Eva Hansson - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Eva Hansson

Pilot and Feasibility Studies, Sep 30, 2020

Background: Dizziness is common among patients with first time stroke. It affects self-perceived ... more Background: Dizziness is common among patients with first time stroke. It affects self-perceived health and is a risk factor for falls. Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is effective for treating dizziness among various conditions, but the effect of dizziness with origin in the central nervous system is poorly studied. This pilot study of a randomized controlled trial aimed at investigating a vestibular rehabilitation programme among patients with first time stroke and concomitant dizziness. A second aim was to study the feasibility of performing the randomized controlled trial. Methods: The participants were computer generated randomized to either an intervention or a control group. The intervention comprised of four different vestibular rehabilitation exercises, adapted for each patient and usual rehabilitation. The control group received usual rehabilitation without the vestibular rehabilitation exercises. Outcome measures used were The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, the Berg Balance Scale, the Functional Gait Assessment Scale and the EuroQol-5D. Feasibility was studied in terms of recruitment, adherence and retention rates, also as the ability to collect primary and secondary outcomes as well as to find indications of treatment differences. Results: Self-rated health improved for all participants. No other differences between baseline and follow-up were detected neither within nor between groups. Recruitment rate was 23%, adherence to the intervention 90%, retention rate 69% and ability to collect outcome measures 90%. No adverse events occurred. Both the intervention and the control groups improved in self-perceived health. The measures of feasibility were satisfactory in this study, apart from a low recruitment rate.

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, 2005

Gerontology, 2005

Background:Dizziness influences well-being in old age, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (... more Background:Dizziness influences well-being in old age, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause. The condition is diagnosed using the Hallpike maneuver and treated by the particle-repositioning maneuver or habituation exercises. Objective:To identify patients with BPPV among a variety of diagnoses represented by the ICD-10 diagnosis R42 in people 65 aged years and older who visited primary health care because of vertigo and dizziness. Methods:Searches were performed in the computerized medical records of 6 different health care centers over the period of 1 year for the ICD-10 diagnosis R42 and the age group 65 years and older. Letters were sent to the patients identified with an invitation for assessment and physical examination by a physiotherapist. Thirty-eight patients responded to the letter and were included in the study. All patients were assessed by physical examination including the Hallpike maneuver. Results: The study group included 13 men and 25 women, 65–94 (median 83) years of age. After physical examination, 15 patients were found to have BPPV (confidence interval 24–55%). Conclusion:In this study, 2 of 5 of the patients with ICD-10 diagnosis R42 (dizziness and giddiness) had BPPV. BPPV is probably an underestimated cause of dizziness/vertigo among elderly patients in primary health care.

Advances in Physiotherapy, Mar 2, 2017

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Sep 27, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

A significant number of individuals experience post-COVID-19 symptoms, but knowledge of perceived... more A significant number of individuals experience post-COVID-19 symptoms, but knowledge of perceived consequences and life satisfaction is lacking. Here, we investigate perceived consequences regarding everyday life, health, physical activity and work post-COVID-19 and factors associated with low life satisfaction. A total of 766 people (mean age 48; 672 women) experiencing post-COVID-19 symptoms at least two months after infection (mean 13 months) responded to an online survey. A majority (≥77%) perceived physical fatigue, mental fatigue, dizziness, reduced work ability, low life satisfaction and a reduced level of aerobic capacity. In the final logistic regression model (Nagelkerke R Square 0.296, p < 0.001), poor work ability was the most important factor for perceiving low satisfaction with life (Odds ratio 3.369, 95% CI 2.040–5.565, p < 0.001, Nagelkerke R Square 0.177). Reduced aerobic capacity, fatigue and living in a city also increased the odds of low life satisfaction. ...

Increased physical activity can have health benefits among inactive individuals. In Sweden, the h... more Increased physical activity can have health benefits among inactive individuals. In Sweden, the healthcare system uses Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP) to motivate patients to increase their physical activity level. Mindfulness may further heighten the internal motivation to engage in physical activity. However, previous research has not demonstrated clear evidence of such associations.Aim: Examine the feasibility of the study design as a preparation for a full-scale study, and examine the differences, between three interventions, in change over time in physical activity levels and in related variables.Method: Comparison between three different interventions in an ordinary primary health care setting: PAP, mindfulness, and a combination of PAP and mindfulness. Physical activity was measured with self-report and ACTi Graph GT1X activity monitor. Statistical analysis was performed with a mixed effect model to account for repeated observations and estimate differences both withi...

