Background Children with cerebral palsy (CP) typically show muscle weakness of the lower extremit... more Background Children with cerebral palsy (CP) typically show muscle weakness of the lower extremities, which can be measured with the use of handheld dynamometry (HHD). Objective The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine test-retest reliability and measurement error of isometric lower-extremity strength measurements in children with CP with the use of HHD and (2) to assess implications for measurement design. Design A test-retest design was used. Methods Fourteen children with hemiplegic (n=6) or diplegic (n=8) spastic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I–III), ages 7 to 13 years, were assessed for isometric strength on 2 separate days (occasions) with the use of HHD, with 3 trials per muscle group. The intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, and smallest detectable difference (SDD) were calculated for different measurement designs. Results Intraclass correlation coefficient values of single measurements for all muscle groups rang...
IntroductionPeople suffering from leg muscle weakness caused by neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) ar... more IntroductionPeople suffering from leg muscle weakness caused by neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) are often provided with leg orthoses to reduce walking problems such as increased walking effort, diminished walking speed, reduced balance and falls. However, evidence for the effectiveness of leg orthoses to improve walking in this patient group is limited and there is an absence of standardised practice in orthotic prescription. In 2012 a Dutch multidisciplinary guideline was developed aimed to standardise the orthotic treatment process in NMD. Although application of the guideline in expert centres (specialised orthotic care) seems beneficial regarding clinical effectiveness, larger studies are necessary to confirm results and investigate cost-effectiveness. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of specialised orthotic care compared with usual orthotic care in adults with slowly progressive NMD.Methods and analysisA prospective randomised open-l...
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2019
Background To improve gait, persons with calf muscle weakness can be provided with a dorsal leaf ... more Background To improve gait, persons with calf muscle weakness can be provided with a dorsal leaf spring ankle foot orthosis (DLS-AFO). These AFOs can store energy during stance and return this energy during push-off, which, in turn, reduces walking energy cost. Simulations indicate that the effect of the DLS-AFO on walking energy cost and gait biomechanics depends on its stiffness and on patient characteristics. We therefore studied the effect of varying DLS-AFO stiffness on reducing walking energy cost, and improving gait biomechanics and AFO generated power in persons with non-spastic calf muscle weakness, and whether the optimal AFO stiffness for maximally reducing walking energy cost varies between persons. Methods Thirty-seven individuals with neuromuscular disorders and non-spastic calf muscle weakness were included. Participants were provided with a DLS-AFO of which the stiffness could be varied. For 5 stiffness configurations (ranging from 2.8 to 6.6 Nm/degree), walking ener...
Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) to promote walking ability are a common treatment in patients with neu... more Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) to promote walking ability are a common treatment in patients with neurological or muscular diseases. However, guidelines on the prescription of AFOs are currently based on a low level of evidence regarding their efficacy. Recent studies aiming to demonstrate the efficacy of wearing an AFO in respect to walking ability are not always conclusive. In this paper it is argued to recognize two levels of evidence related to the ICF levels. Activity level evidence expresses the gain in walking ability for the patient, while mechanical evidence expresses the correct functioning of the AFO. Used in combination for the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of orthotic treatment, a conjunct improvement at both levels reinforces the treatment algorithm that is used. Conversely, conflicting outcomes will challenge current treatment algorithms and the supposed working mechanism of the AFO. A treatment algorithm must use relevant information as an input, derived from measur...
Background Children with cerebral palsy (CP) typically show muscle weakness of the lower extremit... more Background Children with cerebral palsy (CP) typically show muscle weakness of the lower extremities, which can be measured with the use of handheld dynamometry (HHD). Objective The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine test-retest reliability and measurement error of isometric lower-extremity strength measurements in children with CP with the use of HHD and (2) to assess implications for measurement design. Design A test-retest design was used. Methods Fourteen children with hemiplegic (n=6) or diplegic (n=8) spastic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I–III), ages 7 to 13 years, were assessed for isometric strength on 2 separate days (occasions) with the use of HHD, with 3 trials per muscle group. The intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, and smallest detectable difference (SDD) were calculated for different measurement designs. Results Intraclass correlation coefficient values of single measurements for all muscle groups rang...
IntroductionPeople suffering from leg muscle weakness caused by neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) ar... more IntroductionPeople suffering from leg muscle weakness caused by neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) are often provided with leg orthoses to reduce walking problems such as increased walking effort, diminished walking speed, reduced balance and falls. However, evidence for the effectiveness of leg orthoses to improve walking in this patient group is limited and there is an absence of standardised practice in orthotic prescription. In 2012 a Dutch multidisciplinary guideline was developed aimed to standardise the orthotic treatment process in NMD. Although application of the guideline in expert centres (specialised orthotic care) seems beneficial regarding clinical effectiveness, larger studies are necessary to confirm results and investigate cost-effectiveness. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of specialised orthotic care compared with usual orthotic care in adults with slowly progressive NMD.Methods and analysisA prospective randomised open-l...
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2019
Background To improve gait, persons with calf muscle weakness can be provided with a dorsal leaf ... more Background To improve gait, persons with calf muscle weakness can be provided with a dorsal leaf spring ankle foot orthosis (DLS-AFO). These AFOs can store energy during stance and return this energy during push-off, which, in turn, reduces walking energy cost. Simulations indicate that the effect of the DLS-AFO on walking energy cost and gait biomechanics depends on its stiffness and on patient characteristics. We therefore studied the effect of varying DLS-AFO stiffness on reducing walking energy cost, and improving gait biomechanics and AFO generated power in persons with non-spastic calf muscle weakness, and whether the optimal AFO stiffness for maximally reducing walking energy cost varies between persons. Methods Thirty-seven individuals with neuromuscular disorders and non-spastic calf muscle weakness were included. Participants were provided with a DLS-AFO of which the stiffness could be varied. For 5 stiffness configurations (ranging from 2.8 to 6.6 Nm/degree), walking ener...
Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) to promote walking ability are a common treatment in patients with neu... more Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) to promote walking ability are a common treatment in patients with neurological or muscular diseases. However, guidelines on the prescription of AFOs are currently based on a low level of evidence regarding their efficacy. Recent studies aiming to demonstrate the efficacy of wearing an AFO in respect to walking ability are not always conclusive. In this paper it is argued to recognize two levels of evidence related to the ICF levels. Activity level evidence expresses the gain in walking ability for the patient, while mechanical evidence expresses the correct functioning of the AFO. Used in combination for the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of orthotic treatment, a conjunct improvement at both levels reinforces the treatment algorithm that is used. Conversely, conflicting outcomes will challenge current treatment algorithms and the supposed working mechanism of the AFO. A treatment algorithm must use relevant information as an input, derived from measur...
Uploads
Papers by Merel Brehm