Defining characteristics of independent walking persons after stroke presenting with different arm swing coordination patterns.

Background: Persons after stroke present with an altered arm swing during walking. Given the known influence of the arm swing on gait, it is important to identify the characteristics of persons with stroke with different arm-to-leg coordination patterns during walking.

Methods: Twenty-five persons after stroke walked on a self-paced treadmill at comfortable walking speed.

The Belgian physiotherapy reimbursement criteria for fall prevention fails in screening appropriately fall-prone community-dwelling older adults.

Objectives: The incidence of falling in older adults has remained unchanged over the past decades, despite evidence-based prevention initiatives. Therefore, it is appropriate to reflect on the current screening approach for preventive initiatives. The objective of this study was to determine whether the multifactorial algorithm proposed by Lusardi et al.

The impact of vestibular function on cognitive-motor interference: a case-control study on dual-tasking in persons with bilateral vestibulopathy and normal hearing.

Bilateral vestibulopathy (BV) is a chronic vestibular disorder, characterized by bilaterally absent or significantly impaired vestibular function. Symptoms typically include, but are not limited to, unsteadiness and movement-induced blurred vision (oscillopsia). This prospective case-control study aimed to elucidate the impact of BV on cognitive and motor performance and on cognitive-motor interference.

Association of Bilateral Vestibulopathy With and Without Hearing Loss With Cognitive-Motor Interference.

Importance: The past years, evidence suggested that the primary symptoms traditionally associated with bilateral vestibulopathy (BV) do not represent the full picture of this patient population. Recent literature also demonstrated cognitive impairment. However, although multitasking and dual-tasking are widely present in everyday activities, most of these studies assessed cognitive function only in single-task conditions.

Cervical mobility and cervical proprioception in relation to fall risk among older adults: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: Age-related decreases in cervical mobility and proprioception have previously been demonstrated. Potential associations of these deteriorations with fall risk have not been investigated so far. This study aims to compare cervical mobility and proprioception between fallers and non-fallers and prospectively assess the contribution of these parameters in fall risk identification among healthy older adults.

Self-Reported Cycling Performance and Impact on Falls in Persons With Bilateral Vestibulopathy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate cycling skills, cycling difficulties, fall concern, and fall history while cycling in persons with bilateral vestibulopathy.

Design: Fifty-one persons with bilateral vestibulopathy and 51 healthy control subjects filled out a questionnaire about cycling abilities. This questionnaire consisted of four parts: (1) general information about audiovestibular function, vision, and physical activity; (2) general cycling abilities, history, and difficulties; (3) fall concern while cycling in various situations; and (4) fall history.

Proportion of falls reported in persons with Parkinson's disease: A meta-analysis.

Objective: Falls can be highly debilitating and have an important negative impact on the quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide an up-to-date overview of the prevalence of ≥1 fall and ≥2 falls in idiopathic PD.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase and Cinahl databases were systematically searched until 04 July 2022 for prospective studies reporting fall prevalence in persons with idiopathic PD.

Biomechanical differences between self-paced and fixed-speed treadmill walking in persons after stroke.

Background: Using self-paced treadmills for gait analysis requires less space compared to overground gait labs while a more natural walking pattern could be preserved compared to fixed-speed treadmill walking. Although self-paced treadmills have been used in stroke related intervention studies, studies comparing self-paced to fixed-speed treadmill walking in this population are scarce.

Methods: Twenty-five persons after stroke (10 males/15 females; 53 ± 12.

The perspectives of older adults with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers on the use of socially assistive robots in healthcare: exploring factors that influence attitude in a pre-implementation stage.

Background: Due to increasing age and an increasing prevalence rate of neurocognitive disorders such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia, independent living may become challenging. The use of socially assistive robots (SARs) is one solution that can enable older adults with cognitive impairment to remain independent. However, at present, there is a lack of knowledge about the attitudes of older adults with MCI and their caregivers towards SARs.

Comparing spatiotemporal gait parameters between overground walking and self-paced treadmill walking in persons after stroke.

Purpose: Since self-paced treadmills enable more natural gait patterns compared to fixed-speed treadmills we examined the use of a self-paced treadmill as a alternative for overground gait analysis in persons after stroke.

Material And Methods: Twenty-five persons after stroke (10 males/15 females; 53 ± 12.05 years; 40.

Passive mobilisation of the shoulder in subacute stroke patients with persistent arm paresis: A randomised multiple treatment trial.

Background: Performing a careful but effective mobilisation of the hemiplegic shoulder is essential for optimal muscle activation and to preserve the passive range of motion (PROM) needed to perform functional tasks. Studies concerning passive mobilisation of the post-stroke shoulder are scarce.

Objectives: A randomised multiple treatment trial was conducted to compare the effects of different mobilisation techniques on shoulder PROM.

2BALANCE: Test-retest reliability of a cognitive-motor dual-task protocol.

Purpose: Aside from typical symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo, persons with vestibular disorders often have cognitive and motor problems. These symptoms have been assessed in single-task condition. However, dual-tasks assessing cognitive-motor interference might be an added value as they reflect daily life situations better.

The role of a socially assistive robot in enabling older adults with mild cognitive impairment to cope with the measures of the COVID-19 lockdown: A qualitative study.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, mandatory containment measures led to lockdowns and severely diminished social interaction, with older adults being one vulnerable group. Socially assistive robots (SARs) could prove to be an effective intervention.

