Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with Balance Training in a Middle-Aged Population: Randomized Double-Blind Sham-Controlled Trial.

The first signs of deteriorated balance impairment begin during middle age. Early intervention could delay the fall risk in older populations; hence, addressing balance deficits during this age is crucial. The authors aimed to determine the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with balance training (BT) on the improvement of static and dynamic balance in a middle-aged population, along with the participants' safety and satisfaction.

Pain Reduction and Posture Alignment Improvement in Older Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Novel Approach Using Spinal Thermal Massage Bed and Calf Pneumatic Cell Compression.

BACKGROUND Chronic low back pain (CLBP) significantly affects the well-being of older adults, leading to diminished quality of life and heightened stress. Existing treatments have limited effectiveness and potential side effects. This study aimed to explore an integrative approach, employing a combination of spinal thermal massage bed (STMB) and intermittent pneumatic calf compression, as an alternative strategy for managing CLBP, improving body posture, reducing stress, and enhancing quality of life.

Effect of tDCS Combined With Physical Training on Physical Performance in a Healthy Population.

The effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with physical training has shown inconsistent results through research. Hence, a study utilizing a long-term tDCS application over the primary motor cortex and a large sample size is required to determine whether tDCS combined with physical training can increase physical performance (muscular strength, endurance, and explosive strength) in healthy adults. Fifty-six healthy adults were randomly distributed into two groups: active (active tDCS+ physical training) and sham (sham tDCS + physical training) and received the intervention three times per week for six weeks.

Activation of Anterolateral Abdominal Muscles During Sling Bridge Exercises: Comparison of Different Pelvic Positions.

Context: Inappropriate activation of the anterolateral abdominal muscles affects the stability of the lumbopelvic zone and increases the appearance of pain and lesion in the area. Therefore, ways to improve its effective contraction are crucial in rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to compare the activation of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles in 3 different pelvic positions (down pelvis [DP], horizontal pelvis [HP], and up pelvis [UP]) during sling bridge exercise (SBE) to determinate which position is more effective to promote a correct contraction of the anterolateral abdominal muscles.

Immediate effect of sling exercises combined with mechanic vibration and oscillation mobilization in chronic nonspecific low back pain patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: This study determined whether the combined application of sling exercises (SE) with targeted vibration and oscillations using a device called the Vibraoscillator (VO) is effective in reducing pain intensity, increasing range of motion (ROM), and enhancing back-related functions in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP).

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six participants were randomized into experimental (SE + VO) and control (SE) groups. Both groups received the intervention twice a week for 4 weeks.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on physical and mental health in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with physical therapy (PT) on pain levels, physical activity levels, quality of life, and depression in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Methods: Twenty-five older adults (9 males and 16 females), aged between 66 and 86 years (active group 77.2 ± 3.

The Effects of tDCS with NDT on the Improvement of Motor Development in Cerebral Palsy.

We investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) with neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) on the improvement of motor development and reduction of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Twenty-four children with CP were allocated to two groups: the tDCS + NDT group and the only NDT group, done 3 times per week for 5 weeks. The Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM-88) and Box and Block Test (BBT) were used to assess changes in motor development, and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used to evaluate changes in spasticity.

Influence of Anterior-Posterior External Surface Perturbation on Trunk Stability During Abdominal Stabilization Strategies While Sitting.

BACKGROUND Spinal and pelvic injuries during an unexpected perturbation are closely related to spinal stability, which is known to be controlled by abdominal stabilization maneuvers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of unexpected perturbations on trunk stability and abdominal stabilization strategies in 42 sedentary adults while sitting. MATERIAL AND METHODS Abdominal stabilization strategies consisted of bracing and hollowing maneuvers.

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) on Cognitive-Motor Dual Control Skills.

This randomized crossover study investigated whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefontal cortex (dlPFC) modulates memory-guided finger isometric maintenance during single motor and dual cognitive-motor tasks, based on electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. Twenty-three healthy participants (14 female; age = 29.130 years,  = 10.

Bilateral Transcranial Direct Stimulation Over the Primary Motor Cortex Alters Motor Modularity of Multiple Muscles.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) has been demonstrated to modulate the motor performance of both healthy individuals and patients with neuromuscular disorders. However, the effect of tDCS on motor control of multiple muscles, which is a prerequisite to change in motor performance, is currently unknown. Using dimensionality reduction analysis, we investigated whether bilateral tDCS over M1 modulates the coordinated activity of 12 muscles.

Noninvasive brain stimulation over M1 and DLPFC cortex enhances the learning of bimanual isometric force control.

Motor learning plays an important role in upper-limb function and the recovery of lost functionality. This study aimed to investigate the relative impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on learning in relation to the left primary motor cortex (M1) and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during bimanual isometric force-control tasks performed with both hands under different task constraints. In a single-blind cross-over design, 20 right-handed participants were randomly assigned to either the M1 group (n = 10; mean age, 22.

Effectiveness of Simulated Horseback Riding for Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Context: A simulated horseback riding (SHR) exercise is effective for improvement of pain and functional disability, but its comparative effectiveness with the other is unknown.

Objective: The authors aimed to demonstrate the effect of a SHR exercise in people with chronic low back pain.

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Isokinetic knee strength and proprioception before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A comparison between home-based and supervised rehabilitation.