Objectives: Gait parameters can measure risks of falling and mortality and identify early stages ... more Objectives: Gait parameters can measure risks of falling and mortality and identify early stages of frailty. The use of walking aid changes gait parameters. To identify what a dysfunctional gait is, one must be able to define what a normal gait is both with and without a walking aid. The aim of this study was to describe differences in gait parameters among healthy adults when walking on different surfaces and under different conditions, with and without a rollator. Results: Ten healthy participants walked first without and then with a rollator upslope, downslope and on flat surface, on bitumen and gravel respectively. Step length, walking speed and sideway deviation was measured using an inertial measurement unit. Walking up a slope using a rollator generated the longest step length and walking down a slope using a rollator the shortest. Fastest walking speed was used when walking up a slope with rollator and slowest when walking down a slope with rollator. Sideway deviation was hi...

Background Falls and ensuing fractures are major challenges in our ageing population. The aim of ... more Background Falls and ensuing fractures are major challenges in our ageing population. The aim of this study was to study if clinical balance measures, function of the inner ear, self-rated health or fracture risk assessed by FRAX ® could predict future admission to hospital because of a fracture among a group of older persons with previous wrist fracture. Methods This was a longitudinal study with a 5-year follow-up. Searches in the local health authority’s patient administrative system (PAS) were performed 5 years after inclusion and baseline measurements were taken. Information was extracted about whether participants had been treated for a fracture or hospitalized other reasons during the 5-year period. Persons, 50 years and above, with previous wrist fracture (n=83). Five different clinical balance measures was assessed, postural sway was assessed by means of a force plate, vestibular asymmetry was assessed with the head- shake test, self-rated health by EuroQol 5 Dimension visu...

Education 3-13, 2014

Background: Learning how to write a scientific paper is a mandatory part of medical education at ... more Background: Learning how to write a scientific paper is a mandatory part of medical education at many universities. The criteria for passing the exam are not always clear; the grading guidelines are often sparse and sometimes poorly defined. Therefore, the use of rubrics can be appropriate. Purpose: The aim of this study was to test inter-rater reliability and to test agreement for the modified rubrics for the assessment of master's theses in medical education at a Swedish university. Method: Modified scoring rubrics were used for grading and assessment of the master's thesis at the medical programme at Lund University. The rubrics include 10 items, graded from 1 to 4. To study the inter-rater reliability and agreement of the rubrics, three teachers included in the management of the course used the rubrics and assessed all projects. Results A total of 37 projects were read by the three raters. Intraclass correlation for the total score was 0.76 (CI 0.59-0.87). Absolute agree...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

Background: The increase of the aging population is a challenge to society, as age is related to ... more Background: The increase of the aging population is a challenge to society, as age is related to dependence. Injuries such as hip fractures cause morbidity, loss of independent life, and mortality. The purpose of this protocol is to describe a randomized control trial, with three intervention arms, aiming at investigating if there are any differences in outcomes after hip fracture between different rehabilitation interventions including (1) High-Intensity Functional Exercise (HIFE), (2) HIFE with the addition of continuous measures of movement and body positions with a wearable device, or (3) standard rehabilitation. A secondary aim is to evaluate physiotherapists’ satisfaction with using the wearable device in rehabilitation. Method: Patients with hip fracture that require rehabilitation at home will be invited to participate and randomly assigned to one intervention arm. The primary outcome is balance, measured by postural sway using an Inertial Measurement Unit and by Functional ...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

Gait disorders are a relevant factor for falls and possible to measure with wearable devices. If ... more Gait disorders are a relevant factor for falls and possible to measure with wearable devices. If a wearable sensor can detect differences in gait parameters between fallers and non-fallers has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was to measure and compare gait parameters, vestibular function, and balance performance between fallers and non-fallers among a group of older persons. Participants were senior members (n = 101) of a Swedish non-profit gymnastic association. Gait parameters were obtained using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that the participants wore on the leg while walking an obstacle course and on an even surface. Vestibular function was assessed by the Head-shake test, the Head impulse test, and the Dix–Hallpike maneuver. Balance was assessed by the Timed Up and Go, the Timed Up and Go manual, and the Timed Up and Go cognitive tests. Falls during the 12-month follow-up period were monitored using fall diaries. Forty-two persons (41%) had fallen during the 12...

