Testing the Dose-response of Coordination Training for Older Adults.
Mobility LimitationThere is an urgent need for interventions to reduce mobility limitations that affect over 15 million older adults and contribute to falls, disability, hospitalization and death. This training will give Dr. James the skills to become an independent researcher developing interventions to decrease mobility limitations, disability and falls in older adults. His multidisciplinary mentorship team, led by Kathleen Bell, MD, has extensive experience with externally sponsored research, expertise in the targeted training domains, mentoring new investigators, and is highly committed to Dr. James' development as a researcher. Dr. James has identified novel impairments in rhythmic interlimb and gait coordination as strongly linked to mobility among community-dwelling older adults. Currently, no treatment for limb coordination exists. In an effort to advance the development of treatments for mobility limitations, the objective of the proposed research is to examine the dose-response of an innovative intervention to improve coordination in community-dwelling older adults with mobility limitations. The intervention uses a metronome to retrain coordination impairments that develop with age, and consists of practice improving the coordination of the right and left: a) ankles; b) shoulders; and c) ankles and shoulders, while lying supine, and d) the arms and legs during walking; by synchronizing movements with a metronome. This project is significant in that the approach may offer a cost-effective, clinically applicable, and efficacious means of reducing mobility limitations in older adults. We will initially refine the intervention, and subsequently conduct a randomized trial of 2-, 4- and 8-week intervention treatments vs. physical activity control with (N=120) community-dwelling older adults aged >70 years with mobility limitations. These treatment durations correspond to what rehabilitative care providers would consider a short vs. medium vs. long duration (dose) of treatment. We will examine the magnitude and duration of change in interlimb ankle coordination and gait coordination for each group. We will estimate the coordination effect sizes for a minimal clinically important difference in mobility performance, and explore changes in upper limb coordination and performance-based and self-reported mobility.
Yoga to Prevent Mobility Limitations in Older Adults
AgingMobility Limitation1 moreThe loss of mobility during aging impacts independence and leads to further disability, morbidity, and reduced life expectancy. The study objective was to examine the feasibility and safety of conducting a randomized controlled trial of yoga for older adults at risk for mobility limitations. The investigators hypothesized that sedentary older adults could be recruited for the study, would attend either yoga or a health education control, would complete assessments, and that the interventions could be safely delivered.
Different Treatment Methods Effect on Upper Extremity Spasticity and Decreased Functionality After...
StrokeSpasticity as Sequela of Stroke2 moreThe aim of our study is to objectively and clearly determine the differences between the Spasticity and Decreased Functionality in the Upper Extremity Flexor Group Muscles After Stroke, the Vibration, mBZHT and Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Applications in terms of treatment process and effectiveness, and to increase the use of the hands and upper extremities in the daily life activities of the patient.
Functional Activity Strength Training
WalkingDifficultyThis study is a randomized trial of 100 older adults with mobility disability, who performed a similar brief daily, resistance training program. The investigators set out to answer the following question "Will a digital, brief daily exercise program be feasible, acceptable, and effective among older adults with walking limitations?" To answer that question, participants were assigned to an intervention or delayed-treatment control group. Intervention participants were assigned to complete two 30-second lower body exercises and two 30-second upper body exercises. Fitness tests were completed remotely three times during the 12-weeks (i.e., at baseline, week 6, week 12).
Impact of More Frequent PT Services
Mobility LimitationPhysical Disability2 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine what amount of physical therapy is beneficial in the hospital setting after suffering a stroke. This study involves research. The investigators propose to enroll 150 individuals with acute stroke admitted to MUSC over the next 12 months and randomize them into increased frequency and usual care PT treatment groups. This study will be designed as a randomized control trial. If a patient agrees to participate, they will be assigned (at random) to either a treatment group which will receive more frequent therapy services or to the control group which will receive the "standard" amount of therapy services currently provided in the hospital setting (~3-5 times per week). By studying the balance, walking and success of patients in the treatment group compared with the control group- the researchers hope to better understand the effect of more frequent physical therapy services on your independence post stroke.