Background: Rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction focuses on restoring knee deficiencies and function. However, the extent of the clinician's direct supervision that is required to recover knee function is unknown.

Objective: To investigate differences in isokinetic knee strength improvement, endurance, and proprioception between home-based (HBR) and supervised rehabilitation (SR).

Noninvasive brain stimulation over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for pain perception and executive function in aging.

Objectives: Based on the evidence that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is the main region affected by the aging process, and that tDCS modulates cortical excitability, the aim of the study is to prove the feasibility of tDCS for pain perception and executive function of community-dwelling elderly individuals.

Methods: We performed a double-blind, single-arm trial, including a sham period. 5 consecutive anodal tDCS was applied over DLPFC of twenty-four elderly for 20 min during each intervention periods (in order of Sham-1 mA-2 mA).

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation over the M1 Enhances Bimanual Force Control Ability: A Randomized Double-Blind Sham-Controlled Study.

Well-coordinated bimanual force control is common in daily life. We investigated the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex on bimanual force control. Under a cross-over study, young adults ( = 19; female = 6, male = 13) completed three bimanual force control tasks at 5%, 25%, and 50% of bimanual maximum voluntary force (BMVF) before and after real or sham tDCS.

Effects of assisted sit-up exercise compared to core stabilization exercise on patients with non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Traditional sit-up exercise is a simple method to strengthen core muscles. However, it can increase the potential of lumbar spine injury during the bending process.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of assisted sit-up exercise (SUE) using a new training device, HubEX-LEX®, on strengthening core muscles and improving non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) compared to conventional core stabilization exercise (CSE).

Muscle Synergies for Turning During Human Walking.

Muscle synergy describes reduced set of functional muscle co-activation patterns. We aimed to identify muscle synergies of turning compared with straight walking. Twelve healthy adults (men: 7, women: 5) performed straight walking (SW), left turning (LT), and right turning (RT) at self-selected speeds.

The Effectiveness of Hollowing and Bracing Strategies With Lumbar Stabilization Exercise in Older Adult Women With Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Quasi-Experimental Study on a Community-based Rehabilitation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic effectiveness of hollowing lumbar stabilization exercise (HLSE) and bracing lumbar stabilization exercise (BLSE) for older adult women with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) in community welfare centers.

Method: A total of 38 older adult women with NSLBP were allocated to either the HLSE group (n = 17, 70.4 ± 1.

Equine Exercise in Younger and Older Adults: Simulated Versus Real Horseback Riding.

Horseback riding is an effective exercise for improving postural control and balance. To reduce costs and improve accessibility, simulated horseback riding has been developed; but no differential effects of simulated and real horseback riding on muscle activation patterns in older adults have been studied. Thus, we compared muscle activation patterns for older and younger adults engaged in real and simulated horseback riding exercises, using surface electromyography recordings of the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and rectus femoris muscles.

Examining impairment of adaptive compensation for stabilizing motor repetitions in stroke survivors.

The hand, one of the most versatile but mechanically redundant parts of the human body, suffers more and longer than other body parts after stroke. One of the rehabilitation paradigms, task-oriented rehabilitation, encourages motor repeatability, the ability to produce similar motor performance over repetitions through compensatory strategies while taking advantage of the motor system's redundancy. The previous studies showed that stroke survivors inconsistently performed a given motor task with limited motor solutions.

A self-determination theory-based self-myofascial release program in older adults with myofascial trigger points in the neck and back: A pilot study.

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness and adherence to a self-determination theory (SDT)-based self-myofascial release (SMR) program in older adults with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), and to investigate the factors that influence participant behavioral change while conducting the program in a home setting.

Methods: An explanatory mixed-method design was used to evaluate a 12-week SDT-based SMR program, including a 4-week group-based education and practice (EP) phase and an 8-week home-based self-management (SM) phase. Pain intensity on palpation and sensitivity to pain were assessed at baseline and the post EP and post SM phase.

Specific muscle synergies in national elite female ice hockey players in response to unexpected external perturbation.

This study aimed to investigate specific muscle synergies in elite ice hockey players indicating highly developed postural control strategies used to restore balance against unexpected external perturbations. Seven elite athletes (EA) on the women's national ice hockey team and 7 non-athletes (NA) participated in this study. Based on trajectories of centre of mass (COM), analysis periods were divided into an initial phase (a balance disturbance after perturbation onset) and a reversal phase (a balance recovery response), respectively.

Reliability of histographic analysis for paraspinal muscle degeneration in patients with unilateral back pain using magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Mixed use of T1- or T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in histographic analysis has impeded cross-reference of studies on fatty degeneration of muscles in patients with back pain.

Objective: The current study aimed to establish the measurement reliability of histographic analysis for normal and painful paraspinal muscles between T1- and T2-weighted MRI.

Methods: T1- and T2-weighted MRI at the L4-5 level were performed in 31 patients with unilateral back pain.

Patient-centered evaluation of home-based rehabilitation developed using community-based participatory research approach for people with disabilities: a case series.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the locally tailored and individualized home-based rehabilitation (HBR) program developed using the community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, in terms of perceived health in patients with different levels of social engagement, and to explore the perceived facilitators and barriers to rehabilitation.

Method: A concurrent mixed-method design was employed. Four patients participated in the combined therapist- and self-delivered HBR program for 5 months.