The feasibility and effect of robot-assisted gait training frequency on gait functions in children with cerebral palsy – A single blinded, randomized pilot study

Moza Obaid Saeed Alyahyaee, Jinwoong Cheong, Meeyoung Kim

Moza Obaid Saeed Alyahyaee, Jinwoong Cheong, Meeyoung Kim – The feasibility and effect of robot-assisted gait training frequency on gait functions in children with cerebral palsy – A single blinded, randomized pilot study –  Fizjoterapia Polska 2024; 24(1); 297-303

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG2EF8iRS

Abstract
Introduction. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility and the effect of Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) frequency on gait functions in children with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). We hypothesized that RAGT with the increased frequency (4 times a week) will result in greater improvements than RAGT with the common frequency (2 times a week).
Material and methods. Fourteen participants with diplegic CP were assigned to two groups that received only RAGT at different frequencies. The treatment group (TG) received 24 sessions while the control group (CG) received only 12 sessions over 6 weeks. Gross motor function measure (GMFM) D, GMFM E, walking distance (6 minute-walk test), speed (10 meter-walk test), balance (Pediatric balance scale), and the quality of gait (Edinburgh visual gait score) were assessed. Data was collected twice, before and after RAGT intervention period. Also, the feasibility was assessed by the safety and the rates of recruitment, compliance, and adherence.
Result. There was significant improvement in GMFM D, GMFM E, walking distance, balance, and the quality of gait in both groups (p < 0.05). Walking speed has been significantly improved only in TG. The difference in the quality of gait is greater in TG (p < 0.01) compared to CG (p < 0.05). The recruitment rate was 70%. 100% of recruited participants complied with and adhered to the intervention. No adverse events were reported.
Conclusion. RAGT with the increased frequency could induce greater improvement in gait functions than RAGT with the common frequency in children with diplegic CP.
Keywords
rehabilitation, robotics, walking, cerebral palsy
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Work related musculoskeletal disorders in school teachers: risk factors, prevalence, and association with health-related quality of life in Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Alyazia Obaid Hassan Khudoum Almarashda, Kalyana Chakravarthy Bairapareddy, Meeyoung Kim

Inas Gita Amalia, Suharjana, Ahmad Nasrulloh, Enggista Hendriko Delano, Abiyyu Amajida
– Work related musculoskeletal disorders in school teachers: risk factors, prevalence, and association with health-related quality of life in Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Fizjoterapia Polska 2023; 23(5); 217-226

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG20A65A

Abstract
Introduction. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and correlations between associated risk factors, physical activity levels, stress, and quality of life among schoolteachers in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study using SPSS version 23.0 for the statistical analysis, was conducted using the Shapiro–Wilk test, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA test to compare the quality of life scores and stress level scores based on variables.
Results. In total, 342 teachers working in private and public schools were recruited. Our results showed a high prevalence of MSP among teachers. The most reported areas were the lower back, shoulder, and neck, followed by the upper back. The suggested causes are long hours spent on devices, as the average hours spent on devices range from 6 to 9 hours, heavy load of teaching from 16 to 30 classes per week, old age in most participants (35 years and above), and low physical activity. Moreover, quality of life is low among teachers with known chronic medical conditions and teachers working in private schools. Stress was moderate when all variables were tested.
Conclusion. Work-related MSP are highly prevalent among schoolteachers in the UAE. A high prevalence is associated with older age, longer teaching hours, higher teaching load, poor quality of life, and moderate stress.

Keywords
musculoskeletal pain, stress, quality of life, teachers

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