Investigation of the Effects of Exercise Program in Patients With Chiari Type 1 Malformation

Summary

This study will be conducted in Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Neurosurgery Department and Hacettepe University Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.

The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. At the beginning of the study, demographic data and characteristics of the cases will be recorded. Patients will be evaluated in three different periods throughout the study. The first assessments will be performed on the first day after the patient's condition is appropriate after the surgical procedure for Type 1 CM. Following this evaluation, all patients will be divided into two groups using. a simple randomization method. The first group will be exercised for 6 weeks while the second group will not be intervened during this period and will be followed as a control group. Immediately after the exercise program administered to the first group after 6 weeks, both groups will undergo second assessments. After these assessment measures, the same exercise program in the first group will be applied to the second group only this time for 6 weeks. In the meantime, the first group will stop their exercise programs. After the 6-week exercise program of the second group has ended, both groups will be given the third assessment, the final assessment.

At the beginning of the study, demographic data, characteristics and disease information will be recorded.

The evaluations to be made are summarized below:

* Visual Analogue Scale, pain threshold and pain tolerance tests, Neck Disability Index, for the determination of pain level in the neck region and throughout the body
* Cervical range of motion (Performance Attainment Associates, St. Paul, MN, 55117, United States) (CROM 3) device for the evaluation of the cervical region.
* Berg Balance Scale for evaluation of performance-based balance,
* Timed Rise Walk Test, Sharpened Romberg test and "8" shaped walk test (F8WT) for evaluation of fall risk, static and dynamic balance,
* The International Ataxia Assessment Scale (ICARS) for coordination,
* Grip Ability Test (GAT) for the assessment of fine motor skill in the upper extremity,
* Posture evaluation,
* Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) for evaluation of swallowing function
* For daily living activities, Barthel Daily Living Activities Index,
* For the quality of life, the Short Form 36 questionnaire will be used.

Conditions

• Arnold Chiari Malformation

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Exercise

Specific Exercises: a. Exercises for cervical flexors: Objectives are summarized below: * To increase the endurance and strength of cervical flexors. b. Exercises for cervical extensors: * Training of craniocervical extensors and rotators with the cervical spine in the neutral position, c. Axiocapular muscles; * Teaching the correct scapular position, D. Postural correction exercises; * Teaching the neutral spine position from the first treatment session, 2) Sensorimotor Exercises: a. Joint position sense: * Participants are trained to point their heads in different directions with the help of an illuminated band that is attached to the head with the eyes open at the beginning. b. The sense of cervical movement, c. Oculomotor control exercises, 3) Balance and coordination exercises; a. Balance training starts with static balance exercises and continues with dynamic balance exercises and walking exercises with different difficulty.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-11-20

Primary Completion

2025-10-20

Completion

2026-04-20

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations