Research Studies on the Benefits of Standing

Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Therapeutic standing for people with multiple sclerosis:

Author(s): Baker, K., Cassidy, E., Rone-Adams, S.
Publication: International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a daily standing programme in the community for subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS).A single blind randomized crossover design was used. There were two interventions; daily standing in a standing frame for 30minutes and a daily exercise programme. Interventions were sequential and crossed after 3weeks. The primary outcome measures were the Ashworth scale, spasm frequency scale and range of movement. Subjects consisted of six individuals with a diagnosis of secondary progressive MS. Statistically significant improvements were demonstrated in hip and ankle range of movement with standing when compared to the exercise phase for both groups. No significant differences in spasticity or spasm were found although a downward trend was seen. All subjects achieved 30minutes of therapeutic standing. Three subjects achieved 30minutes standing after building up tolerance over the 3-week intervention period. In conclusion therapeutic standing increased range of movement in wheelchair dependent subjects. Further examination of the immediate and long-term effects of standing on spasm and spasticity is warranted.

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Categories: Reduce Spasticity, Tone, Spasms , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

Passive ankle dorsiflexion increases in patients after a regimen of tilt table-wedge board standing. A clinical report.

Author(s): Bohannon RW, Larkin PA.
Publication: Phys Ther. 1985 Nov;65(11):1676-8.

We monitored the result of a tilt table-wedge board routine on the passive ankle dorsiflexion of 20 patients consecutively to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. The calculated frequency of the treatment, which was applied for 30 minutes on each of 5 to 22 treatment days, ranged from 2.3 to 6.4 treatments a week. All patients demonstrated increased passive ankle dorsiflexion. The increases ranged from 3 to 17 degrees and occurred at a calculated rate of 0.11 to 1.0 degrees a day. We believe the treatment is an effective clinical method for increasing passive ankle dorsiflexion in neurologically involved patients.

Categories: Stroke , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 4059330 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Follow-up assessment of standing mobility device users.

Author(s): Dunn RB, Walter JS, Lucero Y, Weaver F, Langbein E, Fehr L, Johnson P, Riedy L.
Rehabilitation Research & Development Center, Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Illinois 60141, USA.
Publication: Assistive Technology. 1998;10(2):84-93.

The use of standing devices by spinal cord-injured subjects was investigated through a national survey of a sample of individuals who returned their manufacturer's warranty card to two companies. We obtained a 32% response rate (99/310). The majority of respondents were male (87%) with a median age between 41 and 50 years. Seventy-seven percent were paraplegic and 21% were quadriplegic. Forty percent had between 1 and 5 years experience with their device, and 84% of those responding were currently using their standing device. Forty-one percent used their standing device one to six times a week; two-thirds stood between 30 minutes and 1 hour for each use. Less than 10% of subjects experienced any side effects, such as nausea or headaches, from standing. Twenty-one percent of subjects reported being able to empty their bladder more completely. There was also a favorable response by some individuals on the effects of the standing devices on bowel regularity, reduction of urinary tract infections, leg spasticity, and number of bedsores. Finally, 79% of subjects highly recommended use of standing devices to other people with spinal cord injury. The positive responses of individuals using standing devices is a strong recommendation for the assistive technology community to make these devices more available to individuals with spinal cord injury.

Categories: Improve Bowel Function & Digestion , Mobile / Dynamic Standing , Prevent Pressure Ulcers/Maintain Skin Integrity , Reduce Spasticity, Tone, Spasms , Review of Literature , Spinal Cord Injury , Increase Self-Care , Improve Bladder Function , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 10339284 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The use of standing frames for contracture management for nonmobile children with cerebral palsy.

Author(s): Gibson SK, Sprod JA, Maher CA.
Physical Rehabilitation, Novita Children's Services, South Australia, Australia. carol.maher@unisa.edu.au
Publication: Int J Rehabil Res. 2009 Dec;32(4):316-23.

