BACKGROUND: Individuals with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (h-CP) encounter postural control issues that largely interfere with activity and participation. So, there might be a need for improved, clearly effective rehabilitation protocols that target postural control dysfunction, which may, then, reduce activity limitations and participation restrictions. OBJECTIVE: This trial was undertaken to examine the effect of a structured, 12-week aqua-plyometric (Aqua-PLYO) exercise program on postural control and functional ability in children with h-CP. METHODS: Fifty-six children with h-CP took part in a two-arm, randomized single-blind controlled trial. They were randomly assigned to either receive the standard physical therapy (Control group; n = 28) or the Aqua-PLYO training program (Aqua-PLYO group; n = 28), three times/week over 12 consecutive weeks. The dynamic limit of stability [i.e., movement directional control (M-DC), reaction time (ReT), movement velocity (M-Vel), endpoint excursion (EP-Exc), and maximum excursion (M-Exc)] and functional ability [i.e., 30-second sit-to-stand test (30sec-STS), timed up and down stairs test (TUDS), and the dynamic gait index (DGI)] were assessed pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: From the pre- to post-treatment occasion, the Aqua-PLYO group achieved greater improvement for the M-DC (P = 0.013), ReT (P = 0.004), M-Vel (P = 0.03), EP-Exc (P = 0.002), and M-Exc (P = 0.006), compared to controls. Besides, the Aqua-PLYO group showed more conducive changes in functional ability [as evidenced by the 30sec-STS (P = 0.005), TUDS (P = 0.002), and DGI (P = 0.004) scores]. CONCLUSION: Aqua-PLYO training is likely an effective training paradigm for enhancing postural control and functional ability in children with h-CP. Further studies are, however, recommended to substantiate the current evidence.

Purpose: Individuals are utilizing smartphones for different tasks on a daily basis. Prolonged smartphone usage might lead to deficient postures such as forward head posture and rounded shoulders. The purpose of this study was to look at the impact of the heavy use of smartphones versus light use on Joint Position Error (JPE), Craniovertebral Angle (CVA), and balance measures. Method: Thirty healthy participants were recruited in this study, and they were divided into two groups: light use (phone use<4 h/d) and heavy use (phone use>4 h/d). Subjects were assessed for cervical repositioning errors using the JPE test. Forward head posture was measured by CVA. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Biodex stability system. Results: There was a significant increase in JPE of both right and left rotation in the heavy-use group compared with that of light-use group. Also, there was a significant increase in balance indices in the heavy-use group. However, there was no significant difference in CVA between groups. Conclusion: Our study showed that prolonged duration of smartphone use could negatively affect cervical proprioception and dynamic balance ability. Further considerations are required to outline the negative impacts of heavy usage of smartphones and to implement preventive measures.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in global smartphone usage driven by different purposes. This study aimed to explore the effect of smartphone usage on neck muscle (flexors and extensors) endurance, hand grip, and pinch strength among young, healthy college students. In total, 40 male students were recruited for this study; 20 of them belonged to the smartphone-addicted group, while the other 20 were in the non-addicted group based on their smartphone addiction scale—short version (SAS-SV) scores (the threshold for determining smartphone addiction: 31/60). Neck flexor endurance time, the ability to perform a neck extensor muscle endurance test, and hand and pinch grip strength were assessed. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to assess between-group differences in the mean values of neck flexor endurance time, hand grip, and pinch grip. A significant group effect (Wilks’ lambda = 0.51, F (5,34) = 6.34, p = 0.001, partial eta squared = 0.48) was found. A decrease in neck flexor endurance time was observed in the smartphone-addicted group compared with that of the non-addicted group (p < 0.001). However, there was no notable difference in the neck extensor muscle endurance test or in hand grip and pinch grip strength of both hands between groups (p > 0.05). Using a smartphone for a prolonged time might affect neck flexor muscle endurance; however, more research is needed to explore the long-term effects of using smartphones on neck muscle endurance and hand/pinch grip strength and the risk of developing upper limb neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.

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