健康青年人双足间的距离对静态站立平衡功能的影响

目的 探讨健康青年人静态站立时双足间的距离对平衡功能的影响，为平衡功能训练提供理论基础。 方法 选取健康青年受试者30例，其中男7例，女23例，分别在睁眼和闭眼两种方式下，采用平衡评估训练仪评估双足并拢站立、双足分开（50cm）站立和双足最适距离站立3种模式下的静态平衡功能，即压力中心（COP）的相关参数，包括前后摆动幅度标准差、左右摆动幅度标准差、前后平均运动速度、左右平均运动速度、运动椭圆面积、运动长度共6个量化指标，并进行数据分析。 结果 双足最适距离站立时，双侧足跟间平均距离为（18.63±3.67）cm，双侧足尖间平均距离为（29.60±4.93）cm。在睁眼和闭眼状态下，双足并拢站立时的前后摆动幅度标准差、左右摆动幅度标准差、前后平均运动速度、左右平均运动速度、运动椭圆面积和运动长度与双足分开（50cm）站立和最适距离站立时比较，差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）；睁眼和闭眼状态下，双足最适距离站立时的左右摆动幅度标准差、左右平均运动速度、运动椭圆面积、运动长度与双足分开（50cm）站立时比较，差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论 健康青年人在静态站立时，双下肢间有最适距离，在这种距离下，站立静态平衡功能最佳。     

脑卒中偏瘫恢复期患者双足间距离对静态站立平衡功能的影响

目的:探讨脑卒中偏瘫恢复期患者静态站立时双足间距离大小对平衡功能的影响,为平衡功能训练提供理论基础。方法:共选取脑卒中偏瘫恢复期患者30例,男17例,女13例,分别在睁眼和闭眼2种方式下,采用Pro-Kin平衡评估训练仪评估双足并拢站立、双足分开(50 cm)和双足最适距离站立3种模式下的静态平衡功能,主要测量参数包括前后摆动幅度标准差、左右摆动幅度标准差、前后平均运动速度、左右平均运动速度、运动椭圆面积和运动长度。结果:(1)在睁眼状态下,双足分开50 cm站立时,左右摆动幅度标准差[3(1.94,5)]、前后平均运动速度[8.75(6,13.25)mm/s]、运动椭圆面积[185.5(94.75,447)mm2]等参数显著小于双足并拢状态(P0.05);在闭眼状态下,双足分开50 cm站立时,左右摆动幅度标准差[3(2,4)]、运动椭圆面积[326.5(142.25,557.25)mm~2]、运动长度[297 (215.94,455.5)mm]等参数显著小于双足并拢状态(P0.05)。(2)在睁眼状态下,双足最适距离站立时,左右摆动幅度标准差[3(2,5)]、前后平均运动速度[8.69 (5,14)mm/s]、左右平均运动速度[6.32 (4,10)mm/s]、运动椭圆面积[186 (97,446.5)mm2]、运动长度[196(143.5,306.25)mm]等参数显著小于双足并拢状态(P0.05);在闭眼状态下,双足最适距离站立时,左右摆动幅度标准差[3(2,5)]、左右平均运动速度[7(4.44,12.25)mm/s]、运动椭圆面积[275(145.25,388.75)mm~2]、运动长度[287(216,478.25)mm]等参数显著小于双足并拢状态(P0.05)。(3)在睁眼状态下,双足最适距离站立时,左右平均运动速度[6.32(4,10)mm/s]和运动长度[196(143.5,306.25)mm]参数显著小于双足分开50 cm站立状态(P0.05);在闭眼状态下,双足最适距离站立时,左右平均运动速度[7(4.44,12.25)mm/s]和运动椭圆面积[275(145.25,388.75)mm2]参数显著小于双足分开50 cm站立状态(P0.05)。结论:脑卒中偏瘫恢复期患者在静态站立时,双下肢之间有一定的最适距离,在这种距离下静态站立平衡功能最佳。     

