of optical blurring on the visual cortex response studied by functional magnetic resonance imaging

Ali Mirzajani

Background and Aim: Optical blur due to refractive errors causes reducing retinal image quality and induces changes in how visual system responds. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of myopic optical blur on visual cortex response by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Materials and Methods: Five healthy volunteers with various degrees of myopia and age range 18-25 years (two females and three males) participated in this study. The results of functional magnetic resonance imaging of 18 emmetropic people (without refractive error) participated in a recent fMRI study with the same scanning conditions were applied as the control data. The functional scans were obtained by a Phillips scanner using a sine-wave grating visual task with spatiotemporal frequency of 2cpd/8Hz. The percentage of BOLD (Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent) signal change and number of activated voxels in different scan series were compared with each other after image processing.

Results: Non-linear reduction of visual cortex response due to increasing optical blur was observed in this study. The number of activated voxels and the percentage of BOLD signal change were both reduced in different amounts of myopia.

Conclusion: Considering the effect of optical blur on visual cortex responses in different amounts of myopia, it is better to provide the optimum optical correction during cognitive neuroscience fMRI research and FMRI study of neurologic diseases using patterned visual stimuli.

Validity and reliability of persion version of home falls and accident screening tool in Iraniaian elderly

A Hassani Mehraban

Background and aim: One of the common problems in elderly people is falling. The effort to identify environmental risk factors at home and their modifications may control falls and injury in the elderly. Home FAST as a valid and reliable screening tool is used to identify elderly at risk of falling at home and in society.
Materials and methods : International quality of life assessment (IQOLA) was used for validity and reliability of Home fast. After forward and backward translation , the questionnaire was evaluated for content validity by 5 occupational therapists. Sixty participants aged over 65 were randomly selected through five geographical regions of Tehran. Inter-rater and test-retest with one week interval were conducted by two occupational therapists.
Results: Agreement among experts about the validity of screening tool of Home FAST (χ²= 25.008) were more than 96%.The correlations of test-retest with relative and absolute coefficients were high (ICC = 0.72 and SEM = 0.89). Also, the correlation coefficients between the raters with absolute and relative (ICC = 0.88 and SEM = 0.54) were significant, indicating the high reliability of this test.
Conclusion: This study shows the reliability and validity of the test are high. Since, test items are conformable to fall prevention goals, these results can be expected. The tool can be used by professionals.

Comparing set-shifting in high functioning children with autism and normal ones (6 to 12 years)

Laleh lajevardi

Background and Aim:Set-shifting that is one of the most important executive functions in learning tasks and intelligence Quality (IQ) reactions was studied in high functioning children with autism. Mental ability can play an important role in learning tasks and activities of daily living. Assessment of this component is important in rehabilitation programs. The aim of this study is to compare set-shifting in high functoning children with autism and normal subjects between 6 to 12 years old.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 30 children between 6 to 12 years old were participated and divided in two groups randomly. The mean age of autism and normal groups was 7.86(1.38) and 8(1.68) respectively. Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery and wechsler for children were used. Data were analyzed by t-test.

Results: High functioning children with autism showed significant differences in set-shifting in comparison with normal subjects particulary in extradimensional stages (stages 8 and 9).

Conclusion: High functioning children with autism have poor capability in set-shifting in comparison with normal subjects.

Lumbar repositioning in chronic low back pain and healthy females

Javad Sarafzade

Background and aim: Proprioception is a main component of somatosensory system that plays a protective role in acute injuries through reflex muscular splinting. Proprioception reduction could be a source of deficits in reaction time, postural control and postural stability. In chronic low back pain patients (CLBP) the proprioception is decreased and leads to dysfunction in motor control and increased the risk of injury. Evaluation the repositioning of lumbar region could be an indication to measure the lumbar proprioception . The purpose of this study was to compare the lumbar repositioning in CLBP and healthy females.

Material and Methods: Eighteen CLBP (22.83 ± 2.93 years) and 18 healthy females (23.33 ± 2.19 years) participated in this study. Lumbar repositioning error in 30% and 60% of lumbar full flexion and neutral position with closed eye in standing was evaluated with electrogoniometer. Absolute and constant error for 3 repositioning points were obtained and analyzed.

Results: Absolute error in patients with low back pain was significantly higher than control subjects in all 3 position points (P<0.05). Constant error did not show significant difference between two groups. (P>0.05)

Conclusion: Increased in absolute error of females with CLBP in lumbar repositioning implies that some aspects of proprioception may lose in patients with CLBP.

Effect of whole body vibration on healthy rat plasma parameters

Mohammad Reza Naghii

Background and Aim:Whole body vibration (WBV) has been regarded as an exercise training method and as a non-pharmacological supportive treatment option appearing to be efficient for chronic disease conditions, such as bone disorders and cardio-respiratory fitness. Since, data on the safety and efficacy of vibration on plasma parameters are lacking, therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of WBV on the plasma parameters in adult male Wistar rat model.

Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats weighing 140-180 g were divided into control and the vibration group. Vibration training consisted of vertical sinusoidal whole body vibration for 8 weeks, followed by blood collection.

Results: The vibrated rats weighed more than the control group (approximately 14 % more). Plasma CK, E2 and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the vibration group compared with the controls. The mean of Vit. D level was 15% higher hsCRP level was 11% lower and IL-6 level was 32% higher in the vibration group. No difference was observed for other selected plasma parameters.

Conclusion: The potential effects of physiological responses of WBV on several physiological systems are without deteriorations in plasma parameters.

