Background: Reduction of spasticity in hip adductor muscles is one of the essential factors to improve standing, gait, and personal hygiene of children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Surgical and medical methods have been commonly used fo

Background: Electrical stimulation (ES) of proximal muscles during gait training has not previously been reported as a management option for improving muscle tone and gait in spastic diplegic children. Objective: To investigate the effects of simultaneous continuous ES of both hip abductors and adductors during walking on muscle tone, knee alignment and gait characteristics in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Subject: Three groups of children participated in this project: the study group, consisting of 17 ambulant children with spastic diplegic CP; a control group of 15 ambulant children with spastic diplegic CP; and another control group, with 17 healthy children. Methods: The study group underwent two different ES management programs. The first was a one-time trial management program that involved ongoing ES of bilateral hip adductor and abductor muscles at the sensory and motor levels, respectively, during walking for a predetermined distance. The second ES program lasted for one week and involved 15 minutes of ongoing ES of bilateral hip adductor and abductor muscles at the sensory and motor levels, respectively, during walking for three sessions a day for the week. Results: Marked improvement in gait performance ( p < 0.001), muscle tone ( p < 0.01) and knee position of the study group was observed. Conclusion: ES to the hip adductor and abductor muscles simultaneously at the sensor and motor levels, respectively, improved gait in spastic diplegic CP children.

[Purpose] Preparing for prayers, practicing religious meditation and performing prayers are believed to stimulate the visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems, which provide the sensory information that influences human balance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Islamic prayer regime on balance. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty healthy male subjects with a mean age of 31 +/- 5 years and a mean body mass index of 27 +/- 2 kg/cm(2) voluntarily participated in this study. The subjects were divided into two equal groups: one group of subjects who regularly practiced Islamic prayer, and another group of non-practicing subjects. The dynamic balance of individuals in both groups was measured using a Balance Master. [Results] Adult healthy subjects practicing Islamic prayer regimes exhibited statistically significantly better dynamic balance than the non-practicing healthy subjects. [Conclusions] The results of this study support the hypothesis that religious meditation and prayers benefit human physiological function, especially balance.

Background/Objectives: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been used to improve the quality of life of patients with stroke. Rehabilitation programs focus on standing and walking, which are vital to functional independence and keystone ingredients in functional competency. To examine the effects of simultaneous continuous ongoing FES of gluteus medius (GMed) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles at isometric contraction during standing and walking in patients with stroke. Methods: Short- and long-term FES management programs of GMed and TA muscles during different conditions have been used in patients with stroke. FES was applied to hip abductors and dorsiflexor muscles of the affected limb during four different conditions: passive hip abduction and ankle dorsiflexion, respectively (condition 1), sit-to-stand (condition 2), 10 m walk test (condition 3), and walking on C-mill treadmill (condition 4). The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Five Times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), 10-m walk test (10-MWT), and C-mill treadmill were used to assess spasticity in the hip adductor and calf muscles, sit-to-stand performance, and temporal–spatial characteristics, respectively. Results: Short- and long-term FES management programs significantly reduced spasticity in the hip adductor and calf muscles and improved sit-to-stand performance, gait speed, and gait temporal–spatial characteristics. Conclusions: Short- and long-term FES management programs of GMed and TA muscles can quickly and effectively improve the spasticity and ambulation of patients with stroke. Further research incorporating gait analysis with randomized controlled samples is needed.

Background: Bell’s Palsy (BP) is an acute lower motor nerve impairment of the facial nerve, causing sudden paralysis on one side of the face and significantly affecting the patient’s quality of life. Physiotherapy is critical for rehabilitation after BP, aiding functional recovery. Various physical therapy interventions, such as dry needling, taping, and nerve mobilization, have proven effective in treating BP. However, different rehabilitation approaches and knowledge levels among therapists can result in varying treatment outcomes. Therefore, understanding rehabilitation specialists’ knowledge and attitudes towards BP is essential for ensuring effective treatment. To date, no studies have examined the knowledge and attitudes of rehabilitation professionals in Saudi Arabia regarding BP. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of physical therapists in Saudi Arabia regarding the rehabilitation of BP. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 150 licensed physical therapists in Saudi Arabia, selected via convenience sampling. Participants completed an anonymous online survey covering demographics, knowledge of, and attitudes toward BP rehabilitation techniques. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: The participants had a mean age of 33.13 ± 6.85 years, with 68.7% being female. Most held Bachelor’s degrees (65.3%) and worked in general hospitals (72.7%). The average knowledge score was 8.99 ± 1.95, indicating moderate knowledge levels. Attitudes towards BP rehabilitation were positive, particularly regarding early intervention, emotional support, and coordination exercises. Significant differences in knowledge and attitudes were observed based on gender, experience, and practice location. Conclusion: Physical therapists in Saudi Arabia demonstrate moderate knowledge and positive attitudes toward BP rehabilitation. Continued professional education and collaboration are recommended to improve clinical standards in treating BP.

Background: Family–professional collaboration is important to enhance the outcomes for children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers. Aims: This study examined the effect of implementing a family–professional collaboration practice model on children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers. Materials and methods: A randomized, single-blind comparative study included 28 physical therapists, 44 children with cerebral palsy between the ages of 2 and 12 years old, and their caregivers. Physical therapists in the experimental group received training in how to implement collaboration in their therapy sessions over the course of two sessions (3 h each). The children’s achievement goal-range rate was measured using the Goal Attainment Scaling, the caregivers’ quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life—Brief, and the caregiver burden was evaluated using the Zarit Burden Interview. Results: All children showed improvement on the Goal Attainment Scaling change rate (p = 0.002), with no significant differences between groups (p < 0.44). However, a group × time interaction was observed. The Children Goal Attainment Scaling rate decreased between the two assessment sessions for children in the control group, while the Goal Attainment Scaling change rate was steady for the experimental group. There were no main effects of time and group or interaction of time × group reported on World Health Organization Quality of Life—Brief domains and no main effect of time on the Zarit Burden Interview, but there was a main effect between groups (p = 0.03), with partial eta square = 0.11 in favor of the experimental group. Conclusions: The family–professional collaboration practice model could be a potential practice to positively improve the outcomes in children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers.