Use of the posturography platform as a tool for quantitative assessment of imbalance and postural control in post-stroke patients in chronic phase

Paulina Magdalena Ostrowska, Rita Hansdorfer-Korzon, Rafał Studnicki, Dawid Spychała


Paulina Magdalena Ostrowska, Rita Hansdorfer-Korzon, Rafał Studnicki, Dawid Spychała – Use of the posturography platform as a tool for quantitative assessment of imbalance and postural control in post-stroke patients in chronic phase. Fizjoterapia Polska 2023; 23(1); 142-163

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG07B4A3

Abstract
Background. Imbalance during standing, which is usually observed as an asymmetry in the weight shifting toward to the unaffected side of the body, is one of the most common factors affecting the independence and quality of life of post-stroke patients. Clinical assessment of imbalance in post-stroke patients is often conducted by visual observation using standardised tools (balance tests). However, quantitative analysis, using a posturographic platform, is more accurate and provides more information about the patient’s functional status. The TYMO® device, used in this study, is a portable posturography platform that measures tilts of the body’s center of mass and reports the results of the rehabilitation process. It enables an objective, direct and quantitative assessment of the patient’s functional status. Such an assessment can contribute to significant effectiveness of physiotherapy and consequently improve the patient’s quality of life and shorten the period of abstinence from work. Objective. Quantitative assessment of imbalance and postural control using a posturography platform (TYMO®) in patients after ischaemic stroke, in the chronic phase, as an important component of the functional diagnosis process and rehabilitation programme design. To emphasise the role of the posturography platform (TYMO®) as a tool for measuring static balance – symmetry of body weight distribution, and a tool for monitoring and reporting the results of physiotherapy treatment. Methods. In the current study, before and after two weeks of rehabilitation, quantitative measurements of balance on the TYMO® platform were made in a group of subjects (n = 60: adults, after ischemic stroke – first stroke episode, in chronic phase – up to 5 years after the stroke incident occurred) undergoing therapy using neurophysiological methods (PNF – Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and NDT-Bobath – Neurodevelopmental Treatment according to the Bobath concept) and the SPIDER system (Strengthening Program for Intensive Developmental Exercises and activities for Reaching health capability). Measurements included: the distance marked by the patient’s center of mass while performing the test, the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior tilts of the subject’s body, the area of movement marked by the body’s center of mass, the average speed at which the patient performed the movement to maintain the required position, and the distribution of the subject’s weight. Based on the posturographic results obtained before therapy, it was possible to design a targeted rehabilitation programme. The magnitude of the difference in measurements before and after rehabilitation made it possible to assess the impact of the therapy on the patient’s balance. In addition, it was a specific indicator of the accuracy of the selection of physiotherapeutic treatment (a large difference in the mean results before and after therapy reflected an improvement in the parameters of postural control, hence the effectiveness of the therapy) and determined the direction of the future rehabilitation programme. Results and conclusions. The parameters measured by the TYMO® platform are crucial in assessing the functional status of post-stroke patients, especially with regard to postural control or balance disorders. The results described confirm the validity of using quantitative assessment, using the posturography platform, as an important component of the functional diagnostic process and designing an rehabilitation programme. The TYMO® platform itself is a useful tool for measuring, monitoring and reporting the effects of physiotherapeutic treatment in post-stroke patients.
Key words:
stroke, body weight distribution, balance, quantitative assessment, posturographic platform
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An evaluation of the effectiveness of magnetotherapy as a factor supporting rehabilitation on the basis of selected biomechanic and psychotechnical indices

Mirosław Janiszewski, Anna Błaszczyk

Mirosław Janiszewski, Anna Błaszczyk – An evaluation of the effectiveness of magnetotherapy as a factor supporting rehabilitation on the basis of selected biomechanic and psychotechnical indices. Fizjoterapia Polska 2001; 1(1); 39-42

Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the impact of longterm magnetic field stimulation on the rehabilitation of post-stroke patients and to determine how quickly these patients gain locomotor efficiency. A group of 180 patients 50-70 years old after stroke received rehabilitation and low frequency magnetic field stimulation. As a criterion for evaluation purposes the authors used selected biomechanical and psychotechnical indices. The study shows that magnetotherapy in post-stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation has a positive effect in the improvement of muscle function, motor coordination indices, and some biomechanical parameters (strength under dynamic and static circumstances).

