Background: Motor imagery training is a cognitive process in which an internal representation of a movement is activated in working memory. The movement is mentally rehearsed, without any physical activity. Task-specific training emphasizes the repetitive practice of skilled movement to enhance functional abilities in hemiparesis. Objectives: To investigate whether task specific training preceded by motor imagery or task specific training alone was more effective for facilitating sit to stand in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirty male patients with stroke were selected from the Cairo University Outpatient Clinic; the median age of participants was 54.5 ± 3.51 years and they were divided equally into two groups. Patients in study group A (n = 15) received motor imagery training for 15 minutes followed by task specific training for 45 minutes, as well as a selected physical therapy program 3 times per week for 6 weeks. The control group B (n = 15) received task specific training for 45 minutes, as well as a selected physical therapy program 3 times per week for 6 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer section of the lower extremity (FMA-LE), Timed up and go test (TUG), and Biodex Balance system were assessed before and after treatment. Results: The results were highly significant for all variables including FMA-LE, TUG and Biodex Balance system in favor of the study group, post treatment. (P = 0.0004, P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: Motor imagery training results in greater improvement in sit to stand ability when used in conjunction with task specific training, rather than task specific training alone.

Background: Unilateral Discogenic Sciatica is low back pain radiating into one limb, in addition to one or more positive neurological signs. This pain may cause loss of function and reduce quality of life and working capability. Objective: This study was performed to assess the risk of falling in patients with unilateral discogenic sciatica. Methods: Sixty subjects participated in the study (30 patients with unilateral discogenic sciatica and 30 healthy controls). All participants undergone balance assessment using PROKIN system to evaluate static and dynamic balance. The risk of falling was evaluated via Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results: There was significant improvement in static balance variable (sway range forward backward and mediolateral) and significant decrease in dynamic balance variable (limit of stability LOS) in the study group in comparison with the control group (P <0.05). There was substantial positive correlation between BBS score and dynamic balance (LOS) in patients with unilateral discogenic sciatica, whereas, the correlation between BBS score and static balance (sway range forward backward and mediolateral) was non-significant. Conclusion:  Sciatica affects both static as well as dynamic balance and so increases the risk of falling in patients with unilateral discogenic sciatica.

Background. Falling is a major problem for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), as they are twice as likely to fall compared to other neurological conditions. The consequences of these falls are significant and often result in injuries that contribute to poor quality of life, and care giver stress. Aim. To compare the efficacy of visual feedback versus sensory integration training on risk of falling in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease patients. Materials and Methods. Thirty patients (13 females and 17 males) with idiopathic PD, aged from 60 to 75 years participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to two equal groups. Group (A) received visual feedback training on the Biodex Balance System and group (B) received sensory integration training. Twelve training sessions were given, three times per week, for four weeks. Assessment of overall stability index (fall risk index) and sway index using the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance (m-CTSIB) was done pre-and post-treatment. Results. Both groups (A and B) showed significant decrease in the overall stability index post treatment (p < 0.05). In addition, there was significant difference between both groups in the overall stability index post-treatment (p < 0.05), being lower in group A compared to B. Finally, a significant decrease in sway index was also reported post treatment in both groups (p < 0.05), being significantly lower in group A compared to group B (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Visual feedback training yields improvement in decreasing risk of falling in PD patients compared to sensory integration training.

A common Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is aneuropathic entrapment for the upper limbs with middle-aged people being at higher risk. To study how sensory rehabilitation impacts pain and functional outcome of hand in carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Twenty females with CTS, aged 25-45 years were enrolled. They were allocated at random to two groups; Group I: provided for sensory rehabilitation in addition to a standard physical therapy program and Group II: received only the standard physical therapy program only.  Pre and post-treatment assessment included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ). In both post-treatment groups, the decrease of mean VAS and BCTQ scores was statistically significant. No substantial difference between the two groups in the measured parameters pre or post treatment. Adding sensory rehabilitation has nearly the same efficacy as the standard physical therapy program alone in decreasing pain, enhancing hand function in mild and moderate patients with CTS.

Background: Balance problems are very common with neuropathic patients following burn. Objective: To investigate the effect of selected physical therapy program on balance of neuropathic patients following burn. Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted on fifty male patients (age range from 35 to 45 years) with polyneuropathy following burn injury of lower limb mainly at sole of the foot, 3 rd degree injury, axonotemesis with burn extent 30%. Patients were selected from outpatient clinic, Faculty of physical therapy and Kasr AL Ainy hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. The study was held during period between June 2017 to April 2018. The balance of patients was assessed before & after treatment by Biodex balances system & Berg Balance Scale. Patients were assigned randomly into two equal groups: Group A (study group) that received selected physical therapy program for balance training including (Stretching, Resistive and Balance exercises) and group B (control group) that received balance exercises only. Results: showed significant improvement in balance in favor to group A. Significant decrease in the balance indices and significant increase in BBS (Berg balance scale) scores were recorded after treatment in both study and control groups with better improvement of group A. Conclusion: On basis of the present data, it is possible to conclude that selected physical therapy program including (Stretching, Resistive and Balance exercises) is more effective for improving balance of neuropathic patients following burn than using balance exercises only.