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Garry T Allison

Publications and source records attributed to Garry T Allison.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Reliability and validity of the Hindi version of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale in cervical radiculopathy patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the reliability and validity of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD) translated into Hindi. METHOD: Following a pilot study to ascertain uncertainties with existing terminology in the NPAD scale, a cervical radiculopathy patient cohort (n = 63) was assessed with the translated NPAD. Reliability was assessed by regression analysis for test-retest and by item-factor and factor-total score correlations. Face validity was compared in a cross-sectional design study with an asymptomatic group (n = 38). Convergent and divergent validity were investigated by correlating the NPAD scores with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for neck and arm pain, and 10 cm long VAS Activity and VAS Depression scales. RESULTS: ICC values for test-retest NPAD total and factor scores were >0.92 and R2 values >0.912. Pearson product moment correlation of item vs. factor scores varied from 0.17 - 0.91 and for factor vs. total scores 0.72 - 0.91. Differences in NPAD scores between the patient and the asymptomatic group were significant (t = 30.90, p < 0.05). Convergent validity was explained when Factor 2 (minus item 20) was correlated (r = 0.67) with NPRS maximum value scores. Divergent validity was illustrated by low correlation with VAS Activity (r = 0.15) and negative correlation with VAS Depression (r = -0.80) scores. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, the Hindi version of the NPAD is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of pain and disability in cervical radiculopathy patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Physical therapy treatment dose for nontraumatic neck pain: a comparison between 2 patient groups.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To classify patients with nonacute, nontraumatic neck pain according to the dominant impairment of spinal function, and to determine whether there were differences in the amount of treatment sessions required (treatment dose) to achieve a significant change in the patients disorder. BACKGROUND: Classification of patients with mechanical neck pain may be an important process in optimizing treatment prescription and evaluating treatment response. However, patient classification has not been used to consider possible differences in the amount of treatment sessions (treatment dose) required to achieve a significant change in the neck pain disorder. METHODS AND MEASURES: Ninety-two patients with nonacute, nontraumatic neck pain were classified into 2 groups, according to the dominant impairment of spinal function. Of the 77 patients who completed treatment, 63 (82%) were classified as having a "movement disorder," while the remainder was classified into a "loading disorder" group. Physical therapists who were blinded to the patient classification provided multimodal physical therapy treatment as considered appropriate and the patients were discharged when the optimal treatment response had been achieved. RESULTS: There was no difference in pain intensity or global disability level between the groups at baseline. Both groups achieved a significant improvement in neck pain and disability following treatment, and there was no significant difference between groups in the magnitude of the treatment response. The number of treatment sessions received by the loading group (mean +/- SD, 7.3 +/- 4.5) was significantly lower than the number received by the movement group (mean +/- SD, 11.5 +/- 5.9; 95% CI: -7.6 to -0.8; P<.01). Patients in the loading group were 2.4 times as likely to be discharged at any particular treatment session (95% CI: 1.1 to 4.1, P<.005) compared to those in the movement group. CONCLUSION: For patients with nontraumatic neck pain, classification according to impairment of spinal function may be a useful indicator of the number of physical therapy treatment sessions required to achieve a significant treatment response.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Reliability of the spin-T cervical goniometer in measuring cervical range of motion in an asymptomatic Indian population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the intratester reliability of the Spin-T goniometer, a cervical range of motion device, in a normal Indian population. METHODS: Subjects comprised 30 healthy adults with mean age of 34 years (range, 18-65 years). The subjects were stabilized in the sitting position and the Spin-T goniometer mounted on the head of the subject. The study design was a within-subject repeated intratester reliability trial conducted for cervical range of motion in 6 directions of movement. Three measurements were taken in each direction (flexion, extension lateral flexion, and lateral rotation) per participant. Reliability coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficients, and 95% confidence interval were derived from repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Where differences in ANOVA were detected, a paired t test was conducted and the typical error values and coefficient of variance were calculated. RESULTS: All repeated measures showed high intraclass correlation coefficients (all >0.96, P < .01). The ANOVA detected no differences between trials for all movements except rotation. The typical error values for the rotation trials did not exceed 2.5 degrees and the coefficient of variance did not exceed 4%, which is clinically acceptable considering the normally variable cervical range of movement. CONCLUSION: In this study, the Spin-T goniometer proved to be a reliable measuring instrument for cervical range of movement in an Indian population. The use of a laser pointer fixed to the instrument ensured a consistent neutral start position.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Validation of the spin-T goniometer, a cervical range of motion device.