绝经后女性骨密度与静态平衡功能以及稳定极限范围相关性临床研究

目的通过静态平衡仪记录身体直立静止以及倾斜时足底重心的移动,测量绝经后女性的静态平衡指标以及稳定极限范围（LOS）,比较绝经后正常骨量女性、绝经后骨量减少女性、绝经后骨质疏松女性的静态平衡功能指标以及稳定极限范围有无差异性。 方法50~60岁的绝经后正常骨量女性20例、绝经后骨量减少女性20例、绝经后骨质疏松症女性20例,使用压力测力板分别测定3组受试者睁、闭眼直立时的静态平衡指标（前后平均摆幅、左右平均摆幅、平均摆动速度、摆动路径长度、摆动有效面积）及前后左右4个方向LOS,使用SPSS 17.0进行统计学分析。 结果在睁眼以及闭眼状态下,3组受试者静态平衡各项指标（前后平均摆幅、左右平均摆幅、平均摆动速度、摆动路径长度和摆动有效面积）组间差异均无统计学意义（P&rt;0.05）。正常骨量组闭眼测试时的平均摆动速度和摆动路径长度分别为（0.916±0.666）cm/s和（52.109±16.950）cm均显著大于组内睁眼时的（0.885±0.585）cm/s和（38.768±10.095）cm,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。3组受试者前、后、左、右4个方向的LOS值组间比较,差异无统计学意义（P&rt;0.05）,且3组的前、后方LOS值均低于组内左、右方LOS值,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。骨量减少组和骨量正常组前方LOS值高于组内后方的LOS值,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论（1）50~60岁绝经后女性骨密度与静态平衡指标无相关性;对60岁以下绝经后骨量改变女性而言,视觉对静态平衡指标的代偿不明显。（2）骨密度与稳定极限范围之间亦无相关性;绝经后女性左右方向的主动姿势控制能力优于前后方向,50~60岁骨质疏松女性前方姿势控制能力下降。     

虚拟现实技术对小脑卒中患者静态平衡功能及稳定极限范围的影响

目的:观察虚拟现实技术(VR)对小脑卒中患者静态平衡功能及稳定极限范围的影响。方法:小脑卒中患者71例随机分为观察组36例和对照组35例,观察组接受VR游戏训练,对照组接受常规平衡训练。分别于训练前、训练4周后采用平衡测试仪对所有患者的身体压力中心移动面积和稳定极限进行测量。结果:治疗4周后,2组患者在睁眼和闭眼条件下的摆动有效面积、摆动路径长度、平均摆动速度值与治疗前比较均显著下降(均P0.05);2组间比较,在睁眼和闭眼条件下的平均摆动速度值无显著差异,但观察组摆动有效面积、摆动路径长度值下降更为显著(均P0.05)。治疗后,2组治LOS值均较治疗前显著提高(均P0.05),且观察组高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:基于VR的平衡训练较常规的平衡训练能更有效地改善小脑卒中患者的静态平衡功能和稳定极限范围。     

运动控制训练治疗慢性腰痛的临床疗效研究

目的：探讨运动控制训练(motor control exercise,MCE)对慢性腰痛(chronic low back pain,CLBP)的临床治疗效果。方法：选择2021年1—8月CLBP患者37例,并随机分为试验组(n=18)和对照组(n=19)。两组训练均为每周3天,每天1次,每次60min。对照组均进行核心肌力训练(2组),试验组核心肌力训练(1组)后进行运动控制训练(1组)。共6周。分别在两组患者训练前、训练6周后进行疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、Roland-Morris功能障碍调查表(Roland-Morris disability questionnaire,RMDQ)、静态平衡测试评估。结果：治疗6周后,两组患者VAS、RMDQ治疗前后均有显著性差异(P<0.05),试验组睁眼运动椭圆面、闭眼静态平衡指标、睁眼/闭眼长度较治疗前有显著差异(P<0.05);治疗6周后,试验组VAS、RMDQ、睁眼静态平衡指标、闭眼左右方向平均运动速度、运动椭圆面积较对照组显著改善(P<0.05)。结论：MCE对CLBP患...     

基于足底压力下睁闭眼对静态平衡功能的影响

目的:采用足底压力分析技术对正常年轻人的睁眼、闭眼状态下的姿势控制进行评估,旨在研究视觉输入对于静态平衡功能的影响。方法:选取66例健康成年人作为研究对象,指示受试者站立于FreeMed足底压力分析测试板固定位置。测试者按前、后、左、右4个方向摆动受试者骨盆,使受试者双脚压力均匀分布。先后进行睁眼和闭眼状态监测,分别记录足底压力数据30 s。使用Freestep足底压力分析系统对已采集足底压力原始数据进行预处理,得出球长度、椭圆面积、平均速度、平均X、平均Y、椭圆倾斜角、椭圆偏心角、最大摆动、最小摆动和左右双侧下肢的足底整体负荷、前足负荷和后足负荷。结果:在睁眼和闭眼2种状态下受试者的椭圆面积(P<0.05)、平均Y(P<0.001)和最大摆动(P<0.001)的差异均有统计学意义。对比睁眼状态,闭眼时正常人的椭圆面积减小,平均Y减小,而最大摆动增加。根据足底压力中心(COP)的散点图分布情况,发现睁眼状态下COP分布较闭眼状态下集中。对比睁眼和闭眼2种状态,受试者的左脚前足负荷(P<0.001)、右脚前足负荷(P<0.001)、左脚后足负荷(P<0.001)和右脚后足负荷(P<0.001)的差异均有统计学意义。闭眼状态较睁眼状态下左脚前足负荷和右脚前足负荷均有增加,而左脚后足负荷和右脚后足负荷均有减少。在左侧下肢与右侧下肢2种状态对比中,受试者的睁眼状态左脚整体负荷较右侧下肢减少(P=0.030);在闭眼状态下左脚整体负荷也比右侧下肢减少(P=0.021),差异有统计学意义。由前足和后足在睁闭眼2种状态的对比中可见,受试者的后足负荷均明显大于前足负荷(P<0.001),差异有统计学意义。结论:视觉输入作用于椭圆面积和摆动幅度,影响静态平衡功能维持;本研究通过足底压力分析的运动学和动力学参数量化评估平衡功能,力求能为临床评估提供方向。     

痉挛型脑瘫患儿躯干稳定性控制功能评估

目的检测痉挛型脑瘫患儿躯干稳定性控制功能,并对其视觉代偿以及躯干平衡特点进行分析。 方法共选取痉挛型脑瘫患儿及正常同龄儿童各20例,分别纳入脑瘫组及对照组。采用意大利产PK254P型平衡仪对上述入选对象进行检测,分别检测其在睁眼及闭眼状态下的躯干稳定性参数,包括躯干平均压力中心（COP）在前后方向及左右方向的平均运动速度、位移标准差、运动长度、运动椭圆面积及对称性等,睁眼及闭眼平衡检测时间均为30 s。 结果脑瘫组患儿COP前后方向位移标准差［睁眼时为（2.45±1.35）mm,闭眼时为（4.25±2.15）mm］、左右方向位移标准差［睁眼时为（3.05±1.82）mm,闭眼时为（5.95±2.95）mm］、前后方向平均运动速度［睁眼时为（5.70±2.70）mm/s,闭眼时为（8.80±4.66）mm/s］、左右方向平均运动速度［睁眼时为（5.85±3.10）mm/s,闭眼时为（9.10±4.82）mm/s］、运动长度［睁眼时为（183.50±84.12）mm,闭眼时为（255.90±119.07）mm］、运动椭圆面积［睁眼时为（60.65±32.63）mm2,闭眼时为（93.40±41.90）mm2］与对照组间差异均具有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。另外脑瘫组患儿在闭眼测试时其各项躯干稳定性控制参数与睁眼测试时的差值均大于对照组水平（均P<0.05）。脑瘫组患儿在睁眼及闭眼测试时其COP在左右方向上的分布基本对称（X轴COP均值接近于0）,而在前后方向的分布则更侧向于前方（Y轴COP均值均明显大于0）;对照组儿童在睁眼及闭眼测试时其COP在左右方向及前后方向的分布均基本对称（X轴COP及Y轴COP均值均接近于0）。 结论痉挛型脑瘫患儿在睁眼及闭眼时其躯干稳定性控制功能均不及正常同龄儿童,前者视觉代偿在躯干稳定性控制中的作用较正常同龄儿童显著;另外痉挛型脑瘫患儿COP在左右方向的分布基本对称,而在前后方向的分布则明显偏向于前方。     