Key words:
Stroke, magnetic fields, Rehabilitation

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Thermovisual evaluation of vascular behavior in the paretic upper limb after local cryostimulation in stroke patients

Zbigniew Śliwiński, Piotr Plaza

Zbigniew Śliwiński, Piotr Plaza – Thermovisual evaluation of vascular behavior in the paretic upper limb after local cryostimulation in stroke patients. Fizjoterapia Polska 2002; 2(2); 112-117

Abstract
Background. Stroke is the third most common cause of death, one of the most common causes of handicap, and the most common cause of disability among persons older than 40. Each year 4.6 million people around the world die from strokes, including 3.2 million in developing countries and 1.2 million in highly industrialized countries. In view of the high morbidity rate and the serious consequences of stroke, in the form of limb paresis, the authors decided to use a thermovision camera to check vascular reactions in the paretic limb by evaluating temperature changes on the skin subsequent to cryostimulation by liquid nitrogen vapors. Material and methods. Our research involved 28 patients with an average age of 61.3 years. The procedure was performed on the forearm of the paretic upper limb, which was cooled for 6 minutes (from the hand to the elbow cavity, the dorsal surface and the palm surface). Thermovision images were made 5 times for each patient. Results. The authors observed that as a result of the procedure the temperature of the cooled limb went down 12°C, and 2.6°C in the other limb. Conclusions. The results cannot be easily interpreted. In the authors’ opinion, the temperature reduction in the limb that was not cooled results from contralateralization of the consensual reflex. The present study is a preliminary report describing the phenomenon we observed.

Key words:
Stroke, Cryostimulation, thermovision, vascular behavior

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Constraint-induced movement therapy in the rehabilitation of stroke patients

Janusz Otfinowski, Bożena Jasiak-Tyrkalska, Agnieszka Bogunia, Beata Buda

Janusz Otfinowski, Bożena Jasiak-Tyrkalska, Agnieszka Bogunia, Beata Buda – Constraint-induced movement therapy in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Fizjoterapia Polska 2004; 4(1); 19-24

Abstract

Background. This article presents some preliminary results from the rehabilitation of patients with impaired hand function after stroke. The basis for therapy was the method introduced by Taub, known as Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), which involves the temporary constraint of the healthy upper limb, with simultaneous intensive motor rehabilitation of the dysfunctional limb. Material and methods. Our research involved 10 patients treated in the Rehabilitation Clinic at the Jagiellonian University College of Medicine for post-stroke hemiparesis. There were 5 men and 5 women in this group, ranging in age from 57 to 77 years (ave. 66.5). The time since onset ranged from 1 to 50 months (ave. 11.4 months). CIMT was used in all patients. Results. After 2 weeks of rehabilitation all the patients required less time to perform manual tests, and showed marked functional improvement in the affected hand. Conclusions. The CIMT method is effective in the rehabilitation of patients with post-stroke hemiparesis.

Key words:
Stroke, rehabilitation of the hand, CIMT
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Selected demographic and clinical factors and the efficacy of the Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) of the hand after stroke

Bożena Jasiak-Tyrkalska, Janusz Otfinowski, Beata Buda

Bożena Jasiak-Tyrkalska, Janusz Otfinowski, Beata Buda – Selected demographic and clinical factors and the efficacy of the Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) of the hand after stroke. Fizjoterapia Polska 2007; 7(1); 21-28

