OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on pain, function, and ultrasonographic features of chronic stroke patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: A total of 18 chronic stroke patients (33 knee joints) with unilateral or bilateral knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥1) were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly allocated to an experimental group receiving ESWT (n=9) or a control group receiving sham ESWT (n=9). For the ESWT group, patients received 1,000 pulses weekly for 3 weeks, totaling to an energy dose of 0.05 mJ/mm² on the proximal medial tibia of the affected knee. The assessments were performed before the treatment, immediately after the first treatment, and 1 week after the last treatment using the following: the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain; patient perception of the clinical severity of OA; the Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (ambulation and chair/bed transfer); the Functional Independence Measure scale (FIM; bed/chair/wheelchair transfer, toilet transfer, walking, and stairs); and ultrasonographic features (articular cartilage thickness, Doppler activity, and joint effusion height). RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant improvement in VAS score (4.50±1.87 to 2.71±1.38) and patient perception of the clinical severity of OA (1.87±0.83 to 2.75±0.46). The bed/chair/wheelchair transfer components of the FIM score also improved significantly (4.12±1.55 to 4.62±1.30). In terms of the ultrasonographic features, increased Doppler activity was observed in the medial knee in the experimental group immediately following ESWT. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that ESWT may reduce pain and improve function in chronic stroke patients with OA, and may increase vascular activity at the target site.
Cartilage ; High-Energy Shock Waves ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee* ; Pilot Projects* ; Stroke* ; Tibia ; Ultrasonography ; Visual Analog Scale ; Walking

BACKGOUND: SIMV (synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation) mode is comprised of a ventilator that intermittently enters the volume assist/control mode in conjunction with circuitry that allows for spontaneous ventilation by a demand flow system. There is additional work of breathing caused by the endotracheal tube and demand valve in SIMV. However, PSV (pressure support ventilation) has the ability to decrease work of breathing and to augment spontaneous breaths with a variable amount of inspiratory positive pressure with a clinician-selected level of inspiratory airway pressure. METHODS: To compare the initial weaning success rates and weaning periods between SIMV and PSV, we reviewed medical records of 103 intensive care unit patients, who had received mechanical ventilatory support and performed weaning. We compared the patients' characteristics, initial weaning success rates and ventilatory periods, weaning periods, weaning periods/ventilatory periods, ICU stays according to the weaning process (SIMV and PSV). And then we compared the same variables as the above between the initial weaning success group and initial weaning failure group. RESULTS: Patients' characteristics, ventilatory periods, weaning periods, ICU stays were similar, but there was significantly shorter weaning periods/ventilatory periods on PSV group. Initial weaning success rates according to the weaning process were similar. Ventilatory periods, weaning periods, weaning periods/ventilatory periods, ICU stays were significantly shorter on initial weaning success group. CONCLUSIONS: PSV could be used effectively as one of the weaning modes, and further studies are required about weaning criteria, weaning start time and weaning methods.
Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Medical Records ; Ventilation* ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Weaning* ; Work of Breathing

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if there is a difference in gait pattern when applying two different shapes of energy storing prosthetic feet for trainstibial amputation we conducted a comparative study. Energy storing prosthetic feet for transtibial amputation are increasing in use, but there are few studies that evaluate the effects of the shape of energy storing feet on gait patterns. METHODS: Ten unilateral transtibial amputees were recruited. Two different shapes of dynamic response feet were applied to each subject either 1C30 Trias or 1C60 Triton. The main differences between the two are a split forefoot and the presence of a heel wedge. Spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic data was obtained through gait analysis. Differences between intact and prosthetic side and differences between the two prosthetics were assessed. RESULTS: On a side to side comparison, cadence asymmetry with 1C30 Trias was observed. Ankle plantarflexion at the end of stance and ankle supination at the onset of preswing was smaller with both prosthetic feet compared to the intact side. Other spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic data showed no significant differences in a side to side comparison. In a comparison between the two prosthetics, stance and swing ratio and ankle dorsiflexion through mid-stance was closer to normal with 1C60 Triton than 1C30 Trias. Other spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic data showed no statistically significant differences between prosthetics. CONCLUSION: Both energy storing feet implants showed symmetric gait in unilateral transtibial amputees who are functionally independent in daily living. And 1C60 Triton showed closer to normal gait patterns than 1C30 Trias in our study.
Amputation ; Amputees* ; Ankle ; Foot* ; Gait* ; Heel ; Humans ; Neptune ; Prostheses and Implants ; Supination