Journal of Physiotherapy & Physical Rehabilitation

The aim of this study was to determine the level of physical activity of children during the period of stay in preschools, and associated factors. A literature search was conducted in databases Web of Science, Sport Discus, Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus. Inclusion criteria were: articles concerning physical activity of children aged 2-6 years in preschools. Seven original articles were included. The methods of evaluation were: accelerometers, pedometers and direct observation. In total, we analyzed 1485 children aged 2-6 years. Findings indicated on average 7.51 h/day and 7.22 h/day of stay of children in preschool, with the highest percentage of sedentary physical activity. Conclusion that children attending preschools spend most of the day in sedentary behavior. Activities initiated by adults tend to result in lower levels of physical activity among children. The space inside for games, outdoor games, markings on the floor to play, jumping and climbing equipment are some actions that increase the level of daily physical activity of children in such places.

Background and Purpose: It is generally assumed that the head is positioned on the body plumb line. The reference line defined by Kendall (KL) (1952, Kendall et al. 2005) is the most citied one. We hypothesized that the head is held anteriorly to the KL and the gravity line (GL) derived from the center of mass (CoM). The purpose of the study was to objectively assess the relation between head position and GL / KL in the sagittal plane using a 3d-tool to define the CoM. Methods: Head center (HC) and CoM were calculated in 30 normal subjects (25-35 years) while standing using a three dimensional motion analysis system. The distance from the GL (defined by the CoM) and KL (two cm in front of the lateral malleolus) to the HC was calculated. Results: All 30 subjects held their HC anterior to the KL. The HC was anterior to the GL in 11 subjects, through the GL in four and posterior to the GL in 15. Conclusion: According to this study the two references lines cannot be considered the same, suggesting that previous assumptions about this relationship may be inaccurate. KL was not discriminative in our subjects for HC position.

Objective: To analyze and compare the benefits and advantages of using the Nintendo® WII console software and conventional physiotherapy for improving the balance in the elderly. Materials and methods: Sixteen elders, divided in 2 groups according to the received treatment (conventional physiotherapy or Wii-based rehabilitation), had their balance evaluated by 4 methods, by using the Berg balance scale, the functional reach, the “time up and go” test, and stabilometry. Results: Berg balance scale scores improved for the Wii-based rehabilitation group. Larger body displacement towards the frontal region was observed in the functional reach test for the participants treated with Wii-based rehabilitation. Decreased time for completing the “time up and go” test was observed for Wii-based rehabilitation. Stabilometric data revealed no significant differences between the two groups or between the different evaluations. Conclusions: We conclude that the Wii-based rehabilitation treatment was more effective in improving balance functional parameters than a more traditional physiotherapy protocol for older adults.

Background: Manual, long-axis hip traction has been used for centuries to treat pain and dysfunction associated with hip osteoarthritis (OA). Now there is a way to replicate manual long-axis hip traction with a mechanical hip traction device (HipTrac) that can be used in the clinic and at home. The purpose of this case series is to describe a rehabilitation program that was used to treat two patients with hip OA. Case description: Two patients were treated with manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and HipTrac. The manual therapy and therapeutic exercise programs targeted impairments each patient presented with at each treatment session. The HipTrac, applied in the clinic and in each patient’s home, was used for mobilizing the joint capsule and pain relief. Outcomes: The primary outcome measures were the Care Connections Functional Index (CCFI), the Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS), ROM, manual muscle tests, functional single leg squats and single leg dead lifts. Improvements in all outcome measures were observed for both patients. Discussion: Clinically meaningful improvements in self-reported function and pain were described by both patients two years post-treatment. Both patients reported that they had greatly benefited from combining the individualized manual therapy and therapeutic techniques with the in-clinic and home use of the HipTrac.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an immune mediated peripheral neuropathy as it is caused by the body's immune system mistakenly attacking the peripheral nerves and damaging their myelin insulation. Sometimes this immune dysfunction is triggered by an infection primarily characterized by rapidly evolving symmetrical limb weakness. The weakness can be variable, from minimal lower extremity weakness to total paralysis of all extremities and trunk. Symptoms become more severe until they reach maximum expression, called the nadir; a plateau phase of 2-4 weeks follows, and recovers completely within 1 month after the onset. But in rare cases there is a gradual resolution of the paralysis that can last 1-2 years and the patient recovers within a period of 6 months to 2 years. The patient being reported in this case study is a 40 year old male diagnosed with GBS and reached a plateau phase within a month and recovery is not complete even after 6 months (till today). The aim of this study was to report the effect of Physical therapy management for enhancement of recovery in patient with rare variety of Gullain Barre Syndrome. 40 year old patient diagnosed as a case of GBS was referred to Physiotherapy, Vikhe Patil Memorial Hospital, Ahmednagar 6 months back. It was expected that recovery would occur within a period of maximum 12 weeks. The patient was received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Reeducation, Therapeutic Exercises in supine and Sitting, Electrical Muscle stimulation (Faradic stimulation to Quads and IG to intrinsic muscles of hand and foot) and bed mobility training. Outcome measures were MMT, Barthel Index, and Functional Indepedence Measure and DeMorton Mobility Index. The result of case report showed that there was statistically significant improvement in all outcome measures which includes MMT, Barthel Index, and Functional Indepedence Measure and DeMorton Mobility Index. Hence, the study concluded that the recovery in patients with GBS may be delayed in contrast to the reported literature and may take more than 6 months as in the present case.

