Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of local muscle fatigue induced at proximal and distal segments of lower extremity on sagittal plane mover on visual dependency in quiet standing postural stability.

Materials & Methods: In this Quasi–experimental study (before – after comparison) sagittal plane prime movers of the ankle and hip musculature were fatigued using isokinetic contractions at two test sessions with a randomized order and one week interval. Twenty five healthy young female students were َselected by using non probability selection and sample of convenience and asked to maintain single leg upright posture as immobile as possible. RMS and SD of Center of Pressure displacements were assessed in 30 seconds and consequently, the eyes were closed after 15 seconds. A analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures was used to analyze the effect of the following factors over two periods of 5 seconds immediately before and after eye closure: (1) fatigue, (2) vision, (3) segment of fatigue.

Results: The main effects of each within-subject factors (fatigue, vision and segment of fatigue) were significant (P<0.05). The analysis of RMS and SD of Center of Pressure demonstrated a significant interaction between fatigue and vision, and fatigue and segment of fatigue so that the effects of Fatigue on Proximal segment and eye closed conditions were increased.

Conclusion: The visual dependency for control of postural stability incremented following muscle fatigue. Proximal muscle fatigue lead to exaggeration of visual dependency for control of postural stability. Based on the present results, emphasis on the proprioception of proximal segment of lower extremity may be recommended for postural stability training.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nonnutritive sucking on the time needed for achievement of independent oral feeding and weight gaining in 26-32 week gestational ages preterm infants in kamali NICU hospital.

Materials & Methods: Randomized clinical trial design was used. The population of study was 22 preterm infant with 26-32 weeks of gestational ages, that were admitted in kamali’s NICU. After choosing infants based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the researcher divided them into two groups (control and nonnutritive sucking program) randomly. The researcher implemented this program in 10 consecutive days for each infant during first 5 minutes of gavage feeding (3 times in a day) in experimental group. Infants in control group did not receive any stimulation except routine nursing care. The testers were investigated for gestational age during various oral feeding times and discharge time from NICU and also their weight measured during first, second week after birth and discharge time from NICU and then the results of two groups, were compared.

Results: In nonnutritive sucking group, mean of gestational age at discharge times, was 33.97±0.69 weeks (mean±SD) and in control group was 34.32±1.33 weeks, which is not statistically significant (P=0.4). In NNS group Average weight at discharge time was 1654.54±133.29 grams and in control group was 1472.72±94.34 grams. In NNS group, weight at discharge from NICU was significantly more than the control group (P=0.001).

Conclusion: Use of NNS, significantly increased weight gain. Although there was no statistically significant effect on oral feeding criterion, but clinically improved oral feeding in preterm infants and decreased hospitalization time in NICU were seen.