腰椎间盘突出症患者静态平衡功能分析

目的探讨腰椎间盘突出症(LDH)患者的静态平衡功能。方法 2015年1~9月,选取本科LDH患者30例作为观察组,另选正常成人30名为对照组,采用平衡测试仪对两组进行平衡功能检测并比较。结果观察组在睁眼状态下重心摆动轨迹长度、轨迹面积、前-后平均运动速度均大于对照组(t2.262,P0.05),两组左-右平均运动速度无显著性差异(t=1.946,P=0.057)。闭眼状态下观察组各指标均明显大于对照组(t2.767,P0.01)。观察组Romberg值均大于对照组(t2.326,P0.05)。结论腰部本体感觉功能障碍及腰背部疼痛影响LDH患者姿势控制能力,患者更加依赖视觉信息的输入维持身体平衡。     

平衡反馈训练仪与Berg平衡量表在评定脑卒中偏瘫患者平衡功能中的相关性

目的:探索平衡反馈训练仪与Berg平衡量表在评定脑卒中偏瘫患者平衡功能的相关性。方法:脑卒中偏瘫患者30例,分别进行Pro-Kin平衡仪站立位睁、闭眼静态平衡测试和Berg平衡评估,比较睁、闭眼时平衡仪检测指标重心摆动轨迹长和摆动面积的差异,并分别与Berg平衡量表评分进行Pearson相关性分析。结果:睁眼时重心摆动轨迹长及摆动面积与闭眼时比较,差异均有显著性(P<0.05)。睁眼时重心摆动轨迹长、摆动面积与BBS总分、第6、9项呈中度负相关(r=-0.408—-0.663,P<0.05);重心摆动轨迹长与第8、11—14项,摆动面积与第1、5、7呈中度负相关(r=-0.409—-0.590,P<0.05)。闭眼时摆动面积与第7、8项呈中度负相关(r=-0.492,-0.501,P<0.05);重心摆动轨迹长与Berg总分及子项都不相关。结论:Pro-Kin平衡仪的站立位静态平衡测试时睁眼重心摆动的重心摆动轨迹长及摆动面积可反映脑卒中偏瘫患者的静态平衡能力。     

脑卒中患者的平衡功能和躯干屈伸肌群表面肌电特征北大核心CSCD

目的研究脑卒中患者在平衡仪上进行平衡测试时,竖脊肌、腹直肌肌电信号变化的特征,并观察其平衡功能。方法 2015年4月至2016年12月,脑卒中患者17例(试验组)和健康受试者13例(对照组)在平衡仪上坐位进行三种运动:睁眼/闭眼、平衡仪前后摆动10°、最大范围前后屈伸躯干。利用表面肌电记录运动时双侧竖脊肌和腹直肌肌电信号的均方根(RMS),记录受试者睁眼/闭眼坐位时质心摆动长度、质心摆动面积、X轴压力中心和Y轴压力中心。结果试验组在闭眼/睁眼坐位、最大范围前后屈伸运动时,竖脊肌RMS健侧与患侧间有显著性差异(t>2.173,P<0.05)。与对照组比较,试验组睁眼/闭眼坐位下健侧竖脊肌和腹直肌RMS增加(t>2.175,P<0.05),质心摆动长度及面积均增加(t>2.760,P<0.05)。结论脑卒中患者竖脊肌易出现两侧肌力不平衡,从而影响患者的平衡功能,康复训练时要加以重视。     