Frontiers in Neurology, 2021

Background: Dizziness and pain are common complaints that often appear concomitantly, with or wit... more Background: Dizziness and pain are common complaints that often appear concomitantly, with or without a causal relationship. However, these symptoms might maintain and exacerbate each other and other co-morbidities. Therefore, adequate rehabilitation may have to include an expanded focus on other deficits and preconditions, especially in older adults and in patients.Objective: To understand how frequently vestibular dysfunction coincided with medical conditions and aging, we studied two categories: Study 1: patients referred to a vestibular unit and Study 2: senior members in a fitness association.Method: Study 1: 49 patients [34 females/15 males; mean age 52 years (SEM 2.0)] seeking health care for balance disorders and vestibular deficits were asked in questionnaires about their perception of dizziness and pain, and emotional and functional strains. Study 2: 101 senior members in a fitness association [91 females/10 males; mean age 75 years (SEM 0.6)], were assessed for vestibular...

Trials, 2018

Background: In the Swedish population aged between 50 and 64 years only 7.1% reach the recommende... more Background: In the Swedish population aged between 50 and 64 years only 7.1% reach the recommended level of physical activity. Physical activity on prescription (PAP) has been used in Sweden since the beginning of the twenty-first century with moderate adherence of approximately 50%. Mindfulness seems to affect motivation to and satisfaction with physical activity. The aim is to test the feasibility of a study in routine care; i.e. to test if mindfulness can improve adherence to PAP, measured by changes in physical activity. Methods/design: We will include 90 sedentary individuals, aged 40-65 years, from primary health care centres in Sweden. Individuals will be randomised to only PAP, mindfulness and PAP or mindfulness only. The PAP group will be based on patients' preferences. The mindfulness groups will meet once a week for 8 weeks and practise 20 min of individual training per day. There will not be any motivational interview or physical activity on prescription in the group assigned to only mindfulness. The participants will complete the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Insomnia Severity Index and also answer questions concerning their lifestyle. Physical activity will be measured by ACTi Graph GT1X activity monitor at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Patients with a severe psychological disease, unstable angina or a recent myocardial infarction will be excluded. The main outcome will be adherence to PAP in an ordinary primary health care setting. In this pilot study, we will also evaluate measures such as the recruitment rate, number of dropouts and adherence to mindfulness practice. Discussion: This study is the first to explore the effect of mindfulness on adherence to PAP and test the feasibility of the study design.

Scientific Reports, 2019

The ability to handle sensory conflicts and use the most appropriate sensory information is vital... more The ability to handle sensory conflicts and use the most appropriate sensory information is vital for successful recovery of human postural control after injury. The objective was to determine if virtual reality (VR) could provide a vehicle for sensory training, and determine the temporal and spatial nature of such adaptive changes. Twenty healthy subjects participated in the study (10 females). The subjects watched a 90-second VR simulation of railroad (rollercoaster) motion in mountainous terrain during five repeated simulations, while standing on a force platform that recorded their stability. The immediate response to watching the VR movie was an increased level of postural instability. Repeatedly watching the same VR movie significantly reduced both the anteroposterior (62%, p < 0.001) and lateral (47%, p = 0.001) energy used. However, females adapted more slowly to the VR stimuli as reflected by higher use of total (p = 0.007), low frequency (p = 0.027) and high frequency (...

