Sensorimotor Exercise Research Articles

Somatosensory and dynamic balance improvement in older adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy through sensorimotor exercise: A multisite randomized controlled trial

PurposeTo examine the effect of the Feldenkrais method on lower legs and foot somatosensory postural control-related function, dynamic balance, fear of falling and quality of life in adults with diabetic polyneuropathy in the short and mid-term. MethodsA single-blinded, parallel, multicentric randomized control trial was conducted in two health hospitals. Subjects with diabetic polyneuropathy and older than 55 years with a history of falls or dynamic balance dysfunction were recruited from the hospital databases and randomly allocated to the experimental or control group. The experimental group received 16 sessions of sensorimotor training based on the Feldenkrais method. Both groups received diabetic foot care instructions. The results were measured at the 3 and 6-month follow-up periods. ResultsThe mean age was 70 ± 8. A total of 44 participants were enrolled in the study, and 27 completed the process. No adverse events were reported. After the intervention, significant somatosensory results were obtained (p < 0.001). The results of the Up and Go and POMA tests were significant after the intervention (p < 0.001) and during the 3-month follow-up period for POMA (p = 0.018). The fear of falling showed significant results at the 3-month follow-up period (p = 0.03), and the quality of life in all measurements. ConclusionsSignificant short-term effects were obtained on somatosensory postural control-related function, dynamic balance, and fear of falling. Significant short and mid-term effects were achieved on quality of life. Older adults with diabetic polyneuropathy, dynamic balance impairment, or a history of falls can improve their abilities through the Feldenkrais method. Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov: NCT05262946.

Changes in primitive reflexes in older adults and their relationship to mental health indices: An experimental investigation

The reemergence of primitive reflexes (PRs) in older age is related to cognitive impairment. Currently, there are no means to prevent or slow their reappearance, but research evidence exists for their control in children. Therefore, this experiment investigated whether a 16-week special sensorimotor exercise program could benefit older adults and whether the intervention-induced changes (if any) may be associated with various indices of mental health. Of 115 adults over 60, 95 completed the study (mean age = 76.37 ± SD = 7.04 years, 22 % men). The experimental group (n = 38) showed an almost threefold decline in PRs compared to controls. In contrast, the control group (n = 57) exhibited a nearly threefold increase in PRs compared to the intervention group. Cognitive function increased in the experimental but not in the control group. Changes in PRs over the 16-week intervention were positively related to negative mental health indices (hopelessness and perceived stress) and negatively related to well-being. These findings suggest that the here-presented mild sensorimotor exercises could affect older adults' reemerging PRs and that changes in PRs are associated with mental health benefits. These results may open new research avenues toward preventing cognitive and psychological decline in older adults.

APPLICATION OF ANALYTICAL EXERCISES AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION FOR STATIC, DYNAMIC BALANCE AND POSTURAL CONTROL IMPROVEMENT

Purpose: to assess the recovery of static, dynamic balance and postural control while overcoming muscle imbalance after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by applying analytical exercises. Material and methods: Material: 15 men (mean age 25.16) were observed in the span of 14 weeks (three and a half months) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. They underwent physiotherapy, including analytical kinetic chain exercises in hospital, ambulatory and at home conditions. Research, measurement, and evaluation methods include range of motion in the knee joint, manual muscle testing (MMT), static and dynamic balance tests, and postural control tests. Statistical methods include statistical data grouping, Cronbach’s test, descriptive method, testing of statistical hypotheses, and correlation analysis. The data was processed with SPSS v.24.0 for Windows. Results: The results show a change in the static postural control with a 1/4-point deviation from the standard. This requires the inclusion of additional sensorimotor exercises in combination with other specific and general strengthening exercises. Conclusion: From the performed observation and the obtained results, compared to those of 20 healthy men, the following conclusion has been drawn: the analytical exercises for lower extremities lead to the overcoming of dysfunction and increased stability in the extremities. The physiotherapy programme should include sensory stimulation exercises tailored for strengthening the weakened muscles and should contribute to the overcoming of muscle imbalance.

