Assessments and treatments in physiotherapy

Abstract

emphasize that further studies are needed to establish the relationship between EMG muscle rest and the subject ’ s perceived muscle tension. A comparison of HR measured by Polar RS400 and ECG, validity and repeatability is reported by Engstr ö m and co-workers from Lund, Sweden. Healthy subjects performed a cycle ergometer test for 5 min on loads of 50, 100 and 150 W. HR was measured with both EEG and Polar RS400 simultaneously. The results showed a high and signifi cant correlation, ranging from 0.97 to 1.00 between the two measurement tools. In repeated tests, the mean difference in HR between tests and between measurement equipment was low and non-signifi cant. The authors conclude that the Polar RS400 is well suited for recording HR during physical activity and exercise. Bembalgi and Naik from India studied galvanic skin resistance (GSR) biofeedback in a tension-type headache – a comparison between auditory, visual and combined feedback GSR – in a randomized controlled trial. They recruited 143 patients to the three above-mentioned biofeedback treatment groups and to a control group. Pain variables, consumption of analgesics and quality of life scores were evaluated at baseline and at 6 months follow-up. All three forms of bio-feedback were effective in treatment of tension-type headache. Combined GSR biofeedback seemed to be slightly more effective compared with auditory or visual feedback. A case report is presented by Dal é n and co-workers from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, on the effects on BMC in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) by use of a standing shell, mounted on a vibrating platform. Four children with CP participated; two used the platform for 8 – 9 months, while two were controls. A switch was done after 1 year. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed and a change in BMC values was seen at the lumbar spine after standing on the vibrating platform. The children reacted positively to the vibrating platform, which may be an enjoyable method to increase BMC in children with severe CP. EDITORIAL