Establishment of a novel rehabilitation program for patients with dropped head syndrome: Short and intensive rehabilitation (SHAiR) program

Publication date: Available online 24 January 2020Source: Journal of Clinical NeuroscienceAuthor(s): Tatsuya Igawa, Norihiro Isogai, Akifumi Suzuki, Shusuke Kusano, Yutaka Sasao, Makoto Nishiyama, Haruki Funao, Ken IshiiAbstractThe pathophysiology of dropped head syndrome (DHS) remains unknown, and its treatment algorithm and indication are not standardized. Here, we established a novel rehabilitation program, short and intensive rehabilitation program for DHS (SHAiR program), consisting of cervical paraspinal muscles exercise, range of motion exercise, cervical and thoracic mobilization, deep cervical flexor muscle exercise, hip lift exercise, anterior pelvic tilt exercise, and walking exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of this program. We reviewed clinical outcomes for five consecutive patients with DHS who underwent the SHAiR program (SHAiR group). The outcomes were compared with those of other five patients with DHS who received exercise instruction (control group). Demographic data, the duration from onset of DHS, the apex of sagittal kyphosis on the lateral radiographs, and clinical outcomes including the ability to maintain normal horizontal gaze, chin brow vertical angle, and numerical rating scale (NRS) were evaluated at the initial visit and final follow-up at 7.5 months. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic and radiographic data. The ability of horizontal gaze and NRS of cervical...
Source: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research