Comparison the duration patterns sequence test (DPST)between multiple sclerosis and normal participants

Nemat allah Rouhbakhsh

Background and Aim: Many of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with normal pure tone thresholds complain from difficulties in their hearing, especially perception of speech in background noise. Many tests for evaluation of this dysfunction have been developed one of the best tests that are applied for evaluating the ability of individual to process and categorize brief, rapid changes in auditory stimuli is duration pattern sequence test (DPST). Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to compare between MS and normal 18-40-years-old participants by the duration pattern sequence test (DPST).

Materials and Methods: This analytic-descriptive non-invasive cohort study was conducted on 20 relapsing-remitting MS and 26 normal subjects 18-40-year-old with normal hearing. The finding data, percent of corrected answers, in two groups was evaluated by T-test.

Results: The finding showed reduction of corrected answers percentage in DPST test between two groups (P<0.05). in addition, long periods of the disease showed poor performance in DPST test in both ear.

Conclusion: The findings of this study confirm that temporal resolution deficits in patient with MS may be related to involvement of central auditory processing nervous system.

Effects of occupational therapy and neurofeedback on recovery of the motor function in stroke patients (A Single-System Design)

Melahat Akbarfahimi

ckground and aim: Motor impairments, such as hemiparesis, incoordination and spasticity, are the most common deficits after stroke. Most patients show recovery in some of their lost motor function over time. Motor rehabilitation are included mixed of combined movement therapy techniques in many occupational clinics. cerebral waves such as Theta wave can influence on patients function. There fore, the purpose of this study is to understand the influence of combined of occupational therapy and neurofeedback on motor recovery of stroke patients.

Materials and methods :This study used a single-system (A-B) design. During the baseline phase patient's function of upper and lowe limb were measured by Fugl-Meyer and Berg Test on three day intervals during 4 week and have occupational therapy every day. After this time, their treatment program began. In this phase they received combined of neurofeedback and occupational therapy for 4 week. Then results of evaluations of two phases were analysed.

Results: Both cases show significant recovery at upper limbs( case1 81.1% , case2 68.1%) and lower limbs( case1 73.1% , case2 75.4% ) in Fugel-Mayer test and Berg test( case1 51.6% , case2 68.1%).

Conclusion:Regarding the significant recovery of upper and lower limb function of patients, adding neurofeedback to routine occupational therapy can be considered as a practical method in rehabilitation of stroke patients. However further research is needed.

The effect of soft cervical collar on movement response and anticipatory postural adjustment of postural muscle of neck following arm flexion during standing

Saeed Talebian

Backgroung and aim: Neck pain is one of three common complains of neuromuscular system. There are three subsystem to maintain stability of spine: passive subsystem, active (muscles) subsystem and control subsystem. Detection of postural muscle response during postural perturbation like fast arm movement can be utilized to analyse of postural control. Wearing cervical collars is a way to prevent or cure cervical pain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of soft cervical collar on movement response and duration of activity and recruitment pattern of cervical muscles.

Materials and methods: Twenty healthy young women participated in this study. They flex right shoulder in response to sound stimulus with and without wearing soft cervical collar. Surface Electromyography (EMG) used to assess postural muscle activity in following muscles: Deltoid , Trapezius , Cervical Erector spinae and Sternocleidomastoid. The effect of soft cervical collar on reaction time, onset and duration of activity of cervical muscles was calculated.

Results: Wearing soft cervical collar increased reaction time of arm flexion (P< 0.05) and decreased duration of activity of cervical extensor, trapezius and erector spinae (P< 0.05). During shoulder flexion with additional load, onset activity of trapezius muscle was significantly earlier than other neck muscles but cervical erector spinae and sternocleidomastoid exhibit coactivation pattern in response to perturbation .

Conclusion: During fast arm movement that leads to postural perturbation, soft cervical collar alleviates the response and reduce activity of muscles. The strategy of motor control centers in response to perturbation in cervical spine is coactivation of flexor and extensor muscles to maintain stability.

The effect of poron layered insole on ground reaction force in comparison with common insole on subjects with flexible flat foot

Hassan Jafari

Background: Flexible flat foot is a congenital common deformity in lower extremity associated with ligamentus laxity. This deformity may cause hammer toe, heel spur, inflammation of achille tendon, early muscle fatigue during sport, foot imbalance and pain in leg, knee and hip. The use of insole with medial arch support considered as one of the common treatments for patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a composite insole, Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) with Poron layer on ground reaction force on subjects with flexible flat foot in comparison with common EVA insole.

Materials and Methods: Fifty two subjects (14 Male and 38 female) between 18-40 years of age with flexible flat foot participated in this study. Twenty six subjects received Poron insole (EVA with Poron layer) and 26 subjects received common EVA insole. After assessment each subject asked to walk with normal speed across two force plate in two conditions, walking with insole and shoe and walking without insole. Then each subject asked to use insole for forty hours during two weeks. Vertical ground reaction force in the first session and after two weeks was assessed.

Results: Impact force and first peak of vertical ground reaction force (F₁) with Poron insole in comparison with shoe significantly increased in second session (P<0.05). The second peak (F₃) with common insole in comparison with shoe significantly increased in second session (P<0.05). Significant reduction was noted in first peak (F1) with common insole in second session in comparison with first session (P<0.05). There was no observable significant difference in two groups before and after intervention.

Conclusion: The results of this preliminary study show that both insoles change vertical ground reaction force in comparison with shoe alone. But using a composite Poron Layer on EVA insole has not demonstrated a significant difference with common arch support insoles. Therefore application of Poron Silicon layer on EVA insole by itself can not show a significant reduction of ground reaction force.