A comparison of the energy costs with use of different types of manual wheelchair in disabled persons.

The energy cost of physical activity is a well-documented field of research both in non-disabled subjects and in subjects with physical disabilities, in particular spinal cord lesions. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the energy cost and subjective fatigue in disabled persons who make daily use of a manual wheelchair by comparing three different types of wheelchair (standard, lightweight and ultra-light) in order to obtain indices useful for prescribing the most effective and appropriate wheelchairaid for the individual patient. The study was carried out on 18 patients affected by paraplegia or paraparesis due to spinal cord injury at different levels.

The SonicHand Protocol for Rehabilitation of Hand Motor Function: A Validation and Feasibility Study.

Musical sonification therapy is a new technique that can reinforce conventional rehabilitation treatments by increasing therapy intensity and engagement through challenging and motivating exercises. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility and validity of the SonicHand protocol, a new training and assessment method for the rehabilitation of hand function. The study was conducted in 15 healthy individuals and 15 stroke patients.

Comparison of exercise training effect with different robotic devices for upper limb rehabilitation: a retrospective study.

Background: Several robotic devices have been proposed for upper limb rehabilitation, but they differ in terms of application fields and the technical solutions implemented.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three different robotic devices for shoulder-elbow rehabilitation in reducing motor impairment and improving motor performance in post-stroke patients.

Design: Retrospective multi-center study.

[Role of occupational rehabilitation therapy in returning to work: experimental experience].

The experimental experience is the result of combining cultural, clinical and scientific interest in rehabilitative, occupational and forensic mnedicine and in ergonomics. It deals with the rehabilitation and return at work of patients with physical disabilities caused by occupational trauma or disease. The programme described starts with a selection by INAIL and involves with an outpatient surgery inclusion.

[Multidisciplinary protocol for work resumption after occupational osteoarticular injury: case record].

The results obtained with a protocol aimed at work resumption after occupational osteoarticular injury and subsequent rehabilitation are presented: 159 patients (102 males and 57 females: mean age 43.7 years) were evaluated by the physiatrist and the occupational physician, providing indications based on their functional capabilities and task features. After 6 months, 105 out of 130 subjects available for telephonic follow-up (80.