OBJECTIVE: To test the validity of the Spin-T goniometer for the assessment of cervical range of movement. METHODS: A linear regression analysis for paired neck movements using first a foam head model and then human subjects was performed to quantify the differences between the measurements obtained from the MotionStar, a movement-tracking device, and the Spin-T. A within-subject repeated measures design using simultaneous data acquisition was completed. RESULTS: The coefficient of determination (R2) for all planes of cervical range of motion for both model and human data sets was higher than 0.99. The regression equations for the model data showed no significant (P > .05) intercept for flexion-extension and lateral rotation. Human data showed statistically significant intercept for flexion-extension (mean, -0.52 degrees) and lateral flexion (mean, 0.81 degrees) at P < .05. CONCLUSION: This study quantifies the difference between the MotionStar and the Spin-T goniometer and documents the systematic error between the measures. Where the error reached statistical significance, the magnitude of the error was very small (< 1.5 degrees). The results of this study suggest that the Spin-T goniometer may be used as a valid measuring instrument for cervical range of movement.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Incidence of ankle contracture after moderate to severe acquired brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine an adult population undergoing rehabilitation after brain injury to determine the incidence of ankle contracture and factors contributing to the development of this deformity. DESIGN: Descriptive study SETTING: Specialist inpatient neurosurgical rehabilitation unit in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=105) admitted with a new diagnosis of moderate to severe brain injury over a 12-month period. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximal ankle dorsiflexion range and the presence of abnormal muscle tone affecting the lower limb(s) were evaluated at weekly intervals. Ankle contracture was defined as maximal passive range of less than 0 degrees dorsiflexion with the knee in extension. Patients were grouped into 3 muscle tone categories: normal, predominantly spastic, or predominantly dystonic. Age, sex, mechanism and severity of brain injury, time to onset of ankle contracture, total length of hospital stay, and discharge mobility status data were also recorded. RESULTS: Muscle tone was designated as normal in 68 (64.7%), as spastic in 14 (13.3%), and as dystonic in 23 (21.9%) patients. The incidence of ankle contracture was 16.2% (17/105 cases). Ankle deformity correlated closely with muscle tone category. Of 23 cases with dystonic muscle overactivity, 17 developed contracture at some point between 1 and 16 weeks after brain injury, although no subject with normal tone or spasticity developed the deformity. There was a weak association between the severity of brain injury and development of ankle contracture. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ankle contracture was much lower than previously reported. Dystonic overactivity of the plantarflexor and invertor muscles is a major predisposing factor to ankle contracture.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2003

Estimating three-dimensional spinal repositioning error: the impact of range, posture, and number of trials.

STUDY DESIGN: Spinal repositioning sense was tested in normal subjects using a balanced within-subject study design. OBJECTIVES: The study had three objectives: first, to document the number of trials required to derive a representative value of accuracy and precision in spinal repositioning; second, to document the effects of range on spinal repositioning sense; and finally, to document the effect of different lower limb postures on the repositioning performance. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Joint position sense and kinesthesia play an important role in the control of normal movement of the spine. This has important implications for the diagnosis and assessments of specific movement disorders in individuals with spinal pain syndromes. The literature is varied in methods and results in assessing spinal repositioning sense. For some studies, the inability to determine effects for range or differences between patients with low back pain and normal control subjects may be related to the fact that too few trials were performed to detect a statistical difference. METHODS: Twenty-three subjects were tested in standing on a repositioning task for spinal position sense. After a familiarization period, each subject performed 10 matching trials in three ranges (20%, 50%, and 80% of available range) during spinal flexion. The flexion task was performed with knees fully extended, with knees partly flexed, and with the pelvis rotated at 45 degrees to incorporate an asymmetric flexion rotation movement pattern. The three-dimensional coordinates of the repositioning tasks were used to determine accuracy (mean and median of trials) and precision (variable error-standard deviation of trials). The coefficient of variation and statistical power analysis using variables derived from progressively larger numbers of trials were examined. Analysis of variance was used to detect differences for the three ranges and three postures. RESULTS: After the familiarization period, no learning effect was demonstrated across trials. The coefficient of variation and statistical power for the accuracy and precision tended to stabilize after six trials. Using derived variables from six trials, there was a statistically significant range effect. Accuracy in the inner range was worse than that in the outer range (P < 0.05). There was little evidence of a range effect for precision. Posture had little overall impact. Trunk flexion with the knees flexed improved three-dimensional accuracy in the middle range compared with accuracy with the knees extended and during the flexion rotation task. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that increasing the number of trials increases the statistical power and stability of the derived variables. In normal subjects, the accuracy of trunk flexion repositioning improves as one moves further into range.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Heterogeneous activity of the human genioglossus muscle assessed by multiple bipolar fine-wire electrodes.