BMC geriatrics, Feb 2, 2018

The number of elderly people persons suffering from dizziness is substantial, and dizziness is a ... more The number of elderly people persons suffering from dizziness is substantial, and dizziness is a risk factor for falls and fractures. Fall-related fractures represent a major public health issue. Longitudinal studies can help find ways of predicting fall-related fractures among frail elderly persons with multisensory dizziness. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate whether different measures of balance, being male/female or admission to hospital, could predict fracture at a ten-year follow-up in patients suffering from multisensory dizziness. Patients who had participated in two earlier (ten years previous) dizziness studies were sought in the local health authority's patient administrative system. Information was extracted regarding patient hospitalization, for fractures or for any other reason, during the ten-year period. Logistic regression was used to analyse the relations between clinical balance measures, vestibular rehabilitation, admission to hospital...

Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale, Jan 26, 2015

Having good balance is a facilitating factor in the performance of everyday activities. Good bala... more Having good balance is a facilitating factor in the performance of everyday activities. Good balance is also essential in various sport activities in order to both get results and prevent injury. A common measure of balance is postural sway, which can be measured both antero-posteriorly and medio-laterally. There are several companies marketing wristbands whose intended function is to improve balance, strength and flexibility. Randomized controlled trials have shown that wristbands with holograms have no effect on balance but studies on wristbands with minerals seem to be lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate if the mineral wristband had any effect on postural sway in a group of healthy individuals. Randomized, controlled, double-blind study. The study group consisted of 40 healthy persons. Postural sway was measured antero-posteriorly and medio-laterally on a force plate, to compare: the mineral wristband, a placebo wristband, and without any wristband. The measurements...

Gerontology, Jan 2, 2014

Background: Fall-related fractures are an increasing problem for society. Dizziness is identified... more Background: Fall-related fractures are an increasing problem for society. Dizziness is identified as a risk factor for falls and vestibular asymmetry is often found among patients with fall-related fractures. An option to prevent fall-related fractures may be to identify patients with vestibular asymmetry and to improve their balance and asymmetry by exercise. Objective: To examine whether vestibular rehabilitation improves vestibular function, balance and self-rated health among patients with fall-related wrist fractures. Methods: Sixty-eight persons (65 women) with fall-related wrist fractures, mean age 72 years (54-89) participated in this randomized controlled trial. The following tests and measurements were performed: head shake test to evaluate vestibular asymmetry as primary outcome measure, five clinical balance measures, a force plate to measure postural sway, a tuning fork to measure vibration and the EQ5D questionnaire to measure self-rated health. The intervention compri...

Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 2013

To describe how vestibular rehabilitation influences pain and range of motion among patients with... more To describe how vestibular rehabilitation influences pain and range of motion among patients with whiplash-associated disorder and dizziness, and to describe whether pain or range of motion correlated with balance performance or self-perceived dizziness handicap. A total of 29 patients, 20 women and 9 men, age range 22-76 years. Patients with whiplash-associated disorder and dizziness were randomized to either intervention (vestibular rehabilitation) or control. Neck pain intensity, cervical range of motion (CROM), balance and self-perceived dizziness handicap were measured at baseline, 6 weeks and 3 months. There were no differences in neck pain intensity or CROM between the 2 groups either at baseline, 6 weeks or 3 months (p = 0.10-0.89). At baseline, neck pain intensity correlated with CROM (-0.406) and self-perceived dizziness handicap (0.492). CROM correlated with self-perceived dizziness handicap and with 1 balance measure (-0.432). Neck pain intensity did not correlate with b...

Scandinavian journal of caring sciences, 2013

Stroke causes complex disability and function, and perceived quality of life has been shown to co... more Stroke causes complex disability and function, and perceived quality of life has been shown to correlate with satisfaction with care as well as with life in general among stroke patients. The aim of this study was to study the relation of satisfaction with how rehabilitation was provided with self-perceived quality of life, self-perceived function and rehabilitation received, 12 months after the incidence. The subjects were assessed 12 months after the onset of stroke. The Barthel index was used to measure function, and the EuroQol-5D to measure quality of life. To measure satisfaction with how rehabilitation was provided, a questionnaire from the Swedish Stroke Register was used. Two hundred and eighty-three patients participated in the follow-up, 137 women and 146 men, aged between 42 and 95 years (mean age 75.2, SD 11.8). For the majority of patients rehabilitation was initiated at in-hospital care (directly after onset). One hundred and sixty-eight patients considered that rehab...