The objective of this study was to determine whether static weight-bearing in a standing frame affected hamstring length and ease of activities of daily living (ADLs) in nonambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP). A convenient sample of nonambulant children with CP was recruited for this one-group quasi-experimental study. Participants stood in a standing frame for 1 h, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks, followed by 6 weeks of not using a standing frame; each phase was repeated. Popliteal angle measurements were made at baseline and weekly throughout the study period. Carers provided written feedback regarding ease of ADLs at the end of each standing and nonstanding phase. Five children were recruited (age range 6-9 years, mean age 7 years 2 months, SD 1 year 4 months). High compliance with the standing regime was achieved (85% of intended sessions completed). Repeated-measures analysis of variance and t-tests showed hamstrings significantly lengthened during standing phases (mean improvement 18.1 degrees , SD 5.5, P<0.01 for first standing phase; mean improvement 12.1 degrees , SD 7.7, P=0.03 for second standing phase). A trend for hamstrings to shorten during nonstanding phases was observed (mean change -14.0 degrees , SD 4.2, P=0.02 for first nonstanding phase; mean change -7.3 degrees , SD 6.5, P=0.20 for second nonstanding phase). Feedback from carers suggested that transfers and ADLs became slightly easier after phases of standing frame use. Preliminary evidence that 6 weeks of standing frame use leads to significant improvements in hamstring length in nonambulant children with CP, and may increase ease of performance of ADLs was found.

Categories: Cerebral Palsy , Effects of Immobilization , Weight Bearing & FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures , School-Based Therapy

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Pubmed ID: PMID: 19901618 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Swedish National Health Care Quality Programme for prevention of hip dislocation and severe contractures in cerebral palsy.

Author(s): Hagglund, G.
Lund University Hospital, Department of Orthopedics, Sweden
Publication: Proceedings from the 6th World Congress on Conductive Education.

INTRODUCTION:
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often have an increased muscle tone, muscle weakness and muscle imbalance. For this reason, they are at an increased risk of developing muscle contracture, hip dislocation and scoliosis. Hip dislocation in CP results in significant morbidity in terms of pain, contractures, sitting/standing/walking problems, fractures, skin ulceration and problems with perineal care, pelvic obliquity and scoliosis.
The first report indicating that hip dislocation in CP is preventable was published fifty years ago.

On the basis of this knowledge, CPUP, a cerebral palsy register and a health care programme for children with CP, was established in southern Sweden in 1994. All children with CP, who were born in the area since 1992 were included. The main goal of the programme is to prevent hip dislocation and severe contractures. Other aims of the programme are to describe the course of functioning and development in CP, to evaluate treatment methods and increase cooperation between health care professionals.

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Categories: Cerebral Palsy , Improve Hip Integrity , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

Randomised trial of the effects of four weeks of daily stretch on extensibility of hamstring muscles in people with spinal cord injuries.

Author(s): Harvey LA, Byak AJ, Ostrovskaya M, Glinsky J, Katte L, Herbert RD.
Moorong Spinal Injury Unit, Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney, Ryde, NSW 2112, Australia. harveyl@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Publication: Aust J Physiother. 2003;49(3):176-81.

The aim of this assessor-blind randomised controlled trial was to determine the effect of four weeks of 30 minute stretches each weekday on extensibility of the hamstring muscles in people with recent spinal cord injuries. A consecutive sample of 16 spinal cord-injured patients with no or minimal voluntary motor power in the lower limbs and insufficient hamstring muscle extensibility to enable optimal long sitting were recruited. Subjects' legs were randomly allocated to experimental and control conditions. The hamstring muscles of the experimental leg of each subject were stretched with a 30 Nm torque at the hip for 30 minutes each weekday for four weeks. The hamstring muscles of the contralateral leg were not stretched during this period. Extensibility of the hamstring muscles (hip flexion range of motion with knee extended, measured with a 48 Nm torque at the hip) of both legs was measured by a blinded assessor at the commencement of the study and one day after the completion of the four-week stretch period. Changes in hamstring muscle extensibility from initial to final measurements were calculated. The effect of stretching was expressed as the mean difference in these changes between stretched and non-stretched legs. The mean effect of stretching was 1 degree (95% CI -2 to 5 degrees). Four weeks of 30 minute stretches each weekday does not affect the extensibility of the hamstring muscle in people with spinal cord injuries.

Categories: Spinal Cord Injury , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 12952517 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Effect of "standing" on spasticity, contracture, and osteoporosis in paralyzed males.