The Effect of Sensorimotor Training on the Knee Proprioception and Functional Balance of Visually Impaired Women

Background and Aims Decreased vision is one of the sensory impairments that causes the sufferer to have difficulty in balancing and performing daily activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sensorimotor exercises on proprioception and balance in orderly women. Methods The present study is quasi-experimental and 30 women with visual impairment in the age range of 35 to 45 years were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed sensory-motor exercises for 8 weeks and three sessions per week. Before and after the exercises, knee proprioception at 40 to 60 degrees with imaging method and functional balance was measured using the Y test. ANCOVA test was used to analyze the data at the significance level of (P=0.05). Results The results showed that after the intervention of sensorimotor exercises, the proprioception of the knee joint at an angle of 40 to 60 degrees and functional balance in the experimental group compared to the control group significantly improved (P=0.0001). Conclusion Strengthening the proprioception through motor-sensory exercises and improving motor-sensory input can increase balance in the elderly. Sensory-motor exercises in the closed motor chain strengthen the deep sensory feedback of the lower limb muscles and thus improve the balance and deep sense of the elderly.

Effectiveness of a sensorimotor exercise program on proprioception, balance, muscle strength, functional mobility and risk of falls in older people.

Sensory systems provide the necessary information for a motor response to be provided. In this sense, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a sensorimotor exercise program on proprioceptive acuity, balance, muscle strength, functional mobility and risk of falls in institutionalized elderly. 56 participants (84.6 ± 8.4years) were randomly distributed between the control (CG, n = 28) and intervention groups (IG, n = 28). The CG performed a protocol based on warm-up, muscle strengthening and warm down and the IG performed the same intervention, with the addition of sensorimotor exercises. Joint Position Sensation (JPS) was evaluated in both limbs at angles of 20° and 45°, balance, functional mobility, fear of falling in the elderly and muscle strength of quadriceps, hamstrings, adductors and abductors in both limbs, before and after the 12weeks of intervention. Both groups showed gains in muscle strength. When analyzing functionality through Timed Up and Go (TUG), before and after for each group separately, both showed a significant difference (CG p = 0.002; IG p < 0.001). For the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) variable, there were significant differences in IG in balance (p < 0.001), gait speed time (s) (p = 0.004) and sit-to-stand (p = 0.002). In JPS, significant differences were recorded for Absolute Error 45° Non-Dominant (p = 0.045) and Relative Error 45° Non-Dominant (p = 0.045) in the CG and Relative Error 45° Non-Dominant for IG (p = 0.018). In the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) variable there were significant improvements in the CG (p = 0.006) and in the GI (p = 0.002). However, only IG showed significant improvements (p = 0.013) for Activities-Specific Balance Confident (ABC) in a comparison between before and after the 12-week research period. When comparing the differences verified with the intervention between CG and IG, only balance SPPB (p < 0.001) and sit-to-stand SPPB (p = 0.022) showed significant values. He effectiveness of sensorimotor exercises provides balance gain in the elderly (p < 0.001) and positively impacts their confidence (p = 0.013) when performing their duties. It is concluded that the protocol presented in its different levels of difficulty is effective and important for the quality of life of the institutionalized sedentary elderly.

The meaningfulness of exploring one's own limits through interactions and enjoyment in outdoor high-intensity physiotherapy for people with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study.

Physical activity (PA) is often reduced in people with MS (pwMS), even when disability is low. Understanding the perspectives of pwMS on interventions aiming to improve PA is important to inform the development of such services. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of pwMS participating in an outdoor, high-intensity and balance exercise group intervention. This qualitative study was nested within an RCT exploring a novel intervention integrating sensorimotor exercises with high-intensity intervals of running/walking. Individual, in-depth interviews with the intervention group (n = 15; 12 women, 3 men; age 38-66; EDSS score 0-3.5) were conducted postintervention (mean days = 14), analyzed using a phenomenological-inspired approach with systematic text condensation, and interpreted based on enactive theory. Four categories were generated: (1) Exploration of one's own physical abilities: Challenging one's own limits was perceived by all participants to improve movement performance and/or intensity level. Such bodily changes engendered strong positive feelings. Some negative consequences of high-intensity training were described, increasing a feeling of loss. (2) New insights and beliefs: Participants experienced enhanced beliefs in their own capabilities, which they integrated in activities outside the intervention. (3) An engaging environment: The group setting was perceived as supportive, and the outdoor environment was perceived as stimulating activity. (4) Professional leadership, tailoring and co-creation of enjoyment: Physiotherapist-led, individualized interactions were regarded as necessary to safely revisit prior activities, such as running. Co-creating enjoyment facilitated high-intensity training and intervention adherence. High-intensity training combined with detailed exercises in a physiotherapy outdoor group was perceived to create meaningful bodily changes and enhance PA and prospects for both PA and life. Importantly, however, some negative experiences were also reported from the high-intensity training. Enactive theory allowed for the illumination of new perspectives: the importance of embodiment for self-efficacy and of tailored physiotherapy and an outdoor-group environment for exploring one's own limits to physical capabilities. These aspects should inform future exercise interventions in pwMS with low disability.

