Browsing by Person "Young, Archie"

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Longitudinal changes in muscle strength and mass after acute stroke.
(2006-02) Carin-Levy, Gail; Greig, Carolyn; Young, Archie; Lewis, Susan; Hannan, Jim; Mead, Gillian; The Stroke Association
BACKGROUND: Reduced mobility after stroke may cause a loss of muscle mass which may, in theory, contribute to disability. We investigated longitudinal changes in muscle strength, lean cross-sectional area and muscle mass in all limbs after acute stroke. METHODS: We recruited 17 patients within 72 h of hospital admission and measured (a) hand grip strength, (b) knee extensor strength and (c) arm and leg lean cross-sectional area on 6 occasions over 6 months. Appendicular and total muscle mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) were measured at 3 weeks and 6 months. RESULTS: There was no significant change over time in the strength, lean cross-sectional area and muscle mass of the arms or legs. We noted that muscle strength was substantially lower in all limbs compared with population norms. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence of a decline in muscle strength or mass in any limb after the stroke, which could have been attributed to reduced mobility. The observed muscle weakness in the ipsilateral side may have pre-dated the stroke.
The effect of different body positions on anthropometric measurements and derived estimates of body composition
(Smith-Gordon, 2008) Carin-Levy, Gail; Greig, Carolyn; Lewis, Susan; Stewart, A.; Young, Archie; Mead, Gillian
Purpose: Measurement of cross-sectional lean limb area using physical anthropometry is usually performed in the standing position, but sometimes this may be impractical. Our aim was to determine the effect of different positions on cross-sectional lean area of the upper arm, calf and thigh derived from girth and skin-fold measurements. Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers participated. Girth and skin-fold thickness of the upper arm, calf and thigh were measured in the standing, sitting and supine positions. We derived lean cross-sectional area (cm2), and calculated the mean difference, its 95% confidence intervals (CI), and the 95% limits of agreement (LOA) between standing and the other two positions. Results: For the upper arm, mean differences in lean cross-sectional area for the supine-standing and sitting-standing positions were 0.7cm2, (95% CI -0.6 to 2.0) and -0.6cm2, (95% CI -1.4 to 0.3) respectively. Mean differences for thigh were 3.9cm2 (95% CI -2.3 to 10.1) and -4.3cm2 (95% CI -8.6 to 0.0) for supine-standing and sitting-standing respectively. For the calf, mean difference for supine-standing was -3.1cm2 (95% CI -5.3 to -0.9), while for sitting-standing it was 0.3cm2 (95% CI -1.8 to 2.4). The range of values expected to cover agreement for 95% of subjects (LOA) was widest for the thigh and narrowest for the upper arm. Conclusion: In young healthy subjects, lean cross-sectional area differs according to measurement position, particularly for the lower limb. The same measurement method should be used in any one individual when monitoring change.
The psychosocial effects of exercise and relaxation classes for persons surviving a stroke
(Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, 2009-04) Carin-Levy, Gail; Kendall, Marilyn; Young, Archie; Mead, Gillian
Background. This study was set up to explore unexpected findings emergent from a randomized controlled trial of exercise versus relaxation post-stroke. Purpose. Stroke survivors' experiences of taking part in exercise and relaxation classes were explored. Methods. In-depth, semi-structured interviews carried out with 14 community-dwelling stroke survivors in Edinburgh. The informants previously participated in a randomized exploratory trial of exercise versus relaxation. Findings. The classes motivated participants to take part in other purposeful activities, to continue to practice what they had learned, and/or to attend another class in the community. Class participation also led to an improvement of self-perceived quality of life, specifically, improved confidence, physical ability, psychosocial functioning, and a sense of empowerment. Implications. Taking part in either exercise or relaxation classes after stroke can contribute to improved self-perceived quality of life, improved psychosocial functioning, and improved motivation to take an active role in the recovery process. Rsum Description. Cette tude a t mene en vue d'examiner les rsultats imprvus d'un essai contrl alatoire comportant des sances d'exercice et des sances de relaxation chez des patients ayant subi un accident vasculaire crbral (AVC). But. Les expriences vcues par des survivants d'un AVC ayant particip des sances d'exercice ou des sances de relaxation ont t tudies. Mthodologie. Des entrevues en profondeur semi-structures ont t menes auprs de 14 survivants d'un AVC vivant dans la collectivit Edinburgh. Les informateurs avaient particip auparavant un essai exploratoire alatoire comportant des sances d'exercice et des sances de relaxation. Rsultats. Les sances motivaient les participants participer d'autres activits significatives, continuer de mettre en pratique ce qu'ils avaient appris ou assister d'autres cours dans la communaut. La participation ces sances a galement permis aux participants d'amliorer leur perception face leur qualit de vie, en particulier d'amliorer leur confiance, leurs habilets physiques et leur fonctionnement psychosocial et d'avoir un sentiment de pouvoir sur leur vie. Consquences. La participation des sances d'exercice ou de relaxation la suite d'un AVC peut contribuer l'amlioration de la perception de la qualit de vie, du fonctionnement psychosocial et de la motivation participer activement au processus de rtablissement.