Clinical Effectiveness of the ReHand App in Hand Rehabilitation After Stroke
StrokeMobility Limitation3 moreStroke is the third leading cause of disability worldwide, with the hand being one of the segments whose affectation generates the greatest limitation in functional ability and quality of life. Neurorehabilitation is the most effective therapy as long as it is implemented both in the early (post-hospital stages) and in an intensive approach. However, the resources of healthcare systems are not enough to address the neurorehabilitation needs of patients with hand affectation after stroke. Thus, current scientific literature advocates transferring such rehabilitation to the patient's home through therapeutic exercise programs - whose clinical and economic effectiveness has already been demonstrated - as a way of reducing the consumption of resources. In order to achieve this, telerehabilitation is suggested as one of the most viable formats. However, current telerehabilitation systems such as video games and virtual reality do not provide a fully viable solution, mainly due to the lack of scalability and penetration of the technology, and the lack of a hand specific approach, whose importance is crucial in the recovery of function and autonomy in Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Different articles and reviews confirm the potential of tablet devices to solve these issues given their scalability and the multisensory feedback provided, making possible a more productive and intensive motor training and sensory stimulation in order to optimize cortical reorganization and neuroplasticity after a stroke. Both health professionals and patients have expressed the need for a specific Tablet application for neurorehabilitation of the hand after stroke, that follows the precepts established by the evidence. However, the lack of specific applications for this approach means that existing apps are used as an adaptation. Therefore, we propose the development and preliminary validation of ReHand, the first Tablet application developed according to the needs of healthcare professionals and patients, and the precepts of the most updated scientific literature, which allows the patient to perform an active therapy adapted to its hand limitations, and the healthcare professional to monitor their patient's home performance.
Quantifying the Role of Sensory Systems Processing in Post-Stroke Walking Recovery
StrokeChronic Stroke4 moreDespite current walking rehabilitation strategies, the majority of stroke survivors are unable to walking independently in the community and remain at increased risk of falls. Backward treadmill training is a novel training approach used by elite athletes to enhance speed, agility, and balance; however, it is currently unknown how this exercise interacts with the central nervous system or if it could benefit stroke survivors with residual walking impairment. Knowledge gained from this study will likely lead to more effective walking rehabilitation strategies in stroke and related disorders.
The Effectiveness of Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training in Stroke Patients
StrokeCerebrovascular Accident4 moreIn this study, the investigators aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise on body weight-supported treadmill in stroke patients on gait parameters, activity, body functions and quality of life, and to determine whether it has an effect on balance when applied in addition to conventional therapy.
Self-management of Chronic Mobility Limitations in MUHC Seniors
Seniors With Mobility LimitationsThe population is aging and chronic conditions, which are major causes of pain and mobility limitations, are on the rise, however, current access to physiotherapy is difficult. Knowledge on managing disability is substantial, but methods to translate into action are lacking. This project is designed to test a novel method of promoting function in vulnerable seniors and simultaneously develop awareness in the new generation of physiotherapists that they can have a proactive role in health promotion. The investigators are proposing a pilot project targeting both students and patients. The research question are (1) What are the needs of vulnerable patients at the MUHC? Two groups will be targeted; newly discharged seniors (who will be eligible for an intervention) and cancer outpatients who will be surveyed only);(2) For a senior population at risk for physical deterioration, to what extent is a personalized mentoring approach to optimizing function and preventing disability through developing self-management skills more effective in improving outcomes than the provision of written material covering the same general content? (3) Does a mentoring experience with vulnerable seniors through development and teaching of a self-management program (comprised of education and support) produce meaningful positive changes in future clinicians' knowledge, skills and attitude towards modes of delivering physiotherapy services and promoting self-management in Canadian seniors? There are two phases to this study: a survey and randomized controlled trial (RCT). The survey phase will identify mobility needs of two groups, newly discharged seniors and cancer outpatients. The needs assessment for newly discharged seniors will identify people eligible for the (RCT) component; the needs assessment for cancer outpatients will inform the development of interventions for this specific group. The RCT component will be piloted for recently discharged community dwelling seniors 70 years and older only. A sample of 400 seniors recently discharged from the adult, general, hospital sites of the MUHC will be contacted for a needs assessment. From this pool, the investigators anticipate 100 will be eligible and 60 will be randomized, 30 to the mentor intervention and 30 to the control group. Participants will be followed-up for 6 months and assessments will be performed at 2 time points (baseline and 6 months). The main outcome is a standardized response ratio (SRR) estimated across all persons and measures. SRRs will be calculated for three groups of response variables: impairment/mobility measures, quality of life indicators, and health services outcomes. In parallel, to determine cancer survivor needs, the investigators will contact 600 cancer survivors; as the investigators anticipate 400 will answer the survey. The analysis of this survey will consist of frequency of specific needs by diagnosis and treatment.
A Trial of Preoperative CHO Drinks on Postoperative Walking Capacity in Colorectal Surgery
Bowel; DiseaseCarbohydrate Absorption2 moreThis prospective randomized controlled study is designed to investigate whether preoperative oral carbohydrate loading improves postoperative walking performance, a surrogate indicator for overall functional recovery, in patients undergoing colorectal surgery as measured by 2-minute and 6-minute walk test. The secondary outcomes are postoperative insulin resistance measured with plasma insulin and glucose concentrations. The tertiary outcomes are duration of hospital stay, patients satisfaction during staying in the hospital and morbidity measured as postoperative complications.