Effect of a Ten-week Sensorimotor Exercise Program on the Side-to-Side LAM Asymmetry of Adolescent Football Players: A Randomized Control Trial.

In this study we, evaluated the effects of a 10-week sensorimotor exercise program on the thickness and side-to-side asymmetry of the lateral abdominal muscles in adolescent soccer players. From among 120 initially recruited participants, we included 90 athletes (aged 10-17 years old) in our final analysis. Healthy athletes who met our inclusion criteria were randomly divided into comparative experimental and control groups. Sensorimotor exercises were conducted twice weekly for 10-weeks in the experimental group, and the control group received no intervention. We took ultrasound measurements when participants were in supine and standing rest positions. In the supine position, the experimental group (a) reduced the asymmetry of the internal oblique (IO) muscle by 0.4mm (MD: 0.7; 95% CI 0.6-1.1); (b) increased the thickness of the external oblique (EO) muscle on the right by 0.7mm (MD: 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.6) and on the left by 0.9mm (MD: 0.2, 95% CI 0.2-0.7); and (c) increased the muscle on the IO right by 0.8mm (MD: 0.3; 95% CI 0.2-0.9) and on the, left by 1.2mm (MD: 0.4 95% CI 0.3-1.1). In a standing position the experimental group increased the thickness of the EO on the right by 1.5mm (MD: 0.6; 95% CI 0.03-1.2) and on the left by 2.1mm (MD: 0.6; 95% CI 0.1-1.3) and increased the IO on the right by 1.2mm (MD: 0.7; 95% CI 0.2-1.7) and on the left by 1.1mm (MD: 0.9; 95%CI 0.1-2.0). Thus, this 10-week program of additional sensorimotor exercises reduced the (side-to-side) asymmetry of the internal oblique muscle and increased the thickness of the EO and IO muscles in young football players.

The effectiveness of the early habilitation complex in premature infants according to N.A. Bernstein’s concept

BACKGROUND: Currently, the incidence of developmental disorders and the level of disability in premature infants, especially those born with a low and extremely low body weight, remain high, that determines the relevance of habilitation methods.&#x0D; AIM: to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the early habilitation complex in premature infants with a perinatal brain damage when transferring to the stage III of rehabilitation.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 86 patients born with a very low and extremely low body weight, who had a hypoxic-ischemic or hemorrhagic brain damage and were observed at the Children's Republican Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan during the first three years of life. A comparative analysis of the development and functional outcomes of the disease was carried out for children of two groups. The first group, when transferred to the stage III of rehabilitation, was assigned a complex of early sensorimotor habilitation, developed on the basis of N.A. Bernsteins concept to be carried out at home for three months after an appropriate training. The second group was not prescribed such a complex.&#x0D; RESULTS: The effect of the early sensorimotor rehabilitation complex on the functional (motor, speech and cognitive) outcomes in prematurely born patients was evaluated and described. In the first group with an assigned complex of sensorimotor exercises, despite the absence of a significant effect by the age of 6 months, it was found by the age of one and a half years, that the average indices of the development of large (p=0.022) and fine motor skills (p=0.023), expressive speech (p=0.006) and cognitive functions (p=0.040) were higher, while, by the age of three years, the differences in speech (p=0.001) and cognitive (p=0.001) outcomes retained their statistical significance compared to the development indicators in children who did not receive the same early habilitation complex.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: It was found that premature infants who received the early habilitation complex had better speech and cognitive outcomes by the age of three, compared to patients who did not receive the complex. The significance of the positive influence on the ontogenesis of motor skills persists during the second year of life.

Effectiveness of Sensory Integration Therapy on Functional Mobility in Children With Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy.