Attentional control of postural stability in institutionalised elderly people: effects of a physical exercise program]

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the effect of a physical activity program on postural sway and on the attentional control of postural abilities in elderly frail adults. METHOD: Twelve older adults (age 81.4+/-9 years) institutionalised in a geriatric care institution participated in the physical activity program posture-balance-mobility (PBM) twice a week (1 hour per session) for 12 weeks. We analysed stabilometric data for surface and length of the center of pressure (COP) sway, with eyes open and eyes closed, under single-task and dual-task conditions on a firm floor before and after the training program. During the static postural evaluation and under the dual-task condition, subjects performed an attention-demanding cognitive task, the random number generation task. RESULTS: Only the length of COP sway was more important under the dual-task condition than under the single-task condition (p=0.05). At baseline, cognitive performance was significantly weaker under the dual-task condition (standing) than under the single-task condition (seated), with eyes closed but not eyes open (p<0.05). However, after the training program, the performance of the cognitive task did not significantly differ between the dual-task condition with eyes closed and the single-task condition with eyes closed. CONCLUSION: The training program allowed elderly subjects to improve their ability to perform an attention-demanding cognitive task while standing still, in particular with their eyes closed. Although balance seemed to be less stable under the dual-task condition than under the single-task condition, these results could be interpreted as an improvement of the attentional control of postural stability.     

平衡训练干预对痉挛型脑瘫儿童立位平衡控制能力的影响

目的:探讨16周平衡训练干预对提高痉挛型脑瘫儿童身体站立位平衡控制能力的作用。方法:选取50名7~12岁粗大功能Ⅰ级的痉挛型脑瘫儿童,并随机分为观察组和对照组各25例。2组均给予常规康复训练,观察组在此基础上接受16周的平衡训练。受试者在干预前和干预后分别接受Berg平衡量表(BBS)、静态平衡及动态平衡测试。结果:治疗16周后,2组BBS评分均明显高于干预前(P<0.05);静态平衡测试在睁眼(DLO)与闭眼状态(DLC)下足底压力中心在左右方向最大动摇径(Dx)、前后方向最大动摇径(Dy)、移动总路程(Lng)和包络面积(Area)干预后值显著低于干预前(P<0.05);动态平衡测试干预后得分显著高于干预前(P<0.05)、最大旋转角速度(MRS)、平均旋转角速度(ARS)显著小于干预前(P<0.05)。组间平衡能力比较,干预后观察组和对照组Berg平衡量表得分无显著性差异;干预后观察组Dx-DLO、Dx-DLC、Dy-DLO、Dy-DLC、Lng-DLO、Area-DLO显著小于对照组(P<0.05);干预后观察组动态平衡得分显著高于对照组(P<0.05),ARS及MRS显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:16周的平衡仪和常规康复训练干预均可以有效地提高脑瘫儿童身体平衡控制能力,降低跌倒的风险;相比于常规康复训练,平衡仪训练改善静态及动态站立平衡能力效果更好。     

Is Balance Normal in Migraineurs Without History of Vertigo?