Author(s): Kunkel CF, Scremin AM, Eisenberg B, Garcia JF, Roberts S, Martinez S.
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Rehabilitation Medicine Service, Albuquerque, NM 87108.
Publication: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1993 Jan;74(1):73-8.

The effect of "standing" in a frame on spasticity (clinical assessment and H-reflex), contracture (lower extremity joint range of motion), and osteoporosis (dual photon absorptiometry) was studied in six paralyzed males (mean age 49 yr) who had been confined to wheelchairs for an average of 19 years. Standing time averaged 144 hours over a mean of 135 days. Clinical Assessment measured reflexes, tone, and clonus in the legs. Results revealed no important differences between initial and final scores for clinical assessment and joint range of motion. In three subjects for whom H-reflexes were found, latency and amplitude were not altered by "standing." Bone density was normal in the lumbar spine but significantly reduced in the femoral neck. "Standing" did not modify the bone density in any site. A follow-up interview revealed that 67% of subjects continued to "stand" and felt healthier because of it. In summary, "standing" had no ill effects, did not alter measured variables, and had a positive psychological impact.

Categories: Prevent Calciuria and Maintain or Re-gain Bone Density , Reduce Spasticity, Tone, Spasms , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 8420525 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The effects of the standing programs with abduction for children with spastic diplegia

Author(s): Macias, LM
Publication: Pediatric Physical Therapy

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: Hyperactivity of the adductor muscles is typical in the majority of children with spastic diplegia. The delay of weight-bearing in standing and muscle imbalance can lead to hip dysplasia. The purpose of this research was to show the long term benefits of the use of a standing device in abduction on hip development, muscle alignment and functional gait. NUMBER OF SUBJECTS: Fourteen children with diagnosis of cerebral palsy, spastic diplegic involvement participated in the project. Seven children between 14-17 months old from a local early intervention program participated in the standing program until age five years and another group of seven children were assessed at five years of age for comparison who did not participate in any standing programs. MATERIALS/METHODS: The children, who all demonstrated a scissor stepping pattern and required assistance for standing balance began the standing program using a standing device in abduction (made individually with plaster). The degree of abduction varied in each case (55-70 degrees of abduction). The children used the standing device 45 minutes a day at home until the age of five. Hip development was measured by X ray (hip migration percentage (HM) and acetabular index (AI)) at 14-17 months and five years of age for the children who stood with abduction and at five years for the comparison group of children. Muscle alignment was assessed by goniometric measurement of hip adductor range of motion. RESULTS: The adductor muscles did not lose the range of motion in the group who stood in abduction. There was a widening of the base of support with improved functional step generally seen. The HM percentage remained within normal limits in all children who stood with abduction (13-21%) at the age of five, in comparison to children who did not stand in abduction (12-43%). There was a significant difference in hip migration index on the left side only (t = -3.68, P = 0.001) in comparing the children who stood to controls at five years of age. Comparison of AI from age 14-17 months on the standing group demonstrated a significant decrease in AI in comparison to age 5 years (decrease from 17 degrees to 14 degrees on average, t = 5.47, P < 0.005 on the right and t = 4.47, P < 0.009 on the left). AI for the control children at age five ranged from 12-25 degrees. AI was significantly different for the left leg (t = -2.75, P < 0.008), but not on the right leg at age five (t = 0.08, P = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of weight-bearing with abduction can contribute to the development of the acetabulum, as measured by the hip migration percentage, acetabular index and maintenance of hip adductor muscle legth for functional gait. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Children with spastic diplegia are at risk for hip dislocation, asymmetrical acetabular growth, and muscular imbalance. The results of this small population using a standing program in abduction provide evidence that it is important to include abduction in the standing program. Further investigation is required to determine the amount of years to stand in abduction to improve the quality of walking.

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Categories: Cerebral Palsy , Weight Bearing & FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) , Improve Hip Integrity , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

Fractures in Patients with Cerebral Palsy

Author(s): McIvor, W.C. and Samilson, R.L.
Sonoma State Hospital, Eldridge, and the University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco
Publication: Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Am.

1. Ninety-two patients with cerebral palsy and 134 fractures were studied during the past ten years at Sonoma State Hospital, Eldridge, California.
2. One hundred thirty-one of the 134 fractures united.
3. Pre-existent contracture of contiguous joints was the factor most consistently associated with fracture, a finding which provides yet another reason for prevention and early correction of contractures.
4. Closed treatment, modified according to the individual patient's needs, is most efficacious.

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Categories: Prevent Calciuria and Maintain or Re-gain Bone Density , Cerebral Palsy , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

Evaluation of the effects of muscle stretch and weight load in patients with spastic paraplegia.

Author(s): Odeen I, Knutsson E.
Publication: Scand J Rehabilitation Medicine. 1981;13(4):117-21.

Clinical observations on patients with spastic paraplegia have indicated that a training regime including weight load on the lower limbs may reduce the muscular hypertonus. Due to the spontaneous fluctuations and great variability in muscle tone it is difficult to judge from clinical findings how the effects may be related to muscle stretch and weight load. Therefore, quantitative determination of the effects on muscle tone by stretch and loading was made in 9 paraplegic patients. Muscle tone was measured before and after 30 min of stretch or weight load in 8 sessions on 4 consecutive days. Stretch was obtained by bracing the foot in maximal dorsal flexion with patient in supine position. For weight load on the lower limbs, the patient stood on a tilt-table at an angle of 85 degrees with feet in 15 degrees dorsal or plantar flexion. Resistance to passive movements was determined during a series of sinusoidal ankle joint movements at three different speeds. After weight load in standing with the feet in dorsal or plantar flexion, the average reduction was 32 and 26%, respectively. After stretch in supine, the average reduction was 17%. Thus, the three procedures tested all resulted in reduction of muscle tone. The largest reductions were obtained by weight load with stretch imposed upon the calf muscles.

Categories: Spinal Cord Injury , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 7347432 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Measurement of muscle thickness as quantitative muscle evaluation for adults with severe cerebral palsy.

Author(s): Ohata K, Tsuboyama T, Ichihashi N, Minami S.
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. oohta@hs.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Publication: Phys Ther. 2006 Sep;86(9):1231-9.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The muscle strength of people with severe cerebral palsy (CP) is difficult to quantify because of cognitive and selective motor control problems. However, if muscle strength is related to muscle atrophy caused by activity limitation, quantitative morphological analysis such as analysis of muscle thickness (MTH), measured by ultrasound imaging, may be used to examine the muscle condition in daily use. The primary purpose of this investigation was to clarify the difference in MTH of several muscles by the motor functions used in daily activity in adults with CP with different levels of severity of involvement. The secondary purpose was to examine whether MTH is associated with age, body characteristics, and muscle spasticity. SUBJECTS: Data were collected from a convenience sample of 25 adults with severe CP. METHODS: The MTH of the biceps brachii (BB), quadriceps femoris (QF), triceps surae (TS), and longissimus (LO) muscles was measured with an ultrasound imaging device. The severity of the condition was classified with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and functional status in sitting and standing was evaluated with a questionnaire administered to the staff assisting in the care of the subjects. Muscle spasticity was assessed with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). RESULTS: The MTH of the QF, LO, and TS showed significant differences according to the GMFCS level, and the MTH of the QF and LO differed significantly depending on functional status during activities of daily living. Age and body mass index showed no significant correlation with the MTH of any muscle. Body weight was correlated with the MTH of the BB and LO. The girth of the extremity was correlated only with the MTH of the BB. There was no relationship between MTH and MAS scores. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the MTH of the QF and LO differed significantly depending on the subjects' motor function during daily activity. The measurement of MTH may be an alternative method of quantitative muscle evaluation for people with severe CP for whom direct measurement of muscle strength is difficult.

Categories: Cerebral Palsy , Effects of Immobilization , Mobile / Dynamic Standing , Prevent Pressure Ulcers/Maintain Skin Integrity , Promote Psychosocial Skills and Improve Sleep , Reduce Spasticity, Tone, Spasms , Review of Literature , Improve Hip Integrity , Improve Pain Management , Increase Self-Care , Develop or Improve Motor Ability , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 16959671 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Prevention of Acquired Dislocation of the Hip in Cerebral Palsy

Author(s): Phelps, W.M.
Publication: Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

Acquired dislocation of the hip in cerebral palsy appears to result from: (1) coxa valga, due to late weight-bearing; (2) spasticity or contracture of the adductor muscles; or (3) spasticity or contracture of the gracilis muscle. These three types are distinguishable from congenital dislocation of the hip and from each other on the basis of roentgenographic and clinical findings. Prevention of each type of dislocation is often possible by the specific measures described.

