Learning effect of dynamic postural stability evaluation system

Sensor-Based Gait and Balance Assessment in Healthy Adults: Analysis of Short-Term Training and Sensor Placement Effects

While the analysis of gait and balance can be an important indicator of age- or disease-related changes, it remains unclear if repeated performance of gait and balance tests in healthy adults leads to habituation effects, if short-term gait and balance training can improve gait and balance performance, and whether the placement of wearable sensors influences the measurement accuracy. Healthy adults were assessed before and after performing weekly gait and balance tests over three weeks by using a force plate, motion capturing system and smartphone. The intervention group (n = 25) additionally received a home-based gait and balance training plan. Another sample of healthy adults (n = 32) was assessed once to analyze the impact of sensor placement (lower back vs. lower abdomen) on gait and balance analysis. Both the control and intervention group exhibited improvements in gait/stance. However, the trends over time were similar for both groups, suggesting that targeted training and repeated task performance equally contributed to the improvement of the measured variables. Since no significant differences were found in sensor placement, we suggest that a smartphone used as a wearable sensor could be worn both on the lower abdomen and the lower back in gait and balance analyses.

Agility training to integratively promote neuromuscular, cardiorespiratory and cognitive function in healthy older adults: a one-year randomized-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Exercise training recommendations for seniors include the targeted training of strength, balance, endurance and flexibility domains. Agility training (AT) is conceptualized as a multi-component and time-efficient training framework for older adults to improve physical, functional and cognitive health domains that are relevant for maintaining activities of daily living. The aim of this one-year trial was to comparatively evaluate the effects of agility training on physical and cognitive function.

METHODS

Seventy-nine healthy older adults (AT: 61.5% female, 70.8 ± 4.8 years, 27.7 ± 4.2 kg/m2; CG: 60.5% female, 69.6 ± 4.7 years, 27.5 ± 4.4 kg/m2) took part in this one-year randomized controlled intervention and were either assigned to the agility training group (AT) with two weekly 60 min AT sessions or to the control group (CG), receiving no treatment. Participants were assessed pre, intermediate and post intervention for strength and power, balance, gait speed under multi-task conditions, aerobic capacity as well as cognitive performance. Linear mixed effects models were used to analyze the effect of treatment over time.

RESULTS

Fifty-four participants (AG: 25, CG: 29) were analyzed, most drop-outs attributed to COVID-19 (17/30 dropouts). Adherence was good (75%) of 90 offered sessions. Notable effects in favor of AT were found for gait parameters in single (d = 0.355, Δ = 4.3%), dual (d = 0.375, Δ = 6.1%) and triple (d = 0.376, Δ = 6.4%) task conditions, counter movement jump performance (strength and power) (d = 0.203, Δ = 6.9%), static one leg balance (d = 0.256, Δ = 12.33%) and n-back reaction time (cognitive performance) (d = 0.204, Δ = 3.8%). No effects were found for the remaining outcomes (d < 0.175).

CONCLUSION

AT might serve as an integrative training approach for older adults particularly improving gait and lower limb power parameters. It seems suitable to improve a broad range of seniors' health domains and should replace isolated training of these domains. However, individual variation and progression of exercises should be considered when programming agility training providing adequate challenges throughout a long-term intervention for all participants.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

DRKS, DRKS00017469 . Registered 19 June 2019-Retrospectively registered.

The effect of sleep deprivation on postural stability among physically active young adults

