APPENDIX

Figure 1.Illustration of the exercises. To improve balance and proprioception eleven exercises were performed in the following order: 1) Walk forward through 6 boxes (50cm x 50cm) on one-foot (in-in-out to right-in-in-out to left). 2) Stair-up and -down a regular 3 steps staircase (17 cm high and 23 cm wide). 3) Stand with feet approximately shoulder width apart and extend arms out slightly forward and lower than the shoulder. Lift both heels off the floor and try to hold the position for 10 seconds. Followed by climbing a regular 3 steps staircase (17 cm high and 23 cm wide), -up and -down. 4) Standing with feet side by side, hold arms in the same position as described in the previous exercise. Place one foot on the inside of the opposing ankle and try to hold the position for 10 seconds. Followed by climbing a regular 3 steps staircase (17 cm high and 23 cm wide), -up and -down. 5) Repeat the exercise 3 with hands behind the back. Followed by climbing a regular 3 steps staircase (17 cm high and 23 cm wide), -up and -down. 6) Perform a one-legged stand with one foot raised to the back (the non-weight bearing knee flexed at 90o). Try to maintain the position for a minimum of three seconds. The long-term goal is to decrease the need for balance support and to hold the position for 10 seconds. However, as necessary, the hands are allowed to contact the support apparatus (a standard chair). Followed by climbing a regular 3 steps staircase (17 cm high and 23 cm wide), -up and -down. 7) Perform the same exercise as above, but raise one foot to the front (the non-weight-bearing knee flexed and lifted approximately as high as the hip). Followed by climbing a regular 3 steps staircase (17 cm high and 23 cm wide), -up and -down. 8) Walk heel-to-toe along a 3m line marked on a medium-density polyfoam mat. 9) Rising from a standard chair (4 times) without arm support. 10) Walk heel-to-toe along a 3-m line marked on a medium-density polyfoam mat. 11) With the knee straight but not hyperextended, execute single (relatively small) leg raises to the front, then back. Continued alternating front to back. Patients performed 11 different exercises (above) once during weeks 1 and 2, twice during weeks 3 and 4 and three times during weeks 5 and 6. In addition, subjects were instructed to stand in 6 different conditions for static exercises (exercise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11) as follows: 1. Week 1: on a firm surface, eyes open, head neutral. 2. Week 2: on a firm surface, eyes closed, head neutral. 3. Week 3: on a firm surface, eyes open, head tilted back. 4. Week 4: on a firm surface, eyes closed, head tilted back. 5. Week 5: on a foam surface, eyes open, head neutral. 6. Week 6: on a foam surface, eyes closed, head neutral.