Is the Combination of Robot-Assisted Therapy and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Useful for Upper Limb Motor Recovery? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Stroke is the third leading cause of disability in the world, and effective rehabilitation is needed to improve lost functionality post-stroke. In this regard, robot-assisted therapy (RAT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are promising rehabilitative approaches that have been shown to be effective in motor recovery. In the past decade, they have been combined to study whether their combination produces adjuvant and greater effects on stroke recovery.

Can specific virtual reality combined with conventional rehabilitation improve poststroke hand motor function? A randomized clinical trial.

Trial Objective: To verify whether conventional rehabilitation combined with specific virtual reality is more effective than conventional therapy alone in restoring hand motor function and muscle tone after stroke.

Trial Design: This prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial compared conventional rehabilitation based on physiotherapy and occupational therapy (control group) with the combination of conventional rehabilitation and specific virtual reality technology (experimental group). Participants were allocated to these groups in a ratio of 1:1.

Effect of Doll Therapy in Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are a threat for people with dementia and their caregivers. Doll therapy is a non-pharmacological person-centered therapy to promote attachment, company, and usefulness with the aim of minimizing challenging behaviors. However, the results are not clear.

Changes in Resilience in Students of Occupational Therapy After Their First Exposure to Practice Placement Education.

Resilience is a multidimensional and dynamic construct associated with positive growth and the capacity to transform stressful and negative factors into opportunities of personal development and self-improvement when faced with difficult experiences. The resilience process of each individual integrates multiple analysis levels, which range from genetic-environmental interactions to a complex process of adaptation between the individual and his/her family, friends, co-workers, society, and culture. To determine whether resilience improves in students of occupational therapy when exposed for the first time to practice placement education.

Effects of Specific Virtual Reality-Based Therapy for the Rehabilitation of the Upper Limb Motor Function Post-Ictus: Randomized Controlled Trial.

This research analyzed the combined effect of conventional treatment and virtual reality exposure therapy on the motor function of the upper extremities in people with stroke. We designed a randomized controlled trial set in the rehabilitation and neurology departments of a hospital (Talavera de la Reina, Spain). The subjects included 43 participants, all randomized into experimental (conventional treatment + virtual reality exposure therapy) and control group (conventional treatment).

Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Therapy on Quality of Life of Patients with Subacute Stroke: A Three-Month Follow-Up Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of conventional rehabilitation combined with virtual reality on improving quality of life related to post-stroke health.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Rehabilitation and neurology departments of a general hospital (Talavera de la Reina, Spain).

Effectiveness of virtual reality technology on functional mobility of older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The accessibility, versatility and motivation provided by virtual reality technology (VRT) have fostered its rapid expansion as a rehabilitation technique to improve functional mobility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes using VRT, specific virtual reality technology (VRT-S) and non-specific virtual reality technology (VRT-NS), to improve functional mobility in individuals aged >60 years versus conventional treatment (CT) or no intervention.

Methods: Nine databases (Cochrane Library, Scopus, PEDro, Medline, CSIC, Web of Science, OT Seeker, NGCH and CINAHL) were searched to identify randomised trials up to December 2019.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Systems to Improve the Activities of Daily Life in Older People.

(1) This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments with virtual reality systems (VRSs) on the functional autonomy of older adults versus conventional treatment. (3) Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. An electronic data search was carried out, following the PRISMA statement, up to February 2020.

Can exergames contribute to improving walking capacity in older adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The accessibility, low cost and motivation generated by exergames has fostered its rapid expansion as a rehabilitation technique.

Objective: To estimate the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs using IVGT in improving walking capacity of people aged 60 years and over.

Materials And Methods: The electronic data research following the PRISMA Statement (Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, OT Seeker, National Guideline Clearinghouse, Trip Database, CSIC Spanish National Research Council) was completed in September 2018.

Improving Self-Perceived Emotional Intelligence in Occupational Therapy Students Through Practical Training.

In the field of healthcare, higher skills in emotional intelligence (EI) have been proven to have a positive impact on healthcare professionals in general and occupational therapists in particular and also on teamwork and patient care. The purpose of this research was to determine whether performing practical work included in the undergraduate Occupational Therapy program improves students' self-perceived EI, and whether there are any differences in the latter depending on the area in which this practical training is performed. It was conducted a multicenter, quasi-experimental, pre-post study with Occupational Therapy undergraduate students in the 2016-2017 academic year.

Anatomical prosection practices in the Occupational Therapy degree. Student anxiety levels and academic effectiveness.

Context: The practice of anatomical dissection and/or prosection on human cadavers is an essential component of human anatomy training programmes. However, this activity can be stressful for inexperienced students when exposed to cadavers for the first time, and it may generate high anxiety levels. The aims of this study are threefold: 1) to analyse the thoughts and feelings of first-year students of the Occupational Therapy degree about prosection practices; 2) to examine their anxiety levels in relation to these practices; and 3) to evaluate how useful and effective they are as an educational tool for anatomy training.