Somatosensory and dynamic balance improvement in older adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy through sensorimotor exercise: A multisite randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To examine the effect of the Feldenkrais method on lower legs and foot somatosensory postural control-related function, dynamic balance, fear of falling and quality of life in adults with diabetic polyneuropathy in the short and mid-term.

Methods: A single-blinded, parallel, multicentric randomized control trial was conducted in two health hospitals. Subjects with diabetic polyneuropathy and older than 55 years with a history of falls or dynamic balance dysfunction were recruited from the hospital databases and randomly allocated to the experimental or control group.

Facial Hair Decreases Fit Factor of Masks and Respirators in Healthcare Providers.

In response to the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers are using common surgical masks and filtering respirators in conjunction with the presence of facial hair, which could lead to a large number of particles passing into their respiratory system. The purpose of this study was to determine the fit factor effectiveness of filtering respirators and surgical masks in bearded versus non-bearded healthcare providers. A controlled randomized clinical trial (NCT04391010) was carried out, analyzing a sample of 63 healthcare providers.

Haemodialysis patients have worse postural balance with an associated risk of falls.

Introduction: Postural balance is the result of a complex interaction of sensory input which keeps us upright. Haemodialysis patients have alterations which can lead to postural instability and a risk of falls. Our objective was to analyse postural stability and its relationship with the risk of falls in haemodialysis patients using a force platform.

Effects of a visit prior to hospital admission on anxiety, depression and satisfaction of patients in an intensive care unit.

Objectives: To assess the effects of a vists prior to hospital admission on anxiety, depression and satisfaction of patients admitted electively to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Design: A randomised clinical trial [NCT03605407].

Setting: A sample of 38 patients was recruited who were to be electively admiited to ICU divided into experimental (n = 19 patients receiving one visit prior to hospital ICU admission for surgery) and control (n = 19 patients not receiving a visit prior to hospital ICU admission for surgery) groups.

Effects of vibration training and detraining on balance and muscle strength in older adults.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of 2 days/week versus 4 days/week of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) during eight weeks of WBV training on health-related quality of life (SF-36), balance and lower body strength, as well as short-term detraining (3 weeks) on balance and lower body strength among older adults. Thirty-four older adults were randomly assigned to a control group (Control; n = 11) or to one of the vibration training groups: WBV 2 days/week (WBV_2d; n = 11) or WBV 4 days/week (WBV_4d; n = 12). The WBV groups exercised for 8 weeks, following 3 weeks of detraining.

[Incidence of occipito-cervical instability in Down syndrome].

Seventy children with Down Syndrome (22 boys and 48 girls), ages ranging between five and seventeen years, were evaluated for instability of the upper cervical-spine. X-ray study of this region in lateral projection was did, in neutral position and flexion-extension of the neck. The distance between the anterior arch of the atlas and odontoid process as well as the displacement of the basion in relation to the first cervical vertebrae were examined.

[Amniotic band syndrome].

The amniotic band syndrome is a collection of malformations of unclear etiopathogenesis and wide clinical significance. In this article, the characteristics of a series of eight children suffering from this syndrome are presented. Furthermore, the different aspects of the syndrome, the proposed etiologic theories, prenatal and postnatal diagnoses, and the therapeutic possibilities, from genetic counseling to surgical intervention, are discussed.