Sami S. AlAbdulwahab

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the gluteus medius improves the gait of children with cerebral palsy.

UNLABELLED Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the gluteus medius muscles using a surface electrode during functional walking training has never been reported as a management option to improve gait in spastic diplegic children. PURPOSE This study was investigates the short and longer term effects of simultaneous continuous NMES of both hip abductors during walking on the temporal-spatial gait characteristics and hip adductor muscle tone in children with spastic diplegia caused by cerebral palsy (CP). SUBJECTS Three groups of subjects participated: an experimental group of twenty-one ambulant spastic diplegic children; a CP control group containing ten ambulant spastic diplegic children; and a healthy control group with twenty normal children. METHOD The experimental group received three different NMES management programs. The first NMES program was designed to evaluate the immediate short-term effects of simultaneous continuous NMES of both gluteus medius muscles during walking. The second NMES program aimed to evaluate the effect of 15 minutes of simultaneous and continuous NMES of both gluteus medius muscles during walking, three sessions a day for a week. The third program was similar to the first and was designed to detect any additional changes in gait after full adaptation to NMES and completion of the second program. A dual channel stimulator with self-adhesive electrodes at the tolerable motor threshold level was used with a frequency of 20 Hz and pulse width of 50 micros. The effect of NMES programs was assessed using a three-dimensional gait analysis system and the Modified Ashworth Scale. RESULTS Significant improvement in the temporal-spatial parameters and hip adductor muscle tone of the experimental group (p < 0.001-0.05) was observed. CONCLUSION The NMES management programs used in this study improved the gait of spastic diplegic CP children.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of hip adductors improves gait parameters of children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND Reduction of spasticity in hip adductor muscles is one of the essential factors to improve standing, gait, and personal hygiene of children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Surgical and medical methods have been commonly used for such purposes. These methods are expensive, required special skill and have side effects. OBJECTIVE To study the effect of conventional TENS on spasticity in hip adductors and gait parameters of children with spastic diplegic CP. SUBJECT An experimental group of twenty seven ambulant children with spastic diplegic CP and control group of fifteen healthy children were voluntary participants in the study. METHODS The experimental group received two different TENS management programs. The 1st TENS program was a one-time trial management program that included an ongoing application of conventional TENS on bilateral hip adductors during passive hip abduction, and during walking for a pre-determined distance. The 2nd TENS program was a one-week trial management program that included 15 minutes of ongoing application of conventional TENS on bilateral hip adductors during walking, three sessions a day for a week. The effects of the TENS program was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale, the balance master system and visual observations of knee positions. RESULTS A significant improvement was recorded in spasticity of hip adductors, gait parameters and knees position of the experimental group. CONCLUSION Functional application of TENS to hip adductors of children with spastic diplegic CP can reduce spasticity and improve gait pattern.

Smartphone use addiction can cause neck disability

A smartphone is one of the most popular devices among adolescents. Advancement in smartphone models, including portable media players, compact digital cameras, access to emails, GPS navigation units and high‐resolution touch screens, contribute to the frequent use and addiction to smartphones (Kwon et al., 2013). Along with the rise in smartphone use, potential risks for musculoskeletal problems have been reported (Kang et al., 2012; Kwon et al., 2013). Most smartphone tasks require users to stare sharplydownwardsor to hold their arms out in front of them to read the screen, which makes the head move forward and causes an excessive anterior curve in the lower cervical vertebrae and an excessive posterior curve in the upper thoracic vertebrae to maintain balance, placing stresses on the cervical spine and neckmuscles (Berolo,Wells &Amick, 2011; Kang et al., 2012). Forward head posture is one of the commonly recognized poor postures in the sagittal plane. It has been indicated that this posture might contribute to the onset and perpetuation of neck and back pain syndromes, with further loss of cervical spine extension (Burgess‐Limerick, Plooy & Ankrum, 1998; McEvoy & Grimmer, 2005). Forward head posture is determined by a dynamic combination of daily life factors, such as computer use (Brink, Louw, Grimmer & Jordaan, 2014). Incorrect posture of the head and neck has been correlated with chronic musculoskeletal pain (Lau, Cheung, Chan, Lo & Chiu, 2010; Szeto, Straker & Raine, 2002). The aim of the present study was to determine the level of smartphone addiction and its relationship with neck function in healthy young adult subjects.

