Error Enhancement for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in the Chronic Phase after Stroke: A 5-Day Pre-Post Intervention Study.

A large proportion of chronic stroke survivors still struggle with upper limb (UL) problems in daily activities, typically reaching tasks. During three-dimensional reaching movements, the deXtreme robot offers error enhancement forces. Error enhancement aims to improve the quality of movement.

Identification and reduction of retained primitive reflexes by sensory stimulation in autism spectrum disorder: effects on qEEG networks and cognitive functions.

Several authors have reported finding retained primitive reflexes (RPRs) in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This case report describes the reduction of RPRs and changes in cognitive function after transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) of muscle. Three individuals were examined in a study at the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Havana, Cuba.

The Relationship between Retained Primitive Reflexes and Hemispheric Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be identified by a general tendency toward a reduction in the expression of low-band, widely dispersed integrative activities, which is made up for by an increase in localized, high-frequency, regionally dispersed activity. The study assessed ASD children and adults all possessing retained primitive reflexes (RPRs) compared with a control group that did not attempt to reduce or remove those RPRs and then examined the effects on qEEG and brain network connectivity.

Methods: Analysis of qEEG spectral and functional connectivity was performed, to identify associations with the presence or absence of retained primitive reflexes (RPRs), before and after an intervention based on TENS unilateral stimulation.

Reliability, validity and normal ranges of the Zur Balance Scale for detecting mild postural control differences: introducing the modified, short version mZBS.

Introduction: Balance is achieved through interactions between the vestibular, somatosensory, and visual systems. There are several clinical tests to measure postural stability. However, most of them do not assess postural stability with head movements, which is the main function of the vestibular system, and those that do, require the use of sizeable, expensive equipment.

Should inclusion have an expiry date? Older people's attitudes on intellectual disabilities.

Background: Older people with intellectual disabilities represent a new and neglected population in need of services, yet it may be problematic to include them in generic services without having a clear idea of how elderly people from the general population feel towards them. To the best of our knowledge, this topic has not been addressed quantitatively.

Method: Seventy-three participants over 63 years of age (23 females and 50 males) from the general population without an intellectual disability completed two valid measures: the CLAS-MR and the WHOQOL-OLD.

Retained Primitive Reflexes and Potential for Intervention in Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

We provide evidence to support the contention that many aspects of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are related to interregional brain functional disconnectivity associated with maturational delays in the development of brain networks. We think a delay in brain maturation in some networks may result in an increase in cortical maturation and development in other networks, leading to a developmental asynchrony and an unevenness of functional skills and symptoms. The paper supports the close relationship between retained primitive reflexes and cognitive and motor function in general and in ASD in particular provided to indicate that the inhibition of RPRs can effect positive change in ASD.

Relationship between Occupational Identity Post-Stroke and Outcomes of a Self-Management Participation-Focused Intervention: A Preliminary Investigation.

Self-management programs are used to assist stroke survivors to manage their condition and participation. This study was designed to examine correlations between occupational identity and outcomes of participation-focused self-management program using the Occupational Performance History Interview for the occupational identity and participation and self-efficacy as outcome measures. Spearman's rho correlations were calculated between occupational Identity and the program's outcomes.

Persistent Childhood Primitive Reflex Reduction Effects on Cognitive, Sensorimotor, and Academic Performance in ADHD.

A study was performed on 2,175 individuals between the ages of 3.2 and 22.04 years diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and drawn from 89 separate locations across the United States in satellite clinics with common practices and common staff training and equipment.

Impaired Coordination and Recruitment of Muscle Agonists, But Not Abnormal Synergies or Co-contraction, Have a Significant Effect on Motor Impairments After Stroke.

Movement synergies, muscle co-contraction, and decreased motor drive to muscle agonists were suggested to be major factors in motor impairments after stroke. The purpose of this study was to investigate the major muscle mechanisms contributing to motor impairment after stroke. Twelve healthy and 13 post-stroke patients participated in this observational study.

Examining the feasibility and effectiveness of a culturally adapted participation-focused stroke self-management program in a day-rehabilitation setting: A randomized pilot study.

: Stroke survivors find it difficult to participate in daily activities, despite their improvement throughout the rehabilitation process. Thus, it has been questioned whether day-rehabilitation services provide adequate preparation for participation and reintegration into the community. Self-management programs can improve survivors' self-efficacy to manage their condition and participation.

The association between volition and participation in adults with acquired disabilities: A scoping review.

Background/objective: Physical, cognitive and psychological factors such as self-efficacy and motivation affect participation in populations with acquired disabilities. Volition is defined as a person's motivation for participating in occupation. The concept of 'volition' expands similar concepts and theories, which focus mostly on cognitive processes that influence motivation.

Introduction of the Novel Radiographic Line (L5-Kyphosis Apex Line) Intended to Evaluate Scheuermann's Disease and Postural Kyphosis Progression on Standard Lateral X-Rays.

Study Design: Cross-sectional and follow-up nested study.

Purpose: To assess the reliability of the L5-kyphosis apex line (L5-KAL) evaluation and determine the association between changes in L5-KAL, changes in radiological parameters, and changes in clinical symptoms.

Overview Of Literature: Scheuermann's disease is the most common cause of hyperkyphosis of the thoracolumbar and thoracic spine during adolescence.

The Effect of Schroth Therapy on Thoracic Kyphotic Curve and Quality of Life in Scheuermann's Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Design: Randomized controlled single-blinded clinical trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of Schroth therapy on thoracic curve angle, pain, and self-perceived body image (SPBI) of the back in Scheuermann's patients in comparison with the efficacy of classic anti-gravitation exercises.

Overview Of Literature: Scheuermann disease is the most common cause of hyperkyphosis of the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine during adolescence.

Measuring Dynamic Leg Length during Normal Gait.

Dynamic leg length [DLL] is a resultant factor of anatomic leg length and lower limb movement that is measured by the distance from the hip to the heel, ankle, and forefoot during the gait cycle. The aim of this study was to present DLL measurement during normal gait. Forty healthy participants underwent a gait evaluation using a motion analysis system.

Severe central obesity or diabetes can replace weight loss in the detection of frailty in obese younger elderly - a preliminary study.

Purpose: Unwanted weight loss is one of the established criteria for the diagnosis of frailty. However, the relevance of this criterion to detect frailty in obese older adults has not been assessed. In particular, with the exception of malignancy, unwanted weight loss is not commonly seen in older obese subjects.

Scheuermann's Disease: Radiographic Pathomorphology and Association with Clinical Features.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Purpose: To evaluate the spinal radiological features in patients with Scheuermann's disease and the association between the thoracic kyphosis angle and clinical presentation. Overview of the Literature: Scheuermann's disease is the most common cause of hyperkyphosis of the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine in adolescents; however, literature is limited in this area.

Cognitive impairment and the association between frailty and functional deficits are linked to abdominal obesity in the elderly.

Objective: To evaluate whether specific obesity phenotypes in community-dwelling elderly: (a) affect differently the relationship between frailty and functional impairment and (b) are related to cognitive impairment.

Study Design: A post-hoc cross-sectional analysis of the last Israeli national health and nutrition survey of the elderly (≥ 65 yrs.; n = 1619).

Adaptation of the Scoliosis Research Society-22 Questionnaire for the Hebrew Language: Transcultural Adaptation and Reliability Analysis.

Study Design: A cross-cultural adaptation and reliability study.

Objective: To perform cross-cultural adaptation and evaluate the reliability and validity of the Hebrew version of the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire.

Summary Of Background Data: The SRS-22 validated in different languages is used in assessing health-related quality of life of patients with scoliosis.

Evaluation of Pressure-Applying Accuracy in Multilayer Bandaging Among Physiotherapists Who Treat Lymphedema.

Background: Compression therapy is the only conservative treatment that has been shown to be effective for patients with lymphedema in randomized controlled trials. A commonly used classification system divides pressure into four categories ranging from mild to very strong. For lower limb edema, bandages with strong pressure were shown to be most effective.

Estimated frailty prevalence among Israeli elderly - results from a cross sectional national survey.

Background: Increasing longevity presents new social and medical challenges in developed countries. The prevalence of frailty is of interest because of its association with health prognosis and outcomes, but so far there is no single best diagnostic tool for this entity. Therefore, estimated prevalence of frailty in countries varies considerably and ranges between 5% and 58%.

Improvement in Hand Trajectory of Reaching Movements by Error-Augmentation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether adaptive responses to error-augmentation force fields, would decrease the trajectory errors in hand-reaching movements in multiple directions in healthy individuals. The study was conducted, as a randomized controlled trial, in 41 healthy subjects. The study group trained on a 3D robotic system, applying error-augmenting forces on the hand during the execution of tasks.

Muscle Synergies Control during Hand-Reaching Tasks in Multiple Directions Post-stroke.

A muscle synergies model was suggested to represent a simplifying motor control mechanism by the brainstem and spinal cord. The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of such control mechanisms in the rehabilitation of post-stroke individuals during the execution of hand-reaching movements in multiple directions, compared to non-stroke individuals. Twelve non-stroke and 13 post-stroke individuals participated in the study.

Very High Frequency Oscillations of Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Humans and in Patients with Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy.

Literature reports on the very high frequency (VHF) range of 0.4-0.9 Hz in heart rate variability (HRV) are scanty.

Neuromuscular synergies in motor control in normal and poststroke individuals.

Muscle synergies are proposed to function as motor primitives that are modulated by frontal brain areas to construct a large repertoire of movement. This paper reviews the history of the development of our current theoretical understanding of nervous system-based motor control mechanisms and more specifically the concept of muscle synergies. Computational models of muscle synergies, especially the nonnegative matrix factorization algorithm, are discussed with specific reference to the changes in synergy control post-central nervous system (CNS) lesions.

The effect of simulated leg length discrepancy on lower limb biomechanics during gait.

Understanding the effects of leg length discrepancy (LLD) on the biomechanics of gait and determining as to what extent of LLD alters gait is essential. A total of 91 biomechanical data were assessed from 14 lower limbs of healthy individuals walking under random conditions: shod only and with a 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 mm sole lift. Lower limb kinematics and dynamic leg length (DLL) were measured by a motion capture system.