Background: To evaluate aspects of validity and feasibility of the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), for use in a specialized rehabilitation facility on a regular basis. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 29 physiotherapists (PT) tested 38 male and 21 female patients 20-76 years of age with spinal cord injury (n=20), traumatic brain injury (n=17), acquired brain injury (n=9), multiple trauma (n=6) and other neurological diagnosis (n=7). Dynamic balance was assessed with the MiniBESTest. Fall history, fear of falling (single-item question), fall concerns (FES-I) and PT's evaluation of the Mini-BESTtest were surveyed by structured questionnaires. Pearson's correlation coefficient (Pearson's r) was used to determine the correlation between the total score for the Mini-BESTest and the total score for the FES-I. Results: The median score on the Mini-BESTest was 22 (1-28) points. There were no differences in MiniBESTest score between fallers and non-fallers, between subjects with high or low fall concerns or between diagnostic groups. Patients with independent walking had a significantly better dynamic balance than those in need of assistance. The correlation between dynamic balance and fall concerns was low (r=-0.388). The PTs experienced that the MiniBESTest was feasible for use in the rehabilitation setting. However, two testers should be present when testing patients with severe physical and /or cognitive impairments and the results should be supplemented with fall history, fall-related concerns, diagnosisspecific information, and data on activity limitations and participation restrictions. Conclusion:The Mini-BESTest proved to be a feasible clinical tool for assessing dynamic balance in specialized neurological rehabilitation with some precautions. The results apply primarily for patients with moderately impaired balance control.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of acute trapezius pain, induced by delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), on habitual trapezius activity. Long-term (5 h) surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity was recorded bilaterally from the clavicular, descending, transverse, and ascending trapezius on two consecutive weekdays in eleven female subjects (mean age 22 years, range 20-24 years). Body and arm posture were recorded by inclinometers. Immediately after the first long-term recording, the subjects performed eccentric depression exercise of the left shoulder to induce DOMS. From day 1 to day 2, pressure pain threshold (PPT) decreased and pain scores on visual analog scale (VAS) increased for the left upper trapezius (P<.004 for all comparisons). Habitual sEMG activity (median sEMG level, μV) of the clavicular and descending part of the exercised left trapezius increased from first to second long-term recording during periods with seated posture (P<.05 for both comparisons). In contrast, trapezius sEMG activity remained unchanged for all other trapezius parts and postures. This study indicates that acute trapezius pain induces elevated habitual trapezius activity during periods with low biomechanical loading of the shoulder/neck muscles with the elevated sEMG activity being restricted to the painful part of the muscle. In contrast to the pain-adaption model, the current study indicates a relation between acute muscle pain and elevated low-level muscle activity; however, it remains unknown if development of chronic muscle pain can be preceded by an initial stage with elevated muscle activity.

Abstract. A survey of the first 200 cases supplied with a 'Paracare' pressure redistribution wheelchair cushion. The rationale of the design and material used is discussed. The method of application and follow-up studies are given and a total evaluation of the results achieved to date are presented.

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