Outcomes of a type 2 diabetes education program adapted to the cultural contexts of Saudi women. A pilot study

Objective: To explore the outcomes of a pilot intervention of a type 2 diabetes (T2D) education program, based on international standards, and adapted to the cultural and religious contexts of Saudi women. Methods: This study is an experiment of a pilot intervention carried out between August 2011 and January 2012 at the primary health clinics in Dammam. Women at risk of or diagnosed with T2D (N=35 including dropouts) were assigned to one of 2 groups; an intervention group participated in a pilot intervention of T2D education program, based on international standards and tailored to their cultural and religious contexts; and a usual care group received the usual care for diabetes in Saudi Arabia. Outcomes included blood glucose, body composition, 6-minute walk distance, life satisfaction, quality of life, and diabetes knowledge. The intervention group participated in a focus group of their program experience. Data analysis was based on mixed methods. Results: Based on 95% confidence interval comparisons, improvements were noted in blood sugar, 6-minute walk distance, quality of life, and diabetes knowledge in participants of the intervention group. They also reported improvements in lifestyle-related health behaviors after the education program. Conclusion: Saudi women may benefit from a T2D education program based on international standards and adapted to their cultural and religious contexts.

Sensory processing dysfunction among Saudi children with and without autism

[Purpose] There is a dearth of studies that have examined the occurrence of sensory processing dysfunction and its components in Saudi Arabian children with autism. Therefore, this study investigated the manifestation of sensory processing dysfunction in autism and compared the functional components of sensory processing between Saudi Arabian children with and without autism. [Subjects and Methods] A convenience sample of 46 Saudi Arabian children with autism and 30 children without autism participated in this study. The sensory processing functions of both groups were assessed with the Short Sensory Profile. [Results] The overall findings indicated that 84.8% of children with autism demonstrated definite sensory processing dysfunction. The most prevalent sensory processing dysfunctions involved the under-responsive/seeks sensation (89.13%), auditory filtering (73.90%), and tactile sensitivity (60.87%) domains. Most of the children without autism (66.66%) demonstrated typical sensory function; the most prevalent sensory processing dysfunctions involved the tactile sensitivity (33.3%), under-responsive/seeks sensation (23.33%), and movement sensitivity (20%) domains. [Conclusion] Saudi Arabian children with and without autism have clinically significant sensory dysfunctions. However, the prevalence of those sensory dysfunctions in children with autism is significantly higher than in the children without autism.

Physical activity associated with prayer regimes improves standing dynamic balance of healthy people.

[Purpose] Preparing for prayers, practicing religious meditation and performing prayers are believed to stimulate the visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems, which provide the sensory information that influences human balance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Islamic prayer regime on balance. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty healthy male subjects with a mean age of 31 ± 5 years and a mean body mass index of 27 ± 2 kg/cm2 voluntarily participated in this study. The subjects were divided into two equal groups: one group of subjects who regularly practiced Islamic prayer, and another group of non-practicing subjects. The dynamic balance of individuals in both groups was measured using a Balance Master. [Results] Adult healthy subjects practicing Islamic prayer regimes exhibited statistically significantly better dynamic balance than the non-practicing healthy subjects. [Conclusions] The results of this study support the hypothesis that religious meditation and prayers benefit human physiological function, especially balance.