Pilot and Feasibility Studies, Sep 30, 2020

Background: Dizziness is common among patients with first time stroke. It affects self-perceived ... more Background: Dizziness is common among patients with first time stroke. It affects self-perceived health and is a risk factor for falls. Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is effective for treating dizziness among various conditions, but the effect of dizziness with origin in the central nervous system is poorly studied. This pilot study of a randomized controlled trial aimed at investigating a vestibular rehabilitation programme among patients with first time stroke and concomitant dizziness. A second aim was to study the feasibility of performing the randomized controlled trial. Methods: The participants were computer generated randomized to either an intervention or a control group. The intervention comprised of four different vestibular rehabilitation exercises, adapted for each patient and usual rehabilitation. The control group received usual rehabilitation without the vestibular rehabilitation exercises. Outcome measures used were The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, the Berg Balance Scale, the Functional Gait Assessment Scale and the EuroQol-5D. Feasibility was studied in terms of recruitment, adherence and retention rates, also as the ability to collect primary and secondary outcomes as well as to find indications of treatment differences. Results: Self-rated health improved for all participants. No other differences between baseline and follow-up were detected neither within nor between groups. Recruitment rate was 23%, adherence to the intervention 90%, retention rate 69% and ability to collect outcome measures 90%. No adverse events occurred. Both the intervention and the control groups improved in self-perceived health. The measures of feasibility were satisfactory in this study, apart from a low recruitment rate.

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, 2005

Gerontology, 2005

Background:Dizziness influences well-being in old age, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (... more Background:Dizziness influences well-being in old age, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause. The condition is diagnosed using the Hallpike maneuver and treated by the particle-repositioning maneuver or habituation exercises. Objective:To identify patients with BPPV among a variety of diagnoses represented by the ICD-10 diagnosis R42 in people 65 aged years and older who visited primary health care because of vertigo and dizziness. Methods:Searches were performed in the computerized medical records of 6 different health care centers over the period of 1 year for the ICD-10 diagnosis R42 and the age group 65 years and older. Letters were sent to the patients identified with an invitation for assessment and physical examination by a physiotherapist. Thirty-eight patients responded to the letter and were included in the study. All patients were assessed by physical examination including the Hallpike maneuver. Results: The study group included 13 men and 25 women, 65–94 (median 83) years of age. After physical examination, 15 patients were found to have BPPV (confidence interval 24–55%). Conclusion:In this study, 2 of 5 of the patients with ICD-10 diagnosis R42 (dizziness and giddiness) had BPPV. BPPV is probably an underestimated cause of dizziness/vertigo among elderly patients in primary health care.

Advances in Physiotherapy, Mar 2, 2017

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Sep 27, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

A significant number of individuals experience post-COVID-19 symptoms, but knowledge of perceived... more A significant number of individuals experience post-COVID-19 symptoms, but knowledge of perceived consequences and life satisfaction is lacking. Here, we investigate perceived consequences regarding everyday life, health, physical activity and work post-COVID-19 and factors associated with low life satisfaction. A total of 766 people (mean age 48; 672 women) experiencing post-COVID-19 symptoms at least two months after infection (mean 13 months) responded to an online survey. A majority (≥77%) perceived physical fatigue, mental fatigue, dizziness, reduced work ability, low life satisfaction and a reduced level of aerobic capacity. In the final logistic regression model (Nagelkerke R Square 0.296, p < 0.001), poor work ability was the most important factor for perceiving low satisfaction with life (Odds ratio 3.369, 95% CI 2.040–5.565, p < 0.001, Nagelkerke R Square 0.177). Reduced aerobic capacity, fatigue and living in a city also increased the odds of low life satisfaction. ...

Increased physical activity can have health benefits among inactive individuals. In Sweden, the h... more Increased physical activity can have health benefits among inactive individuals. In Sweden, the healthcare system uses Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP) to motivate patients to increase their physical activity level. Mindfulness may further heighten the internal motivation to engage in physical activity. However, previous research has not demonstrated clear evidence of such associations.Aim: Examine the feasibility of the study design as a preparation for a full-scale study, and examine the differences, between three interventions, in change over time in physical activity levels and in related variables.Method: Comparison between three different interventions in an ordinary primary health care setting: PAP, mindfulness, and a combination of PAP and mindfulness. Physical activity was measured with self-report and ACTi Graph GT1X activity monitor. Statistical analysis was performed with a mixed effect model to account for repeated observations and estimate differences both withi...

