Gangpyo Lee | 4 Articles |
Orthosis & Prosthesis![]()
Objective
To assess mobility in prosthetic limb users, the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M) was developed as a brief item bank. The PLUS-M exhibits good reliability and has been translated into more than 15 languages; however, a Korean translation is not yet available. Therefore, this study translated the 44 items of PLUS-M into the Korean language and analysed the psychometric properties of the PLUS-M/Short Form 12 (PLUS-M/SF- 12) instrument through official procedures. Methods The process of Korean translation began with a consultation with the developer of the PLUS-M and included the first and second compatibility verification, back-translation, back-translation verification by the developer, and the final approval of the Korean version. This study tested validity using different instruments such as Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, 2-Minute Walk Test, Timed Up and Go Test to assess various characteristics related to mobility. The translated version PLUS-M was then sent to two physical therapists working at Incheon Hospital and one prosthetist working at a Rehabilitation Engineering Center for them to assess the appropriateness of term use and understanding of the instrument. Results The study found excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the PLUS-M/SF-12 Korean version questionnaire, indicating its reliability and predictability across repeated measurements. Conclusion This study provided a tool to assess the mobility of individuals with lower limb amputations.
To assess whether the cognitive function in the acute stage evaluated by domain-specific neuropsychological assessments would be an independent predictor of functional outcome after stroke. Forty patients underwent 4 domain-specific neuropsychological examinations about 3 weeks after the onset of stroke. The tests included the Boston Naming Test (BNT), the construction recall test (CRT), the construction praxis test (CPT), and the verbal fluency test (VFT). The Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) at 3 months and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 6 months were investigated as functional outcome after stroke. Functional improvement was assessed using the change in K-MBI during the first 3 months and subjects were dichotomized into 'good status' and 'poor status' according to mRS at 6 months. The domain-specific cognitive function along with other possible predictors for functional outcome was examined using regression analysis. The z-score of CPT (p=0.044) and CRT (p<0.001) were independent predictors for functional improvement measured by the change in K-MBI during the first 3 months after stroke. The z-score of CPT (p=0.049) and CRT (p=0.048) were also independent predictors of functional status at post-stroke 6 months assessed by mRS. Impairment in visuospatial construction and memory within one month after stroke can be an independent prognostic factor of functional outcome. Domain-specific neuropsychological assessments could be considered in patients with stroke in the acute phase to predict long-term functional outcome. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To investigate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and sagittal spinal balance in the Korean elderly population. The retrospective study included subjects aged 60 years and above, who had whole-spine lateral radiography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) within a year's gap between each other. Sagittal vertical axis (SVA) for evaluation of sagittal spinal balance and five spinopelvic parameters were measured through radiography. The presence of compression fracture was identified. Correlations of BMD T-scores with SVA and with the spinopelvic parameters were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). Linear regression analyses were performed between SVA and the clinical and radiologic variables. One hundred twenty-two subjects (42 males and 80 females; mean age, 69.93±5.5 years) were included in the study. BMD, femur or spine, was not correlated with SVA or any spinopelvic parameters in both genders (PCC<±0.2), except that spine BMD in men was associated with sacral slope. Univariate regression analysis revealed association between SVA and lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, and compression fractures in both genders; it was also associated with age and pelvic incidence in females and with sacral slope in males. Multivariate linear regression model showed lumbar lordosis and compression fracture as variables affecting SVA in both sexes; pelvic incidence was another factor affecting SVA in women only. BMD was not associated with sagittal spinal balance in the aged. Sagittal spinal balance was explained partly by lumbar lordosis and compression fracture. Further study is warranted to understand progression of sagittal imbalance with age. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To investigate the electrophysiological effects of focal vibration on the tendon and muscle belly in healthy people. The miniaturized focal vibrator consisted of an unbalanced mass rotating offset and wireless controller. The parameters of vibratory stimulation were adjusted on a flat rigid surface as 65 µm at 70 Hz. Two consecutive tests on the different vibration sites were conducted in 10 healthy volunteers (test 1, the Achilles tendon; test 2, the muscle belly on the medial head of the gastrocnemius). The Hoffman (H)-reflex was measured 7 times during each test. The minimal H-reflex latency, maximal amplitude of H-reflex (Hmax), and maximal amplitude of the M-response (Mmax) were acquired. The ratio of Hmax and Mmax (HMR) and the vibratory inhibition index (VII: the ratio of the Hmax after vibration and Hmax before vibration) were calculated. The changes in parameters according to the time and site of stimulation were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation methods. All subjects completed the two tests without serious adverse effects. The minimal H-reflex latency did not show significant changes over time (Wald test: χ2=11.62, p=0.07), and between the two sites (χ2=0.42, p=0.52). The changes in Hmax (χ2=53.74, p<0.01), HMR (χ2=20.49, p<0.01), and VII (χ2=13.16, p=0.02) were significant over time with the adjustment of sites. These parameters were reduced at all time points compared to the baseline, but the decrements reverted instantly after the cessation of stimulation. When adjusted over time, a 1.99-mV decrease in the Hmax (χ2=4.02, p=0.04) and a 9.02% decrease in the VII (χ2=4.54, p=0.03) were observed when the muscle belly was vibrated compared to the tendon. The differential electrophysiological effects of focal vibration were verified. The muscle belly may be the more effective site for reducing the H-reflex compared to the tendon. This study provides the neurophysiological basis for a selective and safe rehabilitation program for spasticity management with focal vibration. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
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