Objectives: To explore the experiences of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with a SAR during the first lockdown in Belgium.

The impact of diabetic neuropathy on the distal versus proximal comparison of weakness in lower and upper limb muscles of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of diabetic neuropathy (dNP) on the distal versus proximal comparison of weakness in lower and upper limb muscles of patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: 19 healthy male controls without neuropathy (HC) and 35 male T2DM patients, without dNP (n=8), with sensory dNP (n=13) or with sensorimotor dNP (dNPsm; n=14), were enrolled in this study. Maximal isometric (IM) and isokinetic (IK) muscle strength and IK muscle endurance of the dominant knee, ankle and elbow, and maximal IM handgrip strength were measured by means of dynamometry.

The Effects of Aerobic Exercise in Patients with Early-Onset Dementia: A Scoping Review.

Background: Early-onset dementia (EOD) defines all dementia related conditions with an onset before the age of 65 years. EOD places a large and distressing psychological, emotional and financial burden on the individuals themselves and their caregivers. For various reasons, diagnostic and treatment strategies for EOD are very challenging.

2BALANCE: a cognitive-motor dual-task protocol for individuals with vestibular dysfunction.

Introduction: Aside from primary vestibular symptoms such as vertigo and dizziness, persons with vestibular dysfunction frequently express cognitive and motor problems. These symptoms have mainly been assessed in single-task setting, which might not represent activities of daily living accurately. Therefore, a dual-task protocol, consisting of the simultaneous performance of cognitive and motor tasks, was developed.

The use of shoulder orthoses post-stroke: effects on balance and gait. A systematic review.

Introduction: Since there is no clear conclusion concerning the use of arm slings in the prevention or reduction of shoulder subluxation or shoulder pain in stroke patients, it seems important to explore other potentially beneficial effects. Earlier research already suggested that the upper limb might play a considerable role in efficient balance and gait in stroke patients. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of wearing an arm sling on balance and/or gait in stroke patients.

The impact of sensory and/or sensorimotor neuropathy on lower limb muscle endurance, explosive and maximal muscle strength in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of diabetic neuropathy (dNP) on lower limb endurance, explosive and maximal muscle strength in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Fifty-four participants, aged between 55 and 85, were enrolled in this observational comparative study. The patients with T2DM had an average HbA1c of 7.

Psychometric Properties of Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Studies With the Aim of Developing a Test Protocol for Persons With Vestibular Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Patients suffering from vestibular disorders (VD) often present with impairments in cognitive domains such as visuospatial ability, memory, executive function, attention, and processing speed. These symptoms can be attributed to extensive vestibular projections throughout the cerebral cortex and subcortex on the one hand, and to increased cognitive-motor interference (CMI) on the other hand. CMI can be assessed by performing cognitive-motor dual-tasks (DTs).

Managing Paratonia in Persons With Dementia: Short-term Effects of Supporting Cushions and Harmonic Techniques.

Objectives: Paratonia, a form of hypertonia typically seen in dementia, is often associated with difficulties in positioning and daily care. No evidence-based therapy or clinical guideline for management is available. In this study, the short-term effect of harmonic techniques (HT) and supporting cushions (SC) on paratonia was explored.

The Influence of Clinically Diagnosed Neuropathy on Respiratory Muscle Strength in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study investigated the influence of clinically diagnosed neuropathy (cdNP) on respiratory muscle strength in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: 110 T2DM patients and 35 nondiabetic healthy controls (≥60 years) were allocated to one of three groups depending on the presence of cdNP: T2DM without cdNP (D-; = 28), T2DM with cdNP (D+; = 82), and controls without cdNP (C; = 35). Clinical neurological diagnostic examination consisted of Vibration Perception Threshold and Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom score.

The Impact of Paratonia on Fine and Gross Motor Function in Older Adults With Mild and Moderate Dementia.

Background: Dementia is associated with impairment in gait, balance, and fine motor function. Paratonia, a form of hypertonia, is often present in severe dementia. However, little is known about muscle tone in early dementia, and the eventual relation between muscle tone abnormalities and changes in fine and gross motor function.

Paratonia in Flemish Nursing Homes: Current State of Practice.

Background: Paratonia is a major underlying motor problem impeding functionality and locomotion in dementia. Despite its undeniable impact on patient's quality of life and daily care, there is a lack of evidence-based therapy on patients with this condition.

Methods: We surveyed physiotherapists working in nursing homes in Flanders (Belgium) concerning the use and perceived effect of therapeutic strategies and positioning methods/aids.

[The use of fall prevention strategies in home care: a survey in Flanders].

Objectives: Falls in community-dwelling older persons occur frequently. The consequences emphasize the need to screen systematically for an increased fall risk and a targeted multifactorial and multidisciplinary approach. This study describes the extent to which fall prevention strategies are applied by primary healthcare workers in Flanders.

A randomized controlled trial on the immediate and long-term effects of arm slings on shoulder subluxation in stroke patients.

Background: Arm slings are often used in clinical practice to support the hemiplegic arm aiming to prevent or treat glenohumeral subluxation. Evidence supporting the corrective effect of slings on subluxation is scarce and long-term studies are lacking.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine both the immediate and long-term effect on acromiohumeral distance using the Actimove® sling and Shoulderlift and to determine the effect of slings on pain and passive range of motion of the shoulder in stroke patients with glenohumeral subluxation.