Objective.— To investigate by static posturography the occurrence of balance disorder in migraineurs without a history of vertigo during the interictal period.
Background.— The link between migraine and balance disorders has long been known but postural balance in migraineurs without manifest vestibulopathy has been rarely studied.
Methods.— We studied 25 migraineurs and age- and gender-matched controls. With static posturography we measured: (1) postural sway with eyes open or closed on a platform or on foam with 4 different head positions; (2) limits of stability as patients change their center of gravity to reach to 8 different points; (3) tandem walking.
Results.— With eyes open, sway velocity was significantly greater in migraineurs than in controls while standing on a firm surface with head backwards or on a foam surface in all head positions. With eyes closed, sway velocity was significantly greater in migraineurs than in controls only while standing on a foam surface with head backwards or turned sideways.
Migraineurs also had an offset center of gravity alignment in all conditions and their average reaction time and maximal excursions were significantly greater in the limits of stability test. In tandem walking, step width was significantly wider and walk speed was significantly slower in migraineurs.
Conclusion.— Our findings support the notion that there is a slight but significant postural instability in migraineurs and it is of central vestibular origin.     

Relationship between Postural Sway and Dynamic Balance in Stroke Patients

[Purpose] The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between postural sway and dynamic balance in post stroke patients. [Subjects] Thirty-one stroke patients (20 men and 11 women; age 64.25 years; stroke duration 12.70 months; MMSE-K score 26.35) participated in this study. [Methods] This study applied a cross-sectional design. A Good Balance system was used for measurement of the postural sway velocity (anteroposterior and mediolateral) and velocity moment of subjects under the eyes open and eyes closed conditions in a standing posture. The postural sway of subjects was measured under two surface conditions (stable and unstable surfaces). [Results] On the unstable surface (foam), no significant correlation was observed between postural sway and dynamic balance except for the berg balance scale (BBS) score and anteroposterior postural sway velocity under the eyes open condition, anteroposterior postural sway velocity under the eyes closed condition, and postural sway velocity moment. In addition, in the stable condition, no significant correlation was observed between postural sway and dynamic balance. [Conclusion] Our results indicate that a decrease in postural sway does not necessarily reflect improvement of dynamic balance ability. We believe that this finding may be useful in balance rehabilitation for prevention of falls after a stroke.Key words: Dynamic balance, Postural sway, Stroke     

Balance Control Comparison between Subjects with and without Non-specific Low Back Pain*

Objective: To compare the balance ability between normal people and non-specific low back pain (nsLBP) patients and explore the relationship between balance ability and muscle function in nsLBP patients. Method: Ten nsLBP patients as nsLBP group and 10 age and gender-matched healthy control subjects as control group were investigated. Posturography on balance platform and surface electromyography(sEMG) were performed to assess all the subjects′ function of equilibrium and muscle activities of erector spinea(ES), multifidus(MF), abdominal external oblique (EO), hamstring (HS) and maximal gluteus (MG) bilaterally. Result: The nsLBP subjects had greater sway on anterior-posterior direction (Y-speed and Y-extension, P=0.05) on feet-together posture and bigger main axis (P=0.023) on nature standing with eyes closed when compared with controls. The iEMG ratios of right MG in nature standing (eyes closed)/ nature standing (eyes open) and feet-together (eyes open)/nature standing (eyes open) in control group were significant higher than that in nsLBP group (P=0.03 and P=0.013). Conclusion: Balance evaluation combined with sEMG measurement on trank and lower limb muscles provided some quantitative information about functional deficits such as postural control and muscle activities in nsLBP patients. Ｔhis relationship should be emphasized in prevention and rehabilitation of nsLBP.     

Changes in Postural Sway According to Footwear Types of Hemiparetic Stroke Patients

[Purpose] The purpose of the current study was to investigate the influence of footwear type on postural sway of hemiparetic stroke patients. [Subjects] Thirty-two stroke patients who were undergoing a rehabilitation program were recruited on a voluntary basis from local rehabilitation unit. [Methods] This study had a single-group repeated-measures design. The Good Balance system was used to measure the postural sway velocity (anteroposterior and mediolateral) and velocity moment of the subjects under the eyes open and eyes closed conditions in the standing posture. Postural sway of the subjects in four types of footwear was measured, including barefoot, high heel-collar shoes, flat shoes, or slippers. [Results] The postural sway when wearing the flat shoes or slippers was significantly higher than that when barefoot or wearing high heel-collar shoes. In addition, postural sway velocity and velocity moment of all the footwear types were significantly higher under the eyes closed condition than under the eyes open condition. [Conclusion] Our results reveal that when the subjects wore flat shoes or slippers they had more difficulty than when they wore the high heel-collar shoes in postural control when maintaining standing balance. We believe that this result provides basic information for improvements in postural control and may be useful in balance training to prevent falls after stroke.Key words: Footwear, Postural sway, Stroke     

