Biomedical subjects

Louise Ada

Publications and source records attributed to Louise Ada.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Differences in ankle range of motion between pre-walking and walking infants.

The magnitude of passive ankle dorsiflexion decreases from about 60 degrees in the neonatal period to about 20 degrees in adulthood. In order to examine the relation between this reduction and motor development, the magnitude of passive ankle dorsiflexion was compared between infants who were not yet standing and those who were newly walking. Ankle angle and force data during passive ankle dorsiflexion were collected from 14 pre-walkers and 12 new-walkers. Ankle dorsiflexion decreased by 6.6 degrees from a mean of 45 degrees in the pre-walkers to a mean of 38 degrees in the new-walkers. This normative data provides guidelines for the assessment and monitoring of ankle function in the disabled infant.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of thumb pain in physical therapists practicing spinal manipulative therapy.

Thumb pain is a common complaint of physical therapists. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, presentation, and techniques associated with aggravation of thumb pain in physical therapists practicing spinal manipulative therapy and the management strategies used to deal with pain. A survey was sent to members of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia. Data were collected from subjects who had completed postgraduate study in manipulative physical therapy. Of the 155 subjects who responded, 83% complained of pain in their thumbs aggravated by performing manipulative therapy techniques in the preceding year (2000). The most common presentation of pain included mild pain (3.8/10) at the metacarpophalangeal joint, with multiple, short-lived episodes. Techniques most commonly responsible for aggravation of symptoms were unilateral (87%) and central posteroanterior glides (85%). Most subjects (74%) changed their choice of treatment technique to alleviate symptoms. Suggestions are made about the safe alignment of the thumb during performance of spinal manipulative therapy techniques.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Relation between spasticity, weakness and contracture of the elbow flexors and upper limb activity after stroke: an observational study.

PURPOSE: Understanding the relationship between the motor impairments and their impact on physical activity will allow rehabilitation after stroke to be based on scientific principles. The aims of this study were to determine: (i) the relative contribution of weakness and spasticity to contracture, and (ii) the relative contribution of all three impairments to limitations in physical activity during the first 12 months after stroke. METHOD: This longitudinal observational study charted the evolution of weakness (loss of maximal force), spasticity (stretch-evoked EMG) and contracture (loss of joint range) of the elbow flexors and limitations in upper limb activity (Motor Assessment Scale) for a year after stroke in 27 subjects who had suffered a first stroke. Spasticity was measured as abnormal reflex activity, weakness was measured as loss of maximum isometric torque, contracture was measured as the difference in range of motion between the affected and intact side, and limitations in physical activity were measured on a clinical scale. RESULTS: The major independent contributors to contracture were spasticity for the first four months after stroke (p = 0.0001 - 0.10) and weakness thereafter (p = 0.01 - 0.05). However, the major and only independent contributor to limitations in physical activity throughout the year was weakness (p = 0.0001 - 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, from a longitudinal study, the findings show that spasticity can cause contracture after stroke, consistent with the prevailing clinical view. However, weakness is the main contributor to activity limitations.

Adult↗