Interventions for postural dysfunction

Question 1

Designing an intervention plan: what should interventions address?

Answer 1

• interventions address impairments in body structure or function
• interventions also can address strategies in sensory, motor, cognitive

Question 2

Interventions for the impairment levels

Answer 2

• correct impairments that can be corrected
• prevent development of secondary impairments

Question 3

Intervention types

Answer 3

• strengthening
• stretching
• aerobic: increases intensity and endurance
• balance

Question 4

Alignment: with postural interventions

Answer 4

initial position:
- appropriate for the task
- efficient with respect to gravity
- maximizes stability/static postural control

symmetrical vertical posture:
- asymmetrical can cause impairments

may need to address the impairments and strateges

Question 5

How can you correct alignment

Answer 5

• using a mirror that has tape and have them align the tape on their shirt with the one on he mirror
• using a flashlight with three holes and they have to get it in the holes on the wall
• towel roll: to get shoulders back
• standing in a corner: feedback about leaning

Question 6

Activities to improve strategies for postural control: movement strategies

Answer 6

• ankle, hip, step
• retraining reactive balance control and anticipatory balance control
• using a scale to see if you are centered
• seated and weight shifting outside BOS (can be done on stable/unstable surface)
• practice each strategies in a controlled way
• narrow BOS supports Hip strategy

Question 7

Activites to improve strategies for postural control: sensory strategies

Answer 7

• absence of visual cues (modify ability to see)
• decrease in somatosensory cues (foam, moving floor)
• increase reliance on vestibular inputs

Question 8

Activities to improve strategies for postural control: cognitive strategies

Answer 8

• dual task balance training: tossing a ball while balancing on a bosu so balancing and doing math
• single task balance training

Question 9

Intervention for functional skills: moving from Sit to stand

Answer 9

• sit on the edge, use hands if needed, nose over toes
• using a ball to help shifting weight forward
• using a high surface and progressively lowering it
• holding knees down to force someone to put equal weight through each leg
• variable practice: using different types of chairs

Question 10

What does task oriented intervention do

Answer 10

• resolves, reduces, or prevents impairments in systems that are important to balance
• develops effective task-specific sensory, motor, and cognitive strategies
• retrain functional task with varying postural control demands under changing environmental contexts

Question 11

Interventions to reduce falls

Answer 11

• assessment and multifactorial intervention
• home safety intervention
• multiple-component group exercise
• tai-chi
• individually prescribed exercise