Physiotherapy - Research Publications

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Author: Galea, Mary × Author: Said, Catherine × End date: 2013 ×

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    Feldenkrais Method Balance Classes Improve Balance in Older Adults: A Controlled Trial
    Connors, KA ; Galea, MP ; Said, CM (HINDAWI LTD, 2011)
    The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Feldenkrais Method balance classes on balance and mobility in older adults. This was a prospective non-randomized controlled study with pre/post measures. The setting for this study was the general community. A convenience sample of 26 community-dwelling older adults (median age 75 years) attending Feldenkrais Method balance classes formed the Intervention group. Thirty-seven volunteers were recruited for the Control group (median age 76.5 years). A series of Feldenkrais Method balance classes (the 33312Getting Grounded Gracefully33313 series), two classes per week for 10 weeks, were conducted. Main outcome measures were Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) questionnaire, Four Square Step Test (FSST), self-selected gait speed (using GAITRite instrumented gait mat). At re-testing, the Intervention group showed significant improvement on all of the measures (ABC, P = .016, FSST, P = .001, gait speed, P < .001). The Control group improved significantly on one measure (FSST, P < .001). Compared to the Control group, the Intervention group made a significant improvement in their ABC score (P = .005), gait speed (P = .017) and FSST time (P = .022). These findings suggest that Feldenkrais Method balance classes may improve mobility and balance in older adults.
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    People With Stroke Who Fail an Obstacle Crossing Task Have a Higher Incidence of Falls and Utilize Different Gait Patterns Compared With People Who Pass the Task
    Said, CM ; Galea, MP ; Lythgo, N (OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, 2013-03)
    BACKGROUND: Obstacle crossing is impaired in people following stroke. It is not known whether people with stroke who fail an obstacle crossing task have more falls or whether the gait adjustments used to cross an obstacle differ from those used by people who pass the task. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were (1) to identify whether a group of people with stroke who failed an obstacle crossing task had a greater incidence of falling and (2) to determine whether people who fail an obstacle crossing task utilize different gait adjustments. DESIGN: This was a prospective, observational study. METHODS: Thirty-two participants with a recent stroke were recruited. Participants walked at self-selected speed and stepped over a 4-cm-high obstacle. Performance was rated as pass or fail, and spatiotemporal, center of mass (COM), and center of pressure (COP) data were collected. Prospective falls data were recorded for 20 participants over a 6-month period. RESULTS: The incidence of fallers was significantly higher (incidence rate=0.833) in the group that failed the obstacle crossing task than in the group that passed the task (incidence rate=0.143). The group that failed the task had a slower walking speed and greater normalized separation between the trail heel (unaffected support limb) and COM as the affected lead toe cleared the obstacle. This group exhibited greater normalized times from affected lead toe clearance to landing, unaffected trail toe clearance to landing, and affected trail toe-off to toe clearance. LIMITATIONS: The sample size was small, and falls data were available for only 20 participants. CONCLUSIONS: Obstacle crossing is an important task to consider in people following stroke and may be useful in identifying those at risk of falls.
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    People with stroke who fail an obstacle crossing task have a higher incidence of falls and utilise different gait patterns compared with people who pass the task
    Said, Catherine M. ; Galea, Mary P. ; LYTHGO, NOEL (American Physical Therapy Association, 2013)
    Background: Obstacle crossing is impaired following stroke. It is not known whether people with stroke who fail an obstacle crossing task have more falls, or whether the gait adjustments used to cross an obstacle differ from those used by people who pass the task. Objective: To identify whether a group of people with stroke who failed an obstacle crossing task had a greater incidence of falling, and to determine whether people who fail an obstacle crossing task utilise different gait adjustments. Design: This study was a prospective observational study. Methods: Thirty-two participants with a recent stroke were recruited. Participants walked at self-selected speed and stepped over a 4-cm high obstacle. Performance was rated as pass or fail, and spatiotemporal, centre of mass (COM) and centre of pressure (COP) data were collected. Prospective falls data were recorded for 20 participants over a six month period. Results: The incidence of fallers in the group that failed the obstacle crossing task was significantly higher (IR =.833) than the group that passed (IR = .143; p = .007). The group that failed had a slower walking speed and greater normalised separation between the trail heel (unaffected support limb) and COM as the affected lead toe cleared the obstacle. This group exhibited greater normalised times from affected lead toe clearance to landing, unaffected trail toe clearance to landing and affected trail toe off to toe clearance. Limitations: Sample size was small, and falls data were only available for 20 participants. Conclusions: Obstacle crossing is an important task to consider following stroke and may be useful in identifying those at risk of falls.