No abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the construct validity, inter-and intra-rater reliabilities, best scoring method and testing methods (direct vs video observations), and to determine the smallest real difference (SRD) and standard error of the measurement (SEM) of the Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test (LEMOCOT). Design: Methodological study. Subjects: Thirty-six stroke subjects. Methods: Outcomes include measures of motor recovery, muscular tone, strength, motor coordination, foot tactile sensation, and gait speed. Results: The LEMOCOT scores were able to discriminate between stroke individuals from those predicted for healthy subjects, between the paretic and non-paretic limbs for both the sub-acute and chronic groups and differentiated between individuals with different functional levels and degrees of motor recovery. For the intra-and inter-rater reliabilities, very high and significant coefficients were found for both the paretic and non-paretic lower limbs for both groups (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) > 0.97, p < 0.0001). Significant differences were found regarding all scoring methods (18.91 < F < 27.49, p < 0.0001), but they were not clinically important and all showed adequate test-retest reliability and acceptable SRD and SEM (< 15%) values. There was also agreement between the scores from the direct and video observations. Conclusion: The LEMOCOT demonstrated adequate measurement properties in stroke subjects and, therefore, could be an appropriate measure for research and clinical purposes.

Background: Gluteus maximus strengthening exercises are employed in clinical practice as options for the treatment of low back and

The ABILHAND specific for stroke individuals demonstrated satisfactory measurement properties for use within both clinical and research contexts in Brazil, and cross-cultural validity for use in international/multicentric studies between Brazil, Belgium, and Italy.

RESUMOContextualização: Os benefícios das palmilhas biomecânicas no tratamento de acometimentos nos membros inferiores têm sido relatados. No entanto, observa-se na prática uma baixa adesão ao uso dessa órtese, comprometendo os benefícios que poderiam ser proporcionados. Objetivo: Investigar os fatores relacionados à adesão ao uso de palmilhas biomecânicas. Método: Participaram deste estudo 33 indivíduos (43,97 ± 14,73 anos) para os quais foram confeccionadas palmilhas biomecânicas. Um questionário contendo questões a respeito da palmilha e seu uso foi aplicado, em forma de entrevista, sendo as variáveis de estudo estabelecidas a partir dessas questões. Com base nos resultados obtidos, os indivíduos foram separados em 4 grupos, de acordo com o nível de adesão: adesão total, adesão parcial, adesão inconstante e não-adesão. Utilizou-se o teste "KruskalWallis" para investigar se esses grupos diferiam entre si em relação às variáveis pesquisadas. Coeficientes de Correlação de Spearman foram utilizados para verificar possíveis correlações entre essas variáveis e adesão. Resultados: Dos 33 participantes, 15,2% tiveram adesão total, enquanto 42,4% abandonaram a palmilha. Comparando-se os 4 grupos de adesão em relação às variáveis pesquisadas, observou-se diferença significativa para conforto da palmilha (p=0,003), grau de melhora atribuído à palmilha (p=0,006) e grau de conhecimento sobre o problema (p<0,002). Correlações significativas (r s =0,58; p<0,001 e r s =0,50; p<0,01) foram observadas entre adesão e conforto e grau de melhora atribuído à palmilha, respectivamente. Conclusão: Resultados do presente estudo revelaram que conforto e grau de melhora atribuído à palmilha podem influenciar na adesão ao uso dessas órteses, constituindo-se fatores importantes para o sucesso do tratamento.Palavras-chave: palmilhas biomecânicas, adesão, órtese. ABSTRACT Factors Related to Compliance with Biomechanical Insole UseBackground: The benefits of biomechanical insoles for treating lower limb impairment have been reported. However, in clinical practice, low compliance with the use of such orthoses has been observed, which detracts from the possible benefits. Objective: To investigate the factors related to compliance with biomechanical insole use. Method: Thirty-three subjects (aged 44 ± 14.7 years) for whom biomechanical insoles had been molded took part in this study. A questionnaire asking about the insoles and their use was applied through interviews. The study variables were established from these questions. Based on the results obtained, the participants were divided into four groups according to their compliance level: full compliance, partial compliance, irregular compliance and non-compliance. The Kruskal-Wallis test was utilized to assess differences between these groups regarding the variables investigated. Spearman correlation coefficients were utilized to investigate possible relationships between these variables and the compliance. Results: Among the 33 participants, 15.2% were fully compliant, while 42.4% abandoned...