Author: zingleader

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Reduction of muscular hypertonus by long-term muscle stretch.

date: 01/01/1981
author: Odeen I.
publication: Scand J Rehabilitation Medicine. 1981;13(2-3):93-9.
pubmed_ID: 7345572

In 10 patients with spastic paraparesis, the effect of long-term stretch on hip adductor muscle tone was studied. Stretch was accomplished by using a mechanical leg-abductor device giving individually adjusted adductor muscle stretch in single or repeated 30 min periods. The effect on muscle tone was estimated from surface EMG activity and by range of voluntary and passive hip abduction. The passive movements were obtained by an individually adjusted constant pulling force. After a single session of stretch, range of voluntary hip abduction increased 3 to 16 degrees (average 85%). Range of passive movement increased 1 to 9 degrees (average 23%). After repeated stretch periods in a home program (4 patients), range of voluntary hip abduction increased 5 to 22 degrees (average 255%). Range of passive movements increased 6 to 12 degrees (average 48%). In all patients studied the co-activation of the antagonists in voluntary hip abduction was reduced after a stretch session.

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Effects of prolonged muscle stretch on reflex and voluntary muscle activations in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

date: 01/01/1990
author: Tremblay F, Malouin F, Richards CL, Dumas F.
publication: Scand J Rehabilitation Medicine. 1990;22(4):171-80.
pubmed_ID: 2263918

We studied the short term effects of a single session of prolonged muscle stretch (PMS) on reflex and voluntary muscle activations in 22 children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) assigned to an experimental (n = 12) and a control group (n = 10). Children of the experimental group underwent PMS of the triceps surae (TS) by standing with the feet dorsiflexed on a tilt-table for 30 min, whereas children of the control group were kept at rest. The effects were determined by measuring the associated changes in torque and in electromyographic (EMG) activity of the TS and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles during both passive ankle movements and maximal static voluntary contractions. The results indicate that PMS led to reduced spasticity in ankle muscles as demonstrated by the significant reductions (p less than 0.05) of the neuromuscular responses (torque and EMG) to passive movement. These inhibitory effects lasted up to 35 min after cessation of PMS. In addition, the capacity to voluntarily activate the plantar flexors was significantly (p less than 0.05) increased post-PMS, but the capacity to activate the dorsiflexors was apparently not affected. These findings suggest that repeated sessions of PMS may have beneficial effects in the management of spasticity in children with CP.

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Tilt table standing for reducing spasticity after spinal cord injury.

date: 10/01/1993
author: Bohannon RW
publication: Arch Physical Medicine Rehabilitation. 1993 Oct;74(10):1121-2.
pubmed_ID: 8215868

A patient with a T12 spinal cord injury and intractable extensor spasms of the lower extremities participated in tilt table standing trial on 5 nonconsecutive days to determine if the intervention would affect his spasticity and spasms. Each day’s standing trial was followed by an immediate reduction in lower extremity spasticity (measured using the modified Ashworth scale and pendulum testing). Standing was also accompanied by a reduction in spasms that lasted until the following morning. The reduction of spasms was particularly advantageous to the performance of car transfers. Tilt table standing merits further examination as a physical treatment of spasms that accompany central nervous system lesions.

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Educational Standing Seminar at Medtrade

Altimate Medical Inc., manufacturer of EasyStand standing frames, is sponsoring an educational seminar at Medtrade 2001, held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The seminar is titled Weight Bearing Distribution In Supported Standing: Effectiveness of Commonly Used Devices.

The speakers will be Jill Sparacio, OTR/L, ATP, ABDA, and Tina Roesler, MSPT. This session will review indications and precautions for supportive standing, identify and detail the benefits of standing, and use clinical findings to discuss effectiveness of specific standing devices. At this seminar, attendees will learn to compare and contrast between different styles of standers and learn unique applications of pressure mapping technologies in regards to assisted standing.

The seminar will be on Thursday, October 25th at 9:15 a.m. at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

For more information about EasyStand products, please call 800-342-8968 or visit us at Booth #1828 at Medtrade.

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Altimate Medical Inc. Awarded for High Safety Standards

EasyStand Safety Staff Members Altimate Medical (AMI) of Morton was recently re-certified for the MNSHARPS (Minnesota Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) award by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Safety. This award is granted to firms in Minnesota that achieve and maintain excellence in workplace safety and health. This is the 4th consecutive year AMI has been the recipient of this award. Two employees, Levi Knobloch and Steve Schmidt represented the company and received the award at the Governor’s Safety Award Luncheon held in St. Paul in May.

To achieve this MNSHARPS status, managers and employees must work together to develop and implement safety and health programs that go beyond basic compliance with all OSHA standards.

Altimate Medical presently employs 37 people and has been in business for 14 years. They manufacture and sell EasyStand’s, a device that assists the physically handicapped to stand. AMI recently completed an addition to their facility in Morton, which more than doubled the office space.

 

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Independent Kneepads Flip-Up for Easier Transfers into EasyStand

EasyStand 5000 Independent KneepadsAltimate Medical Inc. (AMI) has added Flip-Up Independent Kneepads to the EasyStand 5000 standing system. The Flip-Up feature will allow the individual using the stander to transfer into it easier and safer. The Flip-Up Kneepads are designed for individuals who may have knee contractures, leg length discrepancies, or require more adjustment in their kneepad. The Independent Kneepads can be adjusted individually in height and depth.

The EasyStand 5000 is a modular standing frame, allowing options like the Flip-Up Independent Kneepads to be added at anytime.

For more information, please contact Altimate Medical Inc. at 1-800-342-8968.