Background A set of non-progressive brain abnormalities and nervous system dysfunctions are referred to as cerebral palsy (CP). Due to this,the child's mobility, eyesight, learning, and thought processes are affected. It can evolve before, through birth, or the firstyear of a child's life.The activity through which the brain organizes and analyses external sensations like touch, motion, body awareness, vision, hearing, and gravity is indicated as sensory integration. The use of sensory integration therapy (SIT)necessitates that the sensorimotor exercises target the specific parts of difficulties that the child experiences daily. This study aims tostudy the effectiveness of SIT on functional mobility in children with spastic diplegic CP. Methods In this study, 40 children of CP with spastic diplegic who met the inclusion and exclusion criterion were enlisted and were separated into two groups, with Group A (n=20) receiving SITfor 25 minutes along with conventional physiotherapy for 20 minutes, and Group B (n=20) were given conventional physiotherapy for 45 minutes. A four-week therapy plan was followed. Short sensory profile (SSP) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Pediatric mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and Modified Ashworth Scale were taken as outcome measures. Results SIT along with traditional treatment is described in the study protocol which aids CP children to improve themselves. Following a four-week protocol, combined therapy of SIT and conventional physiotherapy show an effect on the motor function of the children. After therapy, scores in GMFCS and SSP improved. By using Student's paired t-test, a statistically significant difference was found in GMFCS score at pre and post-test treatment in group A (7.28, p=0.0001) and group B (4.48, p=0.0001),in SSP score at pre and post-test treatment in group A (27.91, p=0.0001) and group B (11.31, p=0.0001), in MMSE score at pre- and post-test treatment in group A (6.89, p=0.0001) and group B (6.32, p=0.0001). The significance threshold was p<0.0001. Conclusion Under the study's experimental conditions, both groups showed substantial improvements in the functional mobility of children. When the efficacy of SIT along with conventional physiotherapy was examined, the impact resulted in a significantly greater improvement in the functional mobility of spastic diplegic CP children.

Effect of a Sensorimotor Exercise Regime for Upper Limb Deficits in the In-Hospital Phase After a Supratentorial Stroke (SMULS)—Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Somatosensory impairments in the upper limb are a common occurrence in &gt;50% of post-stroke individuals. The effects of a combined sensorimotor therapy program on improving functional outcomes have not been studied extensively especially in the acute and subacute phase post-stroke. Methods Through a randomized controlled trial of PROBE design, participants, selected on a pre-set selection criteria will either receive the a structured regime of sensorimotor therapy in addition to routine care or only routine care for over 14 days or until discharge. Outcomes will be analyzed on the “Action Research Arm test” and “Erasmus modified Nottingham Sensory Assessment” scale at discharge and then at the third and sixth months. Results and Conclusion The proposed study will allow development and implementation of sensory rehabilitation components to the existing stroke rehabilitation protocols. Initiating intervention within the acute and subacute phase post-stroke in suitable patients will allow early intervention for sensorimotor impairments subsequently leading to improved upper limb outcomes.

Effect of Sensorimotor Exercises in Reducing Toe Walking in Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Effect of Sensorimotor Exercises in Reducing Toe Walking in Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Short-Term Effects of Specific Sensorimotor Training on Postural Assessment in Healthy Individuals: A Pilot Study with a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

It is well-known that sensorimotor training aims to increase the performance of the sensorimotor system to maintain an upright position. Through the use of a randomized placebo-controlled trial, the specific aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of a specific session of sensorimotor training on postural balance, stability and coordination in healthy, recreationally active participants. Ninety subjects were randomly allocated into three groups: experimental (n = 30), placebo (n = 32) and control (n = 28). The experimental group performed a 5 min warm-up, with the sensorimotor training consisting of 60-min specific sensorimotor exercises; the control group was not allowed to perform any sensorimotor training; the placebo group observed a video clip of an individual belonging to the experimental group performing the sensorimotor training accurately. All participants were seen three times per week for 4 weeks. Before and after the entire training, all groups of participants undertook stabilometric parameter assessment. The intervention-mediated sensorimotor training confirmed significant enhancement in the proprioceptive system. Significant improvement in the motor and/or sensory function was observed in the experimental and placebo groups. In conclusion, our findings suggest that specific sensorimotor training performed 3 days per week for 4 weeks could improve postural balance, stability and coordination in healthy individuals.

An online method to monitor hand muscle tone during robot-assisted rehabilitation.

Introduction: Robot-assisted neurorehabilitation is becoming an established method to complement conventional therapy after stroke and provide intensive therapy regimes in unsupervised settings (e.g., home rehabilitation). Intensive therapies may temporarily contribute to increasing muscle tone and spasticity, especially in stroke patients presenting tone alterations. If sustained without supervision, such an increase in muscle tone could have negative effects (e.g., functional disability, pain). We propose an online perturbation-based method that monitors finger muscle tone during unsupervised robot-assisted hand therapy exercises. Methods: We used the ReHandyBot, a novel 2 degrees of freedom (DOF) haptic device to perform robot-assisted therapy exercises training hand grasping (i.e., flexion-extension of the fingers) and forearm pronosupination. The tone estimation method consisted of fast (150ms) and slow (250ms) 20mm ramp-and-hold perturbations on the grasping DOF, which were applied during the exercises to stretch the finger flexors. The perturbation-induced peak force at the finger pads was used to compute tone. In this work, we evaluated the method performance in a stiffness identification experiment with springs (0.97 and 1.57N/mm), which simulated the stiffness of a human hand, and in a pilot study with subjects with increased muscle tone after stroke and unimpaired, which performed one active sensorimotor exercise embedding the tone monitoring method. Results: The method accurately estimates forces with root mean square percentage errors of 3.8% and 11.3% for the soft and stiff spring, respectively. In the pilot study, six chronic ischemic stroke patients [141.8 (56.7) months after stroke, 64.3 (9.5) years old, expressed as mean (std)] and ten unimpaired subjects [59.9 (6.1) years old] were tested without adverse events. The average reaction force at the level of the fingertip during slow and fast perturbations in the exercise were respectively 10.7 (5.6) N and 13.7 (5.6) N for the patients and 5.8 (4.2) N and 6.8 (5.1) N for the unimpaired subjects. Discussion: The proposed method estimates reaction forces of physical springs accurately, and captures online increased reaction forces in persons with stroke compared to unimpaired subjects within unsupervised human-robot interactions. In the future, the identified range of muscle tone increase after stroke could be used to customize therapy for each subject and maintain safety during intensive robot-assisted rehabilitation.

Motion Analysis of Balance Pre and Post Sensorimotor Exercises to Enhance Elderly Mobility: A Case Study.

Quantitative assessment of movement using motion capture provides insights on mobility which are not evident from clinical evaluation. Here, in older individuals that were healthy or had suffered a stroke, we aimed to investigate their balance in terms of changes in body kinematics and muscle activity. Our research question involved determining the effects on post- compared to pre-sensorimotor training exercises on maintaining or improving balance. Our research hypothesis was that training would improve the gait and balance by increasing joint angles and extensor muscle activities in lower extremities and spatiotemporal measures of stroke and elderly people. This manuscript describes a motion capture-based evaluation protocol to assess joint angles and spatiotemporal parameters (cadence, step length and walking speed), as well as major extensor and flexor muscle activities. We also conducted a case study on a healthy older participant (male, age, 65) and an older participant with chronic stroke (female, age, 55). Both participants performed a walking task along a path with a rectangular shape which included tandem walking forward, right side stepping, tandem walking backward, left side stepping to the starting location. For the stroke participant, the training improved the task completion time by 19 s. Her impaired left leg had improved step length (by 0.197 m) and cadence (by 10 steps/min) when walking forward, and cadence (by 12 steps/min) when walking backward. The non-impaired right leg improved cadence when walking forward (by 15 steps/min) and backward (by 27 steps/min). The joint range of motion (ROM) did not change in most cases. However, the ROM of the hip joint increased significantly by 5.8 degrees (p = 0.019) on the left leg side whereas the ROMs of hip joint and knee joint increased significantly by 4.1 degrees (p = 0.046) and 8.1 degrees (p = 0.007) on the right leg side during backward walking. For the healthy participant, the significant changes were only found in his right knee joint ROM having increased by 4.2 degrees (p = 0.031) and in his left ankle joint ROM having increased by 5.5 degrees (p = 0.006) during the left side stepping.