Electrical stimulation improves gait in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND Electrical stimulation (ES) of proximal muscles during gait training has not previously been reported as a management option for improving muscle tone and gait in spastic diplegic children. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of simultaneous continuous ES of both hip abductors and adductors during walking on muscle tone, knee alignment and gait characteristics in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). SUBJECT Three groups of children participated in this project: the study group, consisting of 17 ambulant children with spastic diplegic CP; a control group of 15 ambulant children with spastic diplegic CP; and another control group, with 17 healthy children. METHODS The study group underwent two different ES management programs. The first was a one-time trial management program that involved ongoing ES of bilateral hip adductor and abductor muscles at the sensory and motor levels, respectively, during walking for a predetermined distance. The second ES program lasted for one week and involved 15 minutes of ongoing ES of bilateral hip adductor and abductor muscles at the sensory and motor levels, respectively, during walking for three sessions a day for the week. RESULTS Marked improvement in gait performance (p < 0.001), muscle tone (p < 0.01) and knee position of the study group was observed. CONCLUSION ES to the hip adductor and abductor muscles simultaneously at the sensor and motor levels, respectively, improved gait in spastic diplegic CP children.

Effects of body mass index on foot posture alignment and core stability in a healthy adult population

Foot biomechanics and core stability (CS) play significant roles in the quality of standing and walking. Minor alterations in body composition may influence base support or CS strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the body mass index (BMI) on the foot posture index (FPI) and CS in a healthy adult population. A total of 39 healthy adult subjects with a mean age of 24.3±6.4 years and over-weight BMI values between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2 (27.43±6.1 kg/m2) participated in this study. Foot biomechanics were analyzed using the FPI. CS was assessed using a plank test with a time-to-failure trial. The Spearman correlation coefficient indicated a significant correlation between BMI and both the FPI (r=0.504, P=0.001) and CS (r= −0.34, P=0.036). Present study concluded that an overweight BMI influences foot posture alignment and body stability. Consequently, BMI should be considered during rehabilitation management for lower extremity injuries and body balance.

An analysis of physical performance between backward and forward walking training in young healthy individuals

Objective: Walking on a treadmill is a common tool for lower extremity rehabilitation in the clinical setting. Backward walking (BW) shows significant differences with forward walking (FW) and these differences are potentially useful in rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of BW and FW on sports performance variables such as functional strength, balance, aerobic and anaerobic capacities of young healthy adults. Materials and Methods: Totally, 30 young healthy male subjects with a mean age of 26.1 ± 4.3 years participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups, forward walking group (FWG) and backward walking group (BWG) (n = 15) and performed forward and backward directions walking on a treadmill at consistent speed and 10% inclination, respectively, for duration of 6 weeks. Study outcomes such as functional strength, balance, aerobic and anaerobic capacities were measured on pre- and post-intervention. Results: The results of the study observed that lower limb functional strength, aerobic and anaerobic capacities were improved with BWG than FWG. However, the static and dynamic balances were showed no significant improvement between both walking groups. Conclusion: Backward walking training has been proved to be effective in improving the lower limb functional strength, aerobic and anaerobic capacities of the normal healthy individuals, whereas the balance components has to be studied in future in an extensive ways in BW.

Role of cognitive assessment for high school graduates prior to choosing their college major

[Purpose] Academic performance of college students can be impacted by the efficacy of students’ ability and teaching methods. It is important to assess the progression of college students’ cognitive abilities among different college majors and as they move from junior to senior levels. However, dearth of studies have been examined the role of cognitive ability tests as a tool to determine the aptitude of the perspective students. Therefore, this study assessed cognitive abilities of computer science and ART students. [Subjects and Methods] Participants were 130 college students (70 computer and 60 art students) in their first and final years of study at King Saud University. Cognitive ability was assessed using the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence, Third Edition. [Results] The cognitive ability of computer science students were statistically better than that of art students and were shown improvement from junior to senior levels, while the cognitive ability of art students did not. [Conclusion] The cognitive ability of computer science college students was superior compared to those in art, indicating the importance of cognitive ability assessment for high school graduates prior to choosing a college major. Cognitive scales should be included as an aptitude assessment tool for decision-makers and prospective students to determine an appropriate career, which might reduce the rate of university drop out.