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Elisabeth Rydwik

Publications and source records attributed to Elisabeth Rydwik.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

The effect of exercise of the affected foot in stroke patients--a randomized controlled pilot trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of treatment with a portable device called Stimulo on range of motion, muscle strength and spasticity in the ankle joint and its effect on walking ability, balance, activities of daily living (ADL) and health-related quality of life in stroke patients. DESIGN: A randomized controlled pilot study. SETTING: A research centre. SUBJECTS: Ambulatory or partly ambulatory chronic stroke patients with remaining spasticity and/or decreased range of motion in the hemiparetic leg/ankle. INTERVENTIONS: Standardized and individualized programme including active and passive range of motion of the ankle with a portable device (Stimulo), performed three times a week for 30 min, over a six-week period. MAIN MEASURES: Range of motion, muscle strength, spasticity, gait variables, balance, ADL and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Eighteen subjects were included in the study with a mean age of 75 years. The compliance rate was 94-99%. There were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: The study showed no significant effect of an ankle-exercise intervention programme with Stimulo. Further studies with a larger sample size are of importance before any further conclusions can be drawn.

Aged↗

Effects of physical training on physical performance in institutionalised elderly patients (70+) with multiple diagnoses.

OBJECTIVE: the positive effect of physical training in healthy elderly people is well documented. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the effect of physical training on physical performance in institutionalised elderly patients with multiple diagnoses. DESIGN: systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials regarding effects of physical training of elderly (70+) subjects. METHODS: the randomised controlled trials were evaluated using a modified version of an evaluation form originally developed by the Cochrane Collaboration. It is based on a weighted scale of 0-100 points, and ranks the studies as high, moderate or low methodological quality. A total of 16 randomised controlled trials were included in the review. RESULTS: six studies scored as high quality, eight as moderate and two as low. There was a large heterogeneity in the studies concerning sample size, types of interventions and types of assessments. There is strong evidence for a positive effect of physical training on muscle strength and mobility; moderate evidence for an effect on range of motion; and contradictory evidence regarding gait, activities of daily living, balance and endurance. CONCLUSION: more studies are required, with larger sample sizes, higher specificity as to the types of interventions and assessments, greater focus on clinically relevant outcomes such as endurance and activities of daily living, and also, for example, quality of life and mortality.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Physical training in institutionalized elderly people with multiple diagnoses--a controlled pilot study.

Reduction in muscle mass and physical function depends on a variety of interacting factors: age, physical activity level, nutritional state and the type and impact of disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an individualized moderate intensity physical training program on muscle strength, balance, mobility, ambulation and activities of daily living (ADL) in institutionalized elderly people aged 65 and over with multiple diagnoses. Baseline assessments consisted of strength, balance, mobility/ambulation, and ADL. Twenty-one subjects were included in the intervention program. A control group (21 subjects) was first matched in pairs according to gender, age, ADL and mobility, and then by balance, ambulation and strength. The intervention program was individualized and included strength, mobility, balance and endurance training. Follow-up measures were conducted directly after the intervention and 10 weeks later. After drop-out, 20 subjects in the intervention group and 15 subjects in the control group remained for analyses. Balance and mobility improved significantly in the intervention group while declining in the control group. This pilot study indicates that a physical training program may improve functional capacity for institutionalized elderly persons with multiple diagnoses.

Activities of Daily Living↗