Genioglossus (GG) electrical activity [measured by electromyogram (EMGgg)] is best measured by intramuscular electrodes; however, the homogeneity of EMGgg is undefined. We investigated the relationships between EMGgg and the site from which activity was measured to determine whether and to what extent inhomogeneity in activity occurred. Eight healthy human volunteers underwent ultrasound to determine GG depth and width. Four pairs of electrodes were then inserted percutaneously into the left and right GG muscle, anteriorly and posteriorly. Additional configurations were obtained by connecting electrodes across the midline and along each muscle belly. EMGgg activity was simultaneously recorded from these 10 configurations at rest and during various respiratory maneuvers. Heterogeneous behavior of the GG was evidenced by 1) the variable presence of phasic EMGgg at rest, which was undetectable in two subjects but evident in 65% of configurations in six subjects and present in all configurations in all subjects during voluntary hyperventilation; 2) a greater amplitude of EMGgg response to pharyngeal square-wave negative pressure in anterior than posterior configurations (14.1 +/- 7.1 vs. 8.5 +/- 5.1% of maximum, P < 0.05); and 3) variable (linear and alinear) relationships between EMGgg and lingual force within and between subjects. We hypothesize that regional differences in density and type of muscle fiber are the most likely sources of heterogeneity in these responses.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of serial casting to correct equinovarus deformity of the ankle after acquired brain injury in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential short-term benefit of serial plaster casting in the management of equinovarus deformity associated with acquired brain injury. DESIGN: Prospective uncontrolled interventional trial. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation facility in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen patients (19 limbs) with equinovarus deformity or deteriorating ankle range of motion associated with severe plantarflexor and invertor muscle overactivity underwent serial plaster casting over an 18-month period. INTERVENTIONS: Below-knee plaster casts were reapplied weekly to increase joint range and muscle extensibility. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Precasting goniometric measures of maximal ankle dorsiflexion range (in knee extension and flexion) were compared with 4 subsequent test occasions (after initial cast, midpoint of casting, after final cast, 1 wk after removal). The amount and type of assistance required to perform a standardized wheelchair-to-bed transfer before and 3 months from commencement of casting were also compared. RESULTS: Subjects who underwent the serial casting regimen had significantly improved ankle range (knee flexed mean, 18 degrees; knee extended mean, 16 degrees; P<.0001); 13 subjects reduced their need for transfer assistance (P<.0015). CONCLUSION: Serial casting appears to be effective, at least in the short term, in reducing the equinovarus deformity that occurs after acquired brain injury. Greater ankle mobility was associated with improved transfer independence in the majority of subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Is there a difference in hip joint position sense between young and older groups?

BACKGROUND: Joint position sense (JPS) in the knee has been shown by many authors to decline with age. It has been speculated that this decrease contributes to abnormal joint mechanics during load-bearing activities and putatively results in joint degeneration. Surprisingly little research has been conducted on the human hip to determine benchmarks for normal JPS. METHOD: Fifty-nine community dwelling subjects, 30 young (mean age 21.7 years) and 29 older (mean age 75 years), were recruited to determine normal reference ranges for the effect of age on hip JPS. Active and passive repositioning tasks were performed in inner and outer ranges of the hip abduction plane of movement. An electromagnetic tracking system was used to obtain accurate error measurements of the angular displacement. RESULTS: Results indicated no difference in hip JPS between the young and older subjects (F(1,57) = 0.011, p = .917). However, it was found that for both age groups, accurate reproduction of position at the hip joint occurred in the inner range (F(1,57) = 13.760, p < .001). For both groups, active repositioning was more accurate than passive (F(1,57) = 9.265, p = .004). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no difference in hip JPS was found between young and older subjects. Accuracy was greater in the inner range, with active repositioning demonstrating higher precision compared to passive repositioning of the limb.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The influence of rigid taping on peroneal latency in normal ankles.

Traumatic ankle injury is a frequent clinical presentation. Ankle taping is commonly used in the prophylaxis of sprains and as an adjunct during rehabilitation of ankle injury. The mechanisms behind taping remain unclear however, one possible mechanism is improved proprioception and peroneal reflex responses. This study investigated the peroneal reflex response to rapid inversion (using a trapdoor) with different taping protocols. The dominant leg of 31 healthy subjects was tested in three conditions: no taping; simple prophylactic taping;and circumferential leg taping. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed no statistically significant effect across conditions or trials. The results suggest that neurophysiological responses to sudden inversion are not altered by mechanical or sensory input from taping in normal subjects.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

The role of the diaphragm during abdominal hollowing exercises.

This study investigated the surface electromyographical (EMG) profiles of the diaphragm, anterolateral abdominals and rectus abdominis during abdominal hollowing exercises (AHE) in 20 healthy subjects. Muscle activity was assessed at 1000Hz over two seconds in crook lying at three incremental loads above a baseline of 40mmHg monitored by a pressure biofeedback unit. EMG amplitude increased significantly above resting for all muscles during correct performance of AHE at 5mmHg. At 15mmHg, all subjects were deemed to have performed AHE incorrectly and both the diaphragm and rectus abdominis activity were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). This supports the concept that the diaphragm plays a significant role in motor control strategies used by subjects performing different forms of AHE.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

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Journal Article↗