电针中极和关元治疗脑卒中后急迫性尿失禁的效果

目的 观察电针中极和关元治疗脑卒中后急迫性尿失禁的临床效果。 方法 2015年5月至2018年5月,40例脑卒中后急迫性尿失禁患者随机分为对照组(n = 20)和电针组(n = 20),两组均行常规治疗,电针组另予电针中极和关元,共4周。治疗前后完成72小时排尿日志,采用尿失禁程度量表进行评分,并行尿流动力学检查。 结果 对照组17例、电针组18例完成试验。两组治疗后总排尿次数、急迫性尿失禁次数和夜间因排尿护理者被叫起次数显著减少,平均尿量显著增加,尿失禁程度量表评分显著下降(|t| > 4.770, P < 0.001);电针组均明显优于对照组(| t| > 2.962, P < 0.01)。两组治疗后,最大膀胱测量容量和膀胱顺应性显著增加,最大膀胱压力和最大逼尿肌压力显著降低(| t| > 4.052, P < 0.001),电针组优于对照组(| t| > 2.716, P < 0.05)。 结论 电针中极和关元可显著改善急迫性尿失禁症状,与减小逼尿肌压力和膀胱压力、增大膀胱容量、改善膀胱顺应性有关。     

Visual input: its importance in the control of postural sway.

A new and measurable parameter in the study of static equilibrium is described. Using a minicomputer, the locus of postural sway was measured during 1 minute periods in 144 volunteer subjects, including 105 control subjects and 39 persons with above-knee amputations. It was hypothesized that the above-knee amputee group had lost a relatively predictable degree of proprioception and kinesthetic sense. Vestibular mechanisms were normal and, therefore, constant in both groups. Using a simple arithmetic formula, the effect of such loss of proprioception was estimated by comparing the amputee group with the nonamputee group, while the contribution of visual input was estimated by comparing both groups with their eyes open and closed. Using this parameter, no clear age dependency was demonstrated. The mean locus of sway for the amputee group was the same as the nonamputee group with the eyes open. However, a comparison of the eyes open/eyes closed ratio in both groups demonstrated a significantly greater increase for the amputee group than for control subjects (p less than 0.001). In the future, mean locus of sway might provide a useful clinical method of measurement and the eyes open/eyes closed ratio might provide a simple and useful method to communicate the dependency upon vision in individual patients.     

Effect of a single session of transcranial direct-current stimulation combined with virtual reality training on the balance of children with cerebral palsy: a randomized,controlled, double-blind trial

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a single session of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with virtual reality training on the balance of children with cerebral palsy. [Subjetcs and Methods] Children with cerebral palsy between four and 12 years of age were randomly allocated to two groups: an experimental group which performed a single session of mobility training with virtual reality combined with active transcranial direct current stimulation; and a control group which performed a single session of mobility training with virtual reality combined with placebo transcranial direct current stimulation. The children were evaluated before and after the training protocols. Static balance (sway area, displacement, velocity and frequency of oscillations of the center of pressure on the anteroposterior and mediolateral axes) was evaluated using a force plate under four conditions (30-second measurements for each condition): feet on the force plate with the eyes open, and with the eyes closed; feet on a foam mat with the eyes open, and with the eyes closed. [Results] An increase in sway velocity was the only significant difference found. [Conclusion] A single session of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation combined with mobility training elicited to lead to an increase in the body sway velocity of children with cerebral palsy.Key words: Cerebral palsy, Electrical stimulation, Static balance