Objectives: Gait parameters can measure risks of falling and mortality and identify early stages ... more Objectives: Gait parameters can measure risks of falling and mortality and identify early stages of frailty. The use of walking aid changes gait parameters. To identify what a dysfunctional gait is, one must be able to define what a normal gait is both with and without a walking aid. The aim of this study was to describe differences in gait parameters among healthy adults when walking on different surfaces and under different conditions, with and without a rollator. Results: Ten healthy participants walked first without and then with a rollator upslope, downslope and on flat surface, on bitumen and gravel respectively. Step length, walking speed and sideway deviation was measured using an inertial measurement unit. Walking up a slope using a rollator generated the longest step length and walking down a slope using a rollator the shortest. Fastest walking speed was used when walking up a slope with rollator and slowest when walking down a slope with rollator. Sideway deviation was hi...

Background Falls and ensuing fractures are major challenges in our ageing population. The aim of ... more Background Falls and ensuing fractures are major challenges in our ageing population. The aim of this study was to study if clinical balance measures, function of the inner ear, self-rated health or fracture risk assessed by FRAX ® could predict future admission to hospital because of a fracture among a group of older persons with previous wrist fracture. Methods This was a longitudinal study with a 5-year follow-up. Searches in the local health authority’s patient administrative system (PAS) were performed 5 years after inclusion and baseline measurements were taken. Information was extracted about whether participants had been treated for a fracture or hospitalized other reasons during the 5-year period. Persons, 50 years and above, with previous wrist fracture (n=83). Five different clinical balance measures was assessed, postural sway was assessed by means of a force plate, vestibular asymmetry was assessed with the head- shake test, self-rated health by EuroQol 5 Dimension visu...

Education 3-13, 2014

Background: Learning how to write a scientific paper is a mandatory part of medical education at ... more Background: Learning how to write a scientific paper is a mandatory part of medical education at many universities. The criteria for passing the exam are not always clear; the grading guidelines are often sparse and sometimes poorly defined. Therefore, the use of rubrics can be appropriate. Purpose: The aim of this study was to test inter-rater reliability and to test agreement for the modified rubrics for the assessment of master's theses in medical education at a Swedish university. Method: Modified scoring rubrics were used for grading and assessment of the master's thesis at the medical programme at Lund University. The rubrics include 10 items, graded from 1 to 4. To study the inter-rater reliability and agreement of the rubrics, three teachers included in the management of the course used the rubrics and assessed all projects. Results A total of 37 projects were read by the three raters. Intraclass correlation for the total score was 0.76 (CI 0.59-0.87). Absolute agree...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

Background: The increase of the aging population is a challenge to society, as age is related to ... more Background: The increase of the aging population is a challenge to society, as age is related to dependence. Injuries such as hip fractures cause morbidity, loss of independent life, and mortality. The purpose of this protocol is to describe a randomized control trial, with three intervention arms, aiming at investigating if there are any differences in outcomes after hip fracture between different rehabilitation interventions including (1) High-Intensity Functional Exercise (HIFE), (2) HIFE with the addition of continuous measures of movement and body positions with a wearable device, or (3) standard rehabilitation. A secondary aim is to evaluate physiotherapists’ satisfaction with using the wearable device in rehabilitation. Method: Patients with hip fracture that require rehabilitation at home will be invited to participate and randomly assigned to one intervention arm. The primary outcome is balance, measured by postural sway using an Inertial Measurement Unit and by Functional ...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

Gait disorders are a relevant factor for falls and possible to measure with wearable devices. If ... more Gait disorders are a relevant factor for falls and possible to measure with wearable devices. If a wearable sensor can detect differences in gait parameters between fallers and non-fallers has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was to measure and compare gait parameters, vestibular function, and balance performance between fallers and non-fallers among a group of older persons. Participants were senior members (n = 101) of a Swedish non-profit gymnastic association. Gait parameters were obtained using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that the participants wore on the leg while walking an obstacle course and on an even surface. Vestibular function was assessed by the Head-shake test, the Head impulse test, and the Dix–Hallpike maneuver. Balance was assessed by the Timed Up and Go, the Timed Up and Go manual, and the Timed Up and Go cognitive tests. Falls during the 12-month follow-up period were monitored using fall diaries. Forty-two persons (41%) had fallen during the 12...

