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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2022Spasticity is a disabling characteristic of neurological disorders, described by a velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone during passive stretch. During the last few... (Review)
Review
Spasticity is a disabling characteristic of neurological disorders, described by a velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone during passive stretch. During the last few years, many studies have been carried out to assess spasticity using wearable IMU (inertial measurements unit) sensors. This review aims to provide an updated framework of the current research on IMUs wearable sensors in people living with spasticity in recent studies published between 2017 and 2021. A total of 322 articles were screened, then finally 10 articles were selected. Results show the lack of homogenization of study procedures and missing apparatus information in some studies. Still, most studies performed adequately on measures of reporting and found that IMUs wearable data was successful in their respective purposes and goals. As IMUs estimate translational and rotational body motions, we believe there is a strong potential for these applications to estimate velocity-dependent exaggeration of stretch reflexes and spasticity-related characteristics in spasticity. This review also proposes new directions of research that should be challenged by larger study groups and could be of interest to both researchers as well as clinicians. The use of IMUs to evaluate spasticity is a promising avenue to provide an objective measurement as compared to non-instrumented traditional assessments.
Topics: Humans; Motion; Muscle Spasticity; Muscle Tonus; Reflex, Stretch; Wearable Electronic Devices
PubMed: 35270937
DOI: 10.3390/s22051791 -
Progres En Urologie : Journal de... Sep 2020The anal tone allows the maintenance of anorectal continence. Its regulation depends on spinal segmental mechanisms under supra-sacral control.
INTRODUCTION
The anal tone allows the maintenance of anorectal continence. Its regulation depends on spinal segmental mechanisms under supra-sacral control.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A systematic review was performed using Medline database, according to PRISMA methodology, using following keywords anal tone ; anal sphincter ; anorectal function ; reflex ; digital rectal examination.
RESULTS
Anal hypertonia is an increase in the muscle's resistance to passive stretching. Muscular hypotonia is a decrease in muscle tone. It is associated with a decrease in resistance to passive mobilization. It is not possible to quantify the prevalence of anal tone alterations in the general population and in specific pathological conditions (urinary disorders, neurogenic or non-neurogenic anorectal disorders). In case of hypotonia, most often due to a lower motor neuron lesion, fecal incontinence may occur. Hypertonia (anal sphincter overactivity) is not always due to perineal spasticity. Indeed, in the majority of the cases, the cause of this anal hypertonia in a neurologic context, can be secondary to an upper motor neuron disease due to spinal or encephalic lesion, leading to recto-anal dyssynergia, giving distal constipation. In another way, this anal hypertonia can be purely behavioral, with no direct pathological significance. The evaluation of anal tone is clinical with validated scores but whose sensitivity is not absolute, and instrumental with, on the one hand, the measurement of anal pressure in manometry and, on the other hand, electrophysiological testing which still require validation in this indication.
CONCLUSION
Anal tone assessment is of interest in clinical practice because it gives diagnostic arguments for the neurological lesion and its level, in the presence of urinary or anorectal symptoms.
Topics: Anal Canal; Humans; Muscle Tonus
PubMed: 32636059
DOI: 10.1016/j.purol.2020.06.004 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Sep 2018The present study aimed to carry out a systematic review of the effects of voice therapy on individuals diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) or hyperfunctional...
The present study aimed to carry out a systematic review of the effects of voice therapy on individuals diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) or hyperfunctional dysphonia. This is a systematic literature review on the databases Medline (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Lilacs using a search strategy related to the theme of the study. The selection included clinical trials that assessed the effects of speech therapy intervention on patients diagnosed with MTD or hyperfunctional dysphonia published over the last 10 years in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. The Physiotherapy Evidence-Based Database (PEDro) Scale was used to assess the methodology of the studies. Of the 634 publications, 12 studies were included in this review, of which three were excluded due to a low score on the PEDro Scale, resulting in a final number of nine publications. Regarding the techniques approached, semioccluded vocal tract exercises (22.22%), nasal sound and frequency modulation (22.22%), maximum phonation time (MPT) technique and vocal hygiene (11.11%), vocal function exercises (11.11%), respiratory exercises along with phonoarticulatory sounds (11.11%), manual laryngeal therapy (11.11%), and manual laryngeal therapy associated with respiratory exercises (11.11%) were identified. These techniques promoted the following effects: improvement in intraoral and subglottal pressure, positive alterations in the glottal contact quotient, significant changes in fundamental frequency measures, increased MPT, and reduced voice roughness. Methodology was identified to be a shortcoming in the studies. The clinical trials reviewed showed positive results in using the therapeutic techniques selected in the speech therapy approach.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Dysphonia; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Tonus; Phonation; Recovery of Function; Treatment Outcome; Vocal Cords; Voice Quality; Voice Training; Young Adult
PubMed: 28739332
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.06.015 -
Advances in Mind-body MedicineMassage is a widely used alternative therapy among health professionals and parents for children with cerebral palsy (CP).