Abstract

Background. The authors attempted to evaluate the effect of selected demographic and clinical factors on the efficacy of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) in improving the mobility of a paretic hand following cerebral stroke. The analysis focussed on factors such as age, gender, side of paresis and time elapsed since stroke. It is commonly known that post-stroke rehabilitation is relatively difficult and poses a challenge not only to the therapeutic team, but also to the patient’s family. Despite activities geared towards improved mobility, satisfactory effects cannot always be achieved. Until recently, physiotherapy was mainly geared towards the compensation of deficits rather than functional restoration. Nowadays, specialised neurological rehabilitation centres introduce novel methods based on the concept of brain adaptability, aimed primarily at functional restoration. The CIMT method is being used more and more frequently. It can be succinctly defined as a strategy for the activation of paretic parts of the body through constraining or totally preventing the use of their healthy counterparts. Material and methods. The study group comprised 21 persons (11 women and 10 men) following cerebral stroke. Mean patient age was 65 years. The efficacy end-point for the rehabilitation approach was time required to carry out 10 basic everyday activities using the affected hand. This assessment was carried out four times: at baseline, after two weeks of intensive exercise in a hospital rehabilitation ward as well as at 4 and 12 weeks of independent practice at home. Results. The therapeutic programme lead to a highly significant (p<0.001) improvement of the performance of the motor function impaired hand. Subgroup analysis did not demonstrate any significant influence of individual factors on the efficacy of the method used to improve hand motor function after cerebral stroke. Conclusions. Regardless of the age and gender of cerebral stroke patients, the CIMT method demonstrated significant efficacy in improving hand motor function. Time elapsed since stroke has no impact on the improvement of the paretic hand using the C1MT method. Regardless of the affected side, the method activates the motor functions of the paretic hand.

Key words:
stroke, improvement of hand mobility, CIMT
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Early post stroke rehabilitation after heart transplantation

Elżbieta Miller, Zbigniew Śliwiński, Anna Cabak

Elżbieta Miller, Zbigniew Śliwiński, Anna Cabak – Early post stroke rehabilitation after heart transplantation. Fizjoterapia Polska 2007; 7(3); 351-354

Abstract
Brain stroke is the leading cause of disability, and usually affects people after 60. At this age, the risk of concomitant diseases, affecting not only the cardiovascular system is high. The number and intensity of the diseases are often contraindications for early post stroke rehabilitation. Patients after brain stroke and heart transplantation are rare cases. The aim of the study was to present the effectiveness of early post-stroke rehabilitation in case of the 53-year-old man who underwent heart transplantation in 2000, due to congestive cardiomyopathy. The patient was examined 4 times during the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 15th week after the stroke. The test examined muscle strength in Lovett scale and the grade of muscle tone in Ashworth scale. A functional test was performed in Barthel scale and the extent of requiring care and attention — in Rankin scale. The paper presents an individual diagram of physiotherapeutic procedures divided into two stages: the early stage (0-6 weeks) and the transient stage (6-9 weeks), adjusted to the patient’s actual neurological and cardiological state. Basic recovery after physiotherapeutic treatment was obtained before the 9th week. Patients after heart transplantation can be successfully treated by rehabilitation. A substantial progress in medicine obligates to exchange information about rehabilitation treatment of patients with untypical concomitant diseases.
Key words:
brain stroke, heart transplantation, post stroke rehabilitation
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The effect of early rehabilitation on locomotor function in post-stroke patients – preliminary report

Emil Domański, Magdalena Wilk, Wojciech Kiebzak, Zbigniew Śliwiński

Emil Domański, Magdalena Wilk, Wojciech Kiebzak, Zbigniew Śliwiński – The effect of early rehabilitation on locomotor function in post-stroke patients – preliminary report. Fizjoterapia Polska 2008; 8(1); 83-95

