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Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a home-based muscle power training program on muscle strength and power, functional performance, and physical activity behavior in individuals at least 6 months posttotal knee arthroplasty. Methods: Twelve men and women, mean age 63.9 (6.8) and 6 months to 2 years posttotal knee arthroplasty unilateral or bilateral), completed this study. Participants were randomly assigned to the home-based power training intervention or step-monitoring comparison group. Quadriceps muscle strength and power, 6-minute walk test, functional leg power, and habitual walking behavior (average daily steps, minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity) were assessed before and after intervention and then compared between and within groups. Results: The authors found no significant differences between the groups on amount of change in any of the outcomes, but mixed results on differences within each of the groups on the outcome measures. Conclusion: There were no differences between the groups for amount of change on the outcome measures the authors selected. Although within group differences varied slightly for each group, it was not enough to justify the more expensive home-based power training over the simpler step-monitoring intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Test-retest reliability has not been previously reported for the instrumented modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (i-mCTSIB) utilizing the Neurocom Very Simple Rehab (VSR) Sport force plate. The VSR Sport is a portable, relatively inexpensive force plate system utilized to assess postural stability in various populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the i-mCTSIB when assessed using the VSR Sport in a sample of healthy, older adults. Methods: This was a methodological study with 20 healthy, older adults between the ages of 65 and 85 years. Participants were tested twice in a single session on the i-mCTSIB utilizing the VSR Sport force plate. The mean sway velocity (°/s) measurements for the 2 trials were compared for each test condition to compute intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for each measurement. Standard error of measurements and minimal detectable change at the 90% confidence level (MDC90) were also calculated. Results and Discussion: The test-retest reliability for each of the test conditions ranged from 0.762 to 0.909, which can be broadly interpreted as good-to-excellent reliability. The ICC(2,k) value of 0.898 for the composite score can also be interpreted as excellent reliability. Our results revealed small SEM for all test conditions (SEM = 0.060-0.101) except for the foam surface, eyes closed condition, with an SEM of 0.481. The MDC90 results for all testing conditions ranged from 0.140 to 0.285 except for the foam surface, eyes closed condition, which had an MDC90 = 1.12. Conclusions: The i-mCTSIB measurements utilizing the VSR Sport demonstrated good-to-excellent test-retest reliability. The clinical relevance of this study is that it demonstrates that the VSR Sport is a feasible alternative to other more expensive computerized systems used for the assessment of postural sway. MDC90 scores allow interpretation of change in i-mCTSIB scores following intervention. Practice effects may have contributed to the larger MDC90 for sway scores in the foam surface, eyes closed condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To prepare patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) for discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, physical therapists may incorporate dual-task gait activities. Reliability of common dual-task measures for people with TBI in inpatient rehabilitation is undetermined. Our purpose was to assess inter-rater and intra-rater reliability and clinical feasibility of dual-task measures [Walking While Talking Test (WWTT), Modified Walking and Remembering Task (mWART), Timed Up and Go-cognitive (TUG-COG)] in inpatient rehabilitation for patients with TBI. Methods: A total of 22 individuals with TBI completing the dual-task measures (WWTT, Walking and Remembering Task (WART), and TUG-COG) in inpatient rehabilitation were rated concurrently by two physical therapists in a single testing session. Sessions were video recorded and rated by the same raters viewing the video 7–10 days later. Raters completed a survey assessing feasibility of conducting the dual-task measures in patients with TBI in inpatient rehabilitation. Data were analyzed by calculating ICC(2,1) for inter-rater reliability and ICC(3,1) for intra-rater reliability. Results: All dual-task measures (WWTT, mWART, TUG-COG) had excellent inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. Raters considered dual-task measures feasible for patients with TBI during inpatient rehabilitation. Conclusions: The WWTT, mWART, and TUG-COG have excellent reliability and appear clinically feasible for incorporation into clinical practice in inpatient rehabilitation following TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Researchers have demonstrated moderate evidence for the use of exercise in the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). Recent evidence also supports eccentric exercise for patients with lower extremity and wrist tendinopathies. However, only a few investigators have examined the effects of eccentric exercise on patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy., Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of an eccentric progressive resistance exercise (PRE) intervention to a concentric PRE intervention in adults with SAIS., Study Design: Randomized Clinical Trial., Methods: Thirty-four participants with SAIS were randomized into concentric (n = 16, mean age: 48.6 ± 14.6 years) and eccentric (n = 18, mean age: 50.1 ± 16.9 years) exercise groups. Supervised rotator cuff and scapular PRE's were performed twice a week for eight weeks. A daily home program of shoulder stretching and active range of motion (AROM) exercises was performed by both groups. The outcome measures of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, pain-free arm scapular plane elevation AROM, pain-free shoulder abduction and external rotation (ER) strength were assessed at baseline, week five, and week eight of the study., Results: Four separate 2x3 ANOVAs with repeated measures showed no significant difference in any outcome measure between the two groups over time. However, all participants made significant improvements in all outcome measures from baseline to week five (p <  0.0125). Significant improvements also were found from week five to week eight (p < 0.0125) for all outcome measures except scapular plane elevation AROM., Conclusion: Both eccentric and concentric PRE programs resulted in improved function, AROM, and strength in patients with SAIS. However, no difference was found between the two exercise modes, suggesting that therapists may use exercises that utilize either exercise mode in their treatment of SAIS., Level of Evidence: Therapy, level 1b.