Effect of Muscular Energy Technique on Postural Control

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The research aims to evaluate the immediate effect of the muscle energy technique (TEM) on postural control responses in the elderly and young adults. The sample will be selected for convenience, being participants of both sexes, young and old. Evaluation of postural control through the force platform will be performed during the unipodal and semi-tandem balance tests. The main parameters of postural control will be calculated using the pressure center derivative. After the balance tests, the participants will be submitted to TEM and immediately afterwards reassessed on the force platform.

Detailed Description
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Aging is considered a dynamic and progressive process, in which morphological, functional and biochemical changes occur. One of the factors associated with old age is the decrease in the ability to balance posture and the high risk of falls. The literature brings the benefits of physical exercise in improving balance and preventing falls. However, few studies point to the benefits of flexibility techniques and their relationship with balance. The objective of this research is to evaluate the immediate effect of the muscle energy technique (TEM) on postural control responses in the elderly and young adults. The sample will be selected for convenience, with 50 participants of both sexes, young people between 18 and 35 years old and elderly people between 60 and 85 years old. Evaluation of postural control will be performed through the force platform during the unipodal and semi-tandem balance tests (2 repetitions of 30 seconds each, with rest of 30 seconds between them). The main parameters of postural control will be calculated using the pressure center derivative. After the balance tests, the participants will be submitted to TEM and immediately afterwards reassessed on the force platform. An analysis of variance will be used to compare the effects between groups (young versus elderly) and intervention (pre- and post-TEM) and the effects of interaction on the main variables of postural control. A beneficial effect of TEM is expected, especially in the elderly group. The results found in this study will contribute to the use of TEM and the increase of relevant clinical information to benefit the ability to balance in the elderly, in order to reduce the risk of falls.

Official Title
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Immediate Effect of the Muscle Energy Technique on Postural Control in the Elderly and Young Adults

Conditions
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Balance Disorders Water

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Muscular Energy Technique G1
* Other: Muscular Energy Technique G2


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Accepting to participate in a study on a voluntary basis; Aged between 18 and 35 years old for young adults and over 60 years old up to 85 years old for elderly people; Being physically independent; Not practicing regular physical activity as recommended by the ACSM 3 to 5 times a week with moderate and severe; Cognitive status> 18 in the Mini-Mental State Examination. Exclusion Criteria: Elderly with cognitive changes detectable by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); A score lower than the score predicted for their level of education; Self-reported injuries; Falls in the last year; Musculoskeletal disorders; Systemic neurological-degenerative disease; Severe labyrinthitis and chronic diseases of the cardiovascular or respiratory system.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Quasi-experimental research project to detect an immediate effect of a technique on postural balance measures.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Muscle energy technique (G1)<br>Group Elderly (G1) | Other: Muscular Energy Technique G1<br>* Group of older (G1) - The muscular energy technique (TEM) based on Chaitow's proposal will be applied to the postural posterior muscles of the lower limbs such as gastrocnemius, soleus, ischiostibials, gluteus medius and paravertebral. During TEM, the contraction will be maintained from 7 to 10 seconds, against the resistance imposed by the therapist. After relaxation, range of motion will be gained until your new restriction barrier. This process will be repeated for 3 times.<br>* Other names: MET;|
| Active Comparator: Muscle energy technique (G2)<br>Group of young people (G2) | Other: Muscular Energy Technique G2<br>* Group of young people (G2) - The muscular energy technique (TEM) based on Chaitow's proposal will be applied to the postural posterior muscles of the lower limbs such as gastrocnemius, soleus, ischiostibials, gluteus medius and paravertebral. During TEM, the contraction will be maintained from 7 to 10 seconds, against the resistance imposed by the therapist. After relaxation, range of motion will be gained until your new restriction barrier. This process will be repeated for 3 times.<br>* Other names: ''MET'';|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Balance | Balance measured by a Force platform | Baseline | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Postural Balance, Musculoskeletal Manipulations, physiotherapy