Postural drainage is also known as bronchial drainage. It is a passive technique in which a patient is placed in different positions that allow gravity to assist with the drainage of secretions from the different broncho-pulmonary segments of the lungs. The objective of this paper is to develop a smart mannequin that can be used to train physical therapists and respiratory therapists to master the postural drainage and percussion techniques. Different types of sensors are placed on the mannequin to guide and ease the training process. The proposed smart mannequin has achieved an acceptable satisfaction rate.

Scope: Chronic neck pain (CNP) is a disabling condition where the cause is often unknown, making treatment difficult. Muscle involvement is suspected in most cases, and assessment of muscle condition and changes following treatment may be possible with multi-frequency bioimpedance (mfBIA). Our aim was to test mfBIA as an assessment method of possible involvement of the neck, back and other related muscles in two CNP patients, prior to and following physiotherapy treatment with AtlasBalans.
Methods: mfBIA measurements were carried out pre-treatment on m. sternocleidomastoideus, m. trapezius, upper back, lower back, m. vastus lateralis, and m. gastrocnemius. Centre frequency (fc), extracellular Resistance (Re) and intracellular Resistance (Ri), Impedance (Z), Resistance (R) and Reactance (Xc) were measured, and Phase Angle (PA) and Membrane Capacitance (Mc) were calculated, using ImpediMed Inc software. AtlasBalans treatment was carried out on m. sternocleidomastoideus and m. trapezius with following mfBIA measurement of these. Relationship between Z, R, fc, Ri and Mc was studied pre and post-treatment.
Results: The Z and R data suggested no great degree of inflammation or overuse of the measured muscles. The fc data indicate muscle involvement with elevated resting tension and imbalance between the left and right sides. Ri and Mc confirm the interpretation of imbalance, indicating an elevated metabolic activity in some muscles.
Conclusion: mfBIA seems a promising method to follow muscle involvement in chronic neck pain patients. AtlasBalans treatment did not show any clear indication as being an efficient form of treatment to relieve muscle tension in CNP patients.

Aims: In Japan, although evening bathing as a means of both cleaning and relaxation has been a wellestablished custom from ancient times, the prevalence of morning baths has increased in Japan in recent years. The effects of morning bathing on human sleep quality have not yet been revealed. Thus, we aimed to clarify the effects different bathing method on human sleep quality.
Methods: The first night, the subject entered the laboratory at 19:00 and went to bed at 24:00. On the second day, the subject got up at 07:00 and either showered, took a mist sauna, or did not bathe, between 07:10 and 07:20. Each hour after that, the subject completed an alpha attenuation test (AAT), Kwansei-Gakuin sleeping scale (KSS) test and subjective evaluations from 09:00 to 17:00. We measured the melatonin concentrations at 22:30, 23:00, 23:30, and 24:00 of the second day. On the third day, the subject got up at 07:00 and finished at 07:30. Key finding: We found that the melatonin concentrations after morning showering were significantly lower than those after no bathing at 23:00, 23:30, and 24:00. In addition, the selections of “coziness” on the subjective evaluation after the mist sauna were significantly higher than those after no bathing at 7:20. The selection of “fatigue” after the mist sauna bathing was significantly lower than that after showering during the task period at 14:00.
Significance: Our findings indicate that the morning mist sauna bathing method produced more good feelings and prevented fatigue compared to other bathing methods.