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Categories: Cerebral Palsy , Reduce Spasticity, Tone, Spasms , Improve Hip Integrity , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

Measurement of growth in children with developmental disabilities.

Author(s): Stevenson RD.
University of Virginia School of Medicine, Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center and Research Institute, Charlottesville, 22903, USA.
Publication: Dev Med Child Neurol. 1996 Sep;38(9):855-60.

The clinical assessment of growth is a challenging, but essential, aspect of managing the health care of children with developmental disabilities. However, with standard equipment, modest training and some patience, almost all children can be measured reliably. Once reliable measurements are obtained, the interpretation or 'clinical meaning' of the measurements depends on their comparison with reference data from normal populations or, when available, with condition-specific reference data. More research is needed to improve our understanding of the clinical meaning of obtained measurements. The range of normal growth for some children with disabilities, particularly CP, remains to be defined. Research in the next ten years will, hopefully, lead to the development of growth charts for children with CP, and perhaps children with other conditions, which will facilitate the clinical interpretation of growth data and lead to improved management of health care for children with developmental disabilities.

Categories: Cerebral Palsy , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 8810718 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Effects of prolonged muscle stretch on reflex and voluntary muscle activations in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Author(s): Tremblay F, Malouin F, Richards CL, Dumas F.
Neurobiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada.
Publication: Scand J Rehabilitation Medicine. 1990;22(4):171-80.

We studied the short term effects of a single session of prolonged muscle stretch (PMS) on reflex and voluntary muscle activations in 22 children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) assigned to an experimental (n = 12) and a control group (n = 10). Children of the experimental group underwent PMS of the triceps surae (TS) by standing with the feet dorsiflexed on a tilt-table for 30 min, whereas children of the control group were kept at rest. The effects were determined by measuring the associated changes in torque and in electromyographic (EMG) activity of the TS and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles during both passive ankle movements and maximal static voluntary contractions. The results indicate that PMS led to reduced spasticity in ankle muscles as demonstrated by the significant reductions (p less than 0.05) of the neuromuscular responses (torque and EMG) to passive movement. These inhibitory effects lasted up to 35 min after cessation of PMS. In addition, the capacity to voluntarily activate the plantar flexors was significantly (p less than 0.05) increased post-PMS, but the capacity to activate the dorsiflexors was apparently not affected. These findings suggest that repeated sessions of PMS may have beneficial effects in the management of spasticity in children with CP.

Categories: Cerebral Palsy , Reduce Spasticity, Tone, Spasms , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 2263918 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Extent and direction of joint motion limitation after prolonged immobility: an experimental study in the rat.

Author(s): Trudel G, Uhthoff HK, Brown M.
Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, and the Institute for Rehabilitation Research and Development, Ontario, Canada.
Publication: Arch Phys Med Rehabilitation. 1999 Dec;80(12):1542-7.

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypotheses that contractures progress at different rates in relation to the time after immobilization, that immobilization in flexion leads to loss of extension range of motion, and that joints of sham-operated animals are better controls than the contralateral joint of experimental animals. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, controlled study in which 40 adult rats had one knee joint immobilized at 135 degrees of flexion for up to 32 weeks and 20 animals underwent a sham procedure. At intervals of 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 weeks, 8 experimental and 4 sham-operated animals were killed and their knee motion measured in flexion and extension. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the range of motion decreased in the first 16 weeks of immobility at an average rate of 3.8 degrees per week (p<.0001) to reach 61.1 degrees of restriction. A plateau was then observed from which the contracture did not progress further. The loss in range of motion occurred in extension, not in flexion. CONCLUSION: This study defined an acute stage of contractures starting at the onset of immobility and lasting 16 weeks, during which the range of motion was progressively restricted, and a chronic stage during which no additional limitation was detected. The loss in motion was attributed to posterior knee structures not under tension during immobilization in flexion. Contrary to the hypothesis, the contralateral joint was validated as a control choice for range-of-motion experiments.

Categories: Effects of Immobilization , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 10597804 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Effects of a single session of prolonged muscle stretch on spastic muscle of stroke patients.