CONTEXT
Massage is a widely used alternative therapy among health professionals and parents for children with cerebral palsy (CP).
OBJECTIVE
The review intended to determine the effects of massage on the rehabilitation of children with CP.
DESIGN
The research team conducted a literature review that examined the use of massage for children with various types of CP, such as ataxia, using relevant keywords. It included articles published up to December 2019. The research team searched the electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.
SETTING
The study took place at Eastern Mediterranean University in Famagusta, Cyprus.
PARTICIPANTS
Participants in the reviewed studies were children with CP.
OUTCOME MEASURES
The strength of the research designs was rated using Sackett's Levels of Evidence. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess the studies' methodological quality. The outcome measures were classified according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).
RESULTS
Eleven studies that included 297 CP children were reviewed. According to the PEDro scores, 5 studies had high methodological quality; 5 studies had fair quality; and one study had poor quality. No study investigated the effects of massage for all classifications of the ICF. Muscle tone was decreased significantly in the reviewed studies, either between the groups or within the massage group (P < .05). No consensus existed about the other effects of massage due to the limited research.
CONCLUSIONS
This study is a first review in this area and can be an important guide for professionals and caregivers who want properly use massage for children with CP. Massage as an adjunct to traditional therapies should be used to reduce muscle tone in spastic-type CP. More clear methods and relevant outcome measures should be used in future studies. Further studies with randomized controlled trials are required to determine massage type, massage applier, and oil for this population and to investigate immediate and long-term effects of massage on all ICF's domains.
Topics: Cerebral Palsy; Child; Cyprus; Humans; Massage; Muscle Tonus; Physical Therapy Modalities
PubMed: 32822329
DOI: No ID Found -
Clinical Rehabilitation Nov 2020To investigate the effects of cycling with functional electrical stimulation on walking, muscle power and tone, balance and activities of daily living in subacute stroke... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of cycling with functional electrical stimulation on walking, muscle power and tone, balance and activities of daily living in subacute stroke survivors.
DATA SOURCES
Ten electronic databases were searched from inception to February 2020.
REVIEW METHODS
Inclusion criteria were: subacute stroke survivors (<6 months since stroke), an experimental group performing any type of cycling training with electrical stimulation, alone or in addition to usual care, and a control group performing usual care alone. Two reviewers assessed eligibility, extracted data and analyzed the risks of bias. Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) or Mean Difference (MD) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated using fixed- or random-effects models to evaluate the training effect.
RESULTS
Seven randomized controlled trials recruiting a total of 273 stroke survivors were included in the meta-analyses. There was a statistically significant, but not clinically relevant, effect of cycling with electrical stimulation compared to usual care on walking (six studies, SMD [95% CI] = 0.40 [0.13, 0.67]; = 0.004), capability to maintain a sitting position (three studies, MD [95% CI] = 7.92 [1.01, 14.82]; = 0.02) and work produced by the paretic leg during pedaling (2 studies, MD [95% CI] = 8.13 [1.03, 15.25]; = 0.02). No significant between-group differences were found for muscular power, tone, standing balance, and activities of daily living.
CONCLUSIONS
Cycling training with functional electrical stimulation cannot be recommended in terms of being better than usual care in subacute stroke survivors. Further investigations are required to confirm these results, to determine the optimal training parameters and to evaluate long-term effects.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Bicycling; Electric Stimulation; Humans; Muscle Strength; Muscle Tonus; Postural Balance; Stroke Rehabilitation
PubMed: 32613859
DOI: 10.1177/0269215520938423 -
Rehabilitacion 2020To describe the characteristics of motor behaviour in premature infants during the first months of postnatal life, according to the available evidence.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the characteristics of motor behaviour in premature infants during the first months of postnatal life, according to the available evidence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature review was carried out; this method forms part of secondary studies under investigation and describes a phenomenon in detail based on primary sources of information.