Importance and influence of sensorimotor exercises of the knee joint muscles on body stability

Introduction: The concept of prioprioception, known as a conceived solution, which is formed from prioprioceptors that reach the spinal cord, may give rise to reflex reactions. In all changes to a change that affect the behavior of the data, it should be noted that it is recorded, and that it is appropriate and appropriate. What is dependent reaction to change, reaction to change reaction to change, behavior change, change in orientation is a change? Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to assess the effect of the sensorimotor muscles of the knee joint on the muscles. The improvement point was assessed. Material and methods: 20 patients tested fabrics. Among women and 9 men. In order to improve the company's condition, streamlining the technique of the technique on the Easy Tech balancing platform. A fitting with a radius of 20 cm was used in the tests. You repair the research group on the platform twice. The first test was performed immediately after the warm-up, the next test was performed by the knee joint doctor after the running and independent education. Effect on the improvement of treatment outcomes In tests shown to cut sex for performance. Reaching for the improvement of health and improvement of the client's condition. Conclusions: The technology used, a one-time method of sensorimotor training, to improve the results of users of knee injuries. One-time sensorimotor training, the doctor of the knee joint did not show a differential calculation of statistical statistics in relation to the significance of BMI. Note a weak positive correlation, not statistically significant, showing that the heavier person improved the results.

The Effect of Sensorimotor Exercises on Hand Mobility in Patients with Cerebral Palsy Hemiplegia Half of the Body

Background and Aim: Cerebral palsy is a very common sensory-motor disorders that can lead to functional hand disabilities and reduced participation; therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sensorimotor training on the motor ability of patients with cerebral palsy. Methods: In the present quasi-experimental study, the statistical population included all patients with cerebral palsy in Tabriz rehabilitation centers. 30 male and female hemiplegia patients aged 45 to 70 years were selected as the available sample and randomly divided into two groups of 15 test and control. Box and block tests were used to measure gross motor ability. The training program included the sensory and motor part, which was done for eight weeks and 3 sessions per week and 60 minutes per session. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS software version 26. Independent and paired t-tests were used at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results of the present study showed that after the application of simultaneous sensorimotor exercises, the motor function of the upper limb was significantly improved (p = 0.000). The mean change was observed in the experimental group from 9.12 ± 1.16 to 13.05 ± 2.56 and in the control group from 8.92± 1.27 to 9.02 ± 0.94. Conclusion: Using simultaneous sensorimotor exercises can lead to improved hand mobility if sensory-motor experiences are created. Therefore, this type of exercise can be used in the rehabilitation program of patients with cerebral palsy according to their needs. 53% of the changes in depression and 57% of the changes in anxiety were due to neurofeedback; but neurofeedback had no effect on stress. Neurofeedback was able to reduce depression and anxiety in women with abdominal pain but had no effect on their stress level. Keywords: Sensory motor exercises, motor ability, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia

Effect of Six-Week Resistance and Sensorimotor Training on Trunk Strength and Stability in Elite Adolescent Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Intervention in the form of core-specific stability exercises is evident to improve trunk stability. The purpose was to assess the effect of an additional 6 weeks sensorimotor or resistance training on maximum isokinetic trunk strength and response to sudden dynamic trunk loading (STL) in highly trained adolescent athletes. The study was conducted as a single-blind, 3-armed randomized controlled trial. Twenty-four adolescent athletes (14f/10 m, 16 ± 1 yrs.;178 ± 10 cm; 67 ± 11 kg; training sessions/week 15 ± 5; training h/week 22 ± 8) were randomized into resistance training (RT; n = 7), sensorimotor training (SMT; n = 10), and control group (CG; n = 7). Athletes were instructed to perform standardized, center-based training for 6 weeks, two times per week, with a duration of 1 h each session. SMT consisted of four different core-specific sensorimotor exercises using instable surfaces. RT consisted of four trunk strength exercises using strength training machines, as well as an isokinetic dynamometer. All participants in the CG received an unspecific heart frequency controlled, ergometer-based endurance training (50 min at max. heart frequency of 130HF). For each athlete, each training session was documented in an individual training diary (e.g., level of SMT exercise; 1RM for strength exercise, pain). At baseline (M1) and after 6 weeks of intervention (M2), participants’ maximum strength in trunk rotation (ROM:63°) and flexion/extension (ROM:55°) was tested on an isokinetic dynamometer (concentric/eccentric 30°/s). STL was assessed in eccentric (30°/s) mode with additional dynamometer-induced perturbation as a marker of core stability. Peak torque [Nm] was calculated as the main outcome. The primary outcome measurements (trunk rotation/extension peak torque: con, ecc, STL) were statistically analyzed by means of the two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Out of 12 possible sessions, athletes participated between 8 and 9 sessions (SMT: 9 ± 3; RT: 8 ± 3; CG: 8 ± 4). Regarding main outcomes of trunk performance, experimental groups showed no significant pre–post difference for maximum trunk strength testing as well as for perturbation compensation (p > 0.05). It is concluded, that future interventions should exceed 6 weeks duration with at least 2 sessions per week to induce enhanced trunk strength or compensatory response to sudden, high-intensity trunk loading in already highly trained adolescent athletes, regardless of training regime.