Abstract
Background. Cerebral stroke is defined by the WHO as sudden onset of rapidly developing clinical signs of focal disturbance of cerebral function, with symptoms lasting longer then 24h, or leading to death, caused by changes in the arterial or vascular system of the brain. The aim of this study was to assess the effect to early rehabilitation on the locomotor function in stroke patients. Material and method. A group of 30 patients with hemiparesis within 24h after the onset of stroke and after 14 days of rehabilitation. The locomotor assessment was carried out according to the PNF functional status of muscles and gait patterns. Activities of daily living were evaluated according to the Repty Functional Index (RFI) and the Simple Chart of Locomotor Activities (PKCM). The level of disability was graded to the Rankin scale. For logistic reasons, the study did not include a control group, so that the paper is treated as a preliminary report.Results. Locomotor improvement was achieved in 40% of patients, with reduction in disability in 50%. Improved locomotor function led to urinary function improvement in 50% of patients. Motor dysfunction of the upper limb was reduced thanks to physiotherapy in 40% of patients. Conclusions. Early rehabilitation leads to improved function as defined by the functional status of muscles and hait patterns. The adopted rehabilitation programme resulted in improved functional indepedence evaluated on the basis of the Repty Functional Index (WFR) and Simple Chart of Activities (PKCM). The locomotor improvement resulted in urinary improvement in 50% of patients. Early rehabilitation improved the locomotor function of the paretic upper limb. The conclusions need to be verified in further studies with control groups.
Key words:
cerebral stroke, hemiparesis, early rehabilitation, functional status
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Thermovisual evaluation of temperatures of the upper limbs following cryostimulation in post-stroke patients

Zbigniew Śliwiński, Piotr Płaza, Krzysztof Gieremek, Wojciech Kufel, Beata Michalak, Bartłomiej Halat, Grzegorz Śliwiński, Magdalena Wilk

Zbigniew Śliwiński, Piotr Płaza, Krzysztof Gieremek, Wojciech Kufel, Beata Michalak, Bartłomiej Halat, Grzegorz Śliwiński, Magdalena Wilk – Thermovisual evaluation of temperatures of the upper limbs following cryostimulation in post-stroke patients. Fizjoterapia Polska 2008; 8(1); 23-34

Abstract
Background. Cerebral stroke is a very serious life-threatening condition regardiess of the clinical picture at the onset. In most cases cerebral stroke is a consequence of systemic vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis or hypertension. Material and methods. The study group comprised 103 patients, including 52 post-stroke patients with a paretic upper limb and 51 healthy participants. The group of stroke patients included 18 women and 34 men, while the healthy group consisted of 41 women and 10 men. The mean age of the male patients was 55.6 and of the female patients 66.1 years. The mean age of the control group was 37.2 years. Local cryostimulation was applied to the hand and forearm of the paretic limb in the stroke patients and to the hand the forearm of the right upper limb in the healthy group. The limb was exposed to cold for 6 minutes. The temperatures were measured using an Agema 570 thermovision camera.Results. Subjecting only one forearm to cryotherapy procedures results in a decrease in temperature. In the post-stroke patients the return to the basseline value after the procedure was more rapid. This is possibly connected with more efficient mechanisms protecting the body against loss of warmth, since in this group temperature values were higher. In the control group the temperature in the non-cooled limb decreases by an average of 1.6 st.C, compared to only 1.3 st.C in the stroke patients. Conclusions. The temperatures of an area in the forearm exposed to 6 minutes of cryotherapy were different in the post-stroke patients and in the healthy controls. This is probably attributable to stroke-related brain damage. Contralateralization, i. e. the decline of temperature in the non-cooled limb, occurred both in the post-stroke patients and in the healthy controls. Temperature decreases produced by the exposure of limbs to cold were higher in the stroke patients than in the healthy participants. The temperature returned to baseline more rapidly in the post-stroke patients. The temperature in the cooled limb dod not return to, or exceed, baseline value fifteen minutes after the procedure.
Key words:
cerebral stroke, cryostimulation, thermovision, vascular play
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Usefulness of Kinesiology Taping in post-stroke patients rehabilitated with the PNF method. Preliminary report

Zbigniew Śliwiński, Marta Kopa, Bartłomiej Halat, Beata Michalak, Wojciech Kufel, Henryk Racheniuk, Magdalena Wilk, Marcin Krajczy, Jan Szczegielniak

