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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Use Of Item Response Analysis To Investigate Measurement Properties And Clinical Validity Of Data For The Dynamic Gait Index, Yi-Po Chiu, Stacy L. Fritz, Kathye E. Light, Craig A. Velozo
Use Of Item Response Analysis To Investigate Measurement Properties And Clinical Validity Of Data For The Dynamic Gait Index, Yi-Po Chiu, Stacy L. Fritz, Kathye E. Light, Craig A. Velozo
Yi-Po Chiu
Background and Purpose. The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a standardized clinical assessment that aids in evaluating a subject’s ability to modify gait in response to changing demands. The purpose of this study was to use Rasch measurement theory to examine whether the DGI rating scale meets suggested psychometric guidelines, whether the hierarchical order of DGI tasks is consistent with a clinically logical testing procedure, and whether the DGI represents a unidimensional construct. Subjects. Subjects were 84 community-dwelling male veterans (age range=64–88 years; mean±SD=75±6.47 years). Methods. Data were retrieved retrospectively from the participants’ clinical records. The Rasch measurement model with …
An Examination Of The Effectiveness Of An 8-Week Bikram Yoga Program On Mindfulness, Perceived Stress, And Physical Fitness, Zoe L. Hewett, Lynda B. Ransdell, Yong Gao, Linda M. Petlichkoff, Shelley M. Lucas
An Examination Of The Effectiveness Of An 8-Week Bikram Yoga Program On Mindfulness, Perceived Stress, And Physical Fitness, Zoe L. Hewett, Lynda B. Ransdell, Yong Gao, Linda M. Petlichkoff, Shelley M. Lucas
Shelley Lucas
Previous research reports positive effects of yoga on health. The physical and psychological outcomes of participation in Bikram yoga are under-researched despite its increasing popularity, and this type of yoga may be significant with regards to stress management due to its unique method of practice. This study was designed to assess changes in levels of mindfulness, perceived stress, and physical fitness after participation in an 8-week Bikram yoga program. Fifty-one participants aged 20–54 years (mean, 31.57 years) were recruited by word of mouth from a large university located in the Northwestern United States. Participants attended a minimum of 20 Bikram …
Comparison Of Sensorimotor Disturbance Between Subjects With Persistent Whiplash Associated Disorder And Subjects With Acoustic Neuromas, Julia Treleaven, Nancy Low Choy, Ross Darnell, Ben Panizza, David Brown-Rothwell, Gwendolen Jull
Comparison Of Sensorimotor Disturbance Between Subjects With Persistent Whiplash Associated Disorder And Subjects With Acoustic Neuromas, Julia Treleaven, Nancy Low Choy, Ross Darnell, Ben Panizza, David Brown-Rothwell, Gwendolen Jull
Nancy Low Choy
Objective
To determine if differences exist in reported symptoms and in outcomes of sensorimotor tests (cervical joint position error [JPE], neck-influenced eye movement control, postural stability) between subjects with persistent whiplash and subjects with unilateral vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma.
Design
Repeated measures, case controlled.
Setting
Tertiary institution and metropolitan hospital.
Participants
Twenty subjects with persistent whiplash, 20 subjects with acoustic neuroma, and 20 control subjects.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
Symptom descriptors, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (short form), measures of cervical JPE, the smooth pursuit neck torsion (SPNT) test, and forceplate measures of postural stability in comfortable and …
Age-Related Changes In Strength And Somato-Sensation During Mid-Life Support Rationale For Targeted Preventive Intervention Programs, Nancy Low Choy, Sandra Brauer, Jennifer Nitz
Age-Related Changes In Strength And Somato-Sensation During Mid-Life Support Rationale For Targeted Preventive Intervention Programs, Nancy Low Choy, Sandra Brauer, Jennifer Nitz
Nancy Low Choy
Age-related changes in strength and somatosensation have a negative impact on balance with advanced age. Knowledge of the decades of life when strength and somatosensation show initial and subsequent reductions could inform balance assessment and targeted preventive intervention. We report a cross-sectional study investigating strength and somatosensation of 316 healthy women aged 20–80 years. Demographics, health profile, and activity level were recorded. Strength of quadriceps, hip abductors and adductors, and lower limb somatosensation (tactile acuity, vibration threshold, and joint position error) were measured. Significant age-related changes in strength and somatosensory function were identified, even when demographic variables of activity level, …
Timed Stance Performances Reflect Differences In Age, Prevalence Of Co-Morbidities, Medication Use, Fall’S History And Activity Level: Early Screening For Balance Loss Is Indicated, Nancy Low Choy, Sandra Brauer, Jennifer Nitz
Timed Stance Performances Reflect Differences In Age, Prevalence Of Co-Morbidities, Medication Use, Fall’S History And Activity Level: Early Screening For Balance Loss Is Indicated, Nancy Low Choy, Sandra Brauer, Jennifer Nitz
Nancy Low Choy
Objectives:
To determine if 10-second trials of bilateral and one-legged stance measures detected balance loss and influence of known risk factors for falls in women aged 20–80 years.
