The CGT provided many benefits to functional mobility, motor impairment, bradykinesia, balance, and quality of life. However, these effect magnitudes were not influenced by stimulation, but tDCS seems to prolong the effects of cueing therapy on functional mobility.

We evaluated the diaphragmatic excursion, volumetric measurement, maximal inspiratory pressure (PI(max)), lung function tests (forced vital capacity-FVC, forced expiratory volume in the first second-FEV1, mean forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of the FVC maneuver-FEF(25-75%), peak expiratory flow-PEF and maximal voluntary ventilation-MVV), displacement of the domes diaphragmatics with ultrasonography and inspiratory capacity, the MAS scale (Motor Assessment Scale) in 20 hemiplegic patients volunteers and eight controls. In right-side hemiplegia, movement was 4.97 ± 0.78 cm and 4.20 ± 1.45 cm for the right and left domes of the diaphragm, respectively, whereas these values were 4.42 ± 0.92 cm and 4.66 ± 1.17 cm in left-side hemiplegia. PI(max) was -48.75 ± 27.5 cmH2O in right-side hemiplegic patients and -74.17 ± 13.57 cmH2O in left-side hemiplegic patients. Right-side hemiplegia exhibited greater impairment of the respiratory muscles than left-side hemiplegia due to the physiologic positioning of the domes of the diaphragm which may be compromised for hemiplegia.

These findings suggest that tDCS, independent of dopaminergic medication state, might prolong the positive effect induced by cued gait training on functional mobility.

Fisioter Mov. 2012 out/dez;25(4):821-30 ISSN 0103-5150 Fisioter. Mov., Curitiba, v. 25, n. 4, p. 821-830, out./dez. 2012 Licenciado sob uma Licença Creative Commons [T] Efeitos da prática de exercício físico sobre o desempenho da marcha e da mobilidade funcional em idosos [I] Resumo Introdução: A população idosa apresenta-se em um acelerado processo de crescimento associado ao aumento da expectativa de vida. As alterações no envelhecimento podem comprometer o padrão de marcha e equilíbrio dos idosos, predispondo-os a quedas. Como estratégia de prevenção, indica-se a atividade física regular direcionada para ganho de força, equilíbrio, propriocepção e melhoria da marcha. Objetivo: VerificarFisioter Mov. 2012 out/dez;25(4):821-30Fernandes AMBL, Ferreira JJA, Stolt LROG, Brito GEG, Clementino ACCR, Sousa NM. 822 os efeitos de um programa de exercícios físicos na marcha e na mobilidade funcional de idosos. Materiais e métodos: Participaram do estudo oito idosos com mais de 60 anos (três homens e cinco mulheres). Os participantes realizaram duas avaliações antes e após a intervenção de seis meses: (1) marcha, pelo método de marcação de passarelas e (2) equilíbrio, por meio do Time Up and Go Test (TUGT). Para análise dos dados utilizou-se o software R (2.9.0). Para comparação dos dados, foi utilizado o teste t de Student pareado e o teste de correlação de Pearson, com p < 0,05. Resultados: Verificou-se aumento no comprimento dos passos E (de 0,71 ± 0,19 para 0,80 ± 0,19 cm) e D (de 0,73 ± 0,17 para 0,81 ± 0,17 cm), e das passadas E (de 1,44 ± 0,36 para 1,59 ± 0,32 cm). Para o TUGT, além de forte correlação entre idade e velocidade da marcha e base de suporte, observou-se diminuição no tempo de realização do teste (de 13,92 ± 3,84 para 9,46 ± 1,68 segundos). Conclusão: O programa de exercícios físicos direcionados para a prevenção de quedas melhorou o desempenho funcional de idosos e alterou positivamente as variáveis da marcha.[P]Palavras-chave: Envelhecimento. Atividade física. Locomoção. Equilíbrio postural. Abstract Introduction:The elderly population is presented in an accelerated growth associated with increased life expectancy. The changes in aging can affect the pattern of gait and balance in the elderly may predispose them to falls. As prevention strategy, regular physical activity is indicated to gain strength, balance, proprioception and gait improvement. Objective: To investigate the effects of an exercise program on gait and mobility of elderly. Materials and methods: Eight subjects (three men and five women) over 60 years old participated in the study. They underwent two assessments: 1) march, by the method of marking walkways, and balance through the Time Up and Go Test (TUGT) before and after the six months intervention. For data analysis, we used R software (2.9.0). To compare the data we used the Student's "t" test paired and Pearson correlation, p < 0.05. Results: An increase in stride length and (0.71 ± 0.19 to 0.80 ± 0.19 cm) and D (0.73 ± 0.17 to 0.81 ± 0.17 cm), and stride E (1.44 ± 0.36 ...

Background. The primary motor cortex of the hand (M1-Hand) is a target used in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the treatment and evaluation of motor neurological diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging–guided neuronavigation locates the M1-Hand with high precision, but at a high cost. Although less accurate, the C3/C4 points of the international 10-20 system (IS 10-20) are routinely used to locate the M1-Hand. The international 10-5 system (IS 10-5) was developed with additional points (C3h/C4h), which could make it more accurate, but has not yet been tested on the location of the M1-Hand. Objective. To analyze and compare the accuracy of C1/C2, C3h/C4h and C3/C4 points in locating the M1-Hand correspondence on the scalp. Methods. The authors comparatively analyzed the distances from points C1/C2, C3h/C4h, and C3/C4 to the correspondence of the M1-Hand on the scalp in 30 MRI head exams. Results. In most cases, the M1-Hand was located between C1-C3h and C2-C4h in the left and right hemispheres of the brain, respectively. The C3h (0.98 ± 0.49 cm) and C4h (0.98 ± 0.51 cm) points presented the shortest distances from the M1-Hand, with a significant difference when compared with C3/C4. The accuracy between C1/C2 and C3h/C4h was not statistically significant. Conclusion. The C3h/C4h and C1/C2 points were more accurate when compared with the C3 and C4 points in locating the M1-Hand correspondence on the scalp.