The use of functional near infrared spectroscopy and gait analysis to characterize cognitive and motor processing in early-stage patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Dual-task paradigms are a known tool to evaluate possible impairments in the motor and cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). A technique to evaluate the cortical function during movement is functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The evaluation of the MS course or its treatment by associating fNIRS with gait measurements may be flexible and low-cost; however, there are no feasibility studies in the literature using these combined techniques in early-stage patients with MS.

The immediate effect of different loads does not alter muscle co-activation of the upper limb in young adults with dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

Background: There is insufficient information on muscle co-activation in the upper limbs to help healthcare providers develop treatment programs for patients with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP).

Research Question: Is the degree of muscle co-activation greater in adults with DCP than in healthy individuals? Does the use of different arm weights modify co-contraction in individuals with PCD?

Methods: Fourteen healthy individuals (control group [CG]) and 14 individuals with DCP (dyskinetic group [DG]) participated in the study. The degree of muscle co-activation of the dominant limb during drinking from a mug was compared between the two groups.

Contralesional Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Does Not Enhance Upper Limb Function in Subacute Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has the potential to improve upper limb motor outcomes after stroke. According to the assumption of interhemispheric inhibition, excessive inhibition from the motor cortex of the unaffected hemisphere to the motor cortex of the affected hemisphere may worsen upper limb motor recovery after stroke. We evaluated the effects of active cathodal tDCS of the primary motor cortex of the unaffected hemisphere (ctDCSM1) compared to sham, in subjects within 72 hours to 6 weeks post ischemic stroke.

Adult dyskinetic cerebral palsy: Upper limb movement and muscle function.

Aim: The aim of this study was to characterize upper limb motor function during a comparative analysis of electromyographic and upper limb movement analysis during drinking between healthy adults and individuals with DCP.

Method: Fifteen healthy individuals (CG) and fifteen individuals with DCP (DG) participated in the study. Upper limb function was analyzed during drinking and consisted of a task divided into three phases: the going, the adjustment, and the return.

Success of promotion strategies for a stroke rehabilitation protocol.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the success of promotion strategies for a protocol of motor rehabilitation strategies for patients with stroke at Albert Einstein Hospital.

Methods: In a clinical trial of neuromodulation and rehabilitation for patients with stroke, conventional methods of dissemination and publications about the research protocol in social networks or on the hospital's website were performed. Frequencies of types of advertisements that reached potentially eligible subjects were calculated.

Cognition and brain function in elderly Tai Chi practitioners: A case-control study.

Objective: To compare cognition and brain function in elderly Tai Chi and Water Aerobics practitioners.

Methods: Eight Tai Chi (TC) and 8 Water Aerobics (WA) practitioners matched by gender, education and age underwent neuropsychological and fMRI scan during attention (Stroop Word Color Task) and working memory (N Back) tasks.

Results: Groups were similar for demographic and cognitive variables.

Correlation between physical examination and three-dimensional gait analysis in the assessment of rotational abnormalities in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between physical examination data concerning hip rotation and tibial torsion with transverse plane kinematics in children with cerebral palsy; and to determine which time points and events of the gait cycle present higher correlation with physical examination findings. Methods A total of 195 children with cerebral palsy seen at two gait laboratories from 2008 and 2016 were included in this study. Physical examination measurements included internal hip rotation, external hip rotation, mid-point hip rotation and the transmalleolar axis angle.

Analysis of static and dynamic balance in healthy elderly practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan versus ballroom dancing.

Objective: To determine whether Tai Chi Chuan or ballroom dancing promotes better performance with respect to postural balance, gait, and postural transfer among elderly people.

Methods: We evaluated 76 elderly individuals who were divided into two groups: the Tai Chi Chuan Group and the Dance Group. The subjects were tested using the NeuroCom Balance Master¯ force platform system with the following protocols: static balance tests (the Modified Clinical Tests of Sensory Interaction on Balance and Unilateral Stance) and dynamic balance tests (the Walk Across Test and Sit-to-stand Transfer Test).

Gait profile score and movement analysis profile in patients with Parkinson's disease during concurrent cognitive load.

Background: Gait disorders are common in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and the concurrent performance of motor and cognitive tasks can have marked effects on gait. The Gait Profile Score (GPS) and the Movement Analysis Profile (MAP) were developed in order to summarize the data of kinematics and facilitate understanding of the results of gait analysis.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the GPS and MAP in the quantification of changes in gait during a concurrent cognitive load while walking in adults with and without PD.

Validation of GDI, GPS and GVS for use in Parkinson's disease through evaluation of effects of subthalamic deep brain stimulation and levodopa.

The Gait Deviation Index (GDI), Gait Profile Score (GPS) and Gait Variable Scores (GVSs) have been proposed as measures of gait quality and validated for use with children with cerebral palsy. The aim of this study was to extend this validation to people with Parkinson's disease by evaluating the effects of subthalamic deep brain stimulation and levodopa on gait. 16 participants had their gait evaluated with stimulation, medication or a combination of both.

Use of the Gait Deviation Index and spatiotemporal variables for the assessment of dual task interference paradigm.

Three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) is an important element in the quantitative evaluation of gait in subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD). Indexes, such as the Gait Deviation Index (GDI), have recently been proposed as a summary measure of gait. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of the GDI and spatiotemporal variables in the quantification of changes in gait during a dual-task (DT) exercise.