Frontiers in Neurology, 2021

Background: Dizziness and pain are common complaints that often appear concomitantly, with or wit... more Background: Dizziness and pain are common complaints that often appear concomitantly, with or without a causal relationship. However, these symptoms might maintain and exacerbate each other and other co-morbidities. Therefore, adequate rehabilitation may have to include an expanded focus on other deficits and preconditions, especially in older adults and in patients.Objective: To understand how frequently vestibular dysfunction coincided with medical conditions and aging, we studied two categories: Study 1: patients referred to a vestibular unit and Study 2: senior members in a fitness association.Method: Study 1: 49 patients [34 females/15 males; mean age 52 years (SEM 2.0)] seeking health care for balance disorders and vestibular deficits were asked in questionnaires about their perception of dizziness and pain, and emotional and functional strains. Study 2: 101 senior members in a fitness association [91 females/10 males; mean age 75 years (SEM 0.6)], were assessed for vestibular...

Trials, 2018

Background: In the Swedish population aged between 50 and 64 years only 7.1% reach the recommende... more Background: In the Swedish population aged between 50 and 64 years only 7.1% reach the recommended level of physical activity. Physical activity on prescription (PAP) has been used in Sweden since the beginning of the twenty-first century with moderate adherence of approximately 50%. Mindfulness seems to affect motivation to and satisfaction with physical activity. The aim is to test the feasibility of a study in routine care; i.e. to test if mindfulness can improve adherence to PAP, measured by changes in physical activity. Methods/design: We will include 90 sedentary individuals, aged 40-65 years, from primary health care centres in Sweden. Individuals will be randomised to only PAP, mindfulness and PAP or mindfulness only. The PAP group will be based on patients' preferences. The mindfulness groups will meet once a week for 8 weeks and practise 20 min of individual training per day. There will not be any motivational interview or physical activity on prescription in the group assigned to only mindfulness. The participants will complete the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Insomnia Severity Index and also answer questions concerning their lifestyle. Physical activity will be measured by ACTi Graph GT1X activity monitor at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Patients with a severe psychological disease, unstable angina or a recent myocardial infarction will be excluded. The main outcome will be adherence to PAP in an ordinary primary health care setting. In this pilot study, we will also evaluate measures such as the recruitment rate, number of dropouts and adherence to mindfulness practice. Discussion: This study is the first to explore the effect of mindfulness on adherence to PAP and test the feasibility of the study design.

Scientific Reports, 2019

The ability to handle sensory conflicts and use the most appropriate sensory information is vital... more The ability to handle sensory conflicts and use the most appropriate sensory information is vital for successful recovery of human postural control after injury. The objective was to determine if virtual reality (VR) could provide a vehicle for sensory training, and determine the temporal and spatial nature of such adaptive changes. Twenty healthy subjects participated in the study (10 females). The subjects watched a 90-second VR simulation of railroad (rollercoaster) motion in mountainous terrain during five repeated simulations, while standing on a force platform that recorded their stability. The immediate response to watching the VR movie was an increased level of postural instability. Repeatedly watching the same VR movie significantly reduced both the anteroposterior (62%, p < 0.001) and lateral (47%, p = 0.001) energy used. However, females adapted more slowly to the VR stimuli as reflected by higher use of total (p = 0.007), low frequency (p = 0.027) and high frequency (...