Assessment of Effectiveness of Usage Complex Manual Therapy in Patients with Lumbar Flexion Dysfunction After Discectomy, in Comparison to Standard Physiotherapy Based on Physical Therapy, Balneotherapy and Sensorimotor Exercises

Aim: The purpose of this study was to asset the effectiveness of complex manual therapy usage in patients with lumbar flexion dysfunction after discectomy, in comparison to standard physiotherapy based on physical therapy, balneotherapy and sensorimotor exercises. Material and methods: The study was conducted in the participation of 40 patients attending outpatient rehabilitation at ORNR “Krzeszowice” SP ZOZ. Participants were divided into two groups (control and experimental) each one including 20 people. The average patients’ age was 52.75 (± 11.58). The patients had been medically examined before the rehabilitation process implementation and after its completion. The test was carried out using the patient’s card, Laitinen’s scale and mobility tests with a plurimeter. Rehabilitation has taken place for four weeks daily. The exercises of the patients from the experimental group were based on comprehensive manual therapy meanwhile the control group underwent a standard package of physical therapy, balneotherapy and sensorimotor exercises. Results: Two statistically significant phenomena were observed in both groups: decrease of pain in the lower spine and the range motion improvement, nevertheless, both results were significantly greater in the experimental group. Conclusions: Both therapeutic programs indicate an advantageous impact in terms of reducing pain and functioning in everyday life, but the manual therapy is much more effective.

Effects of additional inspiratory muscle training on mobility capacity and respiratory strength for school-children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundChildren and adolescents with cerebral palsy often have poor respiratory function, which is often not addressed. ObjectiveTo examine if adding inspiratory muscle training to sensorimotor exercises would improve mobility capacity and respiratory function in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. MethodsForty school-children and adolescents with cerebral palsy aged 8–15 years with Gross Motor Function Classification System I–III, participated in this randomized controlled trial. The experimental group received 45 min of sensorimotor physical therapy in addition to 15 min of inspiratory muscle training for 18 sessions over six weeks. In contrast, the control group received 45 min of sensorimotor training session, three times a week over six weeks. The primary outcome measure was the six-minute walk test. The secondary outcome measures were maximal inspiratory and maximal expiratory pressure, as well as pulmonary function tests. ResultsTime by group interaction showed no statistical significance between the groups in any outcome measures except for peak expiratory flow. The mean difference of 9.6 cm H2O (95% CI: 2.3, 16.8) in the MIP from baseline to 2-month follow-up supports the experimental intervention. Post-training, the between-group mean difference was 19.8 (95% CI: -18.0, 57.6) meter in the six-minute walk test. ConclusionAdding inspiratory muscle training to sensorimotor physical therapy did not impact mobility capacity in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Effects of Task-Specific Training after Cognitive Sensorimotor Exercise on Proprioception, Spasticity, and Gait Speed in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background and objectives: Common problems in stroke patients include loss of proprioception, spasticity, and impaired gait. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of task-specific training (TST) combined with cognitive sensorimotor exercise (CSE) on proprioception, spasticity and gait speed in stroke patients. Materials andMethods: Thirty-seven subjects were randomly divided into three groups; (1) the TST after CSE group (Experimental I, n = 13); (2) the TST group (Experimental II, n = 12), and (3) a conventional physical therapy training group (control group, n = 12). Evaluations were performed before the commencement of training and again eight weeks after training was initiated. An electrogoniometer was used to evaluate proprioception variation. The composite spasticity score (CSS) and MyotonePRO were used to evaluate spasticity. In addition, 10 m walk test was used to assess gait speed. Results: After training, the Experimental I group showed significant improvement in proprioception compared to the Experimental II and control group (p < 0.05). In CSS, gastrocnemius muscle tone (GMT) and gait speed among three groups, Experimental I group differed significantly after eight weeks of training compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the TST combined with CSE provided significant improvements in proprioception, spasticity, and gait speed.