[Purpose] Postural stability is the ability of to maintain the position of the body within the support area. This function is affected in cerebral palsy. The aim of the present study was to compare static and dynamic postural stability between children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and healthy controls. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-seven children between the ages of 5 and 14 diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (19 right, 18 left) and 23 healthy gender- and age-matched controls were included in the study. Postural stability was evaluated in both of the groups using a Neurocom Balance. Sway velocity was measured both with the eyes open and closed. Sit to stand and turning abilities were also assessed. [Results] The sway velocities with the eyes open and closed were significantly different between the groups. The weight transfer time in the Sit to Stand test was also significantly slower in children with cerebral palsy. Children with cerebral palsy also showed slower turning times and greater sway velocities during the Step and Quick Turn test on a force plate compared with their healthy counterparts. [Conclusion] Both static and dynamic postural stability parameters are affected in hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Further research is needed to define rehabilitation interventions to improve these parameters in patients.

To investigate the effects of kinesiology taping and different types of application techniques of kinesiology taping in addition to therapeutic exercises in the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis. Prospective, single blind, randomized controlled trial. An outpatient rehabilitation clinic in a tertiary university hospital. Infants with congenital muscular torticollis aged 3-12 months. Group 1 included 11 infants who only received exercises, Group 2 included 12 infants who received kinesiology taping applied on the affected side by using inhibition technique in addition to exercises. Group 3 included 10 infants who additionally received kinesiology taping applied on the unaffected side by using facilitation technique and on the affected side by using inhibition technique. Range of motion in lateral flexion and rotation of the neck, muscle function and degree of craniofacial changes were assessed at pretreatment, post treatment and, 1 month and 3 months’ post treatment. Friedman analysis of within-group changes over time revealed significant differences for all of the outcome variables in all groups except cervical rotation in Group 3 (P0.05). There is no any additive effect of kinesiology taping to exercises for the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis. Also different techniques of applying kinesiology taping resulted in similar clinical outcomes.

The aim of this review to evaluate the clinical aspects and effectiveness of suit therapy for patients with cerebral palsy (CP). A literature search was performed in the PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and PEDro databases within the period from the establishment of the relevant database to July 2018. The articles were categorized according to their study design. We included studies published in peer-review journals focusing on the efficacy of suit therapies for CP and excluded review articles, duplications, non-related articles. A narrative synthesis approach was used, as it was not possible to classify extracted and analyzed data, and the overall effect size was unable to be calculated. Data regarding study subjects (number, age, CP type, Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level), suit type, intervention including dose of suit therapy, outcome measurements, outcomes, adverse effects, and funding were extracted. The method introduced by Furlan, Pennick, Bombardier, and van Tulder was used to evaluate the risk of bias for the assessment of methodological quality of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). A total of 29 studies were included of which 10 were Class I, eight were Class II-III, and 11 were Class IV studies. Studies were heterogenous in design, sample size, study population, and outcomes measured. The methodological quality score of RCTs varied between 4 and 10. The results of the high-quality RCTs showed that wearing the suit along with conventional therapy improved proximal stability, gross motor function, and gait. The Class II-III and IV studies supported the findings of the Class I studies. The major improvements from the RCTs were seen in proximal stability, gross motor function and gait, although grading was unable to be done due to the heterogeneity of included studies. In order to obtain gains in the function, it is important to carefully consider intended use, patient selection criteria, and suit type.

Objectives: Objectives: This study aims to compare ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with healthy subjects in terms of posture and balance, and to identify the factors correlated with balance in AS. Patients and methods: Thirty patients (17 males, 13 females; mean age 41.7±7.7 years; range 31 to 57 years) with AS and 33 healthy subjects (18 males, 15 females; mean age 41.3±7.0 years; range 26 to 56 years) were included in the study. Participants were assessed in terms of posture and balance. Posture was assessed using tragus-wall distance, modified Schober’s test, and chest expansion. Balance was assessed using device-assisted balance tests. Pain (visual analog scale) and disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) were assessed only in AS patients. Results: Ankylosing spondylitis patients walked more slowly when compared to healthy subjects (p=0.002). As the modified Schober’s test was restricted, AS patients had greater step width in tandem walk and higher sway velocity on foam base (r=-0.418 p=0.022; r=-0.473 p=0.008). Neither Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index nor visual analog scale was correlated with balance. Conclusion: Static and dynamic balance are impaired in AS patients when compared to healthy subjects. Restricted mobility of the spine and advanced kyphosis impaired balance, while pain and disease activity had no correlations with balance.