The Effectiveness of 6 Months Hydrotherapy Program Based on Halliwick Concept on the Respiratory System of Down Syndrome Children

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a hydrotherapy program on FVC, FEV, PEF, RR and SaO2 on children with Down syndrome over six months and to compare it with a conventional respiratory physiotherapy program. Eighteen children, with Down Syndrome, aged 6 - 11 years (9.53 ± 0.454), divided into two groups of nine, the intervention group (IG), that participated in the hydrotherapy program and the control group (CG) participated in the classical physiotherapy program. We calculated mean values of FVC, FEV, PEF, RR and SaO2 before and after six months intervention for both groups. There was a statistically significant improvement in all factors for both groups. However, were statistically more significant for the intervention group (IG). Based on a specific protocol of intervention in the water and at the same time with a group of children who participated in a similar program of classical respiratory physiotherapy, it was found to be statistically more important than the second group in improving respiratory function. We recommend the use of hydrotherapy as a complementary therapy that should be part of the weekly program of these children in addition to the existing treatments they attend.

Efficacy of Customized Foot Orthoses in Children Aged 6 - 7 Years Old with Symptomatic Flexible Flat Foot (SFFF)

Introduction: Pediatric Flat Foot (PFF) is a deviation consisting of loss of the Medial Longitudinal Arch in children. Purpose: Aim of this study is to collect information on the recent literature and to investigate through clinical assessment and parental observations the effectiveness of the use of foot orthotics by children with SFFF. Method: 20 children aged 6 - 7 years old with mobility difficulties were evaluated before and after a six-month treatment with orthotics regarding pain, post-game pain, fatigue during game, balance impairment, gait deviations, falls, clumsiness, activity avoidance and worn soles. Results: Study results indicate that foot orthotics (FOs) appears to have a positive impact on the advance of pain, post game pain, gait deviations and worn insoles. It is implied that orthoses have a great potential as a treatment for SFFF. Thorough comprehension of the literature evidence, as well as composition of supplementary studies of larger pediatric populations is essential in order to reach a consensus on the use of foot orthotics (FOs) by children SFFF.

Greek Translation, Content Validity, Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability of Swimming with Independent Measure (SWIM) Assessment Test for People with Disabilities Based on Halliwick Concept

Objectives: Halliwick-based hydrotherapy has become one of the most widespread approaches in the water environment for people with disabilities. The Swimming with Independent Measure (SWIM) test was developed by Peackok (1993) based on the need to create specific aquatic assessment tests for people with disabilities. The purpose of our study was its translation into Greek language and the investigation of its metric properties. Methods: A total of 40 children with cerebral palsy aged on average 7.36 years participated in the study: 20 children with GMFCS 1 - 5 and cognitive limitations, and 20 children with GMFCS 1 - 4 without cognitive limitations. Two physiotherapists with extensive experience in hydrotherapy and Halliwick philosophy participated in the test-retest and inter-rater reliability and validity assessment. Results: The test-retest and inter-rater reliability for the overall score was found to be high (ICC = 0.99). In terms of validity, a positive correlation was found between SWIM and GMFM (r = 0.59). Conclusions: The Greek translation of the SWIM test was found to be highly reliable for assessing mental adaptation and functionality in the aquatic environment for children with disabilities, so it is recommended to professionals.

Effects of the Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT-Bobath) in the Mobility of Adults with Neurological Disorders

Background: Bobath method was initially applied in adults and then in children with cerebral palsy. Studies conducted in recent years have shown that the NDT-Bobath method improves function and mobility among persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Hemiplegia. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of NDT-Bobath method in the mobility of patients with neurological disorders (hemiplegia, multiple sclerosis), as evaluated using the TUG, BBS, TMT, and MAS tests. Methods: The study included 20 persons with neurological disorders (11 persons with multiple sclerosis and 9 persons with hemiplegia). The mean age of the participants was 38.7 ± 13.9 years and mean body mass was 65.1 ± 13.1 kg. The participants in the two groups Low Frequency (LF) and High Frequency (HF) followed two different intervention Bobath-NDT programs in terms of frequency. For the statistical analysis a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed. Results: Bobath-NDT method improves both mobility and functionality of patients with neurological disorders (BBS, p = 0.095 and Tinetti test, p = 0.099) but did not improve spasticity according to the results of MAS scale, p = 0.095. Conclusions: Overall, the results of the present investigation provided considerable evidence suggesting that Bobath-NDT method improves mobility according to the tests (BBS, TMT), but did not improve spasticity according to the results of MAS scale. Therefore, it was concluded that Bobath-NDT method improves both mobility and functionality of patients with neurological disorders. More researches will have to be done in the future.

Effect of Exercise on Gait Mechanics in a Patient with Severe Gait Disorder Due to Chronic Ischaemic Stroke: A Case Study

We describe the effects of an exercise programme based on the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association guidelines for stroke patients on gait mechanics in a patient with severe gait disorder due to chronic ischaemic stroke. A 74-year-old female patient, with right hemiparesis as a result of a stroke attack before 18 months followed an 8-week exercise programme, consisting of three hourly sessions per week. Patient’s gait mechanics were evaluated before and after the intervention using a three-dimensional gait analysis system, with six infrared cameras, two force plates, and an electronic timing system. Exercise led to increase of spatial and decrease of temporal gait parameters, increase of joint range of motion and lower limb muscle powers during the entire gait cycle and increase of the moments in the support phase. In conclusion, exercise had a positive effect on this patient’s gait pattern and improved her functionality.

Reliability and Clinical Significance of the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) in the Greek Language in Children Aged 4 to 18 Years

Introduction: In recent years, many tests have been developed to assess the mobility and functional capacity of children with motor dysfunctions. The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) is a qualitative assessment test of the motor behavior of children aged 4 to 18 years. Purpose: The purpose of the proposed research is to determine the external reliability of the test Pediatric Balance Scale translated for the first time in Greek in children aged 4 to 18 years, in order to have a reliable tool in the hands of experts. Method: 26 children (14 girls and 12 boys with an average age of ±10,673 years of age) participated in this research. The Greek adaptation of the PBS and a Nikon 5300 digital camera for video recording were used for data collection. Results: The results found that there were no statistically significant differences between the two independent evaluators and that the Pediatric Balance Scale test had strong reliability. Overall, the results of the present investigation provided considerable evidence suggesting that the Greek adaptation of the PBS test has good inter-rater reliability and can be used to detect kinetic disorders in children aged 4 to 18 years for the Greek population.

Effects of the Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) on the Mobility of Children with Cerebral Palsy

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of the NDT method (Bobath) in children with CP. Twenty children with cerebral palsy (7 with quadriplegia, 6 with diplegia and 7 with right hemiplegia), with mean age of 4. 85 ± 2. 49 years, took part in the study. Materials-Method: The children participated in an intervention that consisted of an 8-week Bobath program. GMFM-88, PEDI and TUG scores were measured across three time points during the intervention (a baseline measurement, a second at the end of the intervention and a post-intervention measurement one month after the end of the intervention). Results: The results of the NDT intervention showed that the participant children significantly improved their GMFM-88 and TUG scores between initial and final measurement and maintained this one month later (F2,36 = 69,778, p 0.001), while in PEDI the intervention program had no statistically significant effect (F2,36 = 0.844, p = 0.438). In conclusion, there is strong evidence of the effectiveness of the NDT (Bobath) method in improving the mobility of children regardless of the frequency of its application.

Effect of Exercise on Gait Kinematics and Kinetics in Patients with Chronic Ischaemic Stroke

Introduction :?In 2014, American Heart Association and American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) issued exercise guidelines for stroke patients. Aim of the Study: To study the effects of an exercise programme based on AHA/ ASA guidelines, on gait kinematics and kinetics in patients with chronic ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: Twelve stroke patients, 67.33 ± 9.14 years old, followed an 8-week exercise programme, with 3 hourly sessions per week, consisting of strength, endurance and flexibility training, as well as neuromuscular activities. Patients’ gait kinematics and kinetics were evaluated before and after the intervention using a 3-dimensional gait analysis system. Results: In most cases, patients in the intervention group showed significant increase or no change in gait kinematics, significant increase in joint moments at the anterior-posterior plane during support phase, and non-signi- ficant change in the frontal and transverse planes kinetics. Conclusions: Exercise prevented further deterioration and/or led to improved walking pattern.

Comparative Reliability of the Infant Motor Profile (IMP) in the Greek Language for Infants 3 to 18 Months

In recent years, many tests have been developed to evaluate the mobility and functional capacity of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). The Infant Motor Profile (IMP) is a recent qualitative infant kinetic behavior assessment for ages 3 to 18 months. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to determine the reliability of the IMP translated for the first time for Greek population, for infants aged 3 to 18 months in order to provide a reliable tool in the hands of experts. Twenty infants (11 girls and 9 boys) with average age ±12.75 months participated in the study. The Greek version of the IMP and a Nikon 5300 digital camera for video recording were used for data collection. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two independent evaluators and that the Greek IMP had strong reliability. Overall, the results of the present investigation provided considerable evidence suggesting that the Greek version of the IMP test is reliable and can be used to detect kinetic disorders in infants aged 3 to 18 months for the Greek population.

Comparative Reliability of Berg Balance Scale and MAS Tests in People with Neurological Disorders

Background: In recent years, many tests have been developed to evaluate the mobility and functional capacity of people with neurological disorders (Hemiplegia, MS). The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and additionally to determine the measurement error of Modified Ashworth Scale and BBS in adults with neurological disorders (hemiplegia, MS). Methods: In the study of tests 20 adults (11 with multiple sclerosis and 9 with hemiplegia) who were retrospectively registered, participated. The average age of adults was 38.7 ± 13.9 years old and their average body mass was 65.1 ± 13.1 kgr. The Greek version of the tests and a Nikon 5300 digital camera for video recording were used for data collection. ICC was calculated, by means of a two-way ANOVA model. Results: The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two independent evaluators and that the BBS (ICC > 0.989) had strong reliability. The reliability of Modified Ashworth Scale has been found to be average: K = 0.502, (p Conclusions: Overall, the results of the present investigation provided considerable evidence suggesting that the test BBS and MAS are reliable and can be used to evaluate kinetic and balance disorders. Therefore, it was concluded that the tests should be applied in order to reliably estimate the mobility and functional ability of adults with neurological disorders. More research shall be carried out in the future on other patients in order to evaluate the reliability of the above tests.