BMC geriatrics, Feb 2, 2018

The number of elderly people persons suffering from dizziness is substantial, and dizziness is a ... more The number of elderly people persons suffering from dizziness is substantial, and dizziness is a risk factor for falls and fractures. Fall-related fractures represent a major public health issue. Longitudinal studies can help find ways of predicting fall-related fractures among frail elderly persons with multisensory dizziness. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate whether different measures of balance, being male/female or admission to hospital, could predict fracture at a ten-year follow-up in patients suffering from multisensory dizziness. Patients who had participated in two earlier (ten years previous) dizziness studies were sought in the local health authority's patient administrative system. Information was extracted regarding patient hospitalization, for fractures or for any other reason, during the ten-year period. Logistic regression was used to analyse the relations between clinical balance measures, vestibular rehabilitation, admission to hospital...

Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale, Jan 26, 2015

Having good balance is a facilitating factor in the performance of everyday activities. Good bala... more Having good balance is a facilitating factor in the performance of everyday activities. Good balance is also essential in various sport activities in order to both get results and prevent injury. A common measure of balance is postural sway, which can be measured both antero-posteriorly and medio-laterally. There are several companies marketing wristbands whose intended function is to improve balance, strength and flexibility. Randomized controlled trials have shown that wristbands with holograms have no effect on balance but studies on wristbands with minerals seem to be lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate if the mineral wristband had any effect on postural sway in a group of healthy individuals. Randomized, controlled, double-blind study. The study group consisted of 40 healthy persons. Postural sway was measured antero-posteriorly and medio-laterally on a force plate, to compare: the mineral wristband, a placebo wristband, and without any wristband. The measurements...

Gerontology, Jan 2, 2014

Background: Fall-related fractures are an increasing problem for society. Dizziness is identified... more Background: Fall-related fractures are an increasing problem for society. Dizziness is identified as a risk factor for falls and vestibular asymmetry is often found among patients with fall-related fractures. An option to prevent fall-related fractures may be to identify patients with vestibular asymmetry and to improve their balance and asymmetry by exercise. Objective: To examine whether vestibular rehabilitation improves vestibular function, balance and self-rated health among patients with fall-related wrist fractures. Methods: Sixty-eight persons (65 women) with fall-related wrist fractures, mean age 72 years (54-89) participated in this randomized controlled trial. The following tests and measurements were performed: head shake test to evaluate vestibular asymmetry as primary outcome measure, five clinical balance measures, a force plate to measure postural sway, a tuning fork to measure vibration and the EQ5D questionnaire to measure self-rated health. The intervention compri...

Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 2013

To describe how vestibular rehabilitation influences pain and range of motion among patients with... more To describe how vestibular rehabilitation influences pain and range of motion among patients with whiplash-associated disorder and dizziness, and to describe whether pain or range of motion correlated with balance performance or self-perceived dizziness handicap. A total of 29 patients, 20 women and 9 men, age range 22-76 years. Patients with whiplash-associated disorder and dizziness were randomized to either intervention (vestibular rehabilitation) or control. Neck pain intensity, cervical range of motion (CROM), balance and self-perceived dizziness handicap were measured at baseline, 6 weeks and 3 months. There were no differences in neck pain intensity or CROM between the 2 groups either at baseline, 6 weeks or 3 months (p = 0.10-0.89). At baseline, neck pain intensity correlated with CROM (-0.406) and self-perceived dizziness handicap (0.492). CROM correlated with self-perceived dizziness handicap and with 1 balance measure (-0.432). Neck pain intensity did not correlate with b...

Scandinavian journal of caring sciences, 2013

Stroke causes complex disability and function, and perceived quality of life has been shown to co... more Stroke causes complex disability and function, and perceived quality of life has been shown to correlate with satisfaction with care as well as with life in general among stroke patients. The aim of this study was to study the relation of satisfaction with how rehabilitation was provided with self-perceived quality of life, self-perceived function and rehabilitation received, 12 months after the incidence. The subjects were assessed 12 months after the onset of stroke. The Barthel index was used to measure function, and the EuroQol-5D to measure quality of life. To measure satisfaction with how rehabilitation was provided, a questionnaire from the Swedish Stroke Register was used. Two hundred and eighty-three patients participated in the follow-up, 137 women and 146 men, aged between 42 and 95 years (mean age 75.2, SD 11.8). For the majority of patients rehabilitation was initiated at in-hospital care (directly after onset). One hundred and sixty-eight patients considered that rehab...