Improving dynamic balance by self-controlled feedback in children with cerebral palsy

AIMS

Maintaining balance is an important topic for participation of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in their own activities. Purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of self-controlled and yoked-group feedback on dynamic balance of children with Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (SHCP).

METHODS

Using Convenience Sampling Method, twenty students with Cerebral Palsy, aged 8-10 years old, were selected from special schools and divided into the Self-Controlled (SC) and Yoked feedback groups. Children in SC group requested feedback when necessary during the acquisition phase; in contrast, participants in yoked group replicated the feedback schedule of their counterparts in SC group without any choice. Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) was used for both dynamic balance intervention and assessment. To analyze the data, Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) Tests were performed at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Based on MANCOVA test results, a significant difference were found between SC and Yoked groups after controlling for pretest at least in one balance variables (anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial). Results of ANCOVA test showed a significant difference between the balance variables in the anterior, Posterolateral, and posteromedial directions in children with cerebral palsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of our study support the idea that requested feedback in SC conditions could have more benefits for motor learning since it is adjusted with the needs and preferences of children.

Mental and physical conditions associated with physical inactivity among Farhangian University students during virtual classes: A cross-sectional study

Background

The level of mobility and general health has decreased among students in virtual classes during COVID-19 pandemic. The present cross-sectional study aims to investigate the mental and physical conditions related to inactivity among the students of Farhangian University during the virtual classes.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. 475 students (214 females and 261 males) were selected as the statistical sample of the study based on Morgan’s Table from Farhangian University, Iran. The statistical population includes students studying at Farhangian University of Mazandaran province that using Convenience Sampling the sample size based on Morgan’s Table, 475 students consisting of 214 females and 261 males were randomly selected as the statistical sample of the study. The research instruments of this study include International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Saehan Caliper (SH5020), Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scale, Beck Depression Questionnaire, and Nordic Skeletal and Muscular Disorders Questionnaire. For data analysis, independent sample t-test was employed to compare two groups. All analyses were conducted using spss24 software.

Results

With respect to students’ skeletal-muscular disorders, findings proved that both genders suffered physical conditions during virtual classes. The research findings showed that the average weekly activity level among women is 634 Met/min with a standard deviation of ±281, and the average weekly activity level among men is 472 Met/min with a standard deviation of ±231. Fat percentage by gender, men’s average fat percentage is 47.21% (S. D ± 4.74) and women’s average fat percentage is 31.55% (S. D ± 4.37). Also, the self-esteem scores of male and female students were obtained 29.72 and 29.43, respectively, and the difference between the two was considered significant (p &lt; 0.05). On the other hand, 67% (No. 25) of female students and 32% (No. 12) of male students suffered from high depression. Also, based on students’ skeletal-muscular disorders, findings of our study showed that both genders suffered physical conditions during virtual classes.

Conclusion

This study suggests increasing the level of physical activity to reduce body fat mass, increase mental health and reduce skeletal disorders, which can be properly accomplished through university planning and prioritizing the health of male and female students.

Effect of motor skills development on psychological and social traits of students of mazandaran province during the covid-19 pandemics

Nowadays, the covid 19 pandemics are challenging all students. The present study aimed to investigate whether motor skill development affects students' psychological and social traits during the covid 19 pandemics. The present study's population consisted of all students aged 9-17 years in the three grades of the elementary, middle, and high school in Mazandaran province in the academic year 2020-2021, which corresponded to approximately 534 thousand students. We used a simple random sampling to determine the sample size because Iranian schools were closed. In this study, we selected 15 individuals for each of the experimental and control groups. Due to some students dropping out or leaving the practice, the samples comprised 42 girls and 45 boys in the control group and 41 girls and 43 boys in the experimental group. To collect data, we used the Standard Student Social Skills Questionnaire by Garsham and Elliott (1990), Cooper-Smith Self-Esteem Questionnaire, and Children's Depression Scale Short Form (CDS-A). We conducted the experimental group for 36 sessions, i.e., three months and three sessions per week, and each session lasted 30-45 min, depending on the quarantine conditions on the 19th day. To analyze the data, we used a two-way analysis of variance and the Scheffe post hoc test. The results showed that all groups had lower scores in psychological traits than those in the pretest. However, no significant difference was found between groups (P. < 0.05), and this effect was not significant in social traits (05/0 < P.). We also suggest that school principals and health care professionals use this study to design guidelines for creating a healthy environment and developing health-oriented educational programs to improve students' quality of life and health.

Virtual reality training improves dynamic balance in children with cerebral palsy

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Virtual reality training on dynamic balance of children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (SHCP).

METHODS

20 girls with SHCP (mean age =9.4; SD =1.48) were selected from special schools and divided into the experimental and control groups. Commercially available Kinect dance game (Microsoft Inc., Redmond, WA, U.S.A.) 'Just Dance 3' and Modified star excursion balance test (SEBT) were used for video game based training and dynamic balance tests, respectively. MANCOVA and ANCOVA Tests were performed at p < 0.05 to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Based on MANCOVA test results, there was a significant difference between groups at least in one of the dynamic balance variables (anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial) after controlling for pretest (F (3, 13) = 41.81, p < .005). Results of ANCOVA test showed a significant difference between the dynamic balance variables in the anterior (F = 52.80, p = 0.001), posterolateral (F = 117.86, p = 0.001), and posteromedial (F = 23.84, p = 0.001) directions in children with cerebral palsy.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper proposes that video game based training can successfully guide children with cerebral palsy to improve their balance ability. This virtual system is therefore an interesting tool in the therapies related to the children with cerebral palsy.

Use of virtual reality intervention to improve reaction time in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the training effects of Virtual Reality (VR) intervention program on reaction time in children with cerebral palsy.

METHODS

Thirty boys ranging from 7 to 12 years (mean = 11.20; SD = .76) were selected by available sampling method and randomly divided into the experimental and control groups. Simple Reaction Time (SRT) and Discriminative Reaction Time (DRT) were measured at baseline and 1 day after completion of VR intervention. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and paired sample t-test were performed to analyze the results.

RESULTS

MANOVA test revealed significant effects for group in posttest phase, with lower reaction time in both measures for the experimental group. Based on paired sample t-test results, both RT measures significantly improved in experimental group following the VR intervention program.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper proposes VR as a promising tool into the rehabilitation process for improving reaction time in children with cerebral palsy.

Effects of self-controlled feedback on learning of a throwing task in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of self-controlled feedback on learning a throwing task in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (SHCP). In order to achieve the research objectives, using a semi-experimental method, 20 children with SHCP (7-12 years old) were selected from special schools in Tehran, Iran. After showing the participants how to do the throwing task, a pre-test with 10 trials was conducted to homogenize the participants. Then, they were randomly assigned to two groups (self-control group and yoked group) to be examined in acquisition, retention, and transfer phases. Children in self-control group requested feedback when necessary during the acquisition phase. In contrast, participants in yoked-group replicated the feedback schedules of their counterparts in self-control group without any choice. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed to analyze the data. Based on the results, a significant difference was not found between the self-control and yoked-group in acquisition phase (F=.538, p<.473). However, there was a significant difference between the two groups in retention (F=11.72, p<.003) and transfer (F=6.74, p<.018) phases. Thus, based on the better results obtained in the self-control condition, this type of feedback can be used in physiotherapy programs related to children with CP to improve their motor skills and independence movements.