Objective To investigate the effect of antigravity treadmill gait training (AGT) on gait function, balance, and fall risk in stroke patients.
Methods This study included 30 patients with stroke (mean age, 73 years). All subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group (n=15) performed AGT for 20 minutes, five times per week for 4 weeks. The control group (n=15) received conventional gait training for the same duration. To assess fall risk, the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) was measured. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and 10-m walk test (10mWT) were measured to assess dynamic balance. All scales were measured before intervention (T0) and at 4 weeks (T1) and 12 weeks (T2) after intervention.
Results Results showed that the total POMA score, BBS, and 10mWT scores improved significantly (p<0.05) at T1 and T2 in both groups. The POMA gait score (4.20±1.37 at T1, 4.87±1.36 at T2) and TUG (4.52±4.30 at T1, 5.73±4.97 at T2) significantly improved (p<0.05) only in the intervention group. The changes in total POMA score and BBS of the intervention group (7.20±2.37, 7.47±3.07) improved more significantly (p<0.05) between T0 and T2 than the control group (2.53±2.10, 2.87±2.53).
Conclusion Our study showed that AGT enhances dynamic balance and gait speed and effectively lowers fall risk in stroke patients. Compared to conventional gait therapy, AGT would improve gait function and balance in stroke patients more effectively.
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Methods Fat and muscle areas were identified using standard Hounsfield unit ranges for adipose tissue and skeletal muscle with computed tomography images at the mid-L4 vertebral level. Trunk fat mass, muscle mass, and fat/muscle mass ratio were calculated. Low back pain was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The L4/5-disc space and low back pain were also assessed.
Results Male had a higher total trunk, back, psoas, and abdominal muscle mass, and visceral fat; female had a higher subcutaneous fat mass and fat/muscle ratio. Pearson correlation coefficients with ODI for waist circumference, total fat mass, visceral fat mass, and fat/muscle ratio were all significant in female; only the fat/muscle ratio was significant in male. Pearson correlation coefficients with L4/5-disc space narrowing grades for visceral fat mass, total, back, and psoas muscle mass, and fat/muscle ratio, were all significant in female; total and back muscle mass, and fat/muscle ratio in male.
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Methods We retrospectively investigated 1,060 patients who underwent a CPET between January 2016 and April 2020 at our institution’s cardiopulmonary rehabilitation center. The following patients were included: those aged >20 years, those tested with a treadmill, and those who underwent symptom-limited maximum exercise testing— reaching ≥85% of the predicted HRmax (62% if taking beta-blockers) and highest respiratory exchange ratio ≥1.1. Ultimately, 827 patients were included in this study. Data on diagnosis, history of taking beta-blockers, age, body mass index (BMI), and CPET parameters were collected. Subgroup analysis was performed according to age, betablockers, BMI (low <18.5 kg/m2, normal, and high ≥25 kg/m2), and risk classification.
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Objective To systematically review the available literature on the efficacy of tibial nerve stimulation on faecal incontinence and quality of life in adult patients with low anterior resection syndrome following surgery for colorectal cancer.
Methods A primary search of electronic databases was conducted adopting a combination of search terms related to the following areas of interest: “efficacy”, “tibial nerve stimulation” and “low anterior resection syndrome”. A secondary search of the grey literature was performed in addition to checking the reference list of included studies and review papers. The review was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. A descriptive analysis was used to integrate the review findings.
Results Five distinct studies involving 116 patients met the inclusion criteria for the review. The included studies suggest that tibial nerve stimulation may have a positive effect on faecal incontinence and quality of life in some patients with low anterior resection syndrome and might be considered as an additional treatment option.
Conclusion There were a limited number of studies and a great degree of heterogeneity of evidence due to differences in participants’ baseline characteristics, dropout rates, and follow-up periods. Further research adopting validated, consistent, and complex outcome assessment methods is recommended to determine the efficacy of tibial nerve stimulation for treatment of patients with low anterior resection syndrome.
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