Purpose: To evaluate the effects of vest type dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis on posture and balance during sitting and gross manual dexterity and to compare the efficacy of daily wearing time of 2 h versus 6 h. Method: Twenty-four children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 3–9 years with GMFCS levels III and IV were randomised to either of three groups: (i) a control group who received only conventional exercise therapy, (ii) dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis 2 h group who wore the orthosis for 2 h during therapy and dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis 6 h group who wore the orthosis for 4 h in addition to the 2 h of wear along with therapy during hospital inpatient stay for 2 weeks. Children continued to use dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis during the post-discharge period. The primary outcome measure was the Sitting Assessment Scale. The secondary outcome measurements were the sitting dimension of Gross Motor Function Measure, Box and Block Test and Parent Satisfaction Survey. Assessments were made before treatment, at post-treatment, at 1-month post-treatment, and at 3-months post-treatment. Sitting Assessment Scale and Box and Block Test were also assessed when immediately after wearing the orthosis. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov, under number NCT03191552. Results: All groups showed similar improvements except the control group which showed less improvement in Sitting Assessment Scale scores compared to the dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis groups. Dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis groups showed greater improvements compared to the control group in the Sitting Assessment Scale but not in the sitting dimension of Gross Motor Function Measure and Box and Block Test at post-treatment, at 1-month post-treatment and at 3-months post-treatment. When the dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis groups (2 h versus 6 h) were compared, there were no significant differences in any of the assessments. The Sitting Assessment Scale and Box and Block Test scores also improved immediately after the patients put on the orthosis. At 1-month post-treatment, parents of children in the control group reported less satisfaction than parents of the children in dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis groups. Conclusions: Dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis vest has an immediate effect on the sitting balance and gross manual dexterity. It also provides improvements in posture and balance during sitting. Wearing dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis vest for 2 h during therapy is as much effective as wearing it for 6 h in children with CP in addition to therapy to improve sitting balance.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of conventional and robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) programs on fatigue, mood, and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis who have fatigue. Methods: In this single-blinded, randomized controlled study, 37 patients with multiple sclerosis were randomized into two groups: RAGT (n = 18) and conventional gait training (n = 19). The RAGT group had gait training with RoboGait, whereas the conventional gait training group received conventional physiotherapist-assisted gait training. Outcome measures were the Fatigue Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54, Extended Disability Status Scale, Functional Ambulation Category, Berg Balance Test, and 6-min walk test. Results: Baseline demographic, clinic, and functional data were similar. Both groups showed improvements in the Fatigue Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale–Depression, Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life, Berg Balance Test, and 6-min walk test scores after treatment. Only the RAGT group showed an improvement in Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale–Anxiety score. The RAGT group had better Fatigue Severity Scale, and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale scores. Conclusion: In combination with the standard rehabilitation program, both RAGT and conventional gait training are effective for multiple sclerosis. However, RAGT has superior effects in terms of fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, it may be preferred in multiple sclerosis patients who exhibit prominent symptoms of fatigue, depression, or anxiety.

Objective To evaluate the effects of vitamin D and exercise on balance, fall risk and quality of life (QoL) in postmenopausal women. Methods In this prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind study postmenopausal women aged 50-70 years were included. Participants with 75nmol/L 25(OH) vitamin D (group-IV) (n=40) were designated as control group and received the core and balance exercises. The participants were evaluated before and after 8 weeks with Berg balance test and Biodex balance system (postural stability and fall risk tests) for balance and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) for QoL. Results Group IV had better baseline BBT, NHP pain, NHP emotional reactions, NHP social isolation subdomain and total score. After treatment all groups showed significant improvement in balance (except group I, mediolateral stability index) and QoL (except group II). There was no significant difference between groups (I, II and III) after intervention. Conclusion Vitamin D replacement therapy has positive effects on balance and QoL. Core strengthening and balance exercises are essential for better balance and fall prevention in postmenopausal women. Any superior effect of vitamin D or exercise on each other was not determined.