Objectives: This study aimed to compare the sit-to-stand (STS) transfer in normal elderly subjects and people with Parkinson’s disease, using kinematic and kinetic analysis. Design: A cross-sectional cohort study using a control group and a group of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition that is characterized by hypokinesia, akinesia, tremor, rigidity and postural instability. In individuals with PD, falling is a common risk and occurs most frequently during walking or other locomotor activities that involve a shift in the centre of mass, an example being the daily STS transfer. This study aimed to help the clinician gain a better understanding of the biomechanical analysis of the STS transfer in individuals with PD. Methods: Fourteen subjects with PD and fourteen age matched healthy individuals performed the STS transfer at their self-selected speed from a height-standardized seat in a laboratory setting. Analysis was based on ground reaction forces, joint angles calculated from two-dimensional kinematic data, and time to complete the task. Results: Subjects with PD took longer than control subjects to complete the STS. Also, there were differences in the ground reaction forces between individuals with PD and their age-matched controls. Conclusion: In line with other findings about movement in PD, the individuals with PD were slower, exerted less force and used different strategies than age-matched controls. / Thesis (Master, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2008-01-26 10:54:10.996

The purpose of the present study was to establish the use of the power flow analysis and the subsequent phase breakdown of the movement pattern as an objective and reliable tool to document in detail movement disabilities observed in Parkinson's disease. Movement was reflected in a series of functional phases responsible for detailed muscle function around the joint as the result of the kinematic output. / The results revealed the importance of the power flow analysis as a sensitive tool for describing coordination disabilities. Similar muscle phenomena were reflected through the functional movement phases of both ability groups. However, the variability in the number of phases increased as a function of the task complexity. The statistical comparison of selected kinematic and dynamic parameters revealed significantly higher peaks for the able-bodied movement profiles. The analysis also demonstrated that the movement deficiencies observed in Parkinson's Disease cannot simply be attributed to the pure force production by the joint musculature. It seems that there is also a problem in managing and organizing the active and passive forces acting at the joint. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Research on the etiological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease has yielded inconsistent results. It is suggested that this may be due to the unidirectional focus on biomedical attributes, and the failure to consider psychosocial factors in combination with the biomedical characteristics. A biopsychosocial model of Alzheimer's disease, which integrates the biomedical dimension with psychosocial stressors and social support is proposed and tested in a sample of 172 geriatric patients using polychotomous logistic regression. Results find support for the implication of stress in the disease process, but fail to find a relationship between social support and Alzheimer's disease. It is concluded that the ultimate value of a biopsychosocial model of Alzheimer's disease rests in its identification of psychosocial factors, that could result in the prevention of the development of the disease.

Thesis (M App Sc) -- University of South Australia, 1992

Thesis (M. P. H.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 17-18)

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Medicine, 1975.

Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2005. / Also held in print (viii, 66 leaves ; 30 cm.) in Akoranga Theses Collection. (T 616.34409 LYN)

Thesis (M A(Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.