Author(s): Tsai KH, Yeh CY, Chang HY, Chen JJ.
Department of Industrial Management, Southern Taiwan University of Technology, Tainan, ROC.
Publication: Proc Natl Sci Counc Repub China B. 2001 Apr;25(2):76-81.

The control of spasticity is often a significant problem in the management of patients with spasticity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single session of prolonged muscle stretch (PMS) on the spastic muscle. Seventeen patients with spastic hemiplegia were selected to receive treatment. Subjects underwent PMS of the triceps surae (TS) by standing with the feet dorsiflexed on a tilt-table for 30 minutes. Our test battery consisted of four measurements including the modified Ashworth scale of the TS, the passive range of motion (ROM) of ankle dorsiflexion, the H/M ratio of the TS, and the F/M ratio of the tibialis anterior (TA). The results indicated that the passive ROM of ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly (p < 0.05) compared to that before PMS treatment. Additionally, PMS reduced motor neuron excitability of the TS and significantly increased that of the TA (p < 0.05). These results suggest that 30 minutes of PMS is effective in reducing motor neuron excitability of the TS in spastic hemiplegia, thus providing a safe and economical method for treating stroke patients.

Categories: Reduce Spasticity, Tone, Spasms , Stroke , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 11370763 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Will whole-body vibration training help increase the range of motion of the hamstrings?

Author(s): van den Tillaar R.
Section for Human Movement Science, Faculty of Social and Technology Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim. roland.tillaar@svt.ntnu.no
Publication: J Strength Cond Res. 2006 Feb;20(1):192-6.

Muscle strain is one of the most common injuries, resulting in a decreased range of motion (ROM) in this group of muscles. Systematic stretching over a period of time is needed to increase the ROM. The purpose of this study was to determine if whole-body vibration (WBV) training would have a positive effect on flexibility training (contract-release method) and thereby on the ROM of the hamstring musculature. In this study, 19 undergraduate students in physical education (12 women and 7 men, age 21.5 +/- 2.0 years) served as subjects and were randomly assigned to either a WBV group or a control group. Both groups stretched systematically 3 times per week for 4 weeks according to the contract-release method, which consists of a 5-second isometric contraction with each leg 3 times followed by 30 seconds of static stretching. Before each stretching exercise, the WBV group completed a WBV program consisting of standing in a squat position on the vibration platform with the knees bent 90 degrees on the Nemes Bosco system vibration platform (30 seconds at 28 Hz, 10-mm amplitude, 6 times per training session). The results show that both groups had a significant increase in hamstring flexibility. However, the WBV group showed a significantly larger increase (30%) in ROM than did the control group (14%). These results indicate that WBV training may have an extra positive effect on flexibility of the hamstrings when combined with the contract-release stretching method.

Categories: Vibration While Standing , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

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Pubmed ID: 16503680 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Indications for a home standing program for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Author(s): Walter JS, Sola PG, Sacks J, Lucero Y, Langbein E, Weaver F.
Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital Research Service (151L), Hines, IL 60141, USA.
Publication: J Spinal Cord Med. 1999 Fall;22(3):152-8.

Additional analyses were conducted on a recently published survey of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) who used standing mobility devices. Frequency and duration of standing were examined in relation to outcomes using chi square analyses. Respondents (n = 99) who stood 30 minutes or more per day had significantly improved quality of life, fewer bed sores, fewer bladder infections, improved bowel regularity, and improved ability to straighten their legs compared with those who stood less time. Compliance with regular home standing (at least once per week) was high (74%). The data also suggest that individuals with SCI could benefit from standing even if they were to begin several years after injury. The observation of patient benefits and high compliance rates suggest that mobile standing devices should be more strongly considered as a major intervention for relief from secondary medical complications and improvement in overall quality of life of individuals with SCI.

Categories: Improve Bowel Function & Digestion , Prevent Pressure Ulcers/Maintain Skin Integrity , Promote Psychosocial Skills and Improve Sleep , Reduce Spasticity, Tone, Spasms , Review of Literature , Spinal Cord Injury , Improve Pain Management , Improve Bladder Function , Improve Range of Motion, Prevent Contractures

For the complete document, please visit www.pubmed.com or your local medical library.
Pubmed ID: 10685379 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]