Effects of constraint-induced movement therapy on activity and participation after a stroke: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Hemiparesis is the main sensorimotor deficit after stroke. It can result in limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and social participation. Hemiparesis can be treated with behavioral techniques of intensive use of the affected arm, such as constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), however, it remains unclear whether motor improvement can lead to increases in the domains of activity and participation.

Brazilian practice guidelines for stroke rehabilitation: Part II.

The Brazilian Practice Guidelines for Stroke Rehabilitation - Part II, developed by the Scientific Department of Neurological Rehabilitation of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology (Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, in Portuguese), focuses on specific rehabilitation techniques to aid recovery from impairment and disability after stroke. As in Part I, Part II is also based on recently available evidence from randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and other guidelines. Part II covers disorders of communication, dysphagia, postural control and balance, ataxias, spasticity, upper limb rehabilitation, gait, cognition, unilateral spatial neglect, sensory impairments, home rehabilitation, medication adherence, palliative care, cerebrovascular events related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the future of stroke rehabilitation, and stroke websites to support patients and caregivers.

A Single Session of Virtual Reality Improved Tiredness, Shortness of Breath, Anxiety, Depression and Well-Being in Hospitalized Individuals with COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: In 2020, the world was surprised by the spread and mass contamination of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19). COVID-19 produces symptoms ranging from a common cold to severe symptoms that can lead to death. Several strategies have been implemented to improve the well-being of patients during their hospitalization, and virtual reality (VR) has been used.

Effects of the infrared laser on classical ballerinas' feet: Analysis of plantar foot and static balance.

Background And Purpose: Overuse injuries and painful symptoms in athletes and dancers (especially classical ballerinas) may lead to reduced functional performance. However, laser application may reduce pain and increase physical conditioning. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of infrared laser on classical ballerinas' feet.

Multisite transcranial direct current stimulation associated with cognitive training in episodic memory and executive functions in individuals with Alzheimer's disease: a case report.

Background: Dementia is among the most common chronic noncommunicable neurodegenerative diseases. In the long term, it causes disability and loss of autonomy and independence. It is estimated that there are 35.

IoT Services and Applications in Rehabilitation: An Interdisciplinary and Meta-Analysis Review.

Unlabelled: Internet of things (IoT) is a designation given to a technological system that can enhance possibilities of connectivity between people and things and has been showing to be an opportunity for developing and improving smart rehabilitation systems and helps in the e-Health area.

Objective: to identify works involving IoT that deal with the development, architecture, application, implementation, use of technological equipment in the area of patient rehabilitation. Technology or Method: A systematic review based on Kitchenham's suggestions combined to the PRISMA protocol.

Cross-cultural adaptation and reliability of the Brazilian version of the wheelchair skills test-questionnaire 4.3 for manual wheelchair users.

The Wheelchair Skills Test-Questionnaire form for Manual Wheelchairs Operated by Wheelchair Users (WSTQ-M-WCU 4.3) assesses wheelchair skills that may influence users' occupational performance in their daily activities. The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the WSTQ-M-WCU 4.

Functional mobility assessment is reliable and correlated with satisfaction, independence and skills.

Mobility is essential for activities of daily living and therapists should give priority to evaluate its effects in their client's performance. We aimed to ascertain the intra- and inter-rater reliability of Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) and to identify correlations among satisfaction, independence, and skills in 44 users of manual wheelchairs and three users of powered wheelchairs. We analyzed the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the FMA in a sample of 47 wheelchair users using the Cronbach's Alpha.

Time use, purchasing power, and job satisfaction: Correlation and comparison between working women with children and working women without children.

Background: There are few correlational studies comparing family-work reconciliation between groups of women.

Objective: We intend to correlate and compare the use of time, purchasing power, and job satisfaction between two groups of working women, women with children and women without children.

Methods: This is a correlational and comparative study.

Pressure distribution analysis in three wheelchairs cushions of subjects with spinal cord injury.

Pressure injuries are a complication due to spinal cord injury. The objective of the study is to compare the pressure distribution in the wheelchair seat of subjects with spinal cord injury using 3 pads (Roho, Varilite and Jay). Pressure analysis was performed on 10 participants in two situations: (a) the participant sitting in static posture and (b) with the wheelchair being used for locomotion.

Burden and Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Stroke Patients.

The purpose of this study was to identify the level of burden and quality of life of family caregivers of stroke patients and to investigate the correlation between burden, quality of life (including physical, social, psychological, and environmental domains), age of caregivers, and the care period. A descriptive correlational cross-sectional study was performed, with a convenience sample of family caregivers (n = 30) of stroke patients in São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected using a questionnaire on participants' characteristics, the Zarit Burden Interview Scale (ZBIS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument.

Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Limb in Three Hand Function Tests.

Objective/background: Occupational therapists usually assess hand function through standardised tests, however, there is no consensus on how the scores assigned to hand dexterity can accurately measure hand function required for daily activities and few studies evaluate the movement patterns of the upper limbs during hand function tests. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in muscle activation patterns during the performance of three hand dexterity tests.

Methods: Twenty university students underwent a surface electromyographic (sEMG) assessment of eight upper limb muscles during the performance of the box and blocks test (BEST), nine-hole peg test (9HPT), and functional dexterity test (FDT).

Independence and cognition post-stroke and its relationship to burden and quality of life of family caregivers.

Background: Stroke is a chronic disease responsible for changes in the functional capacity of the patients. Patient care is usually provided by family caregivers, but with great burden and negative impact on their quality of life.

Objectives: (1) To investigate whether a correlation existed between the levels of independence and cognition in stroke patients and the burden and quality of life of their caregivers; (2) to assess whether periods of injury, rehabilitation and care, and age of the stroke patients interfered with these correlations.

Associations among occupational roles, independence, assistive technology, and purchasing power of individuals with physical disabilities.

Objective: to verify whether there are associations among occupational roles, independence to perform Activities of Daily Living, purchasing power, and assistive technology for individuals with physical disabilities.

Method: 91 individuals with physical disabilities participated in the study. The instruments used were: Role Checklist, Brazilian Economic Classification Criterion, Barthel Index, and a Questionnaire to characterize the subjects.

An electromyographic analysis of two handwriting grasp patterns.

Background: Handwriting is a fundamental skill needed for the development of daily-life activities during lifetime and can be performed using different forms to hold the writing object. In this study, we monitored the sEMG activity of trapezius, biceps brachii, extensor carpi radialis brevis and flexor digitorum superficialis during a handwriting task with two groups of subjects using different grasp patterns.

Subjects And Methods: Twenty-four university students (thirteen males and eleven females; mean age of 22.