Zbigniew Śliwiński, Marta Kopa, Bartłomiej Halat, Beata Michalak, Wojciech Kufel, Henryk Racheniuk, Magdalena Wilk, Marcin Krajczy, Jan Szczegielniak – Usefulness of Kinesiology Taping in post-stroke patients rehabilitated with the PNF method. Preliminary report. Fizjoterapia Polska 2008; 8(3); 325-334

Abstract
Background. Physiotherapy employs a number of kinesiotherapeutic methods based on understanding the course of the development- and movement-related neurophysiological processes, with PNF being one of the methods. Rehabilitation of stroke patients produces better results if different methods are combined, e. g. PNF and KT. Material and methods. The study involved 15 post-stroke patients, including 10 men and 5 women, aged 39-72. Each subject was examined once. Two muscle tone tests according to the Ashworth scale and three functional tests of the paralyzed upper extremity (prior to the therapy, on completion of PNF therapy and following functional KT application) were performed. The upper extremity function test consisted in the subject picking up an object. The distance [cm] between the object and the table surface was measured. Each patient underwent a 45-60 minute rehabilitation session using the PNF method. Additionally, KT was applied onto the radiocarpal joint extensor muscles.Results. Muscle tone according to the Ashworth scale did not change. The mean functional test results [cm] were as follows: 3.8 prior to the therapy, 6.6 post-PNF, and 7.8 post-KT. In two subjects the functional test results did not change, whereas the upper extremity function in the remaining 13 subjects improved after PNF therapy. A marked improvement was observed following the application of KT. In 10 patients, the additional KT application considerably facilitated PNF-based rehabilitation. Conclusions. A combined PNF and KT therapy contributes to improvement of function in the paralyzed extremity. Functional KT application proved to be useful and to facilitate PNF rehabilitation, and so the two modalities may and even should be combined. Although the patients were only subjected to a single PNF session, the function of the upper extremity improved. An even more marked improvement was observed following the functional application of KT. Muscle tone according to the Ashworth scale did not change significantly on completion of the therapy. However, it did not have a decisive influence on the positive results of the functional tests. We did not observe a correlation between the combined PNF and KT therapy and the duration of the post-stroke period was.
Key words:
Kinesiology Taping applications, PNF method, cerebral stroke
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Prognostic efficacy of Berg Balance Test in assessing the risk of fall in patients after stroke

Waldemar Brola, Małgorzata Fudala, Jan Czernicki

Waldemar Brola, Małgorzata Fudala, Jan Czernicki – Prognostic efficacy of Berg Balance Test in assessing the risk of fall in patients after stroke. Fizjoterapia Polska 2009; 9(1); 31-38

Abstract
Background. The risk of fali within the first year after a cerebral stroke amounts to approximately 40%. Numerous attempts have been made to propose a simple, yet sensitive and specific test to facilitate effective identification of patients at a particularly high risk of fall. The present study therefore aimed to assess the risk of fall among post-stroke patients undergoing physical rehabilitation with the Berg Test (Berg Functional Balance Scale). Material and methods. A total of 312 patients treated initially at the Stroke Ward and later at the Department of Physical Rehabilitation and attending the Vascular Disease Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital in Końskie in 2004 were followed up over 12 months. Each patient was assessed during the initial rehabilitation period and then allocated to one of four risk groups depending on his/her score in the Berg Test. Every subsequent fali was recorded together with a brief description of any consequences. Results. 119 patients (35%) fell at least once during the 12-month period, with 36 (11.5%) sustaining serious injuries as a result. The majority of the falls (78 patients) occurred in Berg Group IV (highest risk) patients, who also sustained multiple falls and the most serious consequences. The respective number of incidents in the other groups was 24 falls in Group III, 15 falls in Group II, and only 2 falls in Group I. Conclusions. The Berg Test appears to be a simple, reliable and sensitive instrument for identifying patients most at risk of sustaining an accidental fali. Ensuring particular care for those patients may help them avoid serious consequences of falls and enhance overall rehabilitation outcomes.
Key words:
stroke, falls, risk factors, Berg Balance Scale
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