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of sleep deprivation on postural stability among physically active young adults. The study involved 22 physical education students. Average velocities and spatial distribution of the center of pressure displacements were taken as indicators of postural stability (double and one-leg standing). Two-way ANOVA with two factors of repeated measurements-"session" (control-experimental) and "daytime" (evening-morning)-was used. For indicators of the spatial distribution of the center of pressure in double stance with eyes open and eyes closed, and for average velocities for measurements with eyes closed, statistically significant interaction effects were found (at least p < 0.01, ƞ2 > 0.36, power statistics > 0.90) with the general tendency of higher results in the morning in the session with sleep deprivation than in the control session. In one-leg standing, an increase of average velocities was observed in the control session, and no differences in the session with sleep deprivation (interaction effect: at least p < 0.01, ƞ2 > 0.37, power statistics > 0.90). Besides spatial distribution indicators in double stance, there were no statistical differences between evening-morning tests in the session with sleep deprivation. Despite significant interaction effects, only the results of spatial distribution indicators in double stance were higher in the morning than in the evening in the session with sleep deprivation. So, no clear decline in postural stability after sleep deprivation was observed. This may suggest that sleep deprivation prevents natural regeneration rather than significantly worsening postural stability among physically active adults. It's possible that systematic physical activity might be one of the factors decreasing the risk of accidents among people exposed to sleep deprivation.

Influence of chemotherapy on postural control and quality of life in women with gynaecological cancer: a protocol of a prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a frequent side effect of some chemotherapies that can cause postural control disorders and has a serious impact on quality of life (QoL). An enhanced understanding of postural control dysfunction could help build a systematic and accurate assessment as well as specific exercises to limit the impact on QoL. This study aims to assess the influence of chemotherapy on postural control and the QoL for women with gynaecological cancer.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This prospective observational study will include 37 participants with cancer treated using neurotoxic chemotherapy. Their postural control in various conditions (rigid and foam surfaces, eyes open and closed, with and without tendon vibration, and dual tasks), limits of stability, QoL and modified Total Neuropathy Score will be assessed. A linear mixed model will compare postural control pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved by an ethical review board in Geneva (CCER-2020-01639). The study findings will be disseminated through conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04692168.

Postural stability and flexibility responses of yoga training in women: Are improvements similar in both sexes?

The researchers' aim is to examine the postural stability and flexibility responses of yoga training in women. The authors conducted the yoga training program 2 days a week and they assessed flexibility using the sit and reach test, trunk hyperextension test and trunk lateral flexion test. The researchers measured static and dynamic balance employing the device and database system. Then, the authors repeated all assesments were at the end of the first, the fifth and the tenth sessions. As a result of this study, the researchers revealed that the male participants had significantly poorer results in a single parameter (longitudinal sway) when compared with the female group, but the groups were statistically equivalent in this parameter after the first yoga training session. The authors also revealed that yoga was effective in improving flexibility among healthy young adults of both sexes, although the males showed greater improvement than females in the flexibility results.

Primary dysmenorrhea and postural control: Is it a problem only during menstruation?

BACKGROUND

The effects of the menstrual cycle and primary dysmenorrhea (PD) on phase-related cognitive and physical functions are controversial. This study was carried out to examine whether women with PD showed a different physical function or dual-tasking response than women without PD at times other than menstruation.

METHODS

Women with or without PD were recruited for the study. Individuals assessed on the first day of the menstruation and the day they reported themselves as well being (feeling good day-FGD). Zebris © FDM Type Force Platform was used to evaluate postural stability. Individuals have were asked to perform to a 3-step balance test protocol; the first session: comfortable upright standing; the second session: standing with a motor task; the third session: standing with a cognitive task (counting backward). Correctly calculated numbers were also recorded.

RESULTS

The number of correct answers given by individuals during the cognitive dual-task was similar on the first day of menstruation and FGD (p > 0.05). In the control group, no difference was observed between the first days of menstruation and the evaluations on FGD days with dual-task (p > 0.05). In individuals with PD, there was no difference between the measurements at different times (p > 0.05). However, in the assessment with the motor dual-task on the first day of menstruation; postural sway increased (p < 0,05). In FDG measurement; distortion in postural stability was observed with the cognitive task (p < 0,05). In the assessments performed on the first day of menstruation, there was no difference in any parameters between the groups (p > 0.05). In the measurements made on FGD day with the cognitive task; there was a difference between the groups (p < 0,05). Individuals with PD had higher postural sway.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study showed that the primary dysmenorrhea is not only a problem for females during menstruation, primary dysmenorrhea causes impaired ability of the individual to perform dual-tasking and continuously affects postural stability.