Knee osteoarthritis affects approximately 25 million adults. In severe cases, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most common solution. TKA is effective at addressing pain and reducing continued degeneration of articular cartilage. However, effective physical therapy (PT) following TKA is vital for a full functional recovery. Despite the importance of PT, half of patients never achieve a full functional recovery. Decreases in proprioceptive feedback, severe atrophy, and pain inhibition all likely contribute to the variability in effectiveness. Surface electromyography-based biofeedback (sEMGBF) may allow clinicians to address some of these barriers by supplementing proprioceptive feedback and targeting small muscle contractions before eventually increasing the contraction requirement. Using a between group design, we compare the effectiveness of sEMGBF (7) to neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) (6), and a control group (6) in recovery following TKA. Effectiveness was evaluated across 4 metrics (quadriceps strength, range of motion, functional improvement, and quality of life) in a pre-test/post-test fashion. At the statistical level this study suggest that sEMGBF leads to greater improvements in quadriceps strength relative to the NMES and control group. Additionally, visual analysis suggests that sEMGBF may also lead to greater improvements in range of motion, and functional improvement relative to the NMES and control group. The results for quality of life are mixed. Overall, the study provides initial clinical support for the utility of sEMGBF following TKA.

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

No description available.

The present study investigated the influence of a brief, intensive biofeedback-assisted imagery training regimen on psychological, physiological and neuroendocrinological measures of pain and stress in injury related chronic pain patients. The subjects were 36 patients (myelography examcandidates) who were assigned to the imagery or wait-list control group by order of referral presentation and to formulate equivalent groups.

Introduction: Biofeedback based on sensory substitution is a new method to treat patients with postural disorders. BrainPort provides tongue electrotactile stimulation. This innovative technique was developed for vestibular dysfunction of peripheral origin. Primarily for patients who had no benefits from conventional rehabilitation. Tongue electrotactile stimulation seems to be useful for central vestibula dysfunction as well. We are dealing with effect of BrainPort in therapy of degenerative cerebellar ataxia. We are interested in whether the effects persist for one month after the rehabilitation program. Methods: The methods are applied in 6 patients with degenerative cerebellar ataxia, verified by clinical testing, posturography, and genetic testing or verification of cerebellar lesions by MRI. Patients underwent an 12-day intensive rehabilitation program with BrainPort. Treatment was carried out 2 times a day. Patients were learning appropriate postural corrections to maintain signal in the middle of the tongue. To assess the effect of therapy we used posturography, standardized clinical tests - BESTest, Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and standardized questionnaires - The Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and Dizzines Inventroy Handicap (DHI). The examination was performed before...

The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the effect of rehabilitation with visual biofeedback at acute stage after vestibular schwannoma surgery and to evaluate if preoperative intratympanic aplication of gentamicin has influence on vestibular compensation of standing stability. The study was attended by 20 patients (12 women and 8 men) in the age from 28 to 63 years. Eight patients had vestibular schwannoma diagnosed in their left side, twelve in the right side. Rehabilitation program using interactive rehabilitation system Homebalance took place from the 5th postoperative day until hospital discharge, daily 15 to 20 min. To evaluate of therapeutic intervention objectively the device Synapsys Posturography System was used. Stabilometric examination was done before operation of vestibular schwannoma, after operation and after termination of rehabilitation with visual biofeedback. Statistic analysis showed significant increase of mean values of measured parameters CoP (sway velocity CoP, length of trajectory of CoP, area of the confidence ellipse CoP) postoperatively compared to preoperative values. After termination of therapeutic intervention there was any significant decrease of values of parameters CoP compared to postoperative status. Between group of patients with preoperative aplication of...

The thesis evaluates the effect of four-week home therapy using stabilometric platform Nintendo Wii Balance Board and tablet with integrated software HomeBalance in patients with brain injury. Software HomeBalance has been developed for the treatment of balance disorders and cognitive function. Manipulating the platform and the tablet may also develop grip and handling abilities of hand, both will be evaluated in this work as well. The theoretical part describes new trends in rehabilitation of cognitive-motor interference, dual-task therapy and therapy using technological equipments. Methods: A total of 9 subjects underwent four weeks of therapy using a therapeutic set HomeBalance. The control group of 12 subjects received therapy without any technological equipment. Patients participated in the initial examination, home therapy and final examination. As an evaluation of the therapy Mini-BESTest, Timed Up and Go test, Montreal cognitive assessment, 9- hole peg test, and also two games from HomeBalance software and questionnaire assessing satisfaction with therapy have been used. Results: After treatment the whole group improved in only two tests evaluated: in Mini- BESTest and the time of diagnostic scene in HomeBalance software. The research group had statistically better results in both tests...

The thesis deals with the evaluation of the impact of preoperative application of gentamicin on vestibular compensations of patient after vestibular schwannoma surgery. The trial involved 32 patients with diagnosed vestibular schwannoma and hospitalized with the indicated for neurosurgical resection at the University Hospital Motol. Ototoxic gentamicin was transtympanically applied to ten of these patients two months before their surgery. After the surgery the patients underwent a rehabilitation program based on the visual biofeedback using the Homebalance system. To evaluate the vestibular compensation the subjective visual vertical measurement and the Dynamic Gait Index standardized walking test were used. In total, each patient performed three examinations: before the surgery, after the surgery and before the end of hospitalization. Statistical analysis of the measured data showed the statistically significant increase tilt of subjective visual vertical and the decrease in the overall score of Dynamic Gait Index after surgery. Reduction in the subjective visual vertical tilt and the overall score of Dynamic Gait Index after rehabilitation has not been proven to be statistically significant. Any statistically significant difference was found between the group of patients treated by gentamicin and...

The graduation thesis deals with the issue of balance disorders due to a cerebellar damage. It deals in detail with the treatment of patients suffering from degenerative cerebellar ataxia and with the use of biofeedback technologies as means of postural stability treatment. The aim of practical part of this work was to investigate the effectiveness of therapy using biofeedback for patients suffering from progressive ataxia due to cerebellar neurodegeneration. The research sample consisted of 8 patients. The patients underwent a total of 18 therapy sessions within a twelve-day rehabilitative program. The therapy contained a training of stability in various positions with the elimination of visual control. A device provided an additive information about head sways for the patients via a tongue electrotactile stimulation. The effects were assessed by means of posturography, functional clinical tests (BESTest, Dynamic Gait Index) and questionnaires (Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Dizziness Handicap Inventory). Three assessments were performed: immediately before, immediately after, and 30 days after the rehabilitative program. A statistical analysis of the data showed significant improvement in all observed parameters. In addition, there was no loss of the benefits in the interval of 30...

The Diploma thesis titled "Using biofeedback for patients with non-specific low back pain" in theoretic part gives basic information about motor learning, biofeedback, low back pain and postural stability. In the research part, it deals with influence of postural stability- focused therapy (performed on Nintendo Wii Fit Plus device) on low back pain and postural stability. The work also deals with influence of added feedback on reduction low back pain, postural stability and realizing intrinsic feedback. We demonstrate that this therapy reduced low back pain but has no significant influence on postural stability. We also demonstrate that added feedback has positive effect on persistence of pain and affective part of the Short Form of McGill Pain Questionary, but it does not influence postural stability. On the contrary, absence of added feedback significantly influenced the postural stability. The added feedback does not influence awareness intrinsic feedback.