RESULTS
The literature search in the databases consulted yielded 7,228 articles; of these, 15 more were identified through "snowball" search strategies. At the start of the screening process, 63 eligible records were chosen based on their title and summary, and 14 were excluded because they were duplicates. A total of 49 articles were selected for a full text revision and, of these, 37 were excluded because they did not meet all the inclusion criteria. Finally, 12 articles were selected to prepare the qualitative synthesis of the present research work.
CONCLUSIONS
In comparison with neonates born at term, premature infants demonstrate a particular motor repertoire, due to the immaturity of their systems; their motor behaviour follows a line of development mainly characterised by deficits in muscle tone, postural control, muscle balance, and antigravity muscle activation.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Motor Activity; Muscle Tonus; Muscle, Skeletal; Postural Balance
PubMed: 32007181
DOI: 10.1016/j.rh.2019.09.004 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... May 2024This integrative review aims to determine the quality level of evidence on using surface electromyography (sEMG) as a diagnostic tool in identifying muscle tension...
OBJECTIVE
This integrative review aims to determine the quality level of evidence on using surface electromyography (sEMG) as a diagnostic tool in identifying muscle tension dysphonia.
METHOD
Two independent reviewers used one search engine and five databases to identify sEMG studies published between January 1980 and December 2020, using a set of specified search terms related to muscle tension dysphonia. The selected articles were systematically evaluated by two independent raters using a modified critical appraisal of diagnostic evidence (m-CADE) form.
RESULTS
Nine articles that satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected from among 576 studies for evaluation. These nine studies showed varied methodological approaches in sEMG measurements, including electrode configuration and position, tasks used in sEMG data collection, outcome measure, and normalization procedures. Five studies showed relatively high m-CADE scores, which were indicative of "suggestive validity and compelling importance". Two studies were rated as "suggestive validity and importance", while two remaining studies were rated as "less suggestive or equivocal validity and importance".
CONCLUSIONS
The review found a moderate level of evidence that sEMG can be a potentially useful tool with diagnostic value in identifying muscle tension dysphonia. However, evidence is not yet available to determine the diagnostic accuracy of sEMG for muscle tension dysphonia. More studies are needed, and it is recommended that future studies involving sEMG and reference measurements should be undertaken using a blinding procedure in order to control any subjective biases. Details of the population that the sEMG has been tested on should be outlined clearly so that spectrum bias could be eliminated or minimized in the application process. Furthermore, it is suggested that a reliable and valid protocol in collecting sEMG data during speech should be developed to minimize the variability of sEMG measures in assessing muscle activities during speech.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Dysphonia; Electromyography; Laryngeal Muscles; Muscle Tonus; Phonation; Predictive Value of Tests; Reproducibility of Results; Voice Quality
PubMed: 34903394
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.10.006 -
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) Feb 2020Foam rolling (FR) has been demonstrated to acutely enhance joint range of motion (ROM). However, data syntheses pooling the effect sizes across studies are scarce. It... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Foam rolling (FR) has been demonstrated to acutely enhance joint range of motion (ROM). However, data syntheses pooling the effect sizes across studies are scarce. It is, furthermore, unknown which moderators affect the treatment outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the immediate effects of FR on ROM in healthy adults.
METHODS
A multilevel meta-analysis with a robust random effects meta-regression model was used to pool the standardized mean differences (SMD) between FR and no-exercise (NEX) as well as FR and stretching. The influence of the possible effect modifiers treatment duration, speed, targeted muscle, testing mode (active/passive ROM), sex, BMI, and study design was examined in a moderator analysis.
RESULTS
Twenty-six trials with high methodological quality (PEDro scale) were identified. Compared to NEX, FR had a large positive effect on ROM (SMD: 0.74, 95% CI 0.42-1.01, p = 0.0002), but was not superior to stretching (SMD: - 0.02, 95% CI - 0.73 to 0.69, p = 0.95). Although the few individual study findings suggest that FR with vibration may be more effective than NEX or FR without vibration, the pooled results did not reveal significant differences (SMD: 6.75, 95% CI - 76.4 to 89.9, p = 0.49 and SMD: 0.66, 95% CI - 1.5 to 2.8, p = 0.32). According to the moderator analysis, most potential effect modifiers (e.g., BMI, speed or duration) do not have a significant impact (p > 0.05) but FR may be less effective in men (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
FR represents an effective method to induce acute improvements in joint ROM. The impact of moderators should be further elucidated in future research.
Topics: Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Muscle Tonus; Range of Motion, Articular; Trigger Points
PubMed: 31628662
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-019-01205-7