Methods:
456 healthy adult women attempted 10-second trials of bilateral stance (firm and foam surfaces) and one-legged stance, with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). Data for age, co-morbidities, medication use, fall history and activity level were compared for three categories of stability: (i) stable: all trials completed; (ii) unsteady: completed/failed one to two trials; and (iii) failed all trials.
Results:
Bilateral stance on foam (EC) and one-legged stance (EO) yielded …
Changes In Activity Level In Women Age 40 To 80 Years, Jennifer Nitz, Nancy Low Choy
Changes In Activity Level In Women Age 40 To 80 Years, Jennifer Nitz, Nancy Low Choy
Nancy Low Choy
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to report habitual physical activity levels in women and document the change in level of activity and factors affecting this change over a 5-year period.
Methods
A 5-year prospective cohort design was used. Women aged 40-80 years, living independently in the community, were recruited via the electoral role. The effects were investigated, first, of age, activity level, history of falls, number of co-morbidities and medications, body mass index and stability at baseline on change in activity level and, second, change in these demographics on activity level over the study period.
Results
Data from …
The Relationship Of Cervical Joint Position Error To Balance And Eye Movement Disturbances In Persistent Whiplash, Julia Treleaven, Gwendolen Jull, Nancy Low Choy
The Relationship Of Cervical Joint Position Error To Balance And Eye Movement Disturbances In Persistent Whiplash, Julia Treleaven, Gwendolen Jull, Nancy Low Choy
Nancy Low Choy
Cervical joint position error (JPE) has been used as a measure of cervical afferent input to detect disturbances in sensori-motor control as a possible contributor to a neck pain syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cervical JPE, balance and eye movement control. It was of particular interest whether assessment of cervical JPE alone was sufficient to signal the presence of disturbances in the two other tests. One hundred subjects with persistent whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) and 40 healthy controls subjects were assessed on measures of cervical JPE, standing balance and the smooth pursuit neck torsion test (SPNT). The …
The Effect Of Depression On Balance Decline In Mature Women, Jennifer Nitz, Nancy Low Choy, Meredith Ogilvie
The Effect Of Depression On Balance Decline In Mature Women, Jennifer Nitz, Nancy Low Choy, Meredith Ogilvie
Nancy Low Choy
Depression has been identified as a risk factor for falls, and a change in balance ability over time has yet to be investigated. This study aimed to identify if, over a 3-year period, balance ability changed in 26 women who were on medication for depression, compared to 26 non-depressed women. The two groups were matched for age, number of co-morbidities, activity level, medications, and height. All participants were simultaneously enrolled in a larger, longitudinal study of ageing. Balance measures included the Functional Reach (FR) test, Lateral Reach (LR) test, Step Test (ST), Timed Up and Go, and the Modified Clinical …
Standing Balance In Persistent Wad – Comparison Between Subjects With And Without Dizziness, Julia Treleaven, Gwendolen Jull, Nancy Low Choy
Standing Balance In Persistent Wad – Comparison Between Subjects With And Without Dizziness, Julia Treleaven, Gwendolen Jull, Nancy Low Choy
Nancy Low Choy
Objective:
Dizziness and unsteadiness, associated with altered balance, are frequent complaints in subjects suffering persistent whiplash associated disorders. Research has been inconclusive with respect to possible aetiology. This study assessed balance responses in subjects with whiplash associated disorders, taking into account several possible causes.
Design:
A prospective, 3 group, observational design.
Subjects:
100 subjects with persistent whiplash associated disorders, 50 complaining of dizziness, 50 not complaining of dizziness and 50 healthy controls.
Methods:
The Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction in Balance was performed in both comfortable and tandem stance. The sway trace was analysed using wavelet analysis.
