Understanding the Experiences of Family Caregivers of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia: A Grounded Theory Study.

Background And Objectives: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias progress over time and result in cognitive decline, loss of independence, and behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia that can lead to nursing home placement. Research has focused on examining the effects of nursing home placement on the family caregiver; however, their experiences are less understood. We sought to investigate the experiences and perceptions of family caregivers of nursing home residents with dementia.

Providing unloading by exoskeleton improves shoulder flexion performance after stroke.

Robotic devices can be engaged actively or passively to unload arm weight or impose additional loading. The conditions of variable loading and unloading offer an opportunity to investigate motor performance of the arm affected by a stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of the proximal arm impairment and passive weight compensation on shoulder flexion performance in the sagittal plane after stroke.

The utility of the single-subject method for comparison of temporal-spatial gait changes between a microprocessor and non-microprocessor prosthetic knees.

Background: Despite increasing knowledge about the potential benefits of advanced user-controlled technology, the decision about switching an individual prosthesis user from a non-microprocessor prosthetic knee to a microprocessor prosthetic knee is mainly based on clinician's experience rather than empirical evidence.

Objectives: To demonstrate the utility of single-subject design and data analysis for evaluating changes in temporal-spatial gait characteristics between walking with a non-microprocessor prosthetic knee and microprocessor prosthetic knee.

Study Design: Single-subject ABA/BAB design.

Comparison of mobility and user satisfaction between a microprocessor knee and a standard prosthetic knee: a summary of seven single-subject trials.

Insufficient evidence of the benefits provided by costlier microprocessor knees (MPKs) over nonmicroprocessor knees (NMPKs) often causes concern when considering MPK prescription. Thus, more studies are needed to demonstrate differences between MPKs and NMPKs and define sensitive outcomes to guide MPK prescription. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of switching from NMPK to MPK on measures of mobility and preference.

Increased alertness, better than posture prioritization, explains dual-task performance in prosthesis users and controls under increasing postural and cognitive challenge.

Sensorimotor impairments after limb amputation impose a threat to stability. Commonly described strategies for maintaining stability are the posture first strategy (prioritization of balance) and posture second strategy (prioritization of concurrent tasks). The existence of these strategies was examined in 13 below-knee prosthesis users and 15 controls during dual-task standing under increasing postural and cognitive challenge by evaluating path length, 95% sway area, and anterior-posterior and medial-lateral amplitudes of the center of pressure.

Weight compensation characteristics of Armeo®Spring exoskeleton: implications for clinical practice and research.

Background: Armeo®Spring exoskeleton is widely used for upper extremity rehabilitation; however, weight compensation provided by the device appears insufficiently characterized to fully utilize it in clinical and research settings.

Methods: Weight compensation was quantified by measuring static force in the sagittal plane with a load cell attached to the elbow joint of Armeo®Spring. All upper spring settings were examined in 5° increments at the minimum, maximum, and two intermediate upper and lower module length settings, while keeping the lower spring at minimum.