Conclusion:
The results …
Is Signal Analysis Important For Measuring Standing Balance In Chronic Whiplash?, Julia Treleaven, Robert Murison, Gwendolen Jull, Nancy Low Choy, Sandy Brauer
Is Signal Analysis Important For Measuring Standing Balance In Chronic Whiplash?, Julia Treleaven, Robert Murison, Gwendolen Jull, Nancy Low Choy, Sandy Brauer
Nancy Low Choy
Dizziness and or unsteadiness, associated with episodes of loss of balance, are frequent complaints in those suffering from persistent problems following a whiplash injury. Research has been inconclusive with respect to possible aetiology, discriminative tests and analyses used.
The aim of this pilot research was to identify the test conditions and the most appropriate method for the analysis of sway that may differentiate subjects with persistent whiplash associated disorders (WAD) from healthy controls. The six conditions of the Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction in Balance was performed in both comfortable and tandem stance in 20 subjects with persistent WAD compared …
A Theoretical Framework For The Assessment And Treatment Of Balance And Mobility Deficits, Nancy Low Choy
A Theoretical Framework For The Assessment And Treatment Of Balance And Mobility Deficits, Nancy Low Choy
Nancy Low Choy
Extract:
This chapter aims to:
Review the theoretical elements that contribute to balance and mobility as a basis for assessing balance and mobility in the elderly, and presenting a tailored but multidimensional approach to assessing and retraining balance and mobility deficits in the elderly.
Describe a process of assessing balance and mobility in the elderly that uses observational and problem-solving skills while analysing balance and mobility tasks, identifies and measures impairments, and monitors progress and outcomes for elders of varying functional motor ability.
© Copyright Elsevier Limited, 2004
Normal Values Of Balance Tests In Women Aged 20 - 80, Rosemary Isles, Nancy Low Choy, Marie Steers, Jennifer Nitz
Normal Values Of Balance Tests In Women Aged 20 - 80, Rosemary Isles, Nancy Low Choy, Marie Steers, Jennifer Nitz
Nancy Low Choy
Objectives:
To determine normal values for four commonly used clinical functional balance tests from community-dwelling women aged 20 to 80 and to identify any significant decline due to aging.
Design:
A cross-sectional study was undertaken to provide normative values for four clinical balance tests across 6 decade cohorts.
Setting:
The Betty Byrne-Henderson Center for Women and Aging, Royal Womens' Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Participants:
Four hundred fifty-six community-dwelling, independently ambulant women with no obvious neurological or musculoskeletal-related disability, aged 20 to 80, were randomly recruited from a large metropolitan region.
Measurements:
The clinical balance measures/tests were the Timed Up and Go …
The Efficacy Of A Balance Strategy Training Circuit For Community Based Elders Who Have Had A Fall, Jennifer Nitz, Nancy Low Choy
The Efficacy Of A Balance Strategy Training Circuit For Community Based Elders Who Have Had A Fall, Jennifer Nitz, Nancy Low Choy
Nancy Low Choy
Background:
Older people participate in exercise programmes to reduce the risk of falls but no study has investigated a specific balance strategy training intervention presented in a workstation format for small groups.
Objective:
To determine whether a specific balance strategy training programmeme delivered in a workstation format was superior to a community based exercise class programme for reducing falls.
Design:
A randomised controlled trial model.
Setting:
Neurological Disorders, Ageing and Balance Clinic, Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland.
Subjects:
73 males and females over 60 years, living independently in the community and who had fallen in the previous year …
Medial-Lateral Postural Stability And Balance In Community Dwelling Women Over 40 Years Of Age, Jennifer Nitz, Nancy Low Choy, Rosemary Isles
Medial-Lateral Postural Stability And Balance In Community Dwelling Women Over 40 Years Of Age, Jennifer Nitz, Nancy Low Choy, Rosemary Isles
Nancy Low Choy
Objective:
To document the change in medial–lateral balance in women aged between 40 and 80 years.
Design:
A cross-sectional study of six measures of medial–lateral balance was undertaken.
Setting:
The Betty Byrne Henderson Centre for Women and Ageing, Royal Women's Hospital, Australia.
Subjects:
Five hundred and three community-dwelling women between 40 and 80 years of age were randomly recruited from a large metropolitan region with 366 subjects admitted after applying exclusion criteria.
Measurements:
The clinical measurements included the lateral reach and step tests while laboratory measurements were gathered